Ecology and Evolution for World Builders: Or Why Orcs Were Probably White
Summary:
A presentation of principles from evolution and ecology (e.g., Life History Theory) that can be used to inspire new ideas and even cultures for your creatures.
Description:
We have used species from Lord of the Rings to teach principles from evolution and ecology. These principles can be used to fill in details of fictional creatures and even have implications for the cultures that they would develop as well as adventure settings. This will be an interactive seminar by Prof. Carlo Maley, geared towards GMs and other world builders.
Experience globetrotting adventures perfect for your next TTRPG campaign that are absolutely true! Our panelists bring you templates for RPG writing drawn from stranger-than-fiction true stories.
Description:
From the Ice Age giants that saved a shipwrecked Russian crew, to the potted palm trees carrying a killer moths only weakness, to refugees from a zombie plague of flesh-eating fungus, history is full of quests that would be right at home in your epic fantasy world. Our panelists bring you templates for game design and storytelling drawn from stranger-than-fiction true stories. Learn to give your next game the unshakeable aura of truth with these real-world adventures! Featuring "Book of Extinction," a bestiary of extinct animals resurrected for 5th Edition, and "Nations & Cannons," a historical TTRPG sourcebook + campaign from Bunker Hill to Valley Forge (1775-78) letting you experience the American Revolution firsthand.
Panel discusses what tech it takes to establish a colony. Then describes NSDM's new lunar colony player cell. Mark McDonagh & Scott Macmann on the National Security Decision Making Game staff.
Description:
Nations planning or contributing to lunar missions in the next few years include China, Russia, India, Japan, India, Singapore, Pakistan, Australia & Finland, culminating in a planned US/Canadian manned lunar orbit in 2025 & US manned landing in 2026. The first habitat module is to be landed in 2028. This will begin a permanent human presence that should expand into the next decade. Panel discusses what it takes to establish a moon colony, technologies used, what it would look like, existing plans. Goes on to discuss the game design for NSDM's new lunar colony player cell, what the modeled colonies are, what the competing national interests are, & how they will cooperate & where they might not. Presented by Mark McDonagh, Scott Macmann & Merle Robinson on the National Security Decision Making Game staff.
Everything You Want to Know about the D&D 2024 Player's Handbook
Summary:
Join the D&D team to get a deeper look into the soon-to-be-released 2024 Player's Handbook, get insights on the design process, learn how community feedback shaped the final product, and more!
Join our panel of publishing experts as they discuss exciting and ethical possibilities of Trustworthy AI, beyond unethical and heavily mediatized generative platforms (such as plagiaristic LLMs).
Description:
AI technology offers a wide range of methods and algorithms that have been contributing to science for the past 70 years, and are likely to have positive impacts on our speculative communities. We discuss where the currently unseen vastness of AI is going and how can it be of use. Featuring: Chris Bell, Ava Kelly, Dedren Snead, Karen Menzel #gcws #tech
There's more to it than color! We'll go over the various properties of fabrics - fiber content, texture, weight, and more - and how to choose what will work best for your project.
Facilitation and Public Speaking Skills For Authors, Artists, And Creatives
Summary:
You never wanted to do public speaking, but suddenly youre on a panel. This session will address strategies to ease you into public speaking and allow you to grow your confidence.
Description:
Many folks find public speaking to be a challenge, so youre not alone. Maybe youre an author being asked to teach a workshop, or youre an artist being asked to do a talk or interview, or youre a game designer being asked to give a presentation or run a meeting. In this session well first talk about different types of sessions and how a panel discussion is different from a workshop, a meeting, or a talk, and how that will impact what facilitation strategies you can employ. Then well explore body language, voice, presence, confidence, authenticity, and holding attention. Well also address facilitation logistics including: structuring sessions, group size and space, and engaging an audience. Whether youre on a panel, speaking solo, or facilitating a meeting or workshop, these skills will help you become a stronger facilitator.
Join our panel of expert writers as they remind you, yes you!, that if you write, you're a writer, and what you're doing is beautiful. Maybe it needs work? You've got that too. Join us for the love.
Description:
Featuring: Jesse J. Holland, Danian Darrell Jerry, E.D.E. Bell, Erin M. Evans, Linda D. Addison #gcws #writerlife