Windycon 49 in 2023

November 10, 2023 - November 12, 2023

Reports

Event Descriptions - Sorted by Date/Time

(NOTE: All events are subject to last minute changes. Please check back often.)

Build-A-Blinkie Soldering Workshop (Fri)

Time: Friday - 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Category: Special
Location: Oak Brook Ballroom 2
Description: If you have never soldered before, this is the place to learn. You get a kit with the parts, and then at the soldering station, you build it. 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 501©3 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.

Fused Glass Workshop

Time: Friday - 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Category: Special
Location: Oak Brook Ballroom 2 (Blinkie Rm)
Description: 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.

Pathfinder Society Scenario #5-04: Equal Exchanges

Time: Friday - 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM
Category: Special
Location: Cermak
Panelists: To Be Announced
Description: Since the defeat of Aslynn, the Waterfall has become more of a staple around the Grand Lodge, starting to hold strange, isolated meetings with leadership and seemingly putting together some plan. Her most recent request is that a team of Pathfinder agents journey to Hwanggot and meet with the underworld dragon, Valashinaz as a introductory team. Venture-Captain Yi Da Som arranged the meeting through Valashinaz's kobold assistant, Purepurin. Unfortunately, between then and the PCs arriving, Purepurin forgot about them in the midst of pickling recipes from goblins and creepy crawlies invading the vaults! It's up to the PCs to help Purepurin bring Valashinaz's vaults under control while she summons the dragon to ensure these introductions go off without a hitch! This adventure is the first part of the four-part Equal Exchanges metaplot arc in the Year of Unfettered Exploration. This arc will be continued in PFS2 #5-09: Equal Exchanges – Skymetal Hoard (for levels 5-8), PFS2 #5-11 (for levels 7-10), and PFS2 #5-18 (for levels 9-12). Written by Michelle Y. Kim Max 6 Players (Signups in the Game Room) Pregenerated Characters and Dice can be provided if you are a new player and don't have your own

Opening Ceremonies

Time: Friday - 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Category: Special
Location: Riverview Ballroom
Panelists: A. Choi, R. Heinz, T. Mueller, L. Rocha, T. Smith, J. Stary, L. Webber
Description: It’s time to kick off Windycon 49! Come meet the guests and hear what we’ve got planned for you this weekend.

Moebius Theatre Presents - Big Orange Centipedes!

Time: Friday - 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Category: Special
Location: Riverview Ballroom
Panelists: Moebius Theatre
Description: After a long absence, Chicago’s oldest science-fiction sketch comedy troupe Moebius Theatre returns to the Windycon Main Stage with their new show, “Big Orange Centipedes!” We’re looking forward to seeing what they’ve cooked up for us. It’s sure to be lots of fun!

The Royal Manticoran Boarding Action Day 1

Time: Friday - 8:30 PM to 11:30 PM
Category: Special
Location: Kent
: J Cauffman (M)

Blood on the Clock Tower

Time: Friday - 11:00 PM to 1:00 AM
Category: Special
Location: Cermak
Panelists: To Be Announced
Description: Blood on the Clocktower is a bluffing game enjoyed by 5 to 20 players on opposing teams of Good and Evil, overseen by a Storyteller player who conducts the action and makes crucial decisions. The goal of the game is to successfully deduce and execute the demons before they outnumber the townfolk. During a 'day' phase players socialize openly and whisper privately to trade knowledge or spread lies, culminating in a player's execution if a majority suspects them of being Evil. Of a 'night' time, players close their eyes and are woken one at a time by the Storyteller to gather information, spread mischief, or kill. The Storyteller uses the game's intricate playing pieces to guide each game, leaving others free to play without a table or board. Players stay in the thick of the action to the very end even if their characters are killed, haunting Ravenswood Bluff as ghosts trying to win from beyond the grave. If you arrive late to a game, you can enter after it's started as a powerful Traveller character with unusual talents and questionable allegiances (Traveler spots are limited). Each character comes with their own special ability and no two players in a game are ever the same character.

Build-A-Blinkie Soldering Workshop (Sat)

Time: Saturday - 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Category: Special
Location: Oak Brook Ballroom 2
Description: f you have never soldered before, this is the place to learn. You get a kit with the parts, and then at the soldering station, you build it. 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. Fee for materials.

Fused Glass Workshop (Sat)

Time: Saturday - 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Category: Special
Location: Oak Brook Ballroom 2 (Blinkie Rm)
Description: 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.

LARP (Live Action Role Play) - Tijoros - The Labyrinth (1)

Time: Saturday - 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Category: Special
Location: Essex
Description: Delve into the Labyrinth of Tijoros, where challenges and mysteries run wild. Face them, or don't, your escape depends on it!" Min 1 player Max 20 players. New Game starts every hour on the hour. Sign up at the Programming Ops Table

Pathfinder Society Scenario #1-06: Lost on the Spirit Road

Time: Saturday - 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Category: Special
Location: Cermak
Panelists: To Be Announced
Description: A shipment of relics on its way to Minkai vanished somewhere in the Forest of Spirits, a dense woodland home to kami and spirits of all sorts. In search of the missing shipment, Pathfinder agents travel to a remote village, where they uncover secrets of this enigmatic forest. This scenario features a wide variety of options for encounters and reasons for the vanishing, making for a fresh experience on mulitple playthoughs. Written by Christopher Wasko. Max 6 Players (Signups in the Game Room) Pregenerated Characters and Dice can be provided if you are a new player and don't have your own

Up Close Magic

Time: Saturday - 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Category: Special
Location: Windsor
Panelists: L. Darrow (M)
Description: Experience the fun of slight of hand magic with Master Magician Lee Darrow.

Stitch & Bitch Sat

Time: Saturday - 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Category: Special
Location: Private Dining Room
Panelists: W. Halsey, M. Silver, J. Skwarski

Flower Fairies

Time: Saturday - 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Category: Special
Location: Private Dining Room
Making Flower Faires: K. Brown (M), E. Donat (M)
Description: Make and take your very own flower fairies.

Hypnotism Show

Time: Saturday - 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Special
Location: Hunt
Panelists: L. Darrow (M)
Description: Don't Try This At Home. Experience a professional hypnotist show with a Master Hypnotist.

Renaissance/Fancy/Exotic hair braids

Time: Saturday - 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Category: Special
Location: Private Dining Room
Panelists: J. Wardale (M)
Description: Hands on workshop: Learn to do ropes, 4-strand "round" braids, classic (3-strand) French and (3-strand) Dutch (or inverted-French or underhand) as well as a Crown braid (technically a horizontal modified (3-strand) French braid) and other advanced ideas like 5 and 7-strand fingering techniques; as well as shapes like hearts, spirals and a pull-up-weave. Tailored to the desires and abilities of the audience. BYO-Brush, or use one provided.

Blood on the Clock Tower (Saturday)

Time: Saturday - 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Category: Special
Location: Cermak
Panelists: To Be Announced
Description: Blood on the Clocktower is a bluffing game enjoyed by 5 to 20 players on opposing teams of Good and Evil, overseen by a Storyteller player who conducts the action and makes crucial decisions. The goal of the game is to successfully deduce and execute the demons before they outnumber the townfolk. During a 'day' phase players socialize openly and whisper privately to trade knowledge or spread lies, culminating in a player's execution if a majority suspects them of being Evil. Of a 'night' time, players close their eyes and are woken one at a time by the Storyteller to gather information, spread mischief, or kill. The Storyteller uses the game's intricate playing pieces to guide each game, leaving others free to play without a table or board. Players stay in the thick of the action to the very end even if their characters are killed, haunting Ravenswood Bluff as ghosts trying to win from beyond the grave. If you arrive late to a game, you can enter after it's started as a powerful Traveller character with unusual talents and questionable allegiances (Traveler spots are limited). Each character comes with their own special ability and no two players in a game are ever the same character.

Artemis Return to the Moon

Time: Saturday - 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Category: Special
Location: Riverview Ballroom
Panelists: A. Choi (M)
Description: The Artemis Program is a strategic initiative undertaken by NASA with the goal of facilitating the return of astronauts to the Moon. This initiative represents a significant milestone in the field of space exploration and builds upon the accomplishments of the Apollo missions. The ultimate objective of Artemis is to establish a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface by the mid-2020s. This program encompasses a series of crewed missions, both orbital and lunar, which will utilize cutting-edge technology and foster international collaboration to advance lunar exploration. Key objectives of Artemis include conducting scientific research, testing new technologies for future missions to Mars, and forming international partnerships to expand the horizons of space exploration. With the Artemis Program, NASA aims to push the boundaries of human exploration, inspire future generations, and lay the groundwork for humanity's future expeditions to other celestial bodies within our solar system and beyond.

Art Auction

Time: Saturday - 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Category: Special
Location: Grand Ballroom Foyer

LARP (Live Action Role Play) Tijoros - The Labyrinth (2)

Time: Saturday - 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Category: Special
Location: Essex
Description: Delve into the Labyrinth of Tijoros, where challenges and mysteries run wild. Face them, or don't, your escape depends on it!" Min 1 player Max 20 players. New Game starts every hour on the hour. Sign up at the Programming Ops Table

The Royal Manticoran Boarding Action Day 2

Time: Saturday - 8:30 PM to 11:30 PM
Category: Special
Location: Kent
Panelists: J Cauffman (M)

Pathfinder Society Scenario #5-03: Heidmarch Heist

Time: Sunday - 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM
Category: Special
Location: Cermak
Panelists: To Be Announced
Description: The PCs are tasked with escorting a valuable item slated to be gifted to a powerful potential ally of the Pathfinder Society, but as they are being briefed on their mission, an unknown thief is pulling off a heist within Heidmarch manor, and the item the PCs were to escort has been stolen just as Venture-Captain Shiela Heidmarch goes to show them the item. The PCs much pick up the thief's trail in a race across Magnimar to recover the treasure they haven't even had the opportunity to see, much less guard. Written by Hilary Moon Murphy Max 6 Players (Signups in the Game Room) Pregenerated Characters and Dice can be provided if you are a new player and don't have your own

Build-A-Blinkie Soldering Workshop (Sun)

Time: Sunday - 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Category: Special
Location: Oak Brook Ballroom 2
Description: If you have never soldered before, this is the place to learn. You get a kit with the parts, and then at the soldering station, you build it. 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. Fee for materials.

Balloon Animal Sculpting

Time: Sunday - 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Category: Special
Location: Kent
Panelists: J. Wardale (M)
Description: Let your inner child out or bring your child if you prefer! We will talk about balloon sculpting, including a demo/teach session where you can learn to make your own dog. Requests taken if time permits.

Stitch & Bitch Sun

Time: Sunday - 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Category: Special
Location: Private Dining Room
Panelists: K. Brown, L. Zeldes

Closing Ceremonies

Time: Sunday - 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Category: Special
Location: Riverview Ballroom
Closing Ceremonies: A. Choi, R. Heinz, T. Mueller, L. Rocha, T. Smith, J. Stary, To Be Announced, L. Webber
Description: All good things must come to an end, and so too must Windycon 49. Come for a last chance to see our guests, see who won awards, and to find out what we’re planning for the big Windycon 50!