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TOPIC: Thank You for GHC 2017 and Review

Thank You for GHC 2017 and Review 6 years 11 months ago #1

  • Dave
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A huge thank you to everyone who helped put on TD at GameHole Con this year. It was a blast and sadly is already over for me as I don't live that far away and drove home last night.

Over the course of Fri/Sat I did 8 runs (4 Moongate Maze and 4 Dancing Among Stones). I really have no significant complaints. The NPC, DMs, coaches all did an amazing job. I'll touch on a few things below.

First, the overall atmosphere at GHC is more relaxed than GenCon. So I really do recommend checking it out.
Second, some of the glitches TD had at GenCon were gone. I'm not aware that they ran out of any 5th level cards and at least as about 7pm on Saturday they still had 50 bags of treasure (not in clear bags).

WARNING - SPOILERS AHEAD IF YOU HAVEN"T DONE DUNGEONS AND PLAN TO DO SO AT ORIGINS
(not sure if this applies to anyone reading the forum, but thought I'd add it just in case)

Moongate Maze - This was a puzzle oriented run with 2 combat rooms and 5 puzzles. Fellurian (beautiful as always) is a great way to start of the adventure. I don't know how many attendants were serving her, but saw 3 of them. They were all great. i think the funniest gift to Felurian was a can of Pepsi. She was wary of it at first, but we convinced her it was aluminum and not iron. She tested it by licking the can and then accepted the gift. Very funny. Old Holly was the second room. At Gen Con I remember this being an NPC in costume. Here it was a large, very cool looking animatronic type creature controlled from behind by a person. He was really good and fun.

The third room is the table with plaques that need to be slid in the order of the flashing lights on the wall. I don't know. I like the room in general, but between Gen Con and GHC I've been through this room about a dozen times and have yet to see a group not solve it about half the allotted time. It just seems too easy.

The fourth room was new. I'll just say it was a puzzle and overall comments were very positive about the addition. I ran this 4 times, 3 of the groups solved it, 2 without taking any damage. Mostly, it can be solved based on general knowledge from the group, but has multiple clues and some were more difficult than others. I really like it and thought it was a good addition.

The fifth room was the construct. A good choice to keep. The fight was tougher, but all the groups I was with defeated it, although once it was with little time to spare. The sixth room was actually the 7th room from Dancing Among Stones puzzle moved over to this side. I was really glad to see them find a way to keep this room because I like how you start out knowing the answer, but the difficulty is in coordinating the group to solve it in time. One group I was with failed this room. The other three made it through and once we finished it so early we had time to sync all 8 pillars on blue and then on yellow. We had 7 of the 8 red and just needed to finish one more cycle to match red when time ran out. But that was pretty amazing. Again, while I really like this room I guess thematically it doesn't belong on the Moongate Maze side. I'm just glad they did it.

Room seven was the singing bowls and flowers. Metal pizza pans were used in place of ceramic plates and while I saw a few were dented, I didn't where any broke. Good decision. 3 of the 4 groups I was with solved this. My final group had 5 who knew the answer and 5 who didn't Those who didn't did not really want us to help. They did finally figure it out, but ran out of time and we failed. But it was all good. Those who knew the answers didn't mind failing at the expense of letting the newer players experience the dungeon.

Dancing Among Stones - This was combat oriented with 4 combat rooms and 3 puzzle rooms. Of course we started with Bast. A fine job by the NPC. Every group I was with had multiple people who knew the answer, so even though newer players were given the opportunity to solve it on their own, in the end enough clues were given and we were successful all 4 times.

Room 2 was the wine cellar and our first scrael battle. Bast abandons us yet again. The fight really isn't easy, but every group I was with won. Room 3 is the different room. Again, it's a puzzle and generally everyone liked it. Again, there are clues on the walls, but there is a little less reading than the room it replaced. It's a logic puzzle and can be completely solved from the clues, but some are more obvious than others. Every group I was with eventually solved it, but a couple of groups took damage once or twice before figuring it out. One of the clues does involve having to smell items, but not nearly like the flower room from Moongate at Gen Con.

The fourth room we're back to scraels again. No screaming NPC this time, just a dead figure on the ground with scrael atop. Very nicely done. Good change to avoid anyone hurting themselves with a pratfall on concrete. Every group I was with one this battle, but every group took some damage. I ran as a wizard 3 of the 4 times through this and knew enough not to be one of the first 5 in the room.

The fifth room was creating the route from Boaz to Shemin. Every group I was with solved this, but also had at least some players who knew (or thought they knew) the answer. One group needed every last second, even though they thought they knew the answer Another group didn't have a rogue and figured out a second solution that did not start from Boaz, but it was not accepted. It was a small change to the route to correct it. In one group I was with all 10 players knew the answer and I think we solved it in less than a minute and a lot of time to kill.

The sixth room was the Draccus. I think two groups I was with knew the trick to put out the campfire, but there was a new twist this time. Yes, it ended the battle, but not before the Draccus playfully bodyslammed the person who put out the fire and then steamrolled through the party damaging everyone before running off into the woods. In our party the Bard decided to put out the fire and he died for his efforts. No one had a potion death's door or any means to bring him back. So be forewarned. One of the most fun times through this room was with a group who wrote "Epic" on our party card and requested the DMs to do whatever they wanted The DM in this room was awesome. It was one of the most fun rooms I had this weekend. The party decided to keep the Draccus from running off they would use their torches to set fire to the surrounding trees. Not a good idea. Everyone had to make a saving throw every round after that to keep from taking choking damage and the Draccus was doing some major damage with multiple hits for 34hp every round. Eventually, we ran out of time and the Draccus did run off. We all survived, but our cleric and druid had to burn through a lot of healing spells to keep us alive.

The seventh room was the queen scrael and smaller minions. Yes, they would still target magic users, but every group seemed better prepared for this room. I think 1 of the 4 groups I was with ran out of time and failed. Our "Epic" group did win this room, but it was definitely not easy. I think the first group I was with had the easiest time when everyone focused on the 3 smaller scrael in round one. Between my Elf Wizard fireball, the Wizard's lightning storm and everyone else hits we had the 3 scrael dead before any could attach themselves to us. The queen died in round two. I think that was only hardcore level.

So that was my weekend. It was simply awesome! And since I can't remember everyone's name, I don't want to slight anyone's efforts. You were all great!

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Last edit: by Dave.

Thank You for GHC 2017 and Review 6 years 11 months ago #2

I wish to add my thanks to all the volunteers tha made GameHole Con such a fun and enjoyable time with True Dungeon!

Some of my non-TD events were cancelled and so I was able to do a couple more runs than I planned.

I have no complaints (although my party members will probably never let me play bard again, after my singing!) and only have compliments to give out.

I absolutely loved both new puzzles! The barrels of wine is probably my event favorite, but the tree oils/essence is a close follow-up.

Thanks Lori and Jeff!

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Thank You for GHC 2017 and Review 6 years 11 months ago #3

  • James
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Thank You for GHC 2017 and Review 6 years 11 months ago #4

I too loved everything, and don't have much else to say beyond what Dave said.

I thought the volunteers did a spectacular job, both the characters and the DMs.

Sally parties were amazing, but the ones we did on handwritten epic difficulty were very inventive and creative. It was fun to slide off hand with my sword in my mouth because the draccus broke my arm.

Really enjoyed grind as well, very fun and creative.

Dinner was great Saturday night too. Thanks to Andrew for driving us.
First ever death in True Horde
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Thank You for GHC 2017 and Review 6 years 11 months ago #5

Wade Schwendemann wrote: I too loved everything, and don't have much else to say beyond what Dave said.

I thought the volunteers did a spectacular job, both the characters and the DMs.

Sally parties were amazing, but the ones we did on handwritten epic difficulty were very inventive and creative. It was fun to slide off hand with my sword in my mouth because the draccus broke my arm.

Really enjoyed grind as well, very fun and creative.

Dinner was great Saturday night too. Thanks to Andrew for driving us.




Epic sounds like it added an additional dimension of fun
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Thank You for GHC 2017 and Review 6 years 11 months ago #6

Bob Chasan wrote:

Wade Schwendemann wrote: I too loved everything, and don't have much else to say beyond what Dave said.

I thought the volunteers did a spectacular job, both the characters and the DMs.

Sally parties were amazing, but the ones we did on handwritten epic difficulty were very inventive and creative. It was fun to slide off hand with my sword in my mouth because the draccus broke my arm.

Really enjoyed grind as well, very fun and creative.

Dinner was great Saturday night too. Thanks to Andrew for driving us.




Epic sounds like it added an additional dimension of fun


If you are a little masochistic, then yes, it did.

Some of the DMs just gave the monsters extra HP, others took the idea and ran with it.
First ever death in True Horde
"Well, with you guarding 2 players, that means you take 90. Are you dead?"
-Incognito

My token shop/trade thread: Wade's Wide World of Wonder 

My Current Paladin Build 

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Thank You for GHC 2017 and Review 6 years 11 months ago #7

Thanks to all the volunteers and fellow party members. Had a great time on my 7 runs. GHC is such a relaxed con compared to Gen Con.
Classes Played: Barbarian (65 times), Monk (56), Ranger (33), Rogue (25), Cleric (21), Fighter (13), Druid (12), Paladin (11), Dwarf Fighter (10), Bard (7), Elf Wizard (2), Wizard (2)

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Thank You for GHC 2017 and Review 6 years 11 months ago #8

GHC was overall a great con, The Draccus was in particular very challenging on "epic". Regardless, I think the scariest thing during the epic runs was the singing. Future groups be warned if you make Mongo play Bard!

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Thank You for GHC 2017 and Review 6 years 11 months ago #9

Chris Wiemer wrote: GHC was overall a great con, The Draccus was in particular very challenging on "epic". Regardless, I think the scariest thing during the epic runs was the singing. Future groups be warned if you make Mongo play Bard!


Maybe next time you will allow me to bring my vevuzula and still have the cleric heal me? Lol! I did get back stabbed by a party member to get me to stop once or twice...

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Thank You for GHC 2017 and Review 6 years 11 months ago #10

Mongo wrote: Maybe next time you will allow me to bring my vevuzula

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Have you looked it up in the TDb?
Please post TDb corrections in this thread .
If I write something in teal, it should not be taken seriously.
Can we all please keep Hanlon's Razor in mind before making a comment?
Art Opo

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Thank You for GHC 2017 and Review 6 years 11 months ago #11

Mongo wrote:

Chris Wiemer wrote: GHC was overall a great con, The Draccus was in particular very challenging on "epic". Regardless, I think the scariest thing during the epic runs was the singing. Future groups be warned if you make Mongo play Bard!


Maybe next time you will allow me to bring my vevuzula and still have the cleric heal me? Lol! I did get back stabbed by a party member to get me to stop once or twice...


You know, a recorder works well, or maybe a small drum? Even a kazoo....
First ever death in True Horde
"Well, with you guarding 2 players, that means you take 90. Are you dead?"
-Incognito

My token shop/trade thread: Wade's Wide World of Wonder 

My Current Paladin Build 

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Thank You for GHC 2017 and Review 6 years 11 months ago #12

Wade Schwendemann wrote:

Mongo wrote:

Chris Wiemer wrote: GHC was overall a great con, The Draccus was in particular very challenging on "epic". Regardless, I think the scariest thing during the epic runs was the singing. Future groups be warned if you make Mongo play Bard!


Maybe next time you will allow me to bring my vevuzula and still have the cleric heal me? Lol! I did get back stabbed by a party member to get me to stop once or twice...


You know, a recorder works well, or maybe a small drum? Even a kazoo....


My Son's group at GenCon used a small drum. Tapped softly. :) Worked very well.

I'm thinking about bongos and beat poetry next year...
D&D teaches all the important lessons in life - the low blow, the cheap shot, the back stab, the double cross. - Jerry Marsischky

Let them trap us. We have our swords. - Elric of Melnibone.

You try to get them to play the game, but all they want to do is play the rules. - Ardak Kumerian

I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend - Faramir

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