Category: Interactivity & Experience

Hither comes the clash of wood and sinew, where the bold learn the savage dance of war!

---

Hail, ye stout hearts! The king of old Atlantis calls thee to test thy mettle at Wonderplace Alpha!

In the rugged heart of Wonderplace Alpha, where the earth thrums with echoes of forgotten empires, stands Kull—broad of shoulder, grim of gaze, a lion among men—ready to school thee in the art of the quarterstaff. Once a king, now a wanderer, he wields the oaken stave with the might of a man who wrested thrones from tyrants, its every swing a tale of valor. Here, beneath the open sky, ye shall learn the craft of combat as Kull taught it to his rebel kin, with a vigor that’d stir even Conan’s blood. This is no grim toil, but a clash of spirit and skill, where the bold thrive and the timid learn to roar!

The Clash: A Test of Strength and Spark

For one rousing hour, Kull, his voice a low growl of command, shall unveil the quarterstaff’s secrets—a weapon plain yet fierce, fit for a warrior’s hand. With the bearing of a king unbroken, he’ll guide thee through moves honed in the wilds of Atlantis and the courts of Valusia, blending raw power with a rogue’s deft touch. Ye shall strike with a conqueror’s zeal, parry with a grin, and wield thy staff in a whirl that echoes the clash of ancient swords.

• The King’s Grasp: Seize the staff as Kull gripped his destiny, strong and sure, ready to face any storm. Learn the stance of the exile, rooted yet restless, poised to meet all comers with a steady eye.
• Strokes of Triumph: Deal blows that ring with the clang of victory—wide sweeps to scatter foes, thrusts to prod their mettle, and hearty smacks to send ‘em back with a tale to tell.
• Wards of the Wild: Block strikes as Kull turned aside the daggers of shadowed serpents, twisting the staff with a warrior’s craft to foil any blow.
• The Exile’s Whirl: Move as he did through hostile lands, stepping bold and spinning thy staff in a lively flurry that’d awe the courts of vanished kings.

For Whom the Call Sounds

All with a thirst for the fray may answer Kull’s summons—be ye a youth of ten summers or a grizzled soul of fifty. No royal blood’s needed; only a will to stand and spar. The price is a lone silver coin ($1), a token for the wisdom ye’ll claim. Bring naught but thy fire, for the staves—rugged as the hills Kull roamed—await thee, brothers to the arms that felled foes in a lost age.

When the Clash Begins

This bout is primarily for teaching and learning, for not even Kull has been able to force the insurance companies to permit full-scale combat. Those cowardly dogs!

A Word to the Willing

Fret not, ye newcomers—this is a proving, not a peril! The quarterstaff’s a trusty mate, teaching its ways with a nudge or a knock. Ye may feel the thrill in thy bones or wear a bruise like a badge of the day, but ‘tis all in the spirit of the game. Don boots sturdy and garb free, and heed Kull’s word, for his law rules this lively field.

Stand with the King

Step forth, ye brave of Wonderplace Alpha, and join Kull’s Quarterstaff Clash! Here, ‘midst the crack of wood and the crowd’s hearty shouts, ye’ll summon the strength of Conan’s rival—warrior, outcast, legend—and etch thy mark in sweat and cheer. Crom broods on his peak, but Kull bids thee rise and revel. Will ye meet his challenge?

“I like my zombies slow and I like my zombies stupid.”

~Seth Grahame-Smith, “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies”

It’s almost certainly not fatal to RSVP for this event on Facebook, if you’re on Facebook.

And then it’s Saturday afternoon and time for the Zombie Invasion! If you wish to hang about our Wasteland area, our Zombies will be emerging from Darkling and entering the Wasteland.

Our Zombies are members of the cast. They are not likely to actually eat your brains, smart though you are. They will, instead, most likely offer you a sticker to turn you from (whatever you currently are now) to (a zombie version thereof).

They’ll be stumbling/shambling your way with only one thought: time to eat your brains!

…give you stickers.

Time to give you stickers!

You’re welcome to run from them, interact with them, take pictures with them, invite them to your parties…hey, they’re not OUR zombies. We don’t own them or anything.

““The game was not just a diversion; it was a way of life, a means of survival, and an expression of art. It was, in short, everything.”
~Iain M. Banks, “The Player Of Games”

Enter our compact (small!) yet infinitely intriguing enclave where the very air hums with the electric buzz of adventure and the musty scent of ancient tomes, and a lot of Mountain Dew. This sanctum, no larger than a galleon’s hold yet as vast as the cosmos in its offerings, is a treasure trove where indie artisans and forgotten masters of game-craft converge.

(IT’S OUR GAME ROOM! If you’d like to run a game or ask questions about what games we’re running, check the website in March, or email Jeff!)

Here, beneath the glow of a thousand* brilliant stars**, you’ll find The Codex of Unseen Worlds, games by creators whose names whisper through the annals of both fame and obscurity, each game a spellbinding narrative of worlds never before trodden. Adjacent, The Vault of Lost Lore holds rare classics, their covers worn from the hands of countless past adventurers, games like “The Labyrinth of Time” and “Quest for Glory”, each a portal to epochs long past.

“You could understand the whole universe, but if you didn’t understand games, you understood nothing.”
~Iaian M. Banks (Ibid)

* Two.
** Stars not included.

“The witches’ dance was a spectacle of shadows and light, a celebration of the night where each step was a spell, each turn a connection to the ancient powers of the earth. They danced not just with their feet but with their souls, weaving magic into the very air, turning the dark into something sacred, something alive.”
-Charles DeLint

Underneath the silver glow of the moon, a coven of witches from the mystical realm of “Dancing Witches” gathers. Cloaked in shadows and starlight, they twirl and leap, their movements a blend of ancient spells and modern beats. Each dance is a ritual, with steps that weave magic into the night air, their laughter echoing like a spellbinding melody. From this enchanted circle, found at the heart of their online sanctuary, they share their dance with the world, inviting all to join in the celebration of life, magic, and the wild, untamed joy of movement.

Come and behold the dance of Witches! Watch them circle, spin, dance, and cackle! Perhaps you might even decide to join their ranks!

When Witches dance, the Wise tremble!

Witches of all ages are invited to come and join the terpsichorean pursuit!

Goblin School at our Faire, where mischief and magic meet education in the most unusual way. Here, young scoundrels can embrace their inner goblin for a day of fun, learning, and perhaps a bit of mayhem.

The Setting: Goblin School is set in a rustic, overgrown part of the faire, where makeshift huts and a tangle of vines create the perfect goblin lair. The atmosphere is filled with the sounds of cackles, the rustle of leaves, and the occasional clatter of mismatched cookware.

The Curriculum:

• Goblin Speak: Learn the rough, guttural language of goblins, including how to sound convincingly mischievous or scheming.
• Sneaky Skills: Master the art of sneaking, hiding, and ambushing. We’ll teach you how to move silently through the underbrush or how to blend into the shadows.
• Practical Pranking: From harmless tricks to elaborate schemes, we’ll explore the fine art of pranking. There will be workshops on making simple traps, disguises, and understanding the psychology behind a good prank.
• Goblin Crafts: Turn trash into treasure with lessons on creating goblin gear from found objects. Think of it as alchemy but with less gold and more… creativity.
• Mischief Making: Classes on how to sow just the right amount of chaos, teaching the balance between fun and folly.

The Experience: Participants will dress up in goblin attire, complete with pointy ears and ragged clothing, fully immersing themselves in goblin culture. The day ends with a ‘Goblin Graduation’ where each student receives a badge of mischief, marking their new status as an honorary member of the goblin tribe.

Come to Goblin School, where learning is as wild and unpredictable as the creatures themselves.

Join the magical journey of our Princess Etiquette Classes, where young maidens can learn the charm and decorum of medieval nobility.

The Setting: Set within the enchanting walls of our castle-like venue, surrounded by the beauty of nature, these classes will transport you to a time of chivalry and grace.

The Lessons:

• Graceful Movement: Learn how to walk, sit, and curtsy with the elegance of a princess. We’ll practice until these movements feel natural.
• Proper Speech: Master the art of speaking like nobility, with lessons on clear pronunciation and engaging conversation, preparing you for royal discourse.
• Dining Etiquette: Discover the intricacies of eating like royalty, from the correct use of utensils to the graceful handling of a goblet, culminating in a mock banquet.
• Dance: Step into the world of medieval dance, learning dances like the pavane, enhancing your poise and social grace.
• Crafts: Engage in noble pastimes, such as embroidery or the art of illumination, giving you a taste of a princess’s daily life.
• Dress and Appearance: Learn about medieval fashion, including how to wear and style hair in ways that would befit a royal lady. There will be a fun dress-up part where you can try on period clothing.

Join us to live out an hour or two in the life of medieval royalty, where every lesson is a step closer to your own fairytale ending.