Steve Russell, publisher of Lords of Gossamer & Shadow, RIP

[Jason D]

Car crash last night. Not sure about the details. There's a news story with video, but ugh.

I'm still trying to process it. I have in my inbox an recent email from him about an upcoming piece of writing I was going to do, and had plans to chat with him about a batch of stuff for the line.

I can't imagine how many other people are in shock right now. He was a friend to so many, and he was one of the most enthusiastic and tireless people I've ever known in this industry.

RIP, Steve. You should have had much, much longer with us.

Thank you for believing.

[JesterRaiin]

Car crash last night. Not sure about the details. There's a news story with video, but ugh.

I'm still trying to process it. I have in my inbox an recent email from him about an upcoming piece of writing I was going to do, and had plans to chat with him about a batch of stuff for the line.

I can't imagine how many other people are in shock right now. He was a friend to so many, and he was one of the most enthusiastic and tireless people I've ever known in this industry.

RIP, Steve. You should have had much, much longer with us.

Thank you for believing.

Jesus Christ...

My condolences, Jason and sympathies for Steve's family and friends.

Edit: I don't really know how to express my feelings. RITE published LoGS and Demolished Ones, former being my most favorite game lately and the latter - the game that made me rethink coming back to FATE... It probably sounds selfish, but I hope this doesn't mean the end for those products...

[The Butcher]

Good God. I remember Steve back from the Okay, Your Turn forums, when he was developing the Jade Oath line. He struck me as very dynamic and outgoing small-press publisher.

My thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones.

[RPGPundit]

Terribly sorry for you Jason, and his family, and all LoGaS fans.

[brettmb]

Such a tragedy. He was a prolific creator and a nice guy from what I've heard. I only corresponded with him once. My sympathies to all.

[noman]

I don't have the words.

I'm so sorry.

[finarvyn]

I lost a loved one to a car crash last summer. It's sudden and you can't prepare for it. It really sucks. My heart reaches out to Steve's family.

[TrippyHippy]

I didn't know him personally, but I was impressed with his publications.

Condolences.

[Jason D]

Another of those reminders kicked in today.

I keep all of my ongoing writing tasks on little notecards, usually broken down into achievable chunks. Periodically, I lay out the ones I'm going to work on at any given time and put completed tasks into a "done" pile as a means of visually tracking progress.

These cards are also good for high-level concepts and brainstorms. If a task becomes unfeasible or superfluous, I tear it up and toss it.

I was sorting through them today looking for a particular item when I sorted out ten separate ones for Rite and LoG&S, including at least three different new games using the diceless rules set. It's probably too early to tell what's going to happen with Rite, but I'm going to keep those cards.

[JesterRaiin]

Another of those reminders kicked in today.

I keep all of my ongoing writing tasks on little notecards, usually broken down into achievable chunks. Periodically, I lay out the ones I'm going to work on at any given time and put completed tasks into a "done" pile as a means of visually tracking progress.

These cards are also good for high-level concepts and brainstorms. If a task becomes unfeasible or superfluous, I tear it up and toss it.

I was sorting through them today looking for a particular item when I sorted out ten separate ones for Rite and LoG&S, including at least three different new games using the diceless rules set. It's probably too early to tell what's going to happen with Rite, but I'm going to keep those cards.

Color me very interested. LoGS alone is a masterpiece worthy of maintaining and expanding.

Ah, well...

Some might call it inappropriate, since wounds are still fresh, but I think that it's a good way to respect the memory of Steve and perhaps convince anyone involved that RITE shouldn't be disbanded.

[noman]

Some might call it inappropriate, since wounds are still fresh, but I think that it's a good way to respect the memory of Steve and perhaps convince anyone involved that RITE shouldn't be disbanded.

I'm the King of Inappropriate, so yeah, I'm going to go there.

Before you jump down my throat for talking about this too soon, read my post.  If you read my post and decide to jump down my throat anyway, go ahead.  I probably deserve it.  I'm just not a good judge of these things.

No, I'm not going to speculate into Rite's future...in any detail.  But there are a few things I want to get off my chest.

First, I am absolutely reeling from this.

I shouldn't be.  I didn't know Steve personally; I only knew him from his work, his posts, and his vlogs.  I was stunned the first day I got the news, but usually I recover from this kind of thing very quickly, even with people I personally know.  Not this time.  I still haven't recovered.  It baffles me.  It baffles me because I have no right to react this way.  I never even met the guy.

It's not because I think LOG&S is done.  I'm not even thinking about that.  All I'm thinking about is his wife and unborn kid.  Jesus.

This brings me to my second point.

I don't expect the LOG&S line to continue.  Sure, maybe Jason will step in and take over, or whoever Steve had working for or with him as editor will take over, or some other miracle will take place to carry on the company.  I'd like that, I really would.  Not merely to satisfy my own selfish hunger for more LOG&S books, but because I'd like to see what I consider Steve's masterpiece carried onward into the future, at least for a little while longer.

I don't think that's going to happen.  Why?  Cold, calculating reasons.  That, plus I'm a pessimist.  The great thing about being a pessimist is you're usually right, and the very few times you're wrong, it's a joyous thing.

I'm hoping I'm proved wrong.  I'm praying for it.

Third, regardless of what happens with Rite, there's going to be some severe delays before we, the customer base, know what's going to happen.  it will likely take weeks if not months before whoever's supposed to deal with Rite can even begin to pick up the pieces.  They'll have to sort through Steve's work, his notes, the finances, even the legal and licensing issues, just a name a few.  And their hearts are going to be breaking the whole time they're doing it.  Delays are to be expected.

I'm not expecting to hear anything resembling official news or decisions from Rite for at least six months to a year.  And I'm okay with that.  We've still got the Long Walk, the Gossamer Worlds Compendium, and whatever else they had planned still pending.  And you know what?  Fuck those books.  Fuck 'em.  I can do without.  If they aren't released, if whatever's left of Rite can't get it done, I can live with that.  If there's not a single other book released for LOG&S, I can live with that too.  Forget the books and don't you dare offer me a refund for the Kickstarters I backed.

A man is dead.  I understand.  If Rite has to stop and rest, even if it needs to walk away completely, I understand.  I want the people Steve left behind, both in general and those who were working at/with Rite, to take care of themselves.  I'd rather they heal than struggle to meet deadlines or finish products.  I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels that way.

The full value of the entire current and any potential catalog of LOG&S books is meaningless when measured against the life of Steve himself.  His true legacy rests with his unborn child and the memoires of those who knew and loved him.

I can't go to Ohio to visit Steve's grave to pay my respects, but I've got the books he produced.  For me, those are his memorial, and its enough.

That's all I have to say.  I apologize if what I've written seems callous.

[JesterRaiin]

That's all I have to say.

There's strong probability it'll turn to be exactly like you predict it.

It would be unfortunate, but heck, being resourceful enough to work little official material is kind of prerequisite for people who want to play Amber-like games, so it's not that we are gonna cease to play. Still, it was only a few weeks ago when Jason hinted he had an idea about Gossamer Sorcery redesign, more elegant and functional one. Now it seems it's one of those project that won't see the daylight...

[Jason D]

I can't speak for others, but any future involvement I have with the game line would be contingent on a portion of the proceeds going to Steve's widow. Unless he made other arrangements, she is likely now the owner of Rite Publishing.

[JesterRaiin]

I can't speak for others, but any future involvement I have with the game line would be contingent on a portion of the proceeds going to Steve's widow. Unless he made other arrangements, she is likely now the owner of Rite Publishing.

Good to see you again, Jason.

I understand it's painful, but are you aware about any details concerning the circumstances of what actually happened?

And btw, I'm glad to hear there's even a tiny chance for the LoGS to continue getting support. It means a lot to me.

[noman]

Still, it was only a few weeks ago when Jason hinted he had an idea about Gossamer Sorcery redesign, more elegant and functional one. Now it seems it's one of those project that won't see the daylight...

The sorcery expansion (and everything else they were planning) would have been great.  However, the game line really needed the Long Walk.  I have never considered it complete, due to gaps in the rules.  The Long Walk promised to fill those gaps.  That's the book I've been holding my breath for.  Now, I doubt I'll ever see it.  But that's how it is, see my rant about the books above.