Update...

 Since my last post here real life has been a bit hectic, my laptop died, so I've lost 3 batreps worth of stuff all written up for the Last War, tons of pictures and other hobby related stuff, then had the stress of moving house followed by a winter in a flat springing leaks everywhere... AHH well what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

I may have gone a little bit nuts and bought more games, mostly table top skirmish games with a few RPG's. 

Picked up these skirmish games from Snarling Badger Studios, basically Reign in Hell is demonic warbands fighting it out in hell, Space Station Zero is warbands fighting on a  space station, Majestic 13 is secret government groups fighting aliens (X-Files/X-Com kinda stuff) and Deth Wizards is necromantic warbands doing necromancy stuff. Whilst Reign in Hell doesn't have solo rules it does have a solo campaign available separately called 'The Occulus Spear'. Started warbands for Reign in Hell and Space Station Zero, but nothing worth showing yet. Yet to play Majestic 13 and Deth Wizards, only just got DW and M13 confuses me lol. 

I have got myself a copy of 'Kontraband', solo gaming rules for Zona Alpha, had a quick read and a test game then forgot I bought it until a few days ago. 

Death in Space is a 'blue collar space horror' RPG set in a dying universe where most things are falling apart (bit like my new flat) and the funky pink book next to it (Station Xeno) is a third party module for Death in Space that can be used as a solo dungeon crawl or group campaign, and can be used in other sci fi rpgs like Mothership with a little bit of work. 

Speaking of Mothership... Another 'blue collar space horror' rpg with a really good stress mechanic that could end up with your character going a bit wrong in the head or worse. Meatgrinder is a module set 'Hell',Thousand Empty Light is a module set in an underwater installation with some solo rules included, Lone Star is another set of solo rules, In Carmine is set on a planet of wet meat, fighting meat things, Dying Hard on Hardlight Station is basically Die Hard with human alien hybrids breaking out of a research lab and What we give to Alien Gods is confusing. Still trying to get a group together interested in trying Death in Space or Mothership, but they both have given me good ideas to homebrew into a Frankenstein rules mashup with The Last War for some space horror tabletop skirmish games, so many ideas, so little time. 

Transformation was a random purchase, never tried journaling rpg's before and I'm a big body horror fan, so a game where you change into something not quite right appealed to me, think of Jeff Goldblum in the Fly as he's changing and he wrote a diary about his experience and thats pretty much the deal here. Also some good ideas for mutations when kitbashing weird spawn gribblies. 

Finally, the game that's taken up most of my time (and money), The Barons War. Medieval skirmish game set during the time of the Barons War (who would have guessed) against King John. Death and Taxes adds Outlaws as a playable faction, a campaign between Outlaws and the Sherrifs menfor some Robin Hood style shenanigans and generic map campaign rules to be used with the main rules. Outremer moves the action over to the holy lands, adding Crusading Franks, Settled Franks the Military Orders (KnightsTemplar, Knights Hospitaller, Teutonic Knights and Knights of Lazarus)  as well as the forces of Islam to the game and gives us a nice little campaign and siege rules. 

One army I'm working on is based on the local area I live, my commander is Hugh Bigod the 3rd Earl of Norfolk, supposedly a bit of a slippery sod and one of the barons who forced King John to sign the Magna Carta. I have also started an Outlaw force, and another army that I decided to break from historical accuracy and just paint black and yellow because I wanted to, these I use as loyalists to the King or 'counts as' Crusaders  in Outremer

Future plans for Barons War have been influenced by my ex partner, she's Lithuanian and after I mentioned Teutonic Knights to her one day she mentioned the northern crusades where the Teutonic lads got their asses kicked by the pagan Lithuanians and Polish (NGL I had images of knights wearing Adidas chainmail slav squatting in trees screaming Cyka Blyat as they descend on the Teutons and their Livonian Order allies). So basically I'm planning a Teutonic force using the sexy Victrix mounted medieval knights kit and the upcoming Teutonic head conversion sprue and foot knight kit. Not sure what I'm going to use for the pagan Lithuanians, the fireforge Russians look the part but I'll still need to find those funky shields the Lithuanians used. Might do some Polish pagans and Livonian Order as well just so I'm not painting the same thing over and over again, can't see myself staying sane painting black crosses on knights all the time. 

Oh and I could probably get away with using my whole Barons War collection as Brettonians for Warhammer the Old World, not like I'm planning to play Warhammer but if the opportunity arises and I dont have to pay through the nose for the rules Ill put on an outrageous french accent and taunt you all a second time!!! 

So yeah, that's what I've been up to, a lot of words for not a lot of content lol. 

Only the Dead have seen the end of War.

 So I got my rulebook last week I decided Ill send the Untidy Rabbits on a trench crawl using the endless trenches rules. Nothing much to report there, I only dipped my toe into the trenches to gain enough xp for Kadett Hiram to swap out his flaw (he now has Baldrick, so there is 2 turnip carriers in my group now). My sniper Curt also spent xp to increase his Agility by 1. I came away with some loot and decided to save what little I had for later.

Today I took them on their first proper mission, scenario 1 from the rule book, I remembered to take pictures and thought Id write up a little bat rep. So without wasting more time may I present the Untidy Rabbits game 2.

Scenario 1 - Only the dead have seen the end of war. (Solo)

Conditions - Hostile Weather (Clear Skies)

Deployment

Turn 1

Varvara and A.D. push up the left flank lurking behind the bushes in front of Loyal 1, and on the right flank Sister Frida and Kadett Hiram move up by the ruined building near Loyal 2. Curt moves forward and takes a shot at Loyal 2 and fumbles, using the reroll dice order he still manages to miss. During the hostile phase Loyal 1 Charges Varvara and fails to his, Varvara hits back with his pickaxe wounding the Loyal. Loyal 2 charges Sister Frida and they both fail to hit each other.

Turn 2

Curt double moves closer to objective 2 making sure he is in line of sight to Loyal 3 hoping to bait him off of the objective. Varvara takes another swing at Loyal 1 burrying his pickaxe into the side of his opponents skull killing him. A.D. steps over the twitching corpse and pockets objective 1. Sister Frida and Kadett Hiram both wound Loyal 2 who misses his return hits. In the hostile phase Loyal 3 moves closer to Curt and Loyal 2 misses again. 

Turn 3

Varvara double moves into the building containing objective 3 whilst A.D. moves up behind him and takes a shot at Loyal 3 (rolled max damage) killing him outright. Sister Frida finishes off Loyal 2 and Kadett Hiram moves up collecting objective 2. During the hostile phase 2 Hounds of Anwin turn up and they both move towards A.D.

Turn 4

Sister Frida and Kadett Hiram move up to the wall by the hounds, A.D. shoots at Hound 1 wounding it and Curt takes a shot but misses. Varvara collects objective 3. In the hostile phase Hound 1 charges Kadett Hiram but misses and Hiram drops his weapon as he attacks back. Hound 2 charges Sister Frida injuring her and they hit back but does no damage.

Turn 5

A.D. clears the wall and attacks Hound 1 but misses, Varvara just makes it within striking distance of Hound 1 slaying it. Kadett Hiram charges Hound 2 and misses and the hound injures him in return. Curt takes aim at the last hound and injures it. In the hostile phase the Hound misses. 

Turn 6

Every piles into the last hound beating it to death. 

Post game.

Resources 

All loot counters captured +60R

All Loyals dead +30R

Taking part +10

Crew XP

Killing 3 Loyals and 2 Hounds +5XP

Capturing 3 loot counters +3XP

Surviving members +1XP

Using left over XP and XP gained from this mission I decided to spend 5XP on increasing Curts Agility by 1 and spent 5XP on increasing Sister Fridas Strength by 1.

I spent 2R for ammo reloads for A.D. and Curt, 25R on a rifle for Kadett Hiram, I also spent 25R for bandoliers for all members and upgraded my bunker with a Chemist (free grenade for every member before each scenario) for 50R. That leaves me with 19R left over.

The Untidy Rabbits

 So I ordered The Last War softcover, and whilst that is on its way I looked through the pdf and rolled up my first group. I used Wargames Atlantics WW1 French for these with a couple of parts borrowed from my bits box (perry faceplate and hammer). Super quick tickle with some paints later and I had a warband, and not just any warband, but the dreaded Untidy Rabbits!!! 

Crew Name: The Untidy Rabbits 

Crew XP:       Crew Resources: 4R

Varvara the Athazagoraphobic

Name: Varvara the Athazagoraphobic

Feat: What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.   Flaw: Flammable

HP: 8   Armour:

Injury:

Movement: 6

Agility: +1

Presence: -3

Strength: +3

Toughness: 0

Equipment:

Weapon: Pickaxe

A.D.

Name: A.D. 

Feat: Light Footed.    Flaw: Mysophobia

HP: 6    Armour:

Injury:

Movement: 7

Agility: +2

Presence: +2

Strength: -1

Toughness: -2

Equipment:

Weapon: Rifle, Grenade

Curt 'Red'

Name: Curt 'Red' (Sniper Specialist +5R)

Feat: (Vet) Cunning Plan, Nightingale.    Flaw: Baldrick

HP:  9   Armour:

Injury:

Movement: 2

Agility: -3

Presence: +4 (+3 and +1 for Sniper)

Strength: 0

Toughness: +1

Equipment: Reload (Sniper Rifle)

Weapon: Sniper Rifle

Sister Frida

Name: Sister Frida

Feat: Vampires don't Exist.   Flaw: Forgetful

HP: 7    Armour:

Injury:

Movement: 7

Agility: +2

Presence: -2

Strength: +2

Toughness: -1

Equipment: Lantern

Weapon: Bayonet

Kadett Hiram

Name: Kadett Hiram

Feat: Resourceful.   Flaw: Hoplophobia

HP: 10    Armour:

Injury:

Movement: 4

Agility: -1

Presence: +2

Strength: -2

Toughness: +2

Equipment:

Weapon: Rusted Rifle

I have started some hostiles, at the moment I have kept it simple and done some Mud Ghouls and Barbed Wire Beasts. When they are finished Im thinking about Trench Maggots, Zealots of War, Loyals and The Pathetic.

I have also ordered The Gloomy Day and Trench Coats and Trench Cats, I already have a few suitable minis for the Scourge but you cant have too many, now I have an excuse to make more. I have some Black Adder minis somewhere that could go up against them. 

Trenches, Anomalies and Root Veg?

 Its been a while since I last posted here, I have neglected this blog due to focussing on 40k and Necromunda and my posting on Bolter and Chainsword. But GW's nostalgic releases and my playing 1st/2nd ed 40k instead of the current edition can only hold my attention for so long until my attention strays, and stray it has. Due to this I have decided I should be more active here as other non GW games have caught my eye, and Bolter and Chainsword is primarily a 40k forum so my future projects have no place there. 

I have mostly been looking at skirmish games, mostly due to the fact I dont have the funds or space to start new armies (dosnt help that earlier this year I bought a load of Normans and Vikings for Lion Rampant that are still on sprue or part built), and I have narrowed it down to three games. So this year I shall be dipping my toe into The Last War, Zona Alfa and Turnip28.

Turnip28

I picked up minis to convert up some warbands just before Christmas, the usual  French Napoleonics and Agincourt Knights by Perry Miniatures, I have not done much with them so far, still need additional tufts and grime applying before I get round to painting them, conversions are simple, basically just copied the ideas in the rules to keep things simple as I start out.

Zona Alfa

I have had a quick skim through the rules and have started a few Gangs using the Wargames Atlantic 'Cannon Fodder' as a basis, with a few Soviet Russian bits from Bolt Action thrown in for one of the gangs to make them stand out from the Scientist and Military guys and girls.

The Last War

At the moment all I have access to is the quick start rules (Ill be ordering the full rules later on this month) so I have just built some WW1 French and Germans straight from the box to keep things simple whilst I learn the rules, when I get the full version Ill build some more that are not so 'generic' and more fitting for the setting. Minis used are also from Wargames Atlantic.  Until I get the rules Ill just build/convert/sculpt some Mud Ghouls, Ghost of no mans land and Trench Maggots. I guess I should make some craters, barbed wire and splintered tree trunks as well whilst I wait.

Ill get some images up soon when there is something worth showing. 

Necromundian inspiration.

As I am currently hyped for the new Necromunda game I thought I would have a look online for inspiration, after searching for the usual Mad Max stuff and general Post Apocalyptic pictures I remembered the Grounders from a show called The 100.  

Another source of inspiration is the film Doomsday. 

Another post about films.

Just a few more films that I enjoy, not sure why anyone would be bothered but I thought I would share some pointless information about my interests.

First up we have the classic Fearless Vampire Killers



The Fearless Vampire Killers, or Pardon Me, But Your Teeth Are in My Neck is a 1967 horror comedy film directed by Roman Polanski, written by Gérard Brach and Polanski, produced by Gene Gutowski and co-starring Polanski with future wife Sharon Tate.



A noted professor and his dim-witted apprentice fall prey to their inquiring vampires, while on the trail of the ominous damsel in distress.

Trailer.

I first saw this in my late teens when I was going through my 'Hammer Horror' phase, I loved the humor, I loved the music and of course I loved the amazing Sharon Tate. 

Next we have another Roman Polanski classic, Rosemary's Baby.




Mia Farrow is adorable in this film, she looks like a Pixie when her hair is cut short.







Finally, I'd like to finish off with a more modern release, Lords of Salem.




Not much I can say about this other than watch it if you have not done so already.

                                          

Dellamorte Dellamore - Cemetery Man

Sat here on this dark misty winter night (seriously, it looks like Silent Hill outside) looking out my window in the vague direction of where the church should be, and my mind wanders to images of hunched over shapes moving through the darkness.
I then imagine what it would be like for the character of Francesco Dellamorte in the 1994 movie Dellamorte Dellamore (Cemetery Man).


''Something is causing the dead to rise from their graves as flesh-eating zombies, and cemetery custodian Francesco Dellamorte (Rupert Everett) grows tired of killing them all for the second time. However, the town politicians won't listen to him, so Francesco is on his own. One day, he falls for a beautiful woman (Anna Falchi) whose husband has recently died -- but their affair is tragically interrupted by zombies, sending Francesco into a tailspin of madness and woe.''

Here is a trailer for a little taster for those interested.

Now I am imagining a dark cemetery in the depths of the Underhive, a thick mist comes in from the sump sea and settles over the old and rundown graveyard. inside a rusted old shack the Warden and his simple minded companion ready themselves as the moans of the dead echo in the night. 

Here is the full movie for those who liked the trailer.