Tenkar's Tavern: James Koti Has Passed

Sunday, September 10, 2017

James Koti Has Passed

Strange how things come back to you. When I started seeing that James Koti had passed via multiple threads on Facebook, it took me a few seconds before it clicked. I remember James from my early days exploring the OSR and then he faded off the radar. Now I understand why. Cancer is a horrible foe.

Many folks that knew James much better than I have shared their thoughts and prayers on Facebook. You can read many of them here.

His wife, Rhonda has posted the viewing arrangements, which will be this Tuesday.

Rest in peace James. You fought the good fight.

3 comments:

Sean Robert MeaneySeptember 11, 2017 at 12:15 AM
Cancer is an unstoppable BBEG.
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JamesSeptember 11, 2017 at 11:24 PM
I knew James for a while online, though was never fortunate enough to meet in person. We talked gaming, I sold him some of my AD&D collection, and he left me with the impression that he was a kind, honest, man who did his best to make the world a better place. I am certain that it will be poorer without him.
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Okum ArtsSeptember 11, 2017 at 11:49 PM
I knew James as an online presence. From the photo it looks like he picked up the Terraclips I suggested he get in 2012 (and he told me not to tell Rhonda) I hope he was able to play the hell out of them. Thanks for this wonderful tribute.
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Why "Swords & Wizardry?"

Believe me when I say I have them all in dead tree format. I have OSRIC in full size, trade paperback and the Player's Guide. I have LL and the AEC (and somewhere OEC, but I can't find it at the moment). Obviously I have Basic Fantasy RPG. Actually, I have the whole available line in print. Way too much Castles & Crusades. We all know my love for the DCC RPG. I even have Dark Dungeons in print, the Delving Deeper boxed set, Astonishing Swordsmen & Sorcerers of Hyperborea (thank you Kickstarter) (edit) BOTH editions of LotFP's Weird Fantasy and will soon have some dead tree copies of the Greyhawk Grognards Adventures Dark & Deep ~~shipping shortly~~ in my grubby hands awaiting a review..

I am so deep in the OSR when I come up for breath it's for the OSR's cousin, Tunnels & Trolls (and still waiting on dT&T to ship).

So, out of all that, why Swords & Wizardry? Why, when I have been running a AD&D 1e / OSRIC campaign in Rappan Athuk am I using Swords & Wizardry and it's variant, Crypts & Things, for the second campaign? (Actually, now running a S&W Complete campaign, soon to be with multiple groups)

Because the shit works.

It's easy for lapsed gamers to pick up and feel like they haven't lost a step. I can house rule it and it doesn't break. It plays so close to the AD&D of my youth and college years (S&W Complete especially) that it continually surprises me. Just much less rules hopping than I remember. (my God but I can run it nearly without the book)

I grab and pick and steal from just about all OSR and Original resources. They seem to fit into S&W with little fuss. It may be the same with LL and the rest, but for me the ease of use fit's my expectations with S&W.

Even the single saving throw. That took me longer to adjust to, but even that seems like a natural to me now. Don't ask me why, it just does. Maybe it's the simplicity of it. At 45 48, simplicity and flexibility while remaining true to the feel of the original is an OSR hat trick for me ;)

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Sunday, September 10, 2017

James Koti Has Passed

3 comments:

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