Gladiators!

I finished my gladiator arena just in time for Spring Recruits. The gladiators are from 1/32 scale toy soldier set by Pegasus, and are really pretty accurate. The game was well received and folks liked playing the game. We had several bouts that played just like the histories suggest they would, so that was cool. The rules are called Morituri Te Salutant, and they are the best gladiator rules, IMHO, that I have seen to date. And bonus, players get to be the lions or tigers or bears, which I think is a ton of fun. Animals get to "Maul" and "Savage" the gladiators...

If you are in the KC area and would like to join in on the gladitorial fun, just pipe up in the comments.

Dummy me did not get any pics at the con, so here are a few we took tonight:

New Game! Need players!

I've been working really hard on Lily's pen and doghouse, in addition to an ongoing side-job (wall skim coat, trim paint, hardware switch out.) Most of the side job money goes to the Lily fund, but I did treat myself to this. It should be here in a couple weeks. Wanna play?

Game of Thrones play date

Looking at a date of Sunday, December 18th for a Game of Thrones game day. In the KC area and want to join the treacherous fun? Email wolvenwood@hotmail.com if you are interested.

EDIT: Still two chairs open for this one. There will be lemon cakes...

Game of Thrones is here!

Yep, I have the new Game of Thrones board game goodness all set up in front of me and it's one gorgeous production.

As far as gameplay goes, I would say it is on the same order of complexity and time requirement as Dune. So, not too bad once you've played a few rounds. It has the same f-your-buddy potential of Diplomacy, in that players pre-order their units and can support (or not) other player's actions. As there is no allowance for allied victory, as in Dune, treachery is almost guaranteed. Complications come in the form of supplying your armies, ship transport, and Wildling attacks. Combat is similar to that in Dune, in that no dice are rolled. The armies on the board and a hand of "House Cards" are used. As troops are hard to come by and to keep supplied, troop losses are low, but always of major consequence.

For Song of Ice and Fire geeks, this game reeks theme. Many of your favorite (or despised) characters make an appearance, as does the Iron Throne, a Valyrian sword, and a big ol' Raven. The houses players can lead are Baratheon, Greyjoy, Stark, Lannister (boo, hiss!), Tyrell and Martell (damn, those Sandsnakes are hot!)

For more info, go to the Fantasy Flight page for the game, or check it out on BoardGameGeek.

I am really hoping to get a game of this in before things get too holiday-crazy. It plays 3 to 6, but of course, I'd love to have a 6-player game right off the bat. As usual, KC area folks can note their interest in the comments.

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Mouse Guard RPG.

My lovely wife, the magnificent Spyder, gave me a wonderful 50th birthday present: the Mouse Guard Role Playing Game, Boxed Set. Yep, a pen-and-paper rpg based on a bunch of cute little mice. Except these mice have swords and axes and other edged and pointy weapons, and are sworn to their duty to protect their mousey civilization. There is great danger and great adventure, all in a patch of wilderness where humans never appear.

Based on the award-winning comics by David Petersen, the Mouse Guard rpg uses the Burning Wheel game system, and from what I've read so far, this is no D&D. For one, it is far simpler. For another, the emphasis is placed on challenging and testing the characters' beliefs and goals.

So, I am looking for folks who would like to be patrol leaders, or guards or even tenderpaws. Interested?

Rainmakers Shows

So my Dad, a rock connoisseur, is coming into town for Thanksgiving week. The Rainmakers are doing two shows Thanksgiving weekend at the Record Bar. This should be good.

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Sailing Away

So this might be my last trade for a while. I gave up "Dust":



which is basically Risk in an alternate WWII world, with some pretty hot chicks sprinkled among the artwork, for this:



Yeah, I know, but the boats and the board are kick-ass, and the rules do a good job of recreating America's Cup style races, as least like back in the old-school days before the new multi-hull monstrosities took over. (Damn you Larry Ellison!)

One good thing is that this will be a good two-player game, which I am kinda shy on.

So here's a few more pics of the Race the Wind. I should have it in a few weeks.