Game Book 2006

Slot 1 - Friday, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Slot 2 - Friday, 7:00 p.m. to midnight
Slot 3 - Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Slot 4 - Saturday, 7:00 p.m. to midnight
Slot 5 - Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Slot 1 - Friday, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Equalizer II: The Guns of Eregnor
GMs: Ginger Stampley and Michael Croft
Number of Players: 4-8
Game Type: ADRPG, Amber
Game URI: http://www.whiterose.org/twiki/bin/view/Cons/EqualizerCharGen
Character Generation: Before Con based on 120 points. Returning players may re-use their characters from last year's game. Character generation rules on website.

In the weeks since Prince Gerard was made Regent, the Golden Circle has been in turmoil. In Amber, factions and secret alliances have arisen to take advantage of the confusion. It's a tightly-held state secret that someone tried to assassinate Prince Gerard, and that his nephews and nieces may have prevented a coup by Dalt.

Now someone has set up a warlord in the disputed province of Eregnor armed with the same guns that Dalt planned to use against Amber. Gerard worries that Eregnor could be a staging ground for another assault on Amber, and he wants the younger generation to deal with the matter. He doesn't care how, but he wants the problem solved and the guns neutralized.

It's you, your cousins, and your collective wits against a hostile, primitive Shadow overrun with armed Begman mercenaries in armored dirigibles. Who said being from Amber meant things were easier?

On the Job
GM: Jack Gulick
Number of Players: 3-6
Game Type: Indie, Other Diced, Amber
Game URI: http://memento-mori.com/inspectres/
Character Generation: Created Onsite or via Email in advance

"Welcome to InSpecters. Now that you've completed your training and orientation, we're proud to welcome you to the InSpecters family. We're certain you'll find your time here uniquely challenging and rewarding. Since our founding in..."

The cover letter continues on like that, rambling and empty corporate nothing, mostly re-hashing what you already heard in the 'training and orientation' film. The only interesting part, really, is a handwritten note below the company president's illegible signature.

"It's tough to get new office started, so have forwarded case from Manhattan overflow. Fairly straightforward, client is insurance firm checking reunusual claim, patient disappearance from Greenwood Private Hospital. Probably nothing, easy $. Further details in attached file."

First Chapter Purists rejoice... or cringe in horror, your choice. Enter the Amber series from a new perspective and uncover truths you never suspected. This game will use the InSpectres system ( http://memento-mori.com/inspectres/ ). Rules will be taught. And, yes, the game is set in 1970

Things Forgotten, Things Remembered
GM: Deb Atwood
Number of Players: 4-8
Game Type: Amber (sort of freeform)
Game URI:
Character Generation: This game takes place 25 years post-Patternfall. Characters should be from Amber with strong ties to the family or to any of the missing characters listed below. Contact GM regarding the game prior to the convention. Advanced powers or unusual powers only allowed after discussion with the GM.

Amber had been at peace for more than 25 years. Random had finally settled into his place as the ruler of the known universe (except for the occasional jaunt off into shadow). Peace was made with Chaos. New cousins were collected from various ends of the universe and introduced to Amber.

In short, life went on.

But a few months back, someone commented that they hadn't heard from Martin in a year or two. On realizing that Merlin was also among the missing, and Gerard's son as well, and that they'd last been seen together, so they were probably just off on a jaunt.

A few weeks ago, someone else asked about Benedict. And just yesterday the subject of Bleys' long absence arose.

Then this morning Random paused over breakfast, put up one finger in the universal I'm-getting-a-Trump-contact signal, and then keeled over unconscious. Nothing has yet served to wake him up.

Something is most definitely wrong.

Slot 2 - Friday, 7:00 p.m. to midnight

ChaosBorn *CANCELLED*
GM: Paul Weimer
Number of Players: 4-6
Game Type: ADRPG (with a dash of Fireborn)
Game URI: http://www.all-roads-lead.net/jvstin/chaosborn.html
Character Generation: Based on 75 points. See website for details.

Like the Royal Family of Amber, young scions of Chaos are sometimes fostered out in Shadow. In this way, they can escape some of the dangers of growing up in a House of Chaos, especially Great Houses of Chaos.

You and your friends are junior members of House Sawall, living in Shadow, gaining education, and seasoning for the time they are ready to rejoin their parents and Elders in Chaos.

But why did they not prepare you for the strange changes, and the new bond that has formed between you, formerly at best distant relations, House mates. And who or what is the force that now hunts you in this Shadow home?

What is the secret of the Chaos Born?

Orphans of War
GMs: Brian Dewhirst
Number of Players: 4-7
Game Type: ADRPG
Game URI: http://users.wpi.edu/~dewhirst/Brian_Amber.html
Character Generation: BYOC (As per website, based on 50 points)

You were always different than the other children as you grew to adulthood. Stronger, faster, smarter. Destiny was in your bones, power in your blood...but like many born to power, your strength was internalized deeply enough that it was less than unremarkable to you. There were mysteries, though...it started with vivid dreams. A man, his face as familiar to you as your own, yet a face without a name. He speaks, but his lips do not move. "If all goes well, I will see you after the throne is won, in a year's time..." It has been many years, almost more years than a youthful memory can recall, since you last saw your (true) father. Words spoken over a crib, or down into a face cradled tenderly in a father's proud arms...almost lost to the fragile nature memory. His face is a distant memory which haunts your dreams, but now it is time to claim your birthright... if you can.

In "Orphans of War," players will portray the "lost generation" of young Amberites whose Amber parents were killed in and around the events of Patternfall.

Ship of Chaos
GM: Heather Mace
Number of Players: 4-7
Game Type: ADRPG
Game URI:
Character Generation: Amber Diceless 75 points; No Pattern, No Logrus. Artifacts no more than 6 points in cost. Characters can be provided by GM at the start of game if no prior arrangements are made. New players to Amber are welcome. Main emphasis will be on basic mechanics and roleplaying.

As you wake up you realize you're in some type of... coffin? casket? Except the lid is clear. Covered with... frost. You can't remember how you got here.

You push on the lid and it slowly opens to cold air, a barely illuminated chamber. There's a creaking that reminds you of rigging on a ship. On water. The ceiling is meters above you, you can barely see it in the pale blue light coming from a half dozen sources around the edge of the walls. There are other containers like yours. Movement in a few of them, their lids frosted over.

And then you realize you're not safe as you hear a slithering off in the darkness.

The Shab-al-Hiri Roach
GM: Michael Curry
Number of Players: 3-5
Game Type: Indie, Other Diced, Non-Amber
Game URI: http://www.bullypulpitgames.com/games/
Character generation: Created Onsite

This is a session of The Shab-al-Hiri Roach.

The Shab-al-Hiri Roach is a dark comedy of manners, lampooning academia and asking players to answer a difficult question - are you willing to swallow a soul-eating telepathic insect bent on destroying human civilization?

No?

Even if it will get you tenure?

Rules will be taught, but prospective players should check out the Roach website (especially the Actual Play links) so they have some idea of what they're getting themselves into.

Slot 3 - Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

An Amberite's Price
GM: Paul Weimer
Number of Players: 4-6
Game Type: ADRPG
Game URI: http://www.all-roads-lead.net/jvstin/ambprice.html
Character Generation: As per website, based on 150 points.

House Wererathe is a Great House of Chaos interested in Shadowmastery, among other pursuits. Your cousin Gaius, son of Eric, had been invited to visit the House a couple of months ago.

He has not returned.

Messages to House Wererathe have come back with the notice from the House Head that Gaius has agreed to one of the line marriages in the mostly female house and will be staying there in Chaos. Random is more convinced that this is extortion and kidnapping, and has sent you, the PCs, to find out an Amberite's Price.

Dogs in the Vineyard
GM: Bryant Durrell
Number of Players: 3-5
Game Type: Indie, Other Diced, Non-Amber
Game URI: http://www.septemberquestion.org/lumpley/dogsources.html
Character Generation: Created onsite; the character generation process is a key part of the game.

For some, the dust of the roads obscures the guidance of the King of Life. For some, the haze of passion distracts from the duties of the Faithful. For some, the harsh realities of survival in this land are more important than the Church.

You are none of those people. You are the Dogs.

In a mythical Desert, God's Watchdogs ride the land from town to town, handling the problems that the locals will not or cannot solve. Your judgement is unquestionable, except by yourselves. Your passage is rarely smooth.

Dragonmark
GM: Deb Atwood
Number of Players: 4-7
Game Type: Other Diceless (Freeform)
Game URI:
Character Generation: Pregens (This game will be run in an original semi-freeform system in an original fantasy world. Characters will be pregens, and any necessary mechanics will be available online prior to the game, and will be distributed with the characters.)

Ever since you were a child, you have heard tales of the Crystal Dragon who dwelled within the mountains which bordered on the Frozen North. Yet in recent years, rumor has it that the Dragon has left Corilane with no protection, nothing to keep the barbarian hordes from invading.

But you... you remember seeing the Dragon fly once, when you were just a child. At least, you thought it was the Dragon, sparkling overhead as sun glinted off the wings. And the chime you heard has echoed through your dreams ever since then... a single solitary note which calls you to something, somewhere... if only you knew what.

So when on the last night of the festival of Mirya's Night, you hear that sound, that chime, echoing over the capital city of Corilane, you are drawn to it. Drawn to the sound of the Dragon's Mark upon you...

Le Cygne: Wars and Rumors of Wars
GMs: Ginger Stampley and Michael Croft
Number of Players: 4-7
Game Type: Other Amber, Series
Game URI: http://www.whiterose.org/twiki/bin/view/Cons/WarsandRumorsofWars
Character Generation: Everway/Amber crossover rules. Returning players will use their characters from previous adventures; new players will receive pregenerated characters. Everway knowledge helpful but not essential.

"And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is not yet." (Mark 137)

Le Cygne has wandered for months through the fragmented remains of the shadow paths, searching for a way to return to Amber. She has found pirates, volcanic deities, mad wizards, and Weir, but never yet the way back home. The last path she took collapsed behind her, leaving no way out--and the seas she sails now are at war. Can the crew find a new path before the ship is sunk and they're press-ganged into a shadow navy?

Slot 4 - Saturday, 7:00 p.m. to midnight

A Will to Win
GM: Mel Mason
Number of Players: 3-6
Game Type: Other Diceless (based on AGOT Tri-Stat system)
Game URI: http://www.galacticrenaissance.com/will_to_win/
Character Generation: BYOC (Details of character preparation will be discussed with the GM beforehand and planned together. Your ideas will have an impact on the plot, so good preparation will be essential! You'll be creating 120 point characters.)

A diceless version of the Tri-Stat Game of Thrones RPG, set in the world of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Fire and Ice series.

It's Summer in King's Landing. Aegon II is King - not a very successful king, it's true, being more interested in his mistresses and his debauched pleasures, ignoring his beautiful Queen, Naerys. But the Kingsguard holds steady under the leadership of the Dragonknight, Prince Aemon, and you, like everyone else, are looking forward to the great tournament.

It's rumoured that the most likely Queen of Love and Beauty will be the King's cousin, Daena Targaryen (his latest mistress). But what's that to you? You are living happily in King's Landing, or perhaps elsewhere, and making plans to attend the tournament, perhaps as a participant, perhaps as a merchant or an entertainer - perhaps simply to enjoy the spectacle.

And then you receive something unusual. A message, sent by raven to the local Maester. You're wanted in King's Landing. The old hedgeknight, Ser Barryon Flawbitt has died - and you are summoned to the reading of his Will, where you might learn something to your advantage.

And perhaps to someone else's advantage too.

Ashes of Time
GMs: Jennifer Jackson and Deb Atwood
Number of Players: 4-7
Game Type: ADRPG, Series
Game URI:
Character Generation: BYOC (Before Con based on 180 points, Amberites only. Character details should be resolved with the GMs prior to the convention. Players must have e-mail access.)

It's a one in a million chance...or one in a thousand. No one in Amber claims to remember when it last happened. But according to legend (and Dworkin, if one can believe his ramblings), it's happening again tonight. The dark reflection of Amber, known as the Forbidden City, will appear. And your young cousins Alex and Lance (yes, the ones who have been known to break Shadows, by accident) are planning an expedition. Naturally, they haven't mentioned this to anyone who might tell them "no"...but only to those they thought they could persuade to go along.

Set long before the time of Patternfall, this scenario is the sixth in the series that began with (1) The Breakfast Club and continued with (2) Halloween, (3) The Fifth Element, (4) Three Amberites and a Baby, and (5) Dragonslayers. This is NOT a continuing campaign. It is not at all necessary to have participated in previous episodes. Both new and returning players/characters are welcome.

Nine Princes in High School
GM: Jack Gulick
Number of Players: 3-6
Game Type: Amber, Other Diced
Game URI:
Character Generation: Play as re-themed Elders or as other students. Returning characters from prior chapters are welcome. Rules will be sent prior to the con.

While Principle Oberon is away at an unusually long conference, discipline at Amber High is starting to slip. The teachers are holing up in their lounge, avoiding anything but the minimum of class time. The students are forming into factions over the race for student council, who would be best to lead the team against crosstown rival Chaos High, or just about anything else that comes to mind. The janitor is muttering about something strange in the basement.

Join in the unpredictable goings-on as Amber meets Teenagers From Outer Space!

Soul of the City
GM: Carolyn Lachance
Number of Players: 3-6
Game Type: Other Diceless (Nobilis, 2nd edition)
Game URI: http://www.gweep.net/~hyacinth/nobilis/soul_of_the_city.htm
Character Generation: Pre-gen, with player input, if desired. See the game website for more information.

Flight 2012, redeye from Los Angeles, didn't make it to New York. It ended up crashed somewhere far odder, where even the trees and buildings talk--and call you "Lord." Strangeness surrounds you, and a new Voice speaks inside you with the very power of Creation. Can you and your comrades discover what evil has befallen this land before it leaks out and poisons all the world?

Nobilis is a game of the concepts that underlie reality, fused with a mortal soul into a being half god and half clay, and locked in a neverending war against the forces of unbeing. Write a score that makes the Angels weep as the Power of Music, or plan a double-cross that leaves Hell itself in mute awe as the Power of Treachery, all while defending the universe against those who would unravel the very fabric of Creation. Between men and gods, reality and myth, perfection and the end of everything--there stand the Nobilis.

Soul of the City is intended as an introduction to Nobilis for new players, though experienced players are welcome. Absolutely no knowledge of the system is required, and pregen characters will be provided.

Slot 5 - Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Fortune's Fool: The Ebony Hand
GM: Michael Curry
Number of Players: 4-6
Game Type: ADRPG (tweaked), Non-Amber, Series
Game URI: http://www.io.com/~mcurry/Fortune'sFool/
Character Generation: Pre-gens

Fortune's Fool is the most feared airship in the skies of the Empire of Uskadi. Preying on the merchant zeppelins that transport goods and passengers from city to city, she and her crew of swashbuckling rogues have managed to outfly, outwit and outfight the airships of the Imperial Air Navy that have been sent to stop them.

There are worse things in the air than pirates though, as the crew of Fortune's Fool will soon find out for themselves.

This is the first in what may well be a series of swashbuckling pirate zeppelin games, each chronicling the adventures of the airship Fortune's Fool. It will be run using a tweaked version of the system Sol Foster uses for his excellent Blaze of Glory series (which in turn is a tweaked version of the Amber Diceless RPG), and pre-generated characters will be provided.

Hold the Front Page! A Galactic Renaissance game
GM: Mel Mason
Number of Players: 4-6
Game Type: Other Diceless
Game URI: http://www.galacticrenaissance.com/hold_front/
Character Generation: Characters will be BYOC - details of character preparation will be discussed with the GM beforehand and planned together. A Galactic Renaissance: game Aquila is the centre of this long-running pbem. But this will be a one-off game, welcoming new players.

An old scandal on the planet of Aquila, backwater planet in the Galactic Imperium ...

Twenty-five years ago, Merian, Lord Hoberty, the Head of House Hoberty and the huge Hoberty clan, was murdered - some said by his own wife, Gylda. The event is still wrapped in mystery - but what is certain is that Lady Gylda and her sons fled the capital city and were lost in the vast under-explored hinterlands of Aquila.

Time has passed, and the details have been forgotten by all but a few ... save for that intrepid newshound, Josh Salter, editor of Aquila Awake!* Josh has a tip-off - and he's sending a bunch of his finest reporters and etchers into the badlands of Aquila to check out a certain forgotten village.

But the reporters (and the unsuspecting villagers) are unaware that more than an old scandal is about to be uncovered. For something is lurking that could threaten the future of Aquila and her citizens ...

The world setting will be Aquila - a cross between Regency England and Borgia Italy. More details can be found on the website http://www.galacticrenaissance.com/aquila/aquila.htm Characters can choose be reporters or etchers for Aquila Awake!, or villagers (including members of the Hoberty family in exile)

A Galactic Renaissance game Aquila is the centre of this long-running pbem. But this will be a one-off game, welcoming new players.

"All the news you'll ever need!" ~ Josh Salter, editor-in-chief
"A weally wemarkable wead every week," ~ Lady Bella Rostay, lifestyle reporter
"A filthy scandalsheet, unfit even for the privies in the Servants' Hall," Iolanthe, Lady Acciaio, the subject of a notorious etching in the paper

Office Invasion
GM: Karen Alfrey
Number of Players: 3-6
Game Type: Indie, Other Diced, Non-Amber
Game URI:
Character Generation: Pregens

Just another boring day at the offices (well, cubicles, mostly) of Humphrey Enterprises. Honestly, you're not all that sure what the company does, but the pay is good and the gossip is even better rumor has it that the Big Boss is a former mob guy made good, which may explain the steady stream of shifty-looking characters slinking into the big guy's office for closed-door meetings. (And those weird symbols he's got carved on his door are probably some secret mob thing, right?) He's not the only one with skeletons in his closet, though; come to think of it, you're pretty happy that this job didn't require much in the way of a background check....

But maybe some of those secret "job skills" will serve you well after all. Because today, Humphrey Enterprises will undergo a VERY hostile takeover.

Better keep that stapler handy. You may need it.

This game uses Carl Klutzke's Everway-like "Storycards" system, which will be explained at the start of play.

Start All Over Again *CANCELLED*
GM: Glen Seymour
Number of Players: 3-6
Game Type: ADRPG
Game URI:
Character Generation: Created onsite

"It is within this fathoms-long carcass, with its mind and its notions, that I declare there is the world, the origin of the world, the cessation of the world and the path leading to the cessation of the world." - Buddha

You've just stolen the Serpent's eye. Now what?