The campaign finally gets past session three.
Weekend getaways in Arkansas for tabletop gamers, with the venue, the tables, and the snacks handled and nothing to bring but the army.
Six adults. Six calendars. One campaign.
Every gaming group has the same problem. A campaign that meets once every two months when it meets at all. The army is half painted. The deck hasn't been sleeved. The board game that takes four hours never comes out because nobody has four hours.
A weekend fixes the math. Two full days, everyone in the same room, and nothing else on the calendar.
What's included
A venue picked for the game
Room for the tables, light to see the dice, and a host who doesn't mind a game running late.
Tables set for the campaign
Whatever the group's game needs, set up before anyone arrives, as listed in the proposal.
A painting station if the group wants one
Light, water, and drying space. Bring the paints and the army.
Snacks and drinks, stocked
Nikki brings them, as listed in the proposal. Nobody leaves the table for a run.
Catering around the game
Arranged for that weekend, timed to the session, and spelled out in the proposal. Never in the middle of a turn.
The proposal
One document with the venue, what's included, and the house rules.
Who comes
Established groups who want a full weekend together for once. Solo players who want to find a table. Painters who want two uninterrupted days at the bench. Anyone who has said "we should really play more" and meant it.
Gaming weekend questions
What can we play?
Anything that fits on a table. Warhammer, Magic, D&D, Pathfinder, board games, whatever the group brings.
Is there a minimum number of people?
Yes. A retreat books at five. Get five people together, pick a weekend, and it's on.
What does a weekend cost?
Every weekend is priced for the group. Headcount, the venue, and what the room needs all move the number, so the quote comes after a quick conversation and lands in the proposal.
Do you provide tables and terrain?
Nikki sets up the tables and whatever the group needs for its game, as listed in the proposal. Bring the terrain the campaign depends on and say so up front, so the room is ready for it.
Is there a painting station?
If the group wants one, it goes in the proposal: light, water, and drying space. Bring the paints and the army.
Can a game stay set up overnight?
Depends on the venue, and most will let a table sit. Say it matters and Nikki picks a place where the game can stay up until breakfast.
What about food during a long game?
Snacks and drinks are stocked so nobody has to leave the table. Catering works like the venue: arranged for that weekend, timed around the game, and spelled out in the proposal.
Do we sleep there?
Depends on the venue. Some retreats are at a house with beds for everyone. Some are at a workspace with lodging nearby. The proposal says which.
What are the house rules?
Every venue has its own. Check-in, quiet hours, parking, pets, all of it comes from the property and gets passed along in the proposal so nothing is a surprise.
What if someone has to cancel?
Once a weekend is booked, it's booked. There are no refunds, so get the five confirmed before booking.