And Just like that - POOF, it was gone

 

I had predicted this happening after the election. There was no clear plan for people to get Hotel rooms at this time. What does surprise me is that there is an offer of Refunds as everyone HAD to agree to NO REFUNDS FOR ANY REASON

From their Policies Page

GaryCon Rules and Policies

Purchases and Refunds

 All purchases of Gary Con merchandise, including badges and event tickets, are final. No refunds are issued for any reason.

BEWARE if you ask for a Refund: There is documented history of people who requested a refund being sent an Email that they are no longer welcome to attend GaryCon.  Luke has shown outright hostility to people who have asked for a refund and toward others who criticized his running of the Convention. I myself was blocked by Luke for sharing my opinion of how he handled the Frank Mentzer issue prior to GaryCon 11.  Since most of his posts in the GC Facebook page are done under his name, that put me at a disadvantage for attending GC

I will not be participating in in Virtual GaryCon, I see no upside to doing so.

I have also walked away from NightWatch (Facebook) as censorship is a HUGE Issue for me.. I would rather give up my interactions than my 1st amendments rights

Click to see 

And the 20% DISCOUNT FALLS VICTIM TO THE CANCELLATION

Yes, that 20 percent you were supposed to get for not getting a refund and allowing the Con to keep your money for GaryCon 12 being cancelled - You lost it... They are not even pretending to make good on keeping your money

You are not entitled to First shot at the Lake Geneva resort for your being booted to the alternate hotel for the cancelled con or even to retain the SAME BADGE LEVEL

Yep, I am not using my DM Credit in 2021

The Future:

This puts GaryCon in a precarious place. I go there to see friends and keep in touch with people I may only see a couple of times a year. The friendships made at Garycon are considerable and no where else is there a gathering for us Old school, anyone at my table is my friend for life gamers.   

One of the big draws with GaryCon is being able to play games with the people who made dreams into RPGs and stories brought to life.  I have made great friends with Jim Ward (I will always call him Mr Ward) and Margaret Weis. Where else can you have a drink with Larry Elmore, Deisel, Jeff Easley and others, or go to a Party With Jolly Blackburn and a host of great people there. 

The Friendships I have made at GaryCon are priceless and I do not wish to single them out here. 

GaryCon has been moving away from an event honoring Gary Gygax toward a Con concentrated on Internet Personalities, Adventurer's League and Pathfinder Society... OF course, the Internet Personalities, and Inclusion cult have some influence on Guests of Honor and where games are located.  

GaryCon 12 was to be a huge con with games at Timber Ridge Lodge. I for one would not want to run or play in a game that is Offsite.. I actually prefer to be in the Forums  because with the curtains, the noise is manageable  

The cancellation of GaryCon and other cons in general have impacted me financially, I was relying on them to boost a kickstarter project. Without being able to promote my stuff, a successful launch is not possible.  Also, in the age of Covid, my demos and Promotions have gone to crap. 

 

 

Gate Keeper

 I am the Key Master, Are you the Gate Keeper ? 

I am going to frame this post with the fact that NOT everyone can play Pro Football. If you think otherwise -  

Stop and close my blog

Inclusive seems to be the new word... and everyone is expected to bend over backwards to be inclusive. The reason I am not fond of "WOTC D&D 5E" is because is it Anti-human Centric. The next person who wants to tell me they are running a dragonborn pixie fairy whatever deserves the metal D20 from the slingshot to the forehead 

(I will run and teach 5E for Money and tell you how much I adore it)

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ANYONE... ANYONE is welcome at my table. We play old school, no consent form, we don't care about your sexuality or your gender, hell, we don't care if you are half blind mutant with purple spots.  As long as you have fun and bring something to the game and are not an ASS. 

Now, if you need a consent form, there had better be some liability insurance involved or the activity must be so extreme that injury or death may occur. None of this describes Role playing games.

If your fragility deems that I cannot broach some subjects during the course of my games, you should take up another hobby or play a LESSER RPG like "My Little Pony" or "WOTC D&D 5E"

Now, if you want some fun... My Table is welcoming to everyone who is an adult in playing games

I fully condemn anyone who thinks they need to inflict their sexual fetishes on players. There are people who should not  running games... This should not be taken out on the vast majority of the RESPONCIBLE people

Do I think everyone can play RPG's ? No

My Daughter is great at playing, but any game that makes her think on her feet and not tactics, is not something she can do.  TOON, due to it's frenetic pace, is not a game she can play but she is brilliant at planning, tactics and good instincts not to get killed. 

Now, I do think everyone should find a group that works for them and not be afraid to say when it is not working.  I have had several people tell me that the game I was running just was not for them.. and it is OK. There are people I enjoyed gaming with that just did not work out for one reason or another. 

Wisconsin Trip Pictures

 Wisconsin Trip Pictures

Devil's Lake

Seven Bridges

Kenosha

Lake Geneva