Thoughts On - A Dogs Purpose

Hi all,
          A Dogs Purpose - is to run around, lick people, chase cats, fetch sticks and balls, bark for no apparent reason and generally have fun. That's it pretty well in a nutshell. He must have been paid a lifetime's worth of doggy chunks or similar items.
          I did think that some of the doggy lives portrayed were a bit short, almost blink away a tear and you have missed it. Regarding the two legged cast, Bryce Gheisar gets full marks for knowing how to play a child and getting paid for having fun too. I suppose Dennis Quaid was not doing anything that week or so, so he may have thought, "Why not, I know how to have fun too", he looks like he was enjoying himself.
           My friend suggested they would have done better to have done a remake of "The Littlest Hobo", that way they would not have needed the reincarnation scenes, just stitch the scenes together as they wished.

A bit mushy, as expected.

5 out of 10, unless you have kids, then it gets a 9.

Ivor

P.S. One of our former UK TV presenters has just passed away, John Noakes, human partner to "Shep" the sheep dog on the BBC Blue Peter program. He did a stand alone program, "Go with Noakes". He and the rest of the Blue Peter team gave a lot of pleasure to many people and each year contributed to charities.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/may/30/john-noakes-blue-peter

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go_With_Noakes#Go_With_Noakes

http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/family-john-noakes-ask-fans-10525823

5P - Job 1 - Hologame Part 4

Hi all,
         This is my fourth installment of the Holo game in the lounge of the Spaceship Magic Carpet. Buckle in and hold on to your controllers, its fun time again.

The remaining players are:-

Squad 1  100 PTS  Armour                            Snap Fire          Aimed               Combat
             React Exposed Cover    Weapon     Range to hit   Range to hit        Hit Parry  Speed
Lucy 8          7        10       BP + Knife    8 1D+1    16 1D+1    2D+2                             3
Sgt Ted       10         8        10       BP + Chain    8 1D+1    16 1D+1   2D+3               P            5
Gus             8 7        10       BP + Knife    8 1D+1    16 1D+1   2D+2                              4
(Rescued survivor, infected with nanobots (-1 to hit rolls)).

Squad 2 100 PTS
Martin        8 7        10      BP + Knife     8 1D+1    16 1D+1   2D+2                             5
Chris 8           7        10      BP + Knife     8 1D+1    16 1D+1   2D+2                             5
Pinky 8           7        10      BP + Knife     8 1D+1    16 1D+1    2D+2                             5
Harry 8           7        10      BP + Knife     8 1D+1    16 1D+1    2D+2                            4
(Rescued survivor).

Baddies

Boss Gizmo   8            9       10      Plasma Pistol - - 16 1D+1     2D+2                                            3

                                                     (2 rounds to charge up)

                                                     Power Fist                                                              1D+8

Warrior                                        1 Bone Sword                                                         3D+6      4

                   (Speed -2 due to 2 bodies eaten, 6-2=4).

Extra Action Table D12 Roll Actions 
1-4 = 0 Charge = Speed +2 (No shoot, can attack
5-8 = 1            (cost 1 square of move))
9-12=2 Advance= Speed (Can Snap shoot, can attack
13-16=3                                                    (cost 1 square of move))
17+=4 Ready Weapon = Move 1 square (Optional)
Sgt. gives +2 to extra action  rolls.                 Take an aimed shot or throw grenade.
                                                  Enter Overwatch status.
                                                 Reload= Reload weapon. Move 1 square (Optional)
 No attacks.

 For other stats and House rules, see part one.

Turn 9

Roll for extra actions. 6 +2 =8. So 1 extra action.

Squad 1

Lucy is trying to find her comrades. She turns left at the junction.

Gus leads Sgt. Ted towards the smoky room.

Squad 2

(Note: The frag grenade broke off close combat.)
While there is room to move, Chris takes a pace to the right and shoots at Boss Gizmo.
(10+1=11), a hit and the boss is down. 1 Victory Point.

Martin moves up towards the nearest door.

Pinky and Harry fan out to give cover.

Martin uses the Extra Move to check the nearest door. He finds a dead end.

Meanwhile

The Warrior sees its next victim in the distance. Finding the last two rather tasty, it advances to attack Lucy.

Lucy stands her ground,  reacts (2) and makes a snap shot (12+1=13). the warrior unable to parry while on the move, dies at her feet.

Turn 10

Roll for extra actions. 8 +2 =10. So 2 extra actions.

Squad 1

Squeezing past the evil smelling body, Lucy decides to avoid the area where the monster came from, until she has a bit more backup. She turns left and moves off warily hoping this is the correct tunnel to go down.

Gus and Sgt.Ted enter the smoky room, to find an air purification unit, (Armour 12), gurgling and glopping to itself. There are small moving creatures doing various tasks amongst the tubes and wobbling tendrils.

Gus fires once at the organic machine (Snap shot) 9 +1-1=9, a miss on anything vital, although the smoke and steam seems to thicken.

One of the creatures spits a foul green liquid at him. (12) A hit, he screams in agony as the acid burns into his shoulder (Save roll =9, he survives again thanks to his nanobots in his system, but he is now at -2 to hit). He staggers back against the door, but it remains shut.

Sgt. Ted fires once at the creature(Snap shot) 9 +1=10, a miss. It ducks int hiding, but another one pops up its head and squirts more green goo in his direction. (2) A miss.

Sgt. Ted fires again (Snap shot) 6 +1=7, a miss.
A third creatures retaliates to their being there with another quick squirt. (3) A miss. Pools of hissing goo are forming across the floor.

Sgt. Ted fires a volley. Extra Move  (Snap shot) 2 , 12 +1=13, a Hit. The gurgling starts to slow down and a shudder runs through the ship. 10 Victory points gained.



D4 (2) of the creatures spits more foul liquid at him and then scurries away into the darkness. (3, 12) A miss and a hit. His shield is reduced to 4.

Squad 2

Martin and Chris explore the alcoves to the right. Chris triggers a trap (3) and is locked in (Strength 12). Chris lets out a scream and claws at the opening.

Pinky and Harry were exploring other compartments and came face to face with each other at the same time as the scream, each fired off a shot.  Pinky realizes it is Harry just in time to jerk his weapon away (5+1=6), manages to miss. Harry returns fire at Pinky (12), unfortunately, he hits him in the chest armour, his shields drop down to 4. They apologize to each other.

Martin uses Extra Move to go back and see if he can open the door. (4+1 strength=5). It is still jammed shut.

Meanwhile

More shudders and groans are felt throughout the ship. Chris gives out another scream as tentacles start forming out of the walls ! Just when he thought it could get any worse, the floor started to open, revealing hundreds of fangs lining a pit. "Its gonna eat me !!"

----------------------------------

That concludes this spine tingling episode. Have you seen the first three ? If you liked them, please press the relevant button. There are another couple of episodes to come.

Ivor


P.S. Based on Warhammer 40K "Advanced Space Crusade", Copyright 1990 Games Workshop Ltd. All rights reserved.

WIP - Painting Dwarfs Part 2

Hi all,
           Here are my next bunch of snaps of my Fantasy Dwarven Skirmishers, for an upcoming scrap I am planning. I have done most of the hems of the chain mail coats, put some details on shields, totems, horns and beards.

A selection of the models rear view.

The Clanging Hammer House - Warriors and Musician

The totem, two Champions (With Black Shields) and the leader wielding the Hammer of Justice

There we are, my brave boys, looking better and smarter all the time, I hope. Not to be messed with in a dark alley, or a light one, come to that.

Any thoughts, you know where the box is, please use it. A like would be nice too.

Ivor

WIP - Painting Dwarfs Part 1

Hi all,
           Here is a work in progress, pictures of my Dwarf Skirmish Squad, being painted up for a rule set that, for the time being, shall remain nameless.

Another few shots, froma bit further away.

Now one of the back view.

There were very little difference in the backs of the models, just the odd case or pouch. I am not sure what pedigree they are, I got them at a show. I like shows.

I will add some more once my brush goes into action again.

I did some more, so look out for part two.

Ivor

Thoughts On - Fast and Furious 8 - (Minor spoiler)

Hi all,
          "Fast and Furious" - It does what it says on the tin,  or so you expect, but this one has a quirk to it.

(Mini spoiler alert)
-----------------------
For reasons of his own, Dom goes rogue, and does not play by the "rules" such as they are, namely, protect his gang.
----------------------
Plenty of chase action with shiny toys and in one case, very big toy, which I thought was a bit clumsily used. But that's scriptwriters for you. Nice acting from the usual faces, trying to work out whats wrong with Dom. Assorted fisticuffs with naughty people, as they do.

Overall, it was a bit mixed up, trying too hard.

8 out of 10.

Ivor

5P Job 1 - Hologame Part 3

Hi all,

          This is my third installment of the Hologame in the lounge of the Spaceship Magic Carpet. Have you seen the first two parts ?

The remaining players.

Squad 1 100 PTS Armour Snap Fire Aimed Combat

          React Exposed Cover Weapon Range to hit Range to hit       Hit     Parry   Speed

Lucy     8          7            10     BP + Knife 8     1D+1   16      1D+1     2D+2                    3

(Off stage for one round to get healed, but still -1 to speed.)

Sgt. Ted 10      8            10     BP + Chain 8     1D+1 16        1D+1     2D+3       Y

Gus      8         7            10      BP + Knife 8     1D+1 16        1D+1     2D+2     (-1 to hit rolls)

Squad 2 100 PTS

Martin 8        7             10       BP + Knife 8    1D+1 16        1D+1     2D+2

Chris   8        7             10       BP + Knife 8    1D+1 16        1D+1     2D+2

Pinky   8       7              10      BP + Knife 8     1D+1 16        1D+1     2D+2

Baddies

Boss Nutter  8  7            10      BP+ Knife           8     1D+1 16   1D+1      2D+2                     3

Standard                                                                                                 1D-2         Y

Spike           8  7             9      Plasma Pistol        - - 16 1D+1       2D+2                                  3

                                               (2 rounds to charge up)

Extra Action Table D12 Roll Actions

1-4 = 0                                   Charge = Speed +2 (No shoot, can attack

5-8 = 1                                                  (cost 1 square of move))

9-12=2                                   Advance= Speed (Can Snap shoot, can attack

13-16=3                                               (cost 1 square of move))

17+=4                                    Ready Weapon = Move 1 square (Optional).

Rank of Sgt. Ted gives +2 to extra action rolls. Take an aimed shot or throw grenade. Enter Overwatch status.

Reload= Reload weapon.

Move 1 square (Optional)

No attacks.

For other stats and House rules, see part one.

End of part 6

Stepping out into the room where Flashy has just met his end steps Boss Nutter and his bodyguard, Spike. Looking over at Flashy he snorts, “That wasn't very good manners was it. Take em out, Spike”.

Spike thinks for a moment, “Uuh, take 'em where, Boss ??”

“Nowhere, just kill them !”

“Oh, I like that job.”

“Fire !”

Click, click.

“I fogot to charge it.”

BZZZT, HUMMMMMMM.

“Idiot”

Turn 7

Roll for extra actions. 10 +2 =12. So 2 extra action.

Squad 1

Lucy leaves the spaceship. (She will be healed next round.)

Sgt. Ted lobs a frag grenade at Boss Nutter while he reloads.

(Attack roll 3+4=7. A miss.)

Boss Nutter heads the frag grenade into the back room, where it explodes harmlessly.

Gus lets loose a hail of lead at Boss Nutter.

Attack Roll (2,12 - a hit, Boss Nutter falls to the ground, dead.)

Extra Action - Gus switches his aim to Spike.

Attack Roll (7+1=8 - a hit, Spike falls across Boss Nutter, its green blood oozing across the floor .)

Squad 2

Martin finds another prisoner in a small chamber off the main room. 1 Victory point gained.

Extra Action, He frees Harry and charges up his weapon.

Pinky and Chris check two of the doors, both are dead ends.

Meanwhile

The Warrior spends its time eating its first victim. It throws the outer skins into a corner.

Turn 8

Roll for extra actions. 11 +2 =13. So 3 extra actions.

Squad 1

Lucy, who has now been healed, returns to the spaceship. (But at a reduced speed 3 from now on.) She sees a dim figure in the distance, but it does not look like one of her squad.

Gus and Sgt.Ted try the two nearest doors, but both were dead ends.

Extra Action. As Gus approaches another doorway, he feels a strange vibration coming through the floor. He pauses to see if anything else happens. He notices a slight flickering of light.

Squad 2

Pinky and Chris check two of the doors, both are dead ends.

Extra Action. Chris checks the door on the left and it opens to reveal a passageway ahead and two openings to the left and right. Martin, Harry and Pinky follow behind.

From around the corner lumbers the menacing figure of Boss Gizmo.

                       100 PTS    Armour                       Snap Fire             Aimed                   Combat

                      React Exposed Cover Weapon     Range to hit      Range to hit    Hit    Parry Move

Boss Gizmo        8           9         10      Plasma Pistol        8     1D+1       16    1D+1      2D+2               3

                                                          (2 rounds to charge up)

                                                           Power Fist                                                      1D+4

Close Combat

Round 1

While his Plasma pistol is charging up, he swings his Power fist at Chris, (2+4=6) who ducks out of the way and fires back (4+1=5). but it bounces off Boss Gizmo's armour.

Round 2

Boss Gizmo's fires the now charged plasma gun at Chris, (3+2=5, 6+2=8, A Hit on his shield, now down to 2) who staggers back slightly, then fires back (1+1=2 miss). but it just makes a loud "CLICK", he is out of ammo.

Round 3

While his Plasma pistol is charging up, he swings his Power fist at Chris, (7+4=11, a hit on his shield, now down to 1). Chris lobs a frag grenade at the Boss, while he is reloading. It lands at Boss Gizmo's feet and the blast blows him backwards. Since Chris was so close, he has to check for damage too,(11) his shield is weakened by 1, now out of charge.

Meanwhile

The Warrior spends its time eating its second victim, having learned how to peel it from its not very hard shell.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

More to come in parts 4 to 6.

Ivor Cogdell

P.S. Based on Warhammer 40K "Advanced Space Crusade", Copyright 1990 Games Workshop Ltd. All rights reserved.

Alumwell Show 2017 Photo guide

Hi all,
          Here are my photos from the 2017 Alumwell show in Wolverhampton. Clubs are shown wherever possible.

Ramilliese 23 May 1706

Ahoy Matey !

Fire ! Fire !

The only Science Fiction participation game at the show, put on by The Guards, of Birmingham.

Star Wars - The Asteroid Field

Can the Falcon escape from the enemy patrols ?

The asteroids moved in diagonal patterns, bouncing off the edges (like pong) and each other, at differing speeds. Impacts may result in the asteroid breaking into smaller chunks. The falcon had to dodge them and escape off the board, plus evading laser blasts from the Tie fighters.

The Peninsula War 1807 -1814
France Vs. Britain and Spain.

The Battle of Assietta

Wyre Forest Gamers

The Telford Stags Play Warlord Games Konflikt '47

Warp creatures on the march.

Reinforce the bunker.

Some of the models at the show.

Velociraptor

Stegosaurus

English Electric Lightning

Tyranosaurus Rex head

Triceratops and cub being chased by a velociraptor

I hope you enjoyed the slideshow from the stands. Thanks for all the participating groups and companies for coming and all of the hard work put in by the organizers. Another fine show.

Ivor