How the hell did I do that??

This is a follow-up to my post about Kobblestone; Apparently, I forgot that I did try making my own false-front building before. Not only that, but I tried doing it in forced perspective- and I think I did a pretty damned good job of it.

I think this was about three or four years ago, I threw this together. And it was specifically for lining the back of my bookshelf housing my fantasy miniatures. I only got around to building this one front.

But, Lord only knows, how the hell did I do it?? I can't remember. I certainly couldn't have just bumbled my way into this piece. I suck at math, though I aced Geometry. Still, I can't think how I did this, otherwise, I think I'd might make more.

(On a side note, does anyone know who makes nice figure flats (for a decent price)? I was thinking of trying my hand at it. Specifically, I was thinking of using flats for playing Two Hour Wargame's Joust game. I guess my Google-fu isn't that bad; I'll have a look around.)

Looking at Kobblestone's Bookshelf buildings

Copyright Kobblestone Miniatures

Now this isn't a bad idea. Nor is it original; train hobbyists have been doing it for years. But Kobblestone has certainly given these buildings enough character to take notice. I saw the dimensions, and these are still 4-inches deep, which I think is big enough to put out onto the table (though I believe there is no sculpting on the backs of these buildings.)

I'll put this is my list of ideas if what to do next. I won't be purchasing any of these- I'll try building and painting my own. I think I have enough terrain building experience. And a false front should be a little easier than making the whole building (a whole hell of a lot less measuring; that's for sure.) Still, if you don't have building experience, and if you don't mind spending a few extra dollars for something special, I recommend Kobblestone (not just for the bookshelf buildings, but all their stuff- I love their Spanish Mission church.)

OK, I'm done here; now, let's all of us go and visit Kobblestone's site.

(Nope, this is not a paid promo. I just think Kobblestone's stuff is neat.)

Looking at Reaper's new barbarian prince

Copyright, Reaper Minatures

When I first saw Cal Arath, Barbarian Prince (Reaper No. 3619) I thought, "What the hell -such terrible proportions - look how wide that guy is!"

Then I realized the shape of this figure is perfect: He's just overweight.
I like playing offbeat characters in D&D, and an overweight barbarian would be great (if somewhat cliche). And I think Cal here, looks the part. (This barbarian will be played by Mickey Rourke.) I even wonder if the sculptor couldn't get the size right, or was a genius and got the size exactly right (Cal is a barbarian "prince," after all.)

If/when I pick the figure up, I will probably use a smattering of greenstuff to smooth out those abs and give him a few extra pounds. If I'm feeling ambitious when I have this figure in front of me, I may even file away all the belt buckle stuff and give him a pot belly drooping over his belt line. Charisma: 3.

Oh barbarians; so much fun. I think Cal will be joining the ranks of my barbarians in the near future.

Septimontium: Arena fighter classes

The war priests have classified a few classes of gladiator throughout the Wasteland, though their standards of identification aren't consistent (some classes are identified by armor, and others by weapons.)
Most of the classes will only fight others of the same class, though crossover is not uncommon (such as Infernals vs. Heavies). The exception are the Vulgars who fight opponents from all the other classes.

Plebes

The Plebes are a light to medium class of fighter. They are armed with a one-handed weapon in conjunction with a small shield. They are called Plebes because rookie fighters and layman who like to "dabble" in the arenas are usually outfitted in this class, carrying a small shield because they have not yet developed the strength or skill to use a heavier shield. This is one of the two common classes.

Heavies

The other common class are the Heavies. They are the most popular of the classes throughout the Wasteland. They are the most well-protected and are usually the most experienced of all the fighters. A heavy is similar to a Plebe except that they carry a heavy shield along with a one-handed weapon. They also have one or more limbs covered in leather and/or metal armor as well as a helmet (almost always metal.)

Vulgars

Vulgars refers to fighters who come from the ranks of Juggers teams who want to try their skills in the arena. Some are expert fighters, while others are not so good. Most Vulgars are drivers on their teams, so they carry a large two-handed weapon. They will sometimes also don a few extra pieces of armor before entering the arena. The rare Qwik will also fight in the arena. They usually outfit themselves as Plebes or Cuttos.
Many Vulgars are used during animal hunts in the arena. In a hunt, one Vulgar will usually be teamed up with two Cuttos versus a large animal.
Chain fighters also sometimes fight as Vulgars, but prefer the better pay of the Juggers leagues.

Linkers

Linkers always fight with a ball-and-chain type weapon (steel ball on a chain, chunk of concrete on a cable or other similar weapon.)
Juggers chain players who enter the arena are officially labelled as Linkers, though, most spectators still consider them to be Vulgars.
Linkers are slightly different from other classes in that they are usually teamed up with other fighters during a match. Since Linkers fight for less pay, many arenas will put on group battles and fill out the ranks with the Linkers.

Cuttos

The Cuttos are most commonly called "knifers." Their class is named after the Cutto armor they wear during combat. The Cutto starts on the shoulder as a small shield protecting the head, and extends all the way down the arm ending in an armored gauntlet that covers the entire hand. A large dagger or small sword blade extends from the gauntlet. Cuttos wear no other armor and sometimes will fight entirely naked
The ranks of Cuttos are mostly filled by two kinds of people. Many Waiteri tribesmen come to Septimontium to remind the population of their martial prowess (a display which serves as a deterrent to the cities who might think of subduing the tribes.) They always fight as Cuttos so that they can wear the least amount of "tainted" armor (Many Waiteri will fight with their own primitive weapons, wearing nothing more than a loin cloth.) The other Cutto fighter is almost always a debtor. In the arena, a victorious Cutto fighter usually gets at least double the rewards, so many debtors choose this class so they can quickly repay their loans ... if they live.
Cuttos are mostly matched up against other Cuttos, but sometimes take part in animal hunts. Some specialty matches will pit an experienced Cutto against a novice Heavy or Plebe, or a few debtor Cuttos against a Con Heavy. (Con = a top-level fighter.)

Infernals

Infernals are always identified by their weapons, which are almost always a machine of some sort, using either mechanical or chemical components to work. Weapons can include, for example, chainsaws, flame throwers, crossbows, guns or power drills. Infernals also carry a secondary weapon since their technology is not always reliable. This secondary weapon is usually a small cutter.
Infernals are usually matched up against Heavies, but are sometimes matched up against other Infernals. This is indeed a rare matchup and is reserved for the largest arenas during the most popular holidays (such as the Conspiratorial Games.)
Since the technology is rare and valuable, infernals usually have a state sponsor such as a senator or priest. The War College of Rubikon also maintains its own cadre of Infernals who are used as enforcers and escorts for matrons, referees, war priests and other arena officials.

Around the Metae: Charioteer!

I stayed up late last night finishing the rest of my chariots. I think these will make my games of Charioteer even more exciting. I have each of the four color factions represented plus purple (which I read was actually a faction, along with the Golds, for a short time during the time of Emperor Domition; So my colors are all good.)

My track here is made from a scrap of VFF suede (the same stuff I use for my Red Sand Black Moon arenas.) Along one side I have a painted wall marked with sections of race track to determine race progress using a glass bead (read below). I also have on my track Roman numerals to keep track of laps.

Charioteer: The game Charioteer is fun, but it's different than your average racing game. For one, you don't actually race your models over a model or map of the entire circus. The area where you place your chariot miniatures/counters is of one section of the race track upon which your chariots jostle for position within the pack. A marker is moved along a small diagram of the track, indicating where on the track the pack of chariots is currently racing (either on the straightaways or on the turns.)

The pack mechanic is also advantageous because it requires very little table space (my track is 4" x 12" using 15mm chariots.) And since the footprint is small, you can use much larger chariot models. A dining room table should easily accommodate Games Workshop or any other 28mm chariots, for example.

This section of track is divided into Slots and Spots. Think of Slots as lanes across the track, and spots as racing positions (first, second, third etc.) A basic game will have three slots and as many spots as you have chariots (so games can be as large and unwieldy as you want them ;) I like this pack mechanic because it doesn't allow a player to take a huge lead, or let a player drop back too far out of contention; Everyone is in the race ... until folks start crashing.

There are only three stats, Savvy, Strength and Speed. Savvy and Strength are stats held by the driver, while speed is the stat of your horses (so drivers and horse teams can be mixed and matched in a campaign game. There is also an auction mechanic that can be introduced in which players, between races, can play as owners vying for ownership of the best teams or drivers.)

Savvy represents your general knowledge of racing and is used to determine your success in passing other chariots (or in trying to cause them to crash!)

Strength is needed if you prefer to make passing attempts in the turns, or to whip your opponents, or to gain control of your chariot if it's in danger of crashing.

Speed is used simply for passing on the straightaway. Sure, that's the only time this stat is useful, but you have a lot more chances of passing on the straightaways than the turns. I think that's half the fun of the game, is determining your stats to match a style of racing you prefer.

You roll dice based on your stats and cross reference a few tables (there are only four short tables -- we're not talking huge Avalon Hill lakes of numbers.) There is a lot of dice rolling, and, for the most part, the chariots are balanced for the course of the race (unless you decide to race with more or less total stat points for handicapping etc.) But there are also (a limited pool) bonus dice for each player, which represent stamina and/or momentum. The player can choose when to use these dice during the race to gain advantage.

That's the gist of it all. It's a light game (light, but not beer-and-pretzels) and it's quite fun. You can race as few or as many laps as you want. To some, it feels like it's just dice rolling, but there is definite strategy, especially in regards to bonus dice (and when you blow the wad to make that final pass.) I also enjoy it because you can play it solo against non-player chariots.

Charioteer: Green chariot

Here's the first my chariots by Two Hour Wargames for their game "Charioteer." After painting this one, I'm wondering if I should have got more; this one was fun to paint -- small and intricate, but fun.

This one is the "green" team's chariot. In ancient Roman chariot racing, there were four factions, all named by color: The Reds, Blues, Greens and Whites. (In fact, THW's chariot minis are cast in those colors- I simply chose to paint mine.)

According to the author Marcus Junklemann, the Blues and Greens were the main factions, while the reds and whites were subsidiary teams. When the races were run, each team would field the same number of chariots, so there would be 4, 8 or 12 chariots racing. (Though, Junklemann mentions Greek rules were used int he East in which anyone who could afford a chariot and horses could race without the support of a faction. (Hmm, maybe I better see about getting three more chariots, so I can do some team racing? No biggie, I'll be racing in the east for now.)

I will paint the remainder of my chariots in the other faction colors (Red, Blue and White are left over.) I'll paint the fifth chariot in purple; when my friends and I play games, each of us have our favorite color, and one of them likes purple (another likes Blue, and I like Red to honor my hero Tom Servo.)

A quick note: After weeks of painting 54mm figures, there was absolutely no needing to get used to painting something much smaller. I just went right to it with no problems. I look forward to painting the remainder of these (and hopefully getting a few more from Ed so I can eventually field 8 teams.)

I might MIGHT do a piece of terrain for the track, but no promises. The game actually doesn't use a full track (in the traditional sense.) I'll explain more once I get all these chariots painted up (A review over at Boardgame Geek does a good job of explaining how the game works if you don't want to wait for me.)

Then off to play a few games of Charioteer!

Coming soon: A change of pace

Post Apoc: Missionary and Tadpole

Here's the last of my post-apoc stuff for a few days (I do have one item on the way.) The first is another priest, a low-level Oak Street missionary. He was made from another Marx figure. He completes my collection  of "clergy." I'd still like to get a figure to represent a "gene" priest (the last branch of the Septimontium church which I don't have represented.) In due time.

The other figure was actually an impulse buy. I had yet to try out a figure from Reaper's new Bones collection, and my local game store had a couple. So I picked up the purple worm (only $2.95!)

It's made up of essentially the same material as my dinosaurs, so I used the same technique as on my dinosaurs to paint this worm. The material remains tacky with a spray primer, but takes and holds an acrylic base coat just fine.

I'm calling this beasty a Tadpole. I'm letting the figure dictate a little bit of my setting (in this case, biology.) I'm calling it a Tadpole, because it is the young of a Froggy. As it ages, it will lose its digging teeth and grow limbs, at which time it will emerge from underground to live the rest of its life hunting angrily around the Wasteland.

Septimontium: Incident on Meat Street

The vendors of the Meat Street Market couldn't take any more. The Crosses gang had taken too much in "protection" money, and their chief enforcer, Vax, had broken too many of the merchants' bones for lack of funds or simply for pure enjoyment.

Enter Kirna, driver for the Brownies juggers team, fighter on the Con Sunrisers circuit during the offseason, and new cleaner of Meat Street. Her price was steep, but the merchants saw it as a one-time investment; if Kirna could kill Vax, the merchants would get their livelihoods back, and if she lost, the Crosses would kill everyone on the street, anyway. It was a good investment.

Vax had just began her rounds when she encountered Kirna standing alone in the empty street. Vax knew what was up; word travels fast in the outer towns. Full of cockiness, she smiled, pointed at Kirna to accept the challenge and made her move.

Vax was a knifer, and with plenty of strength behind her shortsword, but Kirna was experienced in battling skilled fighters. Still, Vax had a little knowledge of the streets and moved herself into a small alley to try to negate the effectiveness of Kirna's two-handed hammer. Kirna would not fall for the ruse and kept to the main street. Positioning her long knife to strike, Vax smiled and trotted at Kirna.

Vax thrust with her blade and missed; Kirna swung her hammer over Vax's ducking head. The hammer came around again, and though Vax was able to parry the heavy hammerhead away with her armored gauntlet, the strong blow still knocked her to the ground. Kirna brought the hammer down, but Vax was able to dodge the strike.

Vax's cockiness easily gave way to anger, and she charged at Kirna. Kirna had fought brute strength before. She knew that brutes usually backed up their strength only with rage. Kirna brought smarts. And it was her smarts that easily dodged Vax's attack, while, at the same time, bringing the hammer square into Vax's chest.

Vax went down without a sound, dead on impact. And with her death, quickly would come the end of the Crosses gang. Meat Street was soon back to business.

A couple notes on Post-Apoc terrain

Nothing much new here; I just wanted to mention a couple things about my terrain.

I did a couple new pieces. One has a metal water trough (complete with epoxy resin-made "liquids"), and the other has an ice cream freezer as its centerpiece. (the freezer is actually a milk cooler from the Marx dairy set I recently purchased.)

Most of the junk has been painted with rust. I overdid the rust on purpose; by painting everything one basic color, it helps the terrain to blend into the background so players can focus on the action. There's the obvious exception of my street vendor, but even that piece has some rust added.

I'll use the terrain to form barriers for post-apoc matches as well as with games of Qwik.

And though the terrain might add to some of the games (rules-wise), I want the focus to remain on the game (Red Sand Brown Sky) with the terrain as eye candy. Which leads me to my last note: I think I will expand just a little (miniatures-wise) on my post-apoc world of Septimontium, but the focus will always be on the gladiator fighting. So I'm not going to make any buildings; I'm happy with the amount of terrain I have; But I wouldn't mind adding another fighter or two (or three or four), and I also wouldn't mind painting up a couple more bystanders (civilians other than the priests.) But you won't see me expand as much as my Street Corner project, for example.

I'm happy with what I have. There is enough terrain to make a nice little area for fighting (My next AAR will take place on Meat Street, using all the terrain shown here as well as my Oppenheimer statue and a couple trees - see the setup at the end of this post.)

I will also continue to write up details about my world. Even if they don't directly relate to the matches, I enjoy having a lot of subtext to my games to help with narration. It will also help me to actually take up a campaign, which I admittedly haven't done with any THW rules set yet.

Post Apoc: Oak Street priest- Brother March

I'm much happier with this figure than the last. I'm sure it's because of the patchwork coat. In fact, I think I will go back and add a few patches to the other priest. This figure also has a light coating of (drybrushed) dust which I think helps unify all the colors.

This figure is from the Elliot Ness/Al Capone set by Marx. This figure was Al Capone, and now he's Brother March, Priest of 7602 Oak Street.

I'm approaching another crossroads of painting. I have one more 54mm figure to paint up for my post apocalypse collection and then a few random fantasy figures I need to get done for my friend Jeff. After that, I have no large projects planned. 

I do have a few small resin chariots on the way from Two Hour Wargames for playing Charioteer. I will paint those up. But then, after THAT, I don't have anything else planned. I might just continue with my post-apoc stuff.

Post Apoc: Brother August, war priest of Rubikon

Here's one of my war priests -- Brother August of Rubikon bearing the sacred relic "Snubnose of the 16th Precinct." I had thought about cutting the pistol out of his hand, but then I realized it would be more fun (and easier) to just write it into the setting.

The gas mask and sash are all green stuff. You might notice the sash is a piece of small moro skin.

This figure is another Marx reissue, from the set containing Elliot Ness and Al Capone; this was is Mr. Ness. I am beginning to like these Marx figures as another source to enhance my post apocalyptic collection. The figures paint up well and have a decent enough amount of detail to stand alongside my other figures. There is also a good selection of accessories to choose from in the Marx catalogue.

Oops, I forgot to coat this fellow with a layer of dust. I knew something looked out of place ... I mean beside the guy with a fedora, three-piece suit, gas mask and wild futuristic animal sash.