In the Wars 3 - Updated

Hi folks,

               Good news - I have just been cutting my 72 mm Viking models from my sprues. Bad news, the primer flaked off all over the place. I had previously washed them in detergent to get rid of the release agent that is put on them to aid detachment from the moulds. I thought I had swilled them off thoroughly before I dried them, but apparently not. I will give them another couple of coats of thin primer and then try a thin coat of black to seal them.

            I was flicking through my rule sets and wondering what bases to use to go with which ruleset. I have Armati, Hail Caesar by Warlord Games, Battleblade, De Bellis Magistrorum Militum V 2.0, Fields of Glory - Wolves from the Sea and Scimitar. Ravenfeast by Little TV Wars (Which is a FREE .pdf from their website, with supplemental scenarios to download too). Warhammer Ancient Battles, Rally Round the King, Swordplay and Chain Reaction 3.0 by Two Hour Wargames. (The last two rules are a FREE .pdf from their website.).

            25 mm Base fronts are the norm, I believe. You have to take into account the javelins etc sticking out and generally getting in the way of the other figures. This will be a test of my painting skills, as I have not done any models of this scale for a while.

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/11388/armati-2nd-edition-rules-and-lists-ancient-and-med

https://fightingfantasy.fandom.com/wiki/Battleblade_Warrior_(book)

https://store.warlordgames.com/

http://www.ravenfeast.com/free-downloads.html 

https://www.littlewarstv.com/

https://www.twohourwargames.com/fataga1.html

I see in the free Metro paper that they have cast the latest Doctor. Ncuti Gatwa is his name. Good luck to the gentleman. He said that he binge-watched the BBC Doctor Who series from 2006 onwards. He has missed so much. The first episode of Doctor Who was aired on 23 November 1963.  He should have started from the beginning and watched all 26 series and the two movies.

https://www.bing.com/search?pglt=41&q=new+dr+who+actor&cvid=edba1fc634ec4d3bbf39cfa55440c123&aqs=edge.4.69i57

I have just downloaded from drivethruRPG "Radd Infinityum", one of the SOLO pocket RPG entries. I have only had a quick glance at it, but I hope to try it out soon. Probably after our local 39th Birmingham Jazz and Blues Festival has come to an end. I will be sketching the bands I go to see and doing some in watercolour.

A Stargrave battle Report is next. 

Regards all,

Ivor Cogdell

In the wars 2

 Hi folks,

               After recovering from a wonky back, I have a PC problem. I get locked out of my PC. It refuses me access to the login screen. I had to take it to the local PC Repair Dude and get him to fix it. "Thanks, Kevin of Chandler's Computers." Along with an SSD upgrade to speed things up a bit. You do notice the difference to loading times, so do go ahead if you are thinking of having one installed.

                  I am just catching up with my Job search and reinstalling my progs on to the faster system at the moment. I had a nice day out at the local Sea Life centre yesterday with a couple of pals.

                 Google Analytics say I need to tweak something in the settings on here, so I will give it a bash now.

Regards all,

Ivor Cogdell

In the wars

 Hi Everyone,

                   This is just a quick status report for you. Unfortunately, I have been unable to post for the last three weeks, due to sustaining a back and leg injury, which was keeping me out of action. Touch wood, I am over the worst, it is just affecting my mobility at the moment.

                   I have been making Eco Warrior notes on my phone and I have been starting to type those up. Thanks to all the Youtubers that have entertained me over the months and years and keep my spirits up. I have watched a couple of reports of SALUTE 2023 Wargame Show. Great as ever, folks.

                  Have you tried any of the Artificial Intelligence chatbots that are springing up on the internet, Google and Bing? What do you think ? Will you be using them to generating anything for your settings ? Plots, layouts etc.

Regards all,

Ivor Cogdell

5P - House Rules for Five Parsecs From Home 3rd Edition.

 Hi all,

          Here is my list of Five Parsecs 3rd Edition House Rules, they are not very long at the moment.

Scoring First Blood - Xp = 1.5.

Hit a target - Xp = 1.

Causing a Knock Down - Xp = 0.5.

Becoming a Casualty - Xp = 1

Giving assistance to PC / NPC after the battle (e.g. Medic) - Xp = 0.5.

Exploring / Trading / Decoy / Finding a Patron / Training before the battle etc. - Xp = 0.5.

Using a skill - Xp = 0.5.

I hope the give you some ideas for your game.

Regards all,

Ivor Cogdell

Thoughts on - US Gun Laws - Updated 8 May 2023.

 Hi Everyone,

                    I got onto this topic when I was replying to a friend's Facebook note, regarding Covid 19 and its effects on all our lives.  A reply was made by a lady to cherish what you have and be kind to everyone. This is a sentiment which I totally agree with. But some do not. For them, it is too easy to turn that reaction into rage and hate. I replied as follows.

" Yet there are still mass killings of kids and teachers in the States. Their Gun laws are total madness. If the laws don't work to protectSource you, what good are they? Corruption and big corporations run the show. The political parties need to take a long hard look at themselves and rethink their priorities. I am surprised that the parents do not sue the congressmen who keep voting the gun laws, whenever there is a shooting. They need a real-life "Jason Bull" to charge them with "Accessory to murder, before the fact". Fine them directly and throw some in jail, then they would not be so keen to evade their duties to the public."

The President has tried to do the right thing, but he is foiled by the gun lobby and their friends at every turn. When anyone can buy an assault rifle with no checks in place, like the latest case. this will keep happening. They feel they cannot trust the law to protect them. But there is protection and there is destruction. Their history has not done them any favours. 

Now more than ever before, they need to see the bigger picture. Global Warming is here NOW, never mind 2050. If we do not share the resources wisely, they will surely wreak a bloodbath as they fight the rich for what they will not give up. Lessen the loss of life and do the right thing. Otherwise, we will all have a lesson on Evolution in Action.

08 April 2023 - Kentucky Bank robbery - 6 shot dead, including the shooter.

14 April 2023 - Five more people killed in a bank robbery gone wrong, including the bank robber, with others injured. It just goes on and on and on.

07 May 2023 - Shopping Mall, Dallas, Texas - Gunman kills 9 and wounds 7 and is then shot dead by a passing policeman. - Source Sky News.

08 May 2023 - President Joe Biden has asked the Republican Party to help pass gun control laws, in the wake of this latest shooting. - Source Sky News

Stay safe,

Ivor Cogdell

5P - Character Reginald "Pinky" Farnsworth - 3rd Edition Update

 Hi Everybody,

                      Here are the new stats for Reginald "Pinky" Farnsworth.

Background - He grew up on one of the many military bases on Gefan. His mom was a mechanic in the motor pool. His father was away a lot, in the transport section, shipping supplies to where they were needed, but there was lots of support from the other soldiers families. Since he likes traveling, he became a tour guide, but when the market flopped he lost his business, so he went back to what he knew best, the army. Now he is back on the street again.

Motivation - Originally, to be the best. Now, to do what needs doing.

Character Class - Soldier.

Military Service - Trained with the 2035th Regiment. Private.
Boot Camp - Camp Robson, planet Pinto.
Zero G - Station Fort Worth, orbiting  planet Pinto.
Low G - Camp Fortitude, on Pinto's moon Pegasus.

Active Duty - Mastrecct Campaign - (wounded - left little finger shot off, replaced by prosthetic one).
                               - Resupply Station Raleigh, orbiting Faraday. - Shuttle loader.
                               - Science Outpost Tesla, orbiting Doppleganger.- Quartermaster.

Decorated - Regimental Medal (Unity 2035). Army Star and Bars (Mastrecct.)(Wound), Fleet Medal (General Service) and Bar (Raleigh), Science Medal (General Service) and Bar (Tesla).

Discharge - Medical. (Now exempt from call up.) Army Pension - Credits -98.

Medical Record

Reactions = 1    Speed = 4   Combat = 3    Tough = 4    Savvy = 0    Experience = 3.0   Luck = 0

Special Circumstances - Slightly Unhinged. In need of counselling.

If the Event roll = 6, he will move 1d6" in a random direction, but he can act normally.

Kit - Uniform, Auto Rifle, Hunting Rifle and Stim Pack. Travel clothes.

The details will change according to how the campaign evolves.

Ivor Cogdell

5P - Five Parsecs From Home 3rd Edition - NPC List 2

 Hi Everyone,

                     Here is an NPC list for my "Five Parsecs From Home" campaign. It's just a bit of flavour to add to the setting. 

Planet Hougemonte  - Port Rudolfus 

Roger Harris, Philleas Basin News Broadcaster.

Rowan Purlen, the Agriculture Minister - Blamed for crop growing problem.

Chris Don Royton, Freelance Reporter. Going to KR 16 on the Magic Carpet.

Eric Vickers, Cameraman.    

The Admiral's Table - Restaurant.

                       Pilot's Bar.

Rostof Mines

Joe Murphy - Rostof Mine 1, Liason Officer.

Gaz Brartson - Rostof Mine 2, Liason Officer.

Spaceport - Rudolfus

Air / Space Traffic Control - George Polanski.

blogger Maintenance, Depot 3 - Director Miss Alex Hanson.

Security - Pat Clark. Officer Benson. Officer King.

Veteran's Motel - Bell Droid 437, Room Interface 798.

Companies

Ace Couriers

Carrington Warp Engines. Carrington Spacecraft Museum.

Med Flyers

Unity

Unity Bio Lab - Reception -  James Dobson.
Minny Pook - Security Liason.

Hilton Stayright - Tax Inspector.

Gangs

Hammerheads
Jays
Odins
Reileys
Scum of the Planet - See Entry.

        Pete, The Poacher - Xp = 3.5. In custody, Med-block with a broken wrist, awaiting charges.

        Suzy, The Slasher -  Xp = 3.0.  In custody, Med-block with head wounds, awaiting charges.

        Jessica, The Pony -  Xp = 3.0. In custody, awaiting psyche evaluation and charges.

        Simon Bannister, Alias Specs.  Xp = 3.0 - Wanted for Attempted Armed robbery, Property damage, and Disturbing the Peace. Bounty Reward = 2 Credits.

Tramps

Tigers

Underworld 

"Fence" - "Rusty".

"Safe House" - Slinky -  Xp = 0.5.  and Frank -  Xp = 0.5 

(House Rule - Assistance after the battle - Xp = 0.5). 

That's got the people straight.

Regards,

Ivor Cogdell