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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Destan" data-source="post: 1721256" data-attributes="member: 12157">Inspired by the numerous GenCon threads, I decided to throw my own hat in the ring. One of the neatest aspects of the convention, for me, was meeting some of the people that have made this industry what it is today. I also enjoyed meeting people that have helped mold this website into the online community it has become. I'd like to take a moment to babble about both groups.First, the Old School. I got to meet Dave Arneson and Rob Kuntz while trading lies with grodog. The names of both Kuntz and Arneson will be familiar to those of who started gaming 20+ years ago, and maybe even those who haven’t. It was fascinating to hear some of the stories of D&D’s earliest days – the types of things you never see in books or magazines. I also got to meet and greet Kim Mohan who was the editor of The Dragon back in the day.Second, the New School. The inimitable Demon Lord Bill Webb sauntered over to the Different Worlds booth bearing gifts. He was hungover. In fact, I think Bill was hungover every time I met him – though I was a bit hungover as well. He was with Patrick Lawinger of City State of the Invincible Overlord fame. Both were classy, great, genuinely nice folks.I spent a few moments talking to Erik Mona about putting me on an upcoming cover of Dungeon. Pastey-white skin, loincloth, matching tinfoilk kukris - what's not to like? He sprinted away - most likely to put things in motion to Make It Happen.I got to shake hands and personally thank Monte Cook for his contributions to our hobby, shortly after his Arcana Unearthed won its well-deserved Golden Ennie. I’ve managed to trade a few emails back-and-forth with Monte over the years; he’s always amazingly open and available despite the time constraints that must constantly been upon him. One would have a hard time finding a nicer guy.Then I made my way over to the Wizards booth to see Keith Baker. I had poked a little fun at Keith in a thread on this very web site a few months ago, and he was as good a sport then as he was at the convention. He asked me to sign his campaign setting. (Look for his personal GenCon highlight in the appropriate thread.). Keith deserves his success; Eberron is wonderful.In the restroom I took a few moments to beat the hell out of David Carradine – just because I could. But then the Beastmaster Marc Singer jumped me from behind. With the flanking bonus going against me, I was doomed. Only Gil Gerrad, aka Buck Rogers, was on my side – and he spent the fight hiding atop the porcelain throne. Wuss.Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, I got to meet some of the fine folks here on EN World. Though it sounds over-the-top, the smile flashed by Buttercup made the convention hall seem brighter. JoeGKushner is a big guy; good thing he’s kind to the Little People. Teflon Billy seemed nice until he knocked the books out of my hands. All of us convention-attending EN folk owe a debt of gratitude to Cthullu’s Librarian and BrooklynKnight – for the placards and the post-Ennies party respectively. Also got to speak with Psion, he of the "bums-in-space" Traveller fame, and RangerWickett, he of the Elements of Magic fame.And, of course, there was your run of normal and nice EN Worlders coming by the booth. Got to enjoy a couple great discussions with Ramien and Sidereal Knight – class acts, both of them. Tav_Behemoth swung by – his company (Behemoth3) has some sharp-looking products. I would imagine Justinian reads more books than anyone on this site – 260 last year alone. He’s a wealth of literary information, and a helluva guy.Last, but certainly not least, I got to meet some gamers who have sat and rolled dice with the greats, Piratecat and pogre. I believe I met the fellas who once played Raven and Gjord. It was great to hear from them – I only wish their respective DMs could have attended as well.I’m sure I’ve forgotten some folks – there were many, many faces. One thing that dawned on me was that the D&D world is much, much larger than the EN community. I think we owe it to our fellow gamers to help bring them to this little corner of the internet.I’m already looking forward to next year when – hopefully! – I’ll be able to wander away from the booth and actually play in some damned games.Destan</blockquote>

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