Getting the Most from your experience at GaryCon

How to get the most from your GaryCon 12 experience  Updated September 9, 2022

PLEASE NOTE:   NO permission is given to share this ANYWHERE

I.E. - All my tips, tricks and quirks and First Timers Guide to places

PART 0 - Guide to Lake Geneva - My Favorites

I do recommend arriving early on Wednesday, especially if it your first time, you can check out the area, complete whatever items you need for the con, Check in, and most importantly, NETWORK AND MEET UP WITH PEOPLE 

While in Lake Geneva, you can stop by and see the various RPG historical places.. 

1 - The Brick at the Riveria

2- TSR Hobby Shop Dungeon Museum

LINK -  Dungeon Hobby Shop Museum | Facebook

3 - 330 Center Street, the location where D&D was created

4 - Horticutural Hall - Site of the first GenCons

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Notable places in Lake Geneva that I really Enjoy

Bittners Donuts   Lorelei Bittner's Bakery | Facebook

Directly across from Next Door Pub

I highly recommend the Bacon Maple one

Next Door Pub - excellent pizza and cheese curds

Joni's Diner       111 S Wells St, Lake Geneva, WI 53147

I try to eat my Wednesday morning meal/snack there. Good Coffee, nice place to relax

Right next to Joni's are lots of Fast Food places in the area if you have never eaten at a Culvers, give it a try, Butter Burgers and Cheese Curds

On you way into Lake Geneva, stop at a Walmart or Target for supplies. Kenosha Walmart is currently open till Midnight (was 24 hours) Also, the IHOP in Kenosha is 24 hours

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Now, if you want to bring home some meats, you have a couple of good choices

Lake Geneva Meats on RT 50 (Excellent Meat Sticks and cold cuts)

Lester's Bison Farm   Lester's Bison Farm in Salem, Wisconsin 53168 (lestersbisonfarm.com)

Lester's sells Bison, Venison, Elk, Lamb, Pork and Poultry - High quality meats

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KENOSHA Stuff 

If you are passing through Kenosha during the Day, you should stop at Mars Cheese Castle

It is a Tourist attraction with some really good stuff

For an amazing Beakfest - I highly recommend 

The Coffee Pot in Kenosha

Home (kenoshacoffeepot.com)

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If you like hiking and the condition are OK, 

Hiking the Seven Bridges Trail in South Milwaukee (wisconsin-explorer.blogspot.com)

BRING ITEMS TO GET SIGNED by the VIPs

I recommend the Art and Arcana book

Purchase on Amazon - $27.49

I have had posters, Prints, Modules, books, and many other things signed at the Con.

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PART 1 - Get a room

Ok, the key here is not to panic when the Grand Geneva sells out in 3 hours. You will have lots of opportunities to get a room or find a room mate. 

• After badges go on sale, there is always a group of people who realize that they cannot go
• After Event registration closes, there are always people who decide not to go
• Then there is when badge refund closes... 
• Finally, there is the week before when people find that their friend cannot get the time off from work and neglected to tell them

For GaryCon 11, we did not secure a room until a week before, we cancelled the room we had because we got one on site

Grand Geneva is screwing people over, if someone with the GaryCon rate cancels they now charge the full room rate of 

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Part 1A - STAYING OFF SITE

Ok, no room at the Grand Geneva, No Problem you just have to plan a bit.

As a Player, you can take the shuttle, may have a little wait, but you won't have to worry about Parking, just make sure you get over to the con about 40 minutes before your event in case of a wait on the shuttle. 

As a Game Master, I recommend you do not unpack your gaming stuff if you drove in, leave it in the Trunk or the back of the SUV. Organize what you need by day and game. That way it will be quick, I used 2 containers, one for books and one for your adventures. This allows you to get to your car and change out games / Dice / storage during the day

Drive over before 8:00 AM in order to get any Parking in the best lot. 

If you are playing in any games that end after Midnight, you will not be able to get a shuttle. 


PART 2 - Get a Badge

Once badges go on sale, you have to figure which one you want. In the past I have always gone with Gold and last year was the exception as I registered late. I went as a Silver. 

If you want to get a GOLD badge, you have be online on the date and at the exact time they go on sale, they will sell out within 2 hours

There are only 250 Gold badges and 2000+ Silver
The Gold is $215 
The Silver is $100

For Perks, see:
https://garycon.com/registration/

In Years past, you were able to choose additional Featured events and unlimited non featured events with the early gold registration. Now percentages of seats are held for each level

Lets, take the Celebrity game with 8 slots as an example...In the past, no slots would open for any GOLD or SILVER badges

Now....
Premier - 4 seats
Platinum - 1 seat
Gold - 1 Seat
Silver - 2 seats

This is based on Luke Gygax post
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Premier (Diamond Badges) 50%
Platinum (Diamond and Platinum Badges) 65%
Gold (Diamond, Platinum and Gold) 80%
Standard (All) 100%
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So, if you are a gold and missed out on a game due to the limit, you just go back on the day that the silver register and try again to get into the game.. Now you have a 2nd chance to take the seat in the game if you do it quick enough

GaryCon 8 swagbag

Note on the gold: You get a Shirt ($25), Cup ($18) and a Swagbag, I was less than impressed with the Swagbag in GC10 and this Book was also included in the bag for GC11

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PART 3 - Registering for games

Again, if you want to get into the most exclusive games you have to be live and ready to go as soon it is time to register.  I would pick your top 2 games, add them to the cart and submit as soon as possible. You can go back and add others later. 

Figure out which ones you want most and put them in order... you can use multiple browsers tabs to set games and then go one by one and place the order... 

Golds: This year if you cannot get into a game and there are open slots, just wait for the date and time for Silvers to register and try again to get into that game... Good Luck

PART 4 - NETWORKING

Find an experienced gamer to introduce you around . 

The GaryCon facebook page is a good place to get to know people. Some people blog about their experiences (like me) and some just chat... 

GaryCon facebook Group

I never mind people asking me questions, but reading the same questions over and over can be annoying

Most ANSWERS can be found on the GaryCon Website, take the time to look before posting a question... The Forums there are not always helpful

https://garycon.com/

Either before the Con, or during the Con, network with other gamers. They can provide valuable tips and introductions to people you want to meet and connect you with great people. 

I consider myself very lucky, that someone introduced me to lots of people, then I played it forward at the same Con and became instant legend.  If you are in my game, I will treat you like a old friend and walk you around, take you to a party where you will meet vendors and artists... need something signed, I will help you. 

I like to think that everyone does this. 

Sandy, Lynn, Colten, Litta, Greg, Tracey - The Greg Barry Drunken Dungeon Master Invitational

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After the game, we were talking and I said to Lynn "Wanna go meet and hang out with Larry Elmore ? ".. I know where he is, we can just go over... She said "Are you sure?" 

I never kid about stuff, I always try to pay it forward and off we went

Found Larry at (Secret Location) and I walked up.  "Larry, this is my friend Lynn" 

I have to say I enjoy the look on people faces when they meet the legends... Larry is great and takes time to sign everything for everyone.  We ended up talking for awhile

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PART 5 - Preplan and Manage Expectations

What I mean is, plan who you want to meet, what you want to have signed, and go in managing your expectations. 

My First GaryCon (8) was amazing, up until Saturday, That day really fell apart for me and only one game worked out. I was dreadfully in a subpar mood Saturday night.

My Next GC (10) was amazing, I went in with managed expectations, got into every game I wanted to and it exceeded what I had hoped for.  I was the Luckiest guy at GC10

Now I go with a list of things I want to get done and everything else is bonus

My List from GaryCon 11

1        Margaret Weis signature on latest book
2        Steve Jackson to sign my book and vinyl poster
3        Get a Signature for my Foster daughter From Joe Manganiello
4        Elmore print  - or Chromatic Kingdom poster print
5        See as many friends as possible

Lets just say, I completed 1, 2, 3, 4 and lots of 5 by midday Thursday. 

PART 6 - Bring Items to have signed

 From my first time to this past year, I always bring a few items to have signed... Luckily, I have a diverse collection and if I want something to bring with me, I can pick something up... Everyone is willing to sign stuff for everyone. 

And keep your eyes out on deals for books, I picked up Art & Arcana for about 20 Dollars on Amazon before I went to GaryCon

PART  7 - Arrive on Wednesday

Seriously, There is the Welcoming party at the Hotel Wednesday night and a movie. They had Pizza and Beer 

You can sit and relax for the day and catch up with friends. or sleep if you drove overnight

There are also Super Secret gatherings that take place. 

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I hope this serves you well, along with my Advice for attending Conventions... 

My Convention Advice

Nothing is going to go right all the time, But this will help turn an OK time into a ...

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING SPECTACULAR TIME !   

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PART  37.5 - Tips For GMS

For those running games and playing games, this section is for you. 

ALL others  - STOP READING

Most of the Guests of Honor run games during the 12:00(Noon) To 6:00 PM time slots. I try never to schedule what I run during those times.  I try to leave a slot open to wander around the Con. 

Networking with Other GMs is a great way to get into games

Keep in mind that Mid day Saturday is the Award and Hawaiian Picture in the LOBBY

I actually made it to this event last year

So, here is the secrets I go by when submitting games

1. Try never to schedule between Noon and 6:00 PM
2. Talk to GM's and find out what time they are running games
3. Leave 2 back to back hours Open per day, Try for twice a day
4. End your day at 10 every day, you will feel better and can relax before going to sleep.
5. If you run 16+ hours, you get a code for a silver badge
6. If you Run 18+ hours, you get a shirt and a Cup (good for all privileges) 
7. Unfortunately, the Greg Barry GM bonus level (28+ hours) was never approved and will not be running that many hours again

Lastly 

If you get the 20% (Now only 10% with a cap of 40 dollars off) Gary Con XI merchandise coupon, PRINT it out immediately, I think the email last year was sent with an expiration. I went to look for it before I left for the con and it was no where in my Email, or recover email... I am meticulous about my computer and saving emails, marking them with flags... It was just gone.

  

If you have any Questions, please ask...   Thank you

                  Margaret Weis, myself and some stripper movie guy in the background

PLEASE NOTE:   NO permission is given to share this ANYWHERE

GaryCon 2023 The Return of the Griffon

 The Return of the Griffon.    (The Hour of the Wolf)

In 2023, I will return to GaryCon since 2019 (Missing last years due to the mask mandate)

I will be running no more than 3 games, 12 hours and honestly, there is no incentive to run any more games

From the GaryCon Website

There are several reasons why I will not run additional games, one being their game policy. I cannot control the actions of Players and what decisions they make
  

From the GaryCon Website

To be honest, I really love to run RPGs. I really have a dislike for playing in other people's games at conventions. I either have to really like the person or have faith that they will run a good game.. If I play in your game, consider that a massive tribute (Even if you are VIP like James Ward and Ernie Gygax) 

I consider myself a much better player than a Dungeon Master.. Seriously, and I am an Amazing Dungeon Master.  I know that I have a tendency to take control of a game and assume leadership, lots of times I will try to play the Cleric to allow players to take more of the spotlight

 

I am going to play in more games than any other Convention I have attended. 

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The Hour of the Wolf - Dangerous Journeys

Set against the backdrop of war between Atlantis and neighboring Kingdoms that have raged for too long,

The mission is to steal an item that will change the nature of war forever.

This is a role playing heavy game, the mechanics are light and easy to learn,

Characters provided. They have background stories, and this game has a mystery that unfolds. 

First to sign up gets first choice of the characters. Some lead time is needed if playing one of 2 magic heavy characters (In Bold) just to read the spells and the quick tutorial of how spell casting works.  

Character Name	Vocation
Phenemius               (Female)	Mountebank
Vampa Del Margo	Seafarer
Rosencrantz	Soldier
Guildenstern	Soldier
Vizzinni  Arrindal	Theurgist
Marcus Colt	Explorer
Delenn   Narenek    (Female)	Alchemist
Molarian  Naranek	Dweomercraefter

Dangerous Journeys File Dropbox

The following are the Mood settings for the game

Susan Ivanova: My father told me about it. It's the time between 3:00 and 4:00 in the morning. You can't sleep, and all you can see is the troubles and the problems and the ways that your life should've gone but didn't. All you can hear is the sound of your own heart. I've been living in the hour of the wolf for seven days, Lyta. Seven days. The wolf and I are now on a first-name basis. In times like this, my father used to take one large glass of vodka before bed. 'To keep the wolf away,' he said. And then he would take three very small drinks of vodka, just in case she had cubs while she was waiting outside.

Link to   HOUR OF THE WOLF

"The hour between night and dawn. The hour when most people die, when sleep is deepest, when nightmares are most real. It is the hour when the sleepless are haunted by their deepest fears, when ghost and demons are most powerful, the hour of the wolf is also the hour when most children are born." -From Ingmar Bergman's Film HOUR OF THE WOLF (Trailer)...

This will be the Final time I am running Dangerous Journeys at GaryCon, It probably will be my final time running game at GaryCon.. I have never been to a convention as a player, I think I would like to try that at the next GaryCon I attend

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The Demon Chronicles - Dragonscales RPG

The heroes encounter beings from another place who threaten the entire world. these are not your stereotypical Demons, but the Lore has provided no other names for them. 

Once again, Murkie has hired you to find an item, he pays well and has always had some work for you. This time, you have to travel to find the item. 

Characters provided. No experience needed Bring a deck of cards w/Jokers.

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The Greg Barry Experience is a limited time offer, when it expires, you will have wished you took the time to play in one of my games.. I will be at PhoenixCon running games, they have treated me well and never banned me from the facebook group

Wisconsin July 2022 = Phoenix Con Part 2

 Saturday / Sunday

The Royal Dinner

How to look good:  

      Get a young pretty woman to be in a picture with you.

In This case, my Friend Dakota 

The Royal dinner was great... I presented my Request to have Badge NUMBER ONE granted to me for all time... 

Was such a good time and then I went to bed 

The next morning I was talking to Jeremy and Tom Wham and Dave Conant were coming by, so we all decided to play a WHAM game

Link below

Felithian Finance – Tom Wham Games

Wow, that was a lot of fun.. I will getting the game soon even though I lost really bad and Chris won

Chris Clark from Innercity Games gifted me with an extra Breakfeast Brunch (Thank you !!) 

packed up,  saw a few stragglers and made my way back to Kenosha

Waited to see Dennis who I spent very little time with during the con... and had Chris tell him "I'm Zeb Cook's Son" (Inside Joke) and Dennis responded, "No, I have met Zeb Cooks son and you ain't him"   

Wisconsin July 2022 = Phoenix Con Part 1

 PHEONIX CON

 Got to the con early in the morning on Thursday and checked in, rooms were nice.. 

Played in an RPEX game and did pretty well

Then got to see some friends and run a couple of games.. the games went very well... 

Maidens of the Dessert and So you think you have an attitude

Dave Konkle

Larry Wickman - Wickman Games

Ernie G Gygax Jr

Friday night, I ran my Colter Memorial Drunken Dungeon Master game... and afterward went on to play Werewolf until the early morning hours... Being a social creature, I imbibed more bourbon then needed... 

I had to cancel my Saturday game....
It was the first time I ever had to cancel a Game I was running because of drinking the night before... that will not happen again

Wisconsin July 2022 - Lake Geneva

 WISCONSIN July 2022 

I traveled to Wisconsin to attend Pheonix Con with my buddy Chris. We Stayed in Kenosha the first 2 nights and went to Lake Geneva that Wednesday. The drive there was very smooth and we got Culvers burgers when we arrived. 

Lake Forest Oasys on 94 after Chicago

The next day (Wednesday) we went to Lake Geneva

I got my Bacon Maple Donuts... mmmmmmmm

Of course I had to place dice on the memorial brick...

  xbxxx

Dice that were Colter's

 

Then we went to see the sites

Thursday, we headed to the Convention...