This article is a log updated periodically throughout the day, and then published when complete.

Arrival: 8 AM

First of all, an update and correction from my last scouting report. While we had been warned off the changes in entrances previously, for some reason it hadn’t sunk in. For those of you taking a train in, stops around 14th -16th streets will be superior than hiking over from elsewhere. In addition, Will Call has moved from the location originally sent out by email, and is now by the entrance hall. This means that everyone is all going to the same location, which, well…

This is the sight of the entrance hall at 8:00, two hours before the con is supposed to open, and an hour before event registration was set to begin. I had already picked up my badge, and I knew where I was going to RPG registration, but I was far from the first.

To reiterate, this is an hour before registration opens. If anyone thought I was overstating the morning pileup, things look like anything but right now.

However, in spite of the backup I did it! After striking out last year, I managed to get into one of the Star Wars modules run by Fantasy Flight Gaming. There is also a neat change from last year: along with Games on Demand, people have games that they are offering to run that have been included on the docket. I am seeing some people are using it to demo games they have/are developing, which seems like a great way to generate interest and stress test.

10 AM – 2 PM

“Begun the Clone Wars Have” was a fun module, and I know enough about the system that I can see the hallmarks of a module designed for this kind of event: early rolls to get people used to the system while getting them to use resources, challenges that stretches people out of their niche followed by a finale that left two thirds of the party down for the count.

I won’t say to much about the events, because I really don’t want to spoil it for people, but I think FFG is definitely leaning into the Rise of the Separatists and Collapse of the Republic splat books on this one, and that character choices heavily come from those books: Clone Commander, ARC Trooper, Jedi Master, Jedi Padawan and Senator were all included in the group of up to 6 players with an Outlaw Tech to round it out. Considering Seamus’ work on both of these books, I was excited to play, and I think I can definitely say that a full Clone Wars campaign seems really viable. I even got to take a look at some of the squad combat rules from Rise, and they could really do nicely in an Age of Rebellion game to make being a Diplomat more interesting in combat.

As an observation, the time slot bills itself as four hours for all of the games FFG is running (also Legend of the Five Rings and Android: Shadow of the Beanstalk). My group was one of the first to let out, and the other two games were still going strong, so I would say that four hours is indeed the expected time.

Finally, I learned something cool! There is a fan community run version of Pathfinder Society for Star Wars: Legends of the Galaxy. It has a shared, generally running plotline for GMs and players, along with resources for both (including hosting the Oggdude character builder!). The creator and head of the site was actually one of the GMs, and hopefully I will get the chance to sit down with him and learn more.

2:30

Ignores his own advice, quickly scarfs down crab fries in the cafeteria while typing updates

3:00-3:45

While signing up for events, I had seen something that piqued my interest: a recently Kickstarted (though not yet released) game by the name of Zafir. It’s billed as a tactical RPG along the lines of X-COM, but set in an alternate Earth where an industrial revolution has been set off ahead of schedule with new magical ores. It sounds like an interesting idea, but I’ve signed up for a card game tournament, so I can’t stay for the whole time. Still, I manage to chat with the developer, watch character creation and plan to meet up to find out more later in the con.

4:00

There’s a cool little racket being set up in the tournament center, a soft drink tavern. You buy your mug and have free refills for the day. It’s great for people here for the whole day, especially as you get thirsty, and they seem to be making bank.

Oh, and I got bounced from my tournament in about 15 minutes. *sad trombone music*

4:30-5:45

Well, the Zafir game is still running. Fortunately, they are still in combat, and I get the chance to see how combat works over a few encounters. It seems pretty intuitive, but I hope to go over things a bit deeper in another article.

I catch Seamus between Transit sessions and check in before I prepare to leave. Yes, it’s early, but I’ve been going at this for 10 hours now, and cons are marathons and not sprints. I plan to be back tomorrow with friends, and I have the whole expo hall to explore!