Hey there, fellow adventurers! I’m Rob, and I’m about to embark on an exciting quest that has been in the making for quite a while. As the date for the upcoming U-Conn Gaming Convention approaches, I can’t help but reflect on my journey into the enchanting realm of tabletop role-playing games, which began back in 2002 with the iconic Dungeons & Dragons 3.0.
My initiation into this captivating hobby was anything but typical. In those days, tabletop RPGs were often seen as niche pursuits, something associated with “uncool” high schoolers. I wasn’t exactly the king of popularity, and I couldn’t risk another blow to my social standing.
However, the allure of this magical world proved too strong to resist. Fast forward to today, and I’m preparing to take on a new role at the convention – that of a Dungeon Master, guiding intrepid adventurers through a tale of my own creation.
Over two decades, my journey through the world of tabletop role-playing games has been a captivating adventure. Starting with D&D 3.0 in 2002, my passion for this unique hobby has grown stronger over the years. As a player, I honed my skills, navigated intricate dungeons, faced fearsome dragons, and made lifelong friends around the gaming table. This passion eventually led me to become a Dungeon Master, guiding others through epic tales of their own making.
My Dungeon Mastering journey didn’t begin with D&D 3.0, but rather with the spiritual successor to 3.5 – Pathfinder First Edition. It was a game that added a unique flavor to the genre, offering intricate rulesets and a vast world to explore. This deviation from the traditional D&D mechanics was partly thanks to the controversial Fourth Edition of D&D, which, despite not being a favorite, indirectly paved the way for Pathfinder’s creation.
Now, I’m preparing to run a game at the upcoming U-Conn Gaming Convention, a pivotal moment in my tabletop RPG journey. This hobby has transformed me from a timid player into a confident Dungeon Master while fostering lasting friendships and unforgettable adventures.
In May 2023, my passion for intricate tabletop RPGs led me to publish our very first adventure, “Legend of the Pharaoh King,” under my banner, Epic Table Games. I yearned to bring back the challenging scenarios and deadly encounters reminiscent of the early days of tabletop RPGs. The myths and allure of Egypt served as the perfect backdrop, offering a unique flavor with undead mummies, curses, pharaohs, and more.
“Legend of the Pharaoh King” was born from a desire to provide players with an unforgettable and immersive experience in a setting different from the traditional Tolkien or Arthurian fantasy. The adventure was a unique tapestry woven with elements of history, mysticism, and fantastical storytelling.
Despite a lack of a marketing budget, “Legend of the Pharaoh King” became one of our highest-rated adventures, although it may not have been the most successful in terms of sales. Its flexibility allowed it to be run within a four-hour window for a thrilling one-shot adventure or extended to two sessions for a deeper narrative experience.
Choosing to run this adventure at U-Conn was a careful decision, influenced by the availability of time slots and the outstanding reviews. However, it was also part of a pact made between myself and my SideQuest podcast co-host, Eli. We agreed that I would join one of Eli’s games at GenCon’23 and, in return, I would run a game for Eli at GenCon’24.
Running a convention game is a new challenge for me, and while anxiety is natural, it’s a testament to my commitment. The games I’ll be presenting at U-Conn will undoubtedly be extraordinary, as long as I don’t let my anxiety hold me back.
In the coming parts of this blog series, I’ll share insights into the preparations, anticipation, and the eventual triumphs or challenges I’ll face as I embark on this new chapter of my tabletop RPG journey. The convention awaits, and it’s a realm filled with possibilities, where storytelling and adventure know no bounds.
