PaizoCon UK 2011

[DM Wellard]

Well I spoke to the Mem' and a cheque will be winging it's way off in a day or so..I only hope I can really go

[French Wolf]

Great stuff Wellard, look forward to finally meeting up with you.

Cheers

[DM Wellard]

We met last year mate mind you I think you slightly distracted ove r the weekend.

[Wintergreen]

DM Wellard wrote:

Well I spoke to the Mem' and a cheque will be winging it's way off in a day or so..I only hope I can really go

Brilliant. Wouldn't be the same without you.

[French Wolf]

Can I blame it on running tables of seven then eight on Sunday, I doubt it. I must admit I get you and Dabbler confused very easily. You must have been the cheery scotsman?

Cheers

[ZomB]

French Wolf wrote:

Can I blame it on running tables of seven then eight on Sunday,

On that note do we have enough GMs this year that we can aim for table sizes of 5? - so that no show GMs only cause tables of 6.

[Septimus of Oppara]

Dear Fellow Taldoran Pathfinders

It is with disappointment that I, Septimus of Oppara, declare that I shall not be attending the forthcoming expeditions this 4711 season.

I suggest that you do not cancel but carry on without me and continue to show up those other Pathfinders that insist on accompanying us each year with their ridiculous dress sense and manners.

I shall stay in Oppara and look after the little Septimus that has appeared; but do join me in the club on your return for a jolly decent post-mission bragging and a guffaw at the antics of those colonialists.

May Shelyn bless your missions with beauty and grace,

Rah Rah!

Septimus

[Andrina Dunstan]

Ha another chinless wonder who will have to disguise it with a beard when he grows up..

Seriously, congratulations Septimus

[Wintergreen]

Septimus of Oppara wrote:

Dear Fellow Taldoran Pathfinders

It is with disappointment that I, Septimus of Oppara, declare that I shall not be attending the forthcoming expeditions this 4711 season.

I suggest that you do not cancel but carry on without me and continue to show up those other Pathfinders that insist on accompanying us each year with their ridiculous dress sense and manners.

I shall stay in Oppara and look after the little Septimus that has appeared; but do join me in the club on your return for a jolly decent post-mission bragging and a guffaw at the antics of those colonialists.

May Shelyn bless your missions with beauty and grace,

Rah Rah!

Septimus

Many congrats Septimus. You shall be missed but I'm sure other Pathfinders will gladly convey Chronicle reports to you.

[Wintergreen]

ZomB wrote:

French Wolf wrote:

Can I blame it on running tables of seven then eight on Sunday,

On that note do we have enough GMs this year that we can aim for table sizes of 5? - so that no show GMs only cause tables of 6.

It looks like we've got enough GMs but with the space that we have, even distributed across three rooms, we'll probably have to go with tables of 6 players.

[DM Wellard]

Cheque posted.

[Richard Pett]

DM Wellard wrote:

I'm going to have to have a serious talk with the MemSahib about this..I really don't want to miss out but it all depends on her working hours..I'll have made a final decision by the end of this week.

Do you want kidnapping?

[Wintergreen]

Richard Pett wrote:

DM Wellard wrote:

I'm going to have to have a serious talk with the MemSahib about this..I really don't want to miss out but it all depends on her working hours..I'll have made a final decision by the end of this week.

Do you want kidnapping?

Be careful about answering that!

[DM Wellard]

No thank you Mr Pett..

However I do have a question about the Skinsaw Murders you could answer.

If you supress Vorel's fungal remains in the workshop does this supress the other haunts for the same period of 24 hours?

[Wintergreen]

Looks like we are down to single figures in the remaining tickets so if you haven't booked yet then do it before the end of the month!

[Charles Evans 25]

The current Grímsvötn eruption (this year's Icelandic volcano) seems to be subsiding towards levels where the plume (the ash cloud) is not likely to get far enough to continue to affect British air-space. Or at least that's what the BGS says... :)

[The Grandfather]

Charles Evans 25 wrote:

The current Grímsvötn eruption (this year's Icelandic volcano) seems to be subsiding towards levels where the plume (the ash cloud) is not likely to get far enough to continue to affect British air-space. Or at least that's what the BGS says... :)

That's conforting to hear.

[Charles Evans 25]

Other Stuff Going on in Birmingham:
For those for whom the prospect of non-stop gaming is a bit much (or with family in tow who will be looking for other things to do) apparently some sort of 'Summer Saturday artistic event' may be ongoing on the 16th July in Chamberlain Square. Details are vague at present - the tourist information centre with whom I checked today recommended checking for further details in several week's time on the site's website: Six Summer Saturdays website

[Wintergreen]

PaizoCon UK is now SOLD OUT – to 100 brave souls!
PaizoCon UK 2011 has now SOLD OUT COMPLETELY. If you would like us to put your name in a queue in case of cancellations just send us the booking form by email with a note to say you would like to go on the list. We will then let you know if there is a cancellation. If anyone who has booked finds that they are unable to come, please let us know.
Coming to PaizoCon? Try not to play these adventures

This is a provisional list of games that we are thinking of running at PaizoCon in July. It's published here to give you the chance to avoid playing these games before the event. The schedule may change before PaizoCon and we would like your input on golden oldie adventures that you may have missed.

2-21: The Dalsine Affair by Alex Greenshields
For 1st to 7th level characters (Tiers: 1-2, 3-4 and 6-7).

2-04: Shadows Fall on Absalom by Larry Wilhelm
For 7th to 11th level characters (Tiers: 7–8 and 10–11).

If we can get permission, we may run an slightly abridged version of the 3-part adventure Shades of Ice Parts I, II and III over two Slots
For 1st to 5th level characters (Tiers: 1-2 and 4-5).

VENTURE CAPTAIN'S SPECIAL
An exclusive adventure that can only be run only by 4-star GMs and Venture-Captains
2-EX: The Midnight Mauler by Crystal Frasier
For 1st to 7th level characters (Tiers: 1–2, 3–4, and 6–7).

AUTHOR/GM SPECIAL:
Here Be Goblins by Richard Pett
Goblins love fire but better still they love fireworks! A most unusual adventure for goblin characters.

2-13: The Throaty Mermaid by Mark Moreland
For 1st to 5th level characters (Tiers: 1-2 and 4-5).

AUTHOR/GM SPECIAL:
2-25: You Only Die Twice by Hyrum Savage
For 5th to 9th level characters (Tiers: 5-6 and 8-9).

2-26: The Mantis's Prey by Michael Kortes
For 7th to 11th level characters (Tiers: 7-8 and 10-11).

YEAR OF THE SHADOW LODGE SPECIAL
The Grand Melee
Uber-GM Hyrum Savage

2-23: Shadow's Last Stand—Part I: At Shadow's Door by Steven Robert
For 1st to 7th level characters (Tiers: 1-2, 3-4 and 6-7).

2-24: Shadow's Last Stand—Part II: Web of Corruption by Patrick Renie
For 1st to 7th level characters (Tiers: 1-2, 3-4 and 6-7).

We also hope to have a range of older scenarios running alongside these games (probably one table in each slot). We are thinking of "Delerium’s Tangle", "Voice in the void", "Frozen Fingers of Midnight", "Citadel of Flames", But what would YOU like?

[DM Wellard]

Looks like a good level spread ..and unlike Games Expo I might get to play Andrina in every slot.

[Nevynxxx]

Congratulations! Next year I expect there to be 200 tickets.

Spoiler:

Yes, I am *that* evil, that I only said that in order to picture the shudder it would illicit. :)

[Wintergreen]

Nevynxxx wrote:

Congratulations! Next year I expect there to be 200 tickets.

** spoiler omitted **

**Severe shudder**

[Ask a Succubus]

Dear Nevynxxx,
Well it is Olympic year next year, so maybe you'll pick up some passing overseas tourists on their way to the games...
Hoping that this post has been sufficiently evil... ;)

Yours,

Ask A Succubus.

[French Wolf]

Well Done, Wintergreen.

Cheers

[Wintergreen]

French Wolf wrote:

Well Done, Wintergreen.

Cheers

Thank you sir.

And for my next trick, wrangling a cat herd!

[Charles Evans 25]

Motorway Roadworks
I’ve just had a look on the Highways Agency site to check for possible roadworks on motorways in/around the Birmingham area during PaizoCon UK 2011. The Highways Agency seem to be experimenting with a different map from the system they were using at about this time last year, and I don’t know how accurate this current one is. The (as of time of posting) current map can be found *here* The motorway works which I have been able to identify using it which may be ongoing in the vicinity of Birmingham during this year’s convention are as follows:

Junction 6, M6 northbound link road to Aston Expressway undergoing repairs due to weak bridge support may be closed:
*project link*

M5 Oldbury Viaduct might still be undergoing repairs: *project link*

M5 northbound/M6 southbound linkroad at Junction 8 on the M6 may be undergoing repairs/resurfacing: *project link*

[French Wolf]

Wintergreen wrote:

French Wolf wrote:

Well Done, Wintergreen.

Cheers

Thank you sir.

And for my next trick, wrangling a cat herd!

That's why you get the big bucks! Rather you than me.....we use that analogy just for getting our gaming group together once a month.

cheers

[Charles Evans 25]

Transport Report: The trains!
At present, the impact of engineering works scheduled for the weekend of PaizoCon UK seems likely to be fairly minimal - just the occasional train missing in the West Midlands area from the timetable each day.
Now as for any unscheduled works... Well that's a different question altogether. I gather some Games Expo attendees this year have had mini-odyssey experiences due to the tradition of The Great Half Term Unscheduled Rail Network Trouble.

[Wintergreen]

So looks likes we are all set.
25 GMs and over a 100 attending.

Now what have I forgotten....?

[Charles Evans 25]

Wintergreen wrote:

So looks likes we are all set.

25 GMs and over a 100 attending.

Now what have I forgotten....?

The Machine of Lum the Mad?

Just because Paizo can't use it because it's WotC IP, it doesn't mean we can't... ;)

[Ask a Succubus]

Charles Evans 25 wrote:

Wintergreen wrote:

So looks likes we are all set.

25 GMs and over a 100 attending.

Now what have I forgotten....?

The Machine of Lum the Mad?

Just because Paizo can't use it because it's WotC IP, it doesn't mean we can't... ;)

(edited, clarity)

Ignore him, Mr. Venture Captain. He doesn't know what he's talking about. It's been broken for five centuries, ever since we used it as a tea urn at a little get together in the Abyss. It still does the death rays and all that stuff, but you just cannot get a decent brew out of it...

[Snorter]

Charles Evans 25 wrote:

Junction 6, M6 northbound link road to Aston Expressway undergoing repairs due to weak bridge support may be closed:

*project link*

Whoah, I think I dodge that one by a whisker.

(Of course, it would be just my luck for them to discover the whole flyover is rotten, and close it all on Friday afternoon...)

[Snorter]

Charles Evans 25 wrote:

Now as for any unscheduled works... Well that's a different question altogether. I gather some Games Expo attendees this year have had mini-odyssey experiences due to the tradition of The Great Half Term Unscheduled Rail Network Trouble.

They were captured by a cyclops?

0_o?

[Charles Evans 25]

Snorter wrote:

Charles Evans 25 wrote:

Now as for any unscheduled works... Well that's a different question altogether. I gather some Games Expo attendees this year have had mini-odyssey experiences due to the tradition of The Great Half Term Unscheduled Rail Network Trouble.

They were captured by a cyclops?

0_o?

Worse apparently. Ask our glorious UK venture captain about it...

;)

[DM Wellard]

Charles Evans 25 wrote:

Wintergreen wrote:

So looks likes we are all set.

25 GMs and over a 100 attending.

Now what have I forgotten....?

The Machine of Lum the Mad?

Just because Paizo can't use it because it's WotC IP, it doesn't mean we can't... ;)

I always preferred Hewards Mystical Organ...which always got a laugh around our table.

[Wintergreen]

Snorter wrote:

Charles Evans 25 wrote:

Now as for any unscheduled works... Well that's a different question altogether. I gather some Games Expo attendees this year have had mini-odyssey experiences due to the tradition of The Great Half Term Unscheduled Rail Network Trouble.

They were captured by a cyclops?

0_o?

The Brummie Cyclops wasn't the problem, but the journey through the underworld and the transformations inflicted by the cov witch were pretty rough ;)

[Charles Evans 25]

Less than three weeks to go! Weather this weekend warm to hot (by UK standards). Is this the start of a mini-heatwave, or just a blip? And who can tell what will be happening come mid-July? :D

[Ninjaiguana]

Charles Evans 25 wrote:

Less than three weeks to go! Weather this weekend warm to hot (by UK standards). Is this the start of a mini-heatwave, or just a blip? And who can tell what will be happening come mid-July? :D

Well, if it keeps up this temperature, I hope they'll let us use the air conditioning this time..

[Wintergreen]

Ninjaiguana wrote:

Charles Evans 25 wrote:

Less than three weeks to go! Weather this weekend warm to hot (by UK standards). Is this the start of a mini-heatwave, or just a blip? And who can tell what will be happening come mid-July? :D

Well, if it keeps up this temperature, I hope they'll let us use the air conditioning this time..

We can but hope!!!

[Wintergreen]

Inspired by Erik Mona's Paizo mix tape activities, what would be your suggestions for PaizoCon UK: The Album?

[Paz]

Wintergreen wrote:

Snorter wrote:

Application and cheque sent today.

I couldn't get the cheap rate room this year; the cheapest I was offered was £67/night, despite dropping the name of the event, like I did last time.

Anyone else had that experience?

That's what I am being charged. I was told that that is the discounted rate!

I booked my accommodation through LateRooms earlier today; the cheapest price now available is £37/night.

[Charles Evans 25]

For those who don't mind hostel accommodation and a walk or (taxi?) ride up the hill from Digbeth, as of the time of my posting this, Birmingham Central Backpackers still has shared dorm beds available, for under £20 a night. (All the private dorms seem to be gone now, except maybe for the Sunday night.)

[Charles Evans 25]

Motorway Roadworks
All roadworks mentioned in my post of the second of June of this year appear to be still ongoing.
Also in the Midlands area, there may be trouble on the M6 at the following junctions:

Junction 1, M6 – ‘Traffic Light Upgrade’ may result in lane and/or exit slip-road closure 20:00 and 06:00; this project started on the 13th June and was scheduled to last for ‘one month’ so it could be over in the next few days (if the works are on schedule):
*project link*

Junction 2, M6/A46 – ‘Signalisation works’ (whatever those are) are going on here up on the A46. There may be ‘overnight road closures’ to allow work to occur:
*project link*

Whilst that’s it for currently active works indicated on A-roads and motorways in/around Birmingham, there are quite a few red blobs in other places on the current Highways Agency map in other parts of the country (especially on the M1); if driving, I would suggest travellers check with traffic news and be prepared for possible delays!

[Enlight_Bystand]

What time does the con start on Saturday?

[Paz]

Enlight_Bystand wrote:

What time does the con start on Saturday?

According to this page, doors will probably be open from 08:30, and slot 1 begins at 09:00.

[Wintergreen]

Paz wrote:

Enlight_Bystand wrote:

What time does the con start on Saturday?

According to this page, doors will probably be open from 08:30, and slot 1 begins at 09:00.

Correct.

[Charles Evans 25]

Five day weather forecast for Birmingham (UK) on the BBC website is currently predicting light rain and temperatures of around 20 for Friday and Saturday. (Sunday not yet covered.)

[Timitius]

Hey, I'm curious....besides Charles, is there anyone else who contributed to Wayfinder #5 that is attending PaizoCon UK this year?

Let me know, OK?

[Charles Evans 25]

Tuesday, 12th July, 2011
Other Birmingham Events Report:
The following are being advertised by the tourist office as public events with (as far as I can determine) no entry fee. Some of these are out in open air public spaces and (I guess) potentially susceptible to the weather:

Friday 15th July:
Colmore Square, 13:00 – 13:40 & 17:00 – 17:40
Street performers on tricycles, ‘mystery tale’

Saturday 16th July:
Chamberlain Square, 12:00 – 17:00
Interactive dance event

Brindley Place, 13:00 (duration unknown)
Street performers, ‘murder mystery’

New Street, 15:00 (duration unknown)
Street performers, ‘murder mystery’

Hippodrome Piazza, 13:00 and 18:30 (durations unknown)
‘Titan the Robot’

Arcadian [Centre], 13:00 – 18:00
Ping pong tournament

‘Feel Good Fridays’ link
‘Summer Saturdays’ link

Also on in Birmingham at present, in the city’s Art Gallery is an exhibition titled ‘Home of Metal’ which reportedly has Black Sabbath content. Those over the age of five are required to pay entry to look around this exhibition. Ticket prices were quoted to me as Adults: £6.00, Concessions (including students): £4.00, Income Support/unwaged: £3.00, Family (2 adults plus upto 3 children): £14.00.
The exhibition opens at 10:00 on Monday to Thursday and on Saturday, at 10:30 on Friday, and at 12:30 on Sunday. It closes at 17:00 on any given day.

‘Home of Metal’ exhibition link

[Wintergreen]

Timitius wrote:

Hey, I'm curious....besides Charles, is there anyone else who contributed to Wayfinder #5 that is attending PaizoCon UK this year?

Let me know, OK?

Snorter.