After Action Report: Midsouthcon 41 in Memphis TN

Midsouthcon 41 is in the books. ActionMan and I headed out Friday afternoon to get settled and be ready ahead of time. Since, the con took place in a new, different, hotel. We settled, and headed to the con.

Friday evening, I participated in two panels: one about horror RPGs and one on character background, and I sat in on a few others.

The Horror panel went really well as we discussed how to succeed at doing horror in RPGs, and noted several types of horror that does not work on the tabletop. Freddy Krueger comes to mind.

My "Background" panel didn't happen since no one came. Sad. However, I talked with my fellow panelists about my Four Questions background.

Before the panels, I realized that I lost my notebook. The one where I put in all my notes (for the panels) but also in which I practiced my maps drawings and adventure making. I was in something of a panic, but following my panels, I ran to Con Operations and some kind soul had returned it. Wooo!

At the end of the evening, I spent time on Pro-Row and got to speak with Buddy Katie from Star Pod Trek and the USS Athena. Always a pleasure to talk to them and about potential projects. We keep meeting at cons and it is always a pleasure.

Meanwhile, ActionMan played a game of Vaesen. He seemed to have a great time of it. He didn't tell me much, other than he made "a few bad rolls" and things went bad for him.

We slept.

Well HE slept. His freight-train snoring kept me up most of the night!

Saturday morning, we got a quick McD breakfast and headed to the RPG room. I ran the Gencon Ozaka adventure, then the Gencon Tarsyn adventure, this time to finalize them (I had play-tested them previously). This play-test confirmed how my changes were real good. I found a few oddities that requires clarifying, but the flow issue I had were now resolved!

ActionMan played some 5e and Call of Cthulhu (IIRC) during the day.

After that, both ActionMan and I played more Vaesen. I played one and he played another. The game is fun, definitely something I would be willing to play one-shots or at cons. I'm not sure if I'd be interested in playing this in a campaign or even less likely: run it myself.

We hit the room, he snored, I kept waking.

Sunday, we hit the road, stopped at a Waffle House in Dickson TN before making it home.

We both had a great time at MSC and plan on going back next year.

[Kinda Book Review] Dragonlance: The Inheritance

I picked up a several cheap book in the bargain bin of my local library.

It tells the tale of the meeting of Tanis Half-elven's parents. It's not an adventure novel. It's a romance.

It is full of filler Did you know the stonelands were dry? Because there's no water. There are rocks. No rivers. Because it's dry. There are caves. Caves without water. It's barren. The goblins live there. The hobgoblin has three villages. The goblin villages. Without water.

Now, to be honest, the one battle I read through was well written an interesting, but this is a book that spend so much time trying to explain the world around it because its premise is weak and limited. This should've been a short story.

I stopped reading it because I lost interest in the characters. I don't care for the poor kidnapped princess. Or the bandits. It's just... Pfffff Boring. Well-crafted but ultimately not something that's worth my time.

2/5.

The caves are dry. Because there's no water. With rocks. No stream. Not a single farm. In the Stoneland where it's dry. With the three goblin villages.

[Kinda Book Review] Dragonlance Tales v3 Love and War

This is a collection of ten tales set in Dragonlance is a mixed bag. I believe the best tale is the first one. The headline tale, "Raistlin's Daughter" left me indifferent.

One thing this collection brought up is that the characters from the original Chronicles: Tas, Flint, Sturm, and Raistlin, have had so many tales told about them that we know they have plot armor. No matter how much a story puts any of them in danger will I ever really worry for their lives.

As a collection, it's a mixed bag. Not great.

Rating? 2/5. Read the first tale, and skip the rest.

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 28] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

Is there anything we should know before we head home?

Running this campaign has been quite entertaining - though the main reason is my players. Their participation, interests, and especially, their creativity, make this campaign definitely unique.

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 27] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

Do you have any amusing anecdotes from the campaign?

Of course:
- Vulcanus smashing a stone stelae revealing a bound balor within.
- When Grimnak turned from a gnoll to a demonic version of himself.
- Terrificus grabbing Queen Livia's chest.
- When Dame Sabine arrived and half the party began to drool.

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 26] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

Are there any dramatic events from the campaign you can share?

The biggest recent event was the assault on the Tower of St Edras by Grinmak The Bloody's gnoll army. The warlord allied himself with the Black Widow and used several allies, including goblins, troglodytes and enslaved people chained together.

The massive battle ended with the gnolls getting beaten back with severe damage to the Tower.

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 25] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

Where can I do some shopping?

Commerce in Darveshnagar is mostly done through the Bazaar of the Twelve Arches run by Faridun and his family. The bazaar is open during the day, but is closed at night.

Faridun maintains contacts with several people in Tarsyn, Darveshnagar, and the hinterlands, to allow for the movement of goods, serving as an intermediary.

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 24] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

What are the major imports to the area?

Darveshnagar has a tenuous access to food and weapons. This are in high demand.

Since population is low, soldiers and mercenaries are in high demands.

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 23] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

What are the major exports of the region?

Darveshnagar has fields of flax and exports both its flour and textiles.

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 22] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

Tell us about notable flora and fauna!

Near Darveshnagar, two forests exists: The Pistaccio Woods and the Juniper Woods.

Otherwise, most of the area is home to hearty bushes and the occasional olive trees. Otherwise, dry grasses are found everywhere, serving as fodder for the goats.

The area is home to many goats, horses, and camels.

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 21] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

What are the major organizations of the campaign? How do they deal with visitors?

There are four main organizations active in the Campaign.

The Crown Table is present in the campaign, led by the First One Sir Garrick of the Order of the Whip. Since the Knights of St Edras made an official alliance, Dame Sabine de Montrevault serves as liaison to the group.

Another organization are the Komnenoi, a mercantile alliance led by Alexion Phokas, who was the last Truskan Viceroy of Tarsyn.

The third group is led by the Order of St Argent, an order of knighthood promoting the Vespianic Church.

The final group is composed of several criminals and bandits. The PCs have faced a few times, but not as a faction.

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 20] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

Are there any mysteries as yet unsolved?

The PCs have no idea of the goals or nature of Ysoria La Voilée.

There are hags in the area the PCs have yet to follow up on.

What are Claudia's true aim and goal?

Grimnark the Bloody's true nature?

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 19] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

Any 'Must See' sites?

The city of Tarsyn is a sight to behold.

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 18] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

Forgot to ask: How do we get around?

Walking is the best way. However, riding is possible on the roads and closer to Darveshnagar.

Frequent caravans with wagons come from Mehrengar to the east regularity.

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 17] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

The area around Darveshnagar has been mostly peaceful. However, the biggest battle in recent history was the destruction of the Tower of St Edras. The Crusader army came from the east and destroyed the tower before moving on to the Holy City itself. The village of Darveshnagar made no serious attempt to resist the invaders.