Gen Con 2026 Trinket Trading Wrapup

Hey everyone,

Had a terrific time at Gen Con 2026 trinket trading. Check out the details at https://www.trinket-traders.com/

Attended 3 events (Wednesday evening, Friday morning and Sunday morning) plus searched out folk in the halls and hallways. Managed to trade all 200 mini-maps that I brought!

Some pictures of the event and trading.

1st - preparation - Heleen curated this year's selection of maps:

 

Then had them printed by a local shop (https://www.abbysprinting.com/) that did a terrific job:

 

My Gen Con messenger bag and badge holder with advertising:

 

Some snaps of trading events, 1st at the Stink Wednesday evening:

 

And in and about the convention:

 

Then the trinkets we received unsorted:

 

And somewhat sorted:

 

Had lots of fun and looking forward to 2027.

 

A Forgotten Realms Gazetteer: Estagund now available

 The first volume of our 2nd Forgotten Realms project is now available at the DMsGuild. We're turned our attention a bit east to the nation of Estagund, the southern portion of Durpar. Check it out (it is Pay What You Want) -- https://www.dmsguild.com/en/product/578398/a-forgotten-realms-gazetteer-estagund

 

Gen Con 2026 Trinket Trading Map 8: The Secret of Castle Battlehunter

The eastern wall of Castle Battlehunter ends above the waters of the Berendur Seas at a solitary tower. A copper bowl atop the center of a short stone pillar on the rooftop If a fire is lit in the bowl before the sun sets, a secret staircase manifests at midnight. The narrow stairs, lit by torches glowing with a red light matching the fire, lead down the sheer cliffs to the waters below. A wave washed dock provides an anchor point for Count Battlehunter’s smugglers to unload their shipments of arms and armor.

Count Tobias Battlehunter, 53, Human, is a smuggler of illicit arms. He is a big man with a broad chest and a chunky build.  His hair is jet black, and he wears it cropped short. Tobias’s eyes are hazel, and he winks frequently. He has a scar on his right hand from the first fight as a child. He wears black leather pants, a crimson shirt, and a dashing black hat. Tobias is a skilled fighter with two short swords. His favorite item is a book of poetry that his wife, Alice, gave him on their first anniversary.

    Tobias’s family owns Castle Battlehunter, and the Crown asked them to provide weapons for an ongoing war with a neighboring nation. Tobias saw this as a chance to get rich and stole enough weapons for both sides of the war. The deceit has been going on for two years, and nobody has noticed. The stairs and the red button are the way that the weapons make it to the castle. The castle has several hidden areas where Tobias stores the weapons.

    Tobias is married to Alice, 42, Human. She is a full partner in the smuggling operation and has expanded it to include small luxuries. Tobias and Alice make full use of the castle rooms and entertain frequently. Tobias belongs to the Society of the Ancient Mask, a secret society that explores the dark side of magic and faith. His best friend, Tomas Reder, 50, Human is the leader of the society and is planning a large job for the group to undertake.

Gen Con 2026 Trinket Trading Map 7: The Shrine of Solonor Thelandira

The deep Elven woods are a veritable maze of crisscrossing paths: underground, through the living earth, on the surface in and around the thick ground cover, and up in the air, arcing from trunk to trunk in the canopy overhead. Where the paths cover, one might find the sacred spaces, such as the Shrine of Solonor Thelandira. On a raised dais, a tall figure extends its wings about an ever-full pool of crystal clear water.

Zinrel Oakenshine, 232, Elf, is a scholar stationed at a shrine dedicated to Solonor Thelandira. She is tall and lanky, with long silver hair. Her lavender eyes twinkle as she laughs, and she has an endearing smile. Zinrel wears long blue skirts and bright green blouses. She is skilled with a bow and arrow and practices diligently every morning. She is a fletcher, and her favorite item is a chest where she keeps the feathers for her arrows. Her father, a renowned woodworker, made it especially for her. 

    Zinrel spends her days studying scrolls and documents of miracles and blessings from Solonor. It is part of her job to verify that these miracles actually occurred. She makes frequent trips to talk to people who have witnessed the blessings. Zinrel enjoys her work and deeply believes in Solonor. 

    Zinrel is unmarried but is currently looking after Agatha Silverspell, 12, Human. The child belonged to a friend of hers, Dory Silverspell, who passed away two years ago. There was no father in the picture, and Dory asked her to help. Zinrel and Agatha live in a treehouse near the shrine. When Zinrel travels, Agatha goes with her, and the two get along very well. Zinrel feels that the lessons they learn on their journeys are an excellent substitute for formal education.

Gen Con 2026 Trinket Trading Map 6: the Ivory Frog Campsite

The great grasslands stretch as far as the eye can see, dotted with small villages such as Talnu and Hanwi, connected by roads, trails, and paths winding back and forth. Given the distances between settlements, locals have made a living maintaining campsites for caravans of travelers. The Ivory Frog Campsite, so named for a local legendary amphibian, features fire pits, a nearby stream, small sheds for shelters, and a carefully grown row of trees serving as a windbreak against the great storms of late spring and early summer. 

Halwarith ‘Hal’, 42, Half-Elf, is a caretaker of the Ivory Frog Campsite. He is slightly taller than an average human and has a muscled body. His copper hair is short, and his left cheek has a burn mark on it from a long-ago forest fire. His gray eyes are deep-set, and his careful smile shows his concern over the campsite.  Hal wears leather pants and a dark green tunic. His heirloom daggers are kept in excellent shape by careful cleaning.  Hal wears a necklace of acorns, berries, and herbs that his three-year-old daughter made him last week.

Hal’s parents live near the Ivory Frog Campsite, and his family has always maintained it. The campsite is near two major roads that connect Talnu and Hanwi, two major villages. Hal looks after the campsite in the evenings, but during the day, he hunts various animals on the Prairie. He skins those animals and creates cloaks, which he sells to campsite visitors. His wife makes a delicious stew from the animals' meat, which is available for a few coins at meal times.

Hal lives with his wife, Hannah, 37, Human in a small cottage near the Ivory Frog Campsite. They have two children, Zinhana, 3, and Craxian, 18 months. Hal makes trips to Talnu for supplies twice a month and always brings back presents for the family. Hal’s best friend is Sarfir Rainshadow, 103, Elf, who lives in Talnu. When Hal visits, the two enjoy playing board games and drinking Lemony Mead, a special drink offered at the Two Diamonds Inn.

Gen Con 2026 Trinket Trading Map 5: The Grand Meteorite Site Mine

Several months ago, a bright green flash lit up the night skies over the mountain town of Volhi. Seconds later, there was a great thunderclap, and the buildings shook for a moment. The next day, a local shepherd reported a stretch of flattened trees surrounding a clearing dotted with numerous newly formed craters in the ground. Not knowing any better, the locals guessed a meteorite had landed. Those with little to do flocked to the site and started digging. The newly arrived mining company, which claimed to have bought the mining rights from the Crown. As long as Volhi and the locals find Poplum, everyone will prosper.

Malina Lonecrest, 24, Human, is a miner at The Grand Meteorite Site Mine just outside of the town of Volhi. She has an average height and build and is considerate and motivated. She wears her black hair in a ponytail and has jade-green eyes. She wears comfortable leather pants and blue shirts to work in the mine. When she goes back to town, she changes to a patterned skirt and plain white blouse to go out with her friends. Malina is skilled with an axe and is part of the local militia. Her favorite item is a small yellow crocheted blanket from when she was little.

    Malina was one of the first miners to work on the spot where the meteorite fell. The company that received the mining rights hired many local miners, and the job appealed to Malina. The meteorite consists of many metals, like silver, copper, and tin. There is also a rare metal, Poplum, found only in this meteorite. Items forged with Poplum are extra strong and resilient. 

Malina lives with her parents, Adon, 55, Human, and Lacee, 47, Human, in Lonecrest. They all live in a cottage in town, and many friends and family live nearby.  Malina is dating Maverick Plainshade, 27, Human who owns a farm just outside of Volhi. They have been dating for three months, and things are going well. Malina’s best friend is Zaida Titanbash, 23, Human, and works in the mine as an assistant to the owner, Levin Marbleblaze, 60, Human. Malina and Zaida love to dance and spend Friday and Saturday evenings at the local pub, The Royal Canary.

Gen Con 2026 Trinket Trading Map 4: The Pool of Sparkling Rocks within Westdwell Forest

The pristine snowmelt that flows downhill northward from the Southwall Mountains gave rise to the dense foliage of the Westdwell Forest eons ago. Slow erosion of the great peaks unearthed veins of magical rocks and carried imbued stones along slopes and down waterfalls, where they collected in mystical pools. Surrounded by dense foliage, cultivated by locals to conceal the waters, the pools are sacred and special to the forest's inhabitants.

Jaka Oakenstare, 35, Centaur, is a guardian of the Westdwell Forest and the Pool of Sparking Rocks within. He is tall, a little over 7 feet, and has dark brown hindquarters. He has a large tattoo of a bow and arrow on his chest. Both ears have silver earrings that have tiny chains connecting them to other earrings. Jaka has a dark goatee and uses some local tree sap to keep it pointy. He fights with a magical bow that uses regular arrows. Jaka wears a leather vest while out patrolling. His mother gave him a small wooden apple that she carved for him when he was a child. 

    Jaka patrols the western side of the Westdwell Forest during the beginning of the week and the eastern part, the rest of the time. He knows everyone who lives nearby, and he especially enjoys talking with children. Jaka and his tribe protect the Pool of Sparkling Rocks because the rocks are magical. Many intruders have tried to steal the rocks over the years, but only a few have succeeded. 

    Jaka is engaged to Vazhen Fogwhisperer, 30, Centaur. Vazhen is a Druid who specializes in making potions from the herbs that grow in the forest. They are scheduled to be married this fall and want to start a family right away. Jaka has constructed an area for them to live in. His best friend is Tezig Yewdrinker.