RIP Carl Sargent (1952-2018)

[Yaztromo]

From https://www.fightingfantasy.com/blog

Monday, 12 November 2018
Carl Sargent (1952-2018)
We were very sorry to hear the news, late last night, that the prolific RPG writer, author, and parapsychologist, Carl Sargent, has passed away.
Carl will be better known to Fighting Fantasy fans the world over as Keith Martin, author of seven gamebooks in the series, written between 1988 and 1995 - Stealer of Souls, Vault of the Vampire, Master of Chaos, Tower of Destruction, Island of the Undead, Night Dragon, Legend of Zagor, and Revenge of the Vampire.
However, his work appeared under his own name when he collaborated with Ian Livingstone on the quartet of four short novels - Firestorm, Darkthrone, Skullcrag, and Demonlord - which featured the exploits of three heroes from Legend of Zagor*.
Just as he enriched the worlds of Greyhawk, Warhammer, Shadowrun and Earthdawn with his work, the world of Titan would have seemed a much smaller place without Carl's contributions.
And so tonight we shall be raising a glass of fine Mortvanian claret, drawn from the cellars of Castle Heydrich, in his memory, and our thoughts remain with his friends and family at this difficult time.

[Ashtagon]

Too soon

[Darkanth]

Far too soon

[Angel Tarragon]

[shesheyan]

Very sad news...

I'm looking at the numbers and I don't know if I'm imagining things but RPG authors seems to die way below the average life expectancy of males which is mid-80s.

[Hugin]

Sad news indeed.

[Havard]

Sad news.

I knew Sargent for his amazing work on Warhammer and Greyhawk, but he also contributed to three books for Mystara: The Shadowelves Gazetteer (Co-written with Gary Thomas), PC2 Top Balista and B11: Kings Festival. B11 formed the basis for one of my most successful Mystara campaigns.

-Havard

[Zeromaru X]

Wow, this week has started a little bit savage.

RIP.

[Digitalelf]

It's a shame...

I absolutely loved his work on Greyhawk, and I am in fact using it in my current 2nd edition AD&D campaign.

I will pray for his family and friends.

[BlackBat242]

Apparently, he passed 12 September 2018 - we are just now learning of it.

[Havard]

Apparently, he passed 12 September 2018 - we are just now learning of it.

Thanks for confirming this date.

-Havard

[stebehil]

This is indeed sad news. I loved his Greyhawk work, and am just preparing a D&D campaign using B11 as starting point.

[BlackBat242]

Apparently, he passed 12 September 2018 - we are just now learning of it.

Thanks for confirming this date.

-Havard

Thanks to Michele Toscan, creator of the Carl Sargent fan page on Facebook, for breaking the news. He was informed by Carl's sister, Tina Herbert, and then posted the news on the Canonfire FB group, which seems to be where the blogger picked it up. Tina says Carl passed on September 12th of this year.

[Icarus]

It's a severe loss. Even though Carl left gaming years ago, I think his work in the World of Greyhawk is likely some of the most influential and enjoyable in the entire setting.

… I don't know if I'm imagining things but RPG authors seems to die way below the average life expectancy of males which is mid-80s.

Well, it seems that amongst RPG authors, the average for men is somewhat lower than national averages.
I'm not sure where you got mid-80s, but, the US is about 76, and most of Europe is still not above 79. The absolute highest is only 81.
Your point certainly remains, though ... the average age of death seems to indicate that that gamers' lifespan is heavily impacted by their often poor diets and frequently sedentary lifestyles.

[shesheyan]

It's a severe loss. Even though Carl left gaming years ago, I think his work in the World of Greyhawk is likely some of the most influential and enjoyable in the entire setting.

… I don't know if I'm imagining things but RPG authors seems to die way below the average life expectancy of males which is mid-80s.

Well, it seems that amongst RPG authors, the average for men is somewhat lower than national averages.
I'm not sure where you got mid-80s, but, the US is about 76, and most of Europe is still not above 79. The absolute highest is only 81.
Your point certainly remains, though ... the average age of death seems to indicate that that gamers' lifespan is heavily impacted by their often poor diets and frequently sedentary lifestyles.

Canada is at 82.3%. Australia at 82.5%... but still not mid-80s. My bad.

I'm thinking maybe spending long hours in a closed room with smokers, as was probably the case back then, may have also had an impact.

[NPCDave]

Rest in peace and God bless Carl Sargent.

I wasn't that into Greyhawk but I have some of the adventures and my favorite work of his is the Night Below campaign. On the D&D/Mystara side he also did B12, DDA3 Eye of Traldar and a small adventure in White Dwarf magazine #91 that I highly recommend called A Matter of Pride. I also liked his Warhammer books and adventures. Actually Enemy Within: Power Behind the Throne for WFRP is tied with Night Below for my favorite.

As I understand it a car accident left him on disability and unable to work which is why he stopped writing for RPGs.

[Cerulean]

Carl Sargent, it is clear that your talent will be missed. Although I am just now seeing this thread, I wanted to add that Mr. Sargent will be remembered well for all his wonderful contributions to Mystara, as well as his numerous additional works (over 20!) for AD&D and the world of Greyhawk.

My Favorites:

PC 2 – Top Ballista (I love its sky gnomes and the city of Serraine gives any campaign a sense of wonder)

Gaz 13 – The Shadow Elves (this fresh take on elves was great, not to mention the fantastic overview of Mystara’s underworld)

DDA3 – Eye of Traldar (A hugely fun adventure, about which I feel a great deal of nostalgia. I used it as the first adventure in a long-running campaign set in Karameikos. Lots of good times back then, all thanks to the ingenuity, talent, and efforts of Carl Sargent!)

B11 & B12 – King’s Festival & Queen’s Harvest (These two I’ve yet to run but I think now would be the perfect time to re-read them.)

— Shawn

[Maldin]

For those who missed my original messages to the various Greyhawk Facebook groups...

My friend Rik Rose has penned an eloquent tribute to Carl Sargent. Rik was a close friend of Carl’s in the beginning of Carl’s involvement in Greyhawk (in fact, he was responsible for Carl’s involvement), and was one of Carl’s few co-authors. His story of their collaboration is a unique and fascinating insight into a fiercely private man whose work is so respected, yet about so little was known.
You can find Rik's tribute on my website at: http://melkot.com/Sargent-tribute.html

Denis, aka "Maldin"
Maldin's Greyhawk http://melkot.com