Dragonmeet

[karohemd]

Had set the alarm for 7 but didn't quite manage to get out of bed so I missed the 8:15 train. This was actually a good thing as I didn't have to wait in the queue in the rain.
Wandered around a bit and then joined the queue to see Anthony Daniels (C3PO), got an autograph, took a good photo and chatted very briefly. Nice bloke.
Had a look around the artists' stand, chatted to Rik Martin a bit but he (by his own admission) was a lazy git and didn't want to do any sketches on the day so I'll commission one by email.
Anne Stokes is quite cute and a cool artist as well. :o)
Wandered around the trade hall but there wasn't much really that caught my eye except two new sets of dice. Also bought Diana: Warrior Princess a pisstake RPG by Marcus Rowland.
Played the LotR Trivia Game (some really tough questions there) and the two player LotR Confrontation game by Reiner Knizia which I lost twice but it is a very strategic game and I suck at them.
The con wasn't too busy but I still managed to often be late to join a demo game I wanted to try. Oh well.

On my wishlist:
Torches & Pitchforks card game (Green Ronin)
Stoner FLUXX (Looney Labs)

Wandered around some more, chatted to angusabranson a bit and very briefly to bibliogirl and rotwang. Unfortunately, the Epic game was already full when I found out abou it :o(. Ran into most of the usual suspects I meet at cons.


Me: A portion of the chicken in tomato sauce, please.
Daft blonde behind the counter: *blank look*
*Me points at the menu on the wall* "That one"
Daft blonde behind the counter: *blank look*
Daft blonde behind the counter calls someone cheffy looking and asks him. *blank look*
*Me points at the menu on the wall* "That one"
Chef: Ah
I got it in the end.
*shakes head*

Watched the odd panel which were quite interesting.

Then, the auction. I was good and didn't even reach the budget I had set myself (£100) and only bought a limited editon printed longsleeve with a 18th century engraving of a dragon, a fighting fantasy-style book with artwork on CD and a secret game by Robin D. Laws that it so secret I can't talk about it until it comes out (I even had to sign an NDA).

In total, it was a lot quieter than last year probably because it's too close to Christmas but still an enjoyable day.
Photos are here.

Comments

[kittensandsteam.livejournal.com]

Stupid cafetaria people o_O
Glad to hear you had fun :-)

[jonny-eol.livejournal.com]

Hmmm....I've been an RPGer of sorts for many years, but have never attended a con, and only really been in two groups. Maybe should meet some more like-minded people.

BTW, any idea where I can get 2nd hand RPG stuff from in the UK? I'm after some old Planescape material, and the US-EBay set-up is a no-go (many seller keep their auctions US-only).

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

Dragonmeet is quite ideal for that. It's only one day, easy to get to, a good choice of games on offer which are quite often intended for newbies to the system. There are usually some new UK releases as well.

There's also a good chance to find older stuff as there's at least one stall with 2nd hand material (now I can't bloody remember their name, I'll find out) and sometimes a Bring and Buy (the latter not this year, though).

2nd Hand Games

[angusabranson.livejournal.com]

Try emailing Colin Wheeler of Second Games Galore on colin@allusedgames.demon.co.uk as they usually have a good supply of second hand books.

[angusabranson.livejournal.com]

...and of course you managed to get to at least one of the seminars ;-p

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

Erm, I said "Watched the odd panel which were quite interesting."... ;o)

[angusabranson.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately I noticed that after I'd posted my reply. Apologies dear sir ;-p