{"id":725,"date":"2014-04-14T20:33:57","date_gmt":"2014-04-14T20:33:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.theswitch.us\/blog\/?p=725"},"modified":"2014-04-14T21:58:57","modified_gmt":"2014-04-14T21:58:57","slug":"leveling-wizard-world-st-louis-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/switch.us\/blog\/leveling-wizard-world-st-louis-part-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Leveling-Up at Wizard World, St. Louis (Part 1)"},"content":{"rendered":"<style><!--\n\n\n\n<style>\n<!--  \/* Font Definitions *\/ @font-face \t{font-family:\"\uff2d\uff33 \u660e\u671d\"; \tmso-font-charset:78; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face \t{font-family:\"Cambria Math\"; \tpanose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; \tmso-font-charset:0; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face \t{font-family:NexusSansPro; \tmso-font-alt:\"Myriad Pro\"; \tmso-font-charset:0; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:-1610612481 1342235771 8 0 147 0;}  \/* Style Definitions *\/ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal \t{mso-style-name:\"Normal\\,Normal Body\"; \tmso-style-unhide:no; \tmso-style-qformat:yes; \tmso-style-parent:\"\"; \tmargin:0in; \tmargin-bottom:.0001pt; \tmso-pagination:widow-orphan; \ttab-stops:107.15pt; \tfont-size:12.0pt; \tfont-family:NexusSansPro; \tmso-fareast-font-family:\"\uff2d\uff33 \u660e\u671d\"; \tmso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; \tmso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tcolor:#53565A;} .MsoChpDefault \t{mso-style-type:export-only; \tmso-default-props:yes; \tfont-family:Cambria; \tmso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; \tmso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-fareast-font-family:\"\uff2d\uff33 \u660e\u671d\"; \tmso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; \tmso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; \tmso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tmso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page WordSection1 \t{size:8.5in 11.0in; \tmargin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; \tmso-header-margin:.5in; \tmso-footer-margin:.5in; \tmso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 \t{page:WordSection1;}\n--><\/style>\n<address class=\"MsoNormal\">Before Switch\u2019s party enters a dungeon, we send James in for a quick look around. He ventures out into the world and reports back with a nerd\u2019s eye view of the situation.<\/address>\n<address class=\"MsoNormal\">\u00a0<\/address>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Before a young Paladin can taste the glory of battle, he must first roll the 20-sided die and create his character. As a seasoned D&amp;D player, I\u2019ve already got one in the hopper. So, let me introduce you to your hero:<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_743\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wizardworld.com\/confaq.html\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-743\" class=\" wp-image-743  \" alt=\"Beardley Beefsbane, prior to today\u2019s adventure. According to the event\u2019s rules, combat was strictly prohibited.\" src=\"http:\/\/www.theswitch.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Beardley-Beefsbane1.png\" width=\"700\" height=\"397\" srcset=\"https:\/\/switch.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Beardley-Beefsbane1.png 900w, https:\/\/switch.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Beardley-Beefsbane1-300x170.png 300w, https:\/\/switch.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Beardley-Beefsbane1-624x353.png 624w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-743\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Beardley Beefsbane, prior to today\u2019s adventure. According to the event\u2019s rules, combat was strictly prohibited.<\/p><\/div>\n<h1><\/h1>\n<style><!--\n\/* Font Definitions *\/ @font-face \t{font-family:\"\uff2d\uff33 \u660e\u671d\"; \tmso-font-charset:78; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face \t{font-family:\"Cambria Math\"; \tpanose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; \tmso-font-charset:0; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face \t{font-family:NexusSansPro; \tmso-font-alt:\"Myriad Pro\"; \tmso-font-charset:0; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:-1610612481 1342235771 8 0 147 0;}  \/* Style Definitions *\/ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal \t{mso-style-name:\"Normal\\,Normal Body\"; \tmso-style-unhide:no; \tmso-style-qformat:yes; \tmso-style-parent:\"\"; \tmargin:0in; \tmargin-bottom:.0001pt; \tmso-pagination:widow-orphan; \ttab-stops:107.15pt; \tfont-size:12.0pt; \tfont-family:NexusSansPro; \tmso-fareast-font-family:\"\uff2d\uff33 \u660e\u671d\"; \tmso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; \tmso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tcolor:#53565A;} .MsoChpDefault \t{mso-style-type:export-only; \tmso-default-props:yes; \tfont-family:Cambria; \tmso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; \tmso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-fareast-font-family:\"\uff2d\uff33 \u660e\u671d\"; \tmso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; \tmso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; \tmso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tmso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page WordSection1 \t{size:8.5in 11.0in; \tmargin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; \tmso-header-margin:.5in; \tmso-footer-margin:.5in; \tmso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 \t{page:WordSection1;}\n--><\/style>\n<h1>Inventory<\/h1>\n<style><!--\n\/* Font Definitions *\/ @font-face \t{font-family:\"\uff2d\uff33 \u660e\u671d\"; \tmso-font-charset:78; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face \t{font-family:\"Cambria Math\"; \tpanose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; \tmso-font-charset:0; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face \t{font-family:NexusSansPro; \tmso-font-alt:\"Myriad Pro\"; \tmso-font-charset:0; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:-1610612481 1342235771 8 0 147 0;}  \/* Style Definitions *\/ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal \t{mso-style-name:\"Normal\\,Normal Body\"; \tmso-style-unhide:no; \tmso-style-qformat:yes; \tmso-style-parent:\"\"; \tmargin:0in; \tmargin-bottom:.0001pt; \tmso-pagination:widow-orphan; \ttab-stops:107.15pt; \tfont-size:12.0pt; \tfont-family:NexusSansPro; \tmso-fareast-font-family:\"\uff2d\uff33 \u660e\u671d\"; \tmso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; \tmso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tcolor:#53565A;} .MsoChpDefault \t{mso-style-type:export-only; \tmso-default-props:yes; \tfont-family:Cambria; \tmso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; \tmso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-fareast-font-family:\"\uff2d\uff33 \u660e\u671d\"; \tmso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; \tmso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; \tmso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tmso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page WordSection1 \t{size:8.5in 11.0in; \tmargin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; \tmso-header-margin:.5in; \tmso-footer-margin:.5in; \tmso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 \t{page:WordSection1;}\n--><\/style>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Every character must plan their inventory with prescience and diligence. For any event with the potential to encumber your character with free comic book swag, you must be able to mule appropriately. For this task, I\u2019ve selected a large nylon rucksack.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theswitch.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Wizard-World-Snacks.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-729\" alt=\"Wizard World Snacks\" src=\"http:\/\/www.theswitch.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Wizard-World-Snacks.png\" width=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/switch.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Wizard-World-Snacks.png 900w, https:\/\/switch.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Wizard-World-Snacks-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/switch.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Wizard-World-Snacks-624x416.png 624w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<style><!--\n\/* Font Definitions *\/ @font-face \t{font-family:\"\uff2d\uff33 \u660e\u671d\"; \tmso-font-charset:78; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face \t{font-family:\"Cambria Math\"; \tpanose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; \tmso-font-charset:0; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face \t{font-family:NexusSansPro; \tmso-font-alt:\"Myriad Pro\"; \tmso-font-charset:0; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:-1610612481 1342235771 8 0 147 0;}  \/* Style Definitions *\/ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal \t{mso-style-name:\"Normal\\,Normal Body\"; \tmso-style-unhide:no; \tmso-style-qformat:yes; \tmso-style-parent:\"\"; \tmargin:0in; \tmargin-bottom:.0001pt; \tmso-pagination:widow-orphan; \ttab-stops:107.15pt; \tfont-size:12.0pt; \tfont-family:NexusSansPro; \tmso-fareast-font-family:\"\uff2d\uff33 \u660e\u671d\"; \tmso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; \tmso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tcolor:#53565A;} .MsoChpDefault \t{mso-style-type:export-only; \tmso-default-props:yes; \tfont-family:Cambria; \tmso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; \tmso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-fareast-font-family:\"\uff2d\uff33 \u660e\u671d\"; \tmso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; \tmso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; \tmso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tmso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page WordSection1 \t{size:8.5in 11.0in; \tmargin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; \tmso-header-margin:.5in; \tmso-footer-margin:.5in; \tmso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 \t{page:WordSection1;}\n--><\/style>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Considering the rucksack\u2019s capacity, I\u2019ve also opted to surrender some of that space to sustenance (snacks). I selected a brown bag classic PB&amp;J (crust included for nourishment) and some gummy bears for that extra sugary kick of energy for post-quest recovery. There\u2019s also some camera lenses and extra batteries in there for proper documentation.<\/p>\n<style><!--\n\/* Font Definitions *\/ @font-face \t{font-family:\"\uff2d\uff33 \u660e\u671d\"; \tmso-font-charset:78; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face \t{font-family:\"Cambria Math\"; \tpanose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; \tmso-font-charset:0; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face \t{font-family:NexusSansPro; \tmso-font-alt:\"Myriad Pro\"; \tmso-font-charset:0; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:-1610612481 1342235771 8 0 147 0;}  \/* Style Definitions *\/ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal \t{mso-style-name:\"Normal\\,Normal Body\"; \tmso-style-unhide:no; \tmso-style-qformat:yes; \tmso-style-parent:\"\"; \tmargin:0in; \tmargin-bottom:.0001pt; \tmso-pagination:widow-orphan; \ttab-stops:107.15pt; \tfont-size:12.0pt; \tfont-family:NexusSansPro; \tmso-fareast-font-family:\"\uff2d\uff33 \u660e\u671d\"; \tmso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; \tmso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tcolor:#53565A;} .MsoChpDefault \t{mso-style-type:export-only; \tmso-default-props:yes; \tfont-family:Cambria; \tmso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; \tmso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-fareast-font-family:\"\uff2d\uff33 \u660e\u671d\"; \tmso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; \tmso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; \tmso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tmso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page WordSection1 \t{size:8.5in 11.0in; \tmargin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; \tmso-header-margin:.5in; \tmso-footer-margin:.5in; \tmso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 \t{page:WordSection1;}\n--><\/style>\n<h1 class=\"MsoNormal\">The Quest Begins<\/h1>\n<style><!--\n\/* Font Definitions *\/ @font-face \t{font-family:\"\uff2d\uff33 \u660e\u671d\"; \tmso-font-charset:78; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face \t{font-family:\"Cambria Math\"; \tpanose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; \tmso-font-charset:0; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face \t{font-family:NexusSansPro; \tmso-font-alt:\"Myriad Pro\"; \tmso-font-charset:0; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:-1610612481 1342235771 8 0 147 0;}  \/* Style Definitions *\/ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal \t{mso-style-name:\"Normal\\,Normal Body\"; \tmso-style-unhide:no; \tmso-style-qformat:yes; \tmso-style-parent:\"\"; \tmargin:0in; \tmargin-bottom:.0001pt; \tmso-pagination:widow-orphan; \ttab-stops:107.15pt; \tfont-size:12.0pt; \tfont-family:NexusSansPro; \tmso-fareast-font-family:\"\uff2d\uff33 \u660e\u671d\"; \tmso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; \tmso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tcolor:#53565A;} .MsoChpDefault \t{mso-style-type:export-only; \tmso-default-props:yes; \tfont-family:Cambria; \tmso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; \tmso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-fareast-font-family:\"\uff2d\uff33 \u660e\u671d\"; \tmso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; \tmso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; \tmso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tmso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page WordSection1 \t{size:8.5in 11.0in; \tmargin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; \tmso-header-margin:.5in; \tmso-footer-margin:.5in; \tmso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 \t{page:WordSection1;}\n--><\/style>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">As I exited the parking garage I immediately noticed scattered bands of cosplay revelers scurrying through plumes of sewer-grate steam and bounding around clods of lunching loft-dwellers en route to America\u2019s Center. The brisk Spring air scraped my face as I sallied forth across the thaw with the promise of superhero splendor to drive me. I entered the building and was immediately greeted by Wonder Woman. My fuzzy knowledge of Graphic Novel Belief Systems lead me to believe this was a good omen.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_734\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theswitch.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Wonder-Woman.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-734\" class=\" wp-image-734  \" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/www.theswitch.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Wonder-Woman.png\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" srcset=\"https:\/\/switch.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Wonder-Woman.png 900w, https:\/\/switch.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Wonder-Woman-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/switch.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Wonder-Woman-624x416.png 624w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-734\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">CONSTITUTION +1<\/p><\/div>\n<style><!--\n\/* Font Definitions *\/ @font-face \t{font-family:\"\uff2d\uff33 \u660e\u671d\"; \tmso-font-charset:78; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face \t{font-family:\"Cambria Math\"; \tpanose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; \tmso-font-charset:0; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face \t{font-family:NexusSansPro; \tmso-font-alt:\"Myriad Pro\"; \tmso-font-charset:0; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:-1610612481 1342235771 8 0 147 0;}  \/* Style Definitions *\/ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal \t{mso-style-name:\"Normal\\,Normal Body\"; \tmso-style-unhide:no; \tmso-style-qformat:yes; \tmso-style-parent:\"\"; \tmargin:0in; \tmargin-bottom:.0001pt; \tmso-pagination:widow-orphan; \ttab-stops:107.15pt; \tfont-size:12.0pt; \tfont-family:NexusSansPro; \tmso-fareast-font-family:\"\uff2d\uff33 \u660e\u671d\"; \tmso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; \tmso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tcolor:#53565A;} .MsoChpDefault \t{mso-style-type:export-only; \tmso-default-props:yes; \tfont-family:Cambria; \tmso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; \tmso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-fareast-font-family:\"\uff2d\uff33 \u660e\u671d\"; \tmso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; \tmso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; \tmso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tmso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page WordSection1 \t{size:8.5in 11.0in; \tmargin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; \tmso-header-margin:.5in; \tmso-footer-margin:.5in; \tmso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 \t{page:WordSection1;}\n--><\/style>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">I continued North to find lines as long as The Great Serpent\u2019s tail. After consulting a high-level steampunk wizard, I determined this line was for people that wanted to meet someone named <a href=\"http:\/\/www.wizardworld.com\/mattsmith.html\"><span style=\"color: #53565a;\">Matt Smith<\/span><\/a>. Hundreds of Smithites shifted weight from side to side in waiting, they checked their phones for messages from, I can only assume, their mothers or other handlers. I passed them without alerting them to my presence on my way to The Great Gate, \u201cComic Con Check-In\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_731\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theswitch.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Wizard-World-wizard.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-731\" class=\" wp-image-731 \" alt=\"A friendly and informative high-level steampunk wizard and his muscle.\" src=\"http:\/\/www.theswitch.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Wizard-World-wizard.png\" width=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/switch.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Wizard-World-wizard.png 900w, https:\/\/switch.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Wizard-World-wizard-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/switch.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Wizard-World-wizard-624x416.png 624w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-731\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A friendly and informative high-level steampunk wizard and his muscle.<\/p><\/div>\n<style><!--\n\/* Font Definitions *\/ @font-face \t{font-family:\"\uff2d\uff33 \u660e\u671d\"; \tmso-font-charset:78; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face \t{font-family:\"Cambria Math\"; \tpanose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; \tmso-font-charset:0; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face \t{font-family:NexusSansPro; \tmso-font-alt:\"Myriad Pro\"; \tmso-font-charset:0; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:-1610612481 1342235771 8 0 147 0;}  \/* Style Definitions *\/ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal \t{mso-style-name:\"Normal\\,Normal Body\"; \tmso-style-unhide:no; \tmso-style-qformat:yes; \tmso-style-parent:\"\"; \tmargin:0in; \tmargin-bottom:.0001pt; \tmso-pagination:widow-orphan; \ttab-stops:107.15pt; \tfont-size:12.0pt; \tfont-family:NexusSansPro; \tmso-fareast-font-family:\"\uff2d\uff33 \u660e\u671d\"; \tmso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; \tmso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tcolor:#53565A;} .MsoChpDefault \t{mso-style-type:export-only; \tmso-default-props:yes; \tfont-family:Cambria; \tmso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; \tmso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-fareast-font-family:\"\uff2d\uff33 \u660e\u671d\"; \tmso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; \tmso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; \tmso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tmso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page WordSection1 \t{size:8.5in 11.0in; \tmargin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; \tmso-header-margin:.5in; \tmso-footer-margin:.5in; \tmso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 \t{page:WordSection1;}\n--><\/style>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Wristband permanently installed, I was now an official attendee of Wizard World St. Louis, and granted access to all areas. The great entrance to Wizard World lay to the East and set between us was a throng of characters, mostly standing in lines for other things. Queues seemed to be a tradition here. Throngs of people stood in them for cheesy pretzels, pizza, or funnel cake (titled \u201cZombie Brains\u201d). I thought to myself, \u201cGood thinking, Beardley, you\u2019ve packed in your lunch, thereby avoiding the drudgery of long queues on this day\u201d.<\/p>\n<style><!--\n\/* Font Definitions *\/ @font-face \t{font-family:\"\uff2d\uff33 \u660e\u671d\"; \tmso-font-charset:78; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face \t{font-family:\"Cambria Math\"; \tpanose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; \tmso-font-charset:0; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face \t{font-family:NexusSansPro; \tmso-font-alt:\"Myriad Pro\"; \tmso-font-charset:0; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:-1610612481 1342235771 8 0 147 0;}  \/* Style Definitions *\/ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal \t{mso-style-name:\"Normal\\,Normal Body\"; \tmso-style-unhide:no; \tmso-style-qformat:yes; \tmso-style-parent:\"\"; \tmargin:0in; \tmargin-bottom:.0001pt; \tmso-pagination:widow-orphan; \ttab-stops:107.15pt; \tfont-size:12.0pt; \tfont-family:NexusSansPro; \tmso-fareast-font-family:\"\uff2d\uff33 \u660e\u671d\"; \tmso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; \tmso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tcolor:#53565A;} .MsoChpDefault \t{mso-style-type:export-only; \tmso-default-props:yes; \tfont-family:Cambria; \tmso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; \tmso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-fareast-font-family:\"\uff2d\uff33 \u660e\u671d\"; \tmso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; \tmso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; \tmso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tmso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page WordSection1 \t{size:8.5in 11.0in; \tmargin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; \tmso-header-margin:.5in; \tmso-footer-margin:.5in; \tmso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 \t{page:WordSection1;}\n--><\/style>\n<h1 class=\"MsoNormal\">ENCOUNTER!<\/h1>\n<div id=\"attachment_730\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theswitch.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Wizard-World-warriors.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-730\" class=\" wp-image-730   \" alt=\"Two roving Warriors stopped me with an inquiry about The Furies. I avoided a conflict by denying any knowledge of the Furies\u2019 location, asking them for a photograph and complimenting their choice in armor. Warriors are notoriously vain.\" src=\"http:\/\/www.theswitch.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Wizard-World-warriors.png\" width=\"700\" height=\"394\" srcset=\"https:\/\/switch.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Wizard-World-warriors.png 900w, https:\/\/switch.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Wizard-World-warriors-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/switch.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Wizard-World-warriors-624x351.png 624w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-730\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Two roving Warriors stopped me with an inquiry about The Furies. I avoided a conflict by denying any knowledge of the Furies\u2019 location, asking them for a photograph and complimenting their choice in armor. Warriors are notoriously vain. CHARISMA +1<\/p><\/div>\n<style><!--\n\/* Font Definitions *\/ @font-face \t{font-family:\"\uff2d\uff33 \u660e\u671d\"; \tmso-font-charset:78; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face \t{font-family:\"Cambria Math\"; \tpanose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; \tmso-font-charset:0; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face \t{font-family:NexusSansPro; \tmso-font-alt:\"Myriad Pro\"; \tmso-font-charset:0; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:-1610612481 1342235771 8 0 147 0;}  \/* Style Definitions *\/ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal \t{mso-style-name:\"Normal\\,Normal Body\"; \tmso-style-unhide:no; \tmso-style-qformat:yes; \tmso-style-parent:\"\"; \tmargin:0in; \tmargin-bottom:.0001pt; \tmso-pagination:widow-orphan; \ttab-stops:107.15pt; \tfont-size:12.0pt; \tfont-family:NexusSansPro; \tmso-fareast-font-family:\"\uff2d\uff33 \u660e\u671d\"; \tmso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; \tmso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tcolor:#53565A;} .MsoChpDefault \t{mso-style-type:export-only; \tmso-default-props:yes; \tfont-family:Cambria; \tmso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; \tmso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-fareast-font-family:\"\uff2d\uff33 \u660e\u671d\"; \tmso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; \tmso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; \tmso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tmso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page WordSection1 \t{size:8.5in 11.0in; \tmargin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; \tmso-header-margin:.5in; \tmso-footer-margin:.5in; \tmso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 \t{page:WordSection1;}\n--><\/style>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Only a hundred yards lay between the heavily fortified entrance and myself, yet it seemed an insurmountable distance. Thousands of other questers crisscrossed the atrium and I wondered, \u201cWhat is it that lies within that sends these weary souls back out? Surely it can\u2019t be simply pizza and restrooms. The revelers look exhausted and encumbered by bags of loot and melting battle makeup. What chaos lies within? What forces are at play? What magical, mystical spells are being cast upon these revelers?\u201d<\/p>\n<style><!--\n\/* Font Definitions *\/ @font-face \t{font-family:\"\uff2d\uff33 \u660e\u671d\"; \tmso-font-charset:78; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face \t{font-family:\"Cambria Math\"; \tpanose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; \tmso-font-charset:0; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face \t{font-family:NexusSansPro; \tmso-font-alt:\"Myriad Pro\"; \tmso-font-charset:0; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:-1610612481 1342235771 8 0 147 0;}  \/* Style Definitions *\/ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal \t{mso-style-name:\"Normal\\,Normal Body\"; \tmso-style-unhide:no; \tmso-style-qformat:yes; \tmso-style-parent:\"\"; \tmargin:0in; \tmargin-bottom:.0001pt; \tmso-pagination:widow-orphan; \ttab-stops:107.15pt; \tfont-size:12.0pt; \tfont-family:NexusSansPro; \tmso-fareast-font-family:\"\uff2d\uff33 \u660e\u671d\"; \tmso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; \tmso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tcolor:#53565A;} .MsoChpDefault \t{mso-style-type:export-only; \tmso-default-props:yes; \tfont-family:Cambria; \tmso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; \tmso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-fareast-font-family:\"\uff2d\uff33 \u660e\u671d\"; \tmso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; \tmso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; \tmso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tmso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page WordSection1 \t{size:8.5in 11.0in; \tmargin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; \tmso-header-margin:.5in; \tmso-footer-margin:.5in; \tmso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 \t{page:WordSection1;}\n--><\/style>\n<blockquote>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Check back next week for our hero\u2019s adventure beyond the velvet rope, exposing what mysteries stir beneath the guise of a simple comic book convention. Expect celebrity encounters, space-age doll makers, animal smugglers and tales of sweet melodies sung by vicious vendors. And robots. Especially robots.<\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><em>If you can&#8217;t wait to hear more about James&#8217; experience at Wizard World, contact him at <a href=\"mailto:jamesc@theswitch.us\">jamesc@theswitch.us<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<style><!--\n\/* Font Definitions *\/ @font-face \t{font-family:\"\uff2d\uff33 \u660e\u671d\"; \tmso-font-charset:78; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face \t{font-family:\"Cambria Math\"; \tpanose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; \tmso-font-charset:0; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face \t{font-family:NexusSansPro; \tmso-font-alt:\"Myriad Pro\"; \tmso-font-charset:0; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:-1610612481 1342235771 8 0 147 0;} @font-face \t{font-family:\"Helvetica Neue\"; \tpanose-1:2 0 5 3 0 0 0 2 0 4; \tmso-font-charset:0; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:-452984065 1342208475 16 0 1 0;}  \/* Style Definitions *\/ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal \t{mso-style-name:\"Normal\\,Normal Body\"; \tmso-style-unhide:no; \tmso-style-qformat:yes; \tmso-style-parent:\"\"; \tmargin:0in; \tmargin-bottom:.0001pt; \tmso-pagination:widow-orphan; \ttab-stops:107.15pt; \tfont-size:12.0pt; \tfont-family:NexusSansPro; \tmso-fareast-font-family:\"\uff2d\uff33 \u660e\u671d\"; \tmso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; \tmso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tcolor:#53565A;} .MsoChpDefault \t{mso-style-type:export-only; \tmso-default-props:yes; \tfont-family:Cambria; \tmso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; \tmso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-fareast-font-family:\"\uff2d\uff33 \u660e\u671d\"; \tmso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; \tmso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; \tmso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tmso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page WordSection1 \t{size:8.5in 11.0in; \tmargin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; \tmso-header-margin:.5in; \tmso-footer-margin:.5in; \tmso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 \t{page:WordSection1;}\n--><\/style>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Before Switch\u2019s party enters a dungeon, we send James in for a quick look around. He ventures out into the world and reports back with a nerd\u2019s eye view of the situation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":733,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18,6,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-725","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-branding","category-experiential","category-featured-home"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Leveling-Up at Wizard World, St. Louis (Part 1) - sw:tch blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/switch.us\/blog\/leveling-wizard-world-st-louis-part-1\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Leveling-Up at Wizard World, St. Louis (Part 1) - sw:tch blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Before Switch\u2019s party enters a dungeon, we send James in for a quick look around. 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