Paradigm Concepts

[tralianer]

Origins this year was a blast, as usual. Thanks to Henry, et al. for a wonderful plot and a truly EPIC wrap-up to the Crusade Arc. Thanks to Kitty and Carl for organizing all of this, you did a great job. Thanks to everyone who sat at my table and allowed me to you. And thanks so very much to my BI table. It was my first time running and you guys made it an experience to remember. I look forward to next year and to those who couldn't make it, you were missed.

Looking forward to next year,

Daniel Allen

[mith_narya]

Wow, great Origins 2012 people! Had an awesome time. What more could one ask for in a convention than great games with great friends?

First of all, a huge thank you to The Gathering staff and crew, without whom we all would have been wandering around like lost little puppies - and most likely ended up in unsavory places, like the bar at the Crowne. I cannot speak for everyone, but my tables never had issues getting GMs, tables, modules, certs, or starting on time. Well, there was that one Rotted Capes, but that was more due to it being rather popular.

A special thanks to Carl for the success in the epic task of hearding cats during the LARP and BI mustering.

Secondly, a same sized huge thanks to the Campaign Staff for all their hard work. *clap* Well done to everyone from Kitty on down the line!!

Third, the aforementioned thanks also goes out to the PCI crew for creating this wonderful world and rich story we continue to muck up. Thank you Eric for establishing the rules we die by, thank you Pedro for creating the beasties we die to, and thank you Henry for fretting over each and every word of the story we die for. And yes, thank you to the slackers that couldn't make it this year.

Congratulations to PCI and Arcanis for winning yet ANOTHER Origins Award! Well deserved and looking forward to all of us winning more such awards! I say 'us' because we all win when Arcanis gets this kind of publicity. More exposure, more players, more fun!


James Pabis
Ni'Sal
Scout - Sniper
Black Talon Strike Team (B.E.A.S.T)

[Harliquinn]

I'll echo the sentiments of the others in the thread! I had a great time. The modules were all very fun, the judges all fair and enthusiastic, and the PCI staff and supporters all very helpful.

The BI was particularly fun, with some interesting twists and while no one died at our table, we had several folks vanquished in multiple fights.

John
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- Harliquinn, John Bellando
Ohio Harvester

Kelb'Bakari, Dark-kin Altherian Corsair, Gentleman Archaeologist
-"Judge a wine by its label and you will miss out on the best vintages."

[PCIHenry]

Hello everyone,

My apologies for not getting to this yesterday, but I flew in and drove directly to work from the airport and by the time I got home, I passed out.

So, without further ado...

I'd like to thank the people who make Origins such a great event for Arcaniacs everywhere!

I think we can all agree that the Gathering Staff did an AMAZING job in making sure that all the events went off without a hitch and that players and GMs were at their tables on time! Special thanks to Kitty Curtis, Carl Zinn, Art Lobdell and all the campaign liaisons.

A hearty thank you to all the GMs who stepped up to run, even without a Slot Zero made available (and nary a complaint among them). Thank you all for understanding the unique situation my huge move put me in. I'll do better next time! Additionally, there were quite a few GMs who volunteered to run events above and beyond their assigned schedules. I know a few of you by name, but since I don't know all of you, I won't name names and merely say "THANK YOU!"

The LARP, which as many of you know only came about due to an outcry from the player base) could not have gone off without the 10 men and women who volunteered to play a Persona rather than their own characters. Special thanks to William Faulkner who played "Little Max" at the last minute when a scheduling conflict didn't allow Peter to play that character. Also a hearty and warm thank you to all the players who went to play and especially to those who dressed up for the part. However, I think you'll all agree that the Ss'ressen party stole the show with their amazing costumes.

The BI was a great success again, due to the efforts of the great GMs we had and the players who got in there and gave it their all, even when things looked grim and the deadliness of the battle was heightened. I think we can all agree that Eric did a great job running the event and Pete's maps were very well done!

Other events besides Arcanis was run at the show, as well. Thank you to Melinda Reid and (I believe) Jeff Huston who ran the Witch Hunter Open Library for the Witch Hunter players.

And thanks to Pete for running Rotted Capes like a madman. Special thanks to Nice Lopez for volunteering to learn the rules quickly and then run the games. I think anyone at her table will attest to what a great job she did.

They also serve who stay behind, so thank you to our wonderful campaign staff, some of which were not able to attend - Kitty Curtis, Melinda Reid, Sarah Brown, Maryrita Steinhour, and Tony Nijssen.

Many of our wonderful Harvesters were also in attendance and assisted in a variety of ways: Thank you Devin Redd and Brandy Frey, Ryan Wendling, Matt Flinn, Josh and Lindsey Elliot, James Vacca, Jeff Huston, John Bellando, Kevin Grigsby and Aaron Wampler!

It truly was a pleasure to see so many Arcaniacs, old and new, at the show and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. As I said to many there - you guys re-energize me and continue to make me excited to write more and more Arcanis, even when I'm exhausted. So thank you for that!

As I noted in another post, our win of the Origins Award could not have been possible without your support and enthusiasm! From the bottom of our hearts, I and the PCI Staff thank you!

Lastly, at the show there was an outcry due to my killing off a particular character. I won't say who, as not every one has played all the adventures, but a vote was held and the majority of the players wanted this person to be brought back. I didn't retcon the death, but I hope that what my fevered mind finally came up with was satisfactory to all who voted for and against his "return". Thank you for making me push myself as a writer. I hope you were as pleased as I was with the results.

For those of you that were unable to attend, I will attempt to write up the story and post it online soon.

My apologies if I missed anyone (and I know the second I hit send a name will pop into my mind). Please forgive this aging mind and know that you have my thanks as well!

Best,
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Henry Lopez
President
Paradigm Concepts, Inc.

[Auroris]

While your praise is most appreciated Henry, I think I speak for most of us when I say that without your world to play in it would all be for naught. Thanks for giving us Arcanis!
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Kailandos, Elorii Chanter of the Rebirth and the Bright People
Prince Arcahvir of the Tir Betoq
Harvester for Iowa
James Vacca

[Nierite]

Though I wasn't there. . .

[Stands and applauds]
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Cody Bergman

aka = Haakon Marcus val'Virdan, Priest of Nier (Divine 1.
aka = Dyabe val'Abebi, Templar of Althares (Divine 1.4)
aka = Jorma Ostoman, Battlemage of the Coryani Empire (Arcane 1.2)

[Niceness]

[KittyCurtis]

(Cross-posted from the Origins thread, so non-PCI judges/players can get them, too.)

Tons of thank yous:

First, to my amazing Arcanis staff: Assistant Campaign Director Tony Nijssen, Author Liaison Scott Horn, Gaming Ambassador Melinda Reid, Editing Coordinator Sarah Brown, File Maven/Project Coordinator Maryrita Steinhour, and Map/Stat Monkey Pedro Barrenechea (he needs help - please volunteer).

Next, to the loved ones of all our staff: they didn't sign up for the hours away from us, and in many cases may not have been wholly aware of the time commitment, but without their support we would not have the game we do: Aurora & Jeni Barrenechea, Nani Barrenechea, Josh Brown, Rick & Ginny Bruner, Leia Cain, Calvin Curtis, Dawn McCormick, Joshua & Maria Reid, Scott Reid, Adam Rutherford, and Curtis Steinhour.

The Gathering Staff: Carl Zinn and Art Lobdell, who kept me from going crazy.

GAMA's Staff: Joby Miller, Sammi Sampson, Steve Smith, and of course, Cthulu Bob!

The Campaign Liaisons who did tons of legwork working as my translators, recruiting judges and advertising the games: Eric Clark, John Hanna, Catlin Mills, David Nadolny, David Santana, June Soler, Eric Wiener

Our Gathering judges: Russell Akred, Daniel Allen, Jason Beck, Robert Bennett, Derek Boobyer, Brent Bowser, Eric Clark, Nancy Clark, Jason Cook, Michael Costello, Stuart Davidson, Terry Doner, Kevin Elmore, Bill Faulkner, Bruce Finch, Jay Fisher, Joanne Fisher, Paul Gerwe, Natalie Gibson, Michael Grancey, Geoffrey Griffith, Greg Hurst, Jeff Huston, John Jones, Ada Kerman, David Kerscher, V Michael Lazar, Dan Lewis, Michael Lindner, Art Lobdell, Victor Long, Nice Lopez, Brian Martin, Michael McNerney, Catlin Mills, Robert Montano, David Nadolny, AJ Nicholson, Wez Nicholson, Tony Nijssen, Melinda Reid, Scott Reid, Justin Ross, Adam Rutherford, David Samuels, David Santana, June Soler, Timothy Travis, James Vacca, Ryan Wendling, and Tracy Windeknecht.

Special thank yous to:
* Sarah Brown who completed most of the CPs and did some last-minute editing passes, even though she wasn't attending Origins
* Ken and Heather Walz, who were also unable to attend, but sent ahead their laser printer and copies of all the Witch Hunter adventures, as well as lent moral support
* Josh Elliott who mustered nearly every slot of Arcanis
* Bill Faulkner who stepped up to play a role in the LARP with less than 30 minutes notice.
* Daniel Allen who agreed to judge the BI (I didn't realize it was his first BI) after I'd told him we could seat everyone, but that there was plenty of room if he wanted to judge
* Ryan Wendling who pre-printed the majority of the Open Library adventures so we could have a stockpile of printed copies instead of making judges wait for them to print out as they came along
* Tony Nijssen and Jeff Huston, who spent 6 hours editing stat blocks and helping write out advanced maneuvers and tactics for the BI. If your Hero was Vanquished, they get at least part of the credit.
* Catlin Mills and the Rokugan crew, who save our bacon every year.

The tons of you that stopped by Gathering HQ to offer hugs, breaks, and meal runs.

Each and every player who showed up - you guys are the reason why we do this. Origins is where I "fill my tank" for the year, and you make all the nights I fell asleep at my computer worth it.
_________________
~Kitty Curtis~
Legends of Arcanis Campaign Director
director@shatteredempires.com
**We are looking for stat monkeys & cartographers - Message me if interested!**
Origins: Gathering HQ Staff

[Vorgryth]

Sorry it took me so long but I wanted to say thanks Daniel, you did a great job at the BI. Our group can be rather loud and boisterous and not only did you did well at running the mod itself, but in dealing with our excitable natures!

I'd also like to thank everyone else for their hard work. It has been years since I'd have that much fun at a con. I got to meet and make new friends too! You guys are all awesome!!

Toni
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-Toni Brill

Elyse val'Tensen, Royal Marine of Milandir