Why I love the Open House
Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 1:36 pm
Second innings at the Palladium Open house and this time round I'd decided to GM. Loads of prep, but loads of uncertainty. What type of game do I run? Linear? Open? Did it sound crap? Would anyone be interested? Would my GMing suck? Would I stutter, stumble or just be unexciting? Anxiety was high.
But then I arrived and all (well most) of that disappeared. I had let myself forget just how welcoming Americans and especially the Palladium family (yes that's what you are) can be. Instantly meeting fans at the hotel (Chad even made me breakfast!) and the POH and chatting like we were old friends when we were total strangers two minutes ago.
I got to play in games run by James Brown (my goal this year), Greg, Taylor, Hendrik & Brandon, all of which were awesome!
I ran a great game on the Friday morning which went well and put my nerves at ease, only to have them multiply when I had to cancel the Saturday game due to those signed up not showing. Was majorly gutted and a bit lost at that point but I got the opportunity to game with Hendrik and Kevin, who had been in my own game the day before. On the Sunday I had more than the quota which brought me back round and that game went excellently (IMO) so I was on a really high. Speaking with Lonnie later that evening he said he had a no show game as well and we all know he is an awesome GM so that actually made me feel better. He also said that scheduling a game for 9a.m. on a Saturday was just silly and was surprised that there are two 9 o'clocks in the day... (jk).
I seemed to have played more and chatted less this POH but those I did chat to seemed to be for a lot longer. In particular, Josh, Greg and Matthew (doesn't he just slot in as one of the Palladium crew?) gave me some insight, tips and spoilers for the future.
It was great to catch up with Mark, Carmen and MM Mike, especially over a beer, all three of whom I wanted to chat to more but 4 days goes by so damn fast.
I seem to have spent more time with Zane & Harumi than anyone else, even though we never gamed together at the POH. Two domineering, excitable folk who make their characters as full of life as they are! In fact I spent more time talking to more fans this year which was an unexpected pleasure. Only one person irritated me and that was only for two seconds. Every player made every game just as much as the GM's. Awesome job fans!
The last day I got to chat briefly to Kevin and a little to Greg as I handed over a sample manuscript submission. Kevin remembered an email conversation about it from last year. Proof that although you may not get much correspondence from the over worked publisher guy doesnt mean he's not aware!
That final day however belonged to Lonnie who GM'd a game at the hotel even though he was as knackered as the rest of and we were pretty much just mucking about. Once Hendrik woke up I think he LARPed the juicer character and we sunk the ship, killed the smurf and still kept my armour clean (no thanks to the LLW). Thanks Lonnie.
Then a stupid 25 hour journey home. Still WELL worth it. Hope this isnt the last one.
by the Dark Elf, aged 34.
P.S. IF there is a next one then the fans will help in all aspects and no one would mind if the Palladium crew limited their attendance to normal hours of 9-5. Your health comes first, we understand and agree.
But then I arrived and all (well most) of that disappeared. I had let myself forget just how welcoming Americans and especially the Palladium family (yes that's what you are) can be. Instantly meeting fans at the hotel (Chad even made me breakfast!) and the POH and chatting like we were old friends when we were total strangers two minutes ago.
I got to play in games run by James Brown (my goal this year), Greg, Taylor, Hendrik & Brandon, all of which were awesome!
I ran a great game on the Friday morning which went well and put my nerves at ease, only to have them multiply when I had to cancel the Saturday game due to those signed up not showing. Was majorly gutted and a bit lost at that point but I got the opportunity to game with Hendrik and Kevin, who had been in my own game the day before. On the Sunday I had more than the quota which brought me back round and that game went excellently (IMO) so I was on a really high. Speaking with Lonnie later that evening he said he had a no show game as well and we all know he is an awesome GM so that actually made me feel better. He also said that scheduling a game for 9a.m. on a Saturday was just silly and was surprised that there are two 9 o'clocks in the day... (jk).
I seemed to have played more and chatted less this POH but those I did chat to seemed to be for a lot longer. In particular, Josh, Greg and Matthew (doesn't he just slot in as one of the Palladium crew?) gave me some insight, tips and spoilers for the future.
It was great to catch up with Mark, Carmen and MM Mike, especially over a beer, all three of whom I wanted to chat to more but 4 days goes by so damn fast.
I seem to have spent more time with Zane & Harumi than anyone else, even though we never gamed together at the POH. Two domineering, excitable folk who make their characters as full of life as they are! In fact I spent more time talking to more fans this year which was an unexpected pleasure. Only one person irritated me and that was only for two seconds. Every player made every game just as much as the GM's. Awesome job fans!
The last day I got to chat briefly to Kevin and a little to Greg as I handed over a sample manuscript submission. Kevin remembered an email conversation about it from last year. Proof that although you may not get much correspondence from the over worked publisher guy doesnt mean he's not aware!
That final day however belonged to Lonnie who GM'd a game at the hotel even though he was as knackered as the rest of and we were pretty much just mucking about. Once Hendrik woke up I think he LARPed the juicer character and we sunk the ship, killed the smurf and still kept my armour clean (no thanks to the LLW). Thanks Lonnie.
Then a stupid 25 hour journey home. Still WELL worth it. Hope this isnt the last one.
by the Dark Elf, aged 34.
P.S. IF there is a next one then the fans will help in all aspects and no one would mind if the Palladium crew limited their attendance to normal hours of 9-5. Your health comes first, we understand and agree.
