email sent 25th August 2016

Between now and the game, we will be sending out some brief essays on a variety of topics: game mechanics and conventions, what makes this game different from most other larps, suggestions for how to get the most out of this game, etc. Here's one.

Dilemmas

When the game begins, your home character is at a turning point in his or her life and has a dilemma, a problem or decision to make that has no easy way out. This problem is very important to your character and you cannot resolve it directly: you are too conflicted to do so, or perhaps circumstances are not ready for you to make a choice. In order to find a way out of your quandary, you have turned to the cherished stories of mythic Britain, hoping that the old tales of conflict and virtue will grant you the insight that you need to determine your life’s path.

A Choice of Virtues

Every dilemma involves a choice between virtues: will you take the honorable way or the compassionate one? Is it better to be courageous in your situation, or wise? You have an envelope for each virtue choice. At the start of the Sunday morning game period, you make your decision. You then open the appropriate envelope, and your life changes. Exactly what happens varies by character. You will get a new name badge that describes you differently. You may be given a scene to play out. An indefinite period of time passes during dilemma resolution; you may skip ahead a year or two and become a future version of yourself. In all cases, you have the last game period to be your new self and experience the consequences of your decision.

Advisers

Two characters are advisers for your dilemma. Advisers know about your problem in some way, and are trying to persuade you to make a particular choice. Likewise, you are an advisor for two other characters’ dilemmas, and want likewise to persuade them. It’s important to do your best to see that the other characters make the right choice. Of course, they can’t actually choose until Sunday, but you should make a strong effort to draw them out and persuade them. Tales you have encountered can be a rich source of material to support your arguments. Your goal is to make their problem real, to bring the conflict out and have fun with it. Feel free to involve other people to make your point or provide you with ideas.

Modifying Your Dilemma

We have tried to make everyone’s dilemmas as fraught and conflicted as we can. However, if you find that your problem is unsatisfactory, i.e. if one choice seems clearly right or wrong or the problem seems inconsequential, make it better. You have our permission to add or change any details necessary to make your dilemma dramatic and difficult. Your dilemma is yours, and you may do what you see fit to make it meaningful.

If you do make changes, tell your advisors and anyone else who might know your situation, so that everyone's on the same page. Do this soon after the game starts, and in character if at all possible.

Linked Dilemmas

There is one exception to the above. A few characters have dilemmas that are linked to another character. If you are one, you have instructions to get together with another character at Sunday game start and make your decision together. The envelope says what to do if the characters do not agree. If you want to make important changes to a linked dilemma, you have to make them together with the other character, ideally before game start.

Your Dilemma is Yours

Your decision is yours to make. We have done our best to prevent another character from taking your decision away, e.g. by changing the circumstances so that one choice becomes trivial or meaningless. Other characters may make every effort to persuade you to choose this rather than that, but nothing they do should weaken the conflict you face. If another character does something which you think might cause a problem in this regard, correct or upbraid them in character, using the phrase my decision. For example, if your lord forbids you to do, you can say “My Lord, I am of course oath-bound to obey you. But I ask in this case that you do not require this of me. I feel it must be my decision, as I will be the one to face the consequences.”

Similarly, don't do things that might resolve or weaken someone's dilemma. Whatever the situation, it is clear to you that the other person needs to decide for themselves. If you make the decision for them, you are doing them a disservice.

Secrets

A few characters’ dilemmas involve secrets. If you know about a secret dilemma, you must not reveal it; if you did, you’d be taking away their choice. You may “out” yourself, but you may not expose others. If you must share it with anyone, you must first swear them to secrecy.

Email sent 24th August 2016

Greetings fellow players!!

The characters are out (those of you who signed up since the past deadline will have something soon), there's plenty to read on the website (https://sites.google.com/site/wdpendragon2016/).

What else what else?

The decorating and set-up team is hard at work organizing, creating, and borrowing decorations and sets to turn the Red Roof Inn into Camelot!

Mica, Renee and their stalwart crew could use the following help to keep us going now and once we arrive on site:

- Saturday August 27.

We have a ton of stuff to sift through, paint, varnish, and organize. Starting around 11:00 a.m. on Saturday not far from the actual LARP site. If you are willing/available, PM Renee Schulz or email Mica (mica.corradin@gmail.com) for more details.

- Thursday (Sept 1st) Helpers.

Think of it as a Fun Mix - an Early Chance to Visit!

No talent required!

5-8pmish: We'll be transporting lots of goodies to the Red Roof Inn from two other sites in the Newark, Delaware area. We could use people on site to help offload things from vehicles into the hotel, and some transport help in filling said vehicles at both sites.

Beginning around 8:30pm: We'll then be beginning to transform at least one room (maybe two!) that evening from plain old boring hotel space into castles and woods and taverns (oh my!). We're looking for people who can stick sticky stuff to stuff, hang stuff, carry stuff, cover stuff, jury-rig stuff, tie stuff, and make stuff pretty.

Please do let us know if you'll be onsite and when, or would be amenable to helping with transport!!

PM Renee Schulz or email Mica (mica.corradin@gmail.com) for more details.

- Friday (Sept 2nd) Helpers.

For those arriving early and happy to help!

No talent required!

From 11am: We'll be doing the same all over again (hopefully everything will get transported on the Thursday, but there's usually a bit more to do early on Friday. We're looking for people who can stick sticky stuff to stuff, hang stuff, carry stuff, cover stuff, jury-rig stuff, tie stuff, and make stuff pretty. Some food and beverages will also get brought onto site and need offloaded from cars to the meeting space. The more help we get, the better it will look. Please let us know if you'll be onsite and willing to help.

Please do let us know if you'll be onsite and when, or would be amenable to helping with transport!!

PM Renee Schulz or email Mica (mica.corradin@gmail.com) for more details.

Things we'd like to borrow, please and thank you!

We will do our absolute best to see everything we borrow gets returned, but can never guarantee (sadly), so please don't loan us anything you'd be sad to lose, and label things with your name or initials. :

• Up to 4 boomboxes (CD players with built in speakers)
• Flat-topped tray tables and/or card tables
• Extra costuming and props - anything you think makes a character particularly stand out in a crowd and seem Rich or Poor, Noble or Lowly, Beautiful or Ugly, Christian or Pagan, Knightly etc - such as Crowns/Tiaras, Jester Hats, Hooded Robes, Cloaks, Shields, Wooden Swords, Tabbards, Wimples, Masks (We could definitely use several masks), Wooden Crosses, Fake wedding rings, Hideous Noses, etc etc.
• Don't go too crazy, but if you have a few things you're willing to share (or just want to keep in your room for your own use, which is absolutely fine) bring them along!
• Extra set dressings (banners, wooden chests, Chair Covers, forest branches) or props which can be used to decorate the space. (We're hoping to have the rooms finished up by 6pm on Friday and would love to add your decor to what we've got, if you're arriving before that time.)

Thanks for reading!!

No worries if you can't help, we understand some folks have a long way to travel and some even straight from work.

But if you are able to help with any of the following, please let us know (specifically when) so we can make plans! Plans make us happy.

Thank you Thank you!

From all of us at The Wilmark Dynasty!!

Email sent 27th July 2016

Greetings fellow lords, ladies, and lowly scum.

We're nearly a month off from our exciting weekend-long excursion to all things Camelot! Huzzah!

This email is mostly geared to those already signed up - but if you haven't yet, it's not too late! July 31st is our next major deadline for registrations and payments, so today is an excellent day to get signed up:

https://sites.google.com/site/wdpendragon2016/registration---start-here

Here are a few announcements, requests, and reminders.

Full Characters are coming later this week to those of you cast in the first round! Huzzah!

To those of you what have responded - thank you, thank you!

If you have received a blurb and have questions or concerns, now is the best time to voice them. Please respond so we can do all we can to see it right.

(For those of you in the Second Round, despair not - Your blurbs are coming soon!!

August 1st is just around the corner, and we'll get hard to work sorting out the next round.)

Speaking of, however, we still need more players, so recruit recruit recruit! Camelot is a friendly place, invite your friends!

Do bear in mind these are your Home Characters, but that you will spend much time filling what other roles suit your fancy.

On that note, we voice our first request:

Bring extra costuming and props!

This is far far far from mandatory. You are welcome to stash a few things in your room (bearing in mind it will take time to retrieve them) or, better yet, bring a few things you're happy to lend to others and add them to our prop and costume stash! The more crowns, shields, capes, and other noteworthy props, the more we'll all fall into characters and be identifiable across a darkened wilderness or crowded court. You must label your items, and promise not to be heartbroken if something goes missing or awry (please leave all beloved treasures for your own use or at home). Quest characters include kings, queens, knights, ladies, miserable peasant wretches, witches, dwarves, and more! Use your imagination, take a peek around, and bring some fun extras! Or, not. Especially if you have far to travel. We'll bring stuff too.

Speaking of bringing things - we are always in need of more small tables. If you have a card table or a few flat-topped tray tables to lend, that would be fantastic! Again, as these weekends can be full of madness, please do not bring anything you would be heartbroken to lose, but we'll do our very best to ensure you receive everything you lend back.

Back to the skimmed over subject of leaving things in your rooms - have you got one yet? If you've already got one, great!

f not - what are you waiting for? Book Thy Hotel Room.

The block expires in August, so get thee one of your own (or one to share!)

https://sites.google.com/site/wdpendragon2016/registration---start-here/hotel-bookings

Looking for a roomie? Try here :

https://www.facebook.com/events/252743575113553/

More things to bring:

A Mug. Again, not mandatory, but isn't it nicer to drink from your own mug or goblet, rather than a plastic cup? We'll put dish soap in both public bathrooms for cleaning if needed.

Your own feast set. As a reminder, there shall indeed be a semi-in-character (that is to say, as in-character as you and the folks around you so choose) MEDIEVAL FEAST for dinner on Saturday. To keep costs down, although we'll make the tables look nice, we're planning on using mostly disposables (plates, forks, etc.). If you'd like to lend an air of respectability to your feast, feel free to bring your own gear! (Just bear in mind, it's up to you to clean it. Still, we think it'll be worth it.) Again, it's not mandatory in any way, no pressure. Just an idea, which might bring your weekend that extra added bit of immersion.

Your own wine or beer. Yes, you may bring wine or beer to the FEAST. Just, as always, please be subtle and responsible (no serving the public passers by, minors, etc.) You will have to keep it with you, we will not be providing ice or coolers (or a place for one) as the room will be crowded.

A song or short entertainment. Time allowing, we'd love to encourage a bit of entertainment during the FEAST. Please keep it to a medieval/renaissance theme (bonus points if it's actually got to do with Camelot), not too raunchy (we do like a bit of raunch, of course) or too overly silly (no Monty Python please). Something that adds to the atmosphere. We're likely to be broken up a bit by walls, so we'll try to encourage entertainment for both the Court and the Peasantry. Juggle balls (not knives) or tell a short jest. The more merriment, the more fond memories will be made!

Extra props and decoration! If you are coming in early, and have extra banners, tapestries, or other neat medieval fixings we'd love to borrow them! (Same rules apply, nothing beloved please). If you know in advance you're bringing them, sending a picture or two to thewilmarkdynasty@gmail.com, means our decorating committee can plan ahead!

Speaking of decorating committee - We Need Your Help! Coming in early and want to help out? This set promises to be one of our most demanding yet, and we're looking for people who can stick sticky stuff to stuff, hang stuff, carry stuff, cover stuff, jury-rig stuff, tie stuff, and make stuff pretty! Please send an email to thewilmarkdynasty@gmail.com if you'd like to volunteer to do any of the stuff (and when you think you'll be free to help). We'll be getting a head start on Thursday, and working most of Friday. Join us! We'll be forever grateful, and it always looks nicer when we have people to help with stuff.

One last reminder, for those of you what have not yet given John money. The price goes up August 1st - so, do yourself a favor and PAY TODAY:

https://sites.google.com/site/wdpendragon2016/registration---start-here/game-fees

I think that brings us to conclusion for this round of Requests and Reminders.

More from us again soon!

We look forward to seeing you in Camelot!!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Email sent 12th June 2016

Tales of Pendragon registration is gathering momentum and we're excited to see familiar names populate on the official list;

but We Still Need You :)

We've extended the first Registration and Payment deadline from Friday until Monday (June 13th) to get more of you involved in the first round of Casting.

(Special note: you do not have to pay before this date to be cast, just to save money as the price will be going up.)

Join us in Camelot,

find adventure,

endure trials and tribulations,

and seek your Happy-Ever-After.

https://sites.google.com/site/wdpendragon2016/

Please do get in touch if you have questions. We're happy to help!

Sincerely,

Your friends and fellow gamers at

The Wilmark Dynasty

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Email sent 25th May 2016

Greetings and well met!

We're here to talk about all things Labor Day Weekend for 2016!

In case you've yet to hear, we'll be hosting the tried and true

Tales of Pendragon this year,

September 2-4th

at our usual hotel in Newark, Delaware.

In brief - you can find out all you need to know here:

https://sites.google.com/site/wdpendragon2016/

The key point at the moment is that the first Registration deadline

is coming up soon, on June 10th.

Those of you who want in on the first round of Casting for best choice of characters and maximum time to costume will want to fill in Registration Forms and Casting Forms ASAP.

For those of you who like saving money

(who doesn't like saving money)

you'll want to pay your game fee before the price goes up!

(Coincidentally, also June 10th.)

* * *

Registration Confirmations were sent this morning to everyone we've got on the books, so if you didn't get one please email us (thewilmarkdynasty@gmail.com) or try again.

* * *

There's a lot of info about the game on the website:

https://sites.google.com/site/wdpendragon2016/

But if you have questions or just want to join in conversations about the game, join our Facebook Group! Brandon Brylawski, a central part of the original writing group and this year's Lead GM, will be monitoring the group to answer questions. Or you can email us privately as well (thewilmarkdynasty@gmail.com).

Played Pendragon before? No problem! Tales of Pendragon is absolutely friendly to repeat players.

And we even have a few roles for children.

Last, but far from least, enclosed below is a personal testimonial from John Corradin about his experience with the game (see below).

We hope you'll join us! We're very much looking forward to the experience. (oh, and did we mention the game fee includes a medieval feast? Yum!)

Here's the weblink again, this time from our main portal:

https://wilmarkdynasty.wordpress.com/tales-of-pendragon-labor-day-2016/

Tell your friends, we think it makes a great game for veterans or even brand new players. and maybe we'll see you in the Fall!

Fare thee well!

Your friends, The Wilmark Dynasty

THE GIST OF PENDRAGON

Players are citizen or traveller to Britain in the age of King Arthur, each wrestling with a vexing personal dilemma that seems beyond their ken to resolve. So they seek out a storyteller to request tales about courage, or perhaps faith, or maybe love, to help them find a solution to their dilemma. By participating in a myriad of stories, each player can resolve their personal issue, as well as affect the great events of the legendary Camelot.

By way of example, I played an elderly knight in Tales of Pendragon, greatly respected as a veteran of the Crusades. My dilemma was that I had fallen in love with [REDACTED-SPOILERS]. Should I take one for the team and remain silent, or brave rejection and tell her how I felt? I found participating in tales of chivalry, courage, and at times horrible defeat, was a fantastic way to find a solution to my problem.

I know this all sounds a bit chaotic, since each player in Tales of Pendragon must be prepared to play multiple roles in many storylines throughout the weekend…from brave knight or haughty queen one moment to a hideous monster or innocent bystander the next…whatever the tale within the tale requires. But amazingly it works. Hopefully at weekend’s end, you will have the same exhilarating experience I did in resolving my personal dilemma and seeing the legend of Camelot continue to shine brightly.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *