[GenCon] EN World photos and stories - add your own!

[BrooklynKnight]

I *told* you I would get my revenge.



So, Art was a great help setting up the booth on Wednesday, and then proceeded to purchase a... Batleth? (I have no clue, that kinglon weapon that we hassled him mercilessly about).

I guess I gave him a little TOO much of a ribbing.

Next thing I knew, Friday afternoon, a camera crew arrives behind me as the gelflings are getting their chance at the Wizard's Lair at WotC to win a neopet and a copy of the Star Wars Hero's Guide.

And they proceed to film me being arrested by the Klingons for the Klingon jail and bail.

I have promised Art that he shall suffer my revenge.

Bat'leth!
jeez.
Oh hound, next year (or at So Cal) i'll start a collection to break Leo's record in the Jail and Bail. And we'll toss the Gelflings in there too to keep you company!! bwahah!

Just woke up after spending Monday in the car...

My first Gencon and in a word "overwhelming". My head was spinning the entire con. I remember walking through the dealer hall on Sunday one last time and saying over and over "Wait, I didn't even see that yet, or that..."

Highlights of the con for me included but where not limited to:

True Dungeon: A cool concept and very well done for being the first time. I will look for this event again.

Meeting all the celebs: You just don't get tired of meeting people like Ed Greenwood, R.A. Salvatore, Margaret Weis, Monte and Sue Cook, etc.

Playing Magic in a full TCG hall at 5:00 AM: This was my first Magic tourney of any kind, my wife had to basically push me into the hall as I was nervous. I had a lot of fun and managed to hold my own till the last round. The shiny promo card is nice too!

KODT live reading: I can't get enough of this comic and to see it brought to life was precious. Hopefully it will get a bigger room next year!

The gathering at Alsih2o's brother's bar on Sunday was so much fun. It was great to meet all of you and I hope next year I can get in a game with all of you.

Lowlights: There weren't many but I have to say waiting from 7:30 AM - 10:30 AM to buy generic tickets on Thursday morning was one of them... I didn't think gamers got up at 7AM!

I spent a lot of money on parking, about twice what I estimated, but when I compare it to what it would have cost me in NY so I can't really complain.

Funniest moments: Both center around the gathering at PS O'Rourkes on Sunday.

#1: Somebody said "That looks like Monte and Sue outside" and before I can turn around Alsih2o has vaulted himself from the seat over the table where we were playing Munchkin, tripped, recovered and ran down the stairs. He then proceeded to introdue Monte as his "Close and personal friend", a funny scene all around.

#2: We gave a few people a ride back to their hotels after the gathering at PS O'Rourkes and failing my Intuit Direction check I managed to get us lost. The funny part was the three guys in the back telling gaming stories don't pause for a second as I pull the car over on the highway and have to navigate by atlas after going about 5 miles out of the way. It was all about the gaming.

Well, I think that is it for now. Gencon was a blast and I can't wait to go again!

hey RJ since you're a fellow NY'er maybe next time we can travel together or room, and save some $$ It was kool meeting you.

 

[BrooklynKnight]

Shhhh!!! No one must know about the toupee!!!

har har.

 

[Dextra]

nobody mentioned me *cries*

I mentionned you. pttttttthbt!
BTW, we were thinking about trying to pull off some Pre-ENnies for next year- sortov an all-ages cocktail reception with munchies... that way those ENWorlders who hadn't had a chance to meet yet could do so, we could all score a little nibble and drink before the show, etc.

 

[BrooklynKnight]

I mentionned you. pttttttthbt!
BTW, we were thinking about trying to pull off some Pre-ENnies for next year- sortov an all-ages cocktail reception with munchies... that way those ENWorlders who hadn't had a chance to meet yet could do so, we could all score a little nibble and drink before the show, etc.

Ah well that works with what I'm planning or would like to do.
I posted my idea in the Post Production Thread.

We should just Cater the Ennies. In fact here is a better idea.


Instead of doing a Reception AFTER the show, We can do one BEFORE the show. Not just that but We'll have the pre-show slide show playing in the backround too.

It would be perfect. The Ballroom really was big enough to have a buffet table. We can contact someone in Indy to Cater or work through Peter for that. But a larger more organized gathering with food is definatly a good idea.

 

[EricNoah]

I was only half-joking when I said next year we need a Recreation Director for pre and post show fun. It was tricky this year because no one knew where any of the bars/restaurants were or how big they were and how many wandering EN Worlders they might accommodate.

 

[BrooklynKnight]

Actually, having someone help in the above ways was great. But the thing is if we have a reception its ok for people to split up after words.

 

[Ashy]

You were an awesome ogre, quite possibly the highlight of that game. Only as I was driving home did I get a handle on how I should've played my 18 Int ogre mage when leading a group of boneheaded ogres -- for the whole game, I was torn between talking ogre-ese and talking 18-int-ese.

I should've been yelling at you guys: "No! Cromlok NOT smash now! Cromlok wait for signal! Wait! For! Signallll!" and then rolling my eyes and saying prissily to myself, "Honestly, sometimes I don't know why I bother explaining things to these nincompoops!" etc.

Ah well. Sucks to get a handle on a character a day late. The game was still great fun .

Daniel

"See Cromlok? Arldag talk talk talk - always talk. Him like short plan. Open-open-open-open-open-open---is it open yet????"

That game rocked! And the best part IMHO, was not even in the module - the theft of the floaty boots! Scott - ya did a fine, fine job my friend!

Storminator is STILL my new hero tho!

 

[Ashy]

By the way, if you have the means-- as I do, since I am a highly paid game industry professional (cough)-- I highly recommend the Westin for the Heavenly Beds (tm) and Heavenly Shower (tm). The only thing that will entice you out of those beds is that shower.


Wulf

I agree, Wulf. Oddly, however, big-wig Mr. Bourelle complained about the beds at the Westin....

I loved 'em, but then again, I was IN them very little...

 

[Fiery James]

Reflections

I absolutely love all the ogre stories from the Giant's Skull session. Scott had a blast, and talked about the 3 hours of fun that ended at "Encounter Area 1!" You guys rock!

Don't feel too bad for that 8-year old girl that PC made cry. When he told me the story, I fired off a quick shot that blew a hole through his chest. Sorry man!

All of the Fiery folk had a great time. It was cool meeting you all, and I hope you all received the exclusive Orc & Pie Counter Collection.

Whoot!

- James

 

[simmo]

It was my first GenCon in the US this year and I had a thoroughly good time, despite the fact that my body refused to adjust to its new time-zone. I kept a fairly detailed diary of my time at GenCon, photos may be added later.

Thursday:
- pick up EN World T-Shirts for Randomling and Tallarn, as well as EN World Player Journals (signed by HellHound)
- pick up 7th Sea / Swashbuckling Adventure supplement "Swashbuckling Arcana" for DM in the UK who writes for AEG (signed by Product Manager)
- DM a pickup game in room #140, module: "The Love of Art: Drawn to Gehenna" from EnkWell Press (available at DireKobold.com). PCs included: Brannon Hollingsworth, Brannon Hall, Rich Franks (Francisca), Nathan Letsinger, Joshua Knipp and Frederick York. Fun session, hope you all enjoyed it too.

Friday:
- hang out at Bastion booth for awhile, eventually buy 3 Oathbound book deal and ask Jim Butler and Ashy to sign them
- sit through demo of Twin Rose software, wanted to buy it right there but decided sleep on it
- WotC seminar "WotC New Campaign Seminar", missed the beginning of the seminar but it was interesting listening to how and why the setting was selected from 11000 entries
- another seminar "Art of Tony DiTerlizzi", first came across him in Planescape art and have been in love with his work ever since. Decided not to visit the art gallery until end of the Con as I would probably spend all my money on buying some original artwork
- finish the day off with another seminar "Write for Dungeon Magazine", interesting to see what goes in to making a good adventure: 1) villian 2) agenda 3) lair 4) lackeys 5) dungeon logic. Oops, I hope that was not a secret formula
- Ennies! I have to agree with everyone that "That Guy" was hilarious, he deserved an award for his acceptance speeches.

originally posted by Napftor
ENNie: Sat with Brannon Hall, Ashy, and a bloody nice lurker from England whose name escapes me at the moment (sorry!).

- that was me! Don't worry though, I forgot your name as well

Saturday:
- DM a registered game (Planescape), gave PCs choice of adventures and characters; either "The Love of Art: Drawn to Gehenna" by EnkWell Press or "Returning to the Planes" by Ken Marable. They chose the former. Had lots of fun at the end of the adventure when the NPC tried kill off the party with the help of one of the PCs.
- went to costume competition with Corthian, had lots of fun cheering for the incredible dancing gelflings! I would have cheered louder, but being british - it's just not the done thing I'm still trying to figure out why the 'dark fey' won, gelflings were much better
- seminar time again: "Planescape" hosted by Ken Marable. Interesting discussion on the state of Planewalker.com and the future of the PS fan community
- hang out briefly in Canadia before sleep-walking to room and crashing

Sunday:
- finally buy Twin Rose software
- spend remainder of Con money on 2 peices of Planescape art by Tony DiTerlizzi
- final seminar of the Con: "Are Fairies Real?" by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black. Amusing stories about encounters with fairies.
- drop off art at hotel room, get distracted by reading Oathbound for a few hours and forgot where Clay's party was at, sorry

Monday:
- fly back to the UK, where it is Tuesday already.
- start saving up for next year's GenCon as well as writing Planescape adventure for Dragonmeet (1-day Con on 1st December in London).

Enworlders were very friendly and next time I plan to get really drunnk on my first night to get over the jetlag. Until next year,

Simson