Author: JP Dean

Presented by Count Gregula’s Crypt

Count Gregula’s Crypt presents Grave of the Vampire (1972), an American vampire film directed by John Hayes, and starring William Smith, Michael Pataki, and Lyn Peters.

Based on the novel The Still Life by David Chase, the film’s plot follows a vampire who sexually assaults a living woman, resulting in the birth of a child who feeds only on blood!

Count Gregula’s Crypt (#TeamGregula) is a major entertainment entity, press outlet, and horror brand. Founder Count Bela Gregula started the franchise in 1998, and it has been running strong for over 25 years and COUNTing. Insert evil laughter here. Bwahaha!!!

The brand became a TV horror host show also called “Count Gregula’s Crypt” that was seen on various cable channels and online outlets from 2005 to 2011. From 2014 to 2015, Count Sam Gregula was a recurring guest with Chicago radio personality Erich “Mancow” Muller. First appearing in 2014 during the “MANCOW!” show on My50 Chicago and then in 2015 during the “Mancow Morning Show” on The Loop 97.9 FM – Chicago’s Classic Rock Station. Most importantly, Count Gregula’s Crypt was well known during a 10 year span from 2012 to 2022 as an entertainment blog on ChicagoNow that was part of the Chicago Tribune Media Group.

Their current entertainment blog is linked to Count Gregula’s main site (www.Count-Gregula.com). Official Crypt Crew for 2025 includes Count Sam Gregula, Countess Lily Gregula, Deadly Dex, and Robert Dicke. New material added on a regular basis.

For more info about Count Gregula’s Crypt, visit their website at: https://count-gregula.com/count-gregulas-crypt/

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• Games Master: Father Henry Astur & Arachne
• Gaming System: Mothership
• Players: 2-6
• Duration: 3 hours
• Sign Up at the main Registration Desk in the Atrium Lobby

During a routine cargo delivery to a remote station, your aethership crew learns that one of the workers has disappeared. No blood, no body, no records of anyone leaving. Just gone. And that’s not the only mystery either, What’s at the heart of this asteroid in the aether? What do the weird events around the base have to do with it? Who, if anyone can be trusted? And can your crew make it out alive?

Dice, writing implements, and character sheets will be provided.

Kody Raslawski has been running games for a little over ten years now. With a preference for science fiction and horror, he loves bringing stories and worlds to life with his players. He looks forward to working with all the players at the Exposition to create a welcoming and entertaining table to share.

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PRESENTED BY: Wild Snowman’s Workshop LLC

An interactive storytelling experiences in an immersive environment. Experience a fully dressed, animated set as well as a gift shop with handmade art.

The Moonlit Fireplace Experience

• A one-of-a-kind fantasy/science-fiction story with a timed interactive logic puzzle
• Just under 10 minutes duration at $10 per group’s attempt.
• Handmade animated fireplace (contains no real fire or smoke)
• Contained within a 8’x8’x12′ tent
• For all ages

Located near the Main Stage in the North Exhibitors Hallway.

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• Games Master: Hoss Brock
• Gaming System: Dungeons & Dragons 5e
• Players: 4 – 6 
• Gaming Time: 3 hours
• Sign Up at the main Registration Desk in the Atrium Lobby

Classic D&D with steampunk and Gothic horror twists.

Your team of adventurers has been hired to investigate reports of walking corpses plaguing a nearby hamlet. Follow the evidence of grave robbery and foul play to discover the source of the terror. Step through an eldritch portal to the realm of the powerful wizard who has harnessed the power of fire, steel, and steam to bring his unholy creations to life!

Can you stop this mysterious madman before he disrupts the fabric of life and death . . . and time itself?

Game Master Hoss Brock began GM-ing online during the pandemic, and when in-person gameplay resumed he brought his love of building and crafting to the table. He seeks to provide players an immersive experience through character voicing, visual supplements, and handcrafted props and terrain. While especially passionate about introducing new players to TTRPG’s, seasoned gamers also enjoy his detailed style.

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• Games Master: Jodie Starks
• Gaming System: Dungeons & Dragons 5e
• Players: 2 – 6 
• Gaming Time: 3 hours
• Sign Up at the main Registration Desk in the Atrium Lobby

The world is being re-taken by nature called the “Creeping Ruin.” These vines choke out anything artificial…and it’s spreading. Some are fighting back, living in train-cities. The choking vines avoid these cities as long as they keep moving, however, Meltwater is dangerously close to running out of fuel. They are relying on you to search out the fuel and return before the train comes to a stop.

Meet Jodie Starks, a traveling bard with a real passion of enjoying time with friends and family (a performance really isn’t as much fun by yourself). She remembers the first time she was invited to play D&D, 2nd edition. Her entire family sat around the table and helped her role up her first character: a male, elven fighter with a wolf companion (some of you will know her inspiration for that). From there, she was hooked! After that, she ran games for family off and on for a while.

For the last seven years, she has ran D&D games weekly. In her free times, she runs one-shots for others. Although D&D is her system of choice, she is familiar with several (and have even run games in Pathfinder and 2d20). She enjoys sharing her passion with others and love to see new players get hooked. This last year she has become the GM for the YouTube stream, Dungeons & Dad Jokes.

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Presented by Jessica Lucci

Discover the amazing life of Chicago activist Jane Addams in fiction and fact.

Jessica Lucci is a poet, steampunk, and historical fiction author who writes about modern issues while maintaining historic integrity. Her book, “Triangle House,” offers a fictionalized version of the greater of Chicago’s Hull House and its valiant creator, Jane Addams.

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Presented by Lucretia Strange

The Totally Complete and Unabridged History of England will take you through 2000 years of history, from cold and damp frontier to cold and damp superpower. See how England’s physical separation from the rest of Europe has influenced its unique development.

Topics include: Another Brick in Hadrian’s Wall, The Century That Vanished, Blame the French, and Victorians Ruin Everything.

Just to make sure I don’t forget anything, we’ll be going century by century, which gives me a comfortable two minutes for each.

Cassie Beyer (aka Lucretia Strange) has an MA in History, with a focus on Medieval England. She has lectured at the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay for several years, primarily on Western Civilization.

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