Kublacon was absolutely fantastic. We had several members of our store place in tournaments including Magic the Gathering, A Game of Thrones, and a splendid performance in the Golden Gargant tournament. For those of you who couldn’t make it, we look forward to joining Team Chico next year!
Thank you for participating in the Bulwark Scavenger Hunt. Participation is fairly straight forward, but there are some basic ground rules. First and foremost this is supposed to be fun for you as well as the people who aren’t playing, don’t bring down your table, or hog up all the Storyteller’s time, and if the goal is an out of character one, make sure the people involved are okay with it. Bulwark members, & friends of the organization cannot sign off on achievements or participate in them (yes Karen is from the Midwest, but she doesn’t count).
Each category will tell you whether or not it is an “In-Character” goal (IC) or an “Out-of-Character” goal (OoC). IC goals should be completed IC, OoC goals should be completed by actual people with tangible items. Each category will also tell you what is required to prove you completed the deed. If a judge, DM, opponent or person doesn’t want to participate, don’t hold it against them. Again this is supposed to be fun. Finally, if you have to cheat at a convention scavenger hunt, you have more problems than cheating at a convention scavenger hunt. You will need to email any photos you have, these are due Friday 6/4 to blythe@thebulwark.org.
Walkin’ Around (OoC, Item or photo required)
Get a business card form Geek Chic.
Get a photo(s) hugging 3 con staff in vests.
Get a photo with someone in a kilt.
Donate a pint of blood. (triple points)
Get a photo with a LARPer.
Get a photo with an RPGA judge.
Get a photo with O’Shaserra.
Buy a d6 from the Chessex booth.
Drink a beer (or soda if under 21).
Get a photo w/ someone from the Midwest.
(OoC)Play in a non vampire LARP, have ST initial.
Get photo of something from 2nd ed D&D.
Paint a mini in speed painting. Get photo of that mini.
Stick a kick-me sign on Bulwark member get photo.
Eat at Knuckle’s, keep bill.
Get photo in the hospitality room on top floors
Take a photo at the Polycon booth.
Take a hotel pen.
Tell someone about the Bulwark, have them sign their name on the fourth word on the second paragraph.
ACE & LUX10 V:TM LARP (IC, Player ST or Item Card Required)
Win 3 chops in a row, have player initial.
Loose 3 chops in a row, have player initial.
Acquire a piece of Toreador art, get item card.
Acquire a business from a Ventrue, get item card.
Earn a major boon, have player initial.
Earn a minor boon, have player initial.
Buy a small gun, get item card.
Buy a large gun, get item card.
Acquire a Malkavian’s shoe, get item card.
Acquire Boreal Wine, get item card.
Obtain an occult trinket from a Tremere, get item card.
Get a compass from a Gangrel, get item card.
Pick a fight with a Brujah, have player initial.
Buy a katana from an Assamite, get item card.
Gain a derangement, have ST initial.
Gamble on something petty, player initial.
Loose a humanity, ST initial.
Gain a humanity, ST initial.
Win a poker hand against Shanghai Kelly, get his signature.
Tell a Nosferatu something he doesn’t know, get his signature.
A Game of Thrones (OoC, Signature of opponent required, photo if specified)
Make a humorous comment about incest.
Sit by houses in alphabetical order, get photo.
Earn 7 power in one round.
Get a photo with a Lannister player.
Remove Bear Island from play.
Get a photo of Robert Baratheon stinking drunk.
Take the Hand of the King title, take picture.
Make a funny “Bro”atheon joke.
End a game with 15 power.
Give a player one of your characters during a game.
Defend a Bulwark member who you support.
Cut off Lord Eddard’s head for treason.
Share a mug of wildling mead with someone.
Spend 10 gold in one turn.
Witness an opponent reaching 0 cards in his house deck.
Play in a game where no one has an agenda.
RPGA (IC, GM signature)
Get TPK’d.
See a man about a horse.
Put out an ever burning torch.
Purchase eye of newt.
Drink 5 healing potions.
Stick your head in a bag of holding.
Kill a non-minion in one hit.
(OoC) Have a table-mate draw your PC.
Tell a story about Admiral Melvin Tottlebottom.
Win a skill challenge by 20 or more points.
Run out of healing surges.
Roll a twenty on a death save.
End a module with all your dailies left.
Hug an ogre.
(OoC) Collect three of the same Reward Card.
Roll a critical attack.
Praise Aybar, peace be unto him.
Find a Guzzling Griffin inn.
Buy a torch from a Halfling.
Start a recycling program.
Order a sandwich from a Kenku.
Have an elf wash your clothing.
Ride a creature two size categories larger than you for three rounds.
Warhammer (OoC, Judge or opponent signature required, photo if specified)
Make a 6+ armour save.
Win the sportsmanship award in a tournament.
Beat a Blood Angels list.
Take down a fully kitted out Falcon.
Get a bit from a stranger.
Lend someone your glue, take picture.
Loose all three matches.
Play, and beat another member of the Bulwark.
Take a photo of one of your units being especially badass.
Steal the initiative.
Get a photo of you shaking hands with your 1st opponent.
Purge the unclean!
Get a photo of you shaking hands with your 2nd opponent.
Win all three matches.
Get a photo of you shaking hands with your 3rd opponent.
Win the Golden Gargant Award.
Table your opponent.
Get tabled by your opponent.
Miscellaneous (IC, OoC, Signature of opponents required, photo if specified)
Trade sheep for wood, take picture.
Play a game of Munchkin w/ 3 other people.
Destroy an agent of Horus.
Worship the Elder Gods.
Make a blasphemous statement while playing Blasphemy.
Deal 10 or more damage in M:TG.
Play a game which has not been released publicly yet.
Play as Alexander the Great.
Defend Gettysburg.
Discover a new location.
Call DOCWagon.
Take first in a game of Carabonde
Purchase a number at the auction.
Save the fleet from a Cylon raid.
Get a picture with Eddi Birsan
Capture Piedmont
Win a tournament.
Take the Longest Road award
Take the Largest Army award.
Play a mono-color deck.
Try a game you have never played before, and did not score any scavenger points with, take a picture.
Play 7 different games and get one opponent’s signature on the first period of each of the first 7 lines of text.
Bonus points: My Awesome Achievement
List one major achievement you had during this convention. Whoever has the most awesome achievement will gain a point.
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It is said in the before-times, before the Great Enlightenment lead by Gary Gygax, t-shirts were an acceptable form of conveying support for a belief. It is said that one would don a t-shirt and his peers would say “That man shares interests of my own”, and “I derive mirth from his apparel”. After the Great Enlightenment though, many a scoundrel and fiend did cross the land donning t-shirts proclaiming that they may have at one point “rolled twenties” or that they support the Elder God Cthulhu for democratic election to a high office. These fiends would where these shirts for fortnights, never removing their second skins till they were compelled by their mothers, who dwelled above the basement on the surface.
What are good and honest men to do? The noble history of the t-shirt has been sullied by lesser men; how does a man convey his beliefs for more than one day at a time without falling into an abyssal spiral of poor hygiene? Gentlemen the Bulwark has peered into the darkness, and from its tenebrous depth pulled out your salvation! Gentlemen, I give you – the bandanna!
During Kublacon Team Chico and members of the Bulwark will be wearing yellow bandannas to show team solidarity. These bandannas are guaranteed to be versatile, square, and less likely to get skuzzy than your average con t-shirt. Also, the bandannas are cheap, only a $1. Want more? Buy two! Nothing says “you are about to get rolled” like rolling up with four other guys showing team unity. Here are some events that Team Chico and Bulwark members have signed up for.
This year there will be several tournaments and organized play events that members of your FLGS will be participating in. Collectively members of the Bulwark often call themselves “Team Chico” when playing in these events to represent a solidarity and consistency of butt whoopin’ us Chicoans deliver; this also helps organizers either separate us or keep us together to ensure a fair seeding, go with whatever story you want.
That being said one of the worst experiences imaginable is to roll up to a tournament only to find out you cannot participate because of banned cards or an incomplete knowledge of the rules. A lot of these tournaments take time to prepare for. Painting, planning, and playing dummy games are all fun but really just whet the appetite for a more hard core and competitive gaming moment.
Fear not, below is your hyper linked salvation! The Bulwark has compiled the tournament rules for some of the most anticipated Kublacon events. There are major changes in some, smaller tweaks in others, and some just point out the audacity that is needed sometimes to ensure gamers play a fair match. The Bulwark’s unofficial motto of “If you have to cheat at [insert game here], then you have more problems in life than cheating at [insert game here]” is all well and good when playing with locals, but while it remains true even in the strangest lands, miscommunications can sometimes lead to people becoming frustrated. The rules below sort out what happens when pride, ego, and Kublabucks are on the line to make sure everyone has a great weekend; especially the winners.
A Game of Thrones – Apparently there is a banned list! The format each game at Kublacon is in LCG Constructed. Also, note the tweaks in supporting with titles.
Common/Uncommon Grab Bag – This event uses the Magic: the Gathering Comprehensive Rules as revised February 1st 2010, which is a mere 171 page document. On top of that, when you approach the grab bag bin, you must dip your hand in and remove a grips worth of cards. You will be expected to hold on to these cards from anywhere between 5 – 15 seconds, and/or to turn your grip up and down. All players will abide by a consistent set of rules.
One World By Night, Always Comes Evening LARP – While the game’s own house rules can be found here, One World By Night has their own set of rules by it’s representative player council. Those rules can be found here.
RPGA – Even the RPGA, a fan club and cooperative player body, has its own set of rules to abide by. While most of the rules are common courtesy and can be summed up with “Don’t be a dick” and “if you have been a dick about it, please don’t play with us”, there are a few points that are interesting. Mostly Wizards of the Coast is just covering all it’s bases with this one.
Warhammer 40K – Warhammer has a set of rules for tournament play that not only rewards savvy generals, but also well rounded hobbyists and people who are just fun to play with. The Rogue Trader system judges wins versus losses, sportsmanship, and craftsmanship of an individual’s army. Along with the almost Biblical tome known as the Warhammer 40K Fifth Edition Core Rulebook, the Rogue Trader system has its own set of rules here. Unlike other games Warhammer is very modular, keep this in mind when building your army. Points totals, special rules, and special events may all be included in the specific tournament you are playing in.
With all of these events going on, it’s very likely some where missed. Many of Team Chico’s Diplomacy players “the Beer and Blades Club” will be trying to get into pick up Diplomacy rounds early on, and remember Catan regionals are held at Kublacon. If you would like to see something posted, comment below! The entire program for the convention can be found at Kublacon’s website or behind this link.
If you were a part of the dozen people who preregistered for Kublacon with the Bulwark you already know about all the events that are happening leading up to one of the biggest gaming conventions on the West Coast. For the next six weeks the shop will be open 7 days a week prepping for the event. Up until Kublacon you can assume that we are open and doing business while offering some exciting events.
Tuesdays, A Game of Thrones – I will be ordering several chapter packs so we will have access to as many cards in our pool as possible. Don’t forget to use sleeves for all of your cards as they are required for tournament play.
Wednesdays, RPGA – Don will be running a lot more events, after playoffs that is, to help power level characters to the next level bracket. If you want any mods specifically send an email to him or myself. You can reach Don at boucher@build.com
Open Gaming Thursdays – This is your best chance to try to get groups together for any odd ball games you want to do. Remember there are a lot of card games that draft or demo at Kublacon, and I am able to get most games at cost with 24hours notice. Let me know if you guys need anything.
Fridays, Vampire The Masquerade LARP – The Sacramento Valley is full of LARP games for Vampire: The Masquerade. If you want to take part in the OWbN LARP going on each night at Kublacon now is the time to make a character to get some XP under your belt and get to know some of the local PCs. Let me know if you need rules, have questions, or need help in any way. Also you can email the local LARP staff at NHBNstaff@irondragongames.com.
Saturday, Boardgames – Several boardgames have regional tournaments at Kublacon, including qualifiers for Diplomacy. Let me know if you want to organize any board game events. Diplomacy and Catan are just a couple of the major games having large scale, free to enter tournaments this weekend.
Sunday, Warhammer – The local group will be focusing on finishing, touching up, and tweaking armies for tournaments. Glue and paints will be on hand for free use, so swing by if you need something.
On top of all of this we will be having a surprise contest at Kublacon for all members. More details will be posted as the con gets closer and full details will be presented Thursday the 27th of May. Remember Team Chico is having a show of force Thursday night in the atrium before con. Either the atrium or the bar that is.
We have already talked about Kublacon, and the discounted registration fee for Bulwark members. The Bulwark is more than just a great way for you to save money on your gaming hobby though, it’s also a community. This year the Bulwark will be going to Kublacon, and arriving Thursday night for an evening of pre-con shenanigans. Join us before the event begins for a friendly night of Catan and other casual games in the Hyatt Regency’s atrium as well as an explanation of an exciting contest being run by the Bulwark. The contest will be going on all weekend so if you can’t make it on the 27th the rules will be posted that evening online. The winner of the contest will receive an event shirt, a tournament held in their honor, and June’s membership dues. Entry in the competition will be free.
Every Memorial Day weekend for the last three years, I and a small sortie of friends have sallied into the heart of Burlingame beyond the Bay Area for what I feel is the perfect con. I like to think of it as a “Goldilocks” con, it’s not too small and it’s not too filled with people, it is just right. Kublacon has enough people to keep you busy with diverse events, and a small enough crowd that you can actually get into these events.
My first year I went for the OWbN LARP event, and traveled with someone who was excited for the Harry Potter Card Game tournament that was going on, I didn’t even know there was a Harry Potter Card Game at the time. The next year I met some great guys at a keep-and-kill for the Wiz Kids Battletech game and wound up winning a whole lance of mechs; I didn’t own any so the organizer lent me some minis. Last year I was introduced to the RPGA, and played in a Fallout LARP of all things. The whole convention is a mixed bag, and you often run into games you have never heard of that are a lot of fun. Everything is represented here, from the hard-line commercial games like Dungeons and Dragons and Warhammer, qualifying games for international Diplomacy and Catan tournaments, and a smattering of the independent publishers who worked hard for little pay on something they love.
Each year Kublacon is held the Friday before Memorial Day, up to the holiday on Monday. This year it takes place at the same time, opening registration begins on the 28th and the convention closes on the 31st. It is held at the Hyatt Regency in Burligame, right next to the airport. The Bulwark will be offering members a reduced price in registration as we qualify as a gaming club. For only $30 you get an entire weekend of gaming, a full schedule of events can be seen here. Please be sure to register before April 15th.
Over the next few months, we will be announcing events leading up to the Bay Area gaming convention. Feel free to jump into the excitement as we go to a con with a little bit of everything. Our community has more to offer than you may think and now is the time to come together and get ready for the tournaments, events and excitement of one of the largest cons on the West Coast.
