I was having a bit of writer’s block trying to organize my thoughts on this year’s Gen Con experience. So, I came up with this half-baked “Best and Worst” list idea. (Been watching too much Comedy Central, I think.)

I remember my first discussion with Nick Van Zandt quite clearly. I hadresponded to an e-mailed invitation from a dummy account. As per hisinstruction, I came alone. It was about 3am on an April night, musky anddamp.

I know, I know. Ive been a very bad boy. I should have gotten this done while at the con. I should have stopped by the booth and written it out while the show was still going.Bad John. No biscuit.

CONTEST WINNERThis short fiction piece was submitted in conjunction with the Unknown Green Armies of the Delta contest, which we ran in conjuntion with Atlas Games.

The system for Bloodshadows is West End’s Masterbook System, also used with their World of Indiana Jones game. It is a non-specific, multi-genre system which requires a general rule book (the Masterbook, which covers all of the basic rules, generic character generation, the magic/technology system - both covered by the term “Special Effects” - and the combat resolution system) as well as the specific Worldbook for the setting in which you wish to play.

“A Fragment?” was a runner up in the Gaming Outpost Silent Death Story Contest.

It was a sunny afternoon when I came home from work to a package that looked like it had been mauled by wild dogs. It was heavy and I wasn’t sure what exactly it was. Reading the return address it clicked. Ah yes, my review book from The Gaming Outpost.

I welcome you, fellow gamer to the newest column on everybody’s favorite Gaming Outpost! In this biweekly foray into the dark & dank belly of gaming I will seek to give a fresh perspective on the fundamentals of our hobby.

The gamers are coming! The gamers are coming!Take a look at how things really are here at GenCon…IF YOU DARE!

But there’s a problem. The boxes weigh about fifty pounds. There’s a seventy pound limit on luggage. I’ve got four boxes and the luggage limit is three. This means I’ve got to get my Scorpion hat on.