The fifth annual 3D Roleplay Convention took place over the weekend of 4th May 2025 and was a roaring success! Alternative Armies sponsored again this year with prizes for the winners on the day from our 28mm Monsters and Creatures range. Here is organiser Hank’s account of the event. If you have a tournament or convention and would like to ask us about sponsoring please make contact by email on sales@alternative-armies.com and tell us about it. We have a budget set aside for this. Take it away Hank and count us in for next time!
Saturday morning started bright & early with several volunteers getting up & converging upon the Peninsula Odd Fellows Lodge to set up nearly 20 large gaming tables. The terrain was set, armies unpacked & dice ready to roll as convention goers poured in around 9AM. Friends old & new arrived & we kicked off the convention with two fantastic games, Kryomek & Man O' War respectively. Early in the game of Man O' War, an Imperial great ship was set ablaze from stern to mast and an epic wizard battle ensued. Powerful greatships & other nautical war machines battled over the next four hours, with many shouts & laments on how the battle proceeded.
Kryomek saw the Nexus marines make an impressive breach into an infested colony on planet Orion III, driving back the initial alien enemies as they emerged from the colony. The marines were able to immobilize a kryomek tank positioned on the northwest ridge, though it could still fire. Things started to go wrong for the marines as their Nexus battle tank fell to an alien bio-acid weapon wielded by the warmaster. Several helions then closed on the eastern group of marines & were able to drive the human menace back. By the end of turn 6, the marines were scattered & had not destroyed any kryomek eggs or rescued any colonists. So, the game ultimately went to the alien player.
From there, a hybrid WFRP 1st edition & WFB 3rd Edition game called "Dawn of the Golden Spawn" started & several players were tasked with Slaan warbands navigating their way during the spawning rituals as they witnessed the hatching of the sacred spawning of the cycle. Concurrently, a game of 54mm Inquisitor took place & folks seemed to really enjoy themselves.
In the afternoon, there were lots more games played: some RPG's such as Shadowrun and other wargames like Rogue Trader with the "Battle at the Farm" classic scenario. There was also some WFB 2nd edition with the classic scenario "Terror of the Lichemaster", which was really fun. There was a tunnel mining siege game called "Sapper" that used the Siege rules supplement for WFB 3rd edition. Then, we had a local game creator demo his game Rumpus which folks spoke very highly of after playing. We ended Saturday with one of Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay's first one-shots called "The Black Knight" from an old Dragon Magazine issue. We capped off the first day with a great session at the local watering hole. Many beers were had & new friendships made!
The second day of the convention was more relaxed & people played several pick-up games throughout the morning. Folks played an original scenario by one of the GM's of WFRP called "The Red Baths" which was visually and narratively stunning. Then, the massive centerpiece of WFB 1st Edition, "Ziggurat of Doom" took everyone's attention as dwarves battled goblin hordes in a last stand on an ancient ziggurat. One of the best looking tables of the convention! Finally, there was another session of "Sapper" & then a glorious session of MERP (Middle Earth Roleplay) from the 80's I.C.E. edition. High-powered minions of Mordor duked it out with a demi-god like wizard and colossal snake in the northern moores.
All & all, 3DR Con V was a massive success. So many friends, laughs, and unforgettable gaming experiences. Everyone is talking about next year's con already!