Autumn Conclave - October 29th 2011

[DapperAnarchist]

Heh, November 5th would either be ideal or terrible for me - its the day after my 25th. But I would love to go, if it works out.

[MarcoSkoll]

Im happy to GM this event if it means I can have a get out for next time

Well, that's entirely up to the overlord of the next event!

Either way, don't forget that Van Helser's Summer Conclave will come first. I've just posted my thread before him.

But wouldn't mind a bit of help with the scenario

No problem - I'll be on hand for that whatever. But I'm not going to start passing out briefings until we know both a date and we're closer to it. I really don't want people to get bored with their ideas before even they get anywhere near the event.

A big theme of this event will be the Inquisition pulling rank and securing different resources for the finale.
I will supply most of these (My 54mm vehicle collection will hopefully be pretty numerous by then, so those'll make up some of the scenarios), but GMs are of course encouraged to suggest any relevant resources they may have too.

But, as each resource can only be won once, GMs who sign on later in the creative process will have less choice about which resources they might want to write for (not that every scenario will necessarily be based around such things).

As a side note, what about having anyone who didn't make it onto the 'central' table in the finale still able to affect the final outcome, but indirectly?

That's most definitely the plan.

Right now, the plan is for players to split off into factions, and then secure resources (for their faction) in the lead-in games.

Many of these resources will go straight to the central finale table to support whichever player won leadership of that faction (which will be by greatest success in their games), but players on the other tables will have the chance to assist their allies on the centre table. This may be by:
- Putting off table resources to use (not every resource secured will necessarily be on the centre table!) or disrupting an opponent's off-table resources. e.g. Somewhat like your Earthshaker example.

- Disrupting the centre table resources of their enemies/Protecting the centre table resources of their allies.
This might be an assault on a command centre to start issuing contradictory orders ("SQWAD! CAMP IT! UP!") to a platoon of guard on the main table.

- Or securing the escape for their main table allies! This may be represented by the Land Speeder Storm I've got blueprints for (or maybe even a Valk, if I get around to making one of those/if Kaled wants to lend his.)

I've not sorted it all out yet, and it will partly depend on what the other attendees want to write in their scenarios, but any side games will definitely start to provide/remove bonuses/caveats on the main table.
But it's yet another attempt at a solution to a big all-in finale. We can't get everyone on the central table (even if only using one character, as Spring 2010 sorta proved), but I also don't want to leave people out if they want a part in it.

So, mega multi-table game. I may have to write the timetable to give a bit longer to run such a large game, but we won't need the kind of results calculation the GT needs, so finding an extra half an hour to do the game wouldn't be too hard, provided it's a four game day.

~~~~~

On other news, I've talked myself out of setting the campaign around/in a conflict against Eldar.

While it's tempting, fewer players will have suitable models they can use from their own collections, where as more people will have traitor/heretic/Chaos themed models on hand.
I may still include Eldar as a bit part (they do so like poking their nose into things!) if I find the time to do the necessary modelling, but they will no longer be the main antagonists.

EDIT:

Also, how about giving experienced players the chance to share GMing duties between them - that way they can all play if they want...

Possibly. But that might need a little shuffling of players to try and get "the experienced ones" on to the same tables.

Also, it's hard enough to behave myself as it is! You mustn't tempt me with the idea of GM/Players... I've got so many characters I want to get some play time with. (I was really disappointed that I hadn't got Jax's model done when I had to search for backup characters for the GT. She was great fun in my few test games, but I've still not finished her model...)
I'm going to have to try to behave and hope we don't have another dearth of events like we did last year - because I'm going to want to show you lot the rest of Marco's warband, finally get Maya to a game at a 'Clave event, Katlien's warband, get to work on Hotblack Desiato, I'm going to have to start thinking about a Tau warband now I've got the models, I want to do something Eldar-ish, Fischer Monkshood needs to come to life, etc, etc, etc....

[Stormgrad]

I wouldnt mind a turn at GMing for one of the lead in games

[Aurelius 12]

I'd love to do some GMing too. I think that's probably where my strength lies!

[Kaled]

Have you heard anything back about dates yet?

[MarcoSkoll]

Have you heard anything back about dates yet?

Not yet.

My previous emailings to GW have shown they're not necessarily the fastest, so I'm not too surprised. But it may still just be time to try the more direct approach (either the guy you gave me an e-mail for or just calling them, as much as I hate phoning people.)

~~~~~

And it seems we have quite a few willing GMs. I won't start a GMing list until we've got a date and I know those people can make it, but we seem to be doing well.
We'll still probably need a couple more, but if we get them, I should be saved from needing to rope anyone into being a co-GM for the day, or springing GMing on anyone on the day.

[axiom]

On other news, I've talked myself out of setting the campaign around/in a conflict against Eldar.

That's a real shame, I was looking forward to having an excuse to finish painting / building my Eldar figures. Currently I've only finished 2 out of 10 models. I guess I should still finish them anyway

[MarcoSkoll]

Go for it. I've not written out the chance that Eldar might still have an involvement - in fact, they probably will.

However, there are probably far fewer Eldar models in people's collections than those which can serve as traitors, heretics and their like. So in the event people want to introduce some of the "bad guys", I'd rather not have to have three score of different Eldar models on hand to account for people's tastes.

Heck, people are already looking at me funny for the suggestion that I do even a single warrior from each of the Aspects. And even if you include the Shadow Spectres from Forge World, that's only nine models.
Well, maybe only eight. I may not do the Shining Spears, because a mounted model would be a problem in games. Perhaps for the sake of a complete set, but I think I'd also have to do an unmounted one to go with it.

[MarcoSkoll]

Still no response.

Time to go on the offensive.

[Stormgrad]

by this i assume your phoning GW today?

[MarcoSkoll]

If a little slow, GW have now responded to my email! They've offered October 8th and October 29th - although we may be able to badger them for other dates if we have to.

So, a show of hands please for who can make the 8th Oct, the 29th Oct or both (but state preference if you have one) - preferably as soon as possible so we can get it booked before someone else nicks our places.

One note: October 8th is also already listed on their events PDF as a WHFB Throne of Skulls weekend, so it might be busier/noisier. However, a WHFB event shouldn't affect the availability of that old favourite of grimy industrial terrain.

[Shannow]

I could happily do either of those dates (depending on whether anything happens closer to the date obviously) but sounds good!

[Kaled]

Either date should be fine for me.

[Heroka Vendile]

of those two i could only do the 8th Oct.

[Aurelius 12]

As the 8th is my mothers birthday I suspect I may be a little busy. That said I wouldn't write it off as an impossibility.