Dark One Gazette

Whispers from the Void of Gaming

Greetings, Seeker of the Arcane,

In the cold expanse of the unfeeling cosmos, we find ourselves at the commencement of another cycle of the sun. It is within these enigmatic pages that I, your humble archivist, relay the most peculiar and mind-bending updates from the realms of Dark One Games and the larger universe of board game lore. Prepare your minds for revelations most uncanny.

Unraveling the Shadows of the Future

Hark! Dark One Games Marches Toward Total Confusion!

Whispers echo across the realms as Dark One Games ventures forth into the labyrinthine corridors of Total Confusion. We have cast our lot, applying to stand among the brave and the bold as an exhibitor at New England’s longest-standing convention of gaming lore. As the fates weave their web, we await our destiny—prepare your minds and dice, adventurers, for a potential meeting of dark designs and thrilling conquests on the convention floor. Stay vigilant for further omens!

Dark One Games Invades YouTube!

From the arcane depths of our dungeon lair, a new portal is about to open—a YouTube channel unlike any other, where unboxings, reviews, and "how-to-play" incantations shall be revealed. Dare you subscribe to DarkOneGames and unlock secrets long hidden? Soon, the mists will part, and the forbidden knowledge of gaming shall be at your fingertips. Ready your mind, for the unveiling is nigh!

A Blog of Stirs in the Abyss!

A stirring in the ether, a whisper in the dark—soon, the sacred texts of Dark One Games shall emerge in blog form, casting light on the mysteries of game design, strategy, and the dark art of rulecraft. Our site will pulse with new life as we unveil chronicles, advice, and behind-the-scenes musings, inviting both novices and seasoned adventurers alike to explore our world. Keep watch, for the time of revelation draws near!

Whispers From Beyond The Ethos

Pad Thai: (Tilts head, ears perked up) So, aside from running Wolf Crest Games, what else do you do for fun? Are there treats involved?

Marcus: I am a well-rounded uber-nerd. I participate in Ren Faires (I ran NHRF for about 10 years), I do medieval reenactment (with my suit of Gothic armor), and I participate in the SCA as a 15th-century archer. I am a science teacher/nerd, a long-standing Tolkien fan along with many other Fantasy and Sci-Fi works. I have been playing RPGs for 40 years and run student gaming clubs. I work with local HEMA groups and am currently in the early stages of developing a few games.

Frodo: (Wagging tail) Oh, armor and arrows! That sounds like fun! Speaking of dangerous things, what inspired you to start Wolf Crest Games?

Marcus: I have run multiple businesses and events in the past. As my love of board games grew along with my collection, I wanted to share that with the local community. I am hoping to eventually have an event quarterly at different sites in the Southern New Hampshire area.

Frodo: (licking paws) We heard you just ran your first Wolf Crest Game Convention! What was the biggest headache, and did anything go smoother than you thought?

Marcus: An event like this is much smaller than other things I have run in the past. I think the most difficult thing was the advertising. I found Google difficult to deal with while trying to get my business registered. With today's technology, creating and registering a business is very easy and can be done online in just a few hours. When I started my first business, literally everything had to be done on paper and by mail, making the process much more difficult.

Pad Thai: (Jumps excitedly) Okay, okay, important question time! If you could have a game night with famous humans, who would you invite? And what games are you gonna play? Hopefully ones with snacks.

Marcus: As far as inviting people to my dream game night, I think it would have to do with the kinds of games I would want to play. I would love to play a TTRPG with JRR Tolkien, Mary Shelley, Edgar Allan Poe, and Lovecraft. If I were to play competitive combat games, I would play with famous generals/leaders. Genghis Khan, Sun Tzu, Patton, and Churchill. I would love to see them play the friendship killer Diplomacy. I would also enjoy playing some co-op-style games like Robinson Crusoe with Lincoln, Mandela, and Gandhi.

Pad Thai: (Shudders) Oof, friendship killer? Sounds intense, so let’s talk nightmares! If you made a game based on your worst nightmare, what would it be like? You know, nothing too scary, right?

Marcus: My worst nightmare is a tricky question as I have aphantasia and don’t dream visually. I think a game that is a grinder. One that wears the players down, and you can only win through perfect resource management, military strategy, and a bit of luck well-taken advantage of. An alien horde advancing on a struggling but resourceful group of highly intelligent people in a remote outpost.

Frodo: (Nods solemnly) Aliens… resource management… sounds ruff! But now, back to something fun. What's the weirdest or most surprising thing you've seen at a game night or convention? Bet it’s stranger than watching Pad Thai try to play with a chew toy.

Marcus: In general, my experiences at game cons and game nights have been very positive. I think, from an outsider’s viewpoint, the strangest thing is how readily people who have never met can sit down and play a game cooperatively or competitively with no drama or animosity.

Frodo: (Grins) Ah, the magic of games! Speaking of magic, if you could theme a whole convention around one board game, which would it be? And can it involve head scratches or belly rubs?

Marcus: I would theme it around Fury of Dracula. I think the horror/literary genre would allow for awesome cosplay! While the games were being played, a con-wide social deduction game of Vampire could be underway, and some of the attendees could play Vampire the Masquerade RPG characters who are playing Fury of Dracula.

Frodo & Pad Thai: (cowering and shaking) Vampires and Dracula? Sounds spooky and intense, which would make Dad happy. Well, thanks for chatting with us! We’ll be waiting for your next convention, and, um, maybe some treats next time too?

Grab some treats and visit Wolf Crest Games for more on their next adventure.

Unearthed Releases & Inscrutable Updates

1. Andromeda's Edge traverses the Cosmos!

   In a momentous event that feels like it transcends the stars themselves, Andromeda’s Edge by visionary designer Luke Laurie has emerged from the dark expanse of Kickstarter. Today, I hold not just a game but a gateway to something far more ancient and unknowable. Players are thrust into the outer fringes of the Andromeda galaxy, a place where strange energies pulse, and long-forgotten entities stir beneath the surface of distant worlds. Each faction, daring to venture into this forgotten edge of space, must gather resources, construct towering relics of advanced technologies, and form uneasy alliances. But the deeper they dig, the more they risk awakening things best left undisturbed. As I open the box, I can feel the weight of the unknown pressing against me, a chilling reminder that in the vastness of space, some things were never meant to be uncovered. Luke Laurie's vision promises adventure and a descent into cosmic madness. Are you ready to face what lies beyond the edge?

2. Willkommen bei Essen Spiel!

   This October, as the cool winds of autumn stir, the gates of Essen Spiel will once again open, beckoning adventurers and dreamers to a gathering unlike any other. From October 3rd to 6th, attendees will journey through winding paths of booths, each a portal to strange and wonderful creations, where dice rolls and card flips hold the power to change fate. There, amidst the crowd, whispers of ancient strategies and untold victories will echo. Join the throngs at Essen Spiel, where every turn could reveal a world yet unimagined, and the boundary between the familiar and the fantastical begins to blur.

3. Everstone has pierced the Veil!

   In an extraordinary moment of triumph, the enigmatic Everstone: Discovering Ignis by local adventurer and indie designer Sam McDavitt has crossed its final threshold—delivery! Today, I stand before the culmination of McDavitt’s untiring efforts, as the long-awaited game emerges from the depths of Kickstarter. Players take on the role of scavenging merchants, exploring the land of Ignis to grow their reputation. The goal is to repair ancient relics, harvest resources, and engage in opportunistic trading with townsfolk. Each merchant aims to become the most influential and earn the title of Leader of Ignis. As I open it, I feel the pull of something ancient, something not entirely of this plane. McDavitt’s vision has come to life, and with it, the promise of untold discovery. I dare say the adventure has only just begun for Sam and McDavitt Publishing.

4. Welcome to Carnage in Vermont!

As the vibrant hues of fall drape the Green Mountains, Carnage opens its doors once again, inviting gamers, storytellers, and adventurers to converge on this unforgettable gathering. From November 1st to 3rd, the rolling hills of Vermont will become a playground of epic proportions, where every roll of the dice, flip of a card, and move on the board leads to new tales of triumph and defeat. Through the halls of Carnage, you’ll find echoes of age-old campaigns and whispers of strategies yet devised. Amidst this close-knit community, where new friendships form over shared adventures, the boundary between reality and the worlds we create dissolves. Come, explore the magic of gaming at Carnage, where the spirit of adventure thrives, and the story is yours to shape!