The Gaelcon Experience

hedgetrimmer

My friends and fellow gamers

As you know I have been given the honour of directing this year's Gaelcon, to be held in Clontarf Castle on October 26th – 28th. At a recent committee meeting, we discussed what made Gaelcon special for each of us in years we attended, and how we could capture that magic again. There seemed to be a thrust towards more fun games (anyone remember Celebrity twister?), more participation tables, better access to a games library, and people about to say hello and making sure you had a good time.

Then it struck us that the best people to ask are you, the attendees, without whom Gaelcon would cease to exist. Therefore, this is a two-fold request. Firstly, I would ask that if you do have any "Gaelcon Magic Moments" that you submit them either to myself or info@gaelcon.com.

Secondly, if you have any suggestions on how we should run events, what events you would like to see, or anything about Gaelcon you like/ dislike/ would like to see changed. You have my guarantee that any and all suggestions will be given due time and discussion. Consider it a chance to have YOUR input into YOUR convention.

I shouls also remind those interested that we are approaching submission deadlines for RPGs, LARPs, and Special Events. Details are available on the website, www.gaelcon.com, but watch this space for further mails from the respective co-ordinators

Thank you for your time and see you all in October

Colm Lundberg
Director Gaelcon 2002

[Hobbes.. too many stickies]

Originally posted by hedgetrimmer
Hi all

It has been brought to the committee's attention (thank Paul Anthony Shortt) that there is an error in the Gaelcon timetable on the flyers appearing at all your local games stores. It states that the afternoon games begin at 2pm. This is of course an error, as this would leave you no break in between games

Afternoon events begin at 3pm on Saturday, and 3.30pm on Sunday and Monday afternoon respectively. Please accept our apologies for the confusion and any inconvenience caused. Further, please refer to our regularly updated site at http://www.gaelcon.com/gaelcon2002/index2.php (www dot gaelcon dot com), which also contains the updated timetable

Thanks again and see you there

Colm Lundberg
Gaelcon Director 2002

DeVore

*sniff* gives me a warm feeling all over...


DeVore (Ex con director and founding member )

Rev Hellfire

run for the hills devores found the rpg board !

hedgetrimmer

Back when I was just an ickle kid, Devore... like years and years and years and years ago.... ;-)

but don't worry, it's all going swimmingly... hope to see you there!

DeVore

I've only ever missed one Gaelcon, last years one, as I was unavoidably in Boston at the time.

I'll be there this year, no fear!

DeV.

hedgetrimmer

pshaw!
Being in a foreign country is no excuse!

Look forward to having you there... as long as you pay in, of course

Borzoi

So when is the flyer out?

hedgetrimmer

There was a small run of flyers at Q-con, but in order to finalise the timetable ith as much accuracy as we can muster, a flyer V2.0 needs to be prepared. Hopefully this will be out on the streets, in the shops, etc no later that Sunday Week.

Also, if you check out www.gaelcon.com, you will find the timetable, blurbs and relevant details posted there.

Thanks for your interest and hopefully the above information is helpful

Colm
Gaelcon Director 2002

Nevyn

any chance of intro sessions at gealcon for those poor lost whos who may have wished to Rpg but have no one to set thier feet upon the path. There was not that many taking part last year.
A D&D 101 session maybe ?

hedgetrimmer

Heya Thead

Well, I am happy to inform you that this year we will have a team of staff devoted to introducing gamers to new hobbyists, from baordgames to roleplaying, with plenty of associated introductory games.

Also, we are delighted to have Living Greyhawk with us this year[URL=http://]http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=lg[/URL]

who will be running introductory D&D games throughout the weekend, introducing player old and new to the exciting storyline of Living Greyhawk, described in the programme as follows:

"A living Dungeons and Dragons realm. One where the histories are written by those who know it best, the players. In the land of Onwal great deeds must be forged from Ore and war, for parley brings only death. Create a character, join your comrades, and blaze a path of glory across the lands."

If you require any more additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@gaelcon.com

Thanks!
Colm Lundberg
Gaelcon Director 2002

Nevyn

Great for not all hobbies have a bouncy staff in red tops to teach them and it will be ' nice ' to have some one there to have a word or two about D&D 3rd ed.


It also means that the lucky few I have enticed and corrupted with rpgs will have no excuses not to attend.

' Living Greyhawk ' Hmmm well at least they dropped the daft idea of trying to merge Forgotten Realms and Greyhawk worlds.

Just hope you picked your staff for the team with TLC dont want them treating the rpg virgins too roughly thier first time.

hedgetrimmer

The team will be led by the able-bodied Sal Roche, who is as welcoming to eh hobby as anyone I know, and very much in agreement with me that the good word should be spread as ergonomically in as welcoming a fashion as possible.

Make yourselves known to us/ me at the Front Registration desk on the day and we can lead you into the wonderful world of gaming, and direct your questions to those hobbyists in a position to answer best

Please don't hesitate with any more queries

Cheers

mirv

How about dice-untainted souls wanting to try role-playing out?

I've never played D&D or any other RPG game off the computer, but I'd like to try it at Gaelcon. How should I go about trying to get started if none of my friends are into RPGs themselves?

jaarius

a couple of years ago a guy threw up and bled on me... i could honestly do without that again.

i do like gaelcon i have been going for the last 5 or 6 years and i should be there this years again. im glad colm to see you not using the old "gaelcon... irelands premiere gaming event" line in you posts. while it might be true and all its pretentious and just a bit silly. i havnt been to the web site but no doubt it will be there, ugh!

i just went to the web site and it wasnt there, HURRAH!

word on the street be that fibbers in no longer metal friendly? be this so? if so? why so? and where shall we go?

in clontarf, i didnt know where anything was... barring wargames and cards (but they are pretty visual) it wasnt until i met up with friends did i find out where the larps were on. now i could have asked somebody but that kind of spoils the walk up and play idea.

any special events planned for this year? sumo suit fighting would be could and entry money could go to charity!

on that point. the year gaelcon was in the burlington there was a video outlining what was done with the money. i think you guys should try and do that again. not because i dont trust you i just thought it was good and made me spend more than i should.

just a few thoughts

jaz?

hedgetrimmer

Lots of things to reply to.

Firstly, Living Greyhawk will be at gaelcon - they're launching an interactive Role-play world for AD&D, which will be exclusively informed by Irish gamers, i.e. what happens in the official scenarios at Irish cons will happen in the AD&D plot for this part of the world. As such, they are running introductory sessions of D&D 3E for those of you who have never played but wish to, as well as those who want an introduction into the world.

Secondly, I hope I am never protentious :-) There will be lots of Special Events at Gaelcon this year, all of which are included on the Events link of the Section. Sadly, Sumo suits are out, as that would necessitate us using part of the car park, which the hotel wouldn't be happy about us doing. All other events are listed and detailed in this section too. There is also a section on larps and rpgs.

http://www.gaelcon.com/gaelcon2002/events.php

Regarding Charity Stuff, yes I am preparing a powerpoint presentation to show before the auction, including photos and the like. So, one step ahead of you jaarius :-) Just waiting on permissions for some of the photos to filter back

Thanks for your comments

Incidentally, anyone know how to change my email notification address? Got a new work addy

Cheers

Colm Lundberg
Gaelcon Director 2002

Lemming

I shall be there. Never missed a Gaelcon since I first attended at the tender age of 14 in 1992. Went on the bank holiday monday and met some people whom would become VERY good friends of mine ever since in the Q outside at 9am

Just look for the stressed out national-wargames-tournament G.M.

Nevyn

Mirv any of the gms i have played with are great as getting you settled and never let the game mechaincs ( ie what dice and when ) stop the the flow of the game. Last year i palyed rpg system that i had never done before and played one i had not in years and the gm easied me through it .

So just turn up and refuse to be intimidated lol

Sure I'll be there , with my lil red docs come make sure you say Hi

hedgetrimmer

Lil Red docs?

You guys should really introduce yerselves to me voer the weekend so I can put an name to the face. But, I hope that you will not find Gaelcon intimidating at all...We're all nice people....honest ;-)


Colm Lundberg
Gaelcon Director 2002

Lemming

Originally posted by Thaed
Mirv any of the gms i have played with are great as getting you settled and never let the game mechaincs ( ie what dice and when ) stop the the flow of the game. Last year i palyed rpg system that i had never done before and played one i had not in years and the gm easied me through it .

So just turn up and refuse to be intimidated lol

I'll second that. Whilst I've never done much rpg'ing before, I played a game using a home-brewed warhammer40k rules system, and it was nothing short of outstanding fun

All I had to do was turn up. Granted, it helped that I knew a great deal about the background of w40k, but how the game worked, dice, what your character could do etc, was all explained by the GMs

Go have fun!!!

Sure I'll be there , with my lil red docs come make sure you say Hi

I'll be running around all weekend looking at people's feet now ... damn you!!

Nevyn

Ah Lemming you wont have any trouble spotting me not after you call me Grandma at the boards gettogether :P

Will get you for that

Lemming

Originally posted by Thaed
Ah Lemming you wont have any trouble spotting me not after you call me Grandma at the boards gettogether :P

Will get you for that

EEP :eek:

hedgetrimmer

You're all nuts

Incidentally, Dunno about Fibbers not being Metal Friendly anymore, but I can strongly attest that they are still very much gamer friendly, and will be over the weekend. There will be (hired) buses going from Clontarf Castle to Fibbers after the pub quiz/ evening events and after the Charity Auction. As for people bleeding and puking on you, I'll leave it to you as to with whom you associate that you may avoid a similar fate :-)


Colm

jaggeh

clontarf castle is a crap venue, i wish you would get a better place

Nevyn

The set up in Clontarf is nice and they are pretty tolerant, just a pain in the butt to get to .

hedgetrimmer

Well, believe you me, over the last four years (five?) since our depature from the RHK (when they stopped charging us a special rate and the sums demanded soared into the 20,000 and then the opened a gallery), we have hunted for venues which are a) big enough and b) affordable.

Clontarf love us, and are the only ones that have adequate size that don't ask for a substantial 6-figure sum. Now, if ye were all willing to pay 75 euro in for the weekend, we could look at an alternative venue....

Incidentally, we *are* providing buses from venue to Dublin city after the evening festivities on Saturday and Sunday evening, which will be a lot cheaper then you getting cabs.

Colm Lundberg
Gaelcon Director 2002

regi

two questions... how much will it cost (for the weekend), and will there be _lots_ of bloodbowl?

hedgetrimmer

Incidentally, below is how you get to Clontarf Castle
Getting to the venue is easy from town.

By Bus - take the 130 from Lower Abbey St. The last stop is Castle Avenue, just outside the venue. Alternatively, the 29A, 31, 31A, 31B, 32, 32A and 32B all go along the Howth Rd., leaving a mere five minute walk.

By Car - from the City Centre, head north from Connolly Station towards North Strand and continue straight to Fairview Park. Drive straight down the Coast Road past the Yacht pub and take the second turn left onto Castle Avenue. Drive straight up that road, around to the right and the Castle is at the roundabout.

By DART - Get off at Clontarf Road Dart Station and walk straight down the Coast Road past the Yacht pub. Take the second turn left after the Yacht on to Castle Avenue. The Castle is at the top of the road.

Colm Lundberg
Gaelcon Director 2002

hedgetrimmer

Hey Regi

The weekend will cost your 25 euro for a weekend ticket. There is no official Bloodbowl event timetabled, but feel free to bring a set and we'll supply the space.

check out www.gaelcon.com for more details

Colm Lundberg
Gaelcon Director 2002

Nevyn

Originally posted by hedgetrimmer

Incidentally, we *are* providing buses from venue to Dublin city after the evening festivities on Saturday and Sunday evening, which will be a lot cheaper then you getting cabs.

which is wonderfull and well appericated but the journey back in the bright morning can still take 2 hours if traffic is bad

hedgetrimmer

Ah if only gamers could control traffic, which sadly, is not the goverment department I work in :-(

And we have tried to get the Marathon rescheduled, but alas, this too is beyond our influence

You could always avail of the accommdation as listed on the website.

Be thankful you're not on the committee! We have to be there at 7am every morning!! :-D

Colm Lundberg
Gaelcon Director 2002

Nevyn

well it is not like any of you lot sleep for the whole weekend

At least Clontarf is on the northside trying to get to RHK was brutal on the day of the marathon.

hedgetrimmer

As a fellow Northsider, I hear ya man! Trying to get from Malahide to RHK for 7 and 7.30am was a bit of a nightmare...especially seeing as the journey from town to home meant I didn't get home until 4am

Ah well, i live in town now, so I might get more than 7 hrs sleep this Gaelcon...though I'm not counting on it :-)

Colm

DeVore

Ugh... I have memories of the RHK at 5:30 am after being out with the guests etc the night before. Gaelcon is an endurance trial for the staff, believe me. Any difficulties you have with harsh light and early rises are nothing to theirs

As one (ex)Con director to another, good luck Colm! You'll need it!
I'll be along with Regi to play Bloodbowl.

DeV.

Pimp Ninja

Originally posted by hedgetrimmer

By DART - Get off at Clontarf Road Dart Station and walk straight down the Coast Road past the Yacht pub. Take the second turn left after the Yacht on to Castle Avenue. The Castle is at the top of the road.

Youre better off (read, shorter walk) getting the DART to killester DART station. When you walk out of the station take a right to a small T junction. Go Right again at this and walk to the Killester Village, cross the road at the padestrian lights, walk straight down the road in front of you. Pass 3 speed bumps and take a left at the T junction. Walk to the end of the road and take a right here. You will now be on Castle avenue, beside the Rugby club. Walk straight down to the roundabout, and wahey youre there.

The walk from Clontarf Dart station is about 20 mins the walk from Killester is about 10, although the directions are a little more confusing.

Just to make y'all jealous, walk to the castle from my house, Walk out the driveway, turn left, walk for 2 mins to the roundabout.. WAHEY!!!

Nevyn

Ha see proof that staff dont sleep

and hence are just that lil bit slower as the weekend cont.
not that anyone would take advantage of that gods no never !!!

/evil grin
what me plotting never




The walk from killester is definatly shorter but if you dont know where you are going you can get lost ....... fast.
But if you are a gamer you can usually spot another at about 20 paces so be brave and ask who ever you get of the dart with you'll should get directions.

Sure if you get lost and you have a mobile sure you can always ring Clontaf Castle and the staff will give direction or you can ask them to page the Con Direction

Ah yes Mr. Colm Lundberg


I'm sure they will find him .

hedgetrimmer

Thanks for the good luck wishes DeVore!

And cheers for the advice and directions Pimp and Thead...of course... with you living so near, and advertising the fact, you are leaving yourself open for people to swarm your house and crash... Not that *I'd* ever suggest that, you understand :-)

Colm

18 days to go...

Karma

Must start checking family members for a good spare Kidney...
Bloodbowl shall be played, thanks for the offer on space for us to play.
Do the bar staff still not not how to make long Island Icetea? - Last year was double messures and undercharged-sweet.

Time to get painting again.
Cheers
DotC

hedgetrimmer

Just don't tell the bar about the undercharging! :-)

Bloodbowl. better be first ed...first ed rocks....second ed... mm....issues....

Nevyn

You have issues with revised blood bowl just becoase they did in the orc cheerleaders

they had pompoms and pigtails i know scarey

hedgetrimmer

Bring back the mutant teams and the d1,000 tables is what I say! Note really grumblings, just a gamer nearing old fart age remebering the times when GW released a hobby magazine, and not a catalouge, and used to release full games and rules suppliments free of charge.

On that note... some interesting things in the charirt auction from years and years and years and years ago...

Colm

Nevyn

I heard that the Dart wont be running to clontarf on the bank hol weekend something to to do with repairs !!!

This is so not fair you cant drink coffee on the bus it takes too many corners.

hedgetrimmer

You could always get one of those sealed coffee cup things that look like adult versions of kiddy cups. They don't spill at all at all

Colm

Nevyn

what and taint my coffe with the taste of cheap plastic !!!
ah no most take away coffes are bad enough with out that
thank the gods you can at least order a pot of decent coffee at
Clontarf Castle

LoLth

sounds like fun.

Any idea what the scenario they are going to run is about?

isn't Onnwal divided between the UK and Ireland? which would mean that the irish input into the history would be quite small. Still there, but just not as good as if we had our own region

D20 and the planescape scenario:
Individual or team based?
Individual used to be good until the writers switched to a "last man standing" format. then it just got sh*tty <two guys do all the work then get killed by the four wasters who did nothing and they all get into the next round... sorry, personal experience>

ps. light green on white... that website is a bit hard on the eyes..

psysquid

Good lord, someon remembers the team and individual events. I has been quite a while.

There hasn't been a definite one way or the other in a few years now. Generally, there is only a single winner, but that doesn't mean that you have to kill all around you. That format fell out of use a goodly while ago. Since then, some of the D&D games have featured parties which will work together, and some which really can't be trusted, but the "prize" as such is always based on how well you play your own character.

Nevyn

yes last year the prize went to the player that rounded up the rest of the motely group of chars and actuclly kept them all moving

Lir

And rest...

It's all over. It was wonderful, much respect to Colm and all his staff and committee.

Of course, in my day...

It was great, I had an extremely relaxing and enjoyable time, I'm only sorry I didn't get to meet more people, but that's always the way.

And next up, Vaticon. 22nd - 24th November in UCD. The gaming never stops...

Lir

DeVore

Great fun, spent all weekend playing German board games mostly! Or a marathon game of Zombie.... bbbbraaaiiiinnnssss...

Saw Thaed from a distance meant to say hello but I had picked up a chainsaw right at that time

The con is a WHOLE lot better when you arent involved in running it

DeV.

"Send more ccccoooopppps..."

Nevyn

Just about recovered from the weekend ,
it was even better then last year esp as i had dragged a few newbies along with me. " see there are more gamers then you think " yes they are now all utterly corrupted .


Ah the chainsaw weapon of choice against Zombies
" send more paramedics ........"


Yes Dev I did see you accross the crowded Hall but
I was busy and you didnt need my corrupting influence as much as others did . Reckoned that as you didnt enter with fanfare and trumpets this time that you wanted to be left alone .
You may not be so lucky next time


AS for Living Greyhawk we just need to out play some of the english teams and get enough people writting stuff that we will soon own ahem influence all of Onnwal and most of Greyhawk.

Sure Ireland is only a small country with a small population .......


Maybe it took a civil servant to tame the monster that can be Gaelcon Well done to Clom and all this Staff

Hobbes

This thread has come to the end of it's life. I'm unstickeying it.

If someone wants to write an overall review please do.

Also whoever is organizing vaticon might want to do up a post and I'll sticky that.

Lir

It ain't tamed, it's merely resting...

Now all we need to do is sort out a con director for next year

Watch this space, or something like that...