I was over at Zach's Mind reading a blog entry about his first DnD game.  In it he describes how he was worked in as a first level thief in an established campaign of experienced characters, all of them floating betwen fourth and fifth level. 

What a schmucky GM, I thought.  Putting a new player running a first level character with an establisged party of advanced PCs crawling through a suitably leveled dungeon. 

Zach's poor thief didn't have a chance! 

What a jack hole that GM was.

Now, Zach and I are old high school and college chums.  We played a lot of RPGs back in the day.  I ran him through countless adventures and recall being rather abusive to his characters on most occasions and... oh shit!

Am I the jack hole GM? 

I scrutinized the blog entry seeking anything familiar.  Zach spins the tale of the party's encounter with a youngish red dragon... 

"...Before I knew it I was in the same room with them and a very large dragon (not high caliber dragon I'd learn later but the GM was good at describing stuff so it seemed like a big deal at the time)."

At first level, any dragon's a threat.  Even a Fairy Dragon.

When Zach's first level thief decided to attack the dragon, it drew some amazement from the rest of the party.

"The elven mage looked back at me and shook his head, 'say goodbye to your character, man.'

"I shrugged yet again, 'what? I shouldn't do it?'

"'Dude you're a level one thief he's a level six red dragon,' the Paladin guy said as if I should know what this means. The color seemed very important for some reason. It was a RED dragon, as if the other colored dragons would have been easier. 'I'm a level five paladin and I'm pretty much dead.'"

Colored dragons, Zach?  C'mon, man.  A little sensitivity please.  They prefer the term Draco Americans. 

"The elven mage guy threw up his hands, 'We're ALL pretty much dead so unless anyone else has any better ideas I say we let the kid do what he wants.'

"The GM had appeared to be looking up some figures and stuff behind his little screen...

AHA!

It wasn't me!

I've never used a DM screen in my life!  

I'm not the jack hole! 

I'm not the jack hole! 

...In this circumstance.

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net
 

Posted by Aron Head at 10:00 PM CDT

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And here are some updates about WWTX:

...The Hero Initiative is looking for a couple of volunteers to help staff their booth at Wizard World Texas being held from November 16 - 18 in Arlington.  Volunteers receive free admission to the con, lotsa swag, and get to "hang-and-bang with Darick Robertson."

 ...Last week, I reported that Houston's Bedrock City Comics will be at Wizard World.  Yesterday, Bedrock City's Richard sent me a note:

"Just read your blog entry on the Wizard show, and all the kind words about Bedrock City. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the kudos. It is always nice to hear that someone enjoys the job we do.

"Thank you very much!

"As for the show, we will be bringing mostly vintage comics and paper collectibles (big little books, original art, etc.). This will be an interesting show for us as we usually bring golden and silver age comics and compete with the other vintage dealers. But there is a big show in New York the same weekend, so our competition in that area will be very light. We should be able to find out if there is a market for the old stuff in Dallas.

"I will have some of the biggies in tow like Amazing Fantasy 15, Fantastic Four 1, Spiderman 1 etc.

"I am looking forward to seeing you there."

Man, can't wait!  I am so getting my picture with FF #1!

See you at the con, Richard.

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 12:01 AM CDT

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The Texas Department of State Health Services rolled a brand new campaign out today called "Ready or Not?  HAVE A PLAN."  The program, utilizing a variety of print and broadcast media, is designed to encourage every Texan to create an emergency plan.  From today's press release:

“Family emergency planning is essential,” said Dr. David Lakey, DSHS Commissioner. “It’s easy, and the time to do it is now.”

Lakey said that the “Ready or Not?” campaign will help people understand how to get started.

“...Protecting your family means taking time to make a family plan before disaster strikes," Said Jack Colley, chief of the Governor's Division of Emergency Management. 

And what type of disaster might you need to prepare for?  A Zombie Apocalypse, that's what!

Science tells us that the a Zombie Apocalypse is not just probable, but likely. 

Rick Schofield, Director of Preparedness and Response for the Southwest Service Area of the American Red Cross said it best, “It’s important for everyone to encourage Texans to plan now because disasters don’t just happen in other places to other people."

Reading between the lines, Director Schofield is clearly saying that Texas is ripe for an undead outbreal. 

"While we are here to respond to disasters," He goes on to say, "Everyone can help prevent the impact of a disaster on their families by taking simple steps to prepare.”

Like buying a machete and a good pair of running shoes?

DSHS and agencies like them, such as the Zombie Preparedness Initiative, have it right. 

You can either be prepared, or be eaten because the Zombie Apocalypse will happen.  

Damn zombies.

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net
 

Posted by Aron Head at 8:02 PM CDT

Updated: Monday, 29 October 2007 8:10 PM CDT

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Just in case you've missed an article, I've provided an index of the 2007 pre-con coverage for you reading pleasure.  Also, I have included the articles from previous WWTX events.

Wizard World Texas 2007

Win Free Tickets! 

Guilting Zeus 

No Mental Studios, But Bedrock City Will Rock the Con!

Things to look out for, Part One 

Things to look out for, Part Two 

Things to look out for, Part Three 

One Month to Wizard World Texas 

September 16, 2007 Update 

Gunplay at Wizard World Texas 

Countdown to Wizard World Texas

Wizard World Texas 2006

Saturday at Wizard World Texas 2006

The End of the World (Wizard World Texas, That Is)

Wizard World Texas 2005 

As the Wizard World Turns 

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 12:01 AM CDT

Updated: Saturday, 27 October 2007 1:22 PM CDT

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Worldwide D&D Game Day is just around the corner:

"Now in its fourth year, World Wide D&D Game Day is set to break all records for sites and attendance internationally. Last year we saw over 1300 locations provide the setting for our trip to the horror realms of Ravenloft. Over 25,000 estimated heroes from as far a field as Singapore to Iraq, from Alaska to Buenos Aires threw down their dice in celebration of this D&D extravaganza!"

WWDnDGD is an organized play event, which means that the same pre-generated scenario with the same pre-generated player characters are played at event venues world wide.  

This year's center-piece is an Icewind Dale adventure.  From what I gather from GeekDad, Icewind Dale is being offered in honor "...of the upcoming 20th anniversary of the creation of fantasy character Drizzt Do'Urden."

I can understand why Wizards of the Coast would want  organized play as the centerpiece for this event as it allows everyone to share the same experience, but I'd love to see a bunch of different versions of DnD being offered.  One of the things I cherish about DnD is its rich, 30+ year history. 

I'm not much for the newer versions of DnD.  I mean, 3.0?  3.5?  The upcoming 4.0?

I'd be willing to sit in on a 2.0 session, though.

And wouldn't it be a hoot and a half to see some oldsters running Chainmail? 

I love to see all the action around role playing games these days.  Free RPG Day debuted this year and appears to be on the way back for next year.  WWDnDGD is four years old in November.  More and more terrific table top role playing podcasts appear every day (see links to the left).

A few years ago, I thought this hobby of ours was doomed to extinction.  But now it appears that there's still some life left in the old beast. 

Od's beard, that's good news! 

To find a WWDnDGD event near you, click here.

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net

Posted by Aron Head at 12:30 PM CDT

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The folks over at Khepri.com, a website offering discounted comics and graphic novels, are offering a chance to win two free tickets to WWTX.  From their blog:

"...Anyone who orders from 10/01 through 10/31 will be entered in a drawing to win TWO FREE ADMISSIONS to WIZARD WORLD TEXAS. The show is 11/16 through 11/18.  The winner will be announced @ Khepri.com on 11/01."

As if that wasn't sweet enough, all orders placed at Khepri.com in the month of October will ship with one free comic.

Nice.

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 11:19 AM CDT

Updated: Saturday, 27 October 2007 1:23 PM CDT

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The folks over at Khepri.com, a website offering discounted comics and graphic novels, are offering a chance to win two free tickets to WWTX.  From their blog:

"...Anyone who orders from 10/01 through 10/31 will be entered in a drawing to win TWO FREE ADMISSIONS to WIZARD WORLD TEXAS. The show is 11/16 through 11/18.  The winner will be announced @ Khepri.com on 11/01."

As if that wasn't sweet enough, all orders placed at Khepri.com will ship with one free comic.

Nice.

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 11:19 AM CDT

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In yesterday's Wizard World Texas post concerning Bedrock City Comics coming to WWTX, I mentioned about how cool it would be if Zeus Comics were to come as well.  That led to an email from Zeus' Chris Williams:

Oh, the guilt!

Hey, I'm subscribed to your blog and noticed your latest entry trying to guilt us (Zeus Comics) into attending Wizard World.

I'm teasing of course. In the past, it hasn't ever paid to attend these events. The sales made from attending never really justified the cost of a booth. This was a few years ago, so perhaps the "market" for cons have changed however.

Last year, we participated in Wizard World by hosting a gallery for artist Kristian Donaldson, who was a featured guest of the con. We converted our store into a gallery for his paintings (dj and a bar too). This year there aren't any plans, but any events we schedule gets posted to our site.

Great blog by the way. It's nice to see local blogs post cool things.

Mr. Williams, you're gonna turn my head!

Sorry you fellas won't be there, but I'll stay tuned to your blog for future events!

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 12:01 AM CDT

Updated: Saturday, 27 October 2007 1:25 PM CDT

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