This was the sixth year of this Bay Area gaming convention, organized by Sean Nittner. The big changes for this year were a new location in Walnut Creek rather than Oakland, and the addition of teen-friendly games - where before the convention was strictly 18+. This is a strictly role-playing convention - all tabletop RPGs, larps, and panels. However, there were a number of of card games and board games being played in the open gaming area. There was also a small dealer's area.
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Some scheduled RPGs were in conference rooms, while many were in private rooms.
Date/Time: Fri Oct 14, 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Format: RPG
GM: Steve Segedy
System: Night Witches
Variations: Powered by the Apocalypse
Maturity: Adult Themes
Safety Tools: X-card, Open Door policy
Players: 4
Game Length: 4 hours
Characters: Created at the table
Description:
There was a night bomber regiment in World War Two composed entirely of women. Natural-born Soviet airwomen.These 200 women and girls, flying outdated biplanes from open fields near the front lines, attacked the invading German forces every night for 1,100 consecutive nights. When they ran out of bombs they dropped railroad ties.
To each other they were sisters, with bonds forged in blood and terror. To the Red Army Air Force they were an infuriating feminist sideshow. To the Germans they were simply Nachthexen—Night Witches.
Night Witches is a tabletop role-playing game about women at war. As a member of the 588th Night Bomber Regiment, you’ll answer the call of your Motherland in her darkest hour. Can you do your duty and strike blow after blow against the Fascists? Can you overcome discrimination and outright sabotage and rise above your sexist comrades? Are there limits to patriotism—or endurance? Play Night Witches and find out!
Game tags: Collaborative, Drama, Military, Play to find out, Serious, Sex and Sexuality, tragic horror night bombing, real history, secret love, Mother Russia!
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Date/Time: Fri Oct 14, 8:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Format: RPG Teens
GM: John Kim
System: Fate Accelerated
Safety Tools: X-card, Open Door policy
Spaces: 1 of 6
Characters: Provided
Description:
There were many droids who helped in the Rebellion. Some were reprogrammed to help, but some, like you, went beyond their directives to actively support the fight. After your hidden base was wiped out, you fought behind the scenes to cut off Imperial resupply. Now that the Rebellion has won, you are returning to the capital to connect with the New Republic.
This is a game celebrating the often-unsung heroes of Star Wars, with fun action as well as role-playing dilemmas, for all ages.
Game tags: Adventure, Drama, Emotional, Intrigue, Play to find out, Sci-Fi, Star Wars
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Date/Time: Sat Oct 15, 8:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Format: RPG Teens
GM: John Kim
System: Monster of the Week
Safety Tools: X-card, Open Door policy
Spaces: 3 of 5
Characters: Provided
Description:
From the co-creator of Spirit of 77 comes a new RPG about simply dreadful people in a terrible setting – “Bedlam Hall”. As the servants to the Blackwood Family, you are charged with little Mathilda’s birthday party but the little one’s…. not quite right. All levels of experience are welcome, although player discretion is advised due to some of the themes. Find out more at www.monkeyfunstudios.com.
Game tags: Comical, Dark, Graphic Violence, Play to find out, Potentially triggering*, Provocative, tragic horror
This was a playtest of Bedlam Hall, an upcoming game using a Powered-by-the-Apocalypse system. In genre, it is an interesting mix of unspecified Victorian English horror along with stories of servants in manor houses including Downton Abbey along with Jeeves & Wooster (?). The character playbooks were all based on the position among the servants - butler, cook, valet, maid, chauffeur, etc.
Date/Time: Sat Oct 15, 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Format: RPG Teens
GM: John Kim
System: Fate Accelerated
Safety Tools: X-card, Open Door policy
Spaces: 3 of 6
Characters: Provided
Description:
There were many droids who helped in the Rebellion. Some were reprogrammed to help, but some, like you, went beyond their directives to actively support the fight. After your hidden base was wiped out, you fought behind the scenes to cut off Imperial resupply. Now that the Rebellion has won, you are returning to the capital to connect with the New Republic.
This is a game celebrating the often-unsung heroes of Star Wars, with fun action as well as role-playing dilemmas, for all ages.
Game tags: Adventure, Drama, Emotional, Intrigue, Play to find out, Sci-Fi, Star Wars
I was more satisfied with this run of the scenario. I made more use of index cards for conditions and clues, and I generated a few more twists for them to run down. Interestingly, in this one they wiped clean their first clue by re-erasing poor 99's memory, and never went to the police to track down how the memory wipe happened. So I instead gave them the list of three contacts that 99 had originally mentioned.
Date/Time: Sat Oct 15, 8:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Format: RPG Teens
GM: John Kim
System: Monster of the Week
Safety Tools: X-card, Open Door policy
Spaces: 3 of 5
Characters: Provided
Description:
Game tags: Adventure, Drama, Emotional, Intrigue, Play to find out, Sci-Fi, Star Wars
This was .... Paradise Grove.
Date/Time: Sun Oct 15, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Format: Panel
GM: Karen Twelves
System: Workshop
Spaces: 1 of 10
Description:
Improv for Gamers is back with a brand new workshop!
As a gamer you may have heard that improv is closely tied to role-playing, especially in narrative-based games. It’s true! Improv theater uses many skills that can be applied to gaming to make your game rock for both players and GMs.
In our newest, third workshop in the series, we will be exploring skills that are applicable to larping such as status, relationships, managing scenes with 3+ people, and working with invisible objects.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Improv and/or larping experience is strongly recommended. This workshop is for people who are comfortable being in the spotlight and familiar with improv basics.
This workshop involves both standing and physical movement, though can be modified as needed in the moment. Please wear comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water.
Game tags: Collaborative, Comical, Drama, Explosions, Light, Play to find out
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In all, a terrific con and one that I will continue to attend in the future.