Everything about it is worth more than forty pages, but limiting the story to only Gord's point of view removes all the complexity and potential. Then explaining the aftermath in a needless flashback speaks of an author impatient to move on. He has a thing for framed flashbacks. Almost as much as he does for fauchard-forks and glaive-guisarmes and, potentially, fauchard-glaive-guisarmes.
Even in this early book, it's clear that Gord is the author's Precious. Much of the story is about him acquiring awesomeness by either training or obtaining objects, and is thus is more an investment in the character. Sadly, Gord really doesn't distinguish himself. It is thankfully free of the bitterness that poisoned the New Infinities Productions sequels, as well as the cosmic warfare that made them so tedious.
Gord might be the special snowflake of the author, but at least he's no savior or chosen one. View 2 comments. Sep 13, Ross Kitson rated it really liked it.
As I'm re-visiting my adolescent love of Dungeons and Dragons, and running the adbetures in the World of Greyhawk, it seemed appropriate to read the books that Gary Gygax, Godfather of DnD, and latterly Rose Etes, wrote. From the outset it's fair to say that this particular book is probably only of interest to those with a background or curiosity about the hobby. Even compared to other DnD books Paul Kidd's DnD classic module offerings, and Salvatore's dark elf books it's not the best of the b As I'm re-visiting my adolescent love of Dungeons and Dragons, and running the adbetures in the World of Greyhawk, it seemed appropriate to read the books that Gary Gygax, Godfather of DnD, and latterly Rose Etes, wrote.
Even compared to other DnD books Paul Kidd's DnD classic module offerings, and Salvatore's dark elf books it's not the best of the bunch. But to a fan of Gygax, and the magic he created with Dungeons and Dragons, whether the manuals, the modules, or the world of Greyhawk, it's fun reading. The hero is Gord the Rogue, a solid adventuring thief who we follow from humble beginnings as a cutpurse and beggar-thief in the sprawling City of Greyhawk.
The first section of the book takes us along his early encounters, fleshing out the City vividly, and Gord's involvement in a 'turf war. The middle third of the book then takes us on a tour of Gygax's world, with Gord adventuring, romancing, and scrapping his way from Greyhawk City, across the vast Nyr Dyv, and then around the Bandit Lands, Urnst, the Theocracy of the Pale, Nyrond, and ultimately to the edge of the Great Kingdom.
Now to me as a gamer currently reading the source material of the Flanaess, and Greyhawk, this was a great tour—the depth and detail to each area is a real bonus. But for a more casual reader the lack of a central driving plot beyond a series of vaguely related encounters could be frustrating. The plot through this stage feels half way between a bunch of DnD scenarios and a travelogue.
We do get some development of him as a character, but rarely a decent in depth insight into him that a book this length should provide. I could just imagine reading it serialised in Dragon magazine.
We then get a trip out to a dungeon, and a suitably nasty demon to sort out. This part of the book at least had the right balance of action, purpose, characters and humour. It felt as if Gygax had got into the swing of things, and as I recall from Book 2, he continued this momentum and developed a fairly solid plotline. So much in the way that superhero origin films never feel all that good, as they establish a history and a setting, this book is very much an intro, both to the world and to the character who ultimately sees us through five or so books as Gygax departed TSR.
View all 3 comments. Jan 05, Andrew Obrigewitsch rated it it was ok Shelves: fantasy. I read this in '98 or '99 when I was a teenager. It was fun for a teenager, but really was not well written or anything.
Jan 10, Ulrich Krieghund rated it really liked it. Well, Fuck Yeah! It surpasses movies and books because those are passive activities. With tabletop gaming, you can actually have an impact on the outcome of the story.
That said, you should never play Dungeons and Dragons with people who do not read, because all of their references come from comic books and movies. They are idiots to be shunned. This tale is in the gritty category of fantasy and reads like the early days of the Gray Mouser from Lankhmar.
Gord adds companions to his adventures, one of which is clearly similar to Fafhrd the barbarian. As with the sword and sorcery genre, no world spanning events take place in this tale--just survival and adventure.
There are city and forest adventures, as well as an actual dungeon. A dragon would have completed the circle. How's that for badass? Pick up this book and read it--unless you have a tabletop game to play tonight. Oct 19, Timothy Boyd rated it liked it. May 28, Samuel rated it liked it Shelves: fantasy.
General Overview: This is a pretty decent, relatively light read. The book tells the story of how the main character a thief named Gord learned and honed his various skills, while also showing off important regions of the Flannaes the portion of the World of Greyhawk in which the novel takes place and the various peoples who live there. There are several places where the "woman's place" in society, and the ideas that men in that society have about said women, is on full display.
And folks, it ain't pretty by today's standards, but does mimic the generic idea of how a feudal society operates, and honestly, how a good percentage of men in today's world still think about women. Examples of things depicted or stated by characters in the book: 1.
Women are generally incapable of doing the same things men can do 2. All Women want to ultimately settle down and have kids and raise a family even the barbarian woodswoman who was the captain of their team in the war 3.
Women need to rely on a man for stability and their greatest use is as a pawn to be married off to solidify a father's power 4. Many will say that Gygax is a hack, and that's fine However, As a pulpy introduction to the world and a good intro to the main character of a seven book series, I think Gygax did well with this first book and met his desired goals.
The job was to introduce a young character, show how that character gains and retains skills, show off the world, and then set up a longer campaign story-line that pulls the reader into the next book.
Those goals were met with this book. I give this a solid 3 stars - and if you are a fan of Greyhawk or Gygax, you might even push this to 4 stars. Mar 07, Thom rated it it was ok Shelves: fiction-series. Gord leaves the "Old City" of Greyhawk about 90 pages in, and from that point this is a travelogue of the World of Greyhawk or more properly, the Flanaess. There is character growth and conflict, and even a love interest or two, but in general this isn't a great novel.
In fact, most chapters read like individual stories. One or two involve discussions of large troop movements which mirrors what was published for dungeon masters in Dragon magazine at the time. Besides being dull to read, one q Gord leaves the "Old City" of Greyhawk about 90 pages in, and from that point this is a travelogue of the World of Greyhawk or more properly, the Flanaess.
Besides being dull to read, one quickly wonders just who has this visibility into various armies - no radio, no satellites, and magic doesn't work quite that way.
Will read at least the next book, and at least consider the final three. Was reading this on GM's day, which is also the anniversary of the authors death. Oct 28, Rich rated it it was ok Shelves: re-read.
This is an objectively terrible novel Gord is a character with lots of powerful abilities and magical items. You can feel the game mechanics close to the surface. The story has little logic beyond leveling up, combat and ability checks. Dec 28, David Sarkies rated it it was ok Recommends it for: Nobody - not even for nostolgia's sake. Shelves: fantasy. Another Greyhawk Novel 28 December The problem with trying to comment on the writing style of a book that I read when I was a teenager is that I cannot remember exactly how it was written and how it compares to many of the true classics of the genre.
Granted, I doubt that Gary Gygax ever set out to write a work of literature, but rather write a book that hordes of pimply roleplaying geeks would spend their money on because it was connected with Dungeons and Dragons. I was fortunate in that t Another Greyhawk Novel 28 December The problem with trying to comment on the writing style of a book that I read when I was a teenager is that I cannot remember exactly how it was written and how it compares to many of the true classics of the genre.
I was fortunate in that the State Library of South Australia did carry a number of these old books, and moreso that I had a friend that would pretty much purchase every Dungeons and Dragons book that was published and I tell you what, his collection was massive. As such I could go and borrow his books after he finished reading them of course , or the library's, and then read them myself.
I have said it before, and I will say it again, there are really only two reasons these books were written: simply to cash in on a captive market, and provide players and dungeon masters with examples of how a certain world comes together. It is simply an exercise in imagination, and particularly since the Hollywood scene at the time did not have much in the way of fantasy films Willow was pretty much the best fantasy film around then — oh, that's right, there was also Conan , all of us fantasy aficionados simply had to resort to books, and if we wanted something that was specifically Dungeons and Dragons related, we have to wait for such a book to be released.
May 10, Adam Calhoun rated it it was ok. How cool am I? In any event, the writing is pretty bad - obviously he Gygax never heard of the 'show, don't tell' dictum; every line is just more telling. Fortunately, the plot moves rapidly and is full of nonstop action. The first half of the book is entertaining as the eponymous Gord runs around causing havoc and stealing for his own benefit. I would rate this a solid three stars: nothing special, but fun to read nonetheless.
Unfortunately, the book gets bogged down in its need for action and it becomes one meaningless loot-filled battle after another. You stop caring about the characters as the only drive to the plot is to get yet another stash of rubies or glowing sword.
That half drags this down to a 'meh' and two stars. Feb 21, Peter Levi rated it it was ok. I last re-read this book back in and my notes aren't that illuminating. It's an episodic volume, whose beginning couple of chapters are the only ones with some tension. The book itself is an excus I last re-read this book back in and my notes aren't that illuminating. The female characters are awful and the romances poorly constructed.
View 1 comment. Jun 28, DavidO rated it did not like it Shelves: couldn-t-finish. It is just so boring. So incredibly boring. The story itself is fine but its written in the most boring style imaginable. Did I mention it was boring? Jul 25, Alan Edwards rated it really liked it. One of my favorite fantasy novels when I was a kid and I lived and breathed all things DnD and Gygax.
I still have incredibly fond memories of the book, written in the style of Fritz Leiber. Gord the rogue made thieves cool to me for the first time. Follows the adventures of Gord the rogue.
Another one of my favorite books from when I was younger. Oct 11, Opskar01 rated it really liked it. Oct 24, Fatbaldguy60 rated it liked it. Sep 20, tara! Cronin rated it it was amazing. Dec 06, Brian Rogers rated it liked it Shelves: gaming. Not a surprise given its author and publisher. I've read this book a good half dozen times since it came out, and it's a fall back quick read comfort book for me. Is it great? Gygax isn't a thrilling prose stylist, but his vocabulary is expansive, his love of the material is clear and his ability to pastiche the stories of Conan and his contemporaries is solid.
That makes it a workable book as a fantasy adventure bildungsroman. Reading it again as an adult, and in this age, the casual misogyny is more noticeable. Gygax is writing in , trying to write like he's working for the pulps in the s, and for some reason that makes his treatment of female characters somehow worse than the Conan stories - all of the women are hapless foils or motivational tools, and none of them are as fleshed out as the women who appear in the tales Gygax is striving to emulate.
The dampness and the weeks of nagging chill were sufficient to winnow out the weak. Gord had managed well enough without Leena since then, for he had actually been the provider for the last couple of years anyway. In fact, he had come to resent her whining and demands, her treating of him as something less than a son.
Once, Leena had showed him a simple, unremarkable box, telling him that it had something to do with his natural parents. Then, with cruel glee, she took it outside and buried it deep in the ground near the shack they shared.
Then he gathered up what little of value he could find and carry, and left the shack-but not the memories of it-behind him for good. As he recalled that day, Gord thought of what he possessed. Moving a board low on the good wall of his shelter, he drew out a bundle wrapped in a ragged square of cloth-his winter cloak. He thought more about his past as he held the small parcel. Then the old hag would cuff and kick him into a huddled, blubbering ball of misery and… and hatred! Gord certainly did grow to hate his foster mother.
Even at best, she was a despicable and wicked old crone. Leena would even pat him on the head and tell him to be quick and nimble, for a good head was better than a strong body, she would say-until he failed. Then he was a useless runt! Inside the parcel were all his worldly possessions aside from the clothing he wore. The first thing Gord took out was a tiny, dried apple, which he ate in a single bite. As he munched on the withered fruit, he surveyed the remainder of the treasure.
There were two drabs-nearly worthless iron coins of least value, but all the money he had ever owned. Beside them in the parcel was a small, chipped square of glass. Gord could use it to start a fire if the sun was brightly shining, and he thought it pretty besides. A longish coil of leather thong, a small, broken-tipped kitchen knife, and a cracked wooden box were all that remained. There was nothing more to eat, and nothing to sell. They called themselves the Headsmen, because one of the bigger boys had discovered a large cleaver in one of the deserted shambles nearby.
With this weapon, he had easily convinced the others to accept his leadership. These dozen hoodlums quickly established their own territory, even killing a crazy hermit who contested their domain. The gang members were all a bit older than Gord, bigger than he, and much more aggressive. They promptly proceeded to deliberately make life even more miserable for Gord. Not only did he have to find food or steal it, he then had to get it back to his place of refuge without one of the gang members stopping him and taking it away.
They seemed to be everywhere, and no matter how careful Gord was, they had often caught him and stolen whatever he carried. Because there was no other area of the city where a homeless and friendless beggar-boy could go, Gord had accepted the new peril of the gang as yet another obstacle on the path of his hard and miserable life.
There was no margin for Gord, no store of food against a leaner than usual day. He had stayed long enough in this hiding place. Now it was time to set out again, and he had to risk carrying his valuables with him. The broken-toothed grin that greeted his frightened gaze belonged to Snaggle. Full-grown and hulking, this stupid youth was the meanest of the gang members. While Gord hung helpless, his feet flailing several inches above the alley dirt, Snaggle frisked his person with his free hand.
Gord looked down as his captor opened his fist. The drabs and a piece of his shirt were revealed. Snaggle abruptly straightened his other arm, and Gord flew sprawling into the alley, stunned. Gord, terrified, shut his eyes tight as Snaggle grabbed for him again.
Then he felt himself being raised into the air, and he was sure the end had come. He felt the warmth of his own urine as his bladder, beyond his control, voided itself. Gord lay still, too frightened to move. I let you off easy this time. You made me laugh. Gord scrambled away on all fours, clambered to his feet, and ran as fast as he could.
Haw, haw, haw! It was true, for now he had nothing, no one. There was no place for him to go, nowhere to hide. His mind darted here and there, skittering from thought to thought like a mouse trapped in a box. The voice in his head kept cackling and berating him, though, underlying his frenzy, and this kept Gord from totally giving way to panic and despair.
He was weak and lacked courage, but there was hatred to drive him! What had just happened was too much for even Gord to pass off as merely another episode in a rotten life. Gutless or not, he had some bit of pride remaining. Somehow, Gord had to restore himself in his own eyes and settle with Snaggle in the process.
Fully returning to reality, Gord looked around and got his bearings. He was at the edge of the worst part of the Slum Quarter, near the better sector where menial laborers and others of that ilk lived.
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