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Welcome To The Rpga Northwest 2 3 4 5

NMay 1999
No. 1, Vol. 1
orth by Northwest
The RPGA Network NewSletter for the Northwest ReGion
Contents
Welcome to the
RPGA Northwest
The Sights
2
David E. Wall
Northwest Regional RPGA Network Director
and Feel of
Greetings All!
Norwescon
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is David E. Wall, and I am
your new RPGA Regional Director for the Pacific Northwest Region. You will
be hearing more from me over the year via this forum — your Regional RPGA
Newsletter. This newsletter will be bimonthly (opposite the Polyhedron releas-
es) and will contain local RPGA information such as Convention updates,
Game Day reports, Campaign status for all the “Living” campaigns as well as
possible local campaign reports, and other information pertinent to our role-
playing region.
Regional Events 3
The Pacific Northwest Region is all of Alaska, Alberta, British
Calender
Columbia, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. We are far flung, but the RPGA is
alive and well in this region. There are two active clubs, the Buckon, out of
Pendleton, Oregon, and the Seattle Mob. Each club has about 15 paid members,
with even more gamers attending their respective Game Days. Plus, there are
plenty of members, both Guild-level and Fellowship, to make many more clubs!
Also, 16 area conventions are available to run RPGA Network events in the
course of the next year.
If you think Polyhedron Magazine is the only perk of an RPGA mem-
bership, think again. There are actually AD&D RPGA games running near you
Off the Wall
4
at conventions, Game Days, and in retail stores. These RPGA events occur reg-
ularly — monthly or more so in many locations. Finally, we have people active-
News
ly seeking out RPGA assistance to run events at their conventions – now that
they know we are here, gamers have been ecstatic that we will help out with the
ever growing demand for games.
Fellow RPGA members in the area are quickly joining us for Game
Day events, watching and participating in the Interactives (Launch parties,
Living City Interactives, etc.) and enjoying themselves while playing AD&D
with fellow network members. Many are also pleasantly surprised when they
find that we are playing other game systems (Call of Cthlulhu, Star Wars,
Alternity, White Wolf: Vampire, White Wolf: Werewolf, etc.) Therefore, I
Game Days in
5
believe that the RPGA can easily demonstrate quality games in this region and
Full Swing --
Continued, page 2
Find out where
2 May 1999
North by northwest
A Portrait of
Norwescon 99
I wander the halls of this hotel in wonder. This is my first some sort. RPGA Tournament sign-up sheets.
convention. Everywhere I look people are dressed in costume
“What is going on here” I ask someone garbed in jeans
— from the obscure to the fantastic. I find myself dodging and a tee-shirt, rather than a costume. He mumbles something
Imperial Stormtroopers only to find myself face-to-face with about “tournaments,” and “role playing games.”
one of the most beautiful
I have tried neither, but these friendly gamers don’t
woman I have ever met. Alas! seem to mind. They quickly invite me to a table. The shove
She believes she is a vampire, strange dice and a complicated form at me, they call it a “char-
and I move on. The crowds acter.” I begin to wonder what I have gotten myself into when
are huge. I never imagined I suddenly I am elsewhere. I am standing on a cobblestone street
They shove strange dice at me...I
wonder what I have gotten
would see so many people looking around in wonder. Around me some sort of battle is
myself into.
gathered for an event such as raging. I see several people around a covered cart that is on fire,
this.
and several people fighting with swords. Yes, swords. I try to
Get me out of here! figure out what’s happened when suddenly I hear a cry of
I need to find some place to catch my breath and get a hold on “LOOK OUT!!” I glance up to see a huge ball of water falling
what’s going on here. I wander upstairs. There aren’t nearly as towards me. I rush to get out of the way, but I don’t make it.
many people up here, and they all seem to have a purpose. The water strikes the ground flooding out in all directions. In
Nobody here is wandering aimlessly, except for me. Somewhere addition to knocking several people over, it puts out the burn-
down the hall I hear the drums pounding. I glance into a room ing cart.
and I see costumed people acting out some strange play. In
Picking up my drenched body from the ground, I look
another, there is a discussion going on and I don’t want to inter- around to try and figure out what happened. The back of my
rupt. Yet another room filled with people... wait... this room is mind tells me that none of this is real, but for now it is real
different.
enough to suit me. I take off down an ally and try to find some
Slowly I take in this new place. This room is unlike any quiet place to think. I wander the dock ward when suddenly, to
other I have encountered thus far at the convention. There are my amazement, I can see a ship suddenly take off into the air.
small groups of people gathered around various tables. Some It flies up into the atmosphere and disappears from view. Even
are in costume, but most are not. They seem to be having pri- the technology of the world I live in is incapable of such a feat,
vate, and in some cases animated, discussions. I wonder what yet here in this land it seems that nothing follows the rules. At
these folks are doing. I see on one wall a group of papers. least not the rules as I used to know them.
Maybe they hold some clue to the nature of the strange activi-
ty before me. As I move closer I see they are sign-up sheets of
Continued, page 6
North by Northwest
Welcome,from page 1
Round Table
recruit more members.
Campaigns, others are just learning that local
We have standing invitations to Living events are being held! With this
David E. Wall
return and run more events at those conven- newsletter, announcements in the local game
tions where RPGA gaming made its debut stores, and the trickle-down/exponential
Arthur
this past year. New conventions are seeking effect of word-of-mouth, gamers will
N
us out and are requesting RPGA games, becoming aware and very interested in the
interactives, and involvement. Groups are local RPGA activities. I expect a large
Stephen Radney-MacFarland
forming through the Retail Adventurer’s growth between now and and the next issue
Gawain
Guild program, Clubs, and local Game Days, of North by Northwest you receive in your mail
Z
including a new Game Day starting up in box.
Portland soon.
Theodore M. Coop
I believe that the local area is going
Perceval
to grow by leaps and bounds as the gamers
I
a
in the region learn about RPGA activities.
Some are just learning about the Living
May 1999
North by northwest 3
Future
Directions
Conventions, Game Days,
and RPGA Network
Events coming up in the
Northwest Region
A p r i l
J u l y
PENDLETON GAME DAY RPGA Network club games, April 24,
Pendleton, Oregon - Living City, Living Death, and others.
EMPIRE CON - WESTERCON 52
Science Fiction, July 2-5 Spokane,
Contact: Bob Ehmann of the Pendleton Buckon Gamers Club,
Washington - No organized gaming scheduled as of this writing.
rehman@ucinet.com
Contact: Empire Con, PO Box 7477, Spokane, WA 99207 or wester-
con@webwitch.com
M a y
Convention info: http://www.webwitch.com/westercon52/index1.html
SEATTLE GAME DAY
RPGA Network club games, May 8, Seattle,
Washington, Wizards of the Coast Game Center - Living City and Living
SEATTLE GAME DAY
RPGA Network club games, July 10, Seattle,
Death
Washington, Wizards of the Coast Game Center Seattle - Living City and
Contact:: Stephen Radney-MacFarland, (425) 271-3982, adsoii@aol.com
Living Death
Game Day Info: http://www.rpg.net/rpgamob
Contact: Stephen Radney-MacFarland, (425) 271-3982, adsoii@aol.com
Game Day Info: http://www.rpg.net/rpgamob
VCON24
SciFi/Fantasy, May 21-23 Surrey, British Columbia
Gaming already organized, featuring Warhammer games and others;
A u g u s t
gaming co-hosted by Imperial Hobbies & Wax Pax’n’Stuff of Richmond,
BC, Hyperlight Enterprises of Vancouver, and Cheapass Games of
SEATTLE GAME DAY
RPGA Network club games, August 14,
Seattle.
Seattle, Washington, Wizards of the Coast Game Center Seattle - Living
Gaming contact: Tammy Midttun, 273-1901 (BC phone number).
City and Living Death
Convention info:
contact: Stephen Radney-MacFarland, (425) 271-3982, adsoii@aol.com
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Corridor/7214/vcon24/
Game Day Info: http://www.rpg.net/rpgamob
ANGLICON
British Culture, May 28-30 Everett, Washington
DRAGONFLIGHT Games, August 27-29
Seattle, Washington
Gaming wanted by convention organizers, but not organized yet. To vol-
Nothing but gaming, of all kinds (possibly short of team athletics).
unteer, contact Craig Hulse at (425) 423-9403 or wanderer@oz.net.
Contact: Dragonflight, PO Box 776, Seattle, WA 98111-0776 or
Convention info: http://www.webwitch.com/anglicon/
info@dragonflight.org
Convention info: http://www.dragonflight.org
June
F u r t h e r u p c o m i n g c o n v e n t i o n s
SEATTLE GAME DAY
RPGA Network club games, June 12, Seattle,
(with more details next issue):
Washington, Wizards of the Coast Game Center - Living City and Living
Death
MOSCON
September 10-12 Moscow, Idaho
Contact: Stephen Radney-MacFarland, (425) 271-3982, adsoii@aol.com
INCON
October 17-19
Spokane, Washington
Game Day Info: http://www.rpg.net/rpgamob
TERRACON
October 29-31
Fife, Washington
ORYCON
November 12-14 Portland, Oregon
Regional Network News and
4 May 1999
North by northwest
Information from the
Regional Director
350
340
330
O
320
D
H
f f the W all
310
M
300
290
Gaming in the Northwest is not dead!
Network either. It is your forum as well. In the coming
There is a horrible rumor going around months we will not only offer news of events in the
280
that it is, I but hope this issue, and the news and region, but also offer fiction and game related-articles by
s
270
information within it, is a clear members in the Northwest region. If you have some-
testament to the contrary. thing you would like to see in these pages, email me at
260
It Just
Within the last few wiz@blarg.com, and I will be happy to give you details
250
months, I have talked to for submission, and point you in the right direction.
Goes on
numerous game enthusi-
Remember, just because the RPGA is owned by
240
Forever!
asts in the region, and not Wizards of the Coast doesn’t mean we insist that you
230
only are games out there, Role- only play their games. We are an organization in support
Playing Gaming in general is growing in the Northwest.
of role playing in general. Just because you are a
220
What does that mean for the RPGA? It means Vampire, Star Wars, Shadowrun, or Call of the Cthulhu
210
we are going to be busy. It is our goal to be wherever the enthusiast does not mean that we will not support you.
gaming is, to act in a support function for games in the We run and support a variety of different events, from
200
area, and to have fun pursuing our hobby. This region’s the popular Living City tournaments to obscure games
190
RPGA Network is dedicated to making sure that Role such as Chill and Toon.
Playing grows in the coming year and beyond.
I have been doing some research lately to find
180
What does this mean for you? More activities, out just who the RPGA gamers in the Northwest region
170
more support, better communication between the net- are. The graph below shows some interesting informa-
work and yourself, and of course, better gaming! tion about you folks. First, there are a large number of
160
Whether you game at home, or are a weekend Fellowship level RPGA members, 831 to be exact. Now
150
Convention and Game Day warrior, we want to make that is excellent! It shows the enthusiasm there is for
sure that your needs are met.
Network events in the region. The numbers drop astro-
140
Much of that will be facilitated in this newslet- nomically when we reach the Guild Level members.
130
ter. Guild Level members (those who pay $20 a year) will There are only 219 paying members in the region, only
receive the newsletter bimonthly, alternating months
120
Continued, page 6
with Polyhedron. Many Fellowship members will receive
110
this particular newsletter to get the word out and to make
sure they are aware of this new benefit of RPGA
100
Network Guild Level membership. I truly wish we could
Player & Judge Ranking by Number
90
send all of the members, Guild and Fellowship, North by
in the Northwest Region
Northwest each and every month, but cost restraints
80
prohibit it.
Campaign Level
70
This newsletter is not just a mouthpiece of the
60
Classic Level
50
Judge Level
40
30
20
10
0 Level
1st Level
2nd Level
3rd Level
4th Level
5th Level
May 1999
5
North by northwest
Pendleton Game Days
Bob Ehmann
of the Buckon RPGA Club, Pendleton Oregon
A
The March Pendleton Game Day took place at our one wonder-
l
ful game store, Mad Dog Comics. Three events were offered during
in the Dark Sun,
ive
the day, a lower number than usual, because of sudden medical emer-
gencies stealing both our Living Death and Living Jungle judges. Fear
not, all is well now, and both will be up and running games at future
A
events.
liv
Al’Qadim, and Greyhawk game settings,
Even with the calamities of the day, we were able to inaugurate our
as well storytellers for Werewolf, Vampire and Mage. If you
Earthdawn campaign. Since the event ran with a full table, you can bet
want to run another event, great, the more events run the better.
that we will offer Earthdawn at future Game Days.
Many RPGA events will be run throughout the convention, so
The April Pendleton Game Day will be held on April 24, at Mad
judges who are interested or experienced in running these events are
Dog Comics. We hope to have a better attendance, and a continuing
encouraged. If you want to lend a hand for GameStorm, contact Bob
Earthdawn presence in the evening slot. Seth “Razor N. Fome” Johnson
Ehmann at 800-570-0069.
will be filling in on the Living Death campaign in the evening. So come
The final bit of news from Pendleton is that the Buckon Club is
on down, we now have room for four tables of games so all that show
meeting soon to discuss a much needed, and demanded, name change
up are sure to game.
for our organization. The favored name, at present, is the North
The Pendleton RPGA Network club, currently named the Buckon
Easter Oregon Gamers Ink. Also being considered for our new title
Club, is currently preparing to host the RPG section of the GameStorm
are Pendleton Oregon Role playing Club, Pendleton Oregon
convention in Portland. Game Storm will be held at the Clackamus Town
Roleplayers, and Pendleton United Role Playing Gamers
Center on the weekend of June 18-20. We are currently in need of vol-
Extraordinaire. Whatever the final decision will be, we will make sure
unteers to judge events. We need AD&D judges, especially those versed to keep you updated in these pages.
Seattle Game Days
Stephen Radney-MacFarland
Seattle Mob Game Day Don
“We get together and make fun of each other’s imaginary friends.”
One of my good friends described gaming to a co-worker of his, in those exact words.
C o m e A
The same co-worker showed up to our game the following week, and has been
s
bit by the role playing bug ever since.
Y
What can I tell you about Seattle’s game day? Well, a lot actual-
o ly,but it all boils down to the above statement.We just get together and
have loads of fun.
And how could we not? After all the Seattle Game Days are
u located in a gamer’s paradise — the Wizards ofthe Coast Game
Center in Seattle’s University District. If you have never had
an opportunity to visit the Game Center, I extend the
A
invitation to you. Come, some second
r
Saturday of the month, join our
e
Game Day! You can
. .
play a game with us, check
. .
out the great arcade upstairs, and
even sign up for a mission or two at the
BattleTech simulators.
Our Seattle Game Days are growing. When I first joined the Seattle Mob (our local
RPGA Network club) the events were a small affair. Maybe eight gamers would show up, and
everyone sported low-level Living City characters. I had just moved to the Northwest from
Continued, page 7
6 May 1999
North by northwest
From Off the Wall, page 4
25% of which have reached 1st level in the 75% of our total regional membership!
very best role plying experience there is to
RPGA rating system. The numbers then con-
Numbers can tell a lot, but they offer. Be vocal and be loud. Let us know what
tinue to spiral.
never give the full story. What do we need to you want, and we will listen. Better yet, come
What is even stranger is that in 1998 do to increase Network participation in the join us at one of our activities, and tell us over
there were a total of 106 RPGA tables run at Region? The statistics I have give me some an exciting game.
conventions and Game Days. If those tables ideas, but I want to hear from you. After all,
were full, and no member gamed in more than you are the gamers who we are trying to Good Gaming,
one table a year (not a very likely occurrence), reach, so who better to give us advice?
David E. Wall
then only 742 Network members enjoyed
I just can’t say it enough, the RPGA
RPGA events last year. That is only about is here for you — to make sure you have the
Don’t miss out...
Future issues of North by Northwest will only be available to Guild
Level RPGA members, become one today!
visit the RPGA Network web site for details
www.tsr.inc/rpga
From Portrait, page 2
The strange sights of my mind’s eye switch again. I step out nado carrying tortured souls and I wonder what has brought me to this
from behind some buildings to find myself in the middle of a firefight. place. Am I dead? If not, will I die here?
Around me people are firing automatic weapons of the likes I have never
The ground shakes and a creature unlike any I have ever seen
seen. I see a couple of people wearing some kind of futuristic armor in appears. We are surrounding by foul demons. Their wicked master, with
fierce combat with others standing on the sidewalk. In the distance I can his grumbling and shallow voice, makes us an offer. I can’t help but think
hear a siren wailing and I wonder if it’s coming this way. Suddenly one I am speaking to evil itself He vanishes leaving behind a wand with a
of the sidewalk defenders waves his hands and I wonder if he is trying skull on it. To my shock and horror and people considering taking the
to surrender. The area around me erupts. Terrible pain assaults my sens- abandoned device. How could they even consider it? Evil!
es. I black out.
Suddenly I am enshrouded in darkness yet again and I find
I awaken in a huge cave. Naked and in pain, I find I am lying on myself sitting at a table. Almost everybody is gone, and the people at the
a huge pile of bones. Around me lie several other people in a similar table are discussing the game and telling stories of the day’s challenges
state. We try to get our bearings and begin to explore. I can’t believe and glories. The convention is over. I take my things and stand to leave.
what I have seen. Black grass eight feet tall, and orange swamps. A sky I take one last look around this room where so much happened, and yet
unlike any I have ever seen bends and contorts strangely. A howling tor- didn’t really happen. This is fantasy role playing.
May 1999
7
North by northwest
C l a s s i f i e d
o LOOKING FOR JEROME ADVENTURE SEARCH
GAMER LOOKS FOR
RETAILERS
Realms of Horror, a compilation of the
GROUP
Jerome, Idaho that is. If any one knows of old “S” modules. Has to be in good condi- Experienced role-player, looking to get
r the closest retailer in my area please con- tion with all components.Price negotiable back into adventuring is seeking to join in
tact me
Stephen Radney-MacFarland
or start up any kind of RPG campaign. If
Patrick Snyder, pjs0012@omni.csi.cc.id.us
adsoii@aol.com
interested you can contact me at:
n
Eric Bergstrom
* * *
* * *
(604) 436-1543, ebergstr@phase-1.bc.ca
FAT GUY DROPPED HIS
e HONEST LOCKSMITHS
STICK
Advertise in the
WANTED
Classified Corner
Yo’aw know, dis fat guy, with a pair of goat
Locksmith seeking colleagues to form horns on his head, dropped this stick. I
r guild, for the purpose of enhancing the would greatly appreciate the opportunity to
Just send an email to
personal and financial security of Raven’s return it.
wiz@blarg.net, and let us help
Bluff and its residents. Contact Amadàn contact Lucco Barley, MD. Just ask around town.
you find whatever you are
Alfstan care of the Dusty Dwarf Tavern or
at AmadanA@aol.com
looking for
From Seattle Game Day, page 5
Colorado, and had a long-played and beloved 6th level paladin that I had completely different. When I run a Living City I love watching the
to keep in my binder due to the shortage of higher level characters. These dynamic of different character styles and players who happen to sign up
days I could play my paladin without the fear of overshadowing other for my character. It keeps you on your toes, players and DM’s alike.
characters in 4-8 tables we run each month — that is, if I weren’t so busy
In the coming months we have some exciting things planned
helping to run the festivities!
for Game Days. Every month, thus far, we have increased our adventure
If you have never played a Living City game, or other Living selection. In May we are running three slots, multiple tables apiece, of
campaigns, at a RPGA Network event, I really suggest you do. They Living City adventure, and at least a table of Living Death. A couple of
are great events. In the old days, if you went to a convention and months ago we had our own club Godfather Jeff Quick (of Polyhedron
played a role-playing game, you were forced to play a pre-generated fame) run an RPGA adventure he wrote for the Alternity science fiction
character. Playing these characters was challenging, fun, and very dif- roleplaying game. All of us who played in it had a blast, and look forward
ferent than the games you may run at home, which made them fun. to Alternity’s Living Campaign, the Living Verge. Expect some of those
But now, with the Living campaigns going on all over the country, scenarios in future Game Days as well.
tournaments at conventions and Game Days have become an exercise
Every month the tournaments and schedule of events of the
where the players get the best of both worlds; not only do you get the month’s Seattle Game Day are posted on the Seattle Mob web site:
thrill and challenge of playing with a new group of people at every www.rpg.net/rpgamob. By the time this newsletter reaches you the May
table, your character is your own, complete with a background and and June 1999 schedule will be posted, and all of us would love to see
experiences that you have intimate knowledge of, not something you more of you at the events.
read in ten minutes before the game began.
If Seattle is a little too far from you for a weekend excursion,
Living campaigns also bring out such a wide variety of players look into starting your own Game Days. It is easy to do. You need a place,
and playing styles. Every month I am surprised by the diversity of play- some folks to game with, and you can order the adventures on the RPGA
ers who show up: old guard gamers who have not picked up a die in years web site (www.tsr.com/rpga). It is a great way to meet other gamers in
and decided to come ‘check it out’; Magic: the Gathering players in your area and become more active in the RPGA, by doing what you do
between duels, who had ‘heard of role playing games, but have never had already — game!
the chance to play one’; whole families who game together on the week-
Whether you come and join us in Seattle, start your own Game
ends; those who like to hack, and those who love character development Day, or join other Game Days near you, just come as you are, have fun,
and the theatrical nuances of the role. At-home campaigns tend to fall and take the time to poke a little fun and your fellow player’s imaginary
into a particular game style and feel after a while; Living campaigns are friends.
Inside is your Guide to
Role Playing in the
Northwest
Oh cool, it is the
RPGA Network!
w