LEGENDS OF ROLEPLAYING at Gary Con
Legends of RoleplayingTM and Gary Con would like to announce an ongoing series of events at Gary Con that pay special attention to the dawn and golden age of role-playing games. The special events will be gathered under the aegis: Legends of RoleplayingTM.
These time capsule events bring Gary Con attendees the fun of classic role-playing games that were a staple during the early days of the hobby and Gen Cons past. The original rules, vintage figures, and authentic accessories will be used during play when possible. Sometimes the events will involve individuals who played, refereed, developed, and designed these games during the golden age of role-playing. Most events will be taught and so all that is needed is interest to play. This gives Gary Con attendees a chance to experience what it was like to play these games at the earliest Gen Cons and even Gary Gygax’s own home at 330 Center St. in Lake Geneva!
When Gary passed in 2008, Gary's family, friends, and fans gathered in the small space at the American Legion Hall in Lake Geneva. They were there to pay respects and play games in his honor. That was Gary Con 0. The Gary Cons that followed were no less intimate but were growing. Such growth was a testament to Gary's greater legacy of gaming but it meant losing a little of that camaraderie and closeness to Gary. Legends of Roleplaying attempts to recapture that spirit and share Gary's games and other games from the dawn of the role-playing game phenomena.
Many of our tables will be set-up to allow walk-up players who want to try one of the classic role-playing games. Just look for the tabletop standees that indicate the game being played and ask to join! If you wish to register ahead of time just click on Legends of Roleplaying to find our complete list of events!
Here are just a few of our Special Events:
Legends of Roleplaying Tournament. If you have ever wished you could go back in time and play in one of those early classic Dungeons & Dragons® tournaments now is your chance!
Click on Legends of Roleplaying Tournament for more information and a link to register to play!
Gaming at Gary's House. Each year since the 40th Anniversary of D&D®, the owners of Gary Gygax's former home at 330 Center St. in Lake Geneva have invited us to run special sessions of original Dungeons & Dragons during Gary Con. This year, two sessions will be offered to Gary Con attendees. The adventure for these sessions will be a Gary Con first! An incredibly deep original Greyhawk Castle level by Rob Kuntz - an adventure that was last run at 330 Center St. in 1974 in the very same dining room in which we will be playing!
Braunstein with David A. Wesely. A chance to experience a game that is at the roots of the role-playing games: Braunstein! Some 50 years ago a remarkable thing happened when Dave Wesley refereed a game for his Napoleonic war gaming group, including Dave Arneson. As the players arrived they were each is given a role to play in the town of Braunstein. Thus the seed of roleplaying games had been sown!
Secrets of Blackmoor. This is a feature length documentary film about the origins of RPGs. It presents the story of the Twin Cities gamers and their search for the Fog of War via the discovery of an old war game from the 1880's called: Strategos. Over a span 10 years, their efforts at creating the ultimate war game experience gives rise to D&D the first published RPG in 1974.
When We Were Wizards—Gary Gygax's Epic Fight for Dungeons & Dragons. This seminar previews a brand new podcast covering Gary Gygax's 12-year epic after he founded TSR, the company that brought Dungeons & Dragons to the world. Join RPG historian Paul Stormberg along with co-host, screenwriter, Adam Turner, as they show a video-preview their soon to be released podcast, When We Were Wizards.
Paul and Adam retrace Gary's fight for the heart and soul of the company from Gary's personal letters, internal company memos, documents, and newsletters, industry gossip rags, personal stories, and filmed-interviews with the people who were there.
Become a Legends of Roleplaying Game Master!
Each year, Legends of Roleplaying sponsors and selects dozens and dozens of events to gather under our banner. Currently we are seeking new Game Masters to teach and demonstrate just about any 1989 or earlier role-playing game.
Oftentimes our referees come up with new twists on the theme and use the old rules and even vintage equipment to conduct novel new games, so let your imagination run wild! Contact us at adventures@legendsofroleplaying.com if you are interested in being a part of this phenomenal program!