Tuesday, August 16, 2022

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

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

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






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"   


Monday, July 25, 2022

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



Thursday, July 21, 2022

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...

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

Heading To PhoenixCon 2022 !!

UPDATED June 14, 2022

Pen by Savage Creations

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The image below is from Last August in Wisconsin and signifies what I will miss most going forward when I go to Wisconsin... My Friend Colter will be missing at all the Conventions I attend in Wisconsin

 



Greg and Colter

My Next convention I am going to is 

PHOENIXCON in APPLETON WISCONSIN

I opted out of GaryCon.  

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April 2022


I will be back in July for PhoenixCon. That will be strange to attend without "Greg's Friend".

As much as I am looking forward to going, I am dreading going, but BADGE #1 will be there  



I will be attending with another from our Tuesday Dragonscales game and it will be his first convention


 
SO, at the Next PhoenixCon I intend to run a few games during the con

(Not listed in order or any Timeslot)


The Colter Mathby Memorial Drunken Dungeon Master Challenge

A super secret game that will be amazing. Armed with one page of notes and a POORLY drawn map, I'll improvise on the spot. System - Dragonscales RPG. novices welcome Email gmbarry@msn.com for the character creation Bring a full deck of cards with Jokers

Note: This may not be the greatest game, but it will be the most entertaining...
(Drunken Dungeon Master is a title and may or may not be true based on the previous game, also I reserve the right to have no more than 2 pages of notes, typed big enough to read while consuming Spotted Cow)

 


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DragonScales RPG:  

The Demon Chronicles 1 and 2 

A series of games where the player will 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. 

Part 1: You have by Hired once again by Murkie 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 will be provided. No experience needed Bring a deck of cards with Jokers

Part 2: At the Great Library in Concord, several clues were found, the Team decides which one to follow for Part 2 Characters will be provided. No experience needed Bring a deck of cards with Jokers



ConGames: Maidens of the Desert - AD&D 1st Edition

Explore the Suel Empire that crumbled 3 centuries ago with a map that recently resurfaced with its location in the Sea of Dust
 
8 Characters of Level 15-18, Using standard classes (PH and UA). Poorly done pregens will be provided so please bring your own

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AD&D - So you think you have an Attitude!

AD&D 1st Edition

Only Dwarves need apply... 13th-15th level... bring your own or be issued a generic.... The followers of the God of Attitude and Drink are sent on a quest for the Ultimate Ale.
Beginners welcome.
Age 13+ please.
Pregenerated characters provided are lame

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PIZZATOON

The Players at the convention ordered buncha Pizza.. be the first to deliver them and get the prize...   Pregen x Provided or bring your own


All my games have twists and turns. I strive to put on a great game that moves along


I look forward to the Con with dread and a Hyper anticipation from building on such a great time last year.  From finding an appropriate way to honor my friend to making new connections. 






CON GAMES KICKSTARTER Update

Even though my Con Games Kickstarter was effectively KILLED by covid, I am not able to promote it at Cons as I have in the past. If I can build up my brand, I may pursue it down the road


Friday, April 22, 2022

Dragonscales RPG - Character classes Review


 

Dragonscales  RPG - Character classes Review 


This is the first in the series of articles about Dragonscales RPG

Having participated in the game since the beginning, and having run a at least 100 sessions, I offer this up to anyone looking for system that is Fun, flexible and Interesting

The game uses PLAYING CARDS instead of dice and I will cover this mechanic in another post

RANK AND QUESTS

This advancement is based on RANK and QUESTS, not experience points. As your Character Type completes quests you get Advancement Abilities and possible Hit Point Card Draw

Rank is how many cards you pull to Attack, use abilities, and just about anything other than defense (Always 1 card, unless a Magical item alters that) 




Part 1: The Characters

This will be about the characters:

Now I have played a few characters but mainly the Forest Caretaker and most of my review will be based on the players who have played the classes and my observations of them. 

All characters start off with Stuff and money, all were merchants coming into Concord with a wagon or container of goods to sell so none are broke adventurers starting with a short sword and leather armor.

Nearly all characters (except Forest Caretakers) can make magical items using Dragonscales


Fang Warriors, Templar Warriors and Crusaders

Fang Warriors are weapon masters, usually choosing one weapon to fight. Fang Warriors reach 3rd rank with 12 Quests

Templar Warriors are a Holy Fighters who strength is fighting the Undead, Templars Reach 3rd Rank at 13 Quests. They are given Holy Spear, Sword and Shield at Rank 1   

Crusaders are akin to the AD&D Paliden as they are directly tied to a Deity. Crusaders reach 3 Rank with 6 Quests. Crusaders are always given a holy war hammer and a holy symbol along with Holy Leather Armor. They are also responsible for setting up Way Stations for Travellers at each Rank advancement 



Dragon Eye Mages

These are the Magic Users of the Realm, They will reach 3rd Rank at 9 Quests and get a steady draw of hit points each Milestone but slower than some of the other characters. There abilities gained are in line with them being magic users. and although they are not meant for hand to hand combat, at 5 Quests, they can throw 3 war darts a melee round.  Their spells even at 1st rank makes them formidable and worthwhile.



Fortune Hunter

These are the Thieves of the Realm, They will reach 3rd Rank at 9 Quests and get a slightly better draw of hit points than Mages. Skilled at opening locks, climbing into difficult places, and sensing trouble in warrens and caves. While they can be very effective against Dragons, they are best at getting into places and knowing the values of all gems


 

Forest Caretaker

Modeled after the Beastmaster, he has animal companions and knowledge of the forests. They will reach 3rd rank with 4 quests and they have the best Hit point advancement in the game. the only drawback is they cannot use metal weapons or armor

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PART 2 - Creating Characters

  1. Fang Warrior                      Must have a face card ♠ to be a warrior
  2. Dragon Eye Mage              Must have a face card to be a mage
  3. Forest Caretaker                 Must have a face card ♣ to be a caretaker
  4. Templar Warrior                 Must have a face card to be a templar
  5. Crusaders                            Must have a face card to be a Crusader
  6. Fortune Hunter                   Must have a face card to be a hunter

The First step is to Determine your 4 Starting Cards. 

You will need to select 4 cards 

Shuffle the cards of your deck and deal out two different rows of four Character Creation cards. If either row is all black cards discard those and deal another row until you have two rows of four with some red cards.

Special Note: You may exchange one card from the row you don’t like with a black card or a low card from the row of four you do like. 

Drawing Initial set of Hit points  

HIT POINTS every new first rank character starts with ten hit points and a card draw. The card’s number is added to the ten points. You draw until you get a card. If a player drew a queen of ‘s they add 12 points to the 10 initial hit points for a total of 22.


Select your God

Once you select your god, you write the powers they grant to you. 


Once you determine your Profession, you get a wagon of Gear as every character starts out with a bunch of items to sell, keep or use. I do recommend opening a shop and selling a bunch of stuff just get a little cash flow, but the game should not be about being a merchant, I have had players who did have success of minding their booths and adventuring...  




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Playing Notes: Forest Caretaker

I have been playing a Forest Caretaker for a long time now and here are some thoughts on the Character Type:

  1. Even at a low rank, do not ignore your animals, they are pretty powerful and can do some amazing things
  2. Your backpack is the greatest tool you have, you can put anything that fits in it and no one else can see it
  3. Your Hit Point Draw is very substantial starting with 4th Quest point 
  4. I always try to find a surprising way to showcase my abilities, I am always mindful of my animals and what they are doing.


Some things I try to do in every game

  • Collect Plants for healing
  • Feed the animals
  • Scout terrain as a bird




 

Wisconsin Easter 2022 Trip

 


Got into Kenosha on Thursday and spent Friday Gaming AT Ernie and Donna's Dragonlands home.. 



Saturday we got up and went for Bittner's Donuts and then to Rehersal for the Easter Vigil, then to Mars Cheese Castle







after that we ran out to Lake Geneva to walk around
















We did the Easter Vigil Saturday night and grabbed food at Culvers

Sunday, we went to Seven Bridges and walked about. 
















While we were at Seven Bridges someone was having maternity photos done in the 38 Degree weather