The Conclave

The Golden Throne => Community News and Announcements => Topic started by: MarcoSkoll on February 28, 2017, 05:14:05 PM

Title: 2017 Events
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 28, 2017, 05:14:05 PM
Although we've got an active thread for Golden Aegis, I figured we should probably have a general one too for discussing other possible events.

1) I can guess we may want an IGT sometime this year, although deciding the who and when of that is something to discuss.

2) I still hope to run a more comprehensive IRE play-test day, probably at Dark Sphere in London.
Although this was supposed to happen last year, IRE took longer than expected, but it is now actually in a state where a proper test day could be held.

3) My "Legacy" event to follow up on the aftermath of The Saint is also still planned, but I'm probably only going to commit to that once Leander is ready.

4) I'd also tentatively like to put forwards the date 28th October in Hemel Hempstead, which is the single remaining one of my local club's quarterly Saturday open days when I'm not already booked for something else.

It's a bit shorter than a WHW day, 10:30 to 5:00, and there's a £5 fee for non-members, but:
> it is a gaming club, with tables and scenery
> it's accessible - 10 minutes drive from either the M25 or M1 (with parking at the venue), and the station has 4 trains an hour to/from London Euston (it is a bit of a walk, but it's actually slightly closer than Nottingham station and WHW, or there are bus/taxi services).
> there's a choice of Chinese, Indian, kebabs, Pizza Hut, KFC, Greggs, Subway and Asda within 5 minutes walk.

So it is actually a fairly solid venue. I don't know how many club members I'll have interested in Inquisitor by then, but getting something on the schedule should help get things going.

EDIT:
5) Not a gaming event, but I'll add a mention of Salute on 22nd April. I should be in attendance, should anyone else want to meet up or talk.
Title: Re: 2017 Events
Post by: Cortez on February 28, 2017, 05:21:29 PM
I've been meaning to start a thread like this myself.

I'm also working on a campaign day event and I'm willing to oversee the GT again if no one else would rather do it.

We could aim for the GT in May/June? The earlier we decide on a date the better for me as I could end up being quite busy in June (Got a holiday to plan with my girlfriend and we were originally thinking June for it).
Title: Re: 2017 Events
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 28, 2017, 05:27:55 PM
I'm moderately busy with folk events on Saturdays in May and June, but I might be able to excuse myself from those where there's enough other musicians that they can make do without me. I'll have to check that.

I've also added a mention of Salute to the first post. It's not a gaming event, but I'm cool with meeting up on the day if others want.
Title: Re: 2017 Events
Post by: mcjomar on February 28, 2017, 05:47:41 PM
Obviously I'll be interested in everything, but nailed down dates will help me to figure out what I can/cannot make.
RE: IGT, As I slowly climb my painting/modelling mountain, I'm not sure what I could do for running a game, or even if I could manage it.
I've got barely any kind of an outline, but while I think I might have the models, I'd still need to paint them, and get them correctly statted up.
It's only the barest hint of an idea though so I'm not convinced it would work.
Title: Re: 2017 Events
Post by: Lord Valtarium on February 28, 2017, 09:46:49 PM
I'm based on London, and would love to get into this game more, I've not actually played the tabletop in around 5 years. So, going out on a punt here, but consider me interested!
Title: Re: 2017 Events
Post by: Lord Borak on February 28, 2017, 10:35:07 PM
As long as it's on a weekend I should be fine with a bit of notice. I'd prefer WHW over London though (it's an easier drive even if it's further away!)
Title: Re: 2017 Events
Post by: greenstuff_gav on February 28, 2017, 11:02:23 PM
i've got he marine campaign almost finished so can run that anytime
WHW is easier but Dark Sphere would allow these non-gw minis more use!
Title: Re: 2017 Events
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 01, 2017, 04:05:26 AM
Quote from: Lord Borak on February 28, 2017, 10:35:07 PMI'd prefer WHW over London though (it's an easier drive even if it's further away!)
Well, naturally different locations are easier/harder for different people, which is part of the logic behind not having every event in exactly the same place.
Generally, I do prefer to have the big events at WHW (partly for show, partly because it is pretty central, partly because it's just obvious) - still, Dark Sphere is a good venue. It's well connected (400m from Lambeth North tube station, and easy walking distance from Waterloo), very reasonably priced and has everything we need.

The thing is Dark Sphere is likely better for an IRE playtest day just because I'll be more coherent (I can set my alarm for 7:00, not 4:00) - probably a good thing when it's about teaching/testing rules I've written! That said, I'd be open to WHW if it would draw enough people out of the woodwork.

As far as Hemel Hempstead as an option - well, it is self-centred, but I don't know if I don't ask.
Title: Re: 2017 Events
Post by: greenstuff_gav on March 01, 2017, 08:54:54 AM
Quote from: MarcoSkoll on March 01, 2017, 04:05:26 AM
Well, naturally different locations are easier/harder for different people, which is part of the logic behind not having every event in exactly the same place.
this

Quote from: MarcoSkoll on March 01, 2017, 04:05:26 AM
As far as Hemel Hempstead as an option - well, it is self-centred, but I don't know if I don't ask.
parking is #1, the drive is #2, Dark Sphere has none of either (londons charge-to-drive zone so gotta train it which means a drive to Bath and all day parking see)but it's doable, would need to check Hempstead
Title: Re: 2017 Events
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 01, 2017, 02:47:36 PM
Quote from: greenstuff_gav on March 01, 2017, 08:54:54 AMparking is #1, the drive is #2
Well, one thing to be honest about when driving to Hemel Hempstead is that the natural route to the venue from both the M25 and M1 directions will take you through the "Magic Roundabout", which some drivers may find intimidating. Six and a half exits, with multiple lanes of traffic both clockwise and anti-clockwise.

That said, it isn't difficult to avoid if anyone is worried by it.

However, it is a very impressive junction if you can get your head around it - while it looks a lot like one big roundabout that goes both directions, it's really six mini roundabouts connected in close proximity. Despite the fearsome reputation, it has an exceptional safety record and very few traffic issues. (It's easily capable of handling 7,000-8,000 cars per hour. Impressive, for a junction built with limited space more than 40 years ago).
There's some quite cool Youtube drone footage here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRznoYCJOHg
Title: Re: 2017 Events
Post by: greenstuff_gav on March 01, 2017, 06:49:25 PM
i live quite close to Swindons Magic Roundabout (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D22BOOGbpFM) so find 'em a little less daunting :)

like i say, got the Golden Aegis Affair for March and Mahlau (1 Marine per player) almost complete so can run that anytime!
Title: Re: 2017 Events
Post by: mcjomar on March 01, 2017, 10:31:49 PM
Just a few more rivets and i will be ready also after a spot of paint
Title: Re: 2017 Events
Post by: TheNephew on March 02, 2017, 12:58:54 AM
I'd be tentatively interested in any event easier to get to than WHW, or not requiring me to leave the flat before 05:30.
Title: Re: 2017 Events
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 10, 2017, 02:19:25 AM
As it's been proposed to have an event in May/June, my availability on Saturdays in that period (which tend to be the most viable for people):

Almost definitely: 6th & 20th* May, 3rd & 17th June
Maybe: 27th May, 24th June, 1st July
Definitely not: 29th April, 13th May, 10th June.
(EDIT: Updated)

* Easier than normal, actually. I'll be in Rickmansworth on the 20th, right near the tube, so getting to either WHW or Dark Sphere is: half mile walk, hop on the Metropolitan line, change once.

It's not yet clear whether this event would be an IRE playtest or the IGT - I'd suggest that's decided by availability. The IRE day would survive with one table full of players, but the IGT should really have better numbers.
Title: Re: 2017 Events
Post by: Cortez on March 10, 2017, 11:49:30 AM
I'm not free on the 6th May or the 1st July. I'll also be away at least one week in June, although the date isn't fixed yet so the sooner the Conclave event date is decided the better.
Title: Re: 2017 Events
Post by: Lord Borak on March 11, 2017, 09:44:52 PM
I'm free any weekend in both May and June :)
Title: Re: 2017 Events
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 17, 2017, 02:54:01 PM
Anyone else got any feelings about dates in May or June? (Which is only 2/3 months off now).

If no-one has anything to say, I may just take an executive decision and see if Dark Sphere has any tables free for the 20th May (not sure, as they list a Magic event on that day), which would be one of the easiest days for me to run an IRE playtest.

(I could run the IRE play-test at WHW if people *really* want, but it'd mean I had to get out of bed more than three hours earlier, which isn't ideal when it's me teaching/reviewing the rules).
Title: Re: 2017 Events
Post by: Cortez on March 17, 2017, 03:43:55 PM
20th May would be ok for me.
Title: Re: 2017 Events
Post by: mcjomar on March 17, 2017, 04:48:36 PM
Dark sphere is only an hour and change away from me so it's not too bad.
I'd prefer a sunday though where possible. But if it has to be a saturday. Then i can't currently remember anything important on that date.
Title: Re: 2017 Events
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 17, 2017, 07:15:28 PM
The problem there is that Dark Sphere's Sunday opening times are an hour shorter on each end than their Saturday hours (12-5, rather than 11-6), unless you pay for the privilege of them staying open longer. That heavily restricts how much can be got through in a day.

Title: Re: 2017 Events
Post by: Cortez on March 17, 2017, 09:12:30 PM
I can't do Sundays.
Title: Re: 2017 Events - Latest: IRE Playtest, 20th May, Dark Sphere
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 26, 2017, 03:51:39 AM
After a bit of procrastination (entirely on my part, not theirs), I've finally got in contact with Dark Sphere, and they've confirmed they still have some tables available on Saturday May 20th. As such, I'm announcing an IRE playtest day.

Exact details will be forthcoming - I'm not yet certain whether the day will take the normal narrative format or be handled as stand-alone scenarios.
Given that IRE is an experimental ruleset that will take getting used to and will have some kinks, games may take a little longer to run. (Although in the long run I hope that it will streamline a few of the clunkier parts of Inquisitor).

Can people please get back to me as soon as possible so I can confirm numbers and get things booked in properly?
Title: Re: 2017 Events - Latest: IRE Playtest, 20th May, Dark Sphere
Post by: Cortez on March 26, 2017, 09:24:28 PM
I should be free on the 20th May. So count me in.
Title: Re: 2017 Events - Latest: IRE Playtest, 20th May, Dark Sphere
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 27, 2017, 03:17:50 PM
Well, the response so far is hardly a resounding vote of confidence. I suppose I don't need many people, but I do have a back-up plan.

If there's people who just want a game day rather than worrying about any of the new-fangled IRE nonsense, I'm content to set it up as a conventional three game narrative day; I can run any games I am GMing as IRE rules, but any other tables will be free to run with LRB rules.

If we do it that way, anyone who's wary of IRE can just avoid the games I'm running for the day.

(This is arguably easier for me, as it will let me focus on running one game rather than having to tutor several).
Title: Re: 2017 Events - Latest: IRE Playtest, 20th May, Dark Sphere
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 30, 2017, 02:50:22 AM
Well, that kinda looks like IRE might be dead in the water - if interest is that low and people are so disinterested that nobody's even asking me to consider a different play-test date/venue, then the whole project might just have to be retired.

However, trying to not sink into feeling depressed about that ...

As far as the hypothetical idea of a day in Hemel Hempstead on 28th October, I have had some interest from other club members, so it looks like that might well be going ahead.
(I'll have to see if that interest can be turned into a more regular narrative at the club, rather than just a one-off day, but I'll take my victories where I can get them).
Title: Re: 2017 Events - Latest: IRE Playtest, 20th May, Dark Sphere
Post by: Radu Lykan on March 30, 2017, 03:41:21 PM
I have a holiday coming up and won't know until after that about may 20th, don't jack it in yet, there is always hope :)
Title: Re: 2017 Events - Latest: IRE Playtest, 20th May, Dark Sphere
Post by: greenstuff_gav on March 30, 2017, 08:33:51 PM
i can throw a couplea narratives togehter if needed; can't commit as my health is bad at the mo (hence missing the last clave)  but can write a few scenarios no problem!
Title: Re: 2017 Events - Latest: IRE Playtest, 20th May, Dark Sphere
Post by: krenshar on April 01, 2017, 12:42:58 PM
The whole thread's only been up for a month, Marco and your booking announcement for a week so don't lose hope yet.  It may just be that people haven't seen it yet (I've just caught up on posts since mid February and perhaps I'm not be the only one) or else can't confirm either way at present.

That said, I'm afraid May is no good for me and June little better - I could do the 17th or 24th.
Hemel is a distinct possibility but not something I can confirm until late August or early September.
Title: Re: 2017 Events - Latest: IRE Playtest, 20th May, Dark Sphere
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 01, 2017, 06:53:27 PM
Quote from: krenshar on April 01, 2017, 12:42:58 PMThe whole thread's only been up for a month, Marco and your booking announcement for a week so don't lose hope yet.
I'm being slightly melodramatic, but it has at least got me a couple of "maybe" answers. :P

Unfortunately, I do need the answers soon enough to actually be able to confirm table numbers. Judging from the current levels of interest... maybe two tables?
I've not heard anything back from the Inquisitorium FB group - I've had a couple of "likes" on an announcement post, but after last time (where about four FB players bailed on me without warning or apology), I want their interest in writing, not just some casual button press.

QuoteI'm afraid May is no good for me and June little better - I could do the 17th or 24th.
Actually, I do want to propose a meet (even if it's just a mini-meet) on the 17th June at WHW.
(I might be able to do the 24th, if there's real pressure for it, but I'm less sure if I can make that*).

I've been helping track down players in the Nottingham area (John Blanche has a project in the works), and as I've had some luck, I'd like to get something on the calendar as a possible date to meet some of them in person.
It's enough in advance that table booking shouldn't be a problem, and it's not too close to the Dark Sphere date.

* I'll be away from home on the 17th, but I'll be free for the day. As I'll be close to a station just an hour out from Nottingham, it's fairly practical for me. And probably a welcome escape. The 24th is less clear.

QuoteHemel is a distinct possibility but not something I can confirm until late August or early September.
I know a lot of people won't be able to commit that far in advance, but it's not a date I can move around for people's convenience (the club's open days for this year have been booked since December), so I'm giving as much notice as I can offer.

Quote from: greenstuff_gav on March 30, 2017, 08:33:51 PM
i can throw a couplea narratives togehter if needed; can't commit as my health is bad at the mo (hence missing the last clave)  but can write a few scenarios no problem!
I may get back to you on that. I'm currently thumbing through my idea book.

I've got it in my mind I may want to chase up on some of the large amount of background material I've got sitting around left over from Dark Heresy games - there's some worlds I've yet to update the Carthax Wiki pages for, despite having written entire political landscapes and extensive histories for them.
Title: Re: 2017 Events - Latest: IRE Playtest, 20th May, Dark Sphere
Post by: Van Helser on April 02, 2017, 02:02:42 PM
Now that I am gently settling into this fatherhood thing, I can potentially look at playing some games later this year.  Far more likely to be after September, but summer isn't entirely out of the question.  Wife has the casting vote though!

Ruaridh
Title: Re: 2017 Events - Latest: IRE Playtest, 20th May, Dark Sphere
Post by: TheNephew on April 02, 2017, 06:03:30 PM
I should be able to do 20/5/17, so count me in.
That brings us up to five or six, doesn't it?

As for slow responses - it's a pretty slow forum, I'm checking weekly or fortnightly, rather than daily or hourly as I was ten years ago.
Title: Re: 2017 Events - Latest: IRE Playtest, 20th May, Dark Sphere
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 02, 2017, 10:39:28 PM
Quote from: TheNephew on April 02, 2017, 06:03:30 PMThat brings us up to five or six, doesn't it?
Totalling things up (including a few answers I've had via other channels).

List edited as of 12th April

Available:
Cortez
Krenshar
MarcoSkoll
The Nephew

Maybe:
Greenstuff_Gav
jediknight129
LeahO
LordBorak (earlier said he was free, but hasn't answered since I posted, so I'll wait for him to confirm)
mcjomar
Radu Lykan

No:
None

I've also got one spectator from the INQ28 Facebook group, but no-one's contacted me asking to play 28mm so far, so I'm very doubtful there'll be enough people for that.

Still, just the 54mm list looks healthier than the one and two half answers I had before.

~~~~~

Anyway, I'm working on a crib sheet for IRE that summarises most of the changes from the LRB, which will hopefully make it easier for people to launch into the playtesting on the day. More on that when it's done.

Quote from: Van Helser on April 02, 2017, 02:02:42 PMI can potentially look at playing some games later this year.  Far more likely to be after September, but summer isn't entirely out of the question.
Other than the possible event in Hemel on 28th October, there's nothing planned quite that far ahead, but we'll keep you posted.
Title: Re: 2017 Events - Latest: IRE Playtest, 20th May, Dark Sphere
Post by: mcjomar on April 03, 2017, 06:48:00 AM
Well you can add me to the maybe list. All I have to do is jump on the train. But I need to check if I'm available that weekend.
Title: Re: 2017 Events - Latest: IRE Playtest, 20th May, Dark Sphere
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 05, 2017, 04:56:24 PM
Based on the current responses, I've booked two 6' x 4' tables for 20th May, which are now confirmed.

Should there be a surge of interest, I'll try to get another, but that would mean better numbers than we've had since the Eramus Affair in Autumn 2013.
Title: Re: 2017 Events - Latest: IRE Playtest, 20th May, Dark Sphere
Post by: krenshar on April 12, 2017, 11:54:00 AM
I've managed to free up May 20th so colour me attending!
Do you want us prepared to GM a game each, Marco?
Title: Re: 2017 Events - Latest: IRE Playtest, 20th May, Dark Sphere
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 12, 2017, 06:11:00 PM
Huzzah! Well, the current "Yes" answers are at least enough to fill one table and hopefully we'll get most of the maybes to fill the second.

As far as GMs, I'm expecting to spend the day GMing (in order that I can be all authoritative on the IRE rules), but I'm trying to keep most of the other scenarios relatively GM-lite. I think most of the omniscient narration can be handled via something like a card deck, letting the players handle the rest of the GM role between them.

In any case, I'm getting close to having the players' briefing pack ready, even if I'm a way off having the entire event ready.
Title: Re: 2017 Events
Post by: MarcoSkoll on June 05, 2017, 01:51:37 AM
So, with The Wastes done (although I have yet to get around to posting a summary and seeing how many of my pictures are any good), it's time to start planning what's next.

I'm not immediately looking to run another narrative event (having run two stories just two weeks from each other, I'd like a break from writing), but if anyone else has a narrative they'd like to run, then that will be very welcome. (And if anyone wants help with booking tables or getting the word out, I'm happy to help).

Obviously, another option would be having this year's IGT. I am willing to run that (the organisation is rather demanding on the day, but it doesn't demand I write an entire new plot), but am also prepared to stand aside to let someone else take the role, or share the responsibility with someone else.

I'm a little too tired right now to check my availability over the next few months properly, so I'll leave that for some other time, but nonetheless the floor is open for discussion of what's happening next.
Title: Re: 2017 Events
Post by: Lord Borak on June 05, 2017, 07:41:17 AM
I'm up for an IGT at WHW. It's good incentive to finish off a few war bands.

I'm on holiday for two weeks from the 8th of July and again for a week from the 27th of October. Other than that I'm free any weekend. I know I said that before but next time work says they're desperate for me to come in the can 'do one' :D
Title: Re: 2017 Events
Post by: TheNephew on June 05, 2017, 08:02:19 AM
I'd be up for more Dark Sphere, so it looks like there're attendees regardless of venue.

It was good to see that a day runs smoothly with as few as four players, and the last IGT I was at (years ago) with twice that number went just as well.
Title: Re: 2017 Events
Post by: Cortez on June 05, 2017, 08:29:46 AM
I'm willing to run the IGT again. I've still got all the files and stuff from last year. Although that will need a bigger number of attendees ideally. As for dates I was thinking about August or September.

Another smaller campaign either at WHW or Dark Sphere would be good too. The last few such days seem to have gone well. I have got a nebulous idea for a campaign day, that I could flesh out, or we've got the Golden Aegis affair to do at some point.

Title: Re: 2017 Events
Post by: MarcoSkoll on June 05, 2017, 12:19:39 PM
August is a likely time for people to be on holiday, but I suppose we can ask anyway and see who's around.

Looking at my calendar, the Saturdays where I think I'm already booked for the rest of the year are: (that is, this is my UN-availability)
June 10th & 24th
July 1st, 22nd & 29th
Maybe August 12th
September 23rd
October 14th

(That said, I might be able to wriggle out of some of them, depending on how vital I am to their proceedings. Or it's possible there are others I've forgotten about).

And then I'd like to run an event in Hemel Hempstead on 28th October (if numbers will allow it).

~~~~~

As far as numbers for the IGT, I can probably ask Gav Thorpe to share any event we put on Facebook. (And I now have control of the 'Clave Facebook page, so getting it as an FB event is easy enough).

In that case, I might recommend incorporating some form of ticketing or at least limited spaces (on a first reserved, first served basis) in order to encourage people to commit rather than just hovering around as "maybes" and making it much harder to know numbers.

However... if we want to get any real numbers for the IGT from outside our current crowd - I feel I have to make the somewhat radical suggestion of breaking with tradition and renaming it as "The Grand Conclave".
Although we can explain it's not a normal gaming tournament, everyone we have to explain that to (and I have to explain it to a lot of people) is someone who could have been put off - and there's a lot of people who must just disregard the event entirely.
Title: Re: 2017 Events
Post by: mcjomar on June 05, 2017, 02:52:38 PM
August the 12th (and the following weekend - 19th?) is probably right out for my timings.
Ditto July 29th.
I've got no current idea about any of the rest of june/july/august/september/october quite yet, although anything around June/July 13th is out (or the weekends nearest to those dates).

No idea wht I'd do for IGT - I've got at most a nebulous idea, but it'll require me to quickly paint 3-4 figures, and given that I just finished a LotR fellowship on moria plinth as a present for someone I'm in a "not painting today" mood recently. At least in terms of speed painting.
Although in fairness, painting anything that is "not LotR please not LotR" might not be too bad.

The idea itself will probably be quite simple so not sure how it would score for IGT, especially as my GM abilities are poor (score wise I'd likely end up better off as a bye rather than GM, but who knows, maybe my winging it might work!).
Title: Re: 2017 Events
Post by: Cortez on June 05, 2017, 04:14:23 PM
September would probably be the best for an IGT then (unless people want to leave it until November and have a different event first).

Ideally I think we could do with ~8-12 people for the IGT. 6 would be a minimum.
Title: Re: 2017 Events
Post by: greenstuff_gav on June 05, 2017, 10:06:04 PM
i'd try harder to make a GT; hopefully convince myself to actually play!
Title: Re: 2017 Events
Post by: RobSkib on June 07, 2017, 09:01:51 PM
I'd be super up for running something - it's been a while, and it's definitely an incentive for me to actually keep the date free ;)
Title: Re: 2017 Events
Post by: MarcoSkoll on June 08, 2017, 02:49:04 PM
Quote from: RobSkib on June 07, 2017, 09:01:51 PMI'd be super up for running something
That would be welcome!

I may have my numbers wrong, but I think I've run six of the last ten events, so anyone else jumping in would certainly help.
Title: Re: 2017 Events
Post by: RobSkib on June 10, 2017, 02:49:26 PM
Would you want me to do the IGT or a side event?

To kick things off, I've set up a Doodle to get a feel for everyone's availability. Herding cats is much easier this way:

https://doodle.com/poll/8ss9uc3azqr73d94

Title: Re: 2017 Events
Post by: MarcoSkoll on June 10, 2017, 04:40:47 PM
If you've got ideas for some kind of narrative event, I'd definitely opt for that - the IGT is fairly flat-pack and can be run by whoever whenever.

Anyway, I've filled out your list as best as I currently know.
Title: Re: 2017 Events
Post by: Cortez on August 06, 2017, 09:30:42 AM
I was thinking we should do the IGT after your event. Probably in November or December.

Have we got a shortlist of dates for this event yet?
Title: Re: 2017 Events
Post by: MarcoSkoll on August 07, 2017, 02:41:11 PM
I'm also kind of hoping to see a shortlist soon, as I'd like to fit in another IRE playtest day sometime this year, avoiding doing the same thing I managed back in May/June of having two events only a fortnight apart!

I also tentatively have a day arranged at my local club on October 28th, although it's not impossible that could be one and the same as the next IRE day.