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"Mankind will reach maturity on the day it learns to value diversity—of life and ideas. To be different is not necessarily to be ugly; to have a different idea is not necessarily to be wrong. The worst thing that could happen is for all of us to look and think and act alike." Gene Roddenberry

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strong>Teen 13+ [clear filter]
Friday, November 8
 

5:00pm CST

ARCS! - Learn to Play
Friday November 8, 2024 5:00pm - 8:00pm CST
Long ago, the Reach thrived. But our ancestors failed us, and I fear we’re no better. As we wrestle over the galaxy’s edge, can we break the cycle? Can we build something new?

Arcs is a sharp sci-fi strategy game for 2–4 players, set in a dark yet silly universe. Ready yourself for dramatic twists and turns as you launch into this galactic struggle.

  • One of the most anticipated games of 2024
  • Seize the initiative: Take actions with multi-use cards. Copy the leader, pivot to new tactics, or take the initiative for next round. Timing is everything.
  • Declare ambitions: In each game, you define the objectives that everyone competes over to win.
  • Crush your foes: Amass your navy for battle, plan your strategy with three kinds of dice, then roll them all at once to resolve the battle in a flash.

Speakers

Friday November 8, 2024 5:00pm - 8:00pm CST
Spring Room

5:00pm CST

Heat: Pedal to the Metal
Friday November 8, 2024 5:00pm - 8:00pm CST
The countdown begins and sudden deep roars cut through the air as all the cars leap away from their starting lines; the Grand Prix is underway. Dust and wind rush past your helmet as you enter the first corner. Pushing your engine to the limit, you almost spin out but tightening your grip on the steering wheel you slide through the corner apex still in first. You got this!

To stay at the front of the pack, you’ll need to push your car to the limit. Will your car endure the long straightaways or will your engine fail in the last curve because you’ve taken too much HEAT?

Based on simple and intuitive hand management, Heat: Pedal to the Metal puts you in the driver’s seat of intense car races. You are jockeying for position to cross the finish line first, while managing your car’s speed if you don’t want to overheat.

Learn to Play with an instructor ready to teach this simple yet fun game!
 
Speakers
avatar for Tiffany Voltz

Tiffany Voltz

Fandom additict. Fanfiction connoisseur. Professional napper. 

Friday November 8, 2024 5:00pm - 8:00pm CST
Spring Room

5:00pm CST

Build-A-Blinkie
Friday November 8, 2024 5:00pm - 8:00pm CST
If you have never soldered before, this is the place to learn! You get a kit with the parts, then you build it at the soldering station. We will give you as much or as little assistance as you like - we never judge because we remember when we first learned to solder and we want this to be a fun and rewarding experience! You then get to show it off and take it home. If you have soldered before, this is the place to hone your skills with our more challenging kits. Build-A-Blinkie's mission is as a 501c3 organization dedicated to the teaching of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). We currently run many learn-how-to solder events in the Great Lakes area and are involved in numerous maker events, maker spaces, trade schools, libraries, universities, and area conventions. Fee for materials,
Friday November 8, 2024 5:00pm - 8:00pm CST
Oakbrook Ballroom 2

5:00pm CST

Fused Glass Workshop
Friday November 8, 2024 5:00pm - 8:00pm CST
Create your own pendant, ornament, or mini paperweight, and then fuse it by placing it in the kiln for overnight firing. The number of participants is limited by space in the kiln, so stop in the Build-A-Blinkie room to sign up and schedule a time to coordinate/create with Teri. The Friday and Saturday cutoff is 8pm, as the kiln must run overnight (12 hours). Fee for materials.
Friday November 8, 2024 5:00pm - 8:00pm CST
Oakbrook Ballroom 2

5:00pm CST

Runequest Glorantha - Demo
Friday November 8, 2024 5:00pm - 9:00pm CST
Runequest was one of the early TTRPGs, debuting in the late 70's.  It's a Bronze Age world with very personalized magicks, powerful monsters, an evil empire and much more.  Players will be given pregenerated characters and a mystery to solve.  Magic and combat in RQ can be *deadly* and anyone can get in a lucky shot that can kill even the most deadly fighter or monster, so beware!  This D100 based system is easy to play and is built in one of the most well-developed fantasy worlds in all of gaming.

Run by Lee Darrow, who has been playing this system since the late 70's and who is also a certified hypnotist and professional magician.
Speakers
Friday November 8, 2024 5:00pm - 9:00pm CST
Spring Room
  Gaming, RPG
  • Age Teen 13+
  • Experience New Players Welcome

7:00pm CST

Sparks 63. Hunter’s Hunted
Friday November 8, 2024 7:00pm - 11:00pm CST
The party is on an information-stealing mission when they learn hunters are after them. Who are these hunters? Who is hunted? Why are they after the party?

Written by: David Stairs

Available for Replay.
Speakers
Friday November 8, 2024 7:00pm - 11:00pm CST
Spring Room

8:00pm CST

Mysterium
Friday November 8, 2024 8:00pm - 10:00pm CST
In the 1920s, Mr. MacDowell, a gifted astrologer, immediately detected a supernatural being upon entering his new house in Scotland. He gathered eminent mediums of his time for an extraordinary séance, and they have seven hours to make contact with the ghost and investigate any clues that it can provide to unlock an old mystery.

Unable to talk, the amnesiac ghost communicates with the mediums through visions, which are represented in the game by illustrated cards. The mediums must decipher the images to help the ghost remember how he was murdered: Who did the crime? Where did it take place? Which weapon caused the death? The more the mediums cooperate and guess well, the easier it is to catch the right culprit.

In Mysterium, a reworking of the game system present in Tajemnicze Domostwo, one player takes the role of ghost while everyone else represents a medium. To solve the crime, the ghost must first recall (with the aid of the mediums) all of the suspects present on the night of the murder. A number of suspect, location and murder weapon cards are placed on the table, and the ghost randomly assigns one of each of these in secret to a medium.

Each hour (i.e., game turn), the ghost hands one or more vision cards face up to each medium, refilling their hand to seven each time they share vision cards. These vision cards present dreamlike images to the mediums, with each medium first needing to deduce which suspect corresponds to the vision cards received. Once the ghost has handed cards to the final medium, they start a two-minute sandtimer. Once a medium has placed their token on a suspect, they may also place clairvoyancy tokens on the guesses made by other mediums to show whether they agree or disagree with those guesses.

After time runs out, the ghost reveals to each medium whether the guesses were correct or not. Mediums who guessed correctly move on to guess the location of the crime (and then the murder weapon), while those who didn't keep their vision cards and receive new ones next hour corresponding to the same suspect. Once a medium has correctly guessed the suspect, location and weapon, they move their token to the epilogue board and receive one clairvoyancy point for each hour remaining on the clock. They can still use their remaining clairvoyancy tokens to score additional points.
If one or more mediums fail to identify their proper suspect, location and weapon before the end of the seventh hour, then the ghost has failed and dissipates, leaving the mystery unsolved. If, however, they have all succeeded, then the ghost has recovered enough of its memory to identify the culprit.

Mediums then group their suspect, location and weapon cards on the table and place a number by each group. The ghost then selects one group, places the matching culprit number face down on the epilogue board, picks three vision cards — one for the suspect, one for the location, and one for the weapon — then shuffles these cards. Players who have achieved few clairvoyancy points flip over one vision card at random, then secretly vote on which suspect they think is guilty; players with more points then flip over a second vision card and vote; then those with the most points see the final card and vote.

If a majority of the mediums have identified the proper suspect, with ties being broken by the vote of the most clairvoyant medium, then the killer has been identified and the ghost can now rest peacefully. If not, well, perhaps you can try again...

Speakers
P

Pickles

Owner, Gen Con Library
Friday November 8, 2024 8:00pm - 10:00pm CST
Spring Room
  Gaming, Board Games
  • Age Teen 13+
  • Experience New Players Welcome

9:00pm CST

Anime Club Creation: Building School Spirit Through Japanese Animation Culture
Friday November 8, 2024 9:00pm - 10:00pm CST
Welcome to the exciting world of anime, right within your school’s halls! This panel is dedicated to guiding students in creating a school-based anime club. It’s a place where the stories, art, and culture of anime aren’t just watched, but experienced and shared. Whether you’re a seasoned anime aficionado or new to the scene, we’re here to help you build a club that becomes a cornerstone of school spirit and community.

Join Us! Take the first step in making your school a place where anime fans can thrive. Our panel will provide you with the knowledge and inspiration to start a club that’s all about celebrating anime and fostering friendships. Don’t miss out on the chance to create an anime haven at your school!

Speakers
avatar for Tiffany Voltz

Tiffany Voltz

Fandom additict. Fanfiction connoisseur. Professional napper. 
Friday November 8, 2024 9:00pm - 10:00pm CST
Ogden

9:00pm CST

Nerf Battle!!!
Friday November 8, 2024 9:00pm - 11:00pm CST
Join the Westmarch Rifles for a Nerftastic time in our family friendly battle simulation.

Sponsored By: The Royal Manticoran Navy
Moderators
Friday November 8, 2024 9:00pm - 11:00pm CST
Kent

9:00pm CST

Blood on the Clocktower
Friday November 8, 2024 9:00pm - Saturday November 9, 2024 12:00am CST
ON THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT...
During a hellish thunderstorm, a scream echoes through the sleepy town of Ravenswood Bluff. The townsfolk rush to investigate and find the beloved local storyteller has been murdered, their body hanging limp from the clocktower. As blood drips onto the cobblestones below, a realization slowly dawns… a demon has been unleashed, killing by night and taking on human form by day.

Can good find the demon in time? Or will evil overrun this once peaceful town?


Blood on the Clocktower is a game of murder and mystery, lies and logic, deduction and deception for five-to-twenty courageous players and one devious storyteller.

A social game played in person, seated in a circle, each player receives either a ‘good’ or ‘evil’ token with their unique character on it. Good players share information to solve the mystery whilst evil players lie about who they are and what they know. The good team wins if they can piece together their knowledge, trust each other, and execute the demon. The evil team wins if the demon can sow distrust, evade detection, and wipe out the village.

Game sessions are Dynamic, and Players may come and go as they please, as the length of each game is highly variable.

If arriving late, speak to the storyteller about getting into the game or waiting for the next one.

If you must leave early, please let your storyteller know ahead of time so they give you a special character.
Speakers
Friday November 8, 2024 9:00pm - Saturday November 9, 2024 12:00am CST
Cermak
  Gaming, Party Games
  • Age Teen 13+
  • Experience New Players Welcome

10:00pm CST

Origins of Playing Cards and Tarot
Friday November 8, 2024 10:00pm - 11:00pm CST
Join us for a discussion and slide show focused on the early evolution and development of playing cards and tarot, and how they became the gaming systems known today.

Friday November 8, 2024 10:00pm - 11:00pm CST
York
 
Saturday, November 9
 

12:00am CST

Blood on the Clocktower
Saturday November 9, 2024 12:00am - 3:00am CST
ON THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT...
During a hellish thunderstorm, a scream echoes through the sleepy town of Ravenswood Bluff. The townsfolk rush to investigate and find the beloved local storyteller has been murdered, their body hanging limp from the clocktower. As blood drips onto the cobblestones below, a realization slowly dawns… a demon has been unleashed, killing by night and taking on human form by day.

Can good find the demon in time? Or will evil overrun this once peaceful town?


Blood on the Clocktower is a game of murder and mystery, lies and logic, deduction and deception for five-to-twenty courageous players and one devious storyteller.

A social game played in person, seated in a circle, each player receives either a ‘good’ or ‘evil’ token with their unique character on it. Good players share information to solve the mystery whilst evil players lie about who they are and what they know. The good team wins if they can piece together their knowledge, trust each other, and execute the demon. The evil team wins if the demon can sow distrust, evade detection, and wipe out the village.

Game sessions are Dynamic, and Players may come and go as they please, as the length of each game is highly variable.

If arriving late, speak to the storyteller about getting into the game or waiting for the next one.

If you must leave early, please let your storyteller know ahead of time so they give you a special character.
Speakers
Saturday November 9, 2024 12:00am - 3:00am CST
Cermak
  Gaming, Party Games
  • Age Teen 13+
  • Experience New Players Welcome

9:00am CST

Forges of Ravenshire
Saturday November 9, 2024 9:00am - 11:00am CST
Grab a hammer and some steel, it’s time to forge! The Blacksmiths Guild of Ravenshire is in need of a new Forgemaster. You and your fellow smiths are competing to see who can make the most money and become the new Forgemaster.

Forges of Ravenshire is played over 4 seasons or rounds. Each season starts with the gathering phase where players will acquire contracts, recruit guild members, and gather resources. Players roll their dice workers and place one of them on an available location to gather resources. Then retrieve a different dice worker to gather even more resources. However, the various workers are from different guilds and when retrieved will activate the guilds you have invested in. All players will take turns placing one of their workers and retrieving another worker 3 times.

After the gathering phase is the production phase. Take those 3 dice workers you have taken and now place them on different areas of your forge to gather more resources, make charcoal or steel, and forge contracts to make money.
At the end of every season, check to see if any special titles have been earned. Titles bring prestige and hard-earned money.

Finally, roll your 3 dice workers again and prepare the county of Ravenshire for the next season.

Speakers
J

JJ

Gen Con Library
Saturday November 9, 2024 9:00am - 11:00am CST
Spring Room
  Gaming, Board Games
  • Age Teen 13+
  • Experience New Players Welcome

9:00am CST

Return to the Dark Tower
Saturday November 9, 2024 9:00am - 12:00pm CST
For an age, the tower lay in ruins. Unbeknownst to the people of the realm, a great evil stirred in its bowels. It started with strange sightings: a flock of crows flying in circles until they dropped from the sky, the lake frozen solid in the height of summer. In time, they could not deny that which they most feared.

The evil had not been vanquished. The darkness would soon fall again. The tower will rise.
A “sequel” to the 1981 grail game, Return to Dark Tower is a game for 1-4 players who take the role of heroes. Together, they gather resources, cleanse buildings, defeat monsters, and undertake quests to build up their strength and discern what foe ultimately awaits them.

When the heroes face the tower, the game shifts into its dramatic second act, where the players have one chance to defeat the enemy once and for all.
Speakers

Saturday November 9, 2024 9:00am - 12:00pm CST
Spring Room
  Gaming, Board Games
  • Age Teen 13+
  • Experience New Players Welcome

9:00am CST

Sparks 48. Pirates Bounty
Saturday November 9, 2024 9:00am - 1:00pm CST
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, a Rebellion fights for freedom. The soldiers risk their lives in an effort to stop the Empire. A small group of such Rebels has now fallen into the hands of pirates, and the Rebels must now save their own.

Written By: Erin Moore

Game Base 7's WEG ongoing Star Wars campaign

Start a character or bring an existing Sparks character. 
Speakers
Saturday November 9, 2024 9:00am - 1:00pm CST
Cermak

10:00am CST

Letters of the Rainbow
Saturday November 9, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Join in a discussion about LGBTQ+ representation in media.
Moderators
avatar for Llewella Forgie

Llewella Forgie

Llewella Forgie is an award-wining author who creates stories of tenacious women battling injustice and creating their own happily-ever-after.  Her current work-in-progress is a pentalogy that takes place in Europe in 1802.  France is planning to invade, people with psychic powers... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Malda Marlys

Malda Marlys

Malda Marlys teaches science just outside Chicago and writes the sort of speculative fiction that requires too many qualifiers for the normal flow of conversation. Fortunately the SFFH umbrella is wide (and kind of spooky and full of brass fittings and snakes). Eir short fiction has... Read More →
ML

Megen Leigh

Artist GOH
Saturday November 9, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
York

10:00am CST

Introduction to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: AKA Drones
Saturday November 9, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Join us to learn what drones are, what they can do, what legal issues are involved (and possibly why some particular drones might be illegal!) Terry will be showing off equipment and answering questions.
Speakers
Saturday November 9, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Hunt

10:00am CST

Chainmail Creation Workshop: Make & Take Your Own Medieval Marvel!
Saturday November 9, 2024 10:00am - 12:00pm CST
Join us for a hands-on journey back in time where you can craft your very own piece of medieval history! Our Chainmail Make & Take session is perfect for both beginners and seasoned armor enthusiasts.
What to Expect:
  • Expert Guidance: Our skilled instructors will guide you through the ancient art of chainmail weaving, ensuring you learn the techniques to create a beautiful and functional piece.
  • Materials Provided: We supply all the necessary materials, including a variety of metal rings in different sizes and colors to personalize your creation.
  • Take Home Your Craft: At the end of the session, you’ll have your own chainmail piece to take home, whether it’s a bracelet, keychain, or a patch of armor.
  • Connect with Community: Meet fellow history buffs and crafting enthusiasts in a fun, creative atmosphere.
Whether you’re looking to add an authentic touch to your cosplay or simply want to try your hand at a new craft, our Chainmail Make & Take session is an adventure not to be missed. Sign up today and forge a link to the past!
Speakers
Saturday November 9, 2024 10:00am - 12:00pm CST
Private Dining Room

2:00pm CST

Flamecraft
Saturday November 9, 2024 2:00pm - 4:00pm CST
Artisan dragons, the smaller and magically talented versions of their larger (and destructive) cousins, are sought by shopkeepers so that they may delight customers with their flamecraft. You are a Flamekeeper, skilled in the art of conversing with dragons, placing them in their ideal home and using enchantments to entice them to produce wondrous things. Your reputation will grow as you aid the dragons and shopkeepers, and the Flamekeeper with the most reputation will be known as the Master of Flamecraft.

In Flamecraft, 1-5 players take on the role of Flamekeepers, gathering items, placing dragons and casting enchantments to enhance the shops of the town. Dragons are specialized (bread, meat, iron, crystal, plant and potion) and the Flamekeepers know which shops are the best home for each. Visit a shop to gain items and a favor from one of the dragons there. Gathered items can be used to enchant a shop, gaining reputation and the favors of all the dragons in the shop. If you are fortunate enough to attract fancy dragons then you will have opportunities to secure even more reputation.

Speakers
Saturday November 9, 2024 2:00pm - 4:00pm CST
Spring Room
  Gaming, Board Games
  • Age Teen 13+
  • Experience New Players Welcome

2:00pm CST

TKO Boxing Charity Tournament
Saturday November 9, 2024 2:00pm - 4:00pm CST
Instead of arguing if Superman could lift Thor's Hammer, fight about it! Sign up for the TKO boxing game tournament, outsmart your opponent, and go home a champion! The game will be taught at the start of the tournament, with rounds expected to be fifteen minutes or less.

Minimum Donation: $5.00
Prizes: All participants will receive a pin. First, second, and third place will receive additional prize.



Speakers
Saturday November 9, 2024 2:00pm - 4:00pm CST
Spring Room
  Gaming, Board Games
  • Age Teen 13+
  • Experience New Players Welcome

2:00pm CST

Sparks - Overflow Session
Saturday November 9, 2024 2:00pm - 6:00pm CST
This is an open session in case another Sparks table is needed. The scenario will be decided at the time of the slot.
Speakers
Saturday November 9, 2024 2:00pm - 6:00pm CST
Cermak

2:00pm CST

Sparks 61. Wrench in the Works.
Saturday November 9, 2024 2:00pm - 6:00pm CST
Imperial Forces are fielding an alarming number of TIE fighters. Can a small band of heroic “warriors” sabotage the new TIE production plant? Or will this spell certain doom for the Rebel fleet?

Written By: Scott Rowe

Game Base 7's WEG ongoing Star Wars campaign

Start a character or bring an existing Sparks character. 
Speakers
Saturday November 9, 2024 2:00pm - 6:00pm CST
Cermak

3:00pm CST

Dead by Daylight
Saturday November 9, 2024 3:00pm - 5:00pm CST
In Dead by Daylight: The Board Game, a team of four resourceful Survivors face off against a single supernatural Killer in a high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse.

As one of four Survivors, explore the trial grounds, discover props, and utilize your unique perks as you work to uncover and repair generators. Repair four generators and open the exit games to escape and win! As a Killer, hunt down the survivors, wound them, and place them on sacrificial hooks to summon a sinister force. With enough sacrifices, you are able to appease The Entity and win!

Each turn, players will plan their moves by secretly selecting paths on the board to move along. Each time a player moves, they will reveal new features of the board, called props, which they can interact with to further their objectives or to hinder their opponents.

Survivors are able to utilize many different props to aid in their survival and navigation of the trial. Killers can make use of fewer props—instead, they interact with the Survivors using their attack or their unique power. Each Killer has a different power that will completely change the way the game plays. Both Killers and Survivors have perks which grant them special abilities. Experienced players can customize their characters with various perk configurations, offering even more replayability.

Speakers
Saturday November 9, 2024 3:00pm - 5:00pm CST
Spring Room
  Gaming, Board Games
  • Age Teen 13+
  • Experience New Players Welcome

4:00pm CST

Robots of Future Wars
Saturday November 9, 2024 4:00pm - 5:00pm CST
Given the current level of advancement with drones, bots and AI technology, what will warfare look like in 40 years?
Moderators
BF

Bill Fawcett

Special Guest, Bill Fawcett & Associates
Speakers
avatar for Ray Tabler

Ray Tabler

Author, Science Fiction You Can Enjoy
My aim is to write science fiction you can enjoy. So far that's manifested as what I call Light Space Opera. Imagine Starship Troopers, hijacked by Monty Python, or space opera as produced by Gilbert and Sullivan, while bankrolled and bullied by Flo Ziegfeld. Additional links:Ray's... Read More →
Saturday November 9, 2024 4:00pm - 5:00pm CST
Butterfield

5:00pm CST

Monsters and Other Childish Things
Saturday November 9, 2024 5:00pm - 7:00pm CST
Coming back to school after summer is always rough, particularly when you have an eldritch abomination that's decided to be your friend. But the real problem is school. Since coming back, everything has been...stranger than it was before. Something horrifying is twisting the school to its dark whims, and it's up to you and your monstrous friend to figure out what it is before it's too late!

Required Materials: None. Character sheets and dice will be provided. If you would prefer to bring dice, ten 10-sided dice are required to play.
Speakers
Saturday November 9, 2024 5:00pm - 7:00pm CST
Spring Room
  Gaming, RPG
  • Age Teen 13+
  • Experience New Players Welcome

6:00pm CST

The Search for Planet X
Saturday November 9, 2024 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
At the edge of our solar system, a dark planet may lurk. In 2015, astronomers estimated a large distant planet could explain the unique orbits of dwarf planets and other objects. Since then, astronomers have been scanning the sky, hoping to find this planet.

In The Search for Planet X, players take on the role of astronomers who use observations and logical deductions to search for this hypothetical planet. Each game, the companion app randomly selects an arrangement of objects and a location for Planet X following predefined logic rules.

Each round, as the earth travels around the sun, players use the app to perform scans and attend conferences. As they gain information about the location of the objects, they mark that information on their deduction sheets. As players learn the locations of the various objects, they can start publishing theories, which is how players score points.

As more and more objects are found, players narrow down the possible locations for Planet X. Once a player believes they know its location and the objects on either side of it, they use the app to conduct a search. The game ends when a player successfully locates Planet X, and all players have a final chance to score some additional points.

The Search for Planet X captures the thrill of discovery, the puzzle-y nature of astronomical investigation, and the competition inherent in the scientific process. Can you be the first to find Planet X?

Speakers
Saturday November 9, 2024 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
Spring Room
  Gaming, Board Games
  • Age Teen 13+
  • Experience New Players Welcome

7:00pm CST

Diversity: Does it Matter?
Saturday November 9, 2024 7:00pm - 8:00pm CST
Is corporate diversity sincere or do they just not want to be sued? Let's discuss these lofty questions.
Moderators
avatar for Chris Barkley

Chris Barkley

(Foreign) Correspondent, File770.com
Chris M. Barkley is a fan activist from Cincinnati, Ohio. He has been active in sf fandom for over 47 years and has attended over 200 conventions, including 31 World Science Fiction Conventions.He has also been a Convention Chair (Cinclave in 1986) a radio talk show host and producer... Read More →
Speakers
Saturday November 9, 2024 7:00pm - 8:00pm CST
Hunt

7:00pm CST

Mysterium
Saturday November 9, 2024 7:00pm - 9:00pm CST
In the 1920s, Mr. MacDowell, a gifted astrologer, immediately detected a supernatural being upon entering his new house in Scotland. He gathered eminent mediums of his time for an extraordinary séance, and they have seven hours to make contact with the ghost and investigate any clues that it can provide to unlock an old mystery.

Unable to talk, the amnesiac ghost communicates with the mediums through visions, which are represented in the game by illustrated cards. The mediums must decipher the images to help the ghost remember how he was murdered: Who did the crime? Where did it take place? Which weapon caused the death? The more the mediums cooperate and guess well, the easier it is to catch the right culprit.

In Mysterium, a reworking of the game system present in Tajemnicze Domostwo, one player takes the role of ghost while everyone else represents a medium. To solve the crime, the ghost must first recall (with the aid of the mediums) all of the suspects present on the night of the murder. A number of suspect, location and murder weapon cards are placed on the table, and the ghost randomly assigns one of each of these in secret to a medium.

Each hour (i.e., game turn), the ghost hands one or more vision cards face up to each medium, refilling their hand to seven each time they share vision cards. These vision cards present dreamlike images to the mediums, with each medium first needing to deduce which suspect corresponds to the vision cards received. Once the ghost has handed cards to the final medium, they start a two-minute sandtimer. Once a medium has placed their token on a suspect, they may also place clairvoyancy tokens on the guesses made by other mediums to show whether they agree or disagree with those guesses.

After time runs out, the ghost reveals to each medium whether the guesses were correct or not. Mediums who guessed correctly move on to guess the location of the crime (and then the murder weapon), while those who didn't keep their vision cards and receive new ones next hour corresponding to the same suspect. Once a medium has correctly guessed the suspect, location and weapon, they move their token to the epilogue board and receive one clairvoyancy point for each hour remaining on the clock. They can still use their remaining clairvoyancy tokens to score additional points.
If one or more mediums fail to identify their proper suspect, location and weapon before the end of the seventh hour, then the ghost has failed and dissipates, leaving the mystery unsolved. If, however, they have all succeeded, then the ghost has recovered enough of its memory to identify the culprit.

Mediums then group their suspect, location and weapon cards on the table and place a number by each group. The ghost then selects one group, places the matching culprit number face down on the epilogue board, picks three vision cards — one for the suspect, one for the location, and one for the weapon — then shuffles these cards. Players who have achieved few clairvoyancy points flip over one vision card at random, then secretly vote on which suspect they think is guilty; players with more points then flip over a second vision card and vote; then those with the most points see the final card and vote.

If a majority of the mediums have identified the proper suspect, with ties being broken by the vote of the most clairvoyant medium, then the killer has been identified and the ghost can now rest peacefully. If not, well, perhaps you can try again...

Speakers
P

Pickles

Owner, Gen Con Library
Saturday November 9, 2024 7:00pm - 9:00pm CST
Spring Room

7:00pm CST

Sparks - Overflow Session
Saturday November 9, 2024 7:00pm - 11:00pm CST
This is an open session in case another Sparks table is needed. The scenario will be decided at the time of the slot.
Speakers
Saturday November 9, 2024 7:00pm - 11:00pm CST
Spring Room

7:00pm CST

Sparks 93. Where are We Now?
Saturday November 9, 2024 7:00pm - 11:00pm CST
While flying escort to a supply run for the Rebel Alliance, an Imperial force arrives to capture our heroes and the cargo. Now they must flee. Where will they end up, and how will they get back?

Written By: Aaron Maternowski

Game Base 7's WEG ongoing Star Wars campaign

Start a character or bring an existing Sparks character. 

Available for Replay 
Speakers
Saturday November 9, 2024 7:00pm - 11:00pm CST
Spring Room

9:00pm CST

Blood on the Clocktower
Saturday November 9, 2024 9:00pm - Sunday November 10, 2024 12:00am CST
ON THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT...
During a hellish thunderstorm, a scream echoes through the sleepy town of Ravenswood Bluff. The townsfolk rush to investigate and find the beloved local storyteller has been murdered, their body hanging limp from the clocktower. As blood drips onto the cobblestones below, a realization slowly dawns… a demon has been unleashed, killing by night and taking on human form by day.

Can good find the demon in time? Or will evil overrun this once peaceful town?


Blood on the Clocktower is a game of murder and mystery, lies and logic, deduction and deception for five-to-twenty courageous players and one devious storyteller.

A social game played in person, seated in a circle, each player receives either a ‘good’ or ‘evil’ token with their unique character on it. Good players share information to solve the mystery whilst evil players lie about who they are and what they know. The good team wins if they can piece together their knowledge, trust each other, and execute the demon. The evil team wins if the demon can sow distrust, evade detection, and wipe out the village.

Game sessions are Dynamic, and Players may come and go as they please, as the length of each game is highly variable.

If arriving late, speak to the storyteller about getting into the game or waiting for the next one.

If you must leave early, please let your storyteller know ahead of time so they give you a special character.
Speakers
Saturday November 9, 2024 9:00pm - Sunday November 10, 2024 12:00am CST
Cermak
  Gaming, Party Games
  • Age Teen 13+
  • Experience New Players Welcome
 
Sunday, November 10
 

12:00am CST

Blood on the Clocktower
Sunday November 10, 2024 12:00am - 3:00am CST
ON THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT...
During a hellish thunderstorm, a scream echoes through the sleepy town of Ravenswood Bluff. The townsfolk rush to investigate and find the beloved local storyteller has been murdered, their body hanging limp from the clocktower. As blood drips onto the cobblestones below, a realization slowly dawns… a demon has been unleashed, killing by night and taking on human form by day.

Can good find the demon in time? Or will evil overrun this once peaceful town?


Blood on the Clocktower is a game of murder and mystery, lies and logic, deduction and deception for five-to-twenty courageous players and one devious storyteller.

A social game played in person, seated in a circle, each player receives either a ‘good’ or ‘evil’ token with their unique character on it. Good players share information to solve the mystery whilst evil players lie about who they are and what they know. The good team wins if they can piece together their knowledge, trust each other, and execute the demon. The evil team wins if the demon can sow distrust, evade detection, and wipe out the village.

Game sessions are Dynamic, and Players may come and go as they please, as the length of each game is highly variable.

If arriving late, speak to the storyteller about getting into the game or waiting for the next one.

If you must leave early, please let your storyteller know ahead of time so they give you a special character.
Speakers
Sunday November 10, 2024 12:00am - 3:00am CST
Cermak
  Gaming, Party Games
  • Age Teen 13+
  • Experience New Players Welcome

8:30am CST

Sparks - Overflow Session
Sunday November 10, 2024 8:30am - 12:30pm CST
This is an open session in case another Sparks table is needed. The scenario will be decided at the time of the slot.
Speakers
Sunday November 10, 2024 8:30am - 12:30pm CST
Cermak

8:30am CST

Sparks 184. Garrison of Alderaan
Sunday November 10, 2024 8:30am - 12:30pm CST
Whatever happened to the Imperial Garrison on Alderaan? Follow the trail of 4 pilots who say they were there and want to defect. Of course Rebel Intelligence thinks it’s a trap; better send someone to spring it.

Game Base 7's WEG ongoing Star Wars campaign.

Written By: Darrell Hird 

Available for Replay.

Start a character or bring an existing Sparks character.

Sponsored by: Game Base 7.
Speakers
Sunday November 10, 2024 8:30am - 12:30pm CST
Cermak

10:00am CST

Captain Sonar
Sunday November 10, 2024 10:00am - 12:00pm CST
At the bottom of the ocean, no one will hear you scream!

In Captain Sonar, you and your teammates control a state-of-the-art submarine and are trying to locate an enemy submarine in order to blow it out of the water before they can do the same to you. Every role is important, and the confrontation is merciless. Be organized and communicate because a captain is nothing without his crew: the Chief Mate, the Radio Operator, and the Engineer.

All the members of a team sit on one side of the table, and they each take a particular role on the submarine, with the division of labor for these roles being dependent on the number of players in the game. Roles include: the Captain, who is responsible for moving the submarine and announcing some details of this movement; the Radio Operator listening to the opposing captain's orders and try to decipher where that sub might be in the water; the Engineer working in the munitions room to prepare torpedoes, mines and other devices that will allow for combat.

Captain Sonar can be played in two modes: turn-by-turn or simultaneous. In the latter set-up, all the members of a team take their actions simultaneously while trying to track what the opponents are doing, too. When a captain is ready to launch an attack, the action pauses for a moment to see whether a hit has been recorded — then play resumes with the target having snuck away while the attacker paused or with bits of metal now scattered across the ocean floor.

Multiple maps are included with varying levels of difficulty.

Speakers
Sunday November 10, 2024 10:00am - 12:00pm CST
Spring Room
  Gaming, Board Games
  • Age Teen 13+
  • Experience New Players Welcome

11:00am CST

The Darker Side of Space
Sunday November 10, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm CST
The future is not always a garden of roses. Let's discuss the darker side of science fiction futures.
Moderators
avatar for Sue Burke

Sue Burke

Sue Burke’s most recent science fiction novel is Usurpation, published on October 29, the conclusion of the trilogy that began with Semiosis and Interference. She began writing professionally as a teenager, working for newspapers and magazines as a reporter and editor, and began... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Donna J W Munro

Donna J W Munro

Donna J. W. Munro teaches high schoolers the slippery truths of government and history at her day job. Her students are her greatest inspiration. She lives with five cats, a cute curly-haired dog, a fur-covered husband, a sassy septuagenarian Mama, and an encyclopedia son. Her daughter... Read More →
avatar for Chris Gerrib

Chris Gerrib

Chris Gerrib admits to being a bit obsessed with Mars, but in a healthy way – all three books of his Pirate Series are set on Mars. Chris lives in the Chicago suburbs and still has a day job in IT. He holds degrees in history and business from the University of Illinois and Southern... Read More →
Sunday November 10, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm CST
Hunt

12:00pm CST

1984 or 2024
Sunday November 10, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm CST
With the changing education system, children are no longer learning cursive or "negative" events. Are we raising the future to be ignorant and malleable?
Moderators
avatar for Malda Marlys

Malda Marlys

Malda Marlys teaches science just outside Chicago and writes the sort of speculative fiction that requires too many qualifiers for the normal flow of conversation. Fortunately the SFFH umbrella is wide (and kind of spooky and full of brass fittings and snakes). Eir short fiction has... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Llewella Forgie

Llewella Forgie

Llewella Forgie is an award-wining author who creates stories of tenacious women battling injustice and creating their own happily-ever-after.  Her current work-in-progress is a pentalogy that takes place in Europe in 1802.  France is planning to invade, people with psychic powers... Read More →
avatar for Ryan Francis

Ryan Francis

Ryan Francis is a multi-talented cartoonist and animator who likes to draw animals with swords.After spending time in college learning to draw for money, Ryan tackles the day to day arrangements of projects, commissions, and ventures where he must draw like a mad lad.
Sunday November 10, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm CST
Hunt

1:00pm CST

Sparks 49. The Iskallon Conundrum
Sunday November 10, 2024 1:00pm - 5:00pm CST
Ships have been disappearing from along the outskirts of the Crucible Sector. Rebel, Imperial and even independent ships have vanished without a trace. Could it be pirates or some new threat? Our heroes must find the truth before more ships fall victim to this mystery.

Written by: Stephen Tucker 

Game Base 7's WEG ongoing Star Wars campaign.

Start a character or bring an existing Sparks character.

Sponsored by: Game Base 7.
Speakers
Sunday November 10, 2024 1:00pm - 5:00pm CST
Cermak