Hey gang!
Sorry it took so long, but let's talk about day 2 of PAX West!
The first game of the day was small, but a lot of fun!
Victorian Snowman vs the Post Office. Cliche, I know.
We cooked up an epic adventure: A magical time-freezing snowman known as Chronos was trying to get home before the spring thaw occurred. Meanwhile, the government was attempting to find Chronos in order to freeze time so that Congress could come up with a decent budget. Did I mention that it took place in the town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania in 1888?
The story was about two brothers attempting to help the snowman by hiding him, their poor overworked father trying to keep the family business alive, and playing dumb when the postman -- the obvious agent of the nefarious government -- sought the poor snowman.
It was a very sweet game and definitely proved that there could be a lot of heart in a Home by Dark session. The danger felt serious, but never felt terribly dark. This game proved that not every session has to be dark or foreboding. They can be sweet and full of innocence as well!
Winners: Most adorable of all sessions during PAX West 2016.
After that incredible game, I asked to add another slot of Home by Dark to the Games on Demand section. I'd had so much fun running the game that I had to play again. The second game did not let me down.
The game was a very dark Harry Potter-esque game about a floating skull head from a demilich named Meg. He was being hunted by the school, known as the Magisterium as well as the Church, which would cleanse the school by fire if they proved that Meg had gotten loose.
Dark times at the Magisterium
The game was one of the darkest and most entertaining sessions I've played. The players were young wizards who were enamored by the promises of Meg, the demilich.
One player in particular was a creation of one of the other players; he was a homonculus. The poor innocent creature was completely drawn in by the promises of Meg and, in the end, saved him by allowing Meg to possess him.
The game was a blast and I'm glad I went in for the extra session.
The brave young wizard students and the poor doomed homunculus
The whole day was a blast and, though the day was long, it was well worth running sessions all day! It also helps when the Cookie Brigade has delicious cookies available for a donation to Child's Play. :)
- Jason
Mmmm... cookies...