CAR-PGa NEWSLETTER Vol. 28, No. 4, April 2019

CAR-PGa Chair

David Millians, Editor

Paideia School, 1509 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia 30307 USA

ARTICLES

The SPIEL ´18 in Essen

By Carsten Obst

Part Two: From Children of Mu, Dreadnoughts, and Lights in the Darkness

Das Gift der Schlange (The Snake´s Poison) is a new adventure-book for the SF RPG Ultima Ratio, published by the Heinrich Tüffers Verlag, and the first part of a campaign with the title Die Harland-Chroniken (The Harland-Chronicles). Each year a big gambling tournament takes place in Harland´s Loch, an important mining colony well known for its entertainment district. The high prizes attract gamblers from all parts of space but also many people who want to make a profit in some way. This year the tournament occurs in the Kamrea Royal, a large luxury casino run by Tony Knox, nicknamed “the snake,” a ruthless and cold-blooded former military officer. He hires the PCs to copy important files from a data crystal owned by a high-ranking diplomat. It seems to be a simple mission, but some hidden agendas soon cause a deadly web of double-crosses. The GM must invest some time for the preparations but gets all necessary support. Background information, ways to overcome security systems, a possible sequence of events, as well as descriptions and maps of the locations enable to run it smoothly but give also more details about Harland´s Loch. A chapter with additional subplots enables expansions to the basic plot, either to increase the complexity for experienced players or because in fiction such operations are often complicated by something unexpected. A list of NPCs and their secrets complete the book. Das Gift der Schlange is a fine adventure and a good introduction to Harland´s Loch, allowing also further excursions to this colony. For Ultima Ratio fans a must, but with some changes it can also be recommended for other SF RPGs like Star Wars or Traveller.

In 2018 the popular German science fiction/near future RPG Contact, published by the Uhrwerk Verlag, suffered a severe setback. Its authors are dedicated SF fans  who work on this game in their free time, but this year some of them had to stop for professional or private reasons. As a result, the announced sourcebook about Earth in 2050 and two planned campaigns – one about a world-wide epidemic turning people into mindless berserks and the other about an open alien invasion, against which the nations of Earth must unite under the leadership of the international defence-organization Omega – were postponed.

Nevertheless Contact expanded with the first novel for this RPG. Oscuridad: Absturz ins Ungewisse (Oscuridad. Crash into the Unknown), written by Eric Nowack and published by Feder & Schwert, introduces the readers in 646 pages to the year 2054. During a reconnaissance mission over Ecuador, Jason Blackthorne, a dashing US fighter pilot, crashes into Oscuridad, a devastated zone. Soon he must learn that in this area the natural laws seem to be annulled, while aliens are lurking everywhere. When Jason meets Naomi, a child of Mu and only survivor of a destroyed Omega base, they try to survive together and solve the mysteries of Oscuridad. Several parallel plots describe the events in Ecuador, where a civil war has begun, told from different points of view like an Omega team or civilians caught in the crossfire. Contact fans enjoy the appearance of some NPCs from the basic rules like Max Byron, a former mercenary, or Colonel Clive Hutchinson, a retired SAS commander. The readers get also good impressions of the methods, weapons, equipment, and tactics with which Omega counters alien threats, as well as insights into the daily life in the year 2054. A number of questions discussed in the Contact internet forums are answered too, among them the sexuality of the all female children of Mu. The fans already knew that two times every year they are in heat, spraying hormones to attract men. Now we learn that they can make sex just for fun, even with normal hormone levels. Of specialist interest are the procedures of the authorities to cover up alien attacks. The story has a happy end: the threat of Oscuridad is eliminated, and the civil war ends, while Naomi and Jason, who joins Omega, fall in love. For fans of Contact the novel is a must, but it can also be recommended for RPGs with an alien invasion topic. Besides it offers an exciting reading for SF enthusiasts.

With Täuscherland (Phony´s Country) Redaktion Phantastik published the first sourcebook for the dark fantasy RPG Seelenfänger (Soulcatcher). The solid hardcover with 296 pages offers a detailed description of the game world. It combines the Middle Ages with German legends about the supernatural. A history informs thr reader about the so-called fallen kingdom, beginning with the rise of magic, which sometimes prevents the souls of the dead from going to an afterlife. The so-called soulcatchers deal with this problem, some by saving the restless ghosts, while others destroy or enslave them. Seven years ago an ambitious soulcatcher, the Täuscher (Phony), attempted a coup when the kingdom was at war against barbarians. His magic caused the downfall of the old order. While a weird fog seals the borders, and the evil lurks everywhere, the Täuscher still plots to become ruler. The sourcebook describes the setting in detail, including topics like the people, magic, the soulcatchers, the supernatural, the provinces of the kingdom, the barbarian tribes, magical beings, and the pantheon. One chapter discusses the necessary expansions of the Fate system, possible campaigns, and character creation. Five short adventures, emphasizing an aura of darkness, introduce to the game world. An appendix includes five characters as examples, a list of skills, a short summary of the important Fate rules, and a map of the kingdom. Two points are of special interest. Only humans are available as PCs, while the classical fantasy races do not exist. This encourages character creation that balances specialist and general abilities. Furthermore, the fog along the borders prevents all attempts to leave the kingdom. Trapped in the country, the PCs must either fight against the dark forces or search for a way out. Altogether Täuscherland offers a versatile setting for all kinds of adventures like the classic monster hunt, investigations of magical threats, fighting the Täuscher´s agents, or rebuilding the kingdom. Highly recommended for dark fantasy fans!

With the CD Immortalis Erdenstern released for Seelenfänger a soundtrack that reflects the dark game world. Twenty-one musical pieces visualize a world of desperation and hopelessness, where heroes (read: the PCs) still fight against the machinations of the Täuscher. Some example shall be mentioned here. The first track “Immortalis” increases constantly, giving a dramatic impression of the darkness, while male and female choirs emphasize this mood. “Das Land des Täuschers” (The Country of the Täuscher) begins with a slow tune but soon gets faster, showing the destruction and the threats of the country. With “Das Dorf am Rande der Verdammnis” (The Village at the Edge of Damnation), a sad and scary melody underlines the atmosphere of settlements, which desperately try to withstand the darkness. “Hexenreich” (Witch´s Empire) offers a chaotic tune, appropriate for areas controlled by the evil. Using drums and French horns “Der Stamm der Barbaren” (The Tribe of the Barbarians) is the theme for the barbarians, who threaten the kingdom. “Sie wollen doch nur Deine Seele” (They Just Want Your Soul) symbolizes the dark temptations. After a friendly beginning the piece becomes threatening and spooky. The final track,“Seelenfänger,” is the epic theme for those heroes, who are the last hope for the world – and the PCs belong to them. Altogether Immoratalis is a successful musical presentation of the setting, giving a good impression of its darkness and desperation. The CD can also be recommended for other horror and dark fantasy RPGs like Cthulhu and Warhammer, but it may also be useful for Star Wars, if the GM looks for a soundtrack to symbolize the dark side of the force.

The radioplay Täuscherland. Der Krieg der Seelenfänger (Täuscherland. The War of the Soulcatchers) is a prequel for Seelenfänger, published by the German radioplay community Hörspielprojekt.de. Available on CD, it can also be heard and downloaded in the internet. As a prequel, the radioplay tells about the events before the Täuscher´s treacherous deeds. Its central character is Mariel, a young student of the Order of the Holy Salvation. She trains to become a soulcatcher, able to save lost souls by guiding them peacefully into the afterlife, but when the war against the barbarians and the activities of a rival order threaten the kingdom, Mariel must begin a quest to prevent a disaster. Of course, intrigue and danger lurk everywhere on her long way. The professionally made radioplay with a length of nearly ninety minutes gives a good insight into the history of the game world, seen by a character, who gets involved in those events, which once resulted in the downfall of the empire. Fifty-three speakers bring the setting successfully to life, supported by a dedicated production team. The plot has a dark mood but also a sad undertone for the audience – no matter, what Mariel does, the outcome is unalterable. So, the radioplay is a must for Seelenfänger fans, but it can also be recommended to all fans of dark fantasy stories.

Freiheit für Schwarzenbrück! (Freedom for Schwarzenbrück!) is a new adventure book for the Austrian Steampunk/fantasy RPG Finsterland and the first part of a campaign. Arriving in the autonomous city of Schwarzenbrück, the PCs are hired by a newspaper publisher, who advocates democratic reforms, to investigate the town´s secrets. They get on the track of events, which may be connected. It seems that unknown groups threaten the city´s autonomy. The book offers a detailed background, including a gazetteer of Schwarzenbrück, a history of the town, lists of important NPCs, maps, a listing of organizations, information about the political and administrative situation, as well as a description of the surrounding areas. Special emphasis is placed on the political and economic interests of the neighbouring principalities. The plot of the adventure consists of independent events and subplots that can be played in any order or even simultaneously. Because each event includes hints, which are useful for other clues, the players are advised to record the game sessions. This helps them later to solve other subplots. The fact that the adventure does not run in a straight way can cause complications for the GMs, but they get support from a description of the complete plot, possible courses, and the hidden background. This enables the GMs to control the adventure as well as the actions of the players by deciding which event shall be played next. Of special interest is the introduction, a sub-adventure, in which the PCs meet the publisher. It describes a newspaper advocating democracy in a city of political unrest, offering an unusual setting. Altogether Freiheit für Schwarzenbrück! is a must for Finsterland fans, but it can also be recommended for other Steampunk and even for historical RPGs, which include conflicts between the conservative politics and the democratic reforms of the 19th century.

With Dreadnought – Fürchte nichts! (Dreadnought – Fear Nothing!) Redaktion Phantastik has published a new adventure for the detective RPG Private Eye, which is based on the Sherlock Holmes stories. Its complex but challenging plot uses the beginning of the naval arms race between the European nations before World War I as background. The Royal Navy has begun to develop a new class of warships, the so-called dreadnoughts, to ensure Britain´s maritime superiority. Of course, the other nations try to get information about it, and so foreign agents observe closely the design offices and shipyards. In this situation Thaddeus Whistlespoon, one of the senior engineers, dies suddenly. It seems to be a natural death, but his work on the dreadnought project leads to further investigations. After all, there were problems in his family before, while the secret of the new warship must be kept at all costs. The complexity of the adventure is a special challenge for the GM and for the players, because it includes several plotlines, which are connected with each other. The game master should study it carefully, but for a detective RPG this is a necessity anyway. All needed materials are included, among them detailed background information, a timeline, descriptions of the NPCs, the floor plans of Mr. Whistlespoon´s house, and a list of all important locations. A possible course of the adventure makes the planning easier for the GM, while lots of hints support him during the game. Handouts, a list of evidences, and possible reasons for the PCs to investigate the case complete the book. The plot´s complexity can be reduced or increased according to the experiences of the players. Dreadnought – Fürchte nichts! is a must for Private Eye fans  but also for those interested in historical roleplaying. With some adjustments the adventure may be used for steampunk RPGs like Space 1889 (perhaps with a space dreadnought) and Castle Falkenstein or for horror RPGs like Cthulhu by Gaslight. Highly recommended!

For several years the fans had to wait, but now Redaktion Phantastik published the Master´s Survival Pack VIII, the eighth issue of the series. Rätsel. Knobeleien zum Selbermachen (Riddles: Puzzles for Do-It-Yourself) offers riddles, which can be used in adventures, either to give the PCs information for the plot or as a funny diversion. They are divided into ten groups, among them labyrinths, maps for dungeons, runes, symbols, or matches. For each riddle, you get a description, an example, a list of the required material, some possible variants, and ideas for its use in an adventure. As a special challenge they are actually puzzles, which need some preparations by the GM, as well as the cleverness, patience, and imagination of the players. The group about matches is a good example for that. This kind of riddles demand players place or redeploy them in certain ways or figures, a task, which seems to be easy but can become very tricky. In an adventure this may be a challenge for a duel of wits or the only way to open a sealed gate. The preparation for the riddles is rather easy, because the required material can be found in every household. Lots of often-coloured pictures, detailed descriptions, templates, and explanations allow an uncomplicated handicraft, even if you lack the experience with manual fine work. Altogether Rätsel. Knobeleien zum Selbermachen is a valuable addition for RPG adventures of all genres, which causes the players to participate in an active game instead of throwing dices. Recommended, especially if you have a penchant for mental challenges like riddles and puzzles.

 With Ein Licht im Dunkeln (A Light in the Darkness), written by Haiko Hörning and drawn by Marius Palitza, the fantasy comic A House Divided (Carlsen Comics) is continued. The second book begins immediately after the events of the first, when Henrietta Achilles tries to stop the flood that threatens the town of Malrenard. Its origin is in the tower of her late uncle, the magician Ornun Zol. After some difficulties, Henrietta convinces Nate Fleming and Captain Boomer to cooperate, but both have their own agendas. Fleming and his gang are still looking for Zol´s treasure, whereas Boomer and his soldiers want to bring the rogues to justice. A dangerous dungeon crawl begins, where they encounter lots of enemies and obstacles. While Henrietta must also fight her nightmares, Fleming´s and Boomer´s cooperation is hampered by their common past during the war. In spite of all the dangers and quarrels, the unlikely allies are finally successful, but they pay a high price. Fleming is obviously killed, and his body flushed away. Just when Henrietta and both groups celebrate their success and mourn for the lost friend, a golem-like being awakes – to be continued. Ein Licht im Dunkeln offers a wonderful story full with suspense, deepens the characters as individuals, and offers many ideas for RPGs. Steampunk-like war machines, a fantasy version of a bazooka, magical beings like the Third Simulacrum, or an encounter with the vampire alchemist Moira Kettlebrew can be valuable additions for fantasy RPGs. Highly recommended for fans of fantasy comics and GMs looking for a fantasy world that is based on the early 19th century. The next volume with the title Die verlorene Tochter (The Lost Daugher) will be published in 2020. A cliffhanger finishes the book: we see a body lying on a dark river bank, who seems to be Fleming. When his eyes open, they glow bluish….

Since October 2017 Get Ready Publishing has released the issues no. 16 to 20 of the German cosplay magazine Cohaku. They deal with topics like embroidering, make-ups, hairstyles, or improving costumes but give also insights of the international cosplay community. Issue no. 16 includes an interview with the French cosplayer Cissy Cosplay about so-called blackfacing, which often causes accusations of racism. In issue no. 17 the fashion designer Ying Tze from Malaysia tells about the cosplay-community in her home country. Furthermore, an article about the German photographer and cosplay fan Miriam “Gemini” Sopart, who won in 2017 the Deutsche Cosplay Meisterschaft (German Cosplay Championship), gives a good impression of her photographic work. Issue no. 18 presents “Cosplay against Cancer”, a group of cosplay fans in Norway who assist aid organizations for cancer patients. An article about families with children as cosplayers is published in issue no. 19. It includes a checklist for what you need to take care for the kids. Issue no. 20 introduces the German cosplay-club Lawsman e.V., which supports charity organizations with donation collections or performances for children in hospitals. Imagine Judge Dredd and Judge Anderson asking for donations: “You have ten seconds to comply.” Numerous photos of cosplayers in their costumes give ideas for the appearance of RPG characters, and so Cohaku can also be recommended for RPG fans.

In time for the SPIEL ´18 the issue no. 1/2019 of the German magazine Kult! 60er, 70er, 80er (Cult! Sixties, Seventies, Eighties), published by Good Times, was available. Again it proved its usefulness for campaigns between 1960 and 1990 with articles about events, developments, trends, and fashions during these decades. For GMs this magazine is a valuable source for these years. As an example, the article “Süßes vom Kiosk” (Sweeties from the Kiosk) about the favorite sweets of children should be mentioned. “Mehr Freizeit durch Fertiggerichte” (More Leisure Time with Convenience Foods) deals with the increasing use of convenience foods since 1960. “Ein Troublemaker als Friedensstifter” (A Troublemaker as Peacemaker) gives an interesting insight into the TV show “Kung Fu” with David Carradine. With “Volvo” we get an overview of the popular cars produced by this Swedish company. “Interieur der 80er” (Interior of the Eighties) describes the popular trends of interiors in German households. “California Clan” deals with the popular US-soap opera, while “Als die Popmusik tragbar wurde” (When the Pop Music became portable”) shows the development from the portable radio to the personal stereo. “Nick der Weltraumfahrer (“Nick the Spacefarer”) is an homage of the famous German SF comic, which introduced many children to the science fiction genre. Reviews of non-fiction books about topics like cars, sport, actors, fashion, or popular trends allow GMs to find background material for campaigns between 1960 and 1990, while a timeline about the year 1978 has important events, which may also be used as ideas for adventures. With such information the GM can easily develop and equip a RPG settings during these decades. Besides, a canned soup is a diversion from the traditional pizza as food during the breaks.

From October 24th to 27th, 2019 the SPIEL ´19 will take place in Essen, Germany. If you want to visit it but need information about hotel rooms or other questions, please send a note to my e-mail-address: swashbuckler.fun@gmx.de.

Below you find the websites of the publishers, companies, comics and magazines, which were mentioned in the article:

You can order the games, books, comics, magazines and CDs at this game-store:

Buchhandlung Fantasy Reich

– c/o Peter den Hoet –

Wilhelminenstraße 17

D-24103 Kiel

Germany

The telephone- and fax-numbers of the store are: [Germany] 0431/9719370 and 0431/5878658. E-mails can be sent to: info@fantasyreich.net. Languages: German, English and Dutch. The homepage of the store you find here: http://www.fantasyreich.net/index.htm.

NEW MATERIAL

FROM BILL WALTON

Zambrano, J. R. (2019 March 26) D&D: A Girls’ Middle School D&D Is Making Headlines. www.belloflostsouls.net/2019/03/dd-a-girls-middle-school-dd-is-making-headlines.html. Ethan Schoonover’s Lake Washington Girls Middle School D&D group makes headlines again by owning the game.

FROM DAVID MILLIANS

FROM HAWKE ROBINSON

Robinson, Hawke (2019 ) Mother to child: “Those kinds of games kill people” (role-playing gamers) March 15, 2019. www.rpgresearch.com/blog/mother-to-child-those-kinds-of-people-kill-people-role-playing-gamers. Still experiencing regular confrontations about dangers of RPG play.

FROM JOHN BOARDMAN

  • Choi, Won Sang (2019 November 13) Make Video Games Safer. The New York Times. Protecting children from trolls in otherwise safe video games.
  • Poniewozik (2019 January 7) Donald Trump Doesn’t Get ‘Game of Thrones’. The New York Times, C2. Missing the meme.
  • Real, Jose A. Del (2019 December 31) A Beloved Latino Game Is Remade for Millennials. The New York Times, A12. Lotería clone for a new era.

FROM MIKE TRESCA

CONVENTIONS

New listings this month were provided by Paul Cardwell and Lou Zocchi. Others are urged to submit information. If you attend a convention, be sure and check the conventions table and let us have a copy of the fliers (or at very least the when, what, where, and contact information) for upcoming conventions available there. CAR-PGa is international, so this includes anywhere in the world.  

Dates, precise venue, contacts’ URLs or phone numbers, and other information, where missing from this list, would be particularly appreciated.  If we have missed any, send the information to plcardwell@gmail.com  Convention reviews should be sent to millians.david@paideiaschool.org

“[LARP]” means only LARP events as many RPG cons include at least some LARP, as likewise applies to the mention of specific game systems. The same bracketed information applies as well to game systems when the con will have only those games present.

In an attempt to get more face-to-face meetings of the membership, we list who will be going to what convention, if they will tell us. Lou Zocchi will be at Tupelo Con on May 4-5.  Get this type of information in at least two months before the convention itself, so we can run it at least once. Support your local cons by helping in the staff. It is a good way to promote RPG and you generally get in free for the brief time spent helping.  

A review of any attended convention afterwards for the Newsletter would be appreciated too. These reviews should include demographic data such as attendance, percentage male/female, white/ethnic minorities (or whatever is the majority/white/others), games in addition to tabletop RPG, and more subjective matters such as unusual events, quality of games and dealers’ room, encouragement of new gamers, and whatever seems worth reporting. We need to work to restore CAR-PGa’s reputation as the media’s go-to on gamer demographics, especially since the media are still citing a study that cut off all those over 35 – at a time when that was the median age of gamers – it is closer to 40 now – which indicates we also need to work on recruiting younger players, although some increase in college age players at conventions has been noted.

April 2019

  •  5-6: DayCon, Shelter Community Church, 1440 E Dorothy Ln, Kettering, OH; daycongaming.copm
  • 5-7: 221B Con, Atlanta Airport Marriott, 4711 Best Rd, Atlanta, GA; 221bcon.com [Sherlock Holmes]
  • 5-7: Conpulsion, Teviot Row Student Union, Bristol Square, Edingburgh; geas.rg.uk/conpulsion
  • 5-7: Gryphcon, University Centre, University of Guelph, 158-50 Stone Rd. E, Guelph, ON; gryphon.org 
  • 5-7: Heliosphere, Doubletree, Tarrytown, NY; heliosphereny.org 
  • 5-7: KawaiiKon, Hawaii Convention Center, 1801 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI; kawaiikon.com 
  • 5-7: Lexicon, Clarion Hotel, 1950 Newtown Pike, Lexington, KY; lexicongaming.com
  • 5-7: Nashicon. Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, Columbia, SC; nashicon.com
  • 5-7: Play, Viale Virgllio 58, Modena; play-modena.it 
  • 5-7: Protospiel, Best Western Plus, 5105 S Howell Ave, Milwaukee WI; protospiel-milwukee.org
  • 5-7: RavenCon, Doubletree, 50 Kingsmill Rd, Williamsburg, VA; ravencon.com
  • 6-7: Bookwyrm RPG Convention, Woodward Park Regional Library, Fresno, CA; fievent.com 
  • 5-7: FnordCon, TCEA, 3100 Alvin Devane Blvd, Austin, TX; sjgames.con
  • 6-7: Just a Game Con, Corvallis Elks Lodge, 1400 NW 9th St, Corvallis, OR; justagamecon.com 
  • 6-7: MAG Con, NCISD Annex, 21569 US 59, New Caney (Houston area), TX; magcon.org
  • 6-7: Seven Hills, Garrison Hotel, 635 Penistone Rd, Sheffield, S Yorks; 7hills.org.uk 
  • 6-7: Uncon, Heart Centre, St Georges School, 9ll Westwood Rd, Broadstairs, Kent; aatboard.co.uk 
  • 7: Board Games at Berkeley, Pauley Ballroom, 2495Berkeley, CA; facebook.com/Board-Games-at-Berkeley-Convention
  • 11-14: DevaCon, Crowne Plaza, Trinity St, Chester; devaconblog.wordpress.com
  • 11-14: Ambercon, Embassy Suites Detroit-Livonia, 19525 Victor Pkwy, Livonia, MI; ambercon.com [Amber diceless only]
  • 11-14: Tekko, Lawrence Conventioner, Pittsburgh, PA; teamtekko.us 
  • 12-14: CodCon, Turner Conference Center, College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL; codcon.com
  • 12-14: CyPhaCon, Lake Charles Civic Center, Lake Charles, LA; cyphacon.org 
  • 12-14: JohnCon, Levering Hall, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD: pages.jh.edu/johncon
  • 12-14: Midwest Gaming Classic, Wisconsin Center, Milwaukee, WI; midwestgamingclassic.com
  • 12-14: Pretzcon, Ralston Arena, 72nd & Q, Omaha NE; pretzcon.org
  • 13-14: Flower City Comic Con, Blue Cross Arena, Rochester, NY; fceroc.com 
  • 13-14: LuxCon, Forum Geeseknäpchen, Luxemburg; luxcon.lu
  • 17-21: The Gathering, Vikingskipet, Hamar, Norway; gathering.org
  • 17-22: Fastaval, Mariagerfjord Gymnasium, Amerikavej 5, Hobro, Aarhus; fastaval.dk 
  • 18-21: Frolicon, Sheraton Atlanta Downtown, Atlanta, GA; frolicon.com 
  • 18-21: Norwescon, Doubletree Seattle Airport, 18740 International Blvd, SeaTac, WA; norwescon.org 
  • 18-22: Swancon, Esplanade Hotel,46-54 Marine Terrace, Fremantle, WA; swancon.com.au
  • 9-21: Anime Boston, Hynes Convention Center, Boston, MA; animeboston.com 
  • 19-21: Conglomeration, Crowne Plaza, 830 Phillips Ln, Louisville, KY; conglomeration.info
  • 19-21: Follycon/Eastercon, Park Inn, Heathrow, London; eastercon.org 
  • 19-21: GothCon, äldsta spelknvent, Göteborg; gothcon.se 
  • 19-21: MTAC, Sheraton Music City, Nashville, TN; 10times.com/mtac
  • 19-21: Sakura-Con, Washington State Convention Center, Seattle, WA; sakuracon.org 
  • 19-21: Swordcraft Quest, Western Oval, Park St, Melbourne, Vic; swordcraft.com.au [LARP]
  • 19-22: Conquest, Melbourne High School, Forest St, South Yarra, Melbourne, Vic; conquest.asn.au 
  • 19-22: EyeCon, St Scolastica’s College 4 avenjuwe Rd, Glebe, NSW; sydcon.info
  • 19-22: Insomnia; NRC, Birmingham; insomniagamingfestival.co
  • 20: Cheyenne Gaming Convention, Red Lion Inn, Cheyenne, WY; cheyennegamingconvention.com 
  • 20-21: Metucon, Middle East Technical University, Ankara; metucon.org
  • 20-21: MiniCon I, University of Canterbury, Christchurch; saga.org.nz
  • 25-28: Calgary Expo, Calgary Stapede Park, Calgary, AB; calgaryexpo.com
  • 25-28: Ice & Fire, Deer Creek State Park Lodge, Mt. Sterling, OH; iceandfirecon.com 
  • 25-28: Nordic Game Jam, KADK, Copenhaven; nordicgamejam.com 
  • 25-28: Recon, Park Inn Conference Center, Orlando, FL; hmgs-south.com  [miniature wargaming] 
  • 26-28: Awesome Con, Washington Convention Center, 801 Mt Vernon Pl, Washington, DC; awesome-con.com 
  • 26-28: Cape Comic Con, Osage Center, 1625 N Kingshighway, Cape Giradieu, MO; cape-con.com
  • 26-28 Causeacon, Raleigh County Convention Center, Beckley, WV; causeacon.com 
  • 26-28: Constellation, Cornhusker Hotel, 333 S 13th St, Lincoln, NE: constelationne.net 
  • 26-28: Conventus Leonis, Lomder- und Jugendzentrukm Mühlel Brauunmchweig; conventusleonis.de
  • 26-28: Farmegeddon, Farmer City American Legion, Stensel Dr, Farmer City, IL; farmegeddon137.com
  • 26-28: Gaming Hoopla, Doubletree, 510 E IL Route 83, Mundelein, IL; gaminghoopla.com
  • 26-28: Gojotekicon, Holiday Inn Express, 1392 Enterprise Pkwy, Ashland, OH; gojotekicon.com 
  • 26-28: Hydra, Brookfield Scout Camp, Rd 1 562 Moore Valley Rd., Wainuiomata, Wellington, NZ; hydra-larps-nz [LARP] 
  • 26-28: JordanCon, Crowne Plaza Atlanta, Perimeter Center Pkwy at Ravinia, Atlanta, GA; jordancon.org
  • 26-28: Koboldcon, Chapel Hills Event Center, 1710 Briargate Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO; koboldcon.com
  • 26-28: Oz-Con, West Plains Civic Center, 110 St. Louis St, West Plains, MO; oz-con.com 
  • 26-28: Pyrkon, Miedzynardowe Targi, Poznan, Poland; pyrkon.pl
  • 26-28; Starfest, Marriott DTC, 4900 S Syracuse St, Denver, CO; starfestdenver.com 
  • 27: ConTroll, Dorchester Corn Exchange, North Square, Dorchester, Dorset; havedice.org.uk 
  • 27: Spiel mit den Wölfen, Stadtmission Wolfsburg, Mühlenpfad 2, Wolfsburg; spiel-mit-den-wölfen.de
  • 27-28: FanCon, International Convention Centre, Cape Town, SA; fancon.co.za [some LARP]
  • 27-28: Gem City Comic Con, Dayton Convention Center, Dayton, OH; gemcitycomiccon.com 

May 2019

  • 3-5: 1d4Con, Clarion Inn, Shepherdstow, WV; 1d4con.com
  • 3-5: Austicon, Austin National Guard Armory, Austin, MN; austicon.com 
  • 3-5: ChupacabraCon, Wingate Hotel, 1209 N IH 35 North, Round Rock, TX; chupacabracon.com 
  • 3-5: ConTRAPtion, Chatsworth Hotel, Worthing, W.Sussex; warhorn.net/events/contraption-2019
  • 3-5: Crypticon, Doubletree, 18740 International Blvd, Seattle, WA; crypticonseattle.com  [horror] 
  • 3-5: D8 Summit, Grand Bear Resort, 2843 Il Rt 178. Great Bear, Morth Itica. IL; tabletop.events/conventions/2019-d8-summit
  • 3-5: Demicon, Holiday Inn Northwest, 4800 Meroe Hay Rd, Des Moines, IA; demicon.org 
  • 3-5: Dream Con, Waco Convention Center, Waco, TX; dreaamc0nvention.com     
  • 3-5: Fan Expo Dallas, Dallas Convention Center, Dallas, TX; fanexpodallas.com 
  • 3-5: FragCon, Regina Senior Citizen’s Centre, 2134 Winnipeg St, Regina, SK; saskgames.com
  • 3-5: Penguicon, Westin Southfield Detroit, 1599 Town Center, Southfield, MI; pinguicon.org 
  • 3-5: Wholanta, Hilton Atlanta Airport, Atlanta, GA; wholanta.com 
  • 4-5: Emporium of the Weird, Oddmall, Akron, OH; oddmall.info/ohio/ [Free Admission]
  • 4-5: IzmirCon, Tepekule Kongre Merkezi, Izmir, Turkey; izmircon.org 
  • 4-5: Tupelo Comic Con, Tupelo Furniture Mart, Bldg 5, 1879 Coley Rd, Tupelo, MS; tupelo.net/events/tupelo-comic-con
  • 9-13: Furry Atlanta, Marriott Marquis, Atlanta, GA; furryweekend.com
  • 10-11: North Star, Garrison Hotel, 645 Penistone Rd, Sheffield, S Yorks; northstarcon.org.uk
  • 10-12: Comicpalooza, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX; comicpalooza.com
  • 10-12: Marcon, Crowne Plaza Columbus North, Worthington, OH; marcon.org 
  • 10-12: Outlantacon/Gaylaxicon, Renaissance Concourse Atlanta Airport, Atlanta, GA; outlantacon.org 
  • 10-12: San Marino Game Convention, Palace Hotel, San Marino; sanmarinogame.com 
  • 10-12: Sferakon, Faculty of Electrical Engineering & Computing, Unska 3, Zagreb, Croatia; sferakon.org 
  • 10-12: Triway Peak, Glenbarr Historic House, Paris Creek Rd, Stratalbyn, SA; arc-adelaide.com.au [LARP]
  • 10-12: VisionCon, Springfield Expo Center, Springfield, MO; visioncon.net 
  • 10-14: Historicon, Lancaster County Convention Center, 25 S Queen St, Lancaster, PAk hmgs.org  [mainly miniture wargaming] 
  • 11-12: North Star, Garrison Hotel, 635 Penistone Rd, Sheffield; northstarcon.org.uk  [sf rpg]
  • 12: UniCon Lithuania, Kongresy rumai, Vinius, LI; unicon.lv 
  • 13-16: Wizard World Comic Con Philadelphia, Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA; wizardworld.com 
  • 15-18: Manticopn, Starkenburgwegg 53, Hepperheim; manticon.de 
  • 16-19: Geekway to the West, St. Charles Convention Center, St. Charles, MO; geekwaytothewest.com 
  • 16-19: MegaCon, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL; megaconorlando.com
  • 17-19: Anime Central, Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, IL; acen.org 
  • 17-19: CanGames, Rideau Curling Club, Lisgar and Percy, Ottawa; cangames.ca
  • 17-19: Huzzah!, Doubletree, 363 Maine Mall Rd, South Portland, ME; huzzahcon.com  [mainly wargaming]
  • 17-19: Keycon, Radisson Hotel, 288 Portage Ave, Winnipeg, MB; keycon.org 
  • 17-19: Motor City ComicCon, Suburban Collection Showplace, 46100 Grand River Ave, Novi, MI; motorcitycomiccon.com 
  • 17-19: SpieleWahnsinn, Kulturzentrum, Herne; http://www.kulturzentrum-herne.de/events/spielewahnsinn-17-5-19-5-2019
  • 18-19: Beer & Pretzels Games Weekend, Town Hall, King Edwards Place, Burton on Trent; spiritgames.co.uk 
  • 18-19: MSP Comicon, MN State Fairgrounds, 1265 Snelling Ave, St. Paul, MN; mcbacomicons.com 
  • 18-19: Tidewater Comicon, Virginia Beach Convention Center, Virginia Beach, VA; tidewatercomiccon.com 
  • 23-26: Anime North, Toronto Congress Centre, 650 Dixon Rd, Etobicoke, ON; animenorth.com 
  • 23-26: Core Con, Ramada, Fargo, ND; fargocorecon.org 
  • 23-26: Momocon, Georgia World Congress Center, 285 Andrew Young International Blvd, Atlanta, GA; momocon.com 
  • 23-26: Phoenix Fan Fusion, Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix, AZ; phoenixcomicomicon.com 
  • nexusgamefair.com 
  • 23-27: Atlanta Game Fest, Atlanta Marriott Alpharetta, atlantagamefest.com
  • 23-27: KublaCon, Crowne Plaza, San Francisco Airport, 1177 Airport Blvd, Burlingame, CA; kublacon.com
  • 24-26: Bad Nauheim Spielt, Badehäusern, Bad Nauheim; bad-nauheim-spielt.chayns.net
  • 24-26: Cherry Capital Comic Con (C4), Grand Traverse Resort, 100 Grand Traverse Village Blvd, Traverse City, MI; cherrycapitalcon.com 
  • 24-26: ConQuesT, Sheraton Kansas City at Crown Center, Kansas City, MO; conquestkc.org 
  • 24-26: Mobicon, Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel, Mobile, AL; mobilecomiccon.org
  • 24-26: UnderCon, Sheraton Crown Center, Kansas City, MO; undercongaming.com
  • 24-27: Balticon, Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace, 202 E. Pratt St, Baltimore, MD; balticon.org 
  • 24-27: BayCon, San Mateo Marriott San Franscisco Airport, 1770 S Amphlett Blvd, San Mateo, CA; baycon.org 
  • 24-27: BGG Spring, Hyatt Regency DFW Airport, 2334 N International Pkwy, DFW Airport, TX; boardgamegeek.com 
  • 24-27: Gamex, Hilton Los Angeles Airport, 5711 W. Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA; strategicon.net 
  • 24-27: MediaWestCon, Ramada Inn, 7501 Saganaw Hwy, Lansing, MI; mediawestcon.org 
  • 24-27: Miscon, Holliday Inn Missoula Downtown, Missoula, OR; miscon.org
  • 24-27: Gamex, Hilton Los Angeles Airport, 5711 W. Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA; strategicon.net 
  • 24-27: MediaWestCon, Ramada Inn, 7501 Saganaw Hwy, Lansing, MI; mediawestcon.org 
  • 24-27: Miscon, Holliday Inn Missoula Downtown, Missoula, OR; miscon.org 
  • 24-27: Paizocon, Doubletree Seattle Airport, 18740 International Blvd, Seattle, WA; paizo.com/paizocon 
  • 29-June 2: LinCon, Linköpings Universitet, Linköping, Sweden; lincon.se 
  • 30-June 2: Colossalcon, Kalahari Resort, 7000 Kalahari Dr, Sandusky, OH; colossalcon.com 
  • 30-June 2: Nexus Game Fair, Sheraton Milwaukee Brookfield, Milwaukee, WI; nexusgamefair.com 
  • 31-June 1: Hamburger Spieletage, Hamburg Haus Eimsbüttel, Doormannsweg 12, Hamburg; hamburger-spieletage.de 
  • 31-June 3: Buckets of dice, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand; saga.org.nz 
  • 31-June 2: ConCarolinas, Embassy Suites, 5400 Hammons Dr. NW, Concord, NC; concarolinas.org 
  • 31-June 2: Denver Comic Con, Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St, Denver, CO; denvercomiccon.com 
  • 31-June 2: Furry Down Under, Mantra on View, 22 View Ave, Surfers Paradise, QL; frdu.com.au
  • 31-June 2: LibertyCon, Read House, 107 W MLK Blvd, Chattanooga, TN; libertycon.org 
  • 31-June 2: UK Game Expo, National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, W.Mid; ukgamesexpo.co.uk 
  • 31-June 3: Buckets of Dic, University of Canterbury, Christchurch; saga.org.nz
  • 31-June 3: Geysercon, Holiday Inn Rotorua, Tryon St, Rotorua; geyscon.nz

June 2019

  • 1-2: Die Con, Gateway Convention Center, Edwardsville, IL; diecon.com 
  • 1-2: Marble City Comiccon, Knoxville Convention Center, Knoxville, TN; marblecitycomiccon.com
  • 7-9: Niagara Falls Comic Con, Scotia Bank Convention Centre, 6815 Stanley Ave, Niagara Falls, ON; niagrafallscomiccon.com 
  • 1: HickoryCon, Hickory Metro Convention Center, 1960 13th Ave. SE; Hickory, NC; hickorycon.com 
  • 1-2: Evergreen Tabletop Expo, Seattle Center, Seattle, WA; etxwa.com
  • 1-2: Wellycon, Wellington Girls College, Thoerndon, Wellington, New Zealand; wellycon.org.nz 
  • 5-7: In Con Junction, Indianapolis Marriott East, Indianapolis, IN; inconjunction.org
  • 6-9: North Texas RPG Con, Westin DFW Airport, 4545 W Carpenter Fwy, Irving, TX; ntrpgcon.com 
  • 7-9: OMGcon, Owensboro Convention Center, Owensboro, KY; omgcon.com 
  • 7-9: Soonercon, Embassy Suites, Norman, OK; soonercon.com 
  • 7-10: Continuum, Ether Conference Center, 265 Little Bourke St, Melbourne, Vic; contuum.org.au 
  • 7-10: Eternal Convention, Castle Stahleck, Bacharach; eternal-con.de 
  • 8: SWFL SpaceCon, Lee Civic Center Arena, 1831 Bayshore Rd, North Ft. Myers, FL; swflsacecon.com 
  • 12-16: Origins, Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, OH; originsgamefair.com 
  • 13-16: Anime Matsui, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX; animematsuri.com 
  • 13-16: Philadelphia Comic Con, Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA; wizardworld.com 
  • 14-16: ConDamned, Cafe 2 Klavern, De Clercq Str 136, Amsterdam; condamned.nl 
  • 14-16: NordCon, Schule beim Pachthof, beim Pachthof 15, Hamburg-Horn; nordcon.de 
  • 14-16: PrairieCon, Assiniboin Community College, 1430 Victoria Ave. E, Brandon, MB; prairiecon.com 
  • 14-16: SaltCon Summer, Davis Conference Center, Layton, UT; saltcon.com
  • 21-22: Augusta Toy and Comic Show, Doubletree, 2651 Perimeter Pkwy, Augusta, GA; augustatoyandcomicshow.com
  • 21-22: Pure Speculation, Alberta Ave Community Hall, 9210 118 Ave, Edmonton, AB; purespec.org 
  • 21-23: Magic City Con, Hyatt Regency, Birmingham, AL; magiccitycon.com
  • 21-23: PolyCon, University Union, California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, CA; polycon.org 
  • 21-23: Too Many Games, Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, Oaks, PA; toomanygames.com 
  • 26-28: iGBL, Clayton Hotel, Cork City, Co. Cork, Ireland; igbl-conference.com [game-based learning]
  • 27-29: Salt Lake Gaming Con, Salt Palace Convention Center Center, Salt Lake City, UT: saltlakegamingcon.com 
  • 27-30: A-Kon, TBA, Dallas, TX; a-kon.com 
  • 27-30: PortConMaine, Doubletree Hotel, Maine Mall Rd, South Portland, ME; portconmaine.com 
  • 27-30: RPC: Köln Messe, Messerplatz 1, Köln; rpcgermany.de
  • 28-30: Animaritime, Fredericton Convention Centre, Fredericton, NB; animeritime.org
  • 28-30: Ragecon, Circus circus, Reno, NV; ragecon.com 
  • 29-30: Rob-Con, MeadowView Convention Center, 19001 Meadowview Pkwy, Kingsport, TN; robcon.org

July 2019

  • 3-7: Dexcon, Morristown Hyatt, Morristown, NJ; dexposure.com 
  • 3-7: Dice Tower Con, Caribe Royle, 8101 World Center Dr, Orlando, FL; eventbrite.com  
  • 4-7: Florida Supercon, Miami Beach Convention Center, 1901 Convention Center Dr, Miami, FL; floridasupercon.com 
  • 4-7: Western, Davis Conference Center, Layton, UT; fantasycons.com
  • 5-7: Go Play NW, Campion Hall, Seattle University, Seattle, WA; goplaynw.org 
  • 5-7: Hypericon, Clarion Inn, 2227 Old Fort Pkwy, Murfreesboro, TN; hypericon.net
  • 5-7: Milwaukee Summer Revel, Sheraton Brookfield, 375 S. Moorland Rd, Brookfield, WI; coldironconventions.com 
  • 5-7: Summer Stabcon, Britannia Hotel, Stockport; stabcon.org.uk 
  • 6-7: MiniCon II, University of Canterbury, Christchurch; saga.org.nz 
  • 10-14: Historicon, Lancaster Convention Center, 2300 Lincoln Hwy E, Lancaster, PA; historicon.org [wargaming] 
  • 10-21: Festival Ludique International de Parthenay, all over Parthenay; jeux-festival.com 
  • 11-14: Connecticon, Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford, CT; connecticon.org 
  • 12-14: Ad Astra, Sheraton Parkway North, 600 Hwy 7, Richmond Hill, ON; ad-astra.org 
  • 12-14: AnimeIowa, Iowa Event Center, Des Moines, IA; animeiowa.com
  • 12-14: CharCon, Clay Center, Charleston, WV; charcon.org 
  • 12-14: Con-gregate, Red Lion, High Point, NC; con-gregate.com 
  • 12-14: Dokidokon, Radisson Plaza, 100 W Michigan, Kalamazoo, MI; dokidokon.org 
  • 12-14: Kitsunecon, Ki Convention Center, 333 Main St, Green Bay, WI; kitsunecon.com 
  • 12-14: Southern-Fried Gaming Expo, Marriott Renaissance Waverly, Atlanta GA; southernfriedgameroomexpo.com
  • 12-14: Tokyo in Tulsa, Tulsa Convention Center, Tulsa, OK; tokyointulsa.com 
  • 13-19: GACUCon Game Cruise. Hialeah Gardens Holiday Inn and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
  • 15-19: GaCuCon The Gamer Cruise, Carnival, Miami, FL; gacucon.com 
  • 18-21: Comic-Con International, San Diego Convention Center, 111 Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA; comic-con.org 
  • 19-21: Berlin Brettspiel Con, Station Berlin, Luckenwalder Str 4-6, Berlin;  hunterundcron.de 
  • 19-21: KantCon, Overland Park Convention Center, 6000 College Bvd, Overland Park, KS; kantcon.com 
  • 19-21: Open Gaming Convention, Holiday Inn, Northeastern Blvd, Nashua, NH; opengamingconvention.com 
  • 19-21: TwisteeLordsCon, Reed Conference Center, 5750 Will Rogers Rd, MidWest City, OK; twistedlordscon.com 
  • 20-21: Feencon, Stadthalle Bonn, Bad Godesberg, Bonn; feencon.de 
  • 20-21: Wintercon, Fitzroy Pavillion, Canberra, ACT; cgs.asn.au 
  • 20-24: GaCuCon The Gamer Cruise, Carnival, Miami, FL; gacucon.com 
  • 23-28: DrachenFest, Auf dem Quast, Diemelstadt; drachenfest.info [boffer LARP]    
  • 26-27: WyvaCon, Wythevile Community College, 1000 E Main St, Wytheville, VA; wyvacon.com 
  • 20-28: World Boardgaming Championships, Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Campion, PA; boardgamers.org 
  • 26-28: Conbravo!, Hamilton Convention Centre, 1 Summers Ln, Hamilton. ON; conbravo.com 
  • 26-28: Flying Buffalo’s T&T Con, Hotel Valley Ho, Scottsdale, AZ; flyingbuffalo.com 
  • 26-28: Mechacon, Hyatt Regency Downtown, 601 Loyola Ave, New Orleans, LA; mechacon.com 
  • 26-28: NJ Gamer Con, Crowne  Plaza, 2349 Mariton Pike W, Cherry Hill, NJ; njgamercon.com 
  • 26-28: Ropecon, Helsingin Messukeskuksessa, Helsinki, Finland; ropecon.fi 
  • 27-28; Galacon, Forum am Schlosspark, Stuttgarter Str. 33, Ludwigsburg; galacon.eu

© Copyright 2019 by the Committee for the Advancement of Role-Playing Games (CAR-PGa), ISSN 1071 7129. The CAR-PGa Newsletter is a monthly publication. For more information contact David Millians, Editor, Paideia School, 1509 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia 30307 USA, phone (404) 808-1070, fax (404) 377-3491, e-mail millians.david@paideiaschool.org. Back issues are available. Contributions of material from the membership are urged, and the byline is responsible for content. Deadline is the last weekday of the month, email preferred. Permission is granted to copy anything in the Newsletter, provided we get a credit line in the publication copying it, and it doesn’t have someone else’s copyright on it. Information, including details on joining CAR-PGa, can be obtained on the Internet at car-pga.org.