Castle Zagyg: The Upper Works by Gary Gygax
Castle Zagyg: The Upper Works by Gary Gygax
Behold . . . Castle Zagyg: The Upper Works!!
Its astounding, astonishing and inspiring.
A beautiful work of art both in production and content.
The Piece de resistance from the Dungeon Master Ernest Gary Gygax.
Superbly done, Gary. Thank you. It most certainly is going to be a Lejendary release in the annals of gaming.
Kudos to the Trolls!
Kudos to Peter, Jeff, Jason and everyone who had a hand in creating this boxed set!
This is simply an amazing D&D/RPG accomplishment, I dont think it could be overstated!
I expect to post more thoughts as I delved into this.
And Crusaders, I welcome all your thoughts as well.
_________________
Count Rhuveinus - Lejendary Keeper of Castle Franqueforte
"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth
Its astounding, astonishing and inspiring.
A beautiful work of art both in production and content.
The Piece de resistance from the Dungeon Master Ernest Gary Gygax.
Superbly done, Gary. Thank you. It most certainly is going to be a Lejendary release in the annals of gaming.
Kudos to the Trolls!
Kudos to Peter, Jeff, Jason and everyone who had a hand in creating this boxed set!
This is simply an amazing D&D/RPG accomplishment, I dont think it could be overstated!
I expect to post more thoughts as I delved into this.
And Crusaders, I welcome all your thoughts as well.
_________________
Count Rhuveinus - Lejendary Keeper of Castle Franqueforte
"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth
Lord Tadhg - Lejendary Keeper of Castle Ardmore
"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth
"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth
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- Ulthal
- Posts: 687
- Joined: Tue May 06, 2008 7:00 am
The mother load of gaming goodness. Its dominated my thought processes as I scramble to get it ready for my gaming group. From the moment I picked this up at con, I knew it was gonna be good. As I read further into it, I actually pause to remember games from yore that I was a part of and that is what this reminds me of. My first forays into the worlds of D&D and the excitement of encountering a new monster or scoring a piece of treasure that noone had found before. Maybe I'm just being a bit sentimental but the Upper Works has taken me back to why I started gaming in the first place. Pure, unadulterated fun. Plus its just wicked cool.
Gary, Jeff, and Peter deserve much credit. I have not yet seen the glory of the work, but I feel very honored to have been asked, at times, for my opinion on something, or to help with a little thing here or there. My "job" was nothing compared... so, congrats, again, to those who worked, but the real thanks, I think, goes to all those buying it. That is the testament to Gary's enduring amazement... to strike that imagination chord, to play the song of adventure in your heart. He always had it -- he still does.
I had written this in a different thread, but will reiterate it here:
"Just received my copy of CZ: Upper Works. So, needless to say, it will take up some time going through it all.
It is definitely a bittersweet moment. I had the luxury of delving into the first three levels of CGH with Gary as our DM. So, going through it will bring back some great memories, along with some wishful thinkings!
From what I've seen so far, it rocks!!!
Thanks Jeff, Steve, Peter and the Troll Lord gang for making it happen!
And, of course, "Thank You, Gary!!"."
Thanks to all who were involved, (my part was very small - a few tidbits about the Old Guard Kobolds) y'all done did a great job!!
_________________
Eulaliaaa!!! Give those rapscallions blood and vinegar, wot?!
Be sure to check out Jim's artwork for sale:
http://jimhollowayart.com/id5.html
"Just received my copy of CZ: Upper Works. So, needless to say, it will take up some time going through it all.
It is definitely a bittersweet moment. I had the luxury of delving into the first three levels of CGH with Gary as our DM. So, going through it will bring back some great memories, along with some wishful thinkings!
From what I've seen so far, it rocks!!!
Thanks Jeff, Steve, Peter and the Troll Lord gang for making it happen!
And, of course, "Thank You, Gary!!"."
Thanks to all who were involved, (my part was very small - a few tidbits about the Old Guard Kobolds) y'all done did a great job!!
_________________
Eulaliaaa!!! Give those rapscallions blood and vinegar, wot?!
Be sure to check out Jim's artwork for sale:
http://jimhollowayart.com/id5.html
Deogolf wrote:
Thanks to all who were involved, (my part was very small - a few tidbits about the Old Guard Kobolds) y'all done did a great job!!
Hey John. If you'd be up for posting, I'd love to read about your experience with the OGKs vs. what's published in UWs.
It was cool that you stopped by our game when we were playing in Gary's OD&D/GH game in January.
We managed to avoid the OGKs, but ran into loads of other nasty beasts and found the stairway down to level 3!!
Gary had mentioned that very few adventuring parties did this ~ and none would have survived had they continued in this level.
_________________
Count Rhuveinus - Lejendary Keeper of Castle Franqueforte
"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth
Lord Tadhg - Lejendary Keeper of Castle Ardmore
"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth
"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth
- Omote
- Battle Stag
- Posts: 11560
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- Location: The fairest view in the park, Ohio.
- Contact:
CZII really is everything is has claimed to be, and more. Those who put their time and effort into the product, should really be proud of what they have done to contribute. That being said, the biggest congrats, in my opinion, needs to be given to Jeff Talanian. It is my understanding that the giant's share of the load was put upon his shoulders, and the writing is nearly impeccable. I might be a TLG fanboy, but this is one of the best box sets / modules ever released. It really is just that damn good.
-O
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> Omote's Advanced C&C stuff <
Duke Omote Landwehr, Holy Order of the FPQ ~ Prince of the Castles & Crusades Society
-O
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> Omote's Advanced C&C stuff <
Duke Omote Landwehr, Holy Order of the FPQ ~ Prince of the Castles & Crusades Society
@-Duke Omote Landwehr, Holy Order of the FPQ ~ Prince of the Castles & Crusades Society-@
VAE VICTUS!
>> Omote's Advanced C&C stuff <<
VAE VICTUS!
>> Omote's Advanced C&C stuff <<
- Lord Dynel
- Maukling
- Posts: 5844
- Joined: Tue Jun 17, 2008 7:00 am
I eagerly await to sing such praises! You guys are doing a great job job giveing credit where it is undoubtedly due.
LD's C&C creations - CL Checker, a witch class, the half-ogre, skills, and 0-level rules
Troll Lord wrote:Lord D: you understand where I"m coming from.
Luther wrote:
What level range does the Upper Works run? In other words, I'm assuming you start at 1, but what level would an average character end up at before descending into the Dungeons?
I do believe we started at 4th lvl when playing CGH. But, then again, we didn't go through the MoM which will help you get from 1st on up. I'd start at first and then see what happens - nothing like starting a new character from scratch!
_________________
Eulaliaaa!!! Give those rapscallions blood and vinegar, wot?!
Be sure to check out Jim's artwork for sale:
http://jimhollowayart.com/id5.html
Rhuvein wrote:
Hey John. If you'd be up for posting, I'd love to read about your experience with the OGKs vs. what's published in UWs.
It was cool that you stopped by our game when we were playing in Gary's OD&D/GH game in January.
We managed to avoid the OGKs, but ran into loads of other nasty beasts and found the stairway down to level 3!!
Gary had mentioned that very few adventuring parties did this ~ and none would have survived had they continued in this level.
Hey, Rhu! I'd love to. I'll have to track down my campaign notes that I posted on DF. I think I have them printed out somewhere as well. Time to start my own adventure in finding them!
I just remember them being really tough - mostly because there were so many and they were all wearing plate mail. Also being a magic-user didn't help - tough to get close enough to cast a spell without getting pegged to death with spears and arrows, over time we managed. Finding a Wand of Lightning didn't hurt either!! Gary was not happy after I found that, I made those buggers really pay!
_________________
Eulaliaaa!!! Give those rapscallions blood and vinegar, wot?!
Be sure to check out Jim's artwork for sale:
http://jimhollowayart.com/id5.html
- gideon_thorne
- Maukling
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- Contact:
Luther wrote:
What level range does the Upper Works run? In other words, I'm assuming you start at 1, but what level would an average character end up at before descending into the Dungeons?
Levels 1-4 or thereabouts.
_________________
"We'll go out through the kitchen!" Tanis Half-Elven
Peter Bradley
"The accumulated filth of all their sex and murder will foam up about their waists and all the whores and politicians will look up and shout, 'Save us!' And I'll look down, and whisper 'No.' " ~Rorschach
gideon_thorne wrote:
Levels 1-4 or thereabouts.
Yep, and have 4-6 characters.
At another point, Gary mentions lvls 2 - 3 is optimal. At later on, if the party is averages lvl 4, you can toughen up the encounters a bit.
_________________
Count Rhuveinus - Lejendary Keeper of Castle Franqueforte
"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth
Lord Tadhg - Lejendary Keeper of Castle Ardmore
"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth
"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth
Deogolf wrote:
Hey, Rhu! I'd love to. I'll have to track down my campaign notes that I posted on DF. I think I have them printed out somewhere as well. Time to start my own adventure in finding them!
I just remember them being really tough - mostly because there were so many and they were all wearing plate mail. Also being a magic-user didn't help - tough to get close enough to cast a spell without getting pegged to death with spears and arrows, over time we managed. Finding a Wand of Lightning didn't hurt either!! Gary was not happy after I found that, I made those buggers really pay!
Thanks John.
If they're posted on DF, I can look for them. Are they in the Campaign Journal forums?
Nice find on the Wand of Lightning - it's still there (in the storerooms), in a very interesting place. I assume it was the same for your encounter.
_________________
Count Rhuveinus - Lejendary Keeper of Castle Franqueforte
"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth
Lord Tadhg - Lejendary Keeper of Castle Ardmore
"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth
"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth
Oooh, cool spoiler-ish stuff. Sadly, it will be about 3-4 weeks before I can get around to ordering Upper Works (I decided to order a whole passel of books at once, so I'm going for the published Town Expansion books so far, East Mark Folio and Upper Works). I'm holding off on running my game until such time as I have the stuff in hand to decide exactly what direction I want to take my game. All I know is that I'm placing The East Mark in Airhde and 3 of my players are playing a set of Dwarf brothers (Cleric, Fighter and Paladin).
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Lord Lamorek Steelguard, Baron of Calx Mons Montis - The Castles & Crusades Society
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Lord Lamorek Steelguard, Baron of Calx Mons Montis - The Castles & Crusades Society
"Democracy, too, is a religion. It is the worship of jackals by jackasses." - H.L. Mencken
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Rhuvein wrote:
Thanks John.
If they're posted on DF, I can look for them. Are they in the Campaign Journal forums?
Nice find on the Wand of Lightning - it's still there (in the storerooms), in a very interesting place. I assume it was the same for your encounter.
Yes, they should be in the Campaign Journal. I'll have to look at the Storerooms to confirm! There was also a really neat potion that I'll have to see if it made it in. If not, I'll have to keep mum on it!
{Just found the potion - a nice, neat new item!} ...now where was the wand located?...
_________________
Eulaliaaa!!! Give those rapscallions blood and vinegar, wot?!
Be sure to check out Jim's artwork for sale:
http://jimhollowayart.com/id5.html
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- Red Cap
- Posts: 224
- Joined: Thu May 11, 2006 7:00 am
Well, I'm disappointed. Not in the content -- that's great.
When I got the package in the mail, I knew things weren't going to be good when I saw that the shipping box was crushed. Sure enough, the UW box was also smashed and the corners ripped out. I sent Steve an email when I got it, but all I got back was the same error that everyone else was getting.
When I got the package in the mail, I knew things weren't going to be good when I saw that the shipping box was crushed. Sure enough, the UW box was also smashed and the corners ripped out. I sent Steve an email when I got it, but all I got back was the same error that everyone else was getting.
Mike Frank wrote:
Well, I'm disappointed. Not in the content -- that's great.
When I got the package in the mail, I knew things weren't going to be good when I saw that the shipping box was crushed. Sure enough, the UW box was also smashed and the corners ripped out. I sent Steve an email when I got it, but all I got back was the same error that everyone else was getting.
Thanks Postal Service! You fill our hearts with gladness! {a$$h*les!}
_________________
Eulaliaaa!!! Give those rapscallions blood and vinegar, wot?!
Be sure to check out Jim's artwork for sale:
http://jimhollowayart.com/id5.html
- gideon_thorne
- Maukling
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- Joined: Thu Mar 30, 2006 8:00 am
- Contact:
Mike Frank wrote:
Well, I'm disappointed. Not in the content -- that's great.
When I got the package in the mail, I knew things weren't going to be good when I saw that the shipping box was crushed. Sure enough, the UW box was also smashed and the corners ripped out. I sent Steve an email when I got it, but all I got back was the same error that everyone else was getting.
Thats because, as I posted in the other thread, his power has been out for a week, which means he can't check his email, which means his email box is overloaded.
Try the phone.
_________________
"We'll go out through the kitchen!" Tanis Half-Elven
Peter Bradley
"The accumulated filth of all their sex and murder will foam up about their waists and all the whores and politicians will look up and shout, 'Save us!' And I'll look down, and whisper 'No.' " ~Rorschach
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- Red Cap
- Posts: 224
- Joined: Thu May 11, 2006 7:00 am
gideon_thorne wrote:
Thats because, as I posted in the other thread, his power has been out for a week, which means he can't check his email, which means his email box is overloaded.
Try the phone.
I'm aware of that. I sent the e-mail just to get a timestamp on when I first tried to contact him. Must admit though, I didn't even think of trying the phone. What a concept!
I got the UW a couple of weeks ago a read a little each day. It's so filled with gaming goodness and nostalgic GH references. Two thumbs way up from a very picky DM . I immediately started a new C&C game with the intent of running CZ . My hat off to EGG and all who helped on the project.
_________________
What is best in life-
To crush the PC's
See their character sheets piled before you
And to hear the lamentations of the players
-Conan the dungeonmaster
_________________
What is best in life-
To crush the PC's
See their character sheets piled before you
And to hear the lamentations of the players
-Conan the dungeonmaster
Valerian wrote:
I got the UW a couple of weeks ago a read a little each day. It's so filled with gaming goodness and nostalgic GH references. Two thumbs way up from a very picky DM . I immediately started a new C&C game with the intent of running CZ . My hat off to EGG and all who helped on the project.
Well said. I don't think anything has fueled my imagination as much as this release.
I'm pulling out everything that I can use or plug in:
WoG
Greyhawk modules - specifically EX1, EX2, and Isle of Ape
Rob Kuntz's The Living Room
Rob's Bottle City
Tricks and traps from OD&D Greyhawk Supplement
Gord the Rogue
CZ Yggsburgh
Keep on the Borderland
My own recollections and experience in Gary's Greyhawk dungeon
and more
_________________
Count Rhuveinus - Lejendary Keeper of Castle Franqueforte
"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth
Lord Tadhg - Lejendary Keeper of Castle Ardmore
"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth
"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth
OK, just finished a thorough read of Mouths of Madness. Man its a great work. And I really enjoy Garys recommendations and comments about how to do/run certain encounters and situations.
Some of you veterans probably dont need much of that, but I find them helpful and they spark my imagination for alternative methods or completely expanding on his recommendation to create an in depth encounter.
Of course, Gary did much of this in his TSR modules and I always found that helpful. Some Gygaxian prose, some common sense talk, and much ~ just enthusiastic wisdom from the Dungeon Master.
You can tell in his writing that, Gary wanted both players and DM to have fun when running D&D.
I cant wait to run this. I think my players are going to be blown away at how much cool challenge, atmosphere (for me, fun) and interesting things they are going to find/encounter.
It was also a load of fun to re-read Caves of Chaos and compare stuff.
Enjoy CZ!
_________________
Count Rhuveinus - Lejendary Keeper of Castle Franqueforte
"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth
Some of you veterans probably dont need much of that, but I find them helpful and they spark my imagination for alternative methods or completely expanding on his recommendation to create an in depth encounter.
Of course, Gary did much of this in his TSR modules and I always found that helpful. Some Gygaxian prose, some common sense talk, and much ~ just enthusiastic wisdom from the Dungeon Master.
You can tell in his writing that, Gary wanted both players and DM to have fun when running D&D.
I cant wait to run this. I think my players are going to be blown away at how much cool challenge, atmosphere (for me, fun) and interesting things they are going to find/encounter.
It was also a load of fun to re-read Caves of Chaos and compare stuff.
Enjoy CZ!
_________________
Count Rhuveinus - Lejendary Keeper of Castle Franqueforte
"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth
Lord Tadhg - Lejendary Keeper of Castle Ardmore
"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth
"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth
Rhu ,I have almost the exact same stack of books next to my old style DM screens . I agree Egg's style and prose are one of a kind and spark the immagination to just adventure .
_________________
What is best in life-
To crush the PC's
See their character sheets piled before you
And to hear the lamentations of the players
-Conan the dungeonmaster
_________________
What is best in life-
To crush the PC's
See their character sheets piled before you
And to hear the lamentations of the players
-Conan the dungeonmaster