Showing posts with label conventions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label conventions. Show all posts

Thursday, April 8, 2021

Gary Con Videos Online

Gary Con is an annual game convention celebrating the life and works of Gary Gygax, the Father of Role Playing Games.

They are posting videos of games and sessions on YouTube.


If you don't know what Gary Con is (I'm surprised you're reading this blog!) But here is the two minute history by Luke Gygax.



Recently watched their 50th Anniversary of Chainmail. Learned a lot of the history I did not know.



Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Central Texas Game Cons 2020

Owlcon

Houston, TX. You missed it. Feb 28 - March 1st

Great small RPG con on Rice University campus.  It was great. Go next year! https://owlcon.com/

LibCon

Abilene, TX. April 23-25th

At the Abilene public library!  Never been, little far for me to drive. But looks awesome Check out this LibCon 2020 video.  https://abilenetx.gov/264/Lib-Con

Chupacabracon

Round Rock, TX. May 1-3rd

Been couple times. A broader game con still with plenty of RPG.  A friend and I are both running "con dungeons" all weekend long. Similar to Mythrus Tower at NTRPG.  A single persistent dungeon across all sessions (and other cons). https://tabletop.events/conventions/chupacabracon-vii

North Texas RPG Con

Dallas TX. June 4-7th

The Old-School RPG convention. Been several times, but not this year.  https://ntrpgcon.com/

Lone Star Game Expo

Grapevine, TX. October 9-11th

Never been. Looks like good RPG convention. Hope to go this year. http://lonestargameexpo.com/

Aggie Con

College Station, TX. late 2020

Oldest, largest student-run fan convention in the world. Missed 50th one, going this year to number 51. http://aggiecon.org/

Sunday, March 1, 2020

Owl Con 2020 Recap



Got back to Owl Con this year.  A great con at Rice Univ in Houston Texas. I ran a B/X session of Caves of Chaos. I had a blast, the full table of eight players had a blast. My friend ran Tegal Manor using OD&D and my other friend (I do have more than two) had an exhibitor booth hawking Scribes of Sparn wares. Mostly Planet Eris Gazetteer, map and modules. Being the shared campaign world several Austin OSR games run in.

He also did a much better job at taking photos and blogging about con than I ever will. So, I'll just direct you to his coverage on The Contemptible Cube of Quazar starting with this post OwlCon Live Blog Day One.  Half dozen or more posts after than one.  Be sure to look for "Professor" Norm and the serendipitous behind the screen photo of the DM's map!

Sadly I got sick and went home late Sat night. Looking fwd to Chupacabracon in May.

Sunday, January 26, 2020

How to Get Started with Old-School D&D

[Links and information to support Austin, TX Birth of D&D Celebration.]

Updated OSR Resource Page

Email me, njharman@gmail.com if you are looking to get into a local game. Or, if you want to run a game and are looking for players. There is a relatively large community of players in central Texas.

How to get started playing old-school for free has already detailed this better than I can. I will reiterate two links that attempt to explain what old-school style of play means.

A Quick Primer for Old School Gaming by Matt Finch - The first of the popular guides to old-school D&D, by someone who has been instrumental in the popularization of the hobby in recent years.

The Principia Apocrypha by Ben Milton, Steven Lumpkin, and David Perry (with Evlyn Moreau) - The most recent guide to the principles of old-school gaming, lovingly illustrated and filled with elements of wisdom collected in the years since Matt Finch wrote his.

Rules


Old School Essentials Basic Rules Free PDF. I recommend these for people who do not know where to start. They are reformatted B/X.

Original Rules PDF I do not recommend for typical play. Only for historical interest or for those wishing to recreate the first ever D&D experience.

Blogs


Look to the right -> "Explore!" lists most recent post from scores of blogs I've Favorited. Most are OSR related.

This blog's OSR labeled Posts.

Youtubes

Questing Beast - Reviews of new products, learn about all the great things you didn't know exist.

Bud's RPG Reviews - Reviews of (mostly) original out-of-print games and products.

and so many more.

Monday, January 13, 2020

Celebrate the Birth of D&D, January 26th

Celebrate the Birth of D&D



On January 26th 1974 (or thereabouts) the first rule books for D&D were published for sale. Come celebrate and rediscover the original edition of the game with experienced referees from the local area.

Several referees will be available to run games, using the original rules, house ruled or not, OD&D, AD&D, B/X, BECMI, or their retro equivalent.

No materials are needed. Pencils, paper and dice are optional. Characters will be rolled at the table or provided.





Currently scheduled referees:
  • Steven Clark (and the event organizer)
  • Jimm Johnson
  • Tres Churchill
  • Lawson Benett
  • Norman Harman (me)
  • Kevin Searle
  • Nathan Jennings
  • Anthony Huso

More information and to register interest (as a player or referee) visit the Austin D&D and Tabletop Meetup page.



[While googling for the above LBB image I found this blog, Why OD&D is my (sometimes) favorite RPG. Which, hey, I wrote! Rereading it, other than cringing at my writing style/voice, I get the same craving for hunk of open fire roasted meat. Although now, B/X is my system of choice to satiate that hunger. It sharpened my understanding of what I enjoy in this style of game. Quoting from the designer notes of my Wilderlands Campaign Book;
I really enjoy how B/X leans more towards “a game” than towards “story time” or towards “tactical battle simulator”. Players move their game piece around a “board”. Rather than being their game piece. A subtle distinction. Backgrounds, goals, character growth are emergent rather than preconceived and related. B/X is play over narration.
B/X is built to be a game of exploration and acquisition of mechanical power (levels, items, gold). Which is what I often want. When I don't I use some other rules. They all have a place.]

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

2020 Central Texas RPG Conventions

OwlCon Feb 28th - March 1st, 2020

On campus, Rice University in Houston, TX https://owlcon.com/
I've been to this great little convention several times



ChupacabraCon VII May 1-3, 2020

Wow! Hard to believe this is in its 7th year. I remember backing the (failed) Kickstarter for the first one. Right here in Austin (well Round Rock). https://tabletop.events/conventions/chupacabracon-vii



North Texas RPG Convention June 4-7, 2020

The Texas Old School convention. Really, really great. Meet and play with folks who invented this hobby. Always interesting auction. Many great artists attend. In Dallas/Ft Worth area https://ntrpgcon.com/





Thursday, January 17, 2019

OwlCon Feb 22-24, 2019


Almost every year I drive over to  Rice University in Houston for one of my favorite local area game conventions, Owl Con.  Reasonably priced, easy going, not crowded, but big enough to have interesting stuff.  Very well run by the University's RPG club, after doing it for more than three decades, they got their shit figured out. The campus is nice, plenty of inexpensive parking. Depending on your events, it can be a bit of walking back and forth. 

RPGs old, new and everything in between. Boardgames. A few miniatures. Several companies demoing new games.  Lots of open gaming. I don't remember any huge CCG events/tournaments but I'm sure there is some people doing that.

http://owlcon.com/files/current_flyer.pdf


Games I'm playing in ...

Dragon of Whistmire Swamp

Dungeons & Dragons White Box

Deep in the land of Greyhawk, evil stirs in Whistmire Swamp. Rumors of cults whisper through nearby taverns while villagers go missing. Merchants who challenge roads through the swamp speak of strange magics. And many swear by sightings of dragons in the night sky. Who will delve into the swamp's ire, who will brave the dragons' breath?

Reflections in the Dark Mirror

Dungeons & Dragons Cyclopedia

Something is VERY wrong in Grenton - and only your group can see the change! The townsfolk are acting completely wrong, guards are everywhere, slavery has taken root, war with nearby Hillendale is imminent, and even the gods are not what they were yesterday. You must navigate the almost-familiar city, discover the dark power that has twisted Grenton, and find a way to counter it, before it's too late! A low-level D&D adventure - all you need are dice and your imagination.

The House of Secrets

RuneQuest Fantasy Earth: 1001 Nights

Fleeing for their lives, the characters climb into the mountains to evade their pursuers. There they find a villa, a surprising bit of civilization in the wild mountains. It offers safety, but it is also cloaked in mystery. They might rest there, but can they ever leave?


the dog can't wait to go!


Monday, June 11, 2018

NTRPG CON 2018

After couple years hiatus I went back to North Texas RPG Con in Dallas/FtWorth last weekend.  As usual I forgot to take many photos. But here are a couple.


Having two attacks per round does not always help (look closely at the rolls)

Random table using legos quite awesomely.

NTRPG Con is kind of place you can join RuneQuest game run by the
original game author, Steve Perrin



Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Role Play Rally, Austin TX July 16-17, 2016

Booyah!


South Austin Two day RPG Convention.  Role Play Rally is 100% Adventurer's League. Which fits into my recent interest in AL. I mostly DM and was really jonesing to play (as a player).  I knew I couldn't commit to a campaign or regular schedule.  Adventurer's League to the rescue. It has downsides, because it's rarely the same group or DM, there less campaign/character/story building.  But you can take and play your character anywhere. Back to Role Play Rally ...

The highlight is the "Reclamation of Phlan" Epic. Multiple groups will be playing the same adventure at the same time.  One table's actions can impact the others. It's neat concept and I'm excited to be participating as a DM.

See you at Role Play Rally!


Thursday, January 8, 2015

ChupacabraCon this weekend

Austin TX very own game convention, Chupacabracon has snuck up on me. Apparently it is this weekend Jan 9th-11th at the Norris Conference Center 2525 West Anderson Ln #365 Austin, TX 78757.


Jan 9th-11th, 2015


Unfortunately, I'm already scheduled, Fri to delve Palace of the Vampire Queen (play Planet Eris OD&D roll20 online game). Sat, tdefeat the aerial hooligans and their limey armor (playing monster wargame Highway to the Reich) and on Sunday Count Strahd will hopefully, do away with these pesky interlopers that have been prowling around Ravenloft these past few weeks (5th ed run of I6 Castle Ravenloft). Sometimes I wish I had more time for games :)

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Millenium Con

Miniature war-gaming is an old man's hobby, judging by average age at this years (my first) Millennium Con. Had great fun will go again next year.
Hordes of the Things, over looking my hero


Great use for old CD-ROM

Klingons - A Call to Arms

Broke enemies line (and paid for it) 

Consistently outmaneuvered british and raked them


My poor little ship

That is a lot of Battle Mech, all for sale...

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

2014 NTRPGCon

It's spring! Blue-bonnets are blooming, birdsong fills the air, and butterfly's and it is again time to drive to Dallas for the orgy of old-school we know as NTRPGCon. June 5th through June 8th.  Booyah!



I've gone to many previous NTRPGCons. It is my favorite since moving to Texas.  So when registration opened yesterday, I did not dally and got right in on the good stuff.

B10 Night's Dark Terror Pt 1 & 2

ref: Steve Winter


"Night's Dark Terror" is a huge D&D adventure from 1986 that spans the Basic and Expert sets. The action starts at a remote castle under siege by goblins, moves into the wilderness of the Grand Duchy of Karameikos, and delves into the mystery of the Iron Ring bandits and slavers. We won't finish this huge, classic adventure in one sitting, but we'll push as far along the trail as we can.

I've thoroughly enjoyed past NTRPG games with Steve. Very much looking forward to an epic adventure.


Rapscallions of Denethrix

ref: James Aulds


Come explore the Anomalous Subsurface Environment world in an open hex crawl based on whatever rumors you chose to follow, be it down into the belly of Mt Rendon or out into the Livid Fens. Pregens specific to the world provided, light hearted Gonzo Super-Science fun.


OMG ASE RMSO (rocks my socks off) double-plus good, jizzed my pants, etc. Only thing better than super-science, is gonzo super-science.


Aliens

ref: Allan Grohe


"Aliens: This Time It's War!" is a fast-paced and easy-to-learn miniatures war game set in the universe of Alien, Aliens, and Prometheus. You portray Colonial Marines trying to save the missing Hadley's Hope colonists of LV426. Children are very welcome to play. I supply the minis and terrain; bring your own d10s and Pulse Rifles! I run four different scenarios, which we can select from at the table: "The Reactor" (a good introduction to the game; escape-oriented), "Operations and Air Ducts" (another escape scenario, very challenging), "Rescue Newt" (recover the missing Newt and escape back to the elevators), or "Hunt the Queen" (a brutal scenario pitting Ripley and the Colonial Marines against the nigh-unstoppable Alien Queen). In space, no one can hear you scream!

Game over man! Finally fitting in this fantastic visceral mega miniature / board game.


Cattle Drive to Hell

ref: Steve Willett


It's fall at the Stinson Ranch near Lazarus and time to drive the beef to New Echota and the rail head. Eighteen-hundred of these fattened beauties should turn a nice profit barring catastrophic disasters along the way. It's going to take at least seven cowboys to handle a herd this size. It's a hard trail and there's always some loss of stock on the hoof and sometimes of men as well. Assuming the range boss is able to get his boss's herd to market, what awaits is not the New Echota to which you cowpokes are accustomed. The cattle are restless, folks look scared and it's not business as usual in this normally bustling city. There's a new gunslinger in town and his name is Darkness. Some say that's true, some say it's just people's fright findin' a target. Something sinister is here, y'all can feel it and Old Man Stinson ain't gonna turn no profit if the auction yard is shut down. Can you solve the mystery before the cattle starve or go mad? Can you solve it before you go mad?

Aces & Eights (awesome) / Call of Cthulhu (wgah'nagl fhtagn).  Six-guns and tentacles, I am so there! Really excited to play A&E, a game I have but have barely looked at cause it'll just make me sad that no one in my game circles wants to shot clock cattle rustling varmints. (some might want to be the varmints though).


Night in Wham-Ar Castle

ref: David Cook


The superstitious bumpkins of Wham-ar Village swear the local fortress is haunted but Lord Gard knows a war party of orcs drove his men off. With such craven troops he needs brave souls he can rely on to recover the the keep and secure the border once again.

More BX, which I don't get to play much at home. And another great referee. 



Annic Nova

ref: Mike Kelly





In the cold darkness of space a mysterious abandoned ship is discovered. The salvage rights alone are worth million of CR - will this wreck bring riches to the players or will they find something terrifying out in space. Find out in this - the oldest and most award winning SF RPG adveture ever published - Traveller is the most award winning RPG published in the 70s written by Mark Miller and first published in the early 70s..Classic Traveller – the best and oldest SF Role playing game comes alive in this adventure.

Ending 2014 NTRPGCon with some Serious Sci-fi, balancing out ASE's gonzo earlier in the week. I only wish we were rolling up characters at the table. Hell I'd sign up for a session that was *only* rolling up Traveller characters. It's that much fun / I'm that much of a nerd.



It's not too late for you to register for NTRPG Con 2014: Many great games are still open.  Confirmed guests include Jason Braun, Chris Clark, DARLENE, David 'Zeb' Cook, Jeff Dee, Jeff Easley, Kevin Hendryx, Jennell Jaquays, Tim Kask, Doug Kovacs, David 'Diesel' LaForce, Steve Marsh, Frank Mentzer, Erol Otus, Sandy Petersen, Lawrence Schick, Dr. Dennis Sustare, James M. Ward, Steve Winter.

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

OwlCon 33 Old Skool Revolution


Only a couple more weeks and I'll be heading to Houston. Specifically to Rice University for OwlCon from Fri to Sun, Feb 21-23.  OwlCon is one of Texas' great game conventions and my third time attending  (OwlCon29 / game recap, and again for OwlCon30). Owlcon 33's theme is "Old School" which was enough to bring me back once more.

I signed up to run a couple games...

Caves of Chaos Sat 8:00pm

A reprise of my Labyrinth Lord debut at OwlCon 30.
Kill'm and take their stuff like they did in 1980, old school style. Can you survive the classic module "B2 Keep on the Borderland"? Quick, simple, fun, familiar rules. Gets us to the action, and of course loot faster. Join us and roll some dice! New and experienced players welcome. Latecomers welcome.

The Mutant Future! Sun 10:00

Centuries ago, the Ancient World ended in a swirling storm of nuclear fire, toxic bio-weaponry, and global upheaval. But life survived, albeit changed and warped. Mutants and humans live side-by-side in the ruins of Ancient civilizations. Twisted creatures roam the radioactive wastes, and poisonous storms scorch the lands. This is the Mutant Future! Old school Gamma World Retro-clone. Fast, fun, easy rules. New and experienced players welcome.

Other interesting (i.e. old school rules) rpgs at OwlCon

A Parliament of Owls (Andrew Solberg) Labyrinth Lord

Assassination at Grenton (Robert Chadwick) Cyclopedia D&D

The Breeking Pits of D'Nall Kalthurion (Doyle Tavener) DCC

Death on Signal Island (David Dnonhoo), The Haunted Halls of Eveningstar (Roy Williams), Old School AD&D (Steven Bryant) AD&D

The Dread Crypt of Skogenby (Roland Cooke) Torchbearer

Where's Harlod the Hedge Mage? (Mark Chance) Swords & Wizardry

Along with many miniature, board games and other events.


pre-reg ends Feb 14


See you there!

Monday, June 10, 2013

Cthulhu Wars Kickstarter

This past weekend at North Texas RPG Con I got to play a pre-production version of Cthulhu Wars with Sandy Petersen. It is a fun board game. Has all the GOO flavor one would expect. Each player controls a faction recruiting cultists, summoning monsters and Great Old Ones. What I really liked besides the huge number of really large and nicely sculpted minis was that each faction had distinct flavor, rules, strategy. Adding to the replay value was the clever map board. Two double sided sections which can be combined into four different arrangements. Neat!

I was dominating with Shub-Niggaroth, the Black Goat when had to call game for time. I liked it so much that I joined the Kickstarter.


Those are the minis for one faction.
FOUR factions are included in game with many more to come in expansions.

Monday, April 15, 2013

NTRPG Convention Lineup


Well, last night at midnight was the mad rush of game sign up for this year's NTRPGCON.  Was fast and smooth and I got into everything I hoped for. Which included several games/referees I missed out on last year.  I'm getting excited.  Six more  weeks and then...


Four day Nerdtravaganza!




Thurs p.m. -  Steven Winter's "Where's My Water?" Gamma World
The river disappeared! It was here yesterday, and now, it's gone! From his HQ in the wondrous Radium-Powered Lab, Professor Monkey wants to know what happened to his river. As his #1 Fetch-it Squad, your job is bringing back answers. And the water. Don't forget the water!

Fri a.m. - Skeeter Green's "Rappan Athuk, level 15!" Swords & Wizardry
You've heard about the Big Fight with Orcus in Rappan Athuk, now you can be in it! No one has ever reached Level 15 in regular play, so we'll take 15 minutes to roll up 18th level characters, and slug it out with the Big Bad Guy. Professionally painted foes courtesy of Center Stage Miniatures wait to meet you in combat!

Fri p.m. - Jimm Johnson's "Outdoor Survival Hex Crawl" OD&D
This game is for anyone who ever wondered about wilderness adventuring according to the original 1974 D&D rules. Navigate the OUTDOOR SURVIVAL map, gain wealth and treasure, avoid being killed by men and monsters, or dying by thirst and starvation. Recruit an army to push back the humanoid hordes, or challenge a local lord to a joust. But be careful approaching a wizard's castle-- he might compel you to perform a dangerous quest for him.

Sat all day! - Erol Otus' "Island Town Expedition" AD&D 1e
Island Town's Expedition continues deeper into vast uncharted waters. After surviving the Limerickers, Undersucker, and Hell Shadow Rays, the mariners came upon the Idyllic Isle of the Elder Dragonne. Careful parley and giant shellfish harvesting allowed them to depart in the mighty creature's good graces. Now refreshed and confident, they are ready.

Sun a.m - David Cook's "Journey of the Search for the Lost Castle of the Savage Isle of Horror on the Borderlands" D&D B/X
Remember that thing your hero did? At the castle? On the island? With the tomb? And the secret society? Yeah -- that thing. Well this is kind of like that, as fate draws you back to the places of your adventuring youth. Be ready to hack and slash your way through the consequences of your youthful mistakes as you try to set things right, save the world (sort of), and discover that big pile o' gold that's always promised but never found.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

ChupacabraCon

Table top role playing and board gaming convention to be held on a date to be announced, tentatively in October 2013. We are looking for GameMasters, Game Publishers, and RPG Writer/Designers.

Long ways off. But, spreading the word helping / hoping this one gets off the ground.  Austin really needs a RPG Convention.

tasty lamb tastes good



Monday, July 9, 2012

Space City Con



I was introduced to George who runs Space City Con. A new, all-ages festival of comics, sci-fi, fantasy, gaming, literature, and art. Registration ends August 4th.

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Texicon July 2012


Texicon July 20-22, 2012
Fortworth Texas

"... focus for this year on Board Games. Never fear, we will still have plenty for the Miniature and Role-Play enthusiast too."

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