Mysterium 2002

Mysterium 2002

Mysterium 2002 was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 19-21. It was the third Mysterium and was planned by five fans and one Cyantist. The planning committee consisted of Tina Buck, Michelle Ehr, Laura Gonzalez, Susan McGaw, Ryan Warzecha, and Richard A. Watson.

Friday people arrived all throughout the day. They were encouraged to explore the historic district of Philadelphia in groups, and especially to take advantage of the opportunity to view the Liberty Bell. People began gathering in the meeting room at 3:00pm and generally getting to know each other. Each attendee was encouraged to sign into a guest registry and collect some small souvenirs. A few Tshirts and EDGE discs were made available for purchase. A last minute change in the itinerary had necessitated that all contests and fan presentations be held on Friday night after supper, and so it was done. Although presentations were slated to be first on the agenda, two of the presenters were significantly late, and the contests began until they got there.

Contests:

Writing:

Craft:
Costume:

Singing:

Best Poem: Tanika
Best Story: sepdet
T'rehsah won for her Channelwood masks
1st: Erithan
2nd: Rebecca
Best: sepdet, M'lah, Tanika
Worst: lonelyto25

Presentations:

Spetsnaz:
DPWR:
Myst Journal:
Writing Project:

lonelyto25 and Alahmnat
Alahmnat
sepdet
SR388 and Alahmnat

Saturday morning everyone went to the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology for a tour given by sepdet, followed by time to wander at leisure until lunch. The afternoon found most Mysterium attendees at the Franklin Institute Science Museum, where there were a great number of hands-on displays that people could manipulate! But the real highlight of the gathering was Saturday night, when there was a surprise demonstration of CyanWorlds' new upcoming game, codenamed Myst Online. The demonstration was given by IMForeman, who led us around Bevin and met up with Rand Miller and Richard Watson in-game. We explored the Garden Age and had a voice Q&A in game with Rand and Rich for some time. Afterward, we played Ahyoheek (a game within Myst Online), which was a two-way tie between Rich and IMForeman. After much laughing, cheering, and applause, there were some closing comments, including Rand's invitation to hold Mysterium 2003 in Spokane, Washington. The invitation was accepted. The Cyantists danced for us before they linked out, and the demonstration ended. There was a short time during which IMForeman allowed his computer to sign into Cyan Chat and say hello to the unMysterium crowd, then a random giveaway of some of the best items donated to Mysterium. Everyone went back to the hotel, and a number of people went to Scraper's hotel room to purchase EDGE discs, give autographs, and generally visit and enjoy each others' company. Just after 3:00am, the gathering broke, and everyone went to bed.

Sunday was very relaxed, and a few of the remaining fans went out for a game of EDGE (disc golf). There were a few contests.

Farthest (land):
Farthest (stop):
Straightest:
Best Style:
"I was robbed!":

The Mysterious1's dad
Keeta (Christine)
Lord Hydronium
Kirsehn
Riven-chan and Salar each

Some people went to lunch or explored the art museum, before they went on their way. All in all, a good time was had by all. :)

You can find some of the Mysterium 2002 attendees' sites here.