DaemonKain
Warrior
312 Posts
    
 | | 12/22/2005 11:59 PM |
| So, I'm planning on heading up to Winter Fantasy in Feb., and am trying to drag a friend or two along with me. They are primarily interested in D&D RPG, as we all play together in a weekly game. I've looked into the RPGA events at Winter Fantasy, and it looks like one might be able to play a new event every day, thus keeping my friends quite happy.
My main problem, however, is that none of us are currently RPGA members, and there aren't any local RPGA events. Does anyone know if we'll be able to sign up for RPGA at Winter Fantasy and play without issue (assuming we bring characters along with us, created per RPGA guidelines)? Also, I see that the campaign standards haven't been updated in some time - is another level bump expected before WF?
Anyway, any information peeps could give me on this would be much appreciated. As would a spare RPGA registration card or two, if that's my best bet.
Thanks!
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-DaemonKain
Proud Mascot of Team Amish | |
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IHawk
Underboss
1049 Posts
Lisle, Illinois
| | 12/23/2005 12:42 AM |
| I picked up my RGPA number at WF six years ago. There
was no problems playing that weekend at all. Only
suggestion is to get there a bit early so you don't
spend too much time waiting at the Registration or
Head-Quarters Desks.
Good luck and have fun.
I will see if I can't get ahold of some applications
for you, just in case. Send me an email with how many.
Mark Kelly - Ihawk | |
mark - Champion of the Goblin Worg Riders | anteblue_at_yahoo_dot_com
IHawk's Have/Want List | IHawk's Trade List | Completed Trades - 214 | Pending Trades - 0
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bshugg
Underboss
1820 Posts
| | 12/23/2005 8:13 AM |
| You can get an RPGA card at the events for free. Just make sure you read up on each event. Some you need premade characters and the rules for creation of these characters can be complicated.
I only rarely sign up for RPGA events anymore. A lot of the times you get a DM that has only skimmed the adventure, and some are really, really awful at roleplaying and running. The last one I played in was a 4 hour nightmare for all the players. The DM stuttered horribly (not really his fault), Didn't know the rules at all (his fault), screwed up the adventure so there was no way to win, and got mad when we veered off script a bit and just stopped interacting with the players.
You can encounter bad DM's in non RPGA events as well, but most of the time they at least know the adventure they created. | |
Looking for someone to cosponser a midwest DDM event. let me know if your interested!
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http://bshugg.blogspot.com | |
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Vrecknidj
Warlord
10288 Posts
United States
| | 12/23/2005 8:28 AM |
| Like bshugg, I've had some awful experiences at Cons with game masters. On the other hand, I've also had some great ones. I played in two Winter Fantasy games (back when it was held in Indiana) that were just out-of-this-world fun; and much of the fun was the incredible running of the event. However, I've had a few bad experiences too and so also advise caution.
Dave | |
Knowledge Arcana editor issues 5-9, Phoenix Lore Magazine editor, assistant editor for Rite Publishing;
My Trade Thread and My Reference Thread; Winner of WBC IV, IX and XIII; Rule #0: bshugg is always right! | |
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DaemonKain
Warrior
312 Posts
| | 12/23/2005 9:41 AM |
| Hmmmm....
Alright, so, on the whole it's worth someone going to? Or not? I'm not worried about the character creation issues, etc, but I would like to know whether the quality of gaming (and people) are generally good, before I drag one of my close female friends along... | |
-DaemonKain
Proud Mascot of Team Amish | |
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maijstral
Underboss
2105 Posts
| | 12/23/2005 11:31 AM |
| signing up is no problem, heck you could probably go to any FLGS and get a sign up card but they should have them at any RPGA santioned event. You just fill out a card they tear off your information and mail it in you keep a small wallet sized card with your RPGA number and your ready to go that easy.
You don't need a premade character at these events they have pregens they call 'taking one for the team' you can check some of them out by looking on the RPGA website or just check out certain cards in the last few minis sets. The cards have the little RPGA symbol on them and are exactly what is used in the event you can even bring the mini with the card for a little extra bonus feat (if they use that option).
The people can be good, I played in two events at the last Gencon and in the D&D open you more or less got to choose your own group. Everybody just gathered in the great hall and went around until we had groups of 8 so if you and your friends have tickets to the event at the same time you can all be in the same group and hunt around for people you would be comfortable with. Other events though are just one shots and you get stuck with whoever signs up for that particular group so far I haven't got anyone obnoxious but I have had a few brand new players(to the eberron campaign) that slow the game down a bit but thats part of the purpose of the RPGA, IMHO, to help teach how to play a new system or campaign. | | | |
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DaemonKain
Warrior
312 Posts
| | 12/23/2005 12:11 PM |
| Hmm, ok, that makes me feel a bit better. Glad that signing up won't be an issue at all. The person who might come with me plays in our regular game, but isn't a rules-master by any stretch. I just don't want her to be overwhelmed, and/or likely to get a crappy group or DM and have a bad experience.
I'd like to hear other people's impressions as well, so I can continue to get a sense of the quality of these events.
Thanks,
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-DaemonKain
Proud Mascot of Team Amish | |
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Fry
Underboss
1724 Posts
| | 12/23/2005 12:26 PM |
| | I've never played any RPGs at a con, so I can't tell you if they're fun or easy or whatever. I can tell you that at last Winter Fantasy, it looked like many of the tables had pretty cool maps printed out for battling on (the deck of a ship, for instance). I also recall several random RPGers came into the miniatures area wanting to borrow a fig for their character, so if you know ahead of time what sort of thing you want to run, bringing the fig might not be a bad idea. | |
"Why am I all sticky and naked? Did I miss something fun?"
-Vindicated champion of Tordek, Dwarf Champion | |
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Benimoto
Underboss
1125 Posts
| | 12/23/2005 12:37 PM |
| I've played a lot of RPGA games at conventions (and I'm running a few at WF.) Bad GMs are present, but are definitely the minority. The worst (or highest) ratio I've had was one bad GM for every four games played.
I haven't heard about a level bump. I'll see what I can find out. | |
Champion of the Rakshasa. Check out my Mini Terrain Maker, or my new Dungeon Map Maker (under development). | |
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DaemonKain
Warrior
312 Posts
| | 12/24/2005 12:45 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Fry
I've never played any RPGs at a con, so I can't tell you if they're fun or easy or whatever. I can tell you that at last Winter Fantasy, it looked like many of the tables had pretty cool maps printed out for battling on (the deck of a ship, for instance). I also recall several random RPGers came into the miniatures area wanting to borrow a fig for their character, so if you know ahead of time what sort of thing you want to run, bringing the fig might not be a bad idea.
Good to know, thanks for the info...
Glad to see you are still alive! Haven't heard from you in a while. I'm out of town the next week or so, but afterwards we should get together for some Minis.
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-DaemonKain
Proud Mascot of Team Amish | |
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DaemonKain
Warrior
312 Posts
| | 12/24/2005 12:47 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Benimoto
I've played a lot of RPGA games at conventions (and I'm running a few at WF.) Bad GMs are present, but are definitely the minority. The worst (or highest) ratio I've had was one bad GM for every four games played.
I haven't heard about a level bump. I'll see what I can find out.
Alright, I'll make my friend aware of the risk, and see what she thinks. Thanks to all of you guys for the info, was quite helpful. Now I have to figure out if there are any sessions that _I_ would be able to make, given my ambitious DDM signup sheet. :)
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-DaemonKain
Proud Mascot of Team Amish | |
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Ack
Underboss
1476 Posts
| | 12/24/2005 2:15 PM |
| why not just ensure you are in the same group she is in so you can, at the VERY least, share the humorous stories about how horrible it is.
Or have a ton of fun together and some great stories. Plus, if you two are obiviously "connected" it will be a buffer from the rampant hormones present in the average gaming geek. And I quote from SoCal "Is that a GIRL??"
/sigh | |
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DaemonKain
Warrior
312 Posts
| | 12/24/2005 10:33 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Ack
why not just ensure you are in the same group she is in so you can, at the VERY least, share the humorous stories about how horrible it is.
Or have a ton of fun together and some great stories. Plus, if you two are obiviously "connected" it will be a buffer from the rampant hormones present in the average gaming geek. And I quote from SoCal "Is that a GIRL??"
/sigh
Yeah, I would like to shield her from as much of that is possible, not that she can't take care of herself. She's just an ex-girlfriend, and still very close friend of mine, so I'm pretty protective. Anyway, I'll be playing DDM much of the time, but I'll definately do what you suggest as much as possible.
Maybe I can introduce her to some Maxminis folk before some of the events. ;P
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-DaemonKain
Proud Mascot of Team Amish | |
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Ack
Underboss
1476 Posts
| | 12/24/2005 11:16 PM |
| Well.. if it comes down it appears that pepper spray isnt considered a concealed / dangerous weapon by the great Commonwealth of Virginia. :)
Im just trying to help. I swear | |
Minis... Serious Business
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forkedmoon
Underboss
1305 Posts
| | 12/28/2005 4:27 PM |
| | well reading this thread might have scared me off from doing any RPGA if I make it to Winter Fantasy. I want to learn the newer game but am not proficient at character creation under the new system. Heck it used to be six roles of three six siders and look at this sheet and see what you want to buy with your X amount of gold. None of this feats stuff etc. Wow am I feeling old! | |
Champion of Cyclops
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Benimoto
Underboss
1125 Posts
| | 12/28/2005 5:20 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by forkedmoon
well reading this thread might have scared me off from doing any RPGA if I make it to Winter Fantasy. I want to learn the newer game but am not proficient at character creation under the new system. Heck it used to be six roles of three six siders and look at this sheet and see what you want to buy with your X amount of gold. None of this feats stuff etc. Wow am I feeling old!
If you play in the Mark of Heroes campaign, they have pre-made characters for new people to play. It's a pretty easy campaign to get into, and I've played with and GMed for a lot of new players that did fine in it. | |
Champion of the Rakshasa. Check out my Mini Terrain Maker, or my new Dungeon Map Maker (under development). | |
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