A BRIEF GENCON XL REPORT

Col_Pladoh · Post by **Col_Pladoh** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 8:07 pm

A BRIEF GENCON XL REPORT

This is being sent to several lists, posted on the websites I frequent, so as to not miss anyone.

As this is written on the Wednesday after our return I am still not fully recovered from the whole event. What follows is a terse prcis of my trip to Indy and the highlights of things there from my narrow personal perspective. Forgive me if you were there and I do not mention out meeting. So many people, so poor a memory for the crush of events at such a huge gathering

First, the crew at the Troll Lord Games exhibit that had to put up with us much of the time:

Stephen Chenault

Davis Chenault

Todd Gray

Mark Sandy

Jason Alexander

Richard McBain

Jeffrey Talanian

Peter Bradley

James Misher

Ashley the Volunteer Booth Babe

As well as:

Aldo Guzzi, also a booth pic snapper it seems

Kerry Bourgoine, beer connoisseur, my sometimes co-writer, and game designer in his own right

Also there with a costume line:

My pal Mick Bradley with a true sense of humor

Betty Bradley, his charming wife and also our friend

Stalwart Jim (whose actual identity is a government secret)

WEDNESDAY 15th (Our Wedding AnniversaryGail is a saint!): Gail drives me, son Alex, grandson Mike Gygax, and two of their friends from Lake Geneva to Indianapolis. We hit in later that expected, so I rush up to our suite (thank you GenCon) to DM an OD&D (three booklet) game dungeon crawl in my original Greyhawk dungeons for a half-dozen of the Esteemed EN World Moderators. I had a blast and they played well indeed, assuring me that they too enjoyed the play session. Each of the six created 2nd level PCs and managed to survive the adventure, although my house rule when taking damage allowing -1 HP per character level saved a loss or two. I would have liked to play a couple of more hours, but impending con events dictated I hit the rack to get my beauty rest Hypersmurf presented me with a complete plaques game from the Gord the Rogue stories at the end of the session. That blew me away!

THURSDAY 16th: After a barely passable in-room breakfast everyone but Alex and I headed for the con site while the two of us, joined by son Luke, went to the hotel lobby to await a limo that took is to the main entrance of the place. Upon arriving two pretty young ladies escorted me inside and down the red carpet (see GenCon website for a video of this: http://www.gencon.com/2007/indy/) while Alex and Luke wearing sunglasses followed me as if they were bodyguards. Choice indeed! The audiences ovation nearly overwhelmed me, but I pulled it together and did a lot of waving and handshaking to show how very much I appreciated their welcome. There taking photographs was a long-time fellow from TSR days, Rick Mataka; that was a treat. Then Peter Adkison had me assist in the opening roll of two giant D6, and by luck they came up a 1 and a 6. Inside there awaited my wife and the others, and a power scooter. (My bad leg doesnt allow me to walk very far without severe pain.) As I had never driven such a contraption it was a true learning experience for me during the whole of the convention. I only ran into two people, that at very slow speed, so no harm donewhew!

Thereafter, with a con staff minder leading the way I motored off through the crush of happy gamers to the Troll Lord Games booth. They had a place for me to park not only the scooter but also my butt. I did both and spent most of the remainder of Thursday autographing, shaking hands, having my picture taken (alone or with one or more of the fans) and doing as much conversation as the throng allowed. What I heard then and for the remainder of the show pretty much boils down to a heartwarming thanks for many tears of gaming enjoyment, how gaming brought long-term friendships and even romance and marriage, improved studies, aided in creativity and occupational successin short made a great deal of very positive difference in so many lives. Of course I was both proud and very much humbled by all of that. After all, I am just another gamer having a lot of fun myself.

I joined Robin D. Laws, Peter Adkison, and Harold Johnson on the panel covering 40 Years of GenCon, that ran from 5 6 PM Thursday. It was a thorough discussion directed by Mr. Laws, author of the book by the same name as that of the seminarand I autographed many a copy of the work thereafter.

Gail got us into the RAM restaurant and Brewery for our nights dinner, the manager of which is a dedicated gamer. The beer there was excellent.

FRIDAY 17th: Breakfast was at a fast food joint in the hoteland decent enough. Thereafter I opened again with autographing at the Trolls exhibit. All there was as noted above, but I believe I saw Samwise (from my Talk List) in that period. My minder took Gail and I off for my part in the Christianity and Gaming" panel from 2 to 3 PM. That was enjoyable, but all too brief for much meaningful comment on my part, the bulk of the discussion being on how to deal with the misconceptions about the dangers of RPGs in general and D&D in particular. When that was completed I got a break, then wended my way over to the Paizo booth to autographmainly the Anubis Murders fantasy mystery novel, the first of three Magister Setne Inhetep yarns of mine that are reprinting, Death in Delhi and Samarkand Solution following it in due course.. That was my first chance to have a face-to-face chat with Erik Mona, and I took full advantage of that. As a matter of fact all the folks I met at Paizos exhibit were great, and long-time acquaintance Lisa Stevens stopped to say Hi to me and chat briefly while I was there, Interaction with convention attendees there was much the same as everywhere else at the event (that including being stopped on the floor, when having a cup of coffee, outside having a puff of a cigarillo, or walking about nearly anywhere). After the appearance at Paizo we went back to our con digs to relax a bit before dinner.

Con host and all-around great fellow Peter Adkison invited Gail and I to the Very Important Gamer dinner, an event that ran from 7 to 9 PM Friday. It was held at a nearby live theater building, the 4th floor of which had a ceiling of around 20 feet height, an upper tier that was done in a Spanish architectural style, with a ceiling made to look like a night sky with a full moon, and lights as stars. When we came in Spanish guitar music was playing, and the scene was delightful. Before we went to the tables a crowd of attendees mingled and enjoyed a pre-dinner cocktail. Not a few greeter me and asked for autographs and pics with me. Very flattering. When we selected a table, joined by Peter Bradley and several others, Peter Adkison stopped by with Richard Garfield so as to finally introduce us. I do wish we had been able to discuss game design for an hour or two, but it was not the time or place. The buffet served was quite good. All and all a most enjoyable time. Afterwards we went back to our suite, had a nightcap with some friends, and than I crashed.

SATURDAY 18th: I slept late, then we went for breakfast at the hotel jointanother acceptable start to the day. Thereafter it was off to Tracy & Laura Hickmans Killer Breakfast," with a con staff minder leading us so we would not go astray. Not knowing how great a show this event was, I came in at around 10:30, near the conclusion. What I witnessed was superb. Tracy and Laura put their considerable talents into producing a very amusing and highly entertaining feature of GenCon. There were over 600 in the audience. Hats off to such a production! (If I make another show Ill not miss this event from its inception, as it will be two hours of great fun.) The audience was delighted when I joined the victims on stage, and Tracy allowed me to survive until the shows conclusion when The Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch wiped out everyone, audience included, at 11 AM. A fitting end to the Killer Breakfast.

Back to the Troll Lord Games exhibit for the usual, and I believe this is when Martin Campion, a fellow IFW member in the past, and designer of a game both Tom Wham and I dearly love to play, Rails West, stopped by to give me greetings. At the conclusion of that stint I went for a smoke break and off to the Paizo booth for more autographing there from 2 3 PM. After another great session there we scooted back to the Trolls place where I concluded the days appearancesalmost.

About 20 of us had dinner at RAM again, and again their brews were fine. Many fans there stopped by, or stopped me entering or leaving, to laud my efforts and get a signature and/or photograph with me. When I completed my scooter safari back to our hotel we were joined by something over a score of good people for a brief room party. By 10:30 I folded, and the soire broke up.

SUNDAY 19th: In theory Sunday was totally free, but

We met Martin Campion for a fancy breakfast buffet in the Eagles Nest restaurant atop our hotel. There a photographer from Wired magazine finalized the time for a photo shoot of me at GenCon for an article that will be run in the magazine sometime fairly soon. Gail and I then found my minder, and he escorted us to the exhibit hall where I took station in my usual spot with the Trolls. I was astonished to find myself inundated by eager fellow gamers once again. I had meant to scooter the hall, but I just couldnt leave those wanting to see me high and dry, so I stayed put and did the usual thing. So much for visiting Fat Dragon Games as I had planned, getting a new Settlers of Catan game from Mayfair, and searching for other interesting Boardgames at the show Next time for sure.

When out having a puff of cigarillo the Geek Squad did an interview with me that appears on the appropriate con highlightsalthough how appropriate the interview is might be another matter.

Near the end of the show I did a photo shoot with the pro sent by Wired Magazine as mentioned above. That ate up around an hour, but I didnt so much as shatter one lens

We made it back to our lodgings safely at the conclusion of GenConalways a bittersweet timeand being really wrung out sent son Alex out to bring back Chinese for dinner.

MONDAY 20th: We slept until around 8:30 AM, packed up, and motored back to beautiful Lake Geneva in the rain. Upon arriving home we learned that the planned weekend Venetian Festival festivities had been cancelled due to the heavy rains. The lake is a foot higher than normal, and its outlet, the White River, is overflowing its banks. I guess we missed nothing interesting while away at the convention.

There you have it.

Gary

Post by **Breakdaddy** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 8:25 pm

I am honored to have met you and to have had the opportunity to hang out with you after the convention hall was closed for the day. I have to also thank you for signing my OD&D white box booklets, which will remain the crown jewel of my RPG collection for a long time to come.

Thanks!

-Jason Alexander

gideon_thorne · Post by **gideon_thorne** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 8:27 pm

Hahaha! I'll make sure Jim sees this. He'll get a kick out of it.
_________________
"We'll go out through the kitchen!" Tanis Half-Elven

Peter Bradley

Treebore · Post by **Treebore** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 8:43 pm

"What I heard then and for the remainder of the show pretty much boils down to a heartwarming thanks for many tears of gaming enjoyment, how gaming brought long-term friendships and even romance and marriage, improved studies, aided in creativity and occupational successin short made a great deal of very positive difference in so many lives. Of course I was both proud and very much humbled by all of that. After all, I am just another gamer having a lot of fun myself."

See Gary, I wasn't giving you a line of baloney all those months ago on ENWorld when I told you the same kind of story. You have affected so many lives in so many positive ways, that your legacy will live on forever in Futurama! Seriously, though, even though you had no idea what you started out of the basement of your house way back in the day, you have created one hell of a legacy. One to be proud of. One I am grateful for every time I sit down at the table and play and RPG with my kids.

One I am grateful for in 1,000's of ways.

So whenever you need a "pick me up" from the daily grind and pain, just reflect on how many people around the world are grateful to you for what you made happen.

One of these days I am going ot make it to an LGGC and give you that gift I promised you. Its the kind of gift I have to give in person. I have to see if it gives you any of the fun and happiness you have given me for over two decades of my life.

Thank you so very much for making D&D happen.

Robert
_________________
The Ruby Lord, Earl of the Society

Next Con I am attending: http://www.neoncon.com/

My House Rules: http://www.freeyabb.com/phpbb/viewtopic ... llordgames

Omote · Post by **Omote** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 8:53 pm

It was cool to get Mr. Gygax to personalize and sign my stuff. That was a cool honor. Thank you again, sir!

......................................Omote

FPQ
_________________
> Omote's Advanced C&C stuff <
Duke Omote Landwehr, Holy Order of the FPQ ~ Prince of the Castles & Crusades Society

Col_Pladoh · Post by **Col_Pladoh** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 9:07 pm

Thanks fellows
Remember that I am a gamer too, so do call me Gary
Cheers,

Gary

moriarty777 · Post by **moriarty777** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 9:17 pm

Col_Pladoh wrote:
Each of the six created 2nd level PCs and managed to survive the adventure, although my house rule when taking damage allowing -1 HP per character level saved a loss or two.

Thanks for sharing Gary... I sincerely hope that I meet you in person one day. I do have one question... something that caught me attention when I was reading your post -- the house rule which I quoted above.

Could you give me a bit more info on it? Is this something used every time a blow is dealt or under certain or special circumstances?

Are there any other house rules you've favored over the year?

Sorry to the fellow gamers on this board if it looks like I might be hijacking the thread. I'm just *really* curious at this point.

Moriarty the Red
_________________
"You face Death itself in the form of... 1d4 Tarrasques!"

Partner to Brave Halfling Publishing
http://www.arcanacreations.com

Tadhg · Post by **Tadhg** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 9:43 pm

Very excellent report, Gary. Thanks for posting.

From what I've read from you and others here, Gencon sounds like it's "mind boggling" to say the least. Hope to get there someday.

_________________
Count Rhuveinus - Lejendary Keeper of Castle Franqueforte

"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax

"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth

Akrasia · Post by **Akrasia** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 9:47 pm

Thanks for the summary, Gary.
I don't know if I'll ever have the opportunity to meet you in person, but I'd like to join the crowd of people thanking you for the positive impact that RPGs have had in their lives.

Thanks for everything!
_________________
While it is unlikely to interest most of you, here is my 'cunning' blog: http://dailyakrasia.blogspot.com/

ironbull · Post by **ironbull** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 10:15 pm

Thanks for the overview, sir! It was great to meet you at the Troll Lord booth. You have certainly had a strong positive impact on many of us. Of course you are also the reason I got a B in high school calculus - too many nights with my head in the DMG instead of the textbook. All in all though, I'd say I still managed to turn out okay.
Again, thanks!

Fat Dragon Games · Post by **Fat Dragon Games** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 12:10 am

No worries about not getting to the booth Gary, I've already got your stuff boxed up and will get it off to you in the next day or two. I'm just glad we met up at the Troll Lord booth on Saturday!
_________________
Thomas A. Tullis

Fat Dragon Games
www.fatdragongames.com

Castles & Crusades...more D&D than D&D.

Deogolf · Post by **Deogolf** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 2:33 am

Yeah, that "Mr." Gygax guy is pretty cool (and special too!)!
Thanks a million, Gary!!
_________________
Eulaliaaa!!! Give those rapscallions blood and vinegar, wot?!

Be sure to check out Jim's artwork for sale:
http://jimhollowayart.com/id5.html

Emryys · Post by **Emryys** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 4:35 am

Very generous of you Gary, to spend all that quality time with the fans...
Cheers to you Sir!
*PS Good videos of you...
_________________

Col_Pladoh · Post by **Col_Pladoh** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 2:45 pm

moriarty777 wrote:
Thanks for sharing Gary... I sincerely hope that I meet you in person one day. I do have one question... something that caught me attention when I was reading your post -- the house rule which I quoted above.

Could you give me a bit more info on it? Is this something used every time a blow is dealt or under certain or special circumstances?

Are there any other house rules you've favored over the year?

Sorry to the fellow gamers on this board if it looks like I might be hijacking the thread. I'm just *really* curious at this point.

Moriarty the Red

A hurried response:

Gary's OD&D House Rules:

For a score of 15 or over:

STR: +1 to hit and +1 to damage if a Fighter

INT: +1 1st level m-u spell

WIS: +1 1st level cleric spell

DEX: +1 to AC, and +1 to move silently

CON: +1 HP per HD (same as a Fighter class gets, +2 if a Fighter)

CHA: +1 (positive) on reaction checks

HPs: Characters are only unconscious at 0 HPs. For each level a character may have a minus HP total equal to the level, so a 1st level PC is dead at -2, a 2nd level at -3, etc.

That's the gist of things.

Gary

Col_Pladoh · Post by **Col_Pladoh** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 2:54 pm

Fat Dragon Games wrote:
No worries about not getting to the booth Gary, I've already got your stuff boxed up and will get it off to you in the next day or two. I'm just glad we met up at the Troll Lord booth on Saturday!

Hey Tom!

Because of the press of gamers, getting around the floor in that scooter was a chore. Also, I was waylaid continually for autographs and pics, so I pretty well had to stay put and be there for the con attendees.

That said, I had hoped to come by and offer you a swap for some of the TLG products from me, including the Gygaxian Fantasy Worlds reference book series. The Trolls are good that way
If you make a con here in Lake Geneva, the offer stands of course.

Again, sorry not to have paid the promised visit to your exhibit.

Cheers,

Gary

Col_Pladoh · Post by **Col_Pladoh** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 2:56 pm

Deogolf wrote:
Yeah, that "Mr." Gygax guy is pretty cool (and special too!)!
Thanks a million, Gary!!

John,

Stop posting here and come to the game sessions! Mike Johnston says he hopes to be able to return to thursday night serrions soon
Cheerio,

Gary

Col_Pladoh · Post by **Col_Pladoh** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 2:59 pm

To All That Have PostedL

My thanks, and excuse me for not taking the time to reply individually to each and every response here. There are so many here and on other boards that I just haven't the time and energy. (That'll teach me to put up the con report )

Gary

Treebore · Post by **Treebore** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 3:54 pm

Most, if not alll of us here are aware your health is no where near as goood as you, and us, would wish it to be.

I'm pretty sure we all think its great that you post what you do.

So thanks for being such a personable person, it just makes me (likely all of us) respect and like you all the more.
_________________
The Ruby Lord, Earl of the Society

Next Con I am attending: http://www.neoncon.com/

My House Rules: http://www.freeyabb.com/phpbb/viewtopic ... llordgames

Fat Dragon Games · Post by **Fat Dragon Games** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 4:08 pm

Treebore wrote:
Most, if not alll of us here are aware your health is no where near as goood as you, and us, would wish it to be.

I'm pretty sure we all think its great that you post what you do.

So thanks for being such a personable person, it just makes me (likely all of us) respect and like you all the more.

Ditto. I was very impressed at how much time you took with each fan at GC last week.
_________________
Thomas A. Tullis

Fat Dragon Games
www.fatdragongames.com

Castles & Crusades...more D&D than D&D.

moriarty777 · Post by **moriarty777** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 4:20 pm

Gary,

Thank you very much for replying to the house rules question, I appreciate it very much! I can only repeat the sentiment expressed here by the fellow fans. Take care!

M
_________________
"You face Death itself in the form of... 1d4 Tarrasques!"

Partner to Brave Halfling Publishing
http://www.arcanacreations.com

serleran · Post by **serleran** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 4:32 pm

Gary is awesome. I've never met someone more personable, and approachable, and that, from me, who is about the least personable person in the world... is saying quite a lot. May you always have the patience and strength to be the man you are, Gary.

Col_Pladoh · Post by **Col_Pladoh** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 7:10 pm

Well now...

How can I not be a friend to my fellow gamers? (At least those that are not making themselves a royal pain! )

Gary

Buttmonkey · Post by **Buttmonkey** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 7:38 pm

Col_Pladoh wrote:
Well now...

How can I not be a friend to my fellow gamers?

You obviously never smelled my dad's gas back when we ran 1E in 1982. So many snack foods, so much held breath! My skin still hasn't returned to a healthy shade.

Col_Pladoh · Post by **Col_Pladoh** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 7:59 pm

Buttmonkey wrote:
You obviously never smelled my dad's gas back when we ran 1E in 1982. So many snack foods, so much held breath! My skin still hasn't returned to a healthy shade.

Heh!

I make beans for the pre-LGGC porch party, dude
By natural color skin, do you mean Cheeto orange?

Gary

Troll Lord Games

A BRIEF GENCON XL REPORT

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