Judge’s Report – Kapcon 18 Scenario Design Contest

This was a great year for the SDC with five entrants submitting 7 scenarios. The games covered a range of genre from futuristic horror to two fisted mystery to camp humour. The quality of the games was universally high and choosing a winning scenario was no easy task.

Aeon Angelus Necronomicon Evolution by Luke
This densely packed Cthulhutech scenario follows the emotional twists and turns of a group of youngsters who are pilots of giant biomechanical robots. Their fight against dark forces who threaten humanity’s very existence is fraught with peril, angst and a tangling web of conspiracy. This beautifully presented scenario could easily be the basis of a campaign game, or a full-on rollercoaster ride of 3 hours. Recommended for GMs who are fans of Neon Genesis Evangelion, Rah Xephon and other highly melodramatic Mecha stories.

Lambs of a Nameless God by Luke
Another Cthulhutech scenario, this is a chilling tale of life in the ruins of a post-apocalyptic world, this scenario sees a group of teenagers struggling to survive in a world without adults. Can the characters survive the machinations of monstrous entities, the bleak prospect of life in a shattered wasteland, and the scheming of other survivors? Recommended for GMs who like futuristic survival horror.

Murder Most Mysterious by Donna
A gathering of the greatest detectives of the early twentieth century, in the manor house of an aging aristocrat. Simmering tension between characters who wish to prove once and for all that they are the best detective of the age. What could possibly go wrong? A Cluedo-like mechanic makes this murder mystery a fun romp with some great detective characters. Recommended as an easy pick-up game for GMs wanting to parody some classic detective stories.

Spirit of the Tentacle by Mash
Exciting Pulp Action! Two-Fisted Heroes! A City in Peril! Will a band of heroes be able to avert disaster? This 1920s New York scenario features a stellar cast of heroes plunged into a dastardly web of intrigue that they must overcome in order to save New York. Excellent and detailed PCs and a classic pulp structure make this a great scenario for the pulp fan. Recommended for GMs who love their action bold and their heroes bolder.

The 18:25 to New London by Sophie
A classic mystery on a train, this scenario is set in the near future in a world ravaged by global warming where Victorian values have returned. The players find themselves aboard and increasingly dangerous ride, trying to prove their innocence and avoid danger. Recommended for mystery fans.

The Tale of Robyn Hood and Her Merry Band of Maids by Jenni
A Best Friends scenario that takes the cheesiest 1950s Hollywood image of Robin Hood and tips gender on its head. Robyn and her Merry Maids struggle against the villainous Princess Jenny and Girl of Gisborne, and Fifi the Sheriff of Nottingham. Meanwhile Robyn is in love with Man Martin, the most beautiful man in England. The scenario contains character sheets, NPC lists, and enough story hooks for several sessions of gaming. Recommended for GMs looking for hilarious, player-focussed parody gaming.

To Kill a Lie by Luke
A Cthulhutech spy game where the PCs must tackle a potentially deadly cult. This scenario sees the characters unraveling a mystery that leads to an explosive climax, set against the glittering lives of Hollywood’s elite. Recommended to fans of spy mission games, and the dark underside of Hollywood’s faded lights.

This year’s winner was Lambs of a Nameless God by Luke, with Spirit of the Tentacle a close second. Many of these scenarios will be available online shortly, and they all come highly recommended. It’s great to see the already rich range of SDC entries growing, and I hope these scenarios are read and run by a range of GMs – they are well worth it :-)

Matt Cowens, K18 SDC Judge

Kapcon tomorrow + drinks

Hi all

as you may know KAPCON is tomorrow ( Saturday the 16th). 
Registration opens at 8:00 for a 9:00 round one start.

for more details for the timetable and other games go to http://kapcon.rpg.net.nz/?q=timetable.


We are also having drinks at SYN from 7pm tonight ( Friday the 15th), please feel free to come along even if you can't make it to the con and catch up with gamers from round NZ .


cheers

VECNA

Kapcon 7 Days!!!

We are seven days away from kapcon. 

We are going to be having drinks the night ebfore the con( friday) at SYN on bond street. 

 turn up from 7ish and we will hopefully be sitting out in the sun, having pizza and beers and making up new stories to tell the next day at the con. 

Its not too late to sign up, go to Kapcon.rpg.net.nz to register. 

see you all there

Paul

Fright Night - Wellington Horror Con

Coming soon is a ghoulish gaming con in Wellington - Fright Night 2.

http://frightnightwellington.blogspot.com/

Fright Night is Wellington's Horror RPG con.

It's a convention where we aim to raise the bar on Horror Gaming in Wellington, and present a whole evening of tingled spines and unsettling feelings. It is a small convention, with limited entries, and players who are hungry for the dark world of Vampires, Zombies, Serial Killers and things that can't be described in written words: they are unnameable.

There will be two rounds, each with 5 games. Pre-registered players only.

When: Saturday, October 25, 16:30 - 23:55
Where: Turnbull House, opposite the Beehive
What: Two sessions of horror gaming
How much: $15 players, $10 GMs
Who: Frightnight.wellington@gmail.com

Places are limited, so check it out!

Seeking first-round GMs

Deep under Wellington, something stirs...

KapCon has been dead but dreaming for the past few months, but is now beginning to stir to life to eat the minds of the puny fleshy things that walk the surface of the earth, never contemplating what horror lurks beneath organise next year's con. The first step: organise the first round GMs. We need to start early because first round game details go in the flyer, which we would like to have out in time for Buckets of Dice (or CONFusion at the latest). So, we're looking for some volunteers. At this stage, all we need is a title, a blurb, and most importantly, a commitment to be there and run. If you can do that, then please email us or chip in on the NZRaG discussion.

Kapcon Larp Jan 2009 - Mafia 2071

We are pleased to announce that a LARP theme has been selected for Kapcon 18, with a team well underway with the planning and writing. January 2009 will see Mafia 2071, a rollicking fun game of Future Family Intrigue. More details will be distributed as the game takes shape, so keep an eye on the Kapcon website.

The call is out for first round GMs, too, so sign up at NZRaG or send an email to kapcon (at) gmail (dot) com to let us know if you're keen to run a game at Kapcon :-)

Full games and new games

The following games are now full:

Round one:

• One Crowded Hour
  
• A Midsomer Night's Murder
  
• Horror on the High Seas
  
• A Fear of Dreaming
  

As a bonus, a space has opened up in Doom Town. Get it while the getting's good.

If you're wondering what you're going to play in, the Dingwell brothers (who last con ran the amazingly popular Penguin Harlequinade are back with Momento Mori, a gritty cyberpunk thriller which will be running in all six sessions. There's also Lashings of Ginger Beer, "a light-0hearted piss-take of the Famous Five", and a game based on Peter Pan (the book, not the movie).

Panic stations

Kapcon preregistration closes on the 14th. But as of today we have more people pre-registered than pre-registered in total for any previous con - and we still have a week to go. So, I am officialy panicing.

(Cut to shot of Idiot running around the room like a muppet with his hair on fire, going "memememememememe"...)

If you are a GM, I'd like you to consider running an extra session. If you're not a GM, I'd like you to consider running something. We might only need you as backup, or it might be in sixth round, but I think we're going to need the extra cover.

MiniLARP: For the Honour of the Family

"For the Honour of the Family" is a 14-player historical family intrigue/drama running in session 4 (Sunday morning). Since we'd like to fill it, we're taking signups. Just email the kapcon account, or mention it in the comments field when you register. If you want a specific character, please mention that too.

Seventh day of June, in the year 1826. For centuries the Cantacuzino family, as one of the great houses, have been at the centre of Wallachian politics. During that time, the Family have weathered many changes, and survived many attacks. The Balenu family (who in recent years have aligned with the Ghica family) have always manoeuvred in opposition - often in secret but on occasion openly. The Ottoman Empire, during their current reign of power and resulting oppression of Wallachia, have attempted to destroy important family members, but their efforts have been blunt and cumbersome. Built on a foundation of tradition and tight family ties, the Cantacuzino family has endured this (and much more) in its attempt to build, and ultimately profit from, a just and strong Wallachian society.

And now the Head of the House, Duna Cantacuzino, is dead. Following the old ways his body lay in state within the family home in Bucharest for a period of 100 hours, and is now being transported to the ancient Cantacuzino graveyard in Craiova for internment. With the funeral period over the rebuilding task can begin: starting with the selection of a replacement for Duna. As tradition dictates, direct family members will select the new Head of the House, by vote, before the next New Moon leaves the dusk horizon. On the final night those within travelling distance have gathered together for a final wake and to discuss the future. However, without much time a decision will have to be made tonight. And with the suddenness of Duna's death causing suspicions, a possible alliance with the Balenu family and the likelihood of yet another Russo-Turkish war to be fought through Wallachia; the future fortunes or fate of the Cantacuzino family is very much at stake.

Cast list:

Head of House Candidates

• Jelani Cantacuzino: Son of Duna. He is a passionate, decent man who wishes to marry for love, not his family’s interests. An exceptional duelist.
  
• Gamyuka Cantacuzino: Brother to Duna. A military man, he is a rational intellect who is in the running at his wife’s insistence.
  

Duna’s Immediate Family

• Adanna Lior: Daughter to Duna. She supports her brother, and desperately wants to find out who killed her father.
  
• Iulia Cantacuzino: Mother to Duna and Gamyuka, she rules the clan with an iron fist. Is fond of Jelani, but disagrees with him on some issues.
  
• Jofranka Cantacuzino: A social butterfly and gypsy, she is Gamyuka’s wife and wants him as Head. Is rumored to know ‘magic’.
  
• Beniamen Lior: Husband to Adanna, he is a merchant and brought great wealth with him. His family is rumored to be heavily involved in alchemy.
  

Duna’s Nephews and Nieces

• Kizzy Abijah: Daughter of Gamyuka, she takes after her mother a great deal. Supports Jelani’s decision on marriage, but is still undecided on the vote.
  
• Chanoch Abijah: Husband to Kizzy, he is a well-respected Jewish scholar. He is fiercely proud of the Cantacuzinos, despite not being accepted by most family members.
  

Duna’s Cousins

• Amadi Cantacuzino: Cousin to the family. Well-versed in the history of the family, but not overly interested in politics. Well-loved, but forgettable.
  
• Isoba Cantacuzino: Cousin to Duna, he helped arrange the marriage between Jeilani and a girl from the Balenu family. He and Duna were very close.
  
• Wadim Cantacuzino: Cousin to the family. As a banker, he is not very interested in the inter-family politics: he just wants to make connections. Has heard rumors…
  
• Danut Cantacuzino: Cousin to the family. Somebody here killed Duna, and it was definitely with the help of a vampire. Expose them and get help to destroy the abomination!
  

Others

• Serghei Popescu: Butler to Duna, he comes from an illegitimate family line that has served the Cantacuzinos for generations. He has his suspicions about Duna’s death…
  
• Ahina Popescu: Housekeeper to Duna, she half-raised Adanna, Jelani and their siblings. Sister to Serghei, she may know something about Duna’s death…
  

Costuming:

"Admired, not required".

I've played this LARP, and I highly recommend it.

New games

Ethel of Troy (Nick Cole - Scion)

As the Gods wage war against the escaped Titans in the Overworld, it falls to their mortal children to fight battles here on Earth.

The most beautiful woman in the world Ethel Wigglesworth of Troy, Idaho has disappeared and as the Scions of the Gods you are charged with finding and returning her safely.

Resident Evil : Desperate Measures (Gino Moretto - The Mountain Witch)

Five prisoners in a maximum-security facility are given a chance to redeem themselves and earn their freedom. They must brave the horrors of a ravaged Raccoon City and retrieve what could be the world's salvation from the clutches of the Umbrella Corporation. But everyone harbors a dark past which threatens to tear the mission, and each other, apart...

Fruits Basket (Jenni Dowsett - freeform)

The Sohma family is cursed, when hugged by members of the opposite sex they turn into the animals of the zodiac. Tohru Honda, an outsider has discovered their secret and wishes to help.

Based on the anime and manga of the same name, you will have your choice of many characters.

MiniLARP: Graduation Day

"Graduation Day" is a 9-player lighthearted fantasy LARP being run in session 5 (Sunday afternoon). In the hope of getting it filled, we're taking bookings - just email the kapcon account, or mention it in the comments field when you register.

The independent city-state of Tourmaline is ruled by the wizards of the White College. Prince Ambrose, the younger son of the King of neighbouring Arlandia, was sent to the White College to receive a gentleman's education. To the surprise of many he actually passed his final exams. Today Prince Ambrose is holding the traditional graduation feast to honour the College Masters.

Cast list

• Lord/Lady Agate: Archmage of the White Council. Head of House Tenebris. Has a reputation for espionage and intrigue.
  
• Lord/Lady Malachite: Holder of the Green Chair. Master of Earth Magic. Head of House Domini (rivals of House Tenebris). Controls an extensive merchant empire.
  
• Lord/Lady Cordite: Holder of the Red Chair. Master of Fire Magic. A former adventurer with a taste for danger.
  
• Lord/Lady Moonstone: Holder of the Blue Chair. Master of Water Magic. A prophet "gifted" with visions from the gods.
  
• Lord/Lady Amethyst: Holder of the Violet Chair. Master of Air Magic. A pampered dandy who spends more time on wine and poetry than magic.
  
• Prince Ambrose (M): Prince of Arlandia. About to graduate from the White College
  
• Azure: Prince Ambrose's mysterious foreign companion (Note: Azure is not a wizard, but is not entirely mundane either)
  
• Jasper di Tenebris (M): Son of Agate. Student at the White College and friend of Prince Ambrose.
  
• Crystella di Domini (F): Sheltered daughter of Malachite.
  

If you want to play a specific character, then mention that in your email.

Costuming

Admired, not required - this is meant to be a no-mess, no-fuss LARP. The GM will bring the Suitcase Of Surprises which should include some handy props for most characters (such as a fine collection of wizard hats). If you can be bothered, or have stuff just lying around, think fantasy wizards (robes, staff, pointy hats), with some renaissance Italy thrown in.

Three week warning

Three more weeks to go!
Three more weeks till Kapcon!
Three more weeks till the big fat gamer
sits at your table and
rolls your dice and
drinks your coke...
Three more weeks till Kapcon!

OK, so that's pretty bad. But it is only three weeks away, so if you haven't preregistered, its probably time to do so. Our webmonkey is back from the UK, so the website has finally been updated with lots of shiny new games to drool over. And some of them are filling fast. So if you want a spot, register now.

Speaking of games, we'd still like a few more. So if you've had a good idea over Christmas which you wish to inflict on some helpless victims, please let us know.

Finally, there will be two mini-LARPs running during the con: For the Honour of the Family (14 players) in session 4, and Graduation Day (9 players) in session 5. We want these to run at or close to their optimum number of players, so we're taking bookings for them too. Just drop me an email, or mention it in the comments field while registering, and I'll stick you on the list.

I have played both LARPs, and they are good.

Games update

Sleeping Ducks and Doom Town in round one, and Best Friends, Cold City, and To The Manor Thorn in round two are now full. Despite what it says on the form, we do have other second-round games (listed here), so there's plenty to play in.

We've also had two new games come in:

The 18:25 to New London (Sophie Melchior)

The oceans have risen and the world is a changed place. You boarded the 18:25 train from the Scottish Isles to New London a mere 3 hours ago when a foul murder is uncovered. In three days you'll arrive at your destination. Will the murderer be uncovered before then? Or will they slip away into gaslight?

A neo-Victorian Horror run under Unisystem

One Crowded Hour

"Welcome aboard the Maxos Shipping liner Duchess Selene. During our one-week jump you will enjoy the luxury facilities only Maxos Shipping can provide. Relax and enjoy the entertainment system, gym facilities, or the services of our five-star chef, while our trained crew whisks you to your destination in safety and comfort."

"In the unlikely event of an emergency, please remain calm and follow the instructions of your crew. Emergency exits are located at the top of the ship, and are accessible from the transit lounge. In the event of cabin pressure failure, don the vaccsuit in your stateroom or enter the nearest rescue ball. If accompanied by a child or other person needing your assistance, don your own suit first. Remain in your suit until a crewmember advises you to remove it. If the order to abandon ship is given, please form an orderly queue in the transit lounge to await your space in the lifeboat..."

Interstellar travel is safe. Nothing ever goes wrong. There is no need to pay attention to the pre-flight safety briefing. It's just a routine trip, after all...

A Classic Traveller adventure, from Comstar games.

Our webmonkey should be back in a couple of weeks, so these games will appearon the website then.

SDC Closed and miscellany

The SDC has closed, we will be working through them and sending them off to our judge soon.

remember to make sure that you prereigster for the weekend and you will be able to prebook your spots for the first and second round.

If you can get your t -shirt orders in Paul will be making the order soon, so we need colour , size and some moneys. Be in touch at Kapcon@gmail.com

Let the rush begin

It's December, so time for the traditional pre-registration rush to begin. So, hit that form!

We've also had our first games fill: Sleeping Ducks in round one, and Best Friends in round two. We also have some new second-round games:

• Bump in the Night
  
• It's Glarlgle past Threep
  
• The Truckstop
  
• The City
  
• Last Action Hero
  

Details of some of these games are here.

Unfortunately our web-monkey is in the UK ATM, so we won't be able to update the website until he gets back in a few weeks, but if you want to play in any of these games in round two, just stick it in the comments field when you register.

We also have a pair of mini-LARPs: For the Honour of the Family (a 15-player family / political drama, which ran at ConFusion, to much enjoyment) and Graduation Day (a 9-player game set in the White College of Arlandia, a magical university). I've played in both, and they are both very good.

Finally, a reminder: if you were entering the SDC, send us your entry ASAP. You only have until Monday.

Kapcon LARP: Sanctuary - Second Round of Casting

The organising team (Naomi, Sean and Steph) are going to be meeting this Saturday (24/11) for the second round of casting. That means now is a good time to fill in that questionnaire (http://kapcon.rpg.net.nz/kapconXVII/cast.html). It looks like after this meeting half the characters will be cast, so if you can fill in the form before Saturday we will be able to consider you for a great deal more characters than those who fill in the quiz later on... People who've not been cast, and have already signed up are welcome to email us about any more thoughts they've had on what kind of character they'd like.

What we'll do for the (uncast) people who've signed up so far is:
- Consider your character questionnaire and any additional comments you've made to us.
- Suggest two or three characters that we think you'll like to play.
- Send you an email with a brief blurb about them.

What we expect back from the people who've been offered characters is a response something like:
- Yes, I'll have that one thanks.
- I'm still unsure, can you tell me more about X?
- I don't like any of them, what else have you got?
and we'll keep talking with you until you're happy with your character.


If you want to email feel free to use this address:
sanctuarylarp at googlegroups.com

This is your two month warning

Two months to go till KapCon, and the registrations are trickling in. This means the first round games are filling up, so if you want to play in "Sleeping Ducks", it might pay to pre-register now to nab the last slot.

We've also had a pile of new games come in. Our web-demon is in the UK, so we're unable to update the website, but here's a short list:

It's Glargle Past Threep (Ivan Towlson)

Join the Time Police, they said. It’s a cushy life, they said, in the Women’s Auxiliary of the Xenochronometry Division of the Standards Inspectorate. Snappy uniform, they said, government pension and nothing more laborious to do than fill out the occasional B11 Notification of Noncompliant Measurement Units (Revised).

Yeah, right.

Because since breakfast you’ve been shot at twice, erased from history six times, trapped in five temporal paradoxes and narrowly avoided having sex with your own grandfather. And it’s still only glargle past threep. Again.

The Truckstop (Marcus Bone)

Area 51, Groomlake or the Dreamlands. Call it what you want, for the soldiers of the 8th Recon and Border unit it's just plain old Air Force Test Centre, Detachment 3. Here the day is just like any other Air Force Base, the same old food, the same old bunk beds, and the same old dull border security patrols.

Still, the buzz has it that something big is on it' way, perhaps another one of those hybrid jets or advanced Space Defence Initiative probes. Whatever it is, it's probably just as likely to be as boring as it was last week...

Or will it?

A Fear of Dreaming (Marcus Bone)

The year is 1940. The location, London, England.

Like so many others, you are about to be swept up in the great exodus of the young, who are leaving the only home you’ve ever known; heading out to the supposed safety and sanctuary of the English countryside.

But the world is a cruel and vindictive place, where those who say they’ll look after you are often the ones to do you the most harm. Can you survive the horrors that await you? Will you ever be the same innocent child who left the city? Or will you too develop that FEAR OF DREAMING…

Cold Front (Michael Foster)

MacReady Base, a UN-run research outpost in the frozen depths of Antarctica. "Home" to 13 personnel, where they must live in close proximity to each other for months at a time. After a murder leaves one of their number dead, tensions are running high, not helped by the sudden arrival of unexpected visitors.

And there's a big storm closing in...

(This is a re-run from Fright Night, and its damn good).

Bump in the Night (Michael Foster)

Finding himself alone after Martha says goodbye, the Doctor travels about while he wonders whether or not to take on a new companion. Fortunately, or perhaps not, potential candiates seem to be popping up all over the place.

There are already more good games than I can possibly play in. But maybe if I join the Time Police, I can get around that...

Scenario Design Contest - 3 Weeks to go!

(here's hoping this doesn't do anything weird to the LJ feed)

The deadline for the Kapcon Scenario Design Contest is about three weeks away. It's the first Monday in December, which is the 3rd of December this year (according to the calendar in my office, which as a picture of a cute fox on it).

Remember: you are invited to write a scenario or adventure for 4-6 (ish) players, to be run in a 3 hour timeslot. You can include as much detail as you like, use any game system (or make up your own), and you have totally free reign as to what you include. Send your entries to kapcon's gmail address (kapcon at), or post a hard copy to Kapcon, PO Box 24155, Wellington.

Good luck, and get writing!

Why we need you to GM

There's an interesting discussion over at GameTime on how we can encourage people to GM at KapCon, which has seen some numbers crunched on the way the GMing burden has shifted over the past few years. Five or six years ago, KapCon relied heavily on GMs who ran one or maybe 2 sessions. We heavily pushed the logic that 6 sessions of 6 participants each meant that on average everyone had to run a game, and so GMs made up ~40% of attendees. Unfortunately in recent years, we've seen a shift away from that, and towards relying on a smaller pool of people who GM 3, 4, 5, or even 6 games during the con, with the result that the proportion of GMs has fallen to 25% (it was ~22% in 2005 - 2006).

This is a trend we want to reverse. Partly this is because of long-term sustainability - relying on a small pool of people leaves us scrambling for GMs when some of those people can't make it. But its also an aesthetic preference. Part of the joy of KapCon is the wide variety of games and gaming styles on offer - and to provide that, we need a wide variety of GMs.

So, if you can GM, please think about trying your hand this year. If you need help, advice, or a playtest group to iron out the bugs in your game, we can help with that. If you want a relaxed atmosphere with no pressure, we can put you in the last session. But please think about it - KapCon needs you.

Kapcon T-shirts

Each year Kapcon sells t-shirts to commemorate the occasion. They're usually around $15 - $25, come in a range of sizes and colours, and most importantly need to be ordered in advance if you want to make sure you get one.

There'll be more details coming soon, but here's the current design: