April Game-a-thon

Saturday, April 11, 2009

The SWA sponsors eleven one-day Game-a-thons each year. We schedule these every month (January through September, November and December). October is reserved for Council of Five Nations. We usually shoot for the second Saturday of the month, but we’re flexible in consideration of Studio availability and other regional conventions. We generally have 6-10 events, scheduled into two time slots (11am-4pm, 5pm-10pm+). We can easily accomodate games that run longer than a five-hour slot. You only pay for the games you play in. No registrations fees at the door, and no badges. GMs don’t pay, and they play for free in the session they’re not running.

Our next scheduled Game-a-thon is Saturday, April 11, 2009.
Here are the details.

There is no longer any safe route through the Wastelands. With the advance of the third rift, legions of ghostwalkers have been spotted. For the first time since the founding of the champions, the call for war has been met with mutual agreement. It is time — and you have agreed to join the advance party.
(1) This game is rated as an FCSGL Master level game. New players should bring a 17th level character. You do not need to be an FCSGL member to play in this game. Rules will be taught if needed. (2) The League is switching to 4th Edition, but this event will be 3rd edition. What2bring: Books, dice, and minis.
More information at http://www.firstduty.com/add/league/events.php.

The Fellowship and the forces of men and elves vs. the host of Evil humans, orcs, goblins, Urak hai and trolls. Hobbit squashing… a must for all.
Large scale skirmish miniatures battle. Medium complexity house rules. NOTE: Game may run long but will not fill 2 sessions

GM is running 2 games. The first is Kragmortha:Players are mischievous goblins running around the Dark Overlord’s library and trying to steal his magical tomes while avoiding his terrible punishments.
Next is Captain Treasure Boots: Sail the bounding main and gather a hold full of treasure, shooting your enemies to smithereens and taking treasures, too.

Through the Ages is a civilization building game. The goal is to develop your civilization, not to destroy other ones. Military strength is just one aspect of your nation, as well as population, production or science. It is up to you which aspect you will concentrate on, more or less, but you should not underestimate any of them while building your civilization.
Victory is achieved by the player whose nation produces the most culture during the game. However, there are many ways to produce culture: through religion, literature or drama, by building wonders, by utilizing cultural persons etc. Considerable amount of culture can be gained even via wars or aggression.
Follow this link to the BoardGameGeek entry for Through the Ages which includes reviews, pictures, playing aids and links.

The players are plantation owners in Puerto Rico in the days when the ships had sails. Growing up to five different kind of crops: Corn, Indigo, Coffee, Sugar and Tobacco, they must try to run their business more efficiently than their close competitors.
A unique game system let the players choose the order of the phases in each turn, and the player who understand to employ these most effectively, will win the game.
Follow this link to the BoardGameGeek entry for Puerto Rico which includes reviews, pictures, rules summaries and other playing aids.

The battle with the Ghostwalkers took it’s toll, but there is no time for regrets or sorrow. Night is falling on the Dark Territory. And this is no place for the living to be after dark. The survivors must be seen safely to Haven 51.
Note: (1) This event will be run using 4th Edition. (2) This game is rated as an FCSGL Beginner (APL 5) game. New players should bring a 2nd level character. FCSGL members should bring an existing 4th edition character between levels 2 and 8. You do not need to be an FCSGL member to play in this game. Rules will be taught if needed. What2bring: Books, dice, and minis.
More information at http://www.firstduty.com/add/league/events.php.

The world of BattleLore meshes history and fantasy together - putting players in command of an array of miniature troops on the battlefields of a Medieval Europe Uchronia at the outset of the Hundred Years War.
In this fantastical re-imagining of the Hundred Years War, French and English armies are supplemented with Goblins and Dwarves mercenaries and even some creatures like Giant Spider and Earth Elemental! Just as important as the armies you have, though, are the Lore Masters you choose to aid you: Wizards, Clerics, Warriors and Rogues can all aid you with unique powers and spells in ways role-playing gamers will find familiar.
Follow this link to the BoardGameGeek entry for BattleLore which includes reviews, pictures, playing aids and links.

Republic of Rome is a game that captures the feel of intrigue and power politics in the Roman Senate during the more than 250 years of the Republic. Each player controls a faction, comprised of members from the leading Senatorial families, attempting to increase their strength and influence to the point where it dominates the government. Opposing these self-serving goals are the needs of the State and external threats against it, represented by the game itself. The players and their factions must cooperate as needed to properly prosecute the many wars against Rome’s hostile neighbors, as well as see to the contentment of the populace. Failure to do so will bring about the fall of Rome and the end of the Republic, and a loss for all players.
Will defending your principles keep you out of the loop of power? Will a lack of conscience bring about the fall of Rome? Can you walk that fine line to victory while keeping the other factions from doing the same?
Follow this link to the BoardGameGeek entry for Republic of Rome which includes pictures, reviews, player aids, and the living rules that will be used
We will be using the Living Rules v2.16 available at the BoardGameGeek link above. The scenario played (Early, Middle, or Late Republic) will be determined by the GM based on the experience levels and preferences of the players in the game. Like Diplomacy, Republic of Rome is often cutthroat and frequently includes backstabs and double-crosses - players are asked to leave their personal relations at the door to avoid damaging any real world relationships.

Continuing our offering of the full range of RPGA events, April brings a wide selection of choices for your character progression!

Remember to sign up so that we can plan sufficient judge coverage for the game day. RSVP your interest at http://www.warhorn.net/swa.



AGLA1-1 Lost Temple of the Fey Gods
RPGA Judges - GM
2-6 Players

Faeries, sprites, nymphs, and dryads — the fey creatures of Faerûn’s wild places are often dismissed as nuisances and pranksters. Those who truly understand the fey know that as with all things natural, there is a darker side to these creatures of fancy. Could a rash of stolen food and sleep dust traps point to a more sinister threat lurking on the wild side of reality?
A Living Forgotten Realms adventure set in Aglarond for characters levels 1–4.
Please RSVP your interest at here so that we can ensure adequate staff to run this event.

Amidst goblin raids originating from the ruined town of Galain, you are asked by a young genasi woman to locate her brother. Lost or deceased, it’s up to you to find him!
A Living Forgotten Realms adventure set in Akanûl for characters levels 1–4.
Please RSVP your interest at here so that we can ensure adequate staff to run this event.

The Crafty Kobold Salvage Company has fearlessly plumbed forgotten treasures from the depths of the earth for many years. Now the owner’s son and his expedition have gone missing and he needs adventurers of uncommon mettle to brave the dangers of the Underdark, find the lost explorers, and perhaps even unlock the ancient secrets of Lodestone Deep.
A Living Forgotten Realms adventure set in the East Rift for characters levels 1–4.
Please RSVP your interest at here so that we can ensure adequate staff to run this event.

Impiltur is not a safe country for those who are alone. When a young woman’s father dies, can you resist her cry for help?
A Living Forgotten Realms adventure set in Impiltur for characters levels 1–4.
Please RSVP your interest at here so that we can ensure adequate staff to run this event.

An old tutor asks the adventurers to recover a stolen family heirloom for a down-on-their-luck Waterdhavian noble family.
A Living Forgotten Realms adventure set in Waterdeep for characters levels 1–4.
Please RSVP your interest at here so that we can ensure adequate staff to run this event.

When shopping for weapons the smith suddenly bursts into tears. Somebody captured his wife’s soul and is using it to extort money and weapons from the poor smith. He has nothing more to give, and unless you help him everything is lost.
A Living Forgotten Realms adventure set in Impiltur for characters levels 4–7.
Please RSVP your interest at here so that we can ensure adequate staff to run this event.

In the oldest part of Everlund whispered rumors of dark deeds slither through the chilled, narrow streets.
A Living Forgotten Realms adventure set in Luruar for characters levels 4–7.
Please RSVP your interest at here so that we can ensure adequate staff to run this event.

Valiant seafarers travel between the Moonshae Isles, bringing supplies and information to the many people. You have been hired as guard aboard the Sea Drake. The weather is rainy and the fog is thick. It’s a perfect time to sail the seas of the Moonshaes.
A Living Forgotten Realms adventure set in The Moonshae Isles for characters levels 4–7.
Please RSVP your interest at here so that we can ensure adequate staff to run this event.

Location

As usual, this Game-a-thon will be held at the Studio of Bridge and Games, in Schenectady, NY. If you need directions, you can click here, or send an email to: mailto:directions@swa-gaming.org An automatic reply will immediately be sent to you with detailed directions.

The number at the Studio is: (518) 346-3773

Session Fees

Show up and play one game session = $4.00

Show up and play both game sessions = $6.00

GMs play all day for free.

Full-time students get in for free. For our purposes, “full-time students” are people in Kindergarten through college. Our intent here is to help allow younger games/“new blood” to participate at SWA events, and the gaming hobby in general.
The student discount does not cover working adults who happen to be taking a Continuing Education class. Please help us fulfill the spirit and intent of this policy.

Registration

Our Game-a-thons have generally been pretty casual events; people stroll in and sign up for the event of their choice on-the-spot. Lately, however, attendance has been increasing and more events are filling to maximum and beyond.

If you would like to greatly increase your chance of getting into the game of your choice, you can now formally pre-register online. Payments will be handled through PayPal. If you do not have a PayPal account, you can still pay with your credit card.

Online pre-registration is not required. You can still just stroll in and get into a game. But pre-registering is now an option for those who want to take advantage of it.

Follow this link to go to the online registration page. We’ll sign you up, but your spot’s not guaranteed until we get your payment.

Swap Meet Tables

If you’ve got merchandise you’d like to sell, please consider renting a table or three at our Game-a-thon.

This is meant to be more of a Swap Meet / Garage Sale atmosphere, and not really intended for full merchant setups.

Each attendee can rent a maximum of three tables. The first costs $2, two cost $10, and three cost $20. As you can see, the price structure encourages individuals to rent few tables. We will have a maximum of eight tables available at each Game-a-thon.

Each table is (2.5' x 2.5'); a standard card table. Some of them are kinda old and thus not very sturdy. Please keep this in mind when planning what you’ll bring for sale.

You can reserve your table(s) ahead of time by using the online registration form. You will see the prices repeated there. Please list your table request in the ‘Comments’ field. Please also note that you have to pay the Game-a-thon registration in addition to the table rental fee.

You can also rent tables on a walk-in basis, but please remember we’ll have no more than eight available for the day; first come, first served.

We suggest that you use our Forum discussion boards to announce what you will/might bring. We suggest posting in the “What’s happening this week” category where the Game-a-thons are announced.

(Here’s our secret agenda... Not only do we want to help you get rid of gaming stuff you’re not using, but we’d also like to see this generate some more walk-in traffic.)

Questions or Comments?

Events at Future Game-a-thons

If you’d like to run a game at a future Game-a-thon, please click here to submit your event online.

You can also email us at your convenience.

You can even call Bill and tell him about your event over the phone - we’re flexible!

If you’d like to see a particular game run at a future event, let us know by filling in a Game Request Form here.