| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Garen Thal |
Posted - 18 May 2014 : 19:14:06
Folks, now that Gen Con event registration has opened, I feel the need to start up an official discussion/announcement thread for this year's Candlekeep Presents seminar. Our theme this year is "The Lords of Waterdeep," but as previous attendees will tell you, this does not in any way restrict our discussion or enjoyment of the gathering to just that topic; it's simply a hint on what to expect.
Candlekeep Presents is an annual gathering of Forgotten Realms fans, authors, contributors, and admirers. Like last year, it will be held at 8pm on Saturday. The official listing of the event, SEM1458804, is listed on the Gen Con website, here (log-in required). I've also set up a Google+ page, where I'll be sharing more information as it becomes available.
As of this posting, 52 of the 150 tickets for the event have been claimed; that's a full third of our seats in two hours. So, if you'll be attending Gen Con this year, make sure you grab your ticket before they're all gone!
Feel free to ask questions and share your thoughts below. |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| savedbygrace |
Posted - 02 Aug 2014 : 03:09:01
Thanks for your help guys. Sounds like a lot of fun if you're with some friends but not so much if you're alone and shy. Maybe some day I'll drag my brothers up the road to it. Til then, I'll just smile at the enthusiasm(and envy) dripping from these pages. Have fun! |
| Garen Thal |
Posted - 02 Aug 2014 : 01:14:09
quote:
Originally posted by savedbygrace
I've seen the badge pricing and find it to be high for those who have no idea what goes on there. The gencon site doesn't really elaborate on details. Other than being able to check out products at booths (which can be done online) what else makes that badge worth the money? Are seminars free? Do you have to schedule things or can you simply walk into a seminar that catches your attention? Is anything within the event free? Or do you just pay to be in the same area as authors and product pushers?
Apologies my friends, not intending to sound negative. Just curious.
A badge gets you entrance to the show, which includes access to the exhibit hall (where you can usually demo or sample games), the program book, the giveaway bag (which used to include a lot of free giveaways, but these days is mostly flyers and a coupon book that will allow you to get discounts or free goodies at certain exhibitor booths, and the ability to sign up for events.
All seminars are, by definition, supposed to be free. However, all events--including seminars--are ticketed, so if it fills up, you can't get in without a ticket. Paid events will allow the use of generic tickets, which allow you to pay for an event you didn't originally sign up for in $2 increments.
There are lots of games at GenCon. Some are paid events. Others are free, or pick up games in free play areas, public hotel spaces, or even in rooms or restaurants (the last of which I really don't recommend, unless you're in an empty establishment, or paying a whole lot of money).
A person could, theoretically, go through the entire 4 days without paying for any events, just by attending seminars or playing in pick-up games. I know I've done it! |
| George Krashos |
Posted - 02 Aug 2014 : 00:55:59
Are you asking about GEN-CON as a whole or the Candlekeep Seminar? If the former, then you need a "badge" for entry, which costs money. Stuff inside the main hall is free in the sense that there are tons of exhibitions and free demos going on. Other events - such as True Dungeon - cost money. But yes, in a nutshell you do pay to "be in the same area as authors and product pushers". Spending time with Ed is very much worth the price of admission IMHO however. YMMV.
As for the Candlekeep Seminar, in relation to the badge, it will be a unique pin that can only be obtained by attending. It is "free" for all who attend, but the organisers have asked for donations to pay for the pins and some Candlekeep lanyards. As stated explicitly, people can donate or not as their means allow.
The Seminar is free but as there are always "walk-ins", if you have registered for the event, then you have a guaranteed seat. I've never been to a Candlekeep Seminar so can't comment on the format. I'll be the guy with the funny accent sitting in the cheap seats with a big Fed-Ex box next to him. Come long to the seminar to find out what's in the box.
-- George Krashos
|
| savedbygrace |
Posted - 02 Aug 2014 : 00:24:43
I've seen the badge pricing and find it to be high for those who have no idea what goes on there. The gencon site doesn't really elaborate on details. Other than being able to check out products at booths (which can be done online) what else makes that badge worth the money? Are seminars free? Do you have to schedule things or can you simply walk into a seminar that catches your attention? Is anything within the event free? Or do you just pay to be in the same area as authors and product pushers?
Apologies my friends, not intending to sound negative. Just curious. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 01 Aug 2014 : 18:23:46
GenCon isn't happening for me, this year... I wish it was.
But myself and a friend are making plans for next year! I've done the preliminary number crunching, and -- perhaps most importantly -- gotten permission from the wife. |
| Euranna |
Posted - 01 Aug 2014 : 14:22:17
This is going to be my first GenCon, and it truly is shaping up to the GenCon: The Forgotten Realms Edition for me. I am not complaining though. I am greatly looking forward to it all. :) |
| The Masked Mage |
Posted - 01 Aug 2014 : 13:58:55
Thinkin' maybe I'll drive down... Haven't done a GenCon since they moved em from Milwaukee... |
| George Krashos |
Posted - 01 Aug 2014 : 09:16:41
I think I'd rather be ritually sacrificed to Orcus. Ed on the other hand might be a fan of the idea ...
-- George Krashos |
| daarkknight |
Posted - 01 Aug 2014 : 04:59:01
quote:
Originally posted by Steven Schend
quote:
Originally posted by Garen Thal
Now all we need to do is get people to show up. 
Promise them the display of Impiltran belly dancing by George Krashos and Ed Greenwood and people will flock to the event! 
I just don't think it'd be the same without you doing it as well Steven! |
| The Sage |
Posted - 01 Aug 2014 : 04:37:30
quote:
Originally posted by Steven Schend
quote:
Originally posted by Garen Thal
Now all we need to do is get people to show up.
Promise them the display of Impiltran belly dancing by George Krashos and Ed Greenwood and people will flock to the event!
You'll all have camera phones, right?
We demand pictures. And video too!  |
| Steven Schend |
Posted - 31 Jul 2014 : 20:23:27
quote:
Originally posted by Garen Thal
Now all we need to do is get people to show up.
Promise them the display of Impiltran belly dancing by George Krashos and Ed Greenwood and people will flock to the event! |
| Garen Thal |
Posted - 31 Jul 2014 : 19:54:28
quote:
Originally posted by dazzlerdal
If only I didn't have two kids and only one wage to feed them with, I would donate £40 immediately even though I have no way of going.
Unfortunately if I give away £40 then we don't eat for a week.
Thank you for your generosity of spirit, dazzlerdal!
For the record, we don't want to pressure anyone or make them feel guilty. Some folks are able to spend extra on this sort of thing. Others cannot afford to come at all, or can barely scrape together the money to come to Gen Con. We appreciate every contribution, but also every wish that someone could give to the effort.
Also, we are at $890 now. Given that some of the contributions were larger than expected, I consider the lanyards funded. We'll have them for the show. Any additional funds will go towards last-minute surprises or towards next year's efforts.
Now all we need to do is get people to show up. |
| Gary Dallison |
Posted - 31 Jul 2014 : 19:42:54
If only I didn't have two kids and only one wage to feed them with, I would donate £40 immediately even though I have no way of going.
Unfortunately if I give away £40 then we don't eat for a week. |
| Snow |
Posted - 31 Jul 2014 : 18:50:31
Wish I could attend GenCon this year. :-( The only time I went was with my friends from college in our Freshman year ... and it was sooooo much fun to meet Ed and all the members of the WotC FR Design Team! So I hope all of you enjoy! The sheer thought of clinking a toast with a whole gaggle of renowned CK scribes and talking tawdry and sordid gossip about Daggerdale, Hlammach, Iriaebor and Samargol ... really widens my eyes! :-D
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| George Krashos |
Posted - 31 Jul 2014 : 03:12:00
Hi Scribes
We are only $40 away from our target of $900.00 to get those super special lanyards for the event. If you are one of the 100 or so people who have signed up for the seminar and are feeling generous ...
Oh, and if you aren't going to GEN-CON and make a donation anyway to get us to the target, drop me a PM and I'll send you through my little gift to those attending.
-- George Krashos |
| SteelGandalf |
Posted - 24 Jul 2014 : 00:10:11
Hey Team,
there was discussion of a dinner on Thursday night for Candlekeepgoers. Maybe these two ideas can be combined? Check it out here...
http://forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=19015 |
| Dark Wizard |
Posted - 19 Jul 2014 : 00:25:31
I want all the details, excitement, announcements, minute transcripts. I want to live vicariously if not attend myself.
Last year I followed someone with Google Glass going to GenCon. In a limited way, I got to see "first hand" what it was like and it only has me wanting to go even more. |
| Shadowsoul |
Posted - 18 Jul 2014 : 11:22:41
I wish the people going would keep their excitement posts to PMs because it makes me jealous.  |
| George Krashos |
Posted - 18 Jul 2014 : 08:07:41
I know how you feel Shadowsoul. This will be my second GEN-CON and I can't believe that my last one was 7 years ago. Wow.
-- George Krashos |
| Shadowsoul |
Posted - 17 Jul 2014 : 17:29:38
*sighs* I know we have castles, and fairies, and all sorts of magical things, but this is one time when it sucks living in Ireland. |
| Steven Schend |
Posted - 17 Jul 2014 : 03:48:13
quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos
Any further word in a Candlekeep pre-get together drinks thingy?
-- George Krashos
George, we've got to figure out some time to sit down for a full meal, not just drinks. Sarah's only coming to GC for Friday evening-Sunday morning, so we'll have to find time therein.
And I'd say flasks might be a handy thing to bring along to the Lords seminar. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 07 Jul 2014 : 03:48:07
quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos
Any further word in a Candlekeep pre-get together drinks thingy?
-- George Krashos
You're setting aside an imaginary drink for me to... right? |
| Thorn Illance |
Posted - 07 Jul 2014 : 03:46:33
This years meet-up will be a lot of fun. I'm hoping to meet THO!
|
| Garen Thal |
Posted - 07 Jul 2014 : 03:14:43
quote:
Originally posted by Kris the Grey
GT - The lanyard sounds awesome, count me (and the wife) in - we will go contribute later tonight!
Again, was there a plan for after the fun? I do recall raising the 'pick up game' concept. Do we have takers for that?
Thank you in advance for your support!
I will be working this week to determine whether or not we can get the room held for us for the time immediately following the seminar. That will decide some questions we've yet to settle internally (and which may affect pick-up games, private discussions, folks heading for drinks, etc.).
|
| George Krashos |
Posted - 07 Jul 2014 : 02:46:10
Any further word in a Candlekeep pre-get together drinks thingy?
-- George Krashos |
| Ashe Ravenheart |
Posted - 07 Jul 2014 : 01:17:34
quote:
Originally posted by Kris the Grey
GT - The lanyard sounds awesome, count me (and the wife) in - we will go contribute later tonight!
Again, was there a plan for after the fun? I do recall raising the 'pick up game' concept. Do we have takers for that?
Alas, I have booked myself into the D20 Burlesque show taking place at 10:00 after the Candlekeep seminar. Although, nothing is ever definite... |
| Kris the Grey |
Posted - 07 Jul 2014 : 00:13:38
GT - The lanyard sounds awesome, count me (and the wife) in - we will go contribute later tonight!
Again, was there a plan for after the fun? I do recall raising the 'pick up game' concept. Do we have takers for that? |
| Garen Thal |
Posted - 03 Jul 2014 : 21:34:54
Now that we have blown past our initial goal, we've got some exciting things that we're going to offer folks that contribute--even if they can't make it.
For the first time in our three years, we're going to offer people who will not be attending GenCon the chance to get hold of one of this year's collectable pins. U.S. contributors will be able to give $20 to have us send you a pin--after the convention is done with. International contributors will need to work out shipping arrangements with me privately.
But why are we still accepting contributions if we can already do the bare minimum for this year, you ask?
Weeeelllll, we're hoping to commission a special Candlekeep Presents pin lanyard for folks to keep your lovely pins on. Whether you've got one, two, or all three pins, it will let you bear them all proudly and with style, without having to worry about that pesky Gen Con badge holder filling up.
The exact funding amount we need to hit is weirdly obscured based on the number of contributors and the options which they choose when giving, but the number we need to hit to completely fund the lanyards is roughly $900 to pay for everything (including shipping to our non-attendee friends).
So, go. Visit the page. Give. Be awesome. |
| Drustan Dwnhaedan |
Posted - 03 Jul 2014 : 06:42:31
quote:
Originally posted by CorellonsDevout
I wish I could come :(
Me too. Especially missing out on the cake and/or pie. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 03 Jul 2014 : 04:10:28
quote:
Originally posted by Ashe Ravenheart
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Happily supported!
Now, where's my cake?
The cake is a lie.
The pie, on the other hand, is ALWAYS truthful.
I was waiting for a fellow scribe to pick up on that reference. And, funnily enough, I thought it would be you, Ashe. |
