I Went to GEN CON 2026!

Just got back from Gen Con! 

You know, I went with some reservations, wondering if I would really enjoy myself. But I ended up having a fantastic time. The games were good, the spectacle was big, the DnD celebs were everywhere, and the folks were friendly. 

My only criticism is that the event is so expensive that not everyone who wants to go, can go. I spent about $2000 Canadian, all in. Obviously, costs will vary depending on where you come from, how you travel, your lifestyle, etc, etc, but since badges and games both come with a price tag, I think that even if you lived in Indianapolis, you'd still be looking at 4-500 bucks to do all 4 days.

That said, I would definitely recommend going to anyone who can afford it.  It was a very, very good time.  

Here's my top 12 pics from the experience.

At the airport.

Inside Lucasoil Stadium.

Meeting Luke Gygax.

Meeting James Raggi.

Cardhalla!

Meeting Professor Dungeon Master.

Meeting Questing Beast.

Meeting Skid from the GCN.

Hanging with Coop from Myth & Moon.

Meeting Troy Lavallee.

Meeting Trevor Devall.

Winning a copy of Daggerheart!

Shownotes for Episode 64 (S3E64)

Theme  Enchiridion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8NkG3bhIxU

Welcome  148 Barovian Castle https://tabletopaudio.com/

LTO          Scott Buckley Legionnaire https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwW0vFUCz

Some  FX https://www.zapsplat.com

My GenCon Schedule

 Hey friends!

For anyone heading to GenCon, if you'd like to hook up and play some games, here's where I'll be:

Shownotes for Episode 63 (S3E63)

Theme  Enchiridion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8NkG3bhIxU

Welcome  148 Barovian Castle https://tabletopaudio.com/

LTO          Scott Buckley Legionnaire https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwW0vFUCz

Part 1b Odin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XddzQIaRIU

Part 1e SoundImage.org Misty Bog https://soundimage.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Misty-Bog_remixed.mp3  

Some  FX https://www.zapsplat.com

Shownotes for Episode 62 (S3E62)

Theme  Enchiridion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8NkG3bhIxU

Welcome  148 Barovian Castle https://tabletopaudio.com/

LTO          Scott Buckley Legionnaire https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwW0vFUCz

Dramatis         RPG SOUNDS #1506 “Realization”

Part 2a Odin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XddzQIaRIU

Part2c Tense Cinematic Instrumental Ambient Music by Argsound

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTz6Qp7QE_c

Part 3 Fearless Final Boss Battle - Alehandro Vodnik

Some  FX https://www.zapsplat.com

Shownotes for Episode 61 (S3E61)

Theme  Enchiridion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8NkG3bhIxU

Welcome  148 Barovian Castle https://tabletopaudio.com/

LTO          Scott Buckley Legionnaire https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwW0vFUCz

Some  FX https://www.zapsplat.com

I Went To A Renfaire

Last Sunday I attended my first ever Renfaire. It was at Black Creek in Toronto on June 20th.

I was first struck by just how many of the attendees were in cosplay (about half); how many costumes had nothing to do with the Renaissance (about three quarters); and the sheer number of folks sporting those plastic Temu elf ears (like… a lot).

The day started with a joust in which the MC belabored the point that the sport was completely real and very dangerous. Within about 2 minutes, one of the knights was launched from his (massive) warhorse, and landed hard on the ground. 

He laid there, unmoving, for quite some time while the smiles in the audience began to droop.

Sir David had dislocated a shoulder and the joust was over.

I think I can speak for the audience when I say we all felt a bit crappy about having paid to see an exciting bloodsport in which someone actually got hurt.

The rest of the faire (the extra e matters) was good - it included pizza cones, lemonade, taking in a few shows (Men in Tights - a pantomime style audience participation show, Midwife Crisis - a straight up stand up comedy routine, and a sword-balancing belly dancer) which were all very well done. We finished with a walk about in the shopping tents.

Here's a few photos:

The joust's MC.

Notice the Temu elf ears?

There's a wizard by the knight. Sure, why not?

The lance was solid wood... and it bent!

Sir David goes down. And stays down.