Minnesota Pathfinder Society Gives Back the the Community

Monday, August 24, 2015

At Paizo, we get an overwhelming amount of feedback surrounding the growth of the Pathfinder Society. Many of these are positive reports of our volunteers and Venture Officers building strong gaming groups and communities within their region. And occasionally, we hear back about how these local chapters are turning their passion for gaming and PFS into a platform for giving back to people in need. We were contacted by the Minneapolis/St. Paul lodge recently, and wanted to share with you how they've decided to make a difference through their local convention, Skål Con.

On September 18-20, the Minneapolis/St. Paul Pathfinder Society lodge will host a brand new convention: Skål Con. This is our opportunity to give back to the community as Skål Con is a fundraiser for local charity Tubman—Minnesota's largest provider of family crisis and support services. We will donate every dollar we make beyond covering our base costs (which we have done!) to Tubman: all of it.

The inside story...

I was flush with excitement from our best Con of the North ever and wanted to keep the momentum going with a new convention. With the input of other Venture Captain and having run conventions (including in unconventional spaces, like grocery stores even!), I challenged myself to come up with a plan. Fantasy Flight Games had opened a brand new game space, Fantasy Flight Game Center, in the summer of 2014. We already have a great relationship with management, and the room is large enough for our group. Within hours of getting to work and emailing the rest of the Venture Officers and volunteers that made Con of the North a success, we all went to work. It is a testament to our local group of volunteers that within three months we had the more than just the skeleton of the convention in place.

Why charity? Why Tubman?

I wanted Skål Con to be more than just another con, as it was our goal to give back to the community in a meaningful way. I wanted us to do something positive that benefited those who need help and have a great time doing so. When I sat down to think about where our efforts should go to, the choice was easy.

Each year Tubman helps over 30,000 women, youth, men and families who have experienced relationship violence, sexual assault and exploitation, elder abuse, addiction, and other forms of trauma. As the state's largest provider of domestic violence services, Tubman provides 20% of all Minnesota shelter beds for women and children experiencing family violence. This is a small sampling of the services they provide to those in need. I am proud we are able to help a truly great organization reach their goals.

We need your help!

Paizo has graciously allowed us to do a guest blog about our convention, but to reach our fundraising goals our local chapter needs your help. Please go to skålcon.org to register for the convetion and/or donate. If you choose to attend, we will be auctioning off items (like this signed Pathfinder RPG Core Rulebook, artwork, and more!), hosting raffles, and running both Pathfinder Society Roleplaying Guild and Adventure Card game tables over the weekend. Your help allows us to give back to our community.

My sincerest thanks to you all!

Jon Dehning
Venture Captain—Minneapolis, MN

Chris Lambertz
Community & Digital Content Director

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Tags: Community Conventions Pathfinder Society
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Dark Archive 5/5 5/5

Anyone have any questions?

Paizo Employee 5/5 Contributor—Canadian Maplecakes

2 people marked this as a favorite.

Looks like I'll be attending :)

Dark Archive 4/5 5/5 ****

Thurston Hillman wrote:
Looks like I'll be attending :)

Yay!!!

4/5 ****

Woo! If I still lived in Iowa I would totally come visit!

1/5

I wish the con lined up with my vacation in Minnesota.

Dark Archive 5/5 5/5

Thurston Hillman wrote:
Looks like I'll be attending :)

Damn strait you are.

Dark Archive 4/5 Venture-Lieutenant, Minnesota—Twin Cities Metro East

I'll be there! <3 SO EXCITED!!!


Sounds great. I will try to come down from N. Minnesota.

PS - maybe fix the title :)

Sovereign Court

jones314 wrote:
PS - maybe fix the title :)

I see nothing wrong with the title. They don't like us, and they want to give us back :(

On a serious note, this is awesome that you guys are doing this. Honestly, I almost want to fly out from the southwest just for the chance the nab that CRB.

Grand Lodge 4/5 5/55/55/55/5 **** Venture-Captain, Minnesota

Jon, as the Twin Cities official Poker of Beehives, of course I have a question. What does the name "Skål Con" refer to? Does the word, Skål, have special meaning for you and Andrew?

Hmm

Dark Archive 5/5 5/5

Andrew Klein wrote:
jones314 wrote:
PS - maybe fix the title :)

I see nothing wrong with the title. They don't like us, and they want to give us back :(

On a serious note, this is awesome that you guys are doing this. Honestly, I almost want to fly out from the southwest just for the chance the nab that CRB.

You should!

Grand Lodge 4/5

Pathfinder Adventure, Adventure Path, Pathfinder Accessories, Rulebook, Starfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

Hmm, my brother is in Iowa for workstudy. Have to let him know about this.

Dark Archive 5/5 5/5

1 person marked this as a favorite.

Regarding the CRB:

I wanna give a shout out to Andy Christian. That guy spent a significant portion of his Paizocon tracking down every Paizo employee he could find and getting them to sign the book. Andy deserves much applause for that. The only person I arm twisted into signing it was SKR, who also drew a goblin. So there are two goblins causing havoc. You have been warned.

I also like that we received the "Not Cannon" stamp from Mark Moreland.

Liberty's Edge 5/5 5/5

3 people marked this as a favorite.
Andrew Klein wrote:
jones314 wrote:
PS - maybe fix the title :)
I see nothing wrong with the title. They don't like us, and they want to give us back :(

WHY WOULD THUNDERLIPS! GIVE BACK THAT WHICH WAS TAKEN? THAT COMMUNITY HAS YET TO BE REMADE IN PROPER ULFEN FASHION. THERE ARE STILL FAR TOO MANY WHO FEEL THE NEED TO COMMUNE WITH NATURE OUTSIDE SCOTTY'S, A ONCE PROUD MEAD HALL. TRULY, THEIR FATHER'S FATHER LOOKS ON IN SHAME. ONE SHOULD KNOW WHERE THE LINE IS AND THEN SMASH PAST IT! ORDER MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF STEAK 'N SHAKE AT 4AM! LAUNCH ONE'S SELF THE LENGTH OF A HOTEL LOBBY COUCH TO LAND ON UNSUSPECTING "CUSHIONS". THEN, THEN ONE MIGHT CONSIDER ONE'S SELF A BARBARIAN OF REPUTE AND MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY!

Liberty's Edge 5/5

1 person marked this as a favorite.
jon dehning wrote:

Regarding the CRB:

I wanna give a shout out to Andy Christian. That guy spent a significant portion of his Paizocon tracking down every Paizo employee he could find and getting them to sign the book. Andy deserves much applause for that. The only person I arm twisted into signing it was SKR, who also drew a goblin. So there are two goblins causing havoc. You have been warned.

I also like that we received the "Not Cannon" stamp from Mark Moreland.

The other Goblin is a 5-minute recreation by Jason Engle (he who drew the Prestige Classes in the CRB--signed one of them too) of the Paizo Con 2015 Goblin.

Dark Archive 3/5

Yea well, I'll be there. It's probably going to be a rough go of things, as they always are for Paul Giamatti

Liberty's Edge

I will be there. Signed up for the full event.

Should be interesting, gaming Friday 6pm-11pm, Saturday 8am to midnight, and then Sunday 11am-5pm.

Might need to take Monday off to recover...

Dark Archive 5/5 5/5

Sad Paul Giamatti wrote:
Yea well, I'll be there. It's probably going to be a rough go of things, as they always are for Paul Giamatti

It should be ok. No one will order the f$##ing Merlot.

Liberty's Edge 5/5 5/5

1 person marked this as a favorite.
Almarik wrote:

I will be there. Signed up for the full event.

Should be interesting, gaming Friday 6pm-11pm, Saturday 8am to midnight, and then Sunday 11am-5pm.

Might need to take Monday off to recover...

THIS PERSON HAS THE HEART OF A TRUE WARRIOR, KEITH! YOU MIGHT LEARN SOMETHING FROM THIS ALLMYRICKS.

Liberty's Edge 5/5

Hmm wrote:

Jon, as the Twin Cities official Poker of Beehives, of course I have a question. What does the name "Skål Con" refer to? Does the word, Skål, have special meaning for you and Andrew?

Hmm

skål

A skål is a Scandinavian toast of friendship and goodwill that may be offered when drinking, sitting down to eat, or at a formal event. Some fans of Scandinavian culture have popularized the the toast beyond its native countries, and it can often be heard in many peculiar corners of the world, especially in regions with a large Scandinavian population. The word may also be spelled skal or skaal.

Like other toasts, a skål implies a wish for good fortune and good health, and it carries very friendly connotations. There are a number of different ways to say it, ranging from a series of individual toasts in which everyone toasts everyone else, taking a sip of a drink with each toast, and a collective skål shouted out by a group of drinkers or diners. As one might imagine, in a series of individual toasts in which everyone salutes each person individually, one tends to become rather intoxicated by the end.

Several Norse poems saluting famous figures have included a “skål” or two in the lines, as in the case of “Gustaf's skål,” an 18th century song which the king later adopted as his official anthem, because he was so fond of it. In poems such as this, the celebrant is typically highly praised, with lines like “the greatest king in the north.” At some parties, people may improvise their own extended speech or toast, especially at an event where people are celebrating a marriage or another major life event.

3/5

jon dehning wrote:
Sad Paul Giamatti wrote:
Yea well, I'll be there. It's probably going to be a rough go of things, as they always are for Paul Giamatti
It should be ok. No one will order the f*!&ing Merlot.

If being served Merlot was my biggest worry things might actually start looking up for Paul. NOT THE CASE THOUGH!!! I'M STILL A BALD-FAT-LOSER THAT NO WOMAN WILL EVER WANT TO TOUCH! EEYORE! EEYORE!

Liberty's Edge 5/5

1 person marked this as a favorite.

We wanted to use the more Norwegian version of the word rather than the Germanic... here's another interesting tidbit about what Skol means in Minnesota...

Skol

I can't tell you how many times I've been asked that as a Vikings fan. Most people think it's just a common, Scandanavian greeting...and it is. It can also translate into bowl, as in drink from a bowl. And although there are varying opinions on how 'skol' came to be a greeting, this is my most favorite one. Let's see how we can tie these two disparate meanings--(bowl and hello) together.

Back in the Middle Ages, rampaging bands of Vikings were roaming Europe and kicking the holy dog crap out of people. From Lindisfarme to France it didn't matter. For about 500 years, the boogeyman would check his closet before he went to bed to make sure there weren't any Vikings in it.

Anyway, at the end of the battle, Viking warriors would decapitate the king or leader of the tribe/army they had just vanquished and that night would drink from his skull--spelled skoll--as a sign of respect for the fallen opponent. It was only then, Viking warriors believed, could an opponent who had fought valiantly be allowed into Valhalla.

In battle, Vikings would urge each other forward by yelling "SKOLL" to one another. By doing so, they were telling each other to keep it up so they could drink from the skull (and the top of a lopped off skull looks roughly like a..wait for it...BOWL!!) of the Vanquished that night.

These days, it just is a way to urge each other on to victory in an American football game, but if you piss us off too much, we'll put Packer Nation's head on a metaphorical pole, parade it around, and then drink some Grain Belt from it, so keep one eye open, because the Vikings can go medieval on you in a heartbeat.

So, at least mythologically speaking, both meanings originate from our Ancestors kicking the hell out of some poor sap who was the leader of some hopelessly pathetic tribe that dared to give us the finger.

I mean, think about it...after a hard day of rampaging, killing, and pillaging, you're beat. You're beat. Your shoulders ache from swinging a battle axe and crushing skulls, and you got blood and brains on your new wolf fur hoodie. All you want to do is sit around a campfire, drink some grog, and shoot the breeze with your buddies. You're too tired to strike up a conversation, and as a warrior, you don't gush over someone when you see that they're still alive, so you come up with simple, one or two word phrases that capture the essence of the moment.

Today, it's "dude".

Back then, as the skull of the poor chucklehead (who hours before was some minor bigshot) is passed around, all you have the energy to do is give a wry smile over to a fellow warrior and say....skol. One word conveyed it all.

So skol has evolved from a battle cry of warriors to a common salutation or toast to friends, which in a way, it always was.

Only under much different circumstances.

And if it is just a myth, as many claim, well, it's one hell of a myth, and until someone can prove to me they DIDN'T drink from the skull of a vanquished opponent, then By God, they did. Because until then, it's just opinion, and I like this side of the story a lot better, because it's totally badass.

"May we always drink from the skulls of our enemies!"

Skol.

Dark Archive 5/5 5/5

Hmm wrote:

Jon, as the Twin Cities official Poker of Beehives, of course I have a question. What does the name "Skål Con" refer to? Does the word, Skål, have special meaning for you and Andrew?

Hmm

It is a reference to my own cultural heritage as well as representative of our state's many peoples. Also, "Drinking the Blood of your Enemies from their own Skulls Con" is way too long.

The word itself simply means "Cheers!" as Mr. Peterson could tell you. And then be corrected by Mr. Clavin.

Or, yeah, what Andy said.

Liberty's Edge 5/5 5/5

1 person marked this as a favorite.
Andrew Christian wrote:
And if it is just a myth, as many claim, well, it's one hell of a myth, and until someone can prove to me they DIDN'T drink from the skull of a vanquished opponent, then By God, they did. Because until then, it's just opinion, and I like this side of the story a lot better, because it's totally badass.

JUST A MYTH?

URGE TO KILL RISING...

Liberty's Edge 5/5 5/5

Oh gods...

He's going to drink Merlot out of a skull now, isn't he?

Grand Lodge 5/5

Ms. Quick wrote:

Oh gods...

He's going to drink Merlot out of a skull now, isn't he?

Oh dear madam, if you were inclined to hear what has been said, you might report to yourself that the liquid in the skull is indeed a crimson or deep mauve, but perhaps of a different vintage than merlot...

Dark Archive 3/5

Forge el-Jorday wrote:
Ms. Quick wrote:

Oh gods...

He's going to drink Merlot out of a skull now, isn't he?

Oh dear madam, if you were inclined to hear what has been said, you might report to yourself that the liquid in the skull is indeed a crimson or deep mauve, but perhaps of a different vintage than merlot...

Nope that was definetly blood in the skull, at least I wasn't tasting my own for once.

Shadow Lodge

Pathfinder Rulebook Subscriber

Hmmm... I've never done any kind of organized gaming. But I live in St Paul and it would be a shame not to attend. Would this be ok for a newbie?

Dark Archive 4/5

yessir! And in the mean time there's plenty of local events - go to MSP Meetup

Shadow Lodge 5/5

Hmm wrote:

Jon, as the Twin Cities official Poker of Beehives, of course I have a question. What does the name "Skål Con" refer to? Does the word, Skål, have special meaning for you and Andrew?

Hmm

It's mine dammit!

(Ask Jon why)


I don't have words to describe how awesome this event is, I can't wait to attend! I'm going to go tell all my friends!

Shadow Lodge 5/5

Andrew Christian wrote:

We wanted to use the more Norwegian version of the word rather than the Germanic... here's another interesting tidbit about what Skol means in Minnesota...

<More stuff>

That sure is a long winded way of saying, 'Ryan and Jon were out to breakfast and Jon drunkenly over his fifth Kir Royale asked "Ryan, what do you think of the name for the convention <excessively long name I don't actually remember anymore deleted>" and Ryan responded, "geeze that's long, what about SkålCon?"'

But maybe that's just an urban legend, I might have been too drunk too.

And if you haven't registered, you should. Like now or something. No, I don't care that you're four states over, it's for a good cause.

Shadow Lodge 5/5

jon dehning wrote:
It should be ok. No one will order the f%&%ing Merlot.

I might...for you.

Dark Archive 5/5 5/5

MisterSlanky wrote:
Andrew Christian wrote:

We wanted to use the more Norwegian version of the word rather than the Germanic... here's another interesting tidbit about what Skol means in Minnesota...

<More stuff>

That sure is a long winded way of saying, 'Ryan and Jon were out to breakfast and Jon drunkenly over his fifth Kir Royale asked "Ryan, what do you think of the name for the convention <excessively long name I don't actually remember anymore deleted>" and Ryan responded, "geeze that's long, what about SkålCon?"'

But maybe that's just an urban legend, I might have been too drunk too.

And if you haven't registered, you should. Like now or something. No, I don't care that you're four states over, it's for a good cause.

Remember, I had moved onto ordering made up drinks by that point in the morning. Convincing the bar staff to ask the kitchen staff to dig up allspice to put in your coffee drink* was a fine moment. Also, I really need to create a name for the Champagne and St. Germain beverage.

*Coffee, rum, coffee liqueur, all spice
Adding cream and/or sugar is also acceptable. This is a staple at our house on Sunday mornings.

Edit: But wait! It gets better! I just picked up a bottle of allspice cocktail flavoring (45% ABV!) No more grains of allspice collecting into a nice sludge at the bottom of the cup!

Dark Archive 5/5 5/5

MisterSlanky wrote:
jon dehning wrote:
It should be ok. No one will order the f%&%ing Merlot.
I might...for you.

I'd drink it. Can't be any worse than Bud Light.

3/5

jon dehning wrote:
MisterSlanky wrote:
jon dehning wrote:
It should be ok. No one will order the f%&%ing Merlot.
I might...for you.
I'd drink it. Can't be any worse than Bud Light.

No but there's plenty of things that taste just as bad(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4p8LylVs_g).

Dark Archive 4/5 5/5 ****

And, yes, folks! Rumor has it that there will be a MisterSlanky sighting (or two) at Skål Con!

There might also be some selections of fine Minnesota beer to be drank, both at the FFG Game Center, and elsewhere.

Surly Nation!

4/5 5/55/55/5 *** Venture-Lieutenant, Minnesota—Minneapolis

Andrew Christian wrote:
These days, it just is a way to urge each other on to victory in an American football game, but if you piss us off too much, we'll put Packer Nation's head on a metaphorical pole, parade it around, and then drink some Grain Belt from it, so keep one eye open, because the Vikings can go medieval on you in a heartbeat.

Grain belt? Barbaric! The the very idea is enough to send small children fleeing in terror!

I've been signed up for the the convention for a while now. Not sure how well doubling on the the every time is going to work though. Will GMs be expects to do this as we read boxed text?

4/5

For those still looking for motivation to come play at Skål Con, allow me to say the following:

Google wrote:

Saturday, September 19

International Talk Like a Pirate Day 2015

I am looking forward to GMing my 2 (count 'em! 2!) tables of Murder on the Throaty Mermaid.

The Exchange

This is fantastic! I have been out of some game for some time
(returning in a month or two), but am amazed at how great this community is with things like this :D

Silver Crusade 5/5

If it wasn't for work, I'd be road tripping in from Omaha. As it is, least I could do was donate, which I did! How much do we have to raise to get Jon a shave and a haircut, and how much more needs to get raised to make it happen?

Dark Archive 5/5 5/5

UndeadMitch wrote:
If it wasn't for work, I'd be road tripping in from Omaha. As it is, least I could do was donate, which I did! How much do we have to raise to get Jon a shave and a haircut, and how much more needs to get raised to make it happen?

$2000

$1800

Dig deep people! She Who Rules the Known Universe (AKA Mrs. Leg o' Lamb) really wants me to cut my hair and shave off the beard.

Dark Archive 5/5 5/5

XXXJ666 wrote:

This is fantastic! I have been out of some game for some time

(returning in a month or two), but am amazed at how great this community is with things like this :D

We'd love to have you back!

Liberty's Edge 5/5

Well, we've covered our costs at $1,000. And last I checked we were close to $150 over that.

We need to cut a check for $2,000 to the charity to get the barber.

Grand Lodge 5/5

1 person marked this as a favorite.

This looks amazing, I've only seen videos of the FFG play space and it's spectacular I wish I could make it. I'm putting the word out locally, since our players loved gaming for charity too. Though, I think we may need video evidence of Jon's shave & haircut when (not if) you guys make your goal. If there's anything I can do to help from here, feel free to hit me up.

Skål

Dark Archive 5/5 5/5

Joe Ducey wrote:

This looks amazing, I've only seen videos of the FFG play space and it's spectacular I wish I could make it. I'm putting the word out locally, since our players loved gaming for charity too. Though, I think we may need video evidence of Jon's shave & haircut when (not if) you guys make your goal. If there's anything I can do to help from here, feel free to hit me up.

Skål

poke poke

You can drop us $20, or you can hit up the donate button. You have seen the Samson-esque state of my hair and beard so you know this is no easy task.

There might be video of the shearing.

Grand Lodge 5/5

jon dehning wrote:


poke poke

You can drop us $20, or you can hit up the donate button. You have seen the Samson-esque state of my hair and beard so you know this is no easy task.

There might be video of the shearing.

I have and it has been referenced in my note to our lodge (as well as pinned to the wall for all to see). Before I donate I'm seeing if things can be moved around so that I can come up and play - unlikely but I have to check. It looks too good to not try.


2 people marked this as a favorite.

Oh, hey, it's SkalCon! My artwork is among the items that are up for auction!

Liberty's Edge 5/5

Lilith wrote:
Oh, hey, it's SkalCon! My artwork is among the items that are up for auction!

Yup! It's so close I can taste the excitement!

The Exchange 3/5

Yup! It's so close I can taste Andy's excitement!

But I won't.

I am honored to offer a rowdy run fueled running of Plunder and Peril for such a good cause.

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