the Man Cave

Blood Bowl Australian National Championships

2012-01-31T15:24:00.004+11:00

The Man Cave experience of them anyway...

One of the many events at CANCON is the Australian National Blood Bowl Championships and this year saw 57 coaches enter. It is progression tournament, starting with 1.0 million gp, playing 7 games over the 3 days and chosen MVP after each match.

The Tourney in Progress (Right Stuff in lower right foreground, obscured)

Of course, I couldn't enter because we were committed to running our Dark Ages participation game (more to follow on that later). A few days before hand I got an email inviting me to sit in for a few games so there would be an even number of coaches (and thus nobody would miss out on a game). Right Stuff was dead keen and took along his new Norse team (in this case named "Thor's Thunderers") for his first ever tournament - indeed his first game of Blood Bowl against anyone but me. To be honest I was a bit concerned he would be utterly crushed (noting he was at least ten years younger than the next youngest player, and much then that for the majority of coaches) That didn't turn out to be the case...

Game 1 vs Matt's Team Carnage (Orcs)
The Lad's face was a picture of concentration as he setup to kick, and he couldn't have had a friendlier opponent then Matt who had a very mentoring approach, offering advise upfront. That naturally started to dry up after Reilly blocked down his ball carrier, snatched up the ball and dodged away to scored the first TD of the game. Great I thought, at least he wont get smashed without scoring.

Right Stuff's first TD of the Tourney

Right Stuff went on to hold off the Orc grind for the rest of the half, received in the second half and went on to score again! Matt squeaked a TD in in the last turn of the game to make it 2:1 TDs and 1:0 casualties to Right Stuff. A Win to the Lad! Wow I thought, at least he wont be going home having lost all his games...

Winner are Grinners!

Game 2 vs Darren's Blu Funda (Orcs)
This game started as a replay of game 1, with Right Stuff up 1 nil at half time. He got ground away more during the second half though, with his opponent scoring late in the match to tie it up 1 all. Right Stuff won the casualty battle 2 nil (no deaths).

The look says it all as he fumbles a catch next to the end zone! (he scored next turn though)

Game 3 vs Linda's Lady Dwarves (Dwarves)
Hmmm...Dwarves are a difficult for Norse as they do everything the Norse do, but better and tougher. OK, a loss coming up I though but going home with a 1-1-1 record is a great feat! He kicked off to the Dwarves, rode out their grind, dove on the ball when the opportunity presented itself and was off like a shot. Outpacing the stunties and out of rerolls he played it safe and didn't go for it, stopping 1 square short of the end zone when he ran out of MV. Cue Dwarf lightning bolt - ouch! Nil all at half time.

The second half saw Right Stuff receive, get messed up in a scrum around the midline, then manage to dodge out with the ball and shoot through to score. The last few turns were insufficient for the Dwarves to score and Right Stuff pulled off his second win of the day! He also inflicted an unbelievable 5 casualties to 2, with each team suffering a death.

Game 4 vs Cody's Barak-Var Sea Dragons (Dwarves)
So Right Stuff started Day 2 with a remarkable 2-1-0 record. He was up against another Dwarf team, but had less trouble with this one, winning 2 nil and inflicting 2 casualties, receiving one himself. It started off the same as the first two games 1-0 to him at half time and 1 casualtie each. then in the second half Right Stuff scored again quickly and just tried to kill dwarves the rest of the half (he wasn't lucky enough to kill a dwarf but casualized a Runner).

Yes, the helmet did bring him Thors' blessings...and 5 casualties!

3 wins! I just couldn't believe it!

Game 5 vs Leigh's 'Sinned Bad' (Undead)
For this game Right stuff moved up to table 4 - which meant he was placed 7th or 8th at the time and starting to get some very serious opponents. Leigh killed one of the Norse Lineman in the first turn, and rubbed salt into the wound by bringing him back as a Zombie. This really threw Right Stuff and he went after the 'traitor' with a vengeance - charting him twice (he regenerated after the first time). Headhunting aside, the Undead ground away the first half to be up 1 nil, then Right stuff struck back to tie it up with only a few turns left. Leigh pulled off some great combo moves to score in the last turn of the second half and take the win 2:1, while the cas score was 4:3 in the Undead's favour and with 1 death apiece.

At this point one of the other coaches had to pull out of the tourney and thus Right Stuff wasn't needed as a sub anymore. He was disappointed over retiring after 5 of the 7 games but his match record was something to really be proud of (I would have been stoked if it was me!) and we bought some Tourney swag to celebrate. Overall he recorded:

3 Wins, 1 Draw, 1 Loss
TDs For: 7, TDs Against: 4
Casualties: 14 for (incl 1 death), 6 against (2 deaths)

Other highlights of the tourney for us included:

a very cool Cthulhu inspired Beast of Nurgle

Meeting Paul Deacon, who has been interviewed on a few 3DB podcast episodes. Here is a picture of his Beast of Nurgle "Jervais Johanssen" (just for you Chance).

Paul informed us that the beast's nipple chains double up as his tentacles!

This awesome Chaos Dwarf team, all converted from plastic beastmen, and which won the Conversion Prize

Watching a Halfling coach send a Yeti corwsurfing with one of his little fellows, and follow-up in a later game with an uphill 3 die block on a Troll and charting him!

...and Leigh (from Game 5) showing up on Day 3 with a new zombie fig named Reilly, including a Norse helmet on the base!

Overall Results for the Nationals were:
Champion- Iain Fisher (High Elf)
Runner Up- Bradley Milner (Norse)
Third - Anthony Williams (Undead)

I would like to most sincerely thank Gavan the Tourney organiser for giving Right Stuff the opportunity, his opponents for being such great sports, and for everyone there who generated an incredibly friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

CANCON Eye Candy

2012-01-30T10:48:00.004+11:00

Here are some of what I thought were the best looking games on display around CANCON 2012:

The very impressive Alamo participation game

6 March 1836 was a bad day for the Texan Rebels...but a fun game nevertheless!

The also impressive Battle of Borodino

English Civil War participation game

A massive FoW urban sprawl table

Another FoW table, the airfield looked great

I must say that of all the tables, none beat the Infinity setups for detail.

GW's EPIC: great game you don't see much anymore

Lots of traders were too as you can imagine, and it was great to catch up with Nic from Eureka Miniatures, Mike from Battlefield Accessories, and Glynn from Fernvale Scenics

I'll make separate posts for our own Dark Ages participation games and the Blood Bowl tourney shortly.
Thanks to everyone who had put in such a big effort to make CANCON a very enjoyable event!

A Feast of Fun!

2012-01-29T17:05:00.001+11:00

I make no apology of being too busy having fun to have posted much in the past few days, during which we:

- had a very special Australia Day and appropriate celebrations,
- enjoyed four days at CANCON,
- played a stack of games, including a mini Pulp campaign,
- watched Right Stuff complete in the Australian National Blood Bowl Championships...and do very well!,
- ran a day of Dark Ages participation games,
- purchased an unmentionable number of awesome gaming things (receipts have been destroyed ...), and
- ate a shed load of food and consumed an un-numbered quantity of beers and other beverages!

Lots of pics and game reports to follow, but yes its been an awesome 5 days!

Happy Australia Day

2012-01-26T21:41:00.000+11:00

I hope my fellow Aussies had a great one - I know I did!

Its gonna be a BIG week...

2012-01-26T08:48:00.000+11:00

Lots going on in the Man Cave this week, so updates are likely to be sparse for the next few days...

First of all the basing is going well - 110 figs done, 30 to go. Plus some terrain.. And some scenery. But I think I'm on track to make it for CANCON.

Our mates Pete and Ken arrived from Melbourne today and Comrade James from Adelaide in Thursday, ready for CANCON which will be Fri-Sun. We are running our Dark Ages participation game on Saturday, and the rest of the time is for us to play and have fun. Part of that will be the "Man Cave Bowl" a Blood Bowl 7s tournament on our homemade board. Lots of gaming fun to be had - already enjoyed some Zombies!!! Cthulhu Dice and Poo! (and maybe some beer,,,) in the Man Cave.

Plus Australia Day celebrations and a trip to the Australian War memorial. Let the good times roll :-)

Dinoshark

2012-01-25T08:00:00.002+11:00

Every bit as cheesy as you might fear, but not as bad as Megashark vs Giant Octopus! The dialogue was rather painful but the last 30 mins saw some great scenes and a wonderfully high bodycount. Cheer as Dinoshark goes for guys on parasails and jetskis, tears through a girls water polo match and takes a general dislike to anything over, on or in the water. Actually, just watch the trailer below and you've seen most of the best bits.

300 Followers!

2012-01-24T07:41:00.001+11:00

WoW! Just...wow. Thanks very much indeed!

Training Your Opponent

2012-01-23T07:25:00.001+11:00

My copy of Wargames Illustrated 291 arrived today, which has my article "How to Train Your Opponent" at the back. I was chuffed to see how well it came out. Thanks for all the positive feedback, I'm pleased it came across as an interesting and different piece rather than just gamer Dad propaganda! Featured in the pics are not only the Lad but me, and fellow Man Cave Gamers Comrade James and Oberst Owen.
http://www.wargamesillustrated.net/Default.aspx?tabid=221&art_id=3083

I also really enjoyed the Kelly's Heroes article- particularly and the Lad and I had just watched the movie on the Man Cave TV the day before!

Iron Siege

2012-01-22T08:23:00.002+11:00

I'm not one for comics, graphic novels or suchlike, but I came across this the other day and really enjoyed it.
All I'm going to say is GIs, Nazis and Gouls...
http://www.comicvine.com/iron-siege/49-37473/

More Blood Bowly Goodness: Odinn's Champions

2012-01-20T18:54:00.003+11:00

Hey all, Right Stuff Again. Remember that post about the cake for my Birthday? Well here's what I got present wise: an epic Norse Team AND a Slann Team!

Odinn's Champions

Like last time I will do the roster then games(there's only one so far) and then pictures.

First of all here's the Norse roster:

Angry Agnarr - Yhetee 5 5 1 9 Mighty Blow,Wild Animal Claws,Frenzy,Block

Sven Forkbeard - Blitzer 6 3 3 8 Frenzy,Jump Up Block

Hafstein - Blitzer 6 3 3 8 Frenzy,Jump Up Block,Guard

Fafnir Bearclaw- Catcher 7 3 3 7 Block,Dauntless,Dodge

Gizar Greyclaw- Catcher 7 3 3 7 Block,Dauntless,Fend

Hagbard the Hairy - Thrower 6 3 3 7 Block,Pass,Sure Hands

Redver - Lineman 6 3 3 7 Block

Sigard the Paranoid Viking - Lineman 6 3 3 7 Block

Dag the Dangerous - Lineman 6 3 3 7 Block

Vikur - Lineman 6 3 3 7 Block

Orm - Lineman 6 3 3 7 Block

Norse Werewolves(Being Saved up for):

Hagbard the Hairy

Angrin the Agitated

Norse Game 1 Result

Against:Cheese Eating Surrender Monkeys(Undead)

Score: Norse : 2 Undead : 2

Casualties: Norse : 1 Undead : 2

Blitzers

The Catchers

The Throwers

Linemen

Odinn's Champions
Yes, the Snow Troll is on loan from the Deathstars, but we have a new one coming for this team from Willy Miniatures

Some epic rune stone Turn and Re-Roll markers we made for this team

The whole was once again painted by our mate Ken (in the colours of the Minnesota Vikings) and based by us. It was the first time we have tried to do snow basing but I'm happy with the way it came out all patchy and frosty. I'll post some pics of the Slann when they are finished. Till next time, have fun Blood Bowling!

The Blob

2012-01-20T00:29:00.004+11:00

I got the kids back for those horrible Shark movies - the 1958 Steve McQueen version of course!
In the meantime 30 more Vikings were based, as well as a Blood Bowl team...

The opening music was a major highlight!

Dark Ages preps for Cancon

2012-01-19T00:14:00.004+11:00

You may recall that the Man Cave Gamers are running a Dark Ages participation game at CANCON. Of course moving house, Christmas, the Lad's birthday etc all got in the way of my preps but having just realised I have only a week to go, I'm now going full bore.

The majority of my Dark Ages figures

Mostly, its about basing the additional figures we will need, which Ken has already painted up. So I have to base about 20 figs per day to make it, as well as finishing off some terrain like the palisades and the church floor. I'm sure I can do it though!

Men (and two shield maidens) of the Vik - thirsting for action!

Defending hearth and home - the Saxons (minus 25 already on the workbench)

That is probably enough chaps to form some decent SAGA warbands too!

British Heavy Assault Tank: A39 Tortoise

2012-01-18T08:56:00.000+11:00

Commissioned mid war for maximum protection, deliberately sacrificing mobility and speed, this beast had no less than 17 designs. Massive tanks weren't just on the Eastern Front...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tortoise_heavy_assault_tank
http://chrisshillito.tripod.com/a39/a39txt.htm

And yes they have one at Bovington!

Stonehenge

2012-01-17T00:01:00.001+11:00

Very clever terrain piece, designed with storage in mind: it all fits together with magnets!
http://jnrpaintshop.blogspot.com/2011/05/stonehenge.html

Snow tutorial

2012-01-16T00:01:00.001+11:00

A really great article on building snow bases:
http://ultrawerke.blogspot.com/2009/06/snow-tutorial.html

Man Cave Brewery back in Action!

2012-01-15T12:19:00.000+11:00

Today I bottled the first brew fermented in the new Man Cave: a draught with lager style hopps, so should be a good, full bodied beer. I'll try to hold out for two weeks before I give it a taste!

Pingu's THE THING

2012-01-14T09:01:00.000+11:00

In the spirit of Zombie Penguins, here is Pingu's rendition of The Thing! Incidentally, this inspired me to watch the 2011 remake last night, not bad but I prefer the Kurt Russell version from 1982.
(

Happy Blood Bowl Birthday

2012-01-13T09:03:00.000+11:00

This week saw the Lad's 11th Birthday: he was rather delighted with his cake!

Just nasty!

2012-01-11T16:20:00.002+11:00

Looking for a horror/beast for pulp gaming, which can double up as a Blood Bowl "Beast of Nurgle'
Maybe this one! A "Son of Yog-Sothoth" from Tengu Models: its about 6inches high so it will tower over 28mm figures

http://www.tengumodels.co.uk/userimages/procart2.htm
Assembly Guide: http://migobrainsoup.blogspot.com/2010/10/son-of-yog-sothoth-assembly.html

You can check out one by Fran (aka The Angry Lurker) here:
http://theangrylurker.blogspot.com/2010/12/28mm-painted-tengu-models-son-of-yog.html
Matakishi's version: http://www.matakishi.com/unspeakablehorrors.htm
And others from the Lead Adventure Forum here:
http://www.lead-adventure.de/index.php?topic=24738.0

UPDATE: Yes, I caved in and ordered one...

Mega Shark vs Giant Octopus

2012-01-10T16:27:00.001+11:00

Sharktopus was classic, B grade cheezy fun, but this one was just an epic fail...

...and that is really saying something!

http://babbleon5.wordpress.com/2010/10/26/mega-shark-vs-giant-octopus/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1350498/

The Knights Who Say Ni!

2012-01-09T15:28:00.009+11:00

The Knights who say Ni, after smashing the Cerberus Slayers 3 nil!

Hi all its Right Stuff Again and I just wanted to tell you all about my new chaos team the Knights Who Say Ni! The first thing you should know is what is on my team roster, so here it its.

1.The Black Knight Chaos Warrior 5 4 3 9 Block

2.Silly English Kniggit Chaos Warrior 5 4 3 9 Pile On

3.Sir Not Appearing In This Film Chaos Warrior 5 4 3 9 Guard

4.Sir Smudgealot Chaos Warrior 5 4 3 9 Claw,Block

5.The Beast of Aaaaaaargh   Minotaur 5 5 2 9 Loner,Wild Animal,Horns,Frenzy,Mighty Blow,Thick Skull,Claw

6.Old Man from Scene 24 Beastman   6 3 3 8 Horns

7.Rodger the Shrubber Beastman   6 3 4 8 Horns, Ag Boost

8.Giant Wooden Badger Beastman  6 3 3 8 Horns, Frenzy

9.Zoot Beastman 6 3 3 8 Horns

10.Brother Maynard   Beastman  6 3 3 8 Horns

11.Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch Beastman 6 3 3 8 Horns

12.Tim the Enchanter Beastman  6 3 3 8 Horns, Extra Arm

13.Dingo   Beastman 6 3 3 8 Horns

Re-Rolls : 3       Fan Factor : 2 Team Value: 1,560,000

Now,after the roster we should look into the games which are quite brutal .

Game 1:
Against: The Cheese Eating Surrender Monkeys (Undead)
Score: Chaos - 1 Undead - 1
Casualties: Undead-1 Chaos - 1

Game 2:
Against: The Cerberus Slayers (Humans)
Score: Chaos -3 Human - 0
Casualties: Chaos - 5(2 deaths) Human - 0

Game 3:
Against: The Death Valley Dreadnaughts (Orc)
Score: Chaos - 3 Orc - 0
Casualties: Chaos - 4(1 death) Orc - 1

Game 4:
Against: The Death Valley Dreadnaughts (Orc)
Score: Chaos - 1 Orc - 2
Casualties: Chaos - 2 Orc - 0

The Knights Who Say Ni!
2W - 1D - 1L

Last but not least , drum roll please, drrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr da dum dshhh, THE PICTURES!!!
So here they are (click for bigger versions)

The Beast of Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh

The Chaos Warriors

Some of the Beastmen

Mutants

Lord Borak the Despoiler

Lewdgrip Whiparm

and the now retired Bilerot Vomitflesh

All minis by GW, painted by Ken, based by Dad and me.

Thanks to all and please tell me about any of your teams.
Till next time have fun Blood Bowling and my Nuffle be with you!

- Right Stuff Reilly

Sharktopus!

2012-01-09T00:01:00.004+11:00

The Lad chose tonight's viewing - the deliberately cheezy and dreadful flick Sharktopus!

Fun for all the family cheering for the beast and guessing which bimbo will be the next victim!

A half-shark, half-octopus creature created for the military, creates a whole lot of terror in Mexico while a scientist who helped created it tries to capture/kill it.

Horrornews.net said "Full of Kickassitude you can't go wrong with the cheesy goodness covered in awesome sauce that is Sharktopus!" Not sure if I'd go that far but it was a good laugh.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1619880/

A Very Blood Bowl Christmas

2012-01-08T00:01:00.003+11:00

Introducing The Lad for his first Blog Post,

under his new nickname: Right Stuff Reilly...

For Christmas I got some very Blood Bowl presents:

The Cyanide Blood Bowl game (the Dark Elves edition).

A Chaos Cup 2011 swag set full with dice, dugout and embroided badge.
Thanks to Tristan for getting these at Chaos Cup so my dad could give them to me.

Two sets of Orclahoma bowl dice (one set of each kind). Also thanks to Steve from Orclahoma Bowl for getting these epic dice to my Dad for extra excitement. Plus Tristan also got me a "World Cup Team USA" dice!

And best of all, a fully painted chaos team with 3 mutants, 3 stars (Lord Borak the Despoiler,Bilerot Vomitflesh and Lewdgrip Whiparm),4 Chaos Warriors,12 Beastmen and a Minotaur!

I have played a couple of games with my new team, The Knights who say Ni, and will post some close-up pics for you to see soon!

Deathvalley Dreadnoughts - Orc Blood Bowl team

2012-01-06T23:09:00.002+11:00

I finally finished basing my new Orc Team for Blood Bowl. You might recall that I already have one, the Deathstars, by those are the Lad's lads. So, a few months back, Igot hold of some of these nice figs from Black Scorpion Miniatures in a trade.

I wanted to go with a more sporting strip look, so they look a bit different and use the Jacksonville Jaguars colours:

I like the bearskin on these guys

I like the Gremlin appearance of this guy

A wonderfully sculpted Troll

The detail on the back is fantastic too

I started off with a different and unbalanced build: 4 Blitzers, 4 Black Orc Blockers, Troll, and a Gobbo. That has been somewhat challenging but also fun. 4 games in, they have only dropped one match but I'm sure the Lad will post about that shortly...

Yes, there is an extra Goblin fanatic - one can never have enough!

Painted by my talented mate Ken, and based your yours truly with excellent assistance from the Lad.

Vote with your feet!

2012-01-04T01:22:00.002+11:00

Voting is now going on at figoblogotheque, where you can nominate the best gaming blog for 2011. Get over there and give kudos to whoever you feel most warrants it!
http://figoblogotheque.blogspot.com/2012/01/meilleur-blog-de-lannee-best-blog-of.html

And my sincere thanks to those who have nominated my own humble blog, I'm humbled and chuffed!

Islands in 30 minutes

2012-01-03T12:39:00.000+11:00

A neat how-to for generic islands for naval terrain: useful for all sorts of games!
http://www.belloflostsouls.net/2011/12/hobby-islands-in-30-minutes.html

Spear Point 1943 Map Expansion

2012-01-02T09:30:00.007+11:00

About a year ago I discovered this nifty card based game of tactical World War 2 combat courtesy of Paul's blog posts. Since then I was excited to see that the developer planned on releasing a Map Expansion to the game which looks like it will greatly enhance the feel of the game and gameplay overall. The project is being funded through Kickstarter.com, and needs more supporters by 8th January 2012 to go ahead. There are a range of pledge sizes with varying extra goodies available for both US and international (like me) supporters.

So this is a shared plug from two gamers who would love to see this expansion published, and are putting the call out to our fellow Mancavers! Check out the link below for more details. Happy New Year!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cewargames/frontline-general-spearpoint-1943-map-expansion

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T00:01:00.002+11:00

The fallen warriors of 2011 are off to Valhalla. Welcome 2012, and pass the grog!

2011 Reflections

2011-12-31T09:40:00.010+11:00

Another year comes abruptly to an end (again without permission I might add) so what have we done with it? Actually, a great deal I can honestly say and even more than 2010, which can be summed up with “Dark Ages” and “Blood Bowl”.

For the former, it actually started off as a Bleaseworld inspired focus month in March, but them I amazed myself with my persistence to a single gaming genre for many months (this was, in fact, unprecedented), helped in no small way by my buddies who managed to get together every month and get a great Viking campaign going. I would also say that the encouragement from you all here at the blog also helped a great deal too!

In our sagas we invaded Saxony, defeated the Saxons, smashed the Saxons, slaughtered some trolls, rescued a Princess and had all sorts of merriment: lots of good fun grows from the shaft of an Danish Axe! (and ale horns too...). The Lad loved it too and the concept of character development was something he really got his teeth into.

The 'Deathstars'

Which is what he then did in spades from about mid year when he discovered Blood Bowl. Actually I was rather amazed at how quickly he has picked up this game, and its specific nuances. He got his first team, the Orc 'Deathstars' and has since tried coaching a number of other races. I have loved rediscovering this gem which I have played on and off (more off though sadly) since the late 1980s. I had fun with my old skaven team but also have been developing the Vampires, which has been an enjoyable challenge.

Orc star blitzer scores a TD at "Blocktober'

We have also expanded this genre to include listening to BB related podcasts when we travel, so thanks to Three Die Block for all the great ideas, advice and good laughs along the way. We also attended the 'Blocktober' tournament in Melbourne and met some great guys there who were very welcoming.

The Lad scores his first ever TD!

Event wise this year we had our Festival of the Boot, went to the Nunawading Wargames Association Open Day, played at Conquest 11, and had a nerdgasm at Supernova. Most importantly though, we got together with friends to play no less frequently than monthly and played twice with Owen at Western Wargames Association. Great times.

To cap off the year, in the week before Christmas the Man Cave was relocated almost a thousand kms Northwards – thanks for all the well wishes and yes it all went well with only a few gaming related casualties. I also just had an article being published in WargamesIllustratedIssue 291, with my thoughts on how to train an opponent, and featuring the Lad extensively as you might imagine.

So a good gaming year, well focused without too much divergence. Accordingly projects like Weird WW2 and VSF didn't get much (if any) attention, but it cant all be done.

2012 will have a different focus, though we will start off with the Man Cave Gamers' Viking Demo Game at Cancon on 28 January, which will be a first for us. For the next two years my job will see me travel away from home extensively and have minimal time for modelling. BB will be there on the weekends when I get home to the family, but I'll have a different gaming focus next year. Some seeds are currently germinating and I'm looking forward to seeing where they lead!

In any event, 2011 was a great year of gaming in the Man Cave. In fact, one of the best for a long, long time. Thank you indeed for all the support at the blog and wonderful comments and encouragement. The Lad and I wish you all the best for 2012 (unless the long predicted apocalypse occurs that is...) Now we are off to finish the last day of the year with a Blood Bowl grudge match of my Undead against the Lad's new Chaos Team (good one Santa!)

Moved in and Online!

2011-12-29T14:18:00.001+11:00

Moving into the new house (well back into our old house but you get the idea) four days before Christmas was always going to be a challenge, but its done and dusted now. And to top it off, today those magical 'connected" lights flicked to green on my wireless modem. Huzzah!

The move went well with relatively few breakages, though when it comes to modelling one is always particularly sensitive to any scratch. All repairable in any case - thanks for all the well wishes!

Santa brought some great gaming goodies this year - Christmas round-up to follow shortly!

Merry Viking Christmas

2011-12-24T08:56:00.000+11:00

I thought this one was appropriate after all the Dark Ages gaming we did in 2011!
From our Man Cave to yours, we wish you a safe and Merry Christmas.

Man Cave on the move...again!

2011-12-14T21:01:00.000+11:00

Yep, time for the biennial Man Cave relocation - this time back to Canberra.
I'll be offline for a bit, and praying that all my minis arrive safely!

Inspiring Urban terrain

2011-12-11T22:18:00.002+11:00

In preparing to relocate the Man Cave later this week I was committing an unwelcome neatness and chucking some bits and bobs. Like many of you, I have a bits box bigger than Pandora, and I have long planned some WW2 style urban ruins with lots of the bits.

I recently came across this in a bit of unsanctioned net surfing, and think it has some great inspiration for this style of modelling project. Note that Brian's work won an award for best themed table at a GW Games Day - and well deserved too in my humble opinion!

http://agentlemansones.blogspot.com/2011/08/heroes-of-armageddon-inspiration-1.html
http://agentlemansones.blogspot.com/2011/08/heroes-of-armageddon-inspiration-2.html

Back to the packing...

Both Down

2011-12-10T11:28:00.000+11:00

Just when you were getting over the demise of "Tackle Zone Radio", a new BB podcast appears in time for Christmas - thanks Santa!!!
http://bothdown.com/

Christmas Health and Safety.

2011-12-09T22:29:00.000+11:00

Before we get down to the happy business of singing Christmas Carols later in the month, the following are some things to consider from an Elfin Safety point of view:-

Jingle Bells.

Dashing through the snow, in a one horse open sleigh

O'er the fields we go laughing all the way

A risk assessment must be submitted before an open sleigh is considered safe for members of the public to travel on. The risk assessment must also consider whether it is appropriate to use only one horse for such a venture, particularly if passengers are of larger proportions. Please note, permission must be gained from landowners before entering their fields. To avoid offending those not participating in celebrations, we would request that laughter is moderate only and not loud enough to be considered a noise nuisance.

While Shepherds Watched.

While shepherds watched their flocks by night all seated on the ground,

The angel of the Lord came down and glory shone around

The union of Shepherd's has complained that it breaches health and safety regulations to insist that shepherds watch their flocks without appropriate seating arrangements being provided, therefore benches, stools and orthopaedic chairs are now available. Shepherds have also requested that due to the inclement weather conditions at this time of year that they should watch their flocks via cctv cameras from centrally heated shepherd observation huts.

Please note, the angel of the lord is reminded that before shining his / her glory all around she / he must ascertain that all shepherds have been issued with glasses capable of filtering out the harmful effects of UVA, UVB and Glory.

Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer

Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer had a very shiny nose.

And if you ever saw him, you would even say it glows.

You are advised that under the Equal Opportunities for All policy, it is inappropriate for persons to make comment with regard to the ruddiness of any part of Mr. R. Reindeer. Further to this, exclusion of Mr R Reindeer from the Reindeer Games will be considered discriminatory and disciplinary action will be taken against those found guilty of this offence. A full investigation will be implemented and sanctions - including suspension on full pay - will be considered whilst this investigation takes place.

We Three Kings.

We three kings of Orient are, bearing gifts we traverse afar.

Field and fountain, moor and mountain following yonder star

Whilst the gift of gold is still considered acceptable - as it may be redeemed at a later date through such organisations as 'cash for gold' etc, gifts of frankincense and myrrh are not appropriate due to the potential risk of oils and fragrances causing allergic reactions. A suggested gift alternative would be to make a donation to a worthy cause in the recipient’s name or perhaps give a gift voucher.

We would not advise that the traversing kings rely on navigation by stars in order to reach their destinations and suggest the use of RAC route finder or satellite navigation, which will provide the quickest route and advice regarding fuel consumption. Please note the camels carrying the three kings of Orient will require regular food and rest breaks. Facemasks for the three kings are also advisable due to the likelihood of dust from the camels hooves.

Away in a Manger.

Away in a Manger No Crib for a bed

That's enough ..... Quick .... call the Social Services.

NASA Telescope Confirms Alien Planet in Habitable Zone

2011-12-08T00:01:00.003+11:00

"The potentially habitable alien world, orbits a star very much like our own sun. The discovery brings scientists one step closer to finding a planet like our own — one which could conceivably harbor life, scientists said."
At least we know where the invading Bug horde will come from now!
http://www.space.com/13821-nasa-kepler-alien-planets-habitable-zone.html

Planet Kepler 22b - Lovely this time of year

EDIT: Maybe those dirty bugs are already here!!!
http://gizmodo.com/5865808/has-nasas-satellite-captured-an-unidentified-object-near-mercury

Another Christmas Joke

2011-12-07T00:01:00.000+11:00

Three country boys died on Christmas Eve and were met by Saint Peter at the pearly gates.

'In honour of this holy season' Saint Peter said, 'You must each possess something that symbolizes Christmas to get into heaven.'

The cowboy from Mudgee fumbled through his pockets and pulled out a lighter. He flicked it on. 'It represents a candle', he said.

'You may pass through the pearly gates' Saint Peter said.
The logger from Gunnedah reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of keys. He shook them and said, 'They're bells.'

Saint Peter said 'You may pass through the pearly gates'.

The old Narrabri farmer started searching desperately through his pockets and finally pulled out a pair of women's panties.

St. Peter looked at the man with a raised eyebrow and asked, 'And just what do those symbolize?'

The Cocky replied, 'These are Carols.'

Painting Zeds

2011-12-06T06:50:00.000+11:00

A great tutorial for painting up your Zombies - check it out at Anatoli's blog here:
http://anatolisgameroom.blogspot.com/2011/12/painting-zombies-tutorial.html

Military Wreckage

2011-12-05T16:50:00.001+11:00

Apart from just being cool pics in their own right, there are some great terrain/modelling ideas here!
http://flickrhivemind.net/User/balongaboy/Interesting

Bear Remover

2011-12-03T00:01:00.001+11:00

A man wakes up one morning to find a bear on his roof.

So he looks in the Yellow Pages and sure enough, there’s an ad for ”Bear Removers.”

He calls the number, and the bear remover says he’ll be over in 30 minutes. The bear remover arrives, and gets out of his van with a ladder, a baseball bat, a shotgun, a large cage and a mean old pit bull.

“What are you going to do?” the homeowner asks.

“I’m going to put this ladder up against the roof, and then I’m going to go up there and knock the bear off the roof with this baseball bat. When the bear falls off, the pit bull is trained to grab his testicles and not let go. The bear will then be subdued enough for me to put him in the cage.”

He hands the shotgun to the homeowner.

“What’s the shotgun for?” asks the homeowner.

“If the bear knocks me off the roof, shoot the dog.”

Call those medals?

2011-12-02T00:01:00.000+11:00

Even Comrade James doesn't have this many gongs!

Battle of Sunchon

2011-12-01T00:01:00.011+11:00

Today is the anniversary of the Battle of Sunchon, an air battle fought in 1951 near the city of Sunchon, North Korea. The Royal Australian Air Force's 77 Squadron (recently converted from P-51 Mustangs) was conducting a bomber escort mission with 12 Gloster Meteors when they were attacked by an estimated 40–50 Chinese MiG-15 jet fighters.

This was to be the RAAF's largest aerial engagement during the Korean War and Australian pilots performed admirably, despite their Meteors having inferior manoeuvrability to the Soviet-built MiGs. They managed to score the RAAF's first victories of the Korean War, losing three Meteors in the action with two pilots captured and one missing presumed killed. Accounts naturally vary, with the Australians claiming at least 10 MiGs splashed, but Chinese and North Korean sources stated it was only one. Two MiG kills were later confirmed. As a result of this action, 77 Squadron's Meteors were considered inadequate for aerial defence and re-roled to a ground attack role for the remainder of the war.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Sunchon_(air)

Kätzchen APC - Part 2

2011-11-30T04:54:00.001+11:00

I've been agitating for awhile for somebody to step up and make this vehicle in 28mm. After yesterday's entry here I made a glib post at the Lead Adventure Forum about anybody taking it up - to my delight Company B has just posted that:

Masters already done. Casting to begin in Dec.

Here it is next to a JTFM Halftrack. Joint JTFM and CompanyB model.

Excellent!
http://www.companyb.biz/

Kätzchen APC

2011-11-29T06:44:00.003+11:00

Gepanzerter Mannschaftstransportwagen Kätzchen (early designation) or Vollkettenaufklarer 38(t) Kätzchen
...a WW2 fully tracked APC for the Germans.

In late 1943 Heereswaffenamt WA Pruf 6 asked Auto Union to develop a light fully tracked reconnaissance vehicle capable of carrying 6-8 men in an open-topped superstructure. The vehicle was to be capable of speeds in excess of 50 km/hour, and was to be moderately armored. The prototypes were tested in the summer of 1944 and were well liked for both their layout and mobility. Problems were encountered with the gearbox and for this reason, and also because of the decision in Sept./ 1944 to limit all new constructions to 2 chassis types only. Namely the Auto-Union with Parts from the Panther or the CKD (Hetzer 38T).

It was eventually decided to just order a prototype from CKD in Prague, maker of the Hetzer 38(T) Panzerjager. The CKD prototype was actually built in 1944. It was wider than the Auto Union model and heavier, being much better armored. Its front plate was 50mm, sides 30mm and rear 20mm. It retained the general layout with the open top and the engine in the rear, but disposed with the kugelblende for the front MG, wich was instead mounted behind an armored shield as carried by the SdKfz.250 and 251 halftracks. A rear mount for another MG was also provided.


1/76 scale model, by Fine Cast Models

There are few models available in 15mm and 20mm, but none in 28mm yet (darn it...)

http://strangevehicles.greyfalcon.us/Katzchen.htm

http://mainly28s.com/odds/Katzchen.htm

Kugelblitz: Experimental AA Panzer

2011-11-28T19:17:00.004+11:00

Another of the 'proposed panzers' this was planned to rectify the deficiencies in other armoured AA defences, such as the Wirbelwind.

Instead of a quad 20mm configuration (which was found to be inadequate) this was the same PzIV chassis with an enclosed twin 30mm turret, each firing 450 rounds per minute. Some prototypes were completed and may have seen combat in the latter days of the war, but records are incomplete.

I think the rounded turret gives it a kind of early Warsaw Pact styled appearance

I'd like to find a turret in 28mm to slot onto an existing PzIV when needed, but that might be a big ask.
Found it in micro armour (1/300) scale though: http://www.navigatorminiatures.com/product.asp?P_ID=4992&strPageHistory=search&strKeywords=pz&numPageStartPosition=1&strSearchCriteria=any&PT_ID=752

and also in 15mm: http://www.peterpig.co.uk/german.htm

More on this vehicle here:

http://www.panzerworld.net/flakpanzeriv.html

http://www.achtungpanzer.com/kugel.htm#kugel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kugelblitz

An adventure into Strange Aeons

2011-11-27T21:17:00.005+11:00

We had a game day and BBQ in the Man Cave yesterday - the last before the Lad and I move interstate next month, which is a little sad after all the fun we have had here with old friends. Anyway, Pete has been wanting to try out his new Strange Aeons rules for ages so he brought over his stuff for a game.

The old Robinson house burned down 10 years ago. A few months ago, on the 10th anniversary of the fire, in which the Master of the house died, strange things started happening in the nearby cemetery and some locals had disappeared. We were dispatched to investigate...

This wonderful bit of terrain is the "Crypt of Cthulhu" from the Strange Aeons line

The Lad, Ken and I each ran a team of investigators- I took a Leader and 2 agents: Captain Archibald Haddock (twin .45 pistols), TinTin (Double Barreled shotgun) and Mrs Castafiori (with a Tommy gun!). The ever faithful dog Snowy accompanied them. The others had similar teams.

The teams creep forward toward the unknown...

when a creepy character rose up and summoned a horde of Zombies to attack us! We fought our way clear with vigor and gusto, chased by the Baron and some shambling hordes. Snowy leapt forward and with a ferocious le growl ripped out the horror's throat!

With the coast clear, we moved up to support the Lad's investigators who were under pressure from another zombie horde near the crypt. We ended up in close combat against these shamblers, but emerged without loss in the end.

As we reached the crypt Willy the Wight lept forth - unfortunately for him we were stout non-girly types who all passed our resilience tests and gunned him down without mercy...

...and then looted his crypt of the strange idols and scrolls, which we will take back to the Library for the researchers (including Professor Calculus) to decypher.

The well detailed interior of the crypt - complete with chained coffin!

Overall a fun set of rules with easy to pick up mechanics. The real strength seems to lie in the versatility of the rules and their use in running an ongoing campaign of investigators. That would be great fun!

T-28 Superheavy Tank

2011-11-26T17:31:00.001+11:00

Looks more like something from 40K!

Most liveable alien worlds ranked

2011-11-25T06:52:00.003+11:00

I think this is pretty cool:

Scientists have outlined which moons and planets are most likely to harbour extra-terrestrial life.

Among the most habitable alien worlds were Saturn's moon Titan and the exoplanet Gliese 581g - thought to reside some 20.5 light-years away in the constellation Libra.

The international team devised two rating systems to assess the probability of hosting alien life. They have published their results in the journal Astrobiology.

In their paper, the authors propose two different indices: an Earth Similarity Index (ESI) and a Planetary Habitability Index (PHI).

"The first question is whether Earth-like conditions can be found on other worlds, since we know empirically that those conditions could harbour life," said co-author Dr Dirk Schulze-Makuch from Washington State University, US.

"The second question is whether conditions exist on exoplanets that suggest the possibility of other forms of life, whether known to us or not."

As the name suggests, the ESI rates planets and moons on how Earth-like they are, taking into account such factors as size, density and distance from the parent star.

The PHI looks at a different set of factors, such as whether the world has a rocky or frozen surface, whether it has an atmosphere or a magnetic field.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15863549

A Journey 20,000 leagues under the Sea

2011-11-24T17:23:00.000+11:00

During our recent visit to Disneyland Paris I took a stack of pictures of the Nautilus attraction. If you would like to see what it would be like (in Disney's eyes) to live in a VSF submarine, then come to my other blog where I have posted the pics and descriptions. I thought it was pretty cool!
http://pauljamesog.blogspot.com/2011/11/les-mysteres-du-nautilus.html

Charge of the Ice Brigade

2011-11-23T14:02:00.000+11:00

These WW2 Aerosans are just fantastic! A specialised unit to be sure, but I can see some sort of Indiana Jones style action chase game on these across a Weird WW2 tabletop!
http://spodding.tabletopwargaming.com/?p=938

WWW2 Terrain bits

2011-11-21T19:57:00.001+11:00

Found these interesting tid-bits of terrain: timeless ruins and rubble, plus also some V1s with launching ramp!
http://toomuchmetal.blogspot.com/2011/10/secrets-of-third-reich-making-club_12.html

Northbowl '11- Game 3

2011-11-20T22:21:00.009+11:00

Time for another quick round of highlights of the Group North Northbowl Bloodbowl Resurretion Tournament. This week a special shout-out to Kaz's Mum, who is a regular follower of The Mancave ,especially as this week I played Kaz and her Vampire team :) As the two teams prepared to go onto the pitch (we were lucky enough to be playing in the Suut-Kase Stadium owned by the League Commissioner himself) the Dark ELves were drawn to a delicious smell from the Vampires dugout..and there, between the two teams was a Halfling chef, cooking up a storm! Unable to resist the temptation, my team gorged themselves foolishly on the delights the Halfling served up, and promptly lost a team reroll to the snickering Vampires (who had hired the Halfling for 300,000 gold for this express purpose...) After that little feast, we join the action shortly after kick off, as a round of Dark Elf blocking managed to punch a hole in the Vampire lines and free up my Blitzers and Star Player Hubris Rakarth to gang up on the luckless (and Thrall-less) Vampire in my half... Despite some rather judicious use of Hypnotic Gaze, my Blitzer was able to knock down the Vampire Ball carrier and run it in for the first TD...1-0 Dark Elves... But then the seductive power of the Vampires kicked in, as Kaz used her Vampires Hypnotic Gaze to paralysing effect, effectively neutralising all my defenders between the half way line and the Endzone...Touch Down Vampires.....1-1...... At Half-time, some of my more greedy players snuck over to the Halfling Chef's stall again and had themselves second helpings of his fare...once again sacrificing a Team Reroll to the Vampires. This time Kaz kicked off to me and I was set to put this one 2-1 ahead...after a clean pick up my Runner headed for the small gap the two blitzers had created in the Vampires line... The Runner made it all the way to 2 squares from the endzone when she was blitzed by a particularly aggressive and non-Twilight like Vampire, knocking the ball to within a square of the endzone..but fear not, Hubris Rakarth had followed the Runner down the pitch and was poised to blitz and recover the ball for an inevitable Touchdown.... ...except I hadn't counted on Hubris 'Little Thing' for girl Vampires...a Hypnotic Gaze was all it took to reduce the Dark Elf star blitzer to a drooling idiot and he totally ignored the ball for crucial seconds to allow the Vampires to scoop it up...luck was against Kaz however as the less agile Vampire tripped over as he tried to dodge out of another Dark Elves tackle Zone, spilling the ball behind a wall of thralls and Dark Elves.. Hubris regained his senses temporarily, only to be hynotised again by the same Vampire, as her Vampire lord boyfriend cam barreling across the field to blitz Hubris into the crowd..a jealous Vampire is a dangerous thing..... What folowed then was 6 turns of Hypno gazing ball carriers and potential tacklers,and Vampires who couldn't dodge to save themselves...the clock ran out and the final score was....1 all... Great game which kept going back and forth in the second half, amazing defence by Kaz and her Vampires, who held the ball within 1-2 squares of the Endzone for 6 turns straight despite many desperate attempts by the dark Elves to pick it up and score...and even poor heartless Hubris left the game a little heartbroken...... Slann next week....tune in then for a hopping good time! :)

Voyage à Paris

2011-11-17T05:54:00.001+11:00

10,000 kms was a bit of a hike for just five days. I really wanted to go for a bit longer and slip over to the UK for a bit, but it was a case of take it or leave it - so we took it and no regrets. Essentially, my wife had 2 of those days working, so me and the Lad went exploring this lovely city. Highlights included:

The Paris catacombs and its "Empire de la Morte" (http://www.ghostvillage.com/legends/2003/legends28_10042003.shtml)

The Pantheon, housing many famous Frenchies, including Voltaire, Jean of Arc and Madam Curee

The Rodin Museum with its famous works "The Thinker", "The Kiss" and the "Gates of Hell"
(http://www.musee-rodin.fr/)

The boys deep in thought...

At the Gates of Hell: SWMBO told us to knock louder...

The d'Orsay Museum with its fantastic impressionist artwork, and next door the Musee Legion d'honneur (http://www.musee-legiondhonneur.fr/00_koama/visu_lh/index.asp?sid=320&lid=2)

No trip to Paris is complete without visiting the Louvre:

and of course there was the other usual touristy stuff to do in Paris:

Meeting L'Emperor!

The Obelisk at Concorde

Observing Paris from the Eiffel Tower

He tried the frog's legs, but left the snails for me

Midnight snacks to beat the jet-lag!

Atop Arc de Triomphe

We also frequented the Army and Maritime Museums, but they were so good (and I took so many photos) that those will get their own posts in due course.

On a hobby front we did manage to find a GW store in Paris, but sadly they didn't carry any Blood Bowl stuff (the Lad was most disappointed). We had a good wander around though and bought some paint just to not leave empty handed!

Hard to read, but it sounds so much cooler in French!

And for our last day out we had fun at Paris Disneyland!

Overall, a great week away filled with great sights, good fun with the Lad and a ton (a metric tonne of course, being in France) of fatty, artery hardening cuisine! Yum!

British Prototype Tanks of WW2

2011-11-15T22:09:00.001+11:00

Funky tanks and big ideas weren't just restricted to the Germans (but who could turn down a Tiger III, really?) Anyway, the Brits had their own and creative tank designers too, some of which would look great on a Weird WW2 table.

Alecto Self Propelled Gun with a 95mm gun

The A4E10 Light Tank

TOG II Heavy Tank

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_armoured_fighting_vehicles_of_World_War_II#Prototypes

Musée de la Marine

2011-11-14T21:24:00.001+11:00

While in France I chanced a visit to the French National Maritime Museum, which was well worth the trip.

For those who may be interested I've posted some pics of the museum's highlights, including some great warship models, at my VSF blog here:

http://pauljamesog.blogspot.com/2011/10/tsarist-aquanefs.html

The French ironclad Trident

Northbowl '11 - Game 2 Highlights

2011-11-13T14:35:00.012+11:00

Game 2, and my Coromandel Nightmares were totally outclassed and outplayed by the Chaos Warriors, suffering a 4-2 defeat.... After winning the toss, I elected to kick off, figuring I had a better chance against the 4 St4 Ag3 warriors ,St5 Minotaur and the claw and horned Beastmen...sadly...I was wrong :) An opening in the Chaos defence.... EVENTUALLY leads to a TD for the Dark Elves.Chaos scored 2 in reply.... Highlights of the game included the attrocious casualty rate suffered by my team: at one stage, 4 players were Badly hurt and another 4 Knocked out, leaving only 4 players on the pitch. "Highlight??!!" you say...well yes, because it was at this stage that Hubris Rakarth managed to double dodge into 2 tackle zones, pick up the ball, and then dodge twice again out of a press of Beastmen, avoid a potentially devastating tackle by the Minotaur rolling Double Skulls on a blitz, and running it in for a 2-all equaliser... Hubris starts his run for the ball.... ...grabs it, dodges through 2 tacklezones and starts racing for the endzone.... ..the Minotaur tries to stop him.... ...and rolls double skulls...TD Hubris! Thats when it all went horribly wrong....half of my Knocked Out Dark Elves found that condition inifintely preferable to going back out to face the Minotaur again, and so I played the rest of the second half with only 7 players each drive...thats BloodBowl though, and I was glad to come away with only a 4-2 loss! Full kudos to John for his masterful player positioning and use of skills as he shut down every attempt to make a scoring drive, and avoided what was left of my defence each time... Now, if only I can beat those Vampires next game I'll crawl off the bottom of the league ladder!!

Le grand voyage

2011-11-12T19:20:00.001+11:00

The Man Cavers have returned home after a great trip to Paris. Many thanks for all your well wishes!
Lots of pics and stuff to come, but first to bed and a good sleep after the last 25hrs in transit. Zzzzzz

Je suis Australienne!

2011-11-05T00:01:00.000+11:00

The Man Cave is on tour for the next week - zipping across to the other side of the world to visit Mssr Bonaparte's old stomping ground: Paris!

SWMBO and The Lad will be accompanying me, with extra Husband points for it being our 16th wedding anniversary!

See you when we get back!

Come to Australia

2011-11-04T05:54:00.000+11:00

What If?

2011-11-03T05:52:00.002+11:00

What If?, edited by Robert Cowley

Another collection of alternate 'What if' scenarios (or as the dustcover says "a collection of counterfactual essays") this time across a range of timelines - from Antiquity to the Cold War.

I must admit that about half of them did not interest me too much, but some of those that did:

- The Persians win the naval battle of Salamis, 480BC

- The Romans win the battle of Teutoburg Forest, 9AD

- The Spanish Armada triumphs, 1588

- Napoleon wins at Waterloo, 1815

- Alternate American Civil War endings

- The Japanese trap the US Pacific Fleet at Midway, 1942

Overall, this book is similar in style to "If the Allies had fallen" in that it is broad but shallow coverage for each alternative and what could come afterwards, but I quite enjoyed those sections of interest to me.

See it at Amazon here

Operation Herkules

2011-11-02T06:07:00.000+11:00

Operation Herkules was the German plan to invade and occupy the fortress island of Malta. Originally planned for 1942, the operation was cancelled due to the competing requirements for resources in Russia and North Africa. But if it had been executed in September '41, prior to the British force build up in late '42, the situation could have been very different…

Source: Hitler: The Victory that Nearly Was, Bruce Quarrie, Chapter 1.

Scenario: The German campaign in the Balkans in support of the Italians has delayed the execution of Op Barbarossa sufficiently that Hitler has postponed that operation until Spring 1942. In the interim, the gains made in securing Crete and Greece will be followed up by seizing Malta. This would secure the Eastern Mediterranean, bolster the faltering supply lines to the Afrika Korps and keep the British off balance in that theatre. Having learned some lessons from Op Mercury (the invasion of Crete), the Axis plan is a more robust combined arms operation.

Axis Forces

Naval Forces

Vichy French Battlegroup: Battleship Richelieu (skeleton crew) and 9 Destroyers – diversionary role from Toulon

Italian Task Group: Light Cruisers Luigi Cadorna and Giuseppe Garibaldi, and 8 Destroyers

Italian Troop Transports (converted Liners) – Marco Polo, Victoria, Esperia

Assorted flotilla of landing barges and MFPs etc - recycled from Operation Sealion

Ground Forces (assembly area in Sicily)

Commander, General Kurt Student
First Wave: 7th Flieger Division, Generalmajor Richard Heidrich: Airborne insertion from Palermo

Fallschirmjager Regiment 1(FJR 1), Oberst Bruno Bruer

1/FJR 1, Major Erich Walther

2/FJR 1, Major Harry Hermann

3/FJR 1, Major Karl Shulz

Fallschirmjager Regiment 1(FJR 2), Oberst Alfred Sturm

1/FJR 2, Major Hans Kroh

2/FJR 2, Major Erich Pietzonka

3/FJR 2, Major Josef Barmetler

Fallschirmjager Regiment 3(FJR 3), Oberst Ludwig Heilmann

1/FJR 3, Major Freiherr von der Heydte

2/FJR 3, Major Karl Becker

3/FJR 3, Major Hans Lehmann

Second Wave: 5th Gebirgsjager Division, General Julius ‘Papa’ Ringel

85th Infantry Regiment – to be airlanded by Ju 52s at Ta’Qali

100th Infantry regiment– to be airlanded by Ju 52s at Luqa

95th Artillery Regiment – seaborne insertion

Motorcyle Battalion – seaborne insertion

Pioneer Battalion – seaborne insertion

Anti tank Battalion – seaborne insertion

Reconnaissance Battalion – seaborne insertion

Third Wave: Luftlande-Sturm-Regiment, Generalmajor Eugen Meindl: glider insertion from Calabria

1st Battalion, Major Walter Koch

2nd Battalion, Major Edgar Stentzler

3rd Battalion, Major Horst Trebes

4th Battalion, Major Walter Gericke

Total Ground Force; approx 20,000

In Reserve: Italian 2nd Folgore Division (Approx 7,500 men)

Air Forces:

Fleigerkorps X and elements of Fleigerkorps II, including:

At Calabria:

KG 606: JU88s

KG 806: JU88s

I/NJG 2

Regia Aeronautica 37^o Stormo: Breda 20s

At Comiso/Cassibile/Gela/Biscari

I/St.G 3 (Ju 87)

II/St.G 3 (Ju 87)

III/St.G 3 (Ju 87)

2/JG3 (Bf 109)

I/JG 53 (Bf 109)

II/JG 53 (Bf 109)

III/JG 53 (Bf 109)

II/ZG26 (Bf 110)

At Gerbini/Comiso:

I/KG54: JU 88s

II/KG77: JU 88s

III/KG77: JU 88s

Allied Forces

Naval Forces:

Force ‘H’, Admiral Sir James Somerville: Gibraltar

HMS Nelson

HMS Rodney

HMS Prince of Wales

HMS Ark Royal

Force ‘X’, Rear Admiral Harold Burroughs: Gibraltar

5 Cruisers

9 Destroyers

In Grand Harbour, Malta:

HMS Aurora, Capt W.G. Agnew, RN (Light Cruiser)

HMS Penelope, Capt A.D. Nichol (Light Cruiser)

HMS Lance, Lt Cmdr R.W.F. Northcott (Destroyer)

HMS Lively, Lt Cmdr W.F.E. Hussey (Destroyer)

Ground Forces

1st Malta Brigade, Colonel Ivan de le Bere

1st Bn Royal Hampshire Regt, Lt Col H.C. Westmoreland: based in Gudja to defend Luqa

1st Bn Cheshire Regt (MG), Lt Col Edward J Newall: in Vittorosia, defending Grand Harbour, (detachments at Luqa)

1st Dorset Regt, Lt ColA.T. Grimley: Zabbar

2nd Bn Royal West Kent Regt, Quormi (central Malta)

2nd Bn Devonshire Regt, Lt Col A.W. Valentine: Zetjun (adj to Marsaxlokk Bay)

Royal Artillery

Royal Engineer

Royal Signals troops

King’s Own Malta Regt

Roya Malta Artillery

Malta Volunteer Defence Force (Home Guard)

4 Heavy AA Regts (2 British, 2 Maltese): 6 troops, each of 4 guns

4 Light AA Regts (3 British, 1 Maltese): 9 troops, each of 4 guns

Total Ground Force; approx 11,000 (about half being trained, regular forces)

Air Forces:

Ta’Qali Airfield – 126 Sqn (Hurricanes), 249 Sqn (Hurricanes)

Luqa Airfield – 105 Sqn (understrength)(Blenheim bombers), 107 Sqn (understrength)(Wellington bombers)

Hal Far Airfield – 185 Sqn (Hurricanes), 830 Sqn Fleet Air Arm (Swordfish, Marylands)

Radar network providing effective coverage to the Sicilian coast

Total: 69 Hurricanes, 18 Blenheims, 17 Wellingtons, 12 Swordfish, 17 Marylands (123 aircraft)

Hitler, the Victory That Nearly Was

2011-11-01T08:32:00.000+11:00

Another alternate history book (vice weird WW2) based on a delay of Barabrossa until 1942, and in turn Hitler was able to convince his Japanese allies to delay their Perl Harbour attack also for a coordinated effect. As a consequence, the Germans refocus their 1941 strategy on consolidating their holdings in the Eastern Mediterranean after the Greece and Crete campaigns, and supporting the Afrika Korps. All else follows from those key decisions.

What makes this book really enjoyable is that the author is a wargamer, and gamed the scenarios he postulates to ensure they were realistic. What that means is that scenarios literally fall out of this book, including orders of battle. I'm only on the third chapter so far, but loving it. The diversions from historical timeline are clearly delineated, and the compounding effects are easy to follow.

Recommended.

http://www.amazon.com/Hitler-Victory-That-Nearly-Was/dp/0715392158

Invading New Zealand

2011-10-31T06:44:00.000+11:00

Well done on your thoroughly deserved World Cup Rugby win Kiwis: you are now eligible to be absorbed into Australia!

Viking Shield Designs

2011-10-30T17:23:00.000+11:00

If you haven't found these before at the Hour of Wolves website, check out these handy print 'n play style - great!
http://www.hourofwolves.org/?view=flagsAndShields&which=vikingShields&pic=0

MYO Blood Bowl Dugout

2011-10-29T07:56:00.000+11:00

Just like this award winning coach did! I think I need to get into these Hirst Arts molds more.
Not only for BB, but a whole range of terrain making like WW2 ruins
http://www.blood-bowl-miniatures.de/bb/bb_dugout.html

Raven Feast

2011-10-28T07:06:00.001+11:00

These are a 2 page set of ultra simple Dark Age rules - really suitable for the bigger battle games where our skirmish rules are bogging down a bit. In fact, I am having a go at modifying them a bit for use at our demo game at CANCON. Essentially, roll 1 dice to hit (based on the skill of the warrior), 1 dice to save (based on the armor of the target).
We have them a go recently and they worked well - except rolling low for success really does my head in :-)

http://home.dejazzd.com/broadsword/Feasting_Ravens/FR_OPFS_PAGES/FR_OPFS_House_Rules_Page01_Files/Raven%20Feast%201_1.pdf

Turf Roof House

2011-10-27T05:54:00.000+11:00

It may be called a 'Highland Black House' but this turf roof hut would be at home in any Viking village.
My Dark Age purchases are currently on hold (until I finish the others that is) but this one is on my 'to get' list.
http://www.totalbattleminiatures.com/skirmish/28mm/darkage.html

The building comes with removable roof and nice internal details

If the Allies had fallen : sixty alternate scenarios of World War II

2011-10-25T16:07:00.000+11:00

I've just finished reading this really interesting book, which is a commentary on a wide range of potential scenarios as opposed to a deep analysis of a few possibilities. Both approaches are useful to me personally, but it seems that many other books in this genre focus on the latter approach (like the alternate Battle of the Bulge discussions.......). In this work Dennis Showalter has grouped a range of contributions from different authors, from the Battle of Britain/Op Sealion, to the Allies not pursuing a Mediterranean Strategy, the execution of D-Day in mid 1943, the war starting a year earlier, the assassination of Hitler, Brits/US racing Russia to Berlin, the Alliance fracturing etc. The broad discussion of each of these makes this book easy to read and absorb, but can leave the passionate reader wanting more in some scenarios.

As always its important to understand that these style of books are analysis with deep hindsight and out of the original context. Decision makers of the time had incomplete pictures (of both sides usually) and a range of political and social pressures which can be lost in translation. Nevertheless, I found this an interesting and easy read that got my juices flowing for more. Recommended.

You can read another review of the book here:

http://www.axishistory.com/index.php?id=12338

BLOCKtober

2011-10-24T16:54:00.000+11:00

The boys ventured forth on Saturday to BLOCKtober, a small Blood Bowl tourney held in the Melbourne CBD. En route we dropped in to see our mate Nic at Euereka Miniatures, bough a bunch of things we didn't expect to (including a Flakosaurus http://tasmancave.blogspot.com/2011/06/new-dinotruppen.html and a bunch of Nic's "Frog Warriors" range for conversion into a Blood Bowl Slann team) and coincidentally caught up with long lost Man Caver Oberst Owen briefly before we had to go.

We got to the tourney around midday. As it is a 2 day, 6 game event we were never going to be able to be full participants (all in good time), but we went for a look and have some fun regardless. We were warmly welcomed by the players there and had a look at some very nice teams and game mats (the orange tinted AusBowl pitch from FF Fields is very distinctive - I'll have to get one in the future). Then we quietly settled into a corner to play a matchup of the Lad's killer Orc team the "Deathstars" vs my Human Team the "Cerberus Slayers". As part of my inducements I got star players Morg 'n Thorg (being used for the first time in his new paint scheme) and Mighty Zug who would become instrumental in fighting off the well developed Orcs.

I won the toss, elected to kick off, and a long, grinding half began. A classic Troll vs Ogre duel began in the centre, and the Lad's pair of ruthless ST5 Black Orcs smashed through the line to go headhunting. Bolstered with Mighty Zug and a pair of Blitzers skilled with Guard, the Human line generally held and gave ground slowly. An Orc fumble about half way through the half presented an opportunity and a Human Blitzer ran to grab it, only to be shoved into the crowd and killed. Another Human Blitzer, understandably upset at this, rushed forward to avenge him but perhaps regretted his impulsive behaviour when was badly hurt in the block he threw. The misery continued when a Human lineman was ejected after he fouled star Orc Blitzer who had just killed his pal - the only consolation being that the Orc was stretchered off to the KO box. A scrappy scrum developed and the half time siren sounded with the scoreboard still blank. However, the Orc Blitzer recovered from being KOed, the Human star blitzers were off for the duration and the Human bench was empty with all reserves now on the field...

The Orcs kicked off to start the second half and a left flank push saw a Human breakthough on the left deep into the Orc Half with a catcher well protected by a Slayer Blitzer. The Human thrower scooped up the ball to pass to them- a touchdown was certain! That is until star Orc Blitzer Grink Lightningfeet leapt up to grab an intercept!!! After another few turns of two well-played dodging and weaving past the Human safeties, he broke through to put the Deathstars into the lead with just 3 turns to run in the game. Surely the winning TD had just been scored.

Very well aware that they had to hold off the Humans for the remainder of the half, the Orcs set up in an uncharacteristic deep ziggurat style formation to disrupt the Human advance. The ball was kicked deep, dropping beautifully into the back corner of the human half and the Slayer thrower rushed back to grab it as the forward line advanced. The Human push went deep on the right flank this time and the Orcs surged to contain it. A scrum ensued, but then in the last turn of the half a Human catcher eventually dodged through and ran into the end zone. All he needed now was the ball. The Slayer thrower, who had collected it by now, sprinted forward, and threw a lovely long pass which sailed into the catcher's glove as the full time siren blew: a 1 all draw!!!! The Lad was not pleased to see his hard fought win disappear at the last second, but ended up with a smile in the end.

Overall, a tough game and the score probably reflected the game play well (though the Lad might not agree). The Orcs won the casualty battle though - they inflicted 3 casualties (including 1 death) and the Humans badly hurt 2 Orcs but they will be back next game. It was also fun to play on a different pitch with a mat loaned by the Blocktober Commissioner, who then very generously gave the Lad a set of red "Bushranger Bowl" dice to remember his first BB comp. Thanks to all the players there for their very friendly welcome and a great atmosphere to play in.

PS When we got home the Blood Bowl frenzy was still upon us and after dinner we played again - my Vampires vs the Lad's new Ogre team (pics later). I won 2 nil, but in the process suffered 5 casualties but only inflicted one. This included my team having two deaths (1 a vampire! But luckily a new one playing his first game, and without skills) plus got a niggling injury on a veteran Vamp. The Lad is now up to 15 career kills, as opposed to my pitiful 2: I couldn't even kill a snotling!

Drop Bears

2011-10-22T07:42:00.006+11:00

An adorable baby Drop bear smiles for the camera

Northbowl '11- Game 1....

2011-10-21T07:09:00.000+11:00

Welcome Bloodbowl fans to the ManCave's EXCLUSIVE web coverage of the annual Northbowl Resurrection Tournament held at sunny Group North Historical Wargaming Society in Adelaide....this year's tourney sees the return of the Coromandel Nightmares Dark Elf team, and 4 of the 5 coaches from last year, with their new teams. Tourney 2010 Winner Hugh is coaching a Slann team this year, and managed a 2-1 win over rookie coach Karen and her Vampires last night in their first game.....the Orcs and Chaos are itching for their first game but todays featured game will be the Coromandel Nightmares vs "The Russian Bears" Dwarf team playing in the sensational Suitcase Stadium....stay tuned..... This year the Nightmares have 8 lineman, (1 with Sure Hands); 2 blitzers both with Block and one with Dodge, the other Fend; a runner with Dump-off and Sidestep and after much negotiation (and chats with Paul and The Lad)the Star Player Hubris Rakarth condescended to lend his services for the tourney....due to the last minute signing of his contract, Hubris didn't have a uniform in time for the game (I was lucky to have him glued and undercoated by game start!!) The Nightmares won the toss and elected to Kickoff, as the Dwarves revealed their Secret Weapon, a Deathroller, which would expire after the first drive.Sadly, the only thing expiring in the first half was the Nightmares team members, as a solid turn burning strategy by the Dwarves saw 5 Dark Elves in the KO and Badly Hurt dugouts by the end of the half,and a Dwarf TD in the dying turn of the half. Before the end of the half, Hubris managed to break through the line of scrimmage and throw a blitz at the ball carrier, stripping him of his ball ...but the Dwarf managed to recover the ball next turn and Rakarth was sent sprawling by the Dwarven guards....Rakarth was then brutally fouled on the very last turn of the half and knocked out....so hard was the hit that he failed to wake up for the rest of the game, failing 3 attempts to revive him.... The second half started with the Nightmares receiving the kick off, and here we had high hopes for a revenge TD....the Death Roller had been ejected from the game, and 260,000 gold pieces worth of Star Player was snoring in the dug out, so the Dark Elves blood was up... Kaledor Maglen, the Sure-Handed Lineman, picked up the ball and ran to the line of scrimmage,looking for someone to pass too.... ...but Maglen was knocked down before he got the chance to pass to the runner Maliketh Fellheart, and despite Duriath Hellbane the Blodger and Ganeth Shadowblade the Linemans' best efforts, the Dwarves recovered the ball and ran down the pitch for the second TD... The re-start was interrupted by a Pitch Invasion of furious Dark Elf fans and drunken Dwarfs, knocking down and stunning 2 Dwarves and 2 Dark Elves at the line of scrimmage....sensing an opportunity, Kaledor Maglen grabbed the ball and moved cautiously forward, this time protected by two linemen... Three other Dark Elves broke through the gap in the Dwarven defence, including the Blitzer with Fend, Khaleth Mournweaver. Maledor ran up to the line of scrimmage and lobbed a Long Pass at the Blitzer, but the pass was inaccurate and bounced into the crowd.The cheering fans threw the ball straight back in to the middle of the Dwarven backfield, closer to the Endzone than before..before Mournweaver could run to pick up though the Dwarven Trollslayer came lumbering in to blitz the Dark Elf Blitzer.... ....and promptly rolled Double Skulls. With no Dwarven rerolls remaining, the Trollslayer went down, and Mournweaver was able to easily dodge away from the remaining Dwarf defender, scoop up the ball and run it in for the Nightmares first TD of the tourney....the resulting cheers were enough to wake the Undead(just as well as their game was next)...although apparently not Rakarth.... The remaining two turns of the game ended with a 6 Dwarf "stacks-on" foul on Lineman Shadowblade, resulting in him being Stunned..apparently settling a Grudge from when he tried to stop the game winning TD earlier in the half... So final Score Dwarves 2, Dark Elves 1, and 3 casualties to the Dwarves. I was stoked to have reduced the TD difference from 2-against to 1-against, as this is used as a tie breaker at the end of the tourney. Learnt lots about being more aggressive, as 7 surviving Dark Elves managed to pull off a TD when 11 with a Star Player couldn't earlier, and all because I played to my teams strengths in the end...oh, and the Troll Slayer Double Skulling kind of helped a little.....till next week BB fans!!

250 Followers!

2011-10-20T00:01:00.000+11:00

Huzzah to "Rumplestilts" for being lucky number 250!

Thanks for your continued support and encouragement!!!

Group North Blood Bowl Tournament 2011

2011-10-19T05:44:00.001+11:00

You may recall that around this time last year fellow Man Caver Comrade James (of the South Australian Man Cave Annex) participated in the Group North Blood Bowl Tourney, pulling off a highly respectable third place. Well its on again this year and Round One starts tonight. I know you'll all join with me and The Lad in being Cheering Fans for the Comrade's "Coromandel Nightmares", a Dark Elf team

The tourney includes six teams and is run as a 5 round Resurrection style league, with Rosters of 1.2 mil, and adding 4 skills extra at 20k each. The best 2 teams will play off in final. Aside from the Comrade's Dark Elves, participants include Vamps, Dwarves, Slann, Chaos and one other, as yet unknown...

Lots more to follow and the Comrade promises lots of Man Cave exclusive coverage of this esteemed event!

GO NIGHTMARES!!!!

The Nightmares roll in a TD in their win against a Human team in the 2010 Tourney

Poo

2011-10-18T05:23:00.000+11:00

We got this fun little card game a few weeks ago - great family fun throwing poo at one another!

It’s been a tough day in the monkey cage and something in the food tonight wasn’t quite right. In monkey world, there’s only one thing that can be done about it - fling poo!

Poo is a fast-paced card game for two to eight players, requiring anywhere from five to fifteen minutes to play. It’s fast and furious - something you can play while waiting in line or on lunch break.

Each player takes on the role of a monkey. You fling poo and mess with each other until only one monkey is left standing. That monkey, of course, is the cleanest one. Each turn, every player gets to draw and play a card, usually either to fling poo at another player or to clean himself off. Out of turn, each player gets to play cards to defend himself or foil other players’ poo flinging.

I laughed my butt off watching the kids go at it:
"I King Kong Poo you" - "No- its just a fart!"

Read more about this game here:
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/60579/poo-the-card-game

Wilhelm Chaney

2011-10-17T04:54:00.002+11:00

I induced the Star Player Wilhelm Chaney onto my Vamp team today for a match against the Lad's well developed Deathstars Orc team - man did those claws come in handy against all the AV9 too!

I'd been looking to get one of the old 2ndEd models for this guy but hadn't to date, and started with a Skaven proxy, before I remembered my Secrets of the Third Reich Werewolves by Westwind. He is a little big, but then again I think werewolves should be! - pics of some of the other Westwind Werewolves here:
http://tasmancave.blogspot.com/2010/05/ ... fpack.html

Babysitting

2011-10-16T07:15:00.000+11:00

Meanwhile, I'm off to play some Blood Bowl with the Lad!

Elven Ref

2011-10-15T08:48:00.001+11:00

I love this Elf Ref diorama by Aussie painter 'SinDex'. See more at his blog here:

http://sindexstudio.blogspot.com/2011/09/elven-referee.html

10 Worst Boardgames Ever

2011-10-14T06:46:00.001+11:00

Hot on the heels of yesterdays best game ever "Beer Battleships", here are 10 of the worst ones ever:
http://www.bestonlinecolleges.com/blog/2011/the-10-worst-board-games-ever-created-2/
WARNING: Some of them are rather offensive

The Best Game in the World

2011-10-13T06:43:00.000+11:00

Who's up for the Man Cave Brewery challenge?

The Death Stars - Orc Blood Bowl team

2011-10-12T06:44:00.001+11:00

The Lad has just finished up game number 20 with his Death Stars team, and a bunch of brutes they are now too after two seasons of development. Here they are posing after their 3: 2 Victory in that game (click for bigger pics)

The hash marks on the sides of the scoreboard indicate kills - note the Lad is over 10 while I am at a measely 1....

Match Stats
8 Wins, 5 Draws, 7 Losses
TDs: 41 for, 45 against.
Casualties: 55 (8 kills) for, 14 against (0 kills)

Team Roster

Blitzers
Gok HeadRipper MA:6ST:3AG:3AV:9 Block,Guard,Mighty Blow,Stand Firm,Strip Ball
Grink Lightningfeet MA:7ST:3AG:4AV:9 Block,Dodge,Fend,Surehands, +1MA, +1AG
Virk Beasttorturer MA:6ST:3AG:3AV:9 Block,Pro
Hig Toehammer MA:6ST:3AG:3AV:9 Block

The Blitzers

Black Orcs
Vulo Axesmasher MA:4ST:5AG:2AV:9 Frenzy,Mighty Blow, +1ST
Kinak Ratsquasher MA:4ST:4AG:2AV:9 Mighty Blow,Jump Up
Gronk Daemonhater MA:4ST:4AG:2AV:9 Dodge
Ronak Deathcruncher MA:4ST:5AG:2AV:9 Block, +1ST

Black Orc Blockers - a rather nasty front line with 2 x 5ST

Troll
Gunk Goblinthrottler (aka "Barry") MA:4ST:5AG:1AV:9 Loner,Always Hungry,Really Stupid,Mighty Blow,
Guard,Multiple Block

"Barry" the Big Ugly Troll Beast (fig is an OOP Snow Troll by Rolljordan)

Barry can be a little intimidating on the field...

Throwers
Erug Balljuggler MA:5ST:3AG:3AV:9 Pass,Sure Hands,Accurate,Kick Off-Return,Hail Mary Pass
Kang Nailslicer MA:5ST:3AG:5AV:9 Pass,Sure Hands,Leader, +1AG, +1AG

Throwers - the Lad plays a good passing game with these guys

Linemen
Gung Dwarfmangler MA:5ST:3AG:3AV:9 Wrestle
Baagar Facekicker MA:5ST:3AG:3AV:9 Dirty Player
Gragor Ballstomper MA:5ST:3AG:3AV:9 Kick

Line Orcs

Gobbo
Pok Eyepoker MA:6ST:2AG:3AV:7 Dodge,Stunty,Right Stuff,Diving Tackle

Pok the Gobbo has escaped being eaten by Barry twice! (we don't use him as a fanatic)

Greaser Geargrinder leads the Blockers in his alter ego "Ronak Deathcruncher"

Varag has been known to make a celebrity appearance with the Deathstars too.

Team Rerolls: 3
Fan Factor: 9
Total Team Value: 2,260,000

Resplendent in their purple ad gold trimmed ~~fighting~~ playing strips, most are plastic figs from the latest boxed set, with a few metal figs thrown in too. Painted by our mate Ken and based by me & the Lad. Colours are to his specifications (he thought green Orcs were far too common, and why cant Black Orcs play in any position they want to anyway?) Armour has been glossed for final effect. Now looking for some decals for numbers on shoulder guards.

Many thanks to Olaf the Stout from the Ausbowl forums for his generous donation of a Blitzer and two Black Orcs to make up the full team. And the Lad sends a big Cheering Fan shout-out to Chance from the Three Die Block podcast for all the great team development advice.

We made the cut!

2011-10-11T05:54:00.000+11:00

The list of participation games for CANCON 2012 is out, and we've made the cut.
I better go finish off all those bases then....

One Bright Day in the Dark Ages

From the North they Came, the Warriors of Odin.

Their dragon headed ships appearing out of the mist to strike without warning.

Fighting, looting, burning and returning home with a booty of hack-silver for glory and honour.

Nowhere was beyond the reach of these merciless raiders.

Command a Viking war band or rally the Saxon fyrd to defend the village in this participation game, using the Age of Blood rules.

Younger players welcomed. Outrageous accents and silly hats encouraged.

Proudly presented by the Man Cave Gamers http://tasmancave.blogspot.com/

Remember: Power grows from the handle of an axe.

http://www.cgs.asn.au/index.php/cancon/cancon-2012-participation-games

Stand to Your Glasses Steady

2011-10-10T06:38:00.000+11:00

My fav WW1 song, from the old B&W movie "Dawn Patrol" starring Errol Flynn. Its a cracking movie, very thematic and a great study into the human aspect of the famed Knights of the Sky. I usually find myself humming it whenever I play a WW1 aerial game like "Wings of War".

by Bartholomew Dowling

We meet ’neath the sounding rafter,
And the walls around are bare;
As they shout back our peals of laughter
It seems that the dead are there.
Then stand to your glasses, steady
We drink in our comrades’ eyes:
One cup to the dead already—
Hurrah for the next that dies!

Not here are the goblets glowing,
Not here is the vintage sweet
’T is cold, as our hearts are growing,
And dark as the doom we meet.
But stand to your glasses, steady!
And soon shall our pulses rise:
A cup to the dead already—
Hurrah for the next that dies!

There ’s many a hand that ’s shaking,
And many a cheek that ’s sunk;
But soon, though our hearts are breaking,
They ’ll burn with the wine we’ve drunk.
Then stand to your glasses, steady!
’T is here the revival lies:
Quaff a cup to the dead already—
Hurrah for the next that dies!

Time was when we laugh’d at others;
We thought we were wiser then;
Ha! ha! let them think of their mothers,
Who hope to see them again.
No! stand to your glasses, steady!
The thoughtless is here the wise:
One cup to the dead already—
Hurrah for the next that dies!

Not a sigh for the lot that darkles,
Not a tear for the friends that sink;
We ’ll fall, ’midst the wine-cup’s sparkles,
As mute as the wine we drink.
Come stand to your glasses, steady!
’T is this that the respite buys:
A cup to the dead already—
Hurrah for the next that dies!

There ’s a mist on the glass congealing,
’T is the hurricane’s sultry breath;
And thus does the warmth of feeling
Turn ice in the grasp of Death.
But stand to your glasses, steady!
For a moment the vapor flies:
Quaff a cup to the dead already—
Hurrah for the next that dies!

Who dreads to the dust returning?
Who shrinks from the sable shore,
Where the high and haughty yearning
Of the soul can sting no more?
No, stand to your glasses, steady!
The world is a world of lies:
A cup to the dead already
And hurrah for the next that dies!

Cut off from the land that bore us,
Betray’d by the land we find,
When the brightest have gone before us,
And the dullest are most behind—
Stand, stand to your glasses, steady!
’T is all we have left to prize:
One cup to the dead already—
Hurrah for the next that dies!

15mm Watercraft

2011-10-09T20:24:00.001+11:00

From "The Scene", and would not look out of place in any Brown Water Navy force
http://thesceneuk.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=104&zenid=185f52b6dab9fb26cd818708771dfc1c

My Immortal: The Vampires of Berlin

2011-10-08T09:07:00.002+11:00

An interesting looking novel, this is Lee's first work, which I'm trying to get hold of. Anyone read it?

She was beautiful. Her high cheekbones and perfectly straight burgundy hair gave her a distinctive Eastern European look. Her face gave away no secrets; her distant look made it seem as if nothing else in the universe existed. Her clothing was minimal; she wore an ankle-length white nightgown and was barefoot, despite the fact that much of the ground in Berlin was covered with broken glass. The men remained still, their weapons pointed at their unannounced guest. "They are coming for me," she whispered. The young vampire was clearly afraid of something...

http://www.amazon.com/My-Immortal-Vampires-Lee-Rudnicki/dp/0578062933/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1282586362&sr=1-1

More WWW2 German Power Armour - Part 2

2011-10-07T06:31:00.001+11:00

I recently posted a link to the North Star powered armour style German figs:
http://tasmancave.blogspot.com/2011/10/more-www2-german-power-armour.html

It turns out that Steve B made some up a few years ago, which he has has posted at the alt-Krieg yahoo group

Thanks for sharing Steve!
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AltKrieg/photos/album/260379344/pic/list

Project Arbiter

2011-10-06T06:48:00.000+11:00

This will get your Weird WW2 juices flowing!

http://www.projectarbiter.com/

Man Cave 7s Pitch

2011-10-05T14:08:00.000+11:00

This is our new Blood Bowl 7s pitch - fresh from the Man Cave factory floor!

The Lad and I built it together, which was fun in itself. Its based on foamcore, in which we scribed out the squares with a nail, glued on some sand, painted it brown, washed and dry-brushed that, and then added some flock. I then added another layer of watered down glue for added strength and durability, but it did unfortunately drain a lot of the brightness from the ground and leave it darker than anticipated. We then painted on the lines and the football motif in the centre.

Overall, I would say that I'm satisfied with the result. Its not quite what I was after or intended but it looks OK and is very functional. BB7s plays out in just over an hour so we can get a whole game in most afternoons - can't argue with that!

After our first few games I added small crosses between each square (not shown here) as it was tough to see in some spots. I've also taken to painting on splotches of blood on a square when a player is killed. Most of them belong to my teams...

Painting Rust Effects

2011-10-04T06:48:00.000+11:00

I've always had a hard time trying to get realistic rust effects. PaintBard has posted this rather fantastic tutorial to get a range of rust effects. I've taken it from his blog here: http://paintbard.blogspot.com/2011/01/painting-rust-effects.html

Painting Rust Effects

I have been asked several times now on how I paint rust onto my models. I thought it would be a better idea to not only show and explain how I do it, but what has inspired me on my travels across the great land known as Internet.

To start with, I originally used very little rust effects in my painting. I then got my hands on a great paint called Smoke. I used this on everything I could get my hands on, and still do to this day! But the one thing it did for me was to make me want to try and “dirty” my models.

Oh, it’s fine to have something dirty. But try explaining why you are carting something rusty or covered in mud, into the house to your wife! It doesn’t go over so great. But painting it on will work, it’s just so damn hard to make it look realistic!

Dirty and rusty have been a source of curiosity to me for years, and thanks to the internet, you can find all kinds of examples of it. I kick myself now, because I don’t have a documented list of all the fantastic examples of how to create the rust effect that I have come across over the years. One of the best sources I have gotten my hands on though is the following book: Forge World’s “Model MasterClass” Volume 1. Let me tell you, I will be buying book two when it comes out! This book is fantastic!!

RUST

My personal technique for rust is simple. Chainmail, followed by some of the new washes, and then apply rust. I have heard people trying all kinds of variances for this, but my simple method saves time and effort and comes out looking good.

a) Basecoat metallic areas in Chainmail. I have moved to chainmail from Boltgun simply because of the washes. It really dulls the metallics, whereas in the past before washes Boltgun metal was dull enough to hit the mark for me.

b) Apply the washes. I love Devlan mud. I will always use it above any other choices. You can add Badab Black if you want to darken it and add an extra layer of complexity, but it’s not necessary.

c) Let it DRY!! Do not paint while the wash is wet. Go watch TV, or go to the bathroom or something. Just let it dry!

d) Check to make sure the wash is dry. If it’s not dry, repeat step C.

e) Now for the rust. This is where I have three different methods. Firstly, you can create a mixture using white spirits like my book suggests. This isn’t a bad way to go, but beware, you are adding in oil paints etc to your painting style, and some people may be uncomfortable with that. This technique I combined three separate weathering powders, some burnt umber oil paint and white spirits. Once dry it is quite dark, looks great, and I finish it off with 2:1 (water to fiery orange) anywhere I want to change the color. I will add here that I think it needs to be applied in a patchy manner along full surfaces, or around bolts or other protrusions. Let it dry, and reapply anywhere you want the orange to ‘pop’ a bit more.

Second technique is using water and weathering powders. Load your brush and apply it to the powders you have on your painting palette. Go dark powders, followed by lighter orange powders once the dark is dry. Random dab the rusts in places to create a greater sense of visual. Remember that rust changes color depending on its age. Finish it off with the fiery orange technique.

The third technique is simple. Vermin brown paint, or parasite brown (any brown paint that has an orange element to it) mixed with water. Usually 2:1 mix of water to paint. Follow this up with the fiery orange from previous techniques.

A final technique that I have tried on some test models is the following: Begin by base coating all of the metal areas with Boltgun Metal. Then stipple it with Macharius Solar Orange to give it a rusty look. A wash of Devlan Mud and Badab Black was then applied to add shading.
I have also begun using a technique known as painting Verdegris. This is the application of weathering to bronze/copper.

I have found a couple of different ways to do this. Both are simple. The first and easiest is the application of Ice blue (heavily watered down) along areas that would allow water to sit in place. The second has been hawk turquoise, but I have had less success using this color. I have also seen some people add some green to either mixture. However you do yours, remember to water down your paints. Its easier to add successive layers of watered down paints then it is to remove a thick coat of paint.
I am not the only person that paints rust in the world, thankfully. Many others have techniques that work wonders for them. I have decided to include many other recipes and various techniques for you to try. There is always one that speaks loudest to us, and I won’t pretend to assume that my methods are the best or only ones.

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Screaming 3agle (http://striking3agle.blogspot.com/) has several excellent weathering techniques on his website. I wish I had the skills with an airbrush that he has. Some of his results are truly awesome!

Here is a sample of my favorite weathering technique from his website.

What we need:

Boltgun Metal. It is important to use this paint. Mithrill Silver is too bright. Metalics by Vallejo are very bad for this kind of paint job, glazes run-off it and it is very hard to stain it.

1) Vallejo Air Rust
2) Vallejo Air Cam. Medium Brown
3) Tamiya xf-1 Flat Black
4) MiG Pigments Dust(light brown)
5) Blood Red
6) Wet pallet

Apply Vallejo Air Rust on wet pallet and mix it with water (relation 1:5) and apply about 3 thin layers on spear (remember that previous layer must by dry).

Step III
Do the same thing with Vallejo Air Cam. Medium Brown, if you still have Rust on pallet, don't afraid to mix it with Brown. Apply 3 thin layers on spear.

Step IV
Apply Tamiya Black on pallet and mix it with Vallejo Brown (1:1). Paint shadows on spear , about 1-2 layers (XF-1 has strong pigment, so be careful). If you don't have MiG pigment (or home made powdered dry pastels), move to Step VII.

Step V
Pigment time: Mix a little (like on picture) part of pigment with blood red and water (1:5) and apply 1 thin layer on random spear parts.

Step VI
If you want to have really rusty weapons, repeat Step V (several times if you paint nurgle army).

Step VI
Try a very simple thing for the end, dry brush the spear with Boltgun Metal. But remember, not aggressive hitting miniature by your brush or not shuffle. Just gently, quick moves with your brush (the bigger one, I used Army Painter Drybrush Brush).

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Another great Website is this one by Tinweasel. Here he uses actual metal to make “go figure” realistic looking rust!!

http://home.wideopenwest.com/~tinweasel/rust_tut.html

Call me crazy (or suddenly inspired) but the essential heart of this "natural" weathering technique is the Rust Mixture itself. This was a recipe I learned many, many, many years ago in chemistry class - it does involve some harmful chemicals, an ongoing chemical reaction, and possible adverse affects to skin, clothing, and any oxidixable metal. Consider yourself warned! The Mixture is as follows:

• 1 part liquid bleach

• 3 parts household strength white vinegar

• 1 suitably-sized clean chunk of extra-fine (#0000) grade steel wool

I used a standard empty Vallejo dropper paint bottle with the steel wool placed inside prior to pouring the mixture of the two chemicals in. While not an intense chemical reaction, it does produce a somewhat significant amount of gas as a by-product over time. I found out the hard way about leaving the screw-top off the dropper bottle until the reaction subsided completely (roughly 2-3 days, perhaps more) as when I first opened it, I was spattered with overflowing Rust Mixture. Being made up of actual oxidized metal, the Rust Mixture has a tendency to settle - prior to using it as a paint make sure the bottle is well-shaken. Another word of warning - although I couldn't swear to it, I believe the vinegar/bleach/oxidized metal caused a slight chemical burn on my thumb during an accidental overflow. While I am by no means a chemistry major, I believe the bleach and vinegar as potential caustic agents would cease to be a problem once all their bonding reactions were completed on the steel wool. Likewise, given that vinegar is a mild acid and (I believe) bleach is a mild base, things should eventually subside once all chemical reactions between them and the steel wool have taken their course (again roughly 2-3 days, perhaps more.) While I can't say this is the ideal mixture for painting, as it takes some getting used to, I can safely say it's likely the most authentic rust mixture I've seen used on any miniature figures thus far, given that it is genuine rust in a bottle!

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Rust in Pieces http://www.paulbatchelor.com/Rust.html

There are many ways in which to create rust effects in miniature.

You can ink, paint, dry brush, use weathering powders etc, etc. At this point I would like to add about the use of corrosives and chemicals to achieve rust effects: stay away from them! Dangerous and pointless; and not even half as much fun or satisfaction as doing it the old fashioned way.

Anyway, without further ado, let’s get painting…

Source material:

it’s always good to have some source material if you are trying to re-create something that exists in real life, be it lizard skin, camo or fabric. The internet is a good place for this these days. However, if you’re not up with the new fangled “electro-inter-web” then you can go to a place called the library and look in book.

Know your corrosion

Rust is scientifically called oxidation, which occurs when oxygen comes into prolonged contact with certain metals. Over time, the oxygen combines with the metal at an atomic level, forming a new compound called an oxide and weakening the bonds of the metal itself. If the base metal is iron or steel, the resulting rust is properly called iron oxide and is normally orange in color. Rusted aluminum would be called aluminum oxide, copper forms copper oxide which is greenish, and so on.

The main catalyst for the rusting process is dehydrogenating oxide, but we know it better as water. Water molecules can easily penetrate the microscopic pits and cracks in any exposed metal. The hydrogen atoms present in water can combine with other elements to form acids, which will eventually cause more metal to be exposed. If sodium is present, as is the case with saltwater, corrosion will likely occur more quickly.

So, if you’re painting pirates and things in sea water add more rust.

List of colors

Listed below, in the order in which you will need to paint them, is the list of colors you’ll need to paint rust onto different metals. I will be showing you the iron oxide paint scheme in this tutorial; however the same technique is applied for all the types of metal.
Iron Oxide:

-Dark metallic paint. (Dry brush)

-Chestnut ink. (Ink wash)

-Bright silver paint. (Dry brush)

-Terracotta paint. (Watered down paint wash)

-And a mid shade of orange. (Watered down paint wash)

Aluminum Oxide:

-Dark metallic paint. (Dry brush)

-Mid metallic paint. (Dry brush)

-Black ink. (Ink wash)

-Bright silver paint. (Dry brush)

-White paint. (Watered down paint wash)

Copper Oxide:

-Dark brass metallic paint. (Dry brush)

-Mid gold metallic paint. (Dry brush)

-Green ink. (Ink wash)

-Turquoise paint. (Watered down paint wash)

-Light green paint. (Watered down paint wash)

Painting
This is a simple technique and, as stated before, just follow these same steps for each type of metal,

replacing the change of color as appropriate.

Working from a black undercoat you can either dry brush or simply paint on your base color. In this

case a dark metallic.

Once you have enough coverage allow to dry.

Slap on some neat ink. No water just plain ink straight from the pot.

Apply it to areas where rust would likely start and grow, such as areas where joins are and around bolt

heads and hinges.

These areas hold water more than the flat surfaces and are more prone to rust.

Once completely dry we then add a second dry brush of bright silver paint. This is to just tease back

the edges we may have lost while inking.

Now we add terracotta as a base for our rust. Add two parts water to one part paint and apply again to

the areas where the rust will be most prolific. You can stipple this colour onto flat surfaces to simulate

light rust that hasn’t taken hold yet.

The last step is to water down some mid-orange paint, again two parts paint to one part water.

Paint this over the terracotta, allowing some of the original colour to remain visible at the edges.

Allow to dry and bingo! You’re done!

Paul Batchelor.

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www.ehow.com/how_6547190_paint-rust-effects.html#ixzz1AgbwtjxU Debbie Tolle

1) Apply a coat of primer designed for all surfaces and allow it dry. Drying times vary for different brands of primer, which is why you should always follow the manufacturer's instructions.

2) Paint a base coat of white acrylic latex paint on the object receiving the rust effect. Sprinkle clean sand over the random areas on the object while the paint is still wet, and allow it to dry for a minimum of 12 hours. Applying sand will give the object the look of oxidation or rough areas where rust forms. This step is optional, and is not absolutely necessary if you do not want the rough texture.

3) Pick the object up and turn it over to allow excess sand to fall off of it before applying the next coat of paint.

4) Apply dark brown paint to the object by stippling it on the surface. Stippling means to dip the brush into the paint and dab the paint on instead of brushing it on. Do not completely cover the object with the brown paint. You want to be able to see the base coat of paint and sand through the brown in random areas on the object.

5) Wash out the paintbrush and stipple the terracotta color paint on the exposed areas of the object that were not covered with the brown paint. Allow the object to dry overnight.

6) Use the water bottle to spray water on the entire object. Use the stipple technique to apply the gray paint over the entire surface of the object, and allow it to dry. The object will most likely need to dry overnight because of the water. The gray paint fades out the brown and terracotta paint, which gives the effect of rust beginning to form through the original metal.

7) Spray the surface of the object with water and splatter the orange paint on random areas across the object. The orange paint should be splattered on areas where rust would naturally form. Hold a paint stick in one hand, and tap the edge of the 1/4-inch paintbrush on the edge of the paint stick. The bristles should be overhanging the edge of the paint stick. This technique will give you control over where the splatters land. Natural rust formation usually occurs along the edges, and on ridges that might collect water.

8) Use the rag to dab the orange paint after you splatter it. Dabbing the paint will flatten the splatters and make them appear like the formation of rust.

9) Allow the newly faux finished object to completely dry before placing it outside. Wait for 24 hours, or at least overnight.

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http://www.madponies.net/verdigris.html Verdegris

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http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/content/article.jsp?categoryId=&pIndex=4&aId=6000022a&multiPageMode=true&start=5

Painting dark bronze
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http://ultrawerke.blogspot.com/2007/08/rust-painting-tutorial-with-pigments.html

Another great tutorial.

Festival of the Boot

2011-10-03T16:26:00.002+11:00

What a weekend! 2 Football Grand Finals, 4 Games of Blood Bowl and a trip to an Australian Sporting Mecca!

Sat - Lad and I had a great football festival at home - we set up the spare telly in the games room to watch the AFL Grand Final while we played Blood Bowl. In fact we got 3 games in during the day and the girls even brought us pies and footy snacks - a good day indeed! The only bummer was that my team made the final and played 3 great quarters of football. The other team played four quarters of great football. 'Nuffle has spoken.

Gratuitous Man Cave Brewery product placement required by our sponsors. The Black Orc about to be hit by the Ogre died in the next turn...

Sun - a trip to the hallowed Melbourne Cricket Ground and the National Sports Museum. Its the only day of the year that you can have a kick on the ground, which had hosted the AFL grand final the day before. Then we went on a tour of all the cool spots of the ground (establ 1838) and the National Sports Museum.
http://www.nsm.org.au/

View from the stands - MCG seating capacity is 100,016

The boys in the centre square

On the Trophy Dias

Delusions of Grandeur!

In the Apothecary!

The MCG Dugouts are a bit nicer than Bloodbowl ones...

Even more expensive than GW figures!

Then home (after listening to 2 episodes of the "3 Die Block" podcast during the day's transits) just in time to watch the National Rugby League Grand Final, while playing even more Blood Bowl and eating more pies! Those over 18 had more amber coloured beverages too, which probably contributed to my eventual 3:0 loss in the last game of the day...

The Lad's snotling "Bruce the All-Mighty" is thrown successfully to score!

Let the good times roll!!!

More WWW2 German Power Armour

2011-10-01T22:12:00.000+10:00

At 1/48 these would look appropriately chunky next to 28mm figs. I'm tempted to get a squads worth.

http://www.northstarfigures.com/prod.php?prod=3597
http://ravenfeastsmeadhall.blogspot.com/2011/08/weird-war-2-german-powered-armor.html

Orcs vs Elves

2011-10-01T11:37:00.000+10:00

SWMBO gifted this to us after her recent visit to the Orc's Nest.

A fun little game, its quick to play. Some more expansions and armies are planned but not out yet.

http://www.zmangames.com/cardgames/pocket_battlesOvE.htm

Civil War Tank

2011-09-30T06:42:00.000+10:00

This is just my kind of weirdness - I love it! Well done Captain!
He posted it at his blog but I'm re-posting it because it deserves not to be missed!

Lots more pics of this awesomeness at the Captain's site here:
http://captainrichardsminiaturecivilwar.blogspot.com/2011/09/civil-war-tankwhat.html

Man Cave to run Participation game at CANCON

2011-09-29T18:00:00.000+10:00

Thats right - The Man Cave Gamers have been accepted to run a participation game at CANCON in Jan 12! It probably wouldn't take a brain surgeon (or a rocket scientist I suppose) to guess that it will be a Dark Ages skirmish game, with players running about with Viking warbands pillaging a not so poor and not so defenseless Saxon village.

Daisy the Dragon: CANCON's iconic symbol

CANCON is the Annual Gaming Convention in Canberra, held every Jan around the Australia Day holiday, and its one of the largest held in Oz. I've never run a game in any style of convention before so I'm really looking forward to the fun and challenge of this - even though its less than a month after I move house!

Find out more about CANCON 2012 here:
http://www.cgs.asn.au/index.php/cancon

Hellmouth Heroes: 10 Games down!

2011-09-28T05:54:00.002+10:00

You might remember that last month I started plyaing a new Vampire Blood Bowl team: The Hellmouth Heroes: http://tasmancave.blogspot.com/2011/08/hellmouth-heroes.html
Well they've just completed their 10th game - one of the advantages of a live-in opponent!

The Hellmouth Heroes, posing after their first win of the Season in Round 4

Game Stats W:D:L = 5:1:4
TD for: 23 TD against: 20
CAS for: 9 (0 kills) Cas Against: 27 (3 kills - all Thralls)

Team Roster

Vamps
Drusilla: Block, Dodge, Nerves of Steel
The Master: +1 Ag, Block, Sure Hands
Angellus: Pro, Block, Fend
Spike: Block, Tackle
Thralls
Sam Sickle-Cell, Guard
Matty Malaria
Anemic Andy
O Pos, Kick
O Neg
Henry Hemophiliac
AB Neg
Harry Hemoglobin, +1 Mv
5 Re-Rolls, Apothecary
Team value: 151

Overall I'm really happy with the development of the team so far. The Vamps are getting some versatile skills now (the 5 Ag Vamp is a killer ball handler/thrower), but I'm routinely having far more casualties inflicted. Admittedly the Vamps do a few of those themselves, but I need to get some Mighty Blow and Pile On to start giving the pain back in equal measure!

BB Flesh Golem

2011-09-27T00:01:00.000+10:00

Wow- what a wonderfully horrific fig! Designed for Blood Bowl, it has a wide range of applications.

Fig by Willy Miniatures, pic from: http://www.coolminiornot.com/285779

Bloody Sports Bases

2011-09-26T00:01:00.000+10:00

Useful for Star Player bases I guess, or sideline figs, generic re-roll markers etc

http://www.tabletop-art.de/Bloody-Sports-25mm

One in 3,200 chance a person will be hit by 18,000mph out-of-control craft today

2011-09-25T07:35:00.000+10:00

So keep your helmets on!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2040818/On-alert-satellite-crash-One-3-200-chance-person-hit-18-000mph-control-craft-today.html

She is Teasing Me...Part 2

2011-09-24T00:01:00.000+10:00

Remember this? http://tasmancave.blogspot.com/2011/09/she-is-teasing-me.html

Well she brought me back an Orc's Nest t-shirt, a coffee mug and a cool card based fantasy wargame for the Lad and I to enjoy, so she is totally forgiven! Plus a pint glass from the Euston Tap Bar -she swears she paid for it and everything :-)

Re-Roll Counters

2011-09-23T17:40:00.001+10:00

Last month when we attended the NWA open day (http://tasmancave.blogspot.com/2011/08/day-out-at-nwa.html) I picked up a sprue of the Renedra gravestones to make a small graveyard for my Saxon Church (http://tasmancave.blogspot.com/2011/06/saxon-church-finished.html). Then when I started playing my new Vampire Blood Bowl team I wanted some themed reroll markers, and these are just the business!

I mounted each on mdf and added some routine basing compound, then undercoated in black and added 3 layers of grey drybrushing before applying some flock and silfour tufts. I'm really happy with they way they have come out.

For more detail on the Renedra gravestones, Anatoli has posted a review of these at his blog here: http://anatolisgameroom.blogspot.com/2011/09/renedra-plastic-fences-and-gravestones.html

Here they are in the background of a Dark Ages game as stand-alone gravestones by the Church:

Cthulhu Mythos in the Man Cave: Part 2

2011-09-22T00:01:00.004+10:00

More Cthulhu mythos goodness: again help with the names would be appreciated! (click for larger pics)