Thoughts on - Latest Purchases

 Hello Everyone,

                          I have been putting my hand into my pocket and treating myself. I purchased the Book of Random Tables (Science Fiction) Facility Generator, Science Fiction 3 and Science Fiction NPC's in softcover. 

                        The packaging was sturdy cardboard and arrived within four days of posting. I was sent an email to let me know they were on their way. Since they were bulky items and would not fit through my letter box, I used a local post office drop off point, in this case a local shop. This avoids the chance of getting stolen off my front doorstep or getting wet if it rains.

                        The Facility Generator book starts with the organization that built the base, then its location and surroundings, its description, some problems and secrets along with assorted Lab items it contains. Black and white sketches of a few bases are included inside. It also includes names of assorted NPC's you may bump into along the way. 

                        A very nice touch here was to include names for uplifted cetaceans, if you know the works of David Brin, some of my favorite stories are set in the Uplift universe, still available and the Gurps Uplift Book, sadly now out of print, but possible to find second hand I hope, they will add extra interest to your adventures, especially if your players are unaware of the uplift process (Humans have engineered the higher chimps, gorillas, dolphins etc into sentience, with the aid of walker / spacesuit / ocean transport. Some human transports have been made with pools and connecting tubes. Dolphins make great pilots. Chimps as engineers. 

                        Science Fiction Tables 3 has sections on Cargo runs - Place to place, cargo, employer and complication along the way. This is not detailed, it just give the GM a plot twist to throw at the players. Next is Transponder codes - Ship ID names, type, modifications and who are their operators. Space hazards. If they make it back to civilization, hotels and casino names are next, for when your gang of ruffians want to spend some cash and have fun while in port. What planet-side city events happening now?. Unexplored Planet names and long range scan - It includes a life signs indicator and mineral deposits for mining crews. Items in a ruined facility. News chatter for throwing in sneaky plot lines among the mundane stuff,  possible plot hooks or red herrings may take your crew all over the sector. Names and titles for NPC's who may get in your way or help you. Black and white sketches of a few locations are included.

                    The Science Fiction NPC's Tables is pretty straightforward, over 1000 names, callsigns, occupations, descriptions, attitudes and items they may have on their person or in their quarters. Just great to stop the GM wondering who the next npc will act like. A few black and white pictures of  astronauts are included.

                   I am very pleased with my books. They can all be found on from www.dicegeeks.com or https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/in softcover version. For a full description, head to either of their websites. 

                 I was wondering if there is a list of Kzinti names and information somewhere? According to Google, there is,  https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Kzinti. The Internet is what the early pioneers of science fiction would have just loved to get their hands on. They talked about room-sized computers. We do have big data centers but we also have mobile phones and laptops that do a great job.

Regards all,

Ivor Cogdell

Thoughts On - His Dark Materials Episode 1 (No spoilers) - Updated.

 Greetings all,

                     I have just watched the first episode of the TV adaptation of  the children's / teen novel His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman. It started off very well. It has interesting characters right from the start. It is set on a world with a mix of technology and magic. It stars a young female lead with a hidden background, raised in protected surroundings. 

There are tales of mysterious goings on with magic, naturally, that the elite do not want known. Nasties are following orders from their boss and doing not nice things, as they like doing, for as yet, unknown reasons. Good people are trying to come to their victim's aid. There are assorted people with obscure histories or conflicting motives. All good stuff to mix together in a story plot.

I like the costumes and locations shown so far. The use of animal "Familiars" is well done. The acting is splendid. If it continues in this way throughout the series it will make very good viewing. I am looking forward to the next episode. Generally a good sign of quality.

Review - 4 out of  5.

Ivor Cogdell

P.S. A question for you, no-one has reacted to this review, Has this series been aired on the tv or box sets before? Please comment below to put my mind at rest. 

Review - 15 mm figures from Pendraken Miniatures - Updated

Hi all,
           I recently received an order from Pendraken miniatures. I thought you might like to take a look at their fine wares.

This is the Dwarf Warband Pack contents.

 Here they are in close up.

This is the Dwarf Leader Pack.

This is the Barbarian Leader Pack.

They all arrived in a sturdy padded "Jiffy" bag, roughly four days after my order had been processed. They do state an average of 21 days for delivery. At first glance there seems to be very little "flashing line" metal around the edges to be removed, apart from a tiny spike on each base, which would be easy to accomplish. A mix of nice poses and costumes on the figures, I am looking forward to painting them. Once they are primed the details will stand out much better.

I have ordered from them again.

Update: I now have a set of the Dark Elves, civilians, Terminators and aliens, plus some curved walls as well. I have just given the Dwarf section a coat of gray primer.

Regards all,

Ivor Cogdell

Terrain - Building 4Ground Corner Ruins Type 3 plus D.I.Y. Additions part 1 of 3.

Hi all,
          This was meant to be just a short, quick post for the Wastelander's out there. You are not forgotten. It did run away with me a bit. On the 25th September, I built the 28 mm scale pre-decorated "Corner Ruins Type 3" from 4Ground. It is mainly aimed at 19th century to WW II scenery, but it will do for the "Post Apocalypse" setting with no problems, even fantasy with some extra props.
              Please note - their difficulty rating is - 14 and older. PVA wood glue is recommended. There are simple easy instructions or photographs, apart from the door. The door in the diagram is painted dark green and it is hard to make out the details.
             Item V (a choice of two colours) is the handle and goes sideways into the door slot, item W goes on the inside of the door, fairly low down. I added a piece of sellotape along the inside of the door to give a working hinge.

What you get

This is almost the complete official assembly, minus the ladder, window. door and the brick and floorboard rubble supplied. I was enjoying myself so much, that it inspired me to put a base on it and get out some foam board and continue to add to the model. With a bit of recycling of lolly sticks and cutting, I am now at this stage.

I have some more work to do on it, painting the white walls brick red to roughly match the original, putting down more floorboards and adding the details provided by 4Ground, (spare bricks, wood, ladders and tiles).

He is one of my partially painted Heroes of the Wastelands.

I've weather worn the back section to blend better, not sure what details I shall add. The floorboards need adjusting, perhaps more weathering.

Continued in Part Two  and Part Three.

Regards all,

Ivor Cogdell