|
I may lose some gamer points for this, but I've actually never been to a gamer con other than back when I used to LARP and went to White Wolf cons (and those aren't quite the same compared to Gencon/et al)...despite having lived 1 hour south of Milwaukee, WI when GenCon was there for like 10 years, and in Columbus, OH (Origins) for 4 years.
Having seen friends' photos from Gencon, Comicon, and other similar events, I've been convinced that while a panel here or there or game here or there would be fun, the standing in long lines, fighting crowds to get to anything interesting, etc, would mitigate the fun too much. Just like with conferences for my field, the smaller ones tend to be more personable, so I may actually try Paizocon next year as my "first" so to speak.
Paizocon was great fun last year...I may see you there in 2013. I am of the opinion, however, that all gamers should go to Gencon once in their lives (finances permitting, of course). It is a sight to behold.
|
|
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Paizocon was great fun last year...I may see you there in 2013. I am of the opinion, however, that all gamers should go to Gencon once in their lives (finances permitting, of course). It is a sight to behold.I may lose some gamer points for this, but I've actually never been to a gamer con other than back when I used to LARP and went to White Wolf cons (and those aren't quite the same compared to Gencon/et al)...despite having lived 1 hour south of Milwaukee, WI when GenCon was there for like 10 years, and in Columbus, OH (Origins) for 4 years.
Having seen friends' photos from Gencon, Comicon, and other similar events, I've been convinced that while a panel here or there or game here or there would be fun, the standing in long lines, fighting crowds to get to anything interesting, etc, would mitigate the fun too much. Just like with conferences for my field, the smaller ones tend to be more personable, so I may actually try Paizocon next year as my "first" so to speak.
I gotta disagree with you Bugleyman. Every time I have left gencon i've felt like I missed something. Theres too much, and going once isnt enough. As fun as Gencon is it cant offer the same experiance Paizocon can. When I left today I was just smiling. Ive been to a lot of big tournaments and big conventions and never have I fet the high I felt leaving that hotel. I played 4 senerios run by the guy who wrote it. I met more great people and players then I can count. I had a beer with Eric Mona and had a nice conversation with SKR. Hell, I not only survived a Kyle Baird game, but he bought me a beer too.
If you want to play some L5R or play some obscure minis game that none of your buddies will play with you the gencon is great but if you play pathfinder, nothing, absolutely nothing can compare to Paizocon. Plus the Stake and Shake at 2am is really sketchy.
|
|
Every time I have left gencon i've felt like I missed something. Theres too much, and going once isnt enough. As fun as Gencon is it cant offer the same experiance Paizocon can.
It depends a lot on why you're going. I know people who have travelled to GenCon, paid for a hotel & badge, and sat in the gaming area for just one game for the entire four days...venturing out of the convention hall only to go to Steak & Shake. To me that's akin to traveling to Belgium and ordering a Budweiser and a Hershey Bar. As you said there is so much happening at GenCon and, while it would be impossible to experience everything, it is so important to spend at the very least one entire day to trying new things. And yes that includes spending some recreational time in the city you're visiting.
|
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Time for a late night, overly sentimental reflection now that PaizoCon 2012 is over.
I was not prepared for the experiences I had this weekend.
Going in to PaizoCon, I anticipated having a lot of fun playing games with some old friends, in addition to meeting some new ones. I was excited about trying out the new PFS scenarios and playing under some legendary judges. Going in, it was exciting, but it felt like just another con.
I slowly learned over the last few days how misguided I was. PaizoCon is so much more than that.
I admit, I don't post terribly often. I frequent the Adventure Path boards, especially Carrion Crown, and occasionally I haunt the PFS and Play-by-Post areas as well. Despite my lack of significant posting though, I was shocked by how many people recognized me by my forum name. PaizoCon, and Paizo fans by extension, are one hell of a community.
As I met new faces throughout the con, people were willing and excited to come over and chat while passing down the halls. This doesn't happen at other gaming conventions. Maybe it's the smaller size. Maybe it's the tighter focus. Whatever you want to blame, PaizoCon undeniably brings gamers together in a way I haven't experienced before. How a simple tabletop game can bring together so many friendships and relationships is beyond me, but I won't complain.
This last day of the con reminds me of my youthful days when I used to go to summer camp. It was always fun and entertaining while there, but the final day always brought people together in a different way. The realization of going home and potentially not seeing these friends again for a year or longer became readily apparent. Long nights of sitting, chatting and doing absolutely nothing but enjoying great company seemed like the most perfect thing in the world at the time.
PaizoCon felt no different. It's currently 3:15AM on Tuesday morning, and the last several hours have easily been the most fun of the entire convention, despite doing nothing but hanging out with great people. Seriously. Plus, I got meet some fantastic writers, such as Benjamin Bruck, as well as some of my current heroes of RPG writing, such as Greg Vaughn and Richard Pett. It was incredible, and my face still hurts from laughing so much.
There's just too many great people I got to spend time with at PaizoCon.
PirateRob. Painlord. David Li. Azmyth. W Kristoph Nolen. Jason Leonard. Dave Woodfin. Benchak the Nightstalker. N'Wah. Cherry Pie. Josh Archer.
I absolutely cannot wait to come back next year. Thank you, Paizo. And thank you, Paizo community, for being as awesome as you are.
- Josh McIllwain
|
Venture-Captain, New Zealand—Dunedin
|
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
As one of the hangers-on until Monday I tought I'D make a sweep through the mezzanine to see what's up.
Two valiant tables hanging on - sounds like "We be Goblins" is one of them. Which brings up the point, as a player at the other table noted, are there no goblins with low pitched voices?
By the end of the game (and 3 days of talking loudly in theatrical voices to one another), I can confirm that all the goblins had scratchy-sounding bass voices. I am humbled that I was able to run my favorite PF scenario for 6 all-new goblins at the end of PaizoCon. Thanks for helping me earn my first GM Star at PaizoCon.
I wanted to offer up a shout-out to Myron Pauls for the amazing construction and preparation for the "Storming the Diamond Gate" encounter on Saturday. Near the end of the adventure, there was this guy hanging about the table and apparently "fan-boy-ing" our GM Myron about his foam-core fun.
Yeah, that was Larry Wilhelm, author of said scenario. I didn't realize it until I was about to ask him to let us finish. D'oh!
On a sedate post-con note, I got into a discussion about metaphysics with my taxi driver (Seattle: Where the Philosopher-Taxi Drivers Rule) on the way to the airport this morning in the dark as I tried to explain to him my weekend. He decided that Pathfinder sounded a lot to him like a metaphysical system of study, a way to live your life and work with others towards living a better life.
He had sought peace his entire life, and thought that metaphysics was the answer. He seemed pleased that I had found a similar peace.
So am I, so am I.
-Dink
|
PaizoCon was the first gaming convention I've traveled a significant distance for. I've only previously attended conventions in my home state (Texas) within driving distance (A-Kon, The Now Defunct Itzacon, OwlCon, MilleniumCon, ChimaeraCon). This was both due to age (I was one of the rare minors playing Living City/Greyhawk/Arcanis independently of any parental influence) and money (I've spent the last 7 years in college in one form or another). I'd promised myself after graduate school I would start testing the waters on larger/long distance conventions.
PaizoCon was a great first excursion and I'm excited to go back next year.
I got the experience of a major convention (high concentration of organized play, unique events, and the chance to meet industry bigwigs) without a lot of the hassle that Origins and GenCon are known for. A lot of this is due to the fact that despite being a "national" convention, PaizoCon doesn't have the raw attendance to require the kind convention center and hotel sorting system roundabouts of other conventions.
I definitely learned a few things in the process, though. First, I need to not book up all my time with OrgPlay. There were several events I would have enjoyed outside of PFS and gotten the chance to really dig in on a game with new people. Second, I need to invest in a tablet/PDFs of books or a sturdy backpack (the messenger bag isn't cutting it). Third, I definitely need to look at GMing next year. I usually agree to GM at conventions to save money/it's fun, and withheld this year because I couldn't commit until well after the call for volunteers ended.
Also, the Grand Convocation was the first PFS Special/Interactive my Summoner hasn't died in. Glitterdust on the Fletchling Cleric on the first round FTW! I attribute this to the hate for said class shifting over to Magi & Gunslingers. (Seriously, I watched a level 9 Kensai churn out 130+ damage in a single crit at a table of Portal of the Sacred Rune.)
Thank you to all the VOs, Volunteers/GMs, PaizoStaff, and attendees for making PaizoCon a blast!
|
|
Let's See... I met Pain the first night as I was running the Scrolls table. I also had a chance to meet both James Sutter and Patrick Renie and talk to them about development, which was awesome.
I played Red Harvest with... ah crap, the name escapes me. He was a Venture-Captain from Texas. Awesome GM, had a ton of fun with that game.
Great time with trying out the Reaper Minis/Painta and the Paint & Take. I was impressed. Planning on getting some eventually... can't afford any at the moment, though!
I also got to Tag-Team with another Inquisitor during Portal of the Sacred Rune, which was hilarious. Traded off casting Terrible Remorse on on an enemy Wizard to lock him down.
This was my First PaizoCon, and it was absolutely fantastic.
|
I met so many cool people: Excellent players, GMS, V-O's, and Paizo Staff.
First:
I dabble with patronage to Open Design/Kobold Quarterly stuff, so I had some meetings and such with Open Design folk Including:
Richard Pett (guest of Open Design)
Wolfgang Bauer
Christina Stiles
James Thomas and his Wife and son (his Son had a really cool idea for a new adventure, maybe one day we will have a new scenario author in that one)
Jim Groves
Second:
I always like to chat with Paizo staff when they have 30 seconds to let me say hello:
Sean K. Reynolds (great guy, fun to talk to)
James Jacobs
Eric Mona
Mark Moreland
Mike Brock
Liz Courts
And of course Gary Teter who got me a box for my 8 new Paizo shot glasses
And the other Paizo employees at the dealer room who were all fantastic.
Third:
My fellow venture officers were fantastic to meet and put faces to the names that I constantly converse with here and other places:
Nani & Kyle Pratt were both very gracious to meet me, and although we didn't get much chance to chat as we were all very busy, I could see would be fun to talk to, GM for, or play for. They both had roles at the Convocation and I felt did a fantastic job.
Matthew Starch (or was it Benjamin? Why did the Wisconsin V-L's have to have the same first name?) Who ran me through a fantastic session of Rats of Round Mountain Part I. I also roomed with Matthew, and because he chose to sleep on the floor, I got one of the double beds all to myself... yeah!
Alistair Rigg who I got to play Rats of Round Mountain Part I with. I had a fantastic time playing at the same table as Alistair, and we seemed to riff really well off each other's roleplay, which was fun.
Jason Leonard who I mostly just chatted with as we fell asleep or woke up in the mornings as I was rooming with him. Great guy, fun to chat with. Wish I'd had a chance to be at a table with him though (although his guy was one of only two first prize winners at the event I ran at the Convocation!)
Sean Hanlin was also one of my roomies and someone I've worked with before at Con of the North. Sean was awesome on Friday when he did a food run for Alistair, Matthew and I, as Rats of Round Mountain Part I ran really long due to our character's inability to deal with one of the obstacles. Otherwise Matthew, Alistair, and I would have gone like 9 or 10 hours without food (or on vending machine crap).
Michael Azzolino: just got to say howdy and bye at the last minute as we were heading out the door Sunday evening. Seems like a great guy though!
J.P. Chapleau: He is fun to chat with when he's tossed back a few beers. I hope all the fires and such get fully contained and there are no more worries for you and your family J.P.!
John Compton: Very nice guy and got to have a good talk with him about all kinds of cool PFS things.
Todd Morgan: He did a lot of work helping the game room registration desk for GMs. I didn't really get much a chance to chat with him at all though, which was a shame, as the initial plan was that he, Bob Jonquet and I were going to drive together to Seattle. As it turned out though, it ended up being cheaper for us to fly since Bob ended up not being able to go.
Ryan Bolduan: Who is this crazy cat!
Alex Greenshields & Todd Tepper: Got a chance to play Chasm of Screams with both of them. Go trignomvirate Go! (although Alex wasn't playing a gnome, so he didn't get to participate in the wonder triplet powers activate) I didn't fault Alex for not having a gnome... much.
David Woodfin: Really nice guy. Didn't get to talk much about pathfinder stuff, but since I lived in Austin for a year, we did get to chat about how the city has changed since I lived there.
Walter Sheppard: Very nice guy, and very genuinely helpful. He seems to bring the same excitement to pathfinder society that I try to bring everytime I play or GM a table.
Chris Jarvis: Is a very much larger than life personality and unfortunately I didn't get much of a chance to chat with him. But he seems like a guy I'd really get along with and have a blast at the table as GM/Player or Player/Player.
Kyle Elliot: This man was running crazy in helping to pull off the event itself and the Grand Convocation. He also helped to coordinate picking folks up from the airport. Kudo's goes to Kyle Elliot for a good job.
I'm sure there are one or two V-O's that I met that I forgot that I met... but I'm still in the Monday after haze.
Fourth:
I wanted to give a special shout-out to the GM's I played under.
Matthew Starch - Rats of Round Mountain Part I - Fantastic GM, I had a lot of fun at his table.
Trevor Burroughs - Rats of Round Mountain Part II - Fantastic GM. As a matter of fact, Trevor gave me one of my best experiences at Paizo Con, and is a GM that I would LOVE to play at a table with where there were no real time restrictions. He did a fantastic job of keeping the game on task and on time, but his roleplay and characterizations were so spot on and interesting, that I'd love to enjoy a table with him as the GM where we weren't worried about 4 or 5 hours. Plus he gave us chocolate dice! Won some brownie points from the Fiancee with those! Thanks Trevor!
Ryan Bolduan - Chasm of Screams. He's my V-C so I get to play at his table or GM for him all the time. We had fun with the trignomvirate giving him a hard time!
Fifth:
Other players. I met so many new faces as a GM and as a player, that there is no possible way that I can remember all the names. So I will touch on a few that stood out to me.
Painlord bought me a beer and we chatted for quite some time! He's a fantastic guy and a really nice fellow. Thanks for the beer!
Shivok and I had a lot in common with our history, so we had a bit to chat about over that beer that Painlord bought me.
W. Kristopher Nolan and I played at Matthew Starch's table of Rats of Round Mountain Part I. He was so excited that his Living Monolith died at the table, because then he had the chance to become a Risen Guard.
Stonecunning played at my table of Quest for Perfection Part I on his wedding day. Dude, are you crazy!?
Mattastrophic played at the Chasm of Screams table, and his taldan lady character refused to help dig out our friends from some rubble that was suffocating them. So the trignomvirate shunned her for awhile.
There was a player, who I think was named Sean or Shawn, that I played with at Trevor's table of Rats of Round Mountain Part II (and he may have also been the guy who took charge of the special mechanics in Quest for Perfection Part III that I ran) who I had a really, really fantastic time with. We seemed to riff off each other's characters and roleplay really well, and just wanted to give a public shout out to him on how much of a fantastic time I had with him.
Overall folks, Paizo Con was absolutely fantastic!
|
Let's See... I met Pain the first night as I was running the Scrolls table. I also had a chance to meet both James Sutter and Patrick Renie and talk to them about development, which was awesome.
I played Red Harvest with... ah crap, the name escapes me. He was a Venture-Captain from Texas. Awesome GM, had a ton of fun with that game.
VC David Woodfin? I heard good things about his GMing all con.
Nice to meet you too, Sean H. Way to rock the sweet 'stache, too. Totally appropriate for a scrolls master.
-Pain
|
|
Let's See... I met Pain the first night as I was running the Scrolls table. I also had a chance to meet both James Sutter and Patrick Renie and talk to them about development, which was awesome.
I played Red Harvest with... ah crap, the name escapes me. He was a Venture-Captain from Texas. Awesome GM, had a ton of fun with that game.
VC David Woodfin? I heard good things about his GMing all con.
Nice to meet you too, Sean H. Way to rock the sweet 'stache, too. Totally appropriate for a scrolls master.
-Pain
Probably Dave. He was the only Texas VC I caught sight of.
Venture-Captain, California—San Francisco Bay Area South & West
|
As I met new faces throughout the con, people were willing and excited to come over and chat while passing down the halls. This doesn't happen at other gaming conventions. Maybe it's the smaller size. Maybe it's the tighter focus.
Funny - that's exactly the experience I've had at the other gaming conventions I've been to once I'd found out about PFS. All the people running the PFS rooms have always seem to have had enough time to chat, even while doing at least seventeen other tasks at the same time.
EDIT: Somehow lost this sentence: Several other players (and judges) who I'd met for the first time when we played at the same table found time to exchange a few words on other occasions, too.
There's just too many great people I got to spend time with at PaizoCon.
PirateRob. Painlord. David Li. Azmyth. W Kristoph Nolen. Jason Leonard. Dave Woodfin. Benchak the Nightstalker. N'Wah. Cherry Pie. Josh Archer.
I note that over half of the folks you mention there come from the same area. I believe Painlord mentioned you're from the Bay Area too - if you haven't attended one of the local conventions you might want to give it a try. Pacificon is coming up on Labor Day weekend, so you'd get a chance to renew accquaintances.
Of course you may already be a regular attendee. That's the one thing I have problems with - while I'm used to seeing "Adamantine_Dragon" (say) posting on the boards, I don't know what name to look for on a name badge. Over time you learn the aliases (I can now identify Azmyth, Painlord, Cherry Pie, Sarta, Ogre, Verdigris, ...), but it can be a bit daunting initially.
|
Of course you may already be a regular attendee. That's the one thing I have problems with - while I'm used to seeing "Adamantine_Dragon" (say) posting on the boards, I don't know what name to look for on a name badge. Over time you learn the aliases (I can now identify Azmyth, Painlord, Cherry Pie, Sarta, Ogre, Verdigris, ...), but it can be a bit daunting initially.
That's why at Pacificon I'll also have a badge that says "Also known as Alexander_Damocles". Should make that easier!
|
|
So, I know there are a ton of names I forgot on that list, so if there is anyone who met me, and wants to share that moment so I remember, that would be fantastic!
Ack! How do I forget Kyle Baird and Ogre!
We had a fantastic conversation Saturday evening and ate lunch/dinner together Thursday evening. Those two getting together and chatting about writing and playing and GM'ing is a masterclass in exactly that!
I briefly also met Pirate Rob, but didn't get much of a read on him as he was playing in a game at the time I think.
|
|
There isn't a lot more to add that Josh/ThreeEyedSloth, above, didn't cover. It was a piddlespottingly good con and a lot of people deserve lots of credit and thanks for making it happen.
Now at Tully's across the street from the hotel (yay free internet) and finally having a few quiet moment to begin to organize all the crap I want to do over the next two days. My flight is at 3pm back to the Bay and there is no way I can do everything today.
- Big Grand Convocation post with picture links
- Thank you thread
- GM101/102 Review
- Sunday night talk with BBruck & others
- PFSers that I met
- PbP story
- More on board personality vs. reality
- Play skill vs. min/max at a convention
People to remember that I now know/met: Will Cooper, Al Rigg, PaladiusCrispin, Martin Blake, Andrew from Reading, Garrett M. and others
People I didn't meet that were here and, for which, I cry: Dinketry, somerandomhero.
People I didn't spend enough time with: bdk86, VC Sean Hanlin
People that I spent too much time with: Vyle Bard
|
|
Probably Dave. He was the only Texas VC I caught sight of.I played Red Harvest with... ah crap, the name escapes me. He was a Venture-Captain from Texas. Awesome GM, had a ton of fun with that game.VC David Woodfin? I heard good things about his GMing all con.
There are only two of us, and since I couldn't make it to Paizocon I'm pretty sure it has to be him :)
As an aside, nice to see you "leaving the nest," Brian. Wish you were still up here in the DFW area.
|
Venture-Captain, New Zealand—Dunedin
|
Don't cry for me, PainLord-tina.....the truth is I never left you...
....maybe we can convince you to guest-spot for Zylphryx and I in Asheville.
I totally forgot to thank the scotch-tasting party. But then again, that is sorta why I forgot it. The scotch, that is.
|
I gotta say, I had an absolute blast at the con this year.
It was my first time attending this con, and I really hope it's not the last time I get to do so.
I had the opportunity to play some really fun and entertaining games, and came to discover I absolutely love a particular faction that I hadn't really had the chance to do missions for directly since I hadn't been able to play more than one season 3 scenario before the convention.
I got to participate in the Grand Convocation, and my hat's off to Kyle Elliot for his amazing work in getting that event organized. It wasn't easy, and I know he was running ragged to get it done, so here's to you, man!
There's just so much I want to say about how much fun I had, but I'm just gonna go lie back down and sleep some more, 'cause I'm pooped!
|
|
Also, now as memory is coming back to me from my con addled haze this morning...
Met and played Rats 2 with Matt Goodall, which was a ton of fun. I think he was a bit frustrated though as he couldn't make a caster level check to beat spell resistance for anything... nevertheless, he was a fantastic sport about it, and it was great to meet him!
I think I also briefly met Clarence Garret and Clint Blome and unfortunately didn't get a chance to meet (again?) Robyn Nixon (although last year at Scotty's on Wednesday at Gen Con, I dropped my dice on the floor and it fell under the chair of this cute girl behind me. So I turn around and get down on the floor, but have to comment, "Um, please excuse me, but I'm really not getting fresh, I just dropped my dice." Robyn sitting next to her friend thought this was absolutely fantastic and thought it could be a great pick-up line).
|
|
I gotta say, I had an absolute blast at the con this year.
It was my first time attending this con, and I really hope it's not the last time I get to do so.
I had the opportunity to play some really fun and entertaining games, and came to discover I absolutely love a particular faction that I hadn't really had the chance to do missions for directly since I hadn't been able to play more than one season 3 scenario before the convention.
I got to participate in the Grand Convocation, and my hat's off to Kyle Elliot for his amazing work in getting that event organized. It wasn't easy, and I know he was running ragged to get it done, so here's to you, man!
There's just so much I want to say about how much fun I had, but I'm just gonna go lie back down and sleep some more, 'cause I'm pooped!
And thanks to you personally JD for picking me up at the airport! Your elf Osirion costume was fantastic.
|
Venture-Captain, California—San Francisco Bay Area South & West
|
(ThreeEyedSloth) was at Dundracon, but hanging out with the high-level cool kids. He's also going to Pacificon and is signed up to play Temple of Empyrial Enlightenment on Friday, with you and Wendy-Ann.
There's just too many interesting names signed up for that scenario already - no matter how it splits, I'm going to miss out on playing with someone I want to meet.
If we end up at your table, Wendy-Ann and I will probably be playing the rogue & monk you might remember from City of Strangers. But we levelled up after that adventure, so we've got our Teamwork Feat now! (BTW - remind me to ask you about that trap in the theatre ...)
One last thing - did you spot who's signed up to judge "First Steps 2" on Sunday evening?
|
|
It's DJ (so close, man, so close), but it was my pleasure. I'm always happy to help making things go more smoothly, and since I'm fairly local it wasn't that difficult to pull off.
And, yeah, being the dead guy at the Grand Convocation was pretty fun except for the part where my nose started itching. Apparently seeing me "dead" honestly spooked some of our locals up here that know me for a few moments as they'd thought I'd passed out or some such.
Guess I'm pretty good at acting like a corpse! XD
|
|
uggg, stuck in this nasty city of Minneapolis for 4 hours! ;)
I expected red carpet treatment when I arrived here from Ryan and Andrew!
It was great seeeing you guys again at the Con.
You too Dragnmoon! It was fun chatting as we at at Fat Burger on Thursday night.
And if you think Ryan and I are going to take a day off work to roll out some nasty carpet for you...;b
|
|
People I met: Paizo staff were awesome! So were the writers and the freelancers! Met (and played) with Painlord (who has done a stellar job at getting attention brought to this thread!).
High points: Listening to painlord's character , and many thanks to tje support for the silent image plan!! Despite the inepititude of my 'accountan Ezren' had ato blast olaying cyphermage! Thanks toto Todd Morgan for running the table (and putting up with our shenanigins) despite his heavy handedness towards PL and my day job. To quote: "You're a pregen, it doesnt matter!!" And "Get that buddha out of here! *flicking it actoss the table" :(
Sorry about the shortness and terrible grammar, will post more later!
Posting this after leaving the hotel and driving towards pike market! (Will try and get some pictures up for those folks who couldn't make it!
Paizocon was a blast, even when Eric Mona TPK our party. Everyone at the tables where great! GM's, VC's all very friendly and corrected those little minor rules my "home" players and I have over looked this last year and a half with kindness and patience. To say the least can't wait until Paizocon 2013!
My only gripe was the refusal to allow myself and 4 other friends into the Grand Convocation. We did show up late in all fairness and as a result, we bought large amounts of alcahol and played we be goblins in our suite, which was a crazy blast. The gripe is simply this, when looking up what the GC is all about it sounded like an open forum of walking around talking to NPC's, mini event and general Grand Lodge fun with something at the end. In no way did it say “Be on time or you lose your chance to participate”. I think that was a pretty vital piece of info to leave out. That being said this leads me into what I would love to see next year.
Now having experienced Paizocon for the first time I have a much better idea on expectations. But I think I could have had those expectations minimized with just some "How to's" posted by Paizo.
Some ideas for Paizocon newbie’s:
1. What to do if your GM does not show. This happened to my friend and it was his lottery pick, had he known to go down to the banquet room he could have picked up a game there. It was only later on Saturday that this info came about.
2. For those events which require you to be on time should be posted as such. In every event I played, GC excluded, people were late to the gaming table, and this to me sets the precedence for ALL events.
3. Better lottery system. I was lucky to get one of my picks, but there were people who had none and some with 2 or 3. I've seen post by Paizo staff saying this is the most fair way of doing it, but I'm not seeing that and a lot of other people have posted the same opinion.
4. I think it would have been awesome to have an Autograph station with times posted. Nothing is better than buying the latest Ultimate...at a con and then having your favorite people sign it.
That is my two cents. Thanks to all Paizo staff for a great Con and look forward to all the new content on the horizon and for your dedication to a great system!
|
Stonecunning played at my table of Quest for Perfection Part I on his wedding day. Dude, are you crazy!?Which is crazier, PFS at a local con with my best man or spending time hiding from a gaggle of bridemaids in the same house?
I actually had a con moved because of my wedding. It was moved up a week so I could still judge Living Greyhawk for them.
|
|
I actually had a con moved because of my wedding. It was moved up a week so I could still judge Living Greyhawk for them.Stonecunning played at my table of Quest for Perfection Part I on his wedding day. Dude, are you crazy!?Which is crazier, PFS at a local con with my best man or spending time hiding from a gaggle of bridemaids in the same house?bah!
I got married in Slot 4, Genghis Con XXVII (Feb 17, 2006).
Played LG in slot 3 (morning), ran out, got married, and made it back for our game in slot 5 (evening).
really!
Nice. Well, most everyone that was invited to the wedding would have been at the con as well. Plus, the other main LG judge was my Best Man.
|
|
Of course you may already be a regular attendee. That's the one thing I have problems with - while I'm used to seeing "Adamantine_Dragon" (say) posting on the boards, I don't know what name to look for on a name badge. Over time you learn the aliases (I can now identify Azmyth, Painlord, Cherry Pie, Sarta, Ogre, Verdigris, ...), but it can be a bit daunting initially.
Yeah, I realized midway through I should have put my forum name on the badge.
As an aside, nice to see you "leaving the nest," Brian. Wish you were still up here in the DFW area.
I keep trying to catch a game with the gameday up there when I visit, the dates just never match up. If a PFS presence gets going at AKON, though, let me know. I'll happily come play/judge.
Posting this after leaving the hotel and driving towards pike market! (Will try and get some pictures up for those folks who couldn't make it!
If any of you didn't make the time for Pike Market...do it next year. I spent all of Sunday afternoon there and still wish I'd had more time to explore it.
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
My first Paizocon... I have to say, for the event overall, I feel pretty damned good about everything.
I want to say thank you to everyone who did show up in the first. That right there shows the strength of the PFS community in a whole when we get folks from all over the world to come to this.
A huge thank you to all of the players who did sit at my tables (and after Friday were very patient with my lack of voice. Doing my Valsin impression tore up my throat a bit) and had a blast playing. I really hope to see many of you again in the next Paizocon, or even come to visit the Redmond WA area some time!
A round of applause for Paizo themselves who put this all together and made it as fun as it was! We would have been just "another con" if it wasnt for the extra step and mile you all went through in order to make this what it was.
I met so many folks this weekend, and time was such a blur, I wish I could remember them all. For fear of leaving anyone out, I will simply say this; You all are great folks, and I am proud to call myself a gamer and a Pathfinder. Through many of the societies I have been involved in, be it for fun or for real life reasons, this by far as some of the best people I would consider working and playing with without hesitation.
Travel safely home those of you who have far to do so, and we shall meet again soon!
-Jester (aka Ambrus Valsin)
|
|
My first Paizocon... I have to say, for the event overall, I feel pretty damned good about everything.
...
I met so many folks this weekend, and time was such a blur, I wish I could remember them all. For fear of leaving anyone out, I will simply say this; You all are great folks, and I am proud to call myself a gamer and a Pathfinder. Through many of the societies I have been involved in, be it for fun or for real life reasons, this by far as some of the best people I would consider working and playing with without hesitation.
-Jester (aka Ambrus Valsin)
One of the highlights of the Grand Convocation was DCJester snarkslapping my character, in-character as Ambrus. I'm still giggling about it.
As my character of Aroden Reborn, I had just voted for the suitor that I felt would make the best choice for the Lady Blackros. I was looking around for where to put my vote.
The conversation went about like this:
Ambrus (in character, in a polite, helpful tone): "May I take that for you?"
Aroden Reborn (played by me): "Maybe. How do I know I can trust you?"
Ambrus (without batting an eye, completely in character): "This is my dang house and my dang party. Of course you can trust me." ::YOINK!::
And he took the slip away.
I busted a gut laughing. Thanks for rocking the Ambrus, DCJester.
* * *
Finally home and Mrs. Painlord (and the Paincat) are very happy to see me. I had a great time, but it's also nice to be missed and to come home.
I should have a big GC recap later tonight or on the morrow.
-Pain
|
|
Hey according to Mark Moreland it's a huge shopping mall, so spend some time buying some clothes tax free.Am I wrong?
Just think of it as part of the Minnesota charm. It's too cold here 8 months of the year so we have to lock ourselves in shopping malls to stay entertained.
If it bugs you that much, start flying Sun Country (I think they fly a lot of places you like to go). Same layover, but you land at Humphrey, not Lindbergh.
|
|
Andrew my wife Chelle and I were at that Rats I table, and I concur Matt is a great DM. Too bad you missed the nail-biter we had during part II. Was great to meet and play with you, Al and Wade.
Got to meet Painlord and chat for a few during the convocation. Bruce and Phillip from Australia were in our silly sneak-attack/ bard party; great players both. Thanks to Myron for running the final round for us all.
Our Icebound Fortress table was another all-star affair. I think we may have gotten to play at Aberzombies first PFS game. ( don't quote me on that )( go dwarf monks ) Also met and played with Mike the RPG Superstar 2012 winner and his damage soaking druid. Mike and Patrick rounded out our motley crew. Good playing with you both.
This was both my and my wife's first Paizocon, and her second con ever. We both had a great time, thanks to everyone!!
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Two tables had perfect scores, with a table of yahoos winning the near unpossible tiebreaker questions. The winners were mocked and pelted with goblin feces as is tradition at the event. Congrats to those unknown, luckified piddlespots.*
-Pain
*=Maybe one of them will post their table roster. They each won $50 Paizo GCs.
Liz Courts on the winners of the Trivia Contest.
I'm not jealous at all about it, either. Not in the least.
T he winners
H ugely deserve
E ach and every Paizo dollar.
Y ou know it.
S ometime
M aybe next year, I'll be on a winning table. Maybe I'll win,
E ven if DMoon is there.
L ol! Right?
L ol!
F or instance, some of the questions were hard...
U nless you really had
N umerous VCs at your table.
N ot that we didn't,
Y a, know?
-Pain