Help for an Origins Neophyte?

[derbacher]

I need some help on planning a trip to Origins this summer. (NO, not travel or hotel stuff!) Here is my story:

I’m 43. I’ve been playing this thing known as “The Worlds Most Popular Role Playing Game” since it was created and sold to the public. I am heavily into all the 3.5 edition stuff, and I have been DMing from the beginning (nobody else knew what they were doing, so why not learn?). After all this has been said, I have never been to a gaming convention (hides head in shame and ducks for cover).

I have always wanted to go, but time/funds/work never seemed to line up. This year I am going. Period. My real questions (after all that ranting, you see, there really is a question!) is: what should I expect? How do you get in games? What is the process for character creation? And so many more that I don’t know where to start!

I have immersed myself in reading everything on the Origins site. I can buy a badge. I understand that they had a problem with the RPG game sign-ups. They are supposed to be up sometime early this month. Is it first come, first serve? Is there some kind of hierarchy?

The reason for Origins is that Columbus is three hours away. I live in a very rural area of Ohio (few gamers around within an hour, most of my games have developed from people I have introduced to the activity, and they eventually move away, the vast Religious Right doesn’t approve, etc...)

I really could use any and all help here. I am taking my daughter to this, as well (she’s only been playing for 2 years). I want this to be a good experience for us both, but I am a complete neophyte when it comes to conventions. Any and all advice is appreciated!

 

[Keeper of Secrets]

Signing up for games is pretty much first come first serve. However, you can always buy generic tickets at the door and wait around at a table where the game is listed as 'full' trying to get in if there are any 'no shows.' The good news is that unlike GenCon you can actually get into some pretty sweet games the day of the con. (GenCon has the best stuff fill up really fast.)

As far as whatto expect, there are a variety of things you can do depending on your tastes. If you are bringing your daughter how old is she? (Is she old enough to wander around by herself or does she need constant supervision?) If she is old enough where you think she is OK by herself there are large rooms with boardgames and quite a few 'kid friendly' games like the room that Loony Labs usually sets up.

Be prepared to be patient with some things (like walking around and lines for badges, etc.) Bring a great attitude and you won't be disappointed.

 

[derbacher]

Thanks for the response! She's 17, so will be able to wander herself. We're both looking to play, so we don't really need alternate things to do.

The good attitude is the one thing I can guaranty! I have wanted to attend one of these things since the first GenCon listing that I saw. This is sort of my dream vacation. (Yes, I'm a geek, what of it?)

 

[Squirrel Nutkin]

Be prepared to be patient with some things (like walking around and lines for badges, etc.) Bring a great attitude and you won't be disappointed.

Also bring a jar of Vicks VapoRub ointment to rub on your upper lip. Trust me, when you walk into a room filled with several thousand gamers you'll be glad you did.

 

[derbacher]

Also bring a jar of Vicks VapoRub ointment to rub on your upper lip. Trust me, when you walk into a room filled with several thousand gamers you'll be glad you did.

Will Blistex suffice? I have bad childhood memories of Vicks Vaporub!

 

[Squirrel Nutkin]

Will Blistex suffice? I have bad childhood memories of Vicks Vaporub!

Hmm. I've not tested Blistex in the field, but I think we now have the makings of a good Dragon article.

 

[Crothian]

Origins is a good time. I've been opretty much each year its been in Columbus.

You want to get your badges now, as it is cheaper. If you wait the price will go up. The site should say when. Games are first come first serve to sign up. THe popular games go fast, but there is always plenty of other games. I suggest trying games you've never had a chance to play but have herard about as well as getting into the games you know and love. Characters are usually provided for you, but the description for the game should say.

If you are on a budget, pack food as the convetnion hall and places around it are not cheap, but not outragiously priced either. Wear comfrotible shoes. There usually is places to sit down in the conventionahall and worst case is the floor.

Dealer room is a great thing, if you are buying. Hunt for prices, as not all booths are equal. I bargain hunt pretty well as there is always a few half priced used booths to find gems in.

 

[derbacher]

Thanks to all so far. I bought the badges (badges? We don't need no stinking badges!). I'm going to ask some specifics:

What do you bring to the table? Dice are obvious, but what else? (Books, sheets, etc.)

How about pick-up games? Are there people looking to play unnannouced games or trying to get a group just for the fun of it?

What is this "open gaming" vs "ticketed games" I read about on the site? I assume the ticketed games are the ones you sign up for?

As you can see, I have no clue to what goes on here! Keep the answers coming please!

 

[Crothian]

What do you bring to the table? Dice are obvious, but what else? (Books, sheets, etc.)

I bring dice and pencils at a minimium. Usually though I carry around a satchel that has some gaming stuff in it like books of games I'm going to pbe playing, paper, and other odds and ends. But I do know some people who show up to games with nothing expecting to borrow dice, pencils, everything they need.

How about pick-up games? Are there people looking to play unnannouced games or trying to get a group just for the fun of it?

What is this "open gaming" vs "ticketed games" I read about on the site? I assume the ticketed games are the ones you sign up for?

Open gaming is pick up games. There are areas set asign for pick up games, they can be hard to find. I will be tryingt to organize some from EN World once I get signed up for games and know when I have free.

 

[Mynex]

Thanks to all so far. I bought the badges (badges? We don't need no stinking badges!). I'm going to ask some specifics:

What do you bring to the table? Dice are obvious, but what else? (Books, sheets, etc.)

How about pick-up games? Are there people looking to play unnannouced games or trying to get a group just for the fun of it?

What is this "open gaming" vs "ticketed games" I read about on the site? I assume the ticketed games are the ones you sign up for?

As you can see, I have no clue to what goes on here! Keep the answers coming please!

Dice, Pen/Pencil, you. Books are optional, but it's generally a good idea to bring the PHB at minimum.

There's _always_ a pick up game somewhere, that won't be an issue. Open gaming is just that, an area where pick up games happen (i.e. semi organized locationally at least) and are generally NOT for RPGA (or other 'living systems') points/rewards/certificates.... they're just rooms for people to congregate and play...

As for other things to expect;
No sleep - 4 days of con = 4 days of hard core gaming. Sleep before and after the con, not during.

Odor - as mentioned before. Sadly, some members of our little geek culture ARE stereotypes of the 'unwashed, basement dwelling, no significant other' entities. And by day 2, the odor of 10k+ bodies sweating in a confined area (or even an open one!) gets, uhrm... rather pungent...

but don't worry, but day 3 your sense of smell is pretty much dead, so you only have to suffer one day. *grin*

Ocular Assults
This one is hard to define, as it's individual perception... but let's just say there are people that wear things to cons that they wouldn't be caught dead wearing anywhere else... and shouldn't be wearing in the 1st place.

I'm sorry ladies, but if you're over 150# (unless you're 6'!) then you should _NOT_ wear the following items;
Thongs
Leotards
Spandex
"furry" costumes

And guys... last time I checked, there are no 300# Jedi, sith, or stormtroopers (and the same list for the ladies applies to you to! ;p)

But, If you're thinking about getting into a "living system" to play at cons, then I highly and heatily recommend the Blackmoor MMRPG (www.DABlackmoor.com)... It _just_ launched at MegaCon down here in florida and I played the initial 4 modules and had a blast!

Anything can happen at a con (and usually does, and you usually don't want to admit you part of it. ;p)... So kick back, have fun, and don't sweat too much (please! *grin*)