Personally, I had a BLAST!
This was my first EVER Con and it was even better than I had dared to hope. Although I was "chained" to a wheelchair, due to a broken bone in my right foot, I still was able to get around (abet with some occasional help) and perform the volunteer duties I was doing. My husband and I were brand new to being at Cons, yet we both really enjoyed meeting new people and play-types.
I usually have 13 to 16 year old people at my table, so I simply applied my normal rules to this as well. I asked for, and generally got, no cussing at my table, everyone having a chance to talk and plan, and focused gameplay. Breaks were whenever anyone needed one and they cleaned up after themselves nicely.
I ran #7-19: Labyrinth of Hungry Ghosts for Friday morning and evening; #7-18: Faithless and Forgotten Part 3 on Saturday, Sunday and Monday mornings; and the Sunday evening special, #7-98: Serpent's Ire.
For my first Con, I didn't know quite what to expect from my fellow GMs, so I was pleasantly surprised at the enormous amount of help, teaching, and advice I was given by the "Old Hands" that were around me. I would love to thank them by name, but my recollections of most names of GMs and Players is a bit hazy. The GMs at Gunslinger tables on Friday (all day) that surrounded my Gunslinger 8 table were terrific! Please, email your name to me! Also, I had the most awesome time and help from the Bard 6 and 14 tables when my husband and I were both on Bard 13 and 9, respectively, on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
The players at my tables were very understanding of my memory blanks, hazy rule recollections, and and general "huh?" moments.
The hotel staff were great! We didn't stay on-site because we couldn't afford it, but next year we are! Especially if we can find some roommates to help pay for it. Parking was not fun and we were not aware of the parking fee. Luckily, we could use the code that Paizo had negotiated. That was extremely helpful.
I think that having more games for younger gamers ready and on the schedule would be helpful. Maybe some of our younger players or adults would be willing to have a couple of rooms set aside for that level of gaming? My son is 13 1/2 yo right now, and he could run some Society games, board games, card games, etc. for 8 to 12 year olds. Or at least keep an eye on them.
Now, to answer the above questions:
Post about whom you've met and where they are from.
I had players from Northern Quebec, Australia, and all over the USA. We live in Longview, WA, so we only had to drive 2 hours one-way.
Post about the games you're playing in, with whom, and fun details. (Avoid spoilers...and use spoiler tags if you're going to spoil!)
My games were fun and very different from each other. My first table of Part 3 finished in less than 2 hours. The other two of Part 3 took longer. Labyrinth was good, but the evening one wasn't so great. I don't think a bar available to gamers in the main room was a good idea. Quite a few players were getting quite loud, rude, and belligerent. Not as family-friendly as I, personally, prefer. The special seemed to not flow very easily and needed more than 5 hours to play through.
Post about extraPFSular activities.
I only attended 1 other thing at the Con besides my 6 GM slots. That was the Crafting Circle. I really hope more people attend next year! It was fun, a lot of fun actually, but a slightly more organized arrangement might have increased the fun even more. I love the free pattern!
Generally, everyone was nice and polite and fun to be around.
I was hoping to make contact with people who would like to have me make unique craft items, but I couldn't find anywhere to set up a tiny display. Maybe next year I can have a table or something where I can place a few ideas/possible products and a catalog?
The store on-sight could have offered a 10% discount on the last day to keep from having to haul it all back, but otherwise was really great. Having the Reaper reps there was a nice touch, although they could have brought more colors of paint for the free painting and miniatures that were offered. But hey, who am I to question free things? More product that is needed for the scenarios being used in the main room to be available would be a wonderful idea... they ran out of maps and map packs for the special.
I got to meet some very interesting, unique and fun people, so I count my weekend, just as a gathering, as an A+++.
Next year, we will definitely be attending and will try to bring friends as well.
I hope to hear from all of you soon!
