Gary Con where sometimes the little things matter most

I am finally back from Gary Con and still a bit frazzled from my long drive.

My last day I always tend to notice the little things going on around me, as opposed to day 1 where I am agog at being in a huge hotel with MY PEOPLE!

I was taking a break from my last game, David Wesely's: Banania Braunstein, when I noticed a small table tucked into an area near the stairs. People were still gaming away on an adventure, but this was just an open game table. I got curious and I had to ask what was going on.

​I suppose what caught my attention was that seeing a group of gamers, tucked away in a corner somewhere, reminded me of my first gamer group that met in a local library decades ago. For me, this is what rpg's are all about; getting together with friends and creating epic adventure together.  

This is how I met the DM for the game and learned the story behind the creation of the Order of the Owl.

For the past three years a table is reserved at Gary Con for the Order of the Owl. This is a pick up game of D&D; think of it like a game of basketball at the local park, only in this case it's for RPG'ers.

The host at the table, Mark Jeranek, was friends with Gary Gygax. Before Gary died, Mark made a promise to Gary; he swore that he would reach out to people and teach as many new people as he could about the wonders of Role Playing Games, specifically D&D. 

 The foundation was laid for a little personal project that honors Gary Gygax: The Order of the Owl.

As I write this blog post, I realize my clipped facts do not do this project true justice. When Mark described the how and why of his humble little gamer event, I was deeply moved by his experience. I may be a Blackmoor historian, but Gary is such an integral part of the whole story that I also enjoy hearing from those who knew him well, like Mark. 

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​If you get a chance to attend Gary Con, make sure to stop by Mark's table and consider dropping into this little back water of gaming for some quality adventuring.

Gary Con is getting bigger, yet you may find that the most innocuous events will leave the greatest impression on you. I was so deeply touched to hear Mark's story that I wanted to write about this one game, and bring your attention to it. 

Sometimes it's the little things that matter most, like a man taking the time to honor his friend by running a game that anyone can take part in.

Thanks for taking a minute out of your game to speak with me Mark. 

Last of all, I want to bring your attention to some hard gamer facts. There is only one more day before the KickStarter Backer Kit Store closes.

This will be your only chance to order a double DVD/Bluray set that comes with the bonus interview DVD.

PRE-ORDER HERE

Don't miss out on your chance for this exclusive historical artifact on the game that changed the world. 

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