TLG's Winter Dark Con

[Scott]

I'd like to go, but if I do, it will probably be last minute.
My girlfriend lost her job recently, and it's been a little crazy around here lately.

[GRWelsh]

What if Gary runs an OD&D game set in the original Greyhawk Dungeons? Does that change anyone's answer?

[Scott]

That's not really a what if. I'm pretty sure that's a given.

[GRWelsh]

That's what I'm hoping. I really want to go to this one...

[Rhuvein]

Yep, me too for a last minute decision, but I did it.

I booked my motel and bought the CON pre-register pass!!!

And man, great to get winter rates ~ very cheap!!

I hope some of you guys can make it!

;D

[GT]

Can't do this, but will probably make it this summer!

[Scott]

Anybody want to swing by and pick me up tonight to make it to this?

[GRWelsh]

I really wanted to go, and it's somewhat ironic that I've been in bed all day with a stomach flu. I can't help wondering: if I had decided to go to Winter's Dark, and had flown out there yesterday, would I have still got the flu? Probably yes, but I have no way of knowing for sure.

[Falconer]

Well, I'm here. It's definitely fun. There are just like 36 people max at the whole thing, which means you get to know people. I've gotten to spend a bit of time there, so far this weekend. It helps that the wife is out of town (she likes gaming but can only handle so much nerddom); on the other hand, I live and work here, so I've got other things going on...

The bad part about it being small is that the whole con could be split into 2 or 3 games going on at a time, and if you're not in 'em, you'll spend some time standing around and pretending to be interested in TLG's books. ;-) But people are in general very friendly and try to invite you to join in.

On Friday, I played a mix of interesting games (non-RPG) that Frank Mentzer introduced me to. I then played a hand of Mythos with Jeffrey St. Clair.

Today I missed Gary's OD&D/'72 Greyhawk game because I was at work. But I came later on and played in Steve Chenault's original Winter Dark (Erde) campaign. I have to say Steve is a real cool guy and a good DM. He was nominally running C&C, but he didn't seem to really know the rules or care. He fudged a lot, used d6 for initiative instead of d10, and basically if it weren't for a few wisdom checks and perception checks and whatever, it could have passed for D&D. In general, too, I had a good time, and I probably won't badmouth C&C quite as much anymore. ;-)

Then I went out for a few beers with Rhuvein and Steve and Ernie and a few others. That was fun, too.

[Scott]

Thanks for the update, Michael.

[geneweigel]

I talked to my cousin Bill yesterday for the first time in months (he eloped suddenly back in October) and we were reminiscing about last Summer's LGGC. He told me some new "takes" that I missed while I was there which explained a lot.

[GT]

(In reference to Michael's update) Yeah, one thing about the 1E crew, both old-timers and new--they make pretty darn good drinking companions! ^__^

[ghul]

Falconer--

Glad you're having a good time. The C&C crew are a good bunch of guys and fun to game with and drink beers with as well. :-)

Cheers,
--Jeff T.

[Falconer]

Played in an AD&D game with Frank Mentzer DMing today. That was plenty of fun, too. The group was fun, and Frank pulled out some maps and typewritten notes from the mid-70's. Frank really has a handle on the rules by the book, but he also throws in some house rules and some random things like "roll a d10, you want to roll high." You have no idea why he had you do that, but he's very methodical and it really comes across that he doesn't fudge any rolls. Which really makes it feel like he judged impartially, and our victories were earned (whether they actually were or not). Regards.

[ghul]

Good deal, Falconer. AD&D with Frank running is great! I've never done it, but I've played fly-on-the-wall and watched him run. He's quite good at it, as to be expected.

--JeffT

[Falconer]

Ooh, I forgot. I also got a lot of freebies. Chris Clark gave me A Challenge of Arm's and Ritual of the Golden Eyes. Steve Chenault gave me Hall of Many Panes, which I'd always been curious about but would never have bought at the list price. Also some Erde maps and the box for Gygaxian Fantasy Worlds. Pretty sweet!

[grodog]

geneweigel said:

I talked to my cousin Bill yesterday for the first time in months (he eloped suddenly back in October) and we were reminiscing about last Summer's LGGC. He told me some new "takes" that I missed while I was there which explained a lot.

Oh, do tell, Gene

[grodog]

Sounds good, Falconer. How's the store doing?

I reserved rooms for LGGC #4, so I'll be there in June (already cleared it with Heather, since boy#2 is due at the beginning of April).

[ghul]

Hey, congrats, Grodog.

[geneweigel]

grodog said:

geneweigel said:

I talked to my cousin Bill yesterday for the first time in months (he eloped suddenly back in October) and we were reminiscing about last Summer's LGGC. He told me some new "takes" that I missed while I was there which explained a lot.

Oh, do tell, Gene

Well, due to the content, I'll just say:

One involved a mysterious meeting that he had, that I was unaware of, where he was approached on a business level....

...and another was with him speculating about someone else's interactions with my familiar "Johnny Saving Throw" nature...

...and a third involved a strange conversation with another person who I didn't really have a chance to get to know at all but was present the entire time...

....and a fourth was an unidentified guy with whom he had engaged in intense idle chit-chat while I was out smoking a cigarette that suddenly said, "THATS GENE WEIGEL?!?!? You're Gene Weigel's player?" Which gave Bill a jolt.