Sircles
Other
DragonCon 2009
4-7 September 2009
This is my story about DragonCon 2009. I travelled by myself from New Zealand to be there, especially to meet some of the Artix Entertainment (AE) team.
The experience was priceless and I would love to go back again, hopefully next year if possible.
Before DragonCon
The Beginning - July 2009
It all started with a conversation with my work-mate about what milestones we have to look forward to when we reach adulthood. Kids have tons of milestones, but as we get older they become less frequent and then there are some milestones we would rather not reach.
Anyway, she asked me what milestone would I like to achieve and I told her that I would love to meet the AE Team. I explained about who they were and the games they made and she said, you've got some holidays left - why don't you go see them?
The Preparation - July/August 2009
So I went to the travel agent and bought my tickets, faxed my entry form for DragonCon and started looking for somewhere to stay.
From what I've seen on the Design Notes about DragonCons in the past, costumes is a huge part of the experience. My goal was to create Sunumbrella, my character. In DragonFable, she is a mage with a green dress with gold trim and a green cloak. So I stuck with that except I really wanted a golden cloak to reflect sunlight. I made the velvet dress and the cloak myself in the evenings after work, and bought the top and the umbrella.
Making the cloak
Final Costume
During DragonCon
Arrival
I had to take two planes and fly for about 16 hours to get to Atlanta, and I landed just before midnight. By the time I reached the hostel, it was almost 2am, and I was too excited to sleep. Later in the day, I went to get my badge for DragonCon, and although I usually have a good sense of navigation, I got lost trying to find the Sheraton. Fortunately, a kind stranger asked me if I was there for DragonCon and then showed me the way.
I joined the queue for registration at 4.30pm and the line stretched a street block outside the Sheraton, but moved reasonably quickly. Inside, the line snaked by the bench where you could sign up to be in the parade, so I signed up. I enjoyed listening to other people chatting about previous DragonCons they'd been to - some of them had been coming for more than 10 years. Obviously there is something magical about this place that keeps bringing people back again and again. Once we got into the main hall, it took about 2 hours to reach the front and get my badge and the program.
Meet and Greet
After dinner, I went to the Celtic concert at the Marriott. I really enjoyed the Emerald Rose show. At the end, they said they were heading over to Voltaire's concert, so I followed along. The AE team talk about him a lot, so I thought it would be cool to see what all the fuss was about, plus, the AE team might be there too. I met Cysero waiting by the stairs. I walked past, thought, "Hmm, he looks like Cysero." Then I went back and asked, "Cysero?" and he said yes. I was thrilled. Then Artix arrived, followed by several others - Rolith, Alac, Thyton, Westwind, Aelthai, and a couple of friends of the AE team.
Artix and Cysero
Before Voltaire's Concert
Voltaire
At the concert, I met Galanoth, Zhoom and Beleen. Voltaire was really funny and had a great interaction with the audience, but I admit I was shocked by his language. The AE Team and I hung around after the concert just chatting and we got to talk to Voltaire as well. Everyone was really nice and it was a lot of fun. About 3am the team decided to call it a night - they had driven for more than 6 hours to get there and Rolith and Alac still had some work to do for upcoming releases. So I said goodbye and headed back to the hostel.
The Big Day: Saturday
Saturday morning was the big Parade. I had really been looking forward to this. I got to the Marriott early and caught the bus to Woodruff Park where the Parade began. It was fun watching everyone arrive. There were lots of Jedis, Star Trekkers, Ghostbusters and Superheroes. The Batmobile was pretty cool. The costumes were amazing - some people went to a lot of effort. Eventually we were called to line up in our groups. I had joined the Gaming group with a few other mages and some Final Fantasy and World of Warcraft characters, plus Mario and Luigi. It was the first time I had ever been in a parade and it was a strange feeling walking down the street lined with thousands of people cheering and taking photos. It seemed like ages before we finally reached the end at the Marriott. I wish now I had gone and taken some more photos of the parade and the crowds.
Batman and Joker
Jedi Face-Off
Ghostbusters
Mario and Luigi
Final Fantasy Fan and Mage
I visited some of the MMO panels at the Sheraton and then I waited outside the room for the AE panel and met Mturf (dressed as Yulgar) and his partner who had come from the UK, and Stratos (a renowned AE Fan), and several other players. The Team arrived and we went in. The room filled up so quickly that some of the team were sitting on the floor and fans were standing outside in the hallway. Maegwyn handed out pirate hats made of newspaper and Captain Rhubarb nametags. Voltaire came and made a guest appearance to promote his Deady Bear products developed in collaboration with the AE team. There was a trivia quiz and a time for Questions and Answers and then an opportunity to get Mechquest art books autographed.
Turfords from UK
Full House
Voltaire at AE Panel
AE Fans
More AE Fans
AE Team and Cosplayers
The people for the next panel arrived so we all had to leave the room and we hung out in the corridor. Artix wanted to get pictures of the fans dressed up as NPCs (Yulgar, Ash Valencia, Tek, J6, Escherion and Cleric Joy), and then took it further and asked them to act out scenes to make a mini-movie / mini-game. It was awesome to watch but we were laughing so much we were told to quieten down. Beleen brought her baloons with her (she made balloon swords for prizes in the trivia quiz), and she made a sunumbrella for me and a gecko for Pae and a monkey for Nythera's friend who took a lot of the photos/video. I was totally amazed. When she was making Pae's gecko, she even did some of it behind her back where she couldn't see what she was doing!
Sunumbrella from Beleen
Pae and Gecko
Beleen
Maegwyn
Westwind and Aelthai
Thyton
Jemini and Korin
Nythera
Departure
Later I was introduced to Machinima (movies made using game engines) and a hilarious card game called Mad Scientists' University. I visited some other panels (including a panel about my favourite TV program Chuck which was hosted by Bonita Friedericy who plays General Beckman) and saw lots of people in costume having fun. I basically only went back to my hostel to sleep and get clean clothes; the rest of the time I was at DragonCon meeting new people, making new friends, seeing new things and generally having the time of my life. It had to end eventually though, and I was there to say goodbye to the AE team when they left to head home. After they had gone, I turned to exploring Atlanta.
After DragonCon
The Zoo
I took the bus to the Zoo and went past some Capitol buildings and Turners Field (I don't think I've ever seen such a large carpark before). I arrived at the Zoo at lunchtime and I was thirsty so I bought a "small" coke which was larger than the biggest size we get in NZ! I visited the African zone first and the gorillas were having their lunch too - eating out of a paper bag. My favourite part was actually the reptile house - I've never seen so many snakes before. I'm just glad there was thick glass between them and me.
Gorilla
Red Panda
Snakes
The Aquarium
After the Zoo, I took the same bus to get to the Aquarium which was right next door to the World of Coca Cola. I liked it how the aquarium was organised in the different aquatic zones and there were some amazing creatures there - I saw crabs that looked like mecha and were as high as my knees, beautiful tropical fish, giant skeletons and graceful whales. There were also a couple of caricature artists doing quick sketches of people. So I got a portrait of me done. For some reason, it makes me laugh when I look at it (not shown).
Giant Crab
Tropical Fish
Beluga Whales
The Conclusion
So I admit it: I'm a girl and I like shopping. I visited Lenox Square mall before I left to get some gifts for my family and some summer clothes, because back in NZ it will be summer soon (wishful thinking). I thought I had plenty of room in my suitcase when I travelled to the US, but I needed an extra bag to bring everything back. Perhaps fortunately though, at the airport, the guy at the check in counter was more interested in the Maori words in my passport and how to pronounce Aotearoa (which means New Zealand) than weighing my suitcase. The plane was a little late arriving at Los Angeles so we were a little late leaving on Wednesday night. Because of the time zones and travelling west, the total flight back was about 18 hours and I arrived back in New Zealand on Friday morning local time.
I have to say a huge thank you to the AE team (and their friends and family that came to DragonCon too). I've already said this several times, but I had an amazing time and it was such an honour to meet you. You guys are awesome! I look forward to seeing you again.
Best wishes to you all,
Sunumbrella