The biggest annual event from the Waikato Role-Playing Guild is returning this September: The Convergence!
We will be bringing you an epic weekend of role-playing, giveaways, and banter, capped off with a social function on Sunday evening. Follow for more announcements including game submissions, tickets going live, and spotlights on what to expect!

• What is a TTRPG?
  Table top role-playing games are games, mostly played with friends, that usually require pen, paper and dice to play. You probably have heard of Dungeons & Dragons, but hundreds to thousands of different systems exist. From 1 page games about drag racing racoons to games about eldritch horrors, sci fi, high fantasy, low fantasy, dystopian societies, TV shows like Avatar: The Last Airbender and even several games based around Carly Rae Jepson songs. They all need you to use your imagination to navigate and figure out what you want to do.

• What is Convergence?
  Convergence is a 2 day games convention being organised by The Waikato Role-Playing Guild. This is the first year we’ve been able to run since 2019 because of covid. The aim is to give people a chance to try different systems and move away from the dominance of games like D&D. Over the weekend there will be multiple games running with various systems represented. We will also have some people giving short seminars on topics of interest within the TTRPG hobby, and empty tables for you to start a game yourselves. A local games store, Card Merchant, will be selling TTRPG paraphernalia, and we will have competitions and give-aways over the weekend.
  The games will run in 2/3/4 hour slots, depending on the game itself. All the games will be run as “one-shots” meaning it will be a self-contained adventure within the time slot. Games that are for newbie or experienced players will be marked as such on the game description, and pre-generated characters will be provided where needed. The basics of what you need to know to be able to hit the ground running will be provided.
  Game selection will be done on the day, but the timetable and game descriptions will be released a week beforehand.

• What’s happening when?
  8am - doors open
  8.30am - orientation
  9am - games start
  Saturday: 8am-late, 3 sessions over the day (morning/afternoon/evening)
  Sunday 8am-dinner, 2 sessions. Social afterwards, venue local pub

• Games:
  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zyyd018yvKoornwIFcm26s5uAlbVehUpTzPevNL3FZM

• The venue
  Hamilton Contract Bridge Club, 20 Richmond St, Hamilton
  The Bridge Club has accessible entrances (automatic doors) and toilets available.
  The Bridge Club has a fair amount of parking on-site, for up to 100 cars. There is also on-road parking in the surrounding area for overflow.

• Kids
  TTRPGs can be great for kids - it improves social skills, promotes team work and involves maths! That said not all games are suitable for all ages, so each game will indicate if there are adult themes/if it is kid friendly. If you’re not sure and want to discuss more then send us a message!
  We’ll have open tables and some simple games printed to pick up and play, and volunteers will be floating about to help you. If you’re feeling especially brave then why not volunteer to run a game for kids! Again, if you want more advice or information then send us a message. We can advise and supply some child or teen friendly systems to try out.
  Kids that are not participating in games do not need a ticket.

• First aid
  We will have a qualified first aider on site during the convention.

• Photography
  We’ll be taking photographs throughout the event to record the fun that everyone is having. Some of those will probably be used in our promotional material or social media spaces. If you don’t wish to have your photograph taken, please speak to one of our staff members on the day and we’ll make sure you’re kept out of any snaps we take.
  Feel free to take your own photographs and to share them on social media but please ensure you have permission to do so from anyone who features in your snaps.

• Food/Snacks
  Drinks and snacks will be available on the day. There is a kitchen we can use for hot drinks.
  Food options are being confirmed, but there will likely be hot options such as pies or pastries.

• Covid
  The country is currently at Orange alert level (and hopefully doesn’t go to red!). For us this means we can go ahead, with no limits on numbers and without mask requirements for attendees, though the government does recommend it. Please wear a mask if it makes you feel more comfortable to attend.
  Official volunteers helping with running on the day will be wearing face masks as per government guidance. Game runners are classed as attendees and are not required to wear masks.