WEALDCON 2024
By Julian Wild
with pics by Sam, Pierre, Bob, Steve, Kip, Ellie, Julian
WealdCon: Where Creativity, Community, and Narrative Collide
If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve already heard whispers of The Weald – maybe through its eerie folk horror setting, its life as an indie narrative skirmish game, or perhaps WealdCon, the in-person gathering that brings it all to life.
But The Weald is more than just a game. And WealdCon is more than just a weekend of dice rolls and miniatures. It’s a celebration of friendship, creativity, and open-minded collaboration—a space where ideas grow wild, and connections run deep.
The Weald as a Living, Breathing Campaign
Tucked away in the southern stretches of the Black Forest in Germany, a quiet village becomes something else entirely for a few magical days. Though easily reachable via Zürich Airport or regional trains, it feels remote enough to let imagination take over. Surrounded by rolling hills and open valleys, it becomes the perfect portal into the world of The Weald.
Most attendees arrived by Thursday, giving us time to reconnect and prepare the grounds. By Friday, the narrative campaign was in full swing. Set against the backdrop of last year’s defeat for the Gnarl faction, the stakes were high. This time, the roles had flipped—WealdCon 2023’s Wardens were now playing as Gnarl, and vice versa—highlighting the shared storytelling spirit of our community.
This year’s campaign featured a unique twist: synchronized game turns across multiple boards, with random events (like a mysterious stag) leaping from one game to another. While it added a layer of complexity, it also made the narrative feel truly alive. We weren’t just playing a game—we were telling a story together.
The climax came at a decaying stronghold, where Gnarl warbands made their last stand. Wardens had to cross treacherous swamps and dark terrain to even reach the battle, many falling in the haunted bogs of Hollar, never to return. When the final siege began, it was chaotic, thrilling, and unforgettable. Twelve players shared one board, coordinating across subgroups to keep the action flowing.
The result? Total immersion. Roars of laughter, dramatic moments, real tension—and yes, tears and hugs. The Wardens may have fallen back in the end, but we all walked away as winners, bonded by the story we created together.
Huge thanks to Marcus and Kip for crafting such an unforgettable campaign. You brought something truly special to life.
Tucked away in the southern stretches of the Black Forest in Germany, a quiet village becomes something else entirely for a few magical days. Though easily reachable via Zürich Airport or regional trains, it feels remote enough to let imagination take over. Surrounded by rolling hills and open valleys, it becomes the perfect portal into the world of The Weald.
Most attendees arrived by Thursday, giving us time to reconnect and prepare the grounds. By Friday, the narrative campaign was in full swing. Set against the backdrop of last year’s defeat for the Gnarl faction, the stakes were high. This time, the roles had flipped—WealdCon 2023’s Wardens were now playing as Gnarl, and vice versa—highlighting the shared storytelling spirit of our community.
This year’s campaign featured a unique twist: synchronized game turns across multiple boards, with random events (like a mysterious stag) leaping from one game to another. While it added a layer of complexity, it also made the narrative feel truly alive. We weren’t just playing a game—we were telling a story together.
The climax came at a decaying stronghold, where Gnarl warbands made their last stand. Wardens had to cross treacherous swamps and dark terrain to even reach the battle, many falling in the haunted bogs of Hollar, never to return. When the final siege began, it was chaotic, thrilling, and unforgettable. Twelve players shared one board, coordinating across subgroups to keep the action flowing.
The result? Total immersion. Roars of laughter, dramatic moments, real tension—and yes, tears and hugs. The Wardens may have fallen back in the end, but we all walked away as winners, bonded by the story we created together.
Huge thanks to Marcus and Kip for crafting such an unforgettable campaign. You brought something truly special to life.
pics by Sam, Pierre, Bob, Steve, Kip, Ellie, Julian
The Weald as a Creative and Inclusive Community
Beyond the battles and dice rolls, WealdCon is a gathering of kindred spirits – a creative, international collective that thrives on collaboration and shared passion.
The non-competitive nature of The Weald makes it easy to focus on what really matters: having fun, building stories, and growing together. Over the years, friendships have flourished across borders. Attendees this year came from Scotland, England, France, Switzerland, and Germany. Support even arrived from Wales in the form of lovingly crafted bits and pieces. It’s proof that creativity knows no boundaries.
Between campaign sessions, there was time to explore other projects too: playtesting Pierre’s Rascal, diving into an early build of Steve’s zombie game, and sharing work-in-progress kitbashes and warbands for the next edition of The Weald.
We shared meals, local beers, and long walks—including a visit to a 4,500-year-old standing stone. We talked late into the night, about games and art and everything in between.
And the best part? This spirit carries on year-round—through our Discord server, at Salute, the Fringe events, and anywhere Weald creatives gather. It’s a rare kind of space, where generosity, support, and mutual respect define everything we do.
Beyond the battles and dice rolls, WealdCon is a gathering of kindred spirits – a creative, international collective that thrives on collaboration and shared passion.
The non-competitive nature of The Weald makes it easy to focus on what really matters: having fun, building stories, and growing together. Over the years, friendships have flourished across borders. Attendees this year came from Scotland, England, France, Switzerland, and Germany. Support even arrived from Wales in the form of lovingly crafted bits and pieces. It’s proof that creativity knows no boundaries.
Between campaign sessions, there was time to explore other projects too: playtesting Pierre’s Rascal, diving into an early build of Steve’s zombie game, and sharing work-in-progress kitbashes and warbands for the next edition of The Weald.
We shared meals, local beers, and long walks—including a visit to a 4,500-year-old standing stone. We talked late into the night, about games and art and everything in between.
And the best part? This spirit carries on year-round—through our Discord server, at Salute, the Fringe events, and anywhere Weald creatives gather. It’s a rare kind of space, where generosity, support, and mutual respect define everything we do.
If you’ve been curious about The Weald, let this be your invitation—not just to play, but to be part of something genuinely meaningful. Join our Discord Server.
WealdCon isn’t just an event.
It’s a reflection of what tabletop gaming can be when we center creativity, friendship, and open minds.
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