So after con report (finally). Overall? Well before this year I was seriously toying with the idea of not going back to GenCon (felt totally beat down and had a really not-as-much-fun-as-usual time last year). But this year? TOTALLY RE-ENERGIZED! Figured out pretty early on that it was the fact that we didn't turn anyone away last year that ruined the fun for me. This year, just about 7 players average per table (and I didn't even check on that number until just now), and no overflow games (I'm betting 2nd Ed took care of that for us).
So HIGHLIGHTS.
1 - did get to play with John Wick finally. Told him emphatically that he had to come play with us at some point.
2 - city/plot building at the World Event. The new Barcino and a certain black mask's whereabouts (along with its personality) are courtesy of the five of us sitting at the table. Very cool to think that Don Miguel will both be a character AND have some of his exploits mentioned in the books.
3 - Steven/Floki's nuptual activity. I had a blast running that, and nary a die was thrown for half an hour.
4 - RJ's initiation. That was the first time I ever ran an initiation ceremony, and it was just as awesome as I could have hoped. Especial kudos to the table (most of whom HAD read the KRC book and so knew where I was going with the event) who managed to keep their poker faces on once it became clear to them. AND a special thanks to Mark Perkins who JUST HAPPENED to show up at the right moment
5 - Researching the Murder Hobos - Had not one, not two, but three separate players who wanted to try and learn more about the mysterious monsters that have been plaguing Altamira. They were all turned away at one point or another from the de Silva rancho (because Santino wanted too steep a price for them to see Domingo). But ingenuity ruled the day today, and all three managed to outwit his precautions! We'll see where that leads them...
6 - Having enough time to sleep! Goes without saying.
7 - Rathskellers was terrific and the company even better. I didn't tell anyone at the time, but that was the restaurant I took Karl (one of my two best friends) as an early 39th birthday present. Unfortunately he died from complications due to cancer about a week later, so it was the last birthday gift I ever gave him. Going there always makes me smile.
8 - The new adventure caddy. I forewent the zuba in favor of something that could carry all the adventures AND the books in one unit. Worked wonderfully.
9 - The look on Ken's face when I gave him his (long overdue) birthday present.
10 - All the little things that make every time I GM terrific. From the offhanded quips the players make, to the looks of surprise on the regulars' faces when secrets get revealed, to just seeing old friends once again. It's like crack to me.
11 - The drive. Had almost a whole new crew this time around, so had lots of new (old) stories to tell. AND as a bonus...
12 - I NOW HAVE WITNESSES TO THE ORANGE BOTTLE PHENOMENON!!!
The DISAPPOINTING
1 - While the city/plot building was lots of fun, John was about 5 minutes late to the event (one we'd all paid quite a bit of money to join), he forgot the adventure AND the character sheets we'd filled out weeks ago. So we spent the first 45 min or so building characters.
2 - along with that, the adventure itself. I can sum it up in a sentence, El Vagabundo needed our help getting a mask back from some villains. If I was plotting this there would have been a total of two scenes (three if you count the non-fight fight we had with brutes at the beginning of the adventure (in which, when we were ready to come to blows, John said, "you wipe the floor with them" end of fight).
3 - The 2nd Ed "adventures" Now I guess I can't really complain since I didn't play in any of them, but I'm in the GM's Club so we talked. Every single adventure consisted of ONE PAGE. Three columns, the setup, the adventure, the main bad guy. And GMs were expected to wing it. Now some GMs can do that, others can't and that's not fair to either the GMs or the players (who, btw, had to pay $10 for those events as opposed to the $4 for ours, and yes they're the same length).
4 - Eggs Benedict. I got the snooty hotel this time around, and after a good three days of oatmeal and fruit, I decided to treat myself to my very favorite breakfast. I shouldn't have. Expensive and snooty does NOT equal great food. lesson learned.
5 - I was both forgetful and super extra clumsy this year. Somehow I have misplaced all the premade finished characters but fortunately for me Sam and Alexandra made copies. I also managed to spill water all over Ep 11 saving only the headshots. So I am going to have to do some copying before TC next year.
6 - Leaving the con early. I know this one was my choice since I was heading to Kara's wedding, but I barely got to say goodbye. I felt like I left things undone.
7 - Kobolds Ate My Baby. Had all the events sell out and my 9am game had JUST two players (out of 7) show up. But despite that, the two were spectacular. The second session (at 11) had all seven players who were far less ready to be Kobolds. But the worst part was my own damn fault. I had a lot of freebie stuff from the KAMB folks that I brought with me and I flat out forgot to pass it out.
8 - Where are my dice?!? Megan borrowed them for the last session and now that I'm home I can't seem to find them. Not freaking out yet, but it's close...
And finally, the TRULY AWFUL
Nothing, nada, nope. The con was great from my perspective. I have no real complaints and am ready to go back again next year.
But if my dice don't come home, that will end up here