[Update 2: Joystiq has learned that Mr. Arneson passed away on Tuesday, April 7. Our condolences to his friends and family.]

Dave Arneson, half of the duo -- the other half being Gary Gygax -- that created influential tabletop RPG Dungeons & Dragons, passed away earlier today is still alive "in a hospice where he is being cared for at this time," according to Grognardia. Updating the original post regarding Mr. Arneson, Grognardia says, "I am both glad to hear that Dave is not dead, as I was led to believe, and rather mortified at my having posted this information before it had been confirmed by a second source. I had no reason to doubt my original source, given his close proximity to Dave, but apparently I should have." He's not the only one who feels this way, trust us. The rest of the original post we wrote remains as it was, below.

Known recently for his teaching at Full Sail College in Florida as well as his fantasy RPG Blackmoor, Arneson had been struggling with his health ever since a stroke in 2002. According to The Escapist, Arneson's health worsened last week and he was admitted to the hospital. Unfortunately this morning, things took a turn for the worse. We here at Joystiq extend our deepest condolences to those affected by Dave Arneson's passing, especially his loved ones.

[Thanks, Jeremiah]