Crossposted with permission from peaseblossom03

[vg_ford]

(original wording not mine)

When President Bush ordered troops to Iraq, he probably never imagined that he would be ultimately be responsible for what very well could be the very first D&D convention/game day ever held in a war zone. Ziggurat Con, being held June 9 from 1200 to 2100 hours at Camp Adder/Tallil Airbase, is open to all allied military personnel and civilian contractors in Iraq.

KBR and MWR (the army’s Morale Welfare & Recreation Department) have graciously allowed service members to use part of the Community Activity Center to hold the Game Day. The Ping Pong room will be set up for RPGs (Role-Playing Games, not to be confused with the rocket propelled grenades which share the same acronym), and the DVD Movie room will be playing Anime Movies all day in support of the event.

The largest problem with running a Con in Iraq, of course, is that there are no local stores or game publishers, and few game books on the post. Even dice are in short supply, with many soldiers breaking the unwritten taboo held by many gamers and sharing dice. Thankfully, many game publishers have also lent their support, and have agreed to supply game products to help the Con along. aethereal FORGE, Sovereign Press, Final Redoubt Press, Goodman Games, Paizo Publishing and Steve Jackson Games are among those that have thrown in their support for the convention. But Amberson indicated that the soldiers could definitely use more.

"This convention is currently in drastic need of prizes and giveaways for the troops," he said. "Everything donated will go directly to the troops, or to MWR to use as loaner books for the soldiers."

For more information, contact SPC David Amberson at the following address: david.amberson (at) iraq.centcom.mil

Donations can also be sent to SPC Amberson directly at the following address:

SPC David Amberson
A Co 86th Sig Bn
APO, AE 09331

They’re planning to run the following games (and will be happy to get additional games):
Babylon 5 RPG, Cyberpunk 2020, D&D, D&D RPGA, GURPS, Historic Miniatures Battles, Magic Tournament, MechWarrior Miniatures, Rifts, Shadowrun, Starship Troopers, White Wolf System-Vampire, White Wolf System-Werewolf, XCrawl

See her original post here for some links for places to buy stuff to donate, if you would like.

Comments

[joncwriter.livejournal.com]

This is a VERY cool idea! :D

I know quite a few people who could benefit from taking part in this. Going to crosspost to you, if you don't mind! :p

[peartreealley.livejournal.com]

Is there a source for this post? I'm just a paranoid Internet user. That said, if publishing companies (including Paizo, where my boyfriend works) is into this, I'm going to assume it's got validity :)

Luckily, I have MANY old World of Darkness books I've been wanting to get rid off, so those might be in the mail soon... although I'm going to email the dude first and see if they want old editions :)

[vg-ford.livejournal.com]

Not a problem - the more people we can get to help them out, the better!

[vg-ford.livejournal.com]

Definitely - and I got it from another friend who's usually REALLY good at seeing the scams. We have some Classic Battletech books hubby was going to get rid of, and I'm going to email the gentleman and let him know.

[peartreealley.livejournal.com]

Okay, I did a little research and found what appears to be a source post here: http://www.gamegrene.com/node/790

[peartreealley.livejournal.com]

I recently received a "how to avoid rape" email that's been proven as THIS IS BAD INFORMATION since about 2001 from someone I considered to be very discerning, so my paranoia alarms are up a little higher than usual ;)

[(Anonymous)]

I got this post originally from John Kovalic, the author of "Dork Tower." (muskrat_john).

He's personally sending a lot of stuff.

I am satisfied that this one's legit.

[liamstliam.livejournal.com]

It might add just a little more authority to the above posted if I am signed in.

Liam

[vg-ford.livejournal.com]

LOL! I was wondering! ;)

[peartreealley.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I just talked to my BF (who works at Paizo, one of the listed sponsors) and he says near as they can find it is legit and they are indeed sponsoring it. So my concerns are quelled.

Can't blame a girl for being paranoid about "send us free stuff!" on the Internet ;)

[peartreealley.livejournal.com]

Thanks for understanding :) I will now pass the message on :D

[liamstliam.livejournal.com]

No problem at all.

[vg-ford.livejournal.com]

Not at all. I figured irishninja would know. ;)

[irishninja.livejournal.com]

Yes I would. ^_^

[vg-ford.livejournal.com]

The Ninja knows! :D

(Yes, I know, it's the Shadow knows. I'm a geek. Leave me alone)

[irishninja.livejournal.com]

Oooooo... I thought I was the only person I knew who ever used that line. I love that line, even though the movie was only so-so. I don't know how cool the radio serials were, though. So I guess the ninja doesn't know?

[vg-ford.livejournal.com]

The radio series was way cool. It's out on CD now - I HIGHLY recommend it (although the Green Hornet series was cooler).

[irishninja.livejournal.com]

Ah! Thanks for the tip. :)