Here's to the future!
Thursday, April 5, 2018
Wednesday, April 4, 2018
Orcs in the Elf Woods
From: Fulhoff of Clan Balderk
To: Helja and Adrik of Clan Balderk
Mother & Father,
I cannot even begin to express my exasperation at the impatience of your nephew. While I was carefully pouring over old tomes in dusty libraries and private collections looking for information on the old kingdom of the giants, Thorin decided to take Lady Awful to Nightstone… The humans went with him. When I discovered that he went off on his own, I went and found Journey and we followed them, taking with us a small Halfling named Lidda.
We arrived at Nightstone without incident, but found that we had just missed as assault upon the village by a troop of orcs. Thorin and co, with the help of a dragon, won the day. Great Digger forgive me, but I think I need to pay more attention to Thorin and his impulsive ways.
Once we were all back together, we all shared what we knew, and decided the next stop should be Goldstone… which meant either turning around and going back through Waterdeep, or cutting through the elven woods. As the town was depressingly understaffed, the fine innkeep was considering allying with the Black Network to help them keep the town safe. We talked him out of that terrible idea with the promise to go see about getting the elves to help out. Taking some of the orc heads, we set off.
I will not bore you with the details, but it seems the elves were willing to speak with us thanks to my limited knowledge of the traditional elven word for friend. They were insufferably haughty but agreed to both speak with the villagers and to allow us passage. They also claimed that no orc encampments were within the woods. I have my doubts…Especially as we were set upon by over a dozen of the brutes while passing through the woods.
The battle was fierce. I found myself defending the left flank while Thorin and Rin took the center, and Bran the right. The elves remained hidden, occasionally sending a volley of arrows into the orc line. Journey and Lidda kept to the rear, sending flame and arrows into the orcs to best support those of us in battle as the fight shifted.
I took on one brute early in the fight who was more ferocious than I’d expected. His weapon came in under my guard as I hit him with a frost bolt. His attack slammed me in the gut, and he followed up with a swing at my neck as I bent over in pain. Only my bedroll saved my head. My hammer dispatched him, but 2 more were close behind. One was a shaman who summoned a demon blade to attack Thorin. I cursed at the orc to draw his attention away, and it worked, he came for me!
Lidda, her bow twanging, felled the grunt, while Journey blasted the shaman with a bolt of flame. I overcharged the Witchbolt, something I’ve not tried before, and slammed my hammer into the shaman, sending him flying back wreathed in the blinding energy. When I looked around the last of the orcs was being felled.
The elves, remaining mostly in the trees, were… restrained in their thanks for our assistance in slaying the roving bands of orcs in their woods. We took a few minutes to rest after the battle, and the elves shared some of their “food” with is. Thorin and I stuck with our trail rations, though Journey seemed to enjoy their food, as much as she denied it.
To: Helja and Adrik of Clan Balderk
Mother & Father,
I cannot even begin to express my exasperation at the impatience of your nephew. While I was carefully pouring over old tomes in dusty libraries and private collections looking for information on the old kingdom of the giants, Thorin decided to take Lady Awful to Nightstone… The humans went with him. When I discovered that he went off on his own, I went and found Journey and we followed them, taking with us a small Halfling named Lidda.
We arrived at Nightstone without incident, but found that we had just missed as assault upon the village by a troop of orcs. Thorin and co, with the help of a dragon, won the day. Great Digger forgive me, but I think I need to pay more attention to Thorin and his impulsive ways.
Once we were all back together, we all shared what we knew, and decided the next stop should be Goldstone… which meant either turning around and going back through Waterdeep, or cutting through the elven woods. As the town was depressingly understaffed, the fine innkeep was considering allying with the Black Network to help them keep the town safe. We talked him out of that terrible idea with the promise to go see about getting the elves to help out. Taking some of the orc heads, we set off.
I will not bore you with the details, but it seems the elves were willing to speak with us thanks to my limited knowledge of the traditional elven word for friend. They were insufferably haughty but agreed to both speak with the villagers and to allow us passage. They also claimed that no orc encampments were within the woods. I have my doubts…Especially as we were set upon by over a dozen of the brutes while passing through the woods.
The battle was fierce. I found myself defending the left flank while Thorin and Rin took the center, and Bran the right. The elves remained hidden, occasionally sending a volley of arrows into the orc line. Journey and Lidda kept to the rear, sending flame and arrows into the orcs to best support those of us in battle as the fight shifted.
I took on one brute early in the fight who was more ferocious than I’d expected. His weapon came in under my guard as I hit him with a frost bolt. His attack slammed me in the gut, and he followed up with a swing at my neck as I bent over in pain. Only my bedroll saved my head. My hammer dispatched him, but 2 more were close behind. One was a shaman who summoned a demon blade to attack Thorin. I cursed at the orc to draw his attention away, and it worked, he came for me!
Lidda, her bow twanging, felled the grunt, while Journey blasted the shaman with a bolt of flame. I overcharged the Witchbolt, something I’ve not tried before, and slammed my hammer into the shaman, sending him flying back wreathed in the blinding energy. When I looked around the last of the orcs was being felled.
The elves, remaining mostly in the trees, were… restrained in their thanks for our assistance in slaying the roving bands of orcs in their woods. We took a few minutes to rest after the battle, and the elves shared some of their “food” with is. Thorin and I stuck with our trail rations, though Journey seemed to enjoy their food, as much as she denied it.
Monday, April 2, 2018
Countdown to Infinity War: Doctor Strange
This is the story of how Tony Stark, sorry, Doctor Stephen Strange, mechanical medical genius became Iron Man The Sorcerer Supreme.
It’s just so easy to get the two of them confused. Both are insanely intelligent, egotistical, self-centered assholes who think everyone is beneath them. Both are victims of their own arrogance. Neither ever actually reaches “humble” in spite of their setbacks.
Visually, this movie is a treat. From the cosmic colors to the kaleidoscoping landscapes to the rich textures of the fabrics used. There’s a lot to see, and every time I’ve watched it, I’ve appreciated the visuals more and more.
The storyline is… Okay. It didn’t really do anything new or exciting, and felt very much like what we’ve seen before. I wish it had pushed things further.
Kaecilius, the antagonist has a fairly clear motivation, if twisted. I kinda feel like this would have been a far more interesting conflict if the focus would have been better placed on the relationship between Kaecilius and Mordo, especially since Strange mostly was… just kind of there. Strange didn’t even want to be involved in the conflict, in protecting the world… He just wanted to heal his hands.
In that way, it kind of reminded me of Big Trouble in Little China. Jack Burton was clearly the bumbling sidekick of the movie, but as the camera was on him, it almost seems like he’s the hero. It’s the same with Strange… he’s just there, in the way, along for the ride, defending himself as needed, while Mordo fights to actually stop Kaecilius.
I did really enjoy a lot of the dialogue in the movie. When The Ancient One banishes Strange to the top of Everest, and Mordo says “Oh, no, not again.” Lines like that can tell you an awful lot about a character.
The back and forth between Kaecilius and Strange makes the movie, regardless of any other flaws.
End Credit Scene: Thor and Strange have a beer! Mordo decides there's too many sorcerers in the world... for... some reason... Not sure I follow that logic.
Next up: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
It’s just so easy to get the two of them confused. Both are insanely intelligent, egotistical, self-centered assholes who think everyone is beneath them. Both are victims of their own arrogance. Neither ever actually reaches “humble” in spite of their setbacks.
Visually, this movie is a treat. From the cosmic colors to the kaleidoscoping landscapes to the rich textures of the fabrics used. There’s a lot to see, and every time I’ve watched it, I’ve appreciated the visuals more and more.
The storyline is… Okay. It didn’t really do anything new or exciting, and felt very much like what we’ve seen before. I wish it had pushed things further.
Kaecilius, the antagonist has a fairly clear motivation, if twisted. I kinda feel like this would have been a far more interesting conflict if the focus would have been better placed on the relationship between Kaecilius and Mordo, especially since Strange mostly was… just kind of there. Strange didn’t even want to be involved in the conflict, in protecting the world… He just wanted to heal his hands.
In that way, it kind of reminded me of Big Trouble in Little China. Jack Burton was clearly the bumbling sidekick of the movie, but as the camera was on him, it almost seems like he’s the hero. It’s the same with Strange… he’s just there, in the way, along for the ride, defending himself as needed, while Mordo fights to actually stop Kaecilius.
I did really enjoy a lot of the dialogue in the movie. When The Ancient One banishes Strange to the top of Everest, and Mordo says “Oh, no, not again.” Lines like that can tell you an awful lot about a character.
The back and forth between Kaecilius and Strange makes the movie, regardless of any other flaws.
End Credit Scene: Thor and Strange have a beer! Mordo decides there's too many sorcerers in the world... for... some reason... Not sure I follow that logic.
Next up: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Sunday, April 1, 2018
Saturday, March 31, 2018
March 18 in Review
Gaming
The exploration into Stonehell continues. Their fight with Ka-Nefar for control of the upper levels of the dungeon has
My 5e game is going really well. My religious dwarven wizard, when he rolls well, kicks some serious ass, especially when the barbarian is distracting whatever it is he's going after.
Haven't gotten in any Frostgrave in a while, and it's becoming an itch that I really want to scratch.
Minis
Painted up 2 dwarves; my converted Ivar, and Dain for my fellow dwarf player. Also painted up the Foo Dog figure as a golden statue with jade eyes, and the Donkey, both from Bones 3. The Deladrin, Autumnal Ranger that I started back in February has reached the point of "I'm done" even though there's more I could do. I also have been working on the Bones Stone Giant for my Wednesday FLGS D&D game. Still need to finish taking pictures and writing up blog posts for most of them...
Books
Ninja CPA Review...
Movies
Blade Runner
Blade Runner 2049
Thor: The Dark World
Captain America Winter Soldier
Guardians of the Galaxy
Avengers Age of Ultron
Ant-Man
Captain America Civil War
The Punisher season 1
Jessica Jones (first couple of episodes)
The exploration into Stonehell continues. Their fight with Ka-Nefar for control of the upper levels of the dungeon has
My 5e game is going really well. My religious dwarven wizard, when he rolls well, kicks some serious ass, especially when the barbarian is distracting whatever it is he's going after.
Haven't gotten in any Frostgrave in a while, and it's becoming an itch that I really want to scratch.
Minis
Painted up 2 dwarves; my converted Ivar, and Dain for my fellow dwarf player. Also painted up the Foo Dog figure as a golden statue with jade eyes, and the Donkey, both from Bones 3. The Deladrin, Autumnal Ranger that I started back in February has reached the point of "I'm done" even though there's more I could do. I also have been working on the Bones Stone Giant for my Wednesday FLGS D&D game. Still need to finish taking pictures and writing up blog posts for most of them...
Books
Ninja CPA Review...
Movies
Blade Runner
Blade Runner 2049
Thor: The Dark World
Captain America Winter Soldier
Guardians of the Galaxy
Avengers Age of Ultron
Ant-Man
Captain America Civil War
The Punisher season 1
Jessica Jones (first couple of episodes)
Friday, March 30, 2018
Donkey and Foo Dog
Sometimes you just need a random mini…
The Foo Dog I pulled out for Chinese New Year. Rather than try to paint it up like some sort of actual living thing, I figured why not just paint it up like a golden statue? So I did. I think he’ll work well for a random terrain element or objective marker in Frostgrave Ghost Archipelago.
Base coated with Brown liner, I then painted him with a dark old gold, followed by New Gold for the broad highlights. The metallic red was painted first with Retro Red, which looked too orange, so I mixed in some Heraldic Red to strengthen the redness. The eyes I painted with Jade green, blended with Brown Liner to Linen White to try to give it a hint of gem-ness.
It was based on a 2” base, and I used a mix of gravel and sand to texture the base. This was painted with a variety of browns and greens, with dots of flock and turf. I added a few dots of orange to look like little flowers.
The Donkey was painted with Desert Sand and Stone Grey over Brown Liner. As usual, Linen White and Brown liner were used to shade. Oh, and for reference pictures, I used Donkey from Shrek rather than a real one… *shrug* The packages on the donkey’s pack were painted a variety of colors, mostly based on whatever paints I had on my work tray at the time. Just about everything got a wash of Sepia.
He’s based on a 30mm base with the same mix of sand and gravel as the Foo Dog. I painted the base a little differently, using redstone as the base. Otherwise, pretty much the same.
Total Minis Painted in 2018: 25
The Foo Dog I pulled out for Chinese New Year. Rather than try to paint it up like some sort of actual living thing, I figured why not just paint it up like a golden statue? So I did. I think he’ll work well for a random terrain element or objective marker in Frostgrave Ghost Archipelago.
Base coated with Brown liner, I then painted him with a dark old gold, followed by New Gold for the broad highlights. The metallic red was painted first with Retro Red, which looked too orange, so I mixed in some Heraldic Red to strengthen the redness. The eyes I painted with Jade green, blended with Brown Liner to Linen White to try to give it a hint of gem-ness.
It was based on a 2” base, and I used a mix of gravel and sand to texture the base. This was painted with a variety of browns and greens, with dots of flock and turf. I added a few dots of orange to look like little flowers.
The Donkey was painted with Desert Sand and Stone Grey over Brown Liner. As usual, Linen White and Brown liner were used to shade. Oh, and for reference pictures, I used Donkey from Shrek rather than a real one… *shrug* The packages on the donkey’s pack were painted a variety of colors, mostly based on whatever paints I had on my work tray at the time. Just about everything got a wash of Sepia.
He’s based on a 30mm base with the same mix of sand and gravel as the Foo Dog. I painted the base a little differently, using redstone as the base. Otherwise, pretty much the same.
Total Minis Painted in 2018: 25
Thursday, March 29, 2018
Blade Runner 2049
First, thank gods it wasn’t a reboot.
It was an interesting sequel, and I liked seeing how they advanced the world. In tone, it was less Noir, and more… dystopian sci-fi. The impression that the world has changed a lot in the 30-ish years since the original, beyond just the changes due to a EMP that did a fairly through wipe of data around the world, and the various dirty bombs… and a world where the entire ecosystem has collapsed and a simple wooden toy is worth a fortune. Actually, those last 2 aren’t really any different from the first movie, but most explicit. Climate change, nuclear war, and who know what genetic-bio-warfare have all but destroyed the planet for human habitation. The colonization of other planets, and the mass exodus isn’t just for commercial gain, but, it seems, a necessity.
And I think it’s the mass exodus that I noticed most strongly. In the original movie it was crowded in the streets. Busy and alive with everyone pressed in together, even as there were massive buildings empty, or nearly so. In 2049, there wasn’t the same feeling, even in the busy apartment building.
As far as the story goes, I like that they made the Replicants easy to spot. I kind of thought that was a dumb thing to do on the part of the Tyrell Corp. Why make a slave class that can blend in to the non-slave population? This time, the hunt is for one who can breed. Apparently making genetically viable Replicants is hard, but the now defunct Tyrell Corp managed it? Also seems like a stupid thing to do to make a slave class self-replicating, especially when they’re stronger than baseline humans.
A worthy sequel, but I think not one that will join the original as a classic of Sci-Fi Cinema.
It was an interesting sequel, and I liked seeing how they advanced the world. In tone, it was less Noir, and more… dystopian sci-fi. The impression that the world has changed a lot in the 30-ish years since the original, beyond just the changes due to a EMP that did a fairly through wipe of data around the world, and the various dirty bombs… and a world where the entire ecosystem has collapsed and a simple wooden toy is worth a fortune. Actually, those last 2 aren’t really any different from the first movie, but most explicit. Climate change, nuclear war, and who know what genetic-bio-warfare have all but destroyed the planet for human habitation. The colonization of other planets, and the mass exodus isn’t just for commercial gain, but, it seems, a necessity.
And I think it’s the mass exodus that I noticed most strongly. In the original movie it was crowded in the streets. Busy and alive with everyone pressed in together, even as there were massive buildings empty, or nearly so. In 2049, there wasn’t the same feeling, even in the busy apartment building.
As far as the story goes, I like that they made the Replicants easy to spot. I kind of thought that was a dumb thing to do on the part of the Tyrell Corp. Why make a slave class that can blend in to the non-slave population? This time, the hunt is for one who can breed. Apparently making genetically viable Replicants is hard, but the now defunct Tyrell Corp managed it? Also seems like a stupid thing to do to make a slave class self-replicating, especially when they’re stronger than baseline humans.
A worthy sequel, but I think not one that will join the original as a classic of Sci-Fi Cinema.
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