Ah, another springtime has arrived in western Washington, bringing with it flurries of cottonwood on the breeze. As I am allergic to the stuff, I think I’ll hole up in my Privateer Press bunker and write about Lock & Load GameFest 2018 and its roleplaying game events rather than brave the “great” outdoors.

Lock & Load is always a good time to be a player of the roleplaying game. Each year, we host multiple events dedicated to the playing of roles, and this year is no exception. Also, don’t forget that you can earn Iron Arena Skulls, (points) by playing in RPG events: 10 Skulls a pop, the same amount you can earn for playing through a full tournament!

Dead Reckoning the Third

Dead Reckoning is always one of the biggest RPG events at each show. In it, multiple teams of players all work together toward a common goal, spread across different tables, each with its own Game Master. While the players try their best to achieve their specific goals, the Game Masters plot—um, I mean, confer—about how the events at one table have an effect on all of the others.

It usually turns into a wild free-for-all of encounters and chaos by the time things are said and done. In previous years, we’ve had adventuring companies team up to go toe-to-toe with Lich Lord Terminus, and intrepid investigators have gone to face off with the Heretic and his part of the Wicked Harvest.

Well, this year promises to be just as epic as years prior. With the Crucible Guard rolling into battle, this year’s Dead Reckoning event takes us to the mountains of Occupied Llael, where they will have to work together if they plan to face down—

Right. I probably shouldn’t put spoilers here. Let’s just say that players in Dead Reckoning this year have the biggest threat to overcome yet.

The Haunting of Blackwell Hall

We are running a special RPG event this year where players will get a chance to sit down with one of the Privateer Press staffers and play through The Haunting of Blackwell Hall, the first adventure written for the Strangelight Workshop and released in No Quarter Prime #1.

This adventure is a good old-fashioned haunted house story—with its own strange twists and turns. For players interested in checking out what new things the Strangelight Workshop rules bring to the classic Iron Kingdoms RPG, this is your chance. For those who just want to sit down and have a good time for a couple of hours, well, any adventure that pits you against a ghost in a spooky old mansion full of potentially dangerous objects can’t be a bad way to start.

Full Metal Game Master

At last, we come to the main event (at least so far as I’m concerned): Privateer Press’ own competitive Game Mastering challenge.

Each year, we throw several Game Masters into the crucible of combat, where the stakes are high and the complications are plenty. Just when the Game Masters are getting into their groove, we toss out difficult or impossible challenges that they must complete, all while running the best session of the Iron Kingdoms Roleplaying Game possible.

Many challengers have given it their best. We’ve seen innovative encounters, surprising twists, and heard a whole bunch of silly voices. So, get ready, because this year promises to be even weirder than years past, with even more opportunities to score some sweet loot from the coffers of Privateer Press.

But this year we’re mixing things up yet again. Unlike in previous years, where the Game Masters only had one another to compete with, this time you’re also competing with us.

For Full Metal Game Master 2018, a Privateer Press staffer will be on hand, also running the adventure, dodging complications, and just trying to make it through to the end of the round. So, bring your A game if you think you have what it takes to be the Full Metal Game Master.

For this year’s challenge, we’re starting you off on equal footing. Every Game Master will run the same scenario, The Haunting of Blackwell Hall. In years past, Game Masters were allowed to bring one “secret ingredient” to help their adventures shine. It could have been a handout, a model, a diorama, snacks… whatever it was you thought would give you an edge against your opponents. But unlike those years, this time we’re going theater of the mind, baby!

No miniatures, no maps. Just you, some players, and character sheets. You’ll need to paint a picture with your words and keep track of the various encounters as we throw out complications to make your job even harder. Nobody gets to claim the title of Full Metal Game Master without earning it first!

In Conclusion

Well, there you have it: the big events for the Iron Kingdoms RPG line at Lock & Load GameFest 2018. Naturally, there will also be plenty of opportunities to chat with Josh Colón, Doug Seacat, myself, and everyone who makes the RPG possible. So, get your dice warmed up, and prepare to get into character because this year is gonna be a ride.