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Organizers Kellan Marshall, left and Roya Grinstead peek at Sir Pthomas, the official mascot of Ptarmicon before the first Ptarmicon in 2012. - NNSL file photo

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Ptarmicon, the North's premiere gaming and everything-related event, is back for an encore this year.

The organizers plan on more space because the DND gym used last year proved too small. A large number of people attended, celebrating all sorts of nerdiness.

Co-organizer Kellan Marshall estimated that at least 600 people showed up last year, doubling the number he expected.

Ptarmicon, led by Marshall-designed mascot Sir Pthomas, a ptarmigan outfitted like a knight - has a little bit of everything for everyone. Count on a bit of cos-play - dressing up like characters - to registering in gaming tournaments from Yugioh to Magic: The Gathering.

The gaming convention is scheduled for Oct. 19 at Sir John Franklin High School. Scheduled events include Nerd Trivia, Settlers of Catan, Halo and Super Smash Brothers video game tournaments, a cos-play competition, Magic, Yugioh and Netrunner tournaments, Dungeons & Dragons and Fiasco.

The newest addition, Fiasco, is a role-playing game using a handbook similar to Dungeons & Dragons, but without a dungeon, game-master, nor the hours of preparation.

There will also be some vendors and merchandise available, but exact details haven't been released yet, said Marshall.

"It still needs to be ironed out and confirmed before we start making announcements," he said.

Fundraising for the 2013 Ptarmicon has been ongoing all summer, with proceeds from the bi-weekly Game Knight held at the Peace Cafe going toward funding the convention.

Some of the events scheduled at Ptarmicon will be familiar for those who have been going to Game Knight, or for one of the 600 people who attended last year.

The next Game Knight is scheduled for Sept. 28 and runs from 6 p.m. until midnight.

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