Another Month of Meeples (August 2026)

 Another month of Meeple Monthly, and I have some old man rants about dice (surprise, surprise!)  

I am pleasantly pleased that there are a few items in my extended want list, including two Lovecraft books.!

Check out the latest issue of Meeple Monthly for more fun stuff, plus a host of random things I'm not listing under my imaginary store.  

ViscountEric's Want List

Nothing

ViscountEric's Money-Is-No-Issue Want List

Arc Dream Publishing

Delta Green: The Millennium ............................................ $69.99

I'll be ranting about the descriptive blurbs I find in these solicitations.  Full disclosure: I have positive bias toward Delta Green, but the blurb for this product is great... Others this month, not so much.

Chaosium

Call of Cthulhu: Inssmouth .............$59.99

Leyline Press

Mew-Tants! ................................... $20.00

Were-Woofs .................................. $20.00

And then you have the fun RPGs, were you play as cats with superpowers, or you're a dog with a normal job... but you once were human.  I'm a huge fan of the $20 price point for everything except dice.  That seems to be what's in people's hand as their in line to check out. 

The Imaginary Store List (Infinite Shelf Space Games & Hobbies)

Agamemnon Press

Old -School Essentials: Hellcrawl .................................... $45.00

Alderac Entertainment Group

Honeypot .......................................... $24.99

Forage ............................................... $24.99

Alligator Alley Entertainment

D&D 5E: Expedition from the Mysterious Peaks .............. $59.99

This is the perfect example of how NOT to write promotional copy. 
"Expedition from the Mysterious Peaks is an action packed, science-fantasy adventure series powered by 5ee and inspired by iconic adventure classics"
As a store-owner, a company I've never heard of, but sounds like Florida Man just learned D&D, is rehashing stuff with Barrier Peaks nostalgia?  For sixty bucks?   I'd respect my customers more by not carrying it.  AI could write better copy.

Atomic Mass Games

Marvel Crisis Protocol: Dimensional Terror Terrain Pack ..................... $89.99

Marvel Crisis Protocol: Dimensional Incursion Terrain Pack ................ $79.99

Marvel Crisis Protocol: Guardians of the Galaxy Starter Set ................. $99.99

Catalyst Game Labs

BattleTech: BattleMat: Fire & Ice 03: Umber Station ............................ $39.99

Shadowrun: Explosive Decompression .................................................. $49.99

Chessex

Despite all these rants this month, do you know what puts a smile on my face? 

A Chessex dice restock.

Yes, I know they're not licensed, or made of some special material, with a resin sombrero in the middle of each die, but the speckled polyhedral sets are $6.50 apiece, and the d6 blocks are under ten bucks. 

Yes, they were also soliciting their fancy stone, metal, and resin lines (most of which are still overpriced) or the razor edged dice that, by profile would shave on a curve.  But every store needs to figure out what the profit margin vs sales volume suits them the best.  

Creature Creation

Pirate Borg: Adventure: Nagval's Curse ........................... $17.99

Critical Kit

Daggerheart: Seasons of Fear ............................... $27.00

Cubicle 7

Warhammer 40k RPG: Wrath & Glory: Adventures in Gilead ..... $39.99

Da Vinci Editrice

Black Flag! .............................................................. $24.99

Devir Games

Do De Li Do! ........................................................... $14.99

Let's Dance  .............................................................. $13.99

Nascard  .................................................................... $13.99

Envy Born Games 

Meerkat Kingdoms ................................................... $39.99

The Eren Chronicles

D&D 5e: Legend in the Mist: Zamanora: Ballad of the Witch: Core Book .... $49.95

And to be a bit hypocritical, The Eron Chronicles does a great job describing  their Balkan/Slavic RPG setting.  I'm just not going to promote too much because it's solicited as a "Once with Everything."  Core Rules, Campaign Book, GM Screen, and a host of other trinkets. I know it's a successful promotion stemming from crowd-funding.  Don't get me wrong, the Kickstarter went over great, but how many more folks are looking at a comprehensive setting and rules, past the 3,000+ pledges?   Forty years in and observing retail say invest and grow.  An RPG line doesn't have the same utility and restock capability that a paint rack has /rant.

Evil Genius Games

Everyday Heroes: Adventure: The Magnificent Murder of the Great Maskeyne ......... $19.99

Evil Hat Productions

Blades in the Dark: Blades '68 ................................ $45.00

Exalted Funeral Press

Old School Essentials: Fire & Fang: Weird Stone & Sorcery Adventures ............ $30.00

Reverend Werewolf's Old Timey Monster Mania Family Hour ............................ $20.00

Fanroll by MDG

D&D: Octagonal Dice Tray: Ancient Red Dragon ................... $49.99

7-Set: Resin: Eternal Purple & Blue ......................................... $14.99

CATAN: Sharp Edge Resin Dice Set ........................................ $14.99

CATAN: Robber Blind Bag ...................................................... $ 9.99

CATAN: Plastic Civilization Egypt .......................................... $14.99

CATAN: Plastic Civilization China .......................................... $14.99

CATAN: Plastic Civilization Greece ........................................ $14.99

CATAN: Plastic Civilization German ....................................... $14.99

Gamehead Products

Friendly Fishing .............................. $20.00

Pet Quartet ....................................... $20.00

Size Wise ......................................... $20.00

Trick to the Future ........................... $20.00

Wild Magic ...................................... $20.00

Gear Games

High School Cthulhu ....................... $55.00

High School Cthulhu Extra Circular Horrors ....................... $50.00

High School Cthulhu Blasphemous Deck ............................. $18.00

"A crossfire of adolescence and cosmic horror..." although that might be redundant.  A good blurb, peripheral product from a regular favorite, decent price points and only three items in a solicitation?  This might be a winner at the Infinite Shelf Space Games and Hobbies.

Goodman Games

DCC: Dungeon Denizens 2 .................................. $69.99

5e: Fifth Edition Fantasy: Dungeon Denizens 2 ................... $69.99

5e: Fifth Edition Fantasy: 2-Page Dungeon Delves .............. $15.99

Konami Digital Entertainment

Yu-Gi-Oh!  Magnificent Monsters

M Allen Hall

Old School Essentials: Out of the Iron Labyrinth ................. $20.00

Old School Essentials: The Green Ooze King ....................... $20.00

Modiphius Entertainment

Star Trek Adventures: RPG Dice  ......................................... $28.00

When you absolutely, positively, need to get gouged for dice with a Star Fleet logo on a face.

Mongoose Publishing

Traveller: Fifth Frontier War: Consular Envoy ...................... $49.99

Traveller: The Infinity Suite ................................................... $49.99

Osprey Publishing

Silver Bayonet:  Venice - The Alchemist's Legacy... $28.00

Carentan 1944 ....................................................... $25.00

Westport 1864 ....................................................... $25.00

From Trenton to Yorktown ................................... $20.00

Ground Forces in the Korean War 1950-53 vol 3 .. $20.00

Kriegsmarine Norway Command 1940-45 .......... $23.00

Mosquito Units of the Far East ............................. $25.00

Panther vs A30 Challenger ................................... $23.00

The SS "Wiking" Division in World War II ......... $21.00

The Stay Behinds ................................................. $30.00

Target Stopped ..................................................... $28.00

Warsaw: A City at War 1939-45 ........................... $38.00

Pillbox Games

Dead Letters ............................. $30.00

Pink Tiger Games

Melted ...................................... $13.99

Random House

Chess is Life ................................. $21.99

Choose Your Own Adventure - The Mystery Box ... $35.99

D&D - Heroes' Feast Legends of the Table Cookbook ... $40.00

Renegade Game Studios

Axis & Allies & Zombies ................................... $65.00

Severed Books

Sickest Witch - Sickest Wretch: A Non-Witch Class Supplement ..... $22.00

Sirius Dice

7-Set Adventure Dice: Darklord: Strahd von Zarovich

7-Set Adventure Dice: Darklord: Viktra Mordenheim

D&D Mists of Ravenloft: Treasure Packs PDQ

Stillfleet Studio

Picaro!  ........................................ $23.00

Troll Lord Games

Castles & Crusades The Dragon's Crucible Box Set .............. $99.99

WizKids

Marvel Heroclix: Thunderbolts Booster Brick

Marvel Heroclix: Thunderbolts Map and Terrain Kit

Marvel Heroclix: Thunderbolts Doom Sorcerer Supreme

Marvel Heroclix: Iconix- Giant-Sized X-Men #1

(Kickstarter) Hackmaster 25th Anniversary Edition by Kenzer and Company

There are those games that raise up my hope in the world, and let it crash down upon my soul.  

The 25th Anniversary Edition of Hackmaster, now on Kickstarter from Kenzer and Company, is exactly what I expected, and I should not complain in the least. 

The original 4th Edition, actually licensed from the world of D&D/AD&D was my salvation from artsy-fartsy game concepts I was brewing in my head.  It was my game of choice for the early 2000's with epic tales that some of us just talked about last night, including The Journey of Mutumbo and, of course, Burning Trogs Rule!.  A few items have have been sold off as needed plunder, but it still holds a key spot on my shelf, within arms reach, just in case someone summons the call. 

With the license expiring, they removed most of the parody elements, and refined the rules for a completely different 5th Edition in 2009.  While some of the elements from their Aces & Eights western rules  (most excellent) migrated over, marriage, kids, and life in general never got me into that set, or the investment for the beautiful books. 

Disclaimer:  The 25th Anniversary edition is a refinement on the 2009 game. It's now expanded into a four-book set:  The Player's Character Codex, The Player's Guide to Adventuring, a single volume of the Hacklopedia of Beasts, and, of course, the GameMaster's Guide. 

Would I like all four volumes being so triumphant on my bookcase that I would have to buy a new one worthy of their glory?  Sure!  But as I will probably lament during #RPGaDay2026 in a few days, if I do full-on fantasy, "getting the band back together," it would be 4th edition, all the chuckles and clunky rules on display. 

I am, however, interested in the add-ons, so I pledged the $5 tier, hoping to overspend once pricing becomes available:  The Hackmaster dice bag ($20) , the official pin ($20) , the set of d10,000 for critical hits ($15), and the one thing that intrigues me, Gary Jackson's Power Dice. ($20)

Nostalgia might make me wish I just went with the new edition....

Mirke the Meek and His #RPGaDay2026 Companion

 Small podcast rant before I get to Mirke the Meek.

My podcast listening has dwindled down to nearly nothing.   My weekend drives to take care of my mother is always accompanied by Ken and Robin Talk About Stuff, where even the rare sub-par episode would still qualify them for an Ennie. I, for one, loved the tight 60 minutes confines that have characterized the podcast and now play it at x1.2 times to keep my time constraints.  

The Miskatonic University Podcast has been hit or miss for me, and I can't remember when I last finished an episode.  Not saying that I can criticize the topics or the hosts, it's just not hitting the same way it used to, and I'm itching to restart some sort of Cthulhu game.

In fact, in the midst of trimming the shrubbery around my mother's place, I was surprised by an episode of the Nerd's RPG Variety Podcast, and pleasantly amused it was going to be about #RPGaDay.  While the podcast has been a perennial hit-or-miss for me, the fact that the host, Jason, has been on a indeterminate hiatus, I was excited.

It seems his return was to support his fellow podcaster, Mirke the Meek, for an alternative to #RPGaDay that might fit some folks predilections rather than the daily prompts.  

The questions are relatively simple, and six separate areas to apply them:

(1.) What's your favorite ruleset for the genre and why?
(2.) What's this genre's best/most-fun module/adventure?
(3.) What are your favorite media (books, movies, comics, music, etc....) that best fits the genre?

And the areas of discussion: 
D&D as a Genre

Superheroes

Espionage, Spies, and Covert Ops

Sword & Sorcery

Horror

Sci-Fi 

It's pretty basic, and I'll admit, my excitement is just reaffirming my bias.  Since the 10th Anniversary of #RPGaDay, I've mildly campaigned for the return of the basic "Year One" questions that the early years covered.  Stumped on a prompt this year, feel free to call in on the Speakpipe link, or just use the topic for your own purposes.

(Gamma World) Not a Test #127 - Savory Finds

Our heroes, the De Facto Explorers, have decided to embark on an epic quest to reach Lathar's long-lost father, Harkonn.  After side-quests, distractions, and backtracking, the group has made it past Fair-Town and KIA Academy, and have encountered some sort of abandoned facility along the Big River.

==============================================================

Lathar Bracken: A pure-strain human from River Bend.  He's got the muscle, the face, and a mount for most encounters.  Lathar's trusty beast of burden, No Name, travels wherever he does.   Looking for trouble in all the right places. The two-time champion of the Fair-Town Queen's Joust.  Recently married to the now-pregnant Thunnelda Haycock.   He had recently received a letter from his long-lost father, and has convinced the others to accompany him to the Wildlands.

Sneaky Pete: A mutated weasel scout.  Pete's telepathy and night vision take a backseat when he whips out his electrical powers.   Apparently addicted to his newly uncovered yellow powder found at "The Pool House"

Sonny Helianthus: an over 10' tall sentient sunflower artifact examiner with four arms, and trusted Restorationist ties. Knowledgeable,  but not a good one with device repairs or upgrades.   Sonny may have recently detonated an atomic device in the petrified woods... although no one else knows. 

Slitheran Wurmtail (aka Squiggles): a mutated earthworm scout, in impromptu power armor, looking for trouble in all the wrong places,  and finding it often.   He  has been subject to genetic testing and developed super-human strength, a more human body, and a thick coat of shaggy white hair.  Recently attacked and kidnapped then left for dead by an unknown group, looking for revenge.  Also pregnant for the third time, and due to deliver badly out of season

Poppy and Speedy: Two of Squiggles' offspring from his first... litter(?) They're now teenagers in worm years, old enough to grab diminutive muskets and help their Manchi and his friends on this epic quest. 

===============================================================

Pete crept up towards the fence, revealing a larger complex along the river....

He ventured back to fetch the other explorers, still keeping everyone within a distance needing spyglasses and binoculars.  Pete wandered the perimeter.

Pete: "Guys, there's a lot of footprints in the dirt... I say we go around the wood line perimeter and explore those buildings.... "

Sonny: "By you guys, do you mean you?"  

Pete: "We can completely circumvent this and we can keep going down river."

Sonny: "I mean I think we're all a little curious." 

Squiggles: "Curiosity killed the cat."

Sonny: "Good thing none of us are cats..."

Pete started by reconnoitering the buildings outside the walled area.  At first look there was a three walled building, a huge unobstructed side which seemed to have deep and wide wheeled ruts leading all the way to the river.  The ruts seemed to stop ten feet from the rivers edge.  A quick look around the open area by Pete netted a windowless metal shack without windows and a single door up a short flight of steps, and a broken collection of metal framework behind the three walled structure.

Nothing worried Pete too much, except for the complete absence of bird or even insect noises. 

Pete gingerly returned to their spot, and the rest followed him back along the silent tree line.   The group itself was divided by whether investigating further or if the risk didn't match an obvious reward.  

It was Speedy the Worm who suggested, "If we didn't run into them on along the river yet, that means they must be downriver... maybe we can figure out who they are before they surprise us."

The group decided the young worms' wisdom of learning about potential enemies was worth the short-term risk.

Pete:  "If we hear weapons, or engines, we'll need to split quickly..."

Surprisingly, it was Sonny who noted certain symbols mounted to the outside of the wall... some of them had been deface.  No one had a clue what they were.  

They finally worked their way to the outbuildings and Sonny was particularly intrigued with the damaged metal framework.  Sonny worked his way away from the building, surmising from the half-broken dish and structure, that this had been some form of a communications array, that was intentionally cut precisely four foot above the concrete pad, and somehow knocked over. 

As a sunflower with four arms, Sonny took the dish as a potential shield.  

With back-up this time, they went to the windowless shack, propped the door open, and peeked in.  Along one wall was a long metal table with a number of tools and parts that appeared to be intentionally damaged/destroyed.  Pivoting from that spot, they found a surprise.

Two large racks of Ancients assault rifles, store neatly.  

The group went silent, trying to figure out why there were so many, why there was no ammo... discussions finally starting involving the logistics of carting them away.   Lathar grabbed one out of the rack, inspected it and slung it over his shoulder.  "I'm taking at least one... we just bought ammo back in KIA."

Pete:  "We don't know if these work... Until you fire a round..."

Lathar: "Let's lock and load..."

Sonny: "Here? Right now?"

Lathar: "If these folks get storming back after a single gunshot, we were going to be trouble anyway.   Speedy has spoken."

Lathar grabbed one of his magazine, it locked in easily, he put the rifle upon his shoulder, aiming across the river.

*click*

"I'm still taking mine!"

The group moved towards the half-opened gate....  They ventured towards the three small silo structures, clearly labelled: 

Water    

Rations 

Fuel

Lathar quickly rapped on the first silo.  Empty.

He moved to the second one, creating an odd sound.  "Something's in here."

Squiggle popped around the far side, holding a box.  "I think so!" 

There was a giant hole on that side, exposing boxes of "Rations Ready to Consume (RRC)" filling a third of the container. 

Lathar opened the box, revealing a dozen packages in a tough plas-tec covering.  He pulled one out, reading aloud the markings on it: 

CS LOGISTICS / RRC–M3 / HUMAN USE ONLY

• ☢ LOW RAD STABLE🧬
• MUTANT INCOMPATIBLE
• ⚠ NOT FOR PLANT ENTITIES

Squiggles: "Lathar, eat it!"

The others joined in.... "Lathar! Lathar! Lathar!"

Lathar pulled in tear strip on the pouch, revealing eight items inside.  He opened the rectangular slab labelled PROTEIN PROCESSED BRICK. Inside was a dense beige slab, faintly fibrous, with the physical appearance halfway between overcooked chicken and sidewalk chalk.  Tucked beside the slab was three connected packets labelled "“Savory,” “Smoke,” or “Neutral."   He got as far as ripping open "Savory" and applying the dark brown gelled substance onto the slab before stopping.  

"Who am I kidding, this might be the most dangerous thing here....  I'll try it later."

Discarding peer pressure for a moment, they moved around the closest domed buildings, labelled "MRF".  Each letter was the recipient of progressively more blood splatter, culminating in the most dried blood covering the building door.  

Pete spun the wheel in the center of the door to unlock it.  The room inside smelled stale but clean, with a number cloths hung up to provide privacy or partitioning.   Inside was another long metal table, with remains of a number of smashed tools and instruments, they did find three pistol like items, that weren't guns, but something was loaded into it.  

It was Posey the Worm who opened up a metal cabinet.  A strong smell emanated from it.  Inside were over a dozen glass containers with barcoded labels and various substances inside.

Speedy read the side of the cabinet in a halting manner.  "CS BIO-SEC FREEZER UNIT / LEVEL OMEGA"  

The samples are room temperature, some look like were rotting, save a plant based one, that had tendrils growing out of the sample. 

Pete: "Do any of them read 'Essence of Squiggles?'"

Next: #128 - 

Historicon 2027 Moves!..... Dates to July 21-25,2027

 A week after Historicon, the new snuck in like all the Post-Con After-Action Reports.  

Historicon 2027 is staying at the Lancaster Convention Center, but changing dates, at the request of the hotel/convention center.  It will now be July 21-25,2027. 

Let's just assume that something big (and more profitable) was rolling through the area that weekend, enough for HMGS to admit that they significantly incentivized financial to agree to the change.  

The theme for next year's con is "Small Battle and Big Impacts!" covering the battles that weren't epic or grandiose, but had great significance towards their conflict.  

Who's Stealing Historicon's Thunder? The Illuminati, of Course.... and They're Hungry

 I'm finally recovered from Historicon. I was powering pretty hard from Thurday, well into Sunday morning, closing bars, waking up early, working off little sleep, and only needing a 20-minute power nap one day to keep going.  Outside of my heels killing me each day (with special orthotics in them that usually work), I was cruising right along.    

Even with a fully licensed driver as my co-pilot, I drove home... the circuitous route, visiting my Mom in Easton, my daughter keeping Grandma company as I knocked out the yard work and some errands for her, before hoping in the car and getting back to my place by 3:30, so she could go home to Albany and meet up with friends for ice cream.  

It was about the time she was getting home that I sat on my couch with the a revelation ringing through my body:  

Hydrate. 

And I heeded my body's pleadings, including holding of on finishing my Historicon 2026 AAR.  I did finish it up early Monday morning for the masses to enjoy, but the time I got to work at 9am, I had a feeling I rarely had as a moderating youth. 

Probably the closest feeling to being hungover since January 1998.  Assuming it was not alcohol related, it might have been an odd con crud, or perhaps my body just couldn't handle a good time anymore. 

For 17 years, HMGS convention reports are usually a big draw, and if I made it to a Historicon, the write-ups still remain in the Top 5 of each year's posts. To be honest, if might be my only post in the quarter that cracks the top 25.  

Regardless, I came home after work on Monday, scarfed some grub, and edited the AAR post and promoted it.  

It's a positive response thus far, even saving most of the gnome pics to it's one separate post yesterday.  

As usual, I expect Historicon to shine in my weekly top 10 at the top spot for a week or three. 

It didn't get a day.  

Because my fear is coming true.  

I didn't mind the influx of bot posts.  I only slightly lamented me quickly accelerating through million mark posts like a hot knife through butter.  But those hits were at the landing/home page, not individual post usually.  

But this past week, Historicon was overshadowed by the Texas Roadhouse Massacre for Illuminati University (IOU) .  A few other random posts emerged from the rubble with a few dozen hits apiece.   Texas Roadhouse Massacre was getting direct hits in the thousands.  

I've got too many #RPGaDay2026 posts to write up, and too many new minis to paint, but I lament the private activity of watching posts grow (and die) naturally....

Historicon 2026 - The Gnome Games

Let's be honest, as much as I like doing the After Action Report for Historicon, and as much as I love the traffic it creates for the blog, I came to the con for one main purpose... 

The "Gnome King" himself, Jim Stanton and us fellow Stout Gnomes ran a total of eight games in the Commonwealth Foyer, a perfect view from the third floor escalator.  

Thursday 8pm - Treasure Island - "Have you ever considered piracy?"

After a relaxing Thursday, we kicked off our itinerary with Jim Stanton, rowboats and a scenically appealing volcano.  

Each of the gnome parties arrived in rowboats on the island and followed a very specific path their treasure map led the down.  

In the first few turns, they certainly knew they weren't alone.  Gnome Hawaiians would jump out the jungle.  In most cases the parties had enough firepower to eliminate them.  

Worse yet, the Blue Swiss quickly learned the Hawaiians were into rowboats as much as prisoners, because their unguarded rowboat was part of an deserted island crime spree.

Our prisoners. 

For most of the parties, it was getting the treasure, getting any prisoners, and getting the heck out of dodge.

Not for the Pirate player.  They navigated the jungle unmolested by natives, got the treasure to the rowboat.  The rowers headed back to the ship, unloaded their treasure, and returned to fight the other parties' rear guards protecting the rowboats.  

Unaware of the sheepish devilry occurring along the beach, the parties engaged natives inside the village.  One single gnome fired a single shot, and the world  descended upon them.   The village wasn't just a target, it was their only defense!  

Ultimately, they fought their way back the beaches, with the backdrop of an erupting volcano.  The Pirate player had absconded with four boats total, trading treasure or loyalty for survivor.  They were certainly the winning faction.

Friday 11am  - Treasure Island

Maja got to run the Friday morning session, same table, same set-up.  

Same basic treasure hunting and natives rule.   A science shack was now at the volcano, as well as rare Gnome Princess figured used to be the point of rescue for the British Marines.  

The native Hawaiians were a LOT more ruthless. sending snatch and grab raids when they in large numbers, focusing on the boat guards when spawning in smaller groups.  

Once shots were fired around the village during the prison break, an unaligned group of Cagnomibles and ZGnombies attacked everyone.  

There was a rally by the treasure hunter, forcing them to scurrying for ship.  Some of the groups that felt pre-destined to fail burned their boats. 

And somebody just had to knock on Dr Moreau's door....

Friday 3pm - Treasure Island - Surf-N-Turf - Raid on New Providence - The Gnome MEGA-GAME

Three tables. Tons of Gnomes.  Travelling across boards.

1) Treasure Island (Jim) - This is the first table expected to break the scenario, as they find the treasure, meet up with their ship and head back to their embassy on New Providence.  

It did speed up the game, but some diabolical rolls on the "Exploding Volcano" checks let the pirates showing up on the sea board first, followed by the others...  some with, some without treasures, choosing simple survival.  

2) Surf n Turf, the seas board.  I believe most players hadn't play a naval game before, much less Age of Sail, but the rules we used check the ship's afloat, although a few old-timers watching nearly had a heart attack when the the British Marine players pulled a Bootlegger Reverse with their frigate. 

As the Pirate Treasure Hunters crossed into the middle table, a horrible fault was uncovered.   We had assigned ships incorrectly!!! 

The Highlander player got a ship but had no objective outside of take damage and win by attrition!  As the Pirate NPC ship (now an active faction) nearly capsized trying to sail to recover their crews. 

And of course, the Hawaiians were in hot pursuit..... 

Fresh Outriggers from Diabolical Terrain.

After a few run-ins with the British ship, the Highlanders turned and fled... right into the chaos of New Providence!

New Providence (Mike) 

Between rival embassies and znombies, New Providence was jumping!

The German maintained and held a great embassy, which gave their players advantage in future games. 

Pure chaos! 

The question of the day was "Where is Mike?  Why is he only running one game?    We could admit that it was scheduling snafu, but he was also assisting with a group of AWI British re-enactors in the Vendor Hall, complete with his sweet uniform. 

Sorry ladies, he's married! 

Friday 8pm  - The Joust 

Run by Maja, roughly 24 players in a situation we haven't been in for many years of HMGS cons. 

We had company. 

After years of putting us in the middle of Distelfink, and pissing off the nearby GMs for being obnoxious, they usually give us an area with space.  

This year a very nice gentleman from New Jersey, running What a Tanker, set up his game, not suspecting that our rowdy gnome fans would be on the most raucous behavior for the first time in year! 

A special appearance by my friend (and old college roommate) Steve! 

We are gluttons for punishment every year, running a double elimination tournament with a weird number of participants with only poster tag and a Sharpie, but Maja performed beyond admirably. 

... even if her Dad kicked her butt in the loser's bracket.... and that's the story I'm sticking to. 

Our Historicon 2026 Joust Champion: Steven!

Saturday  11am   - The Ruins of New Providence

I intentionally left New Providence up for the morning game, and it did not disappoint! 

This was the first game where the full power of the playtest rules for Hawaiians would kick in.    

My only gripe is that there are too many figure types in the basic unit, and color-coding then is harder than it appears.   I definitely need to review the rules for the Pineapple Catapult and the Spirit Monkey critter.

My Favorite pic on the Hawaiians....

The German held their embassy, despite multiple waves of Hawaiians attacking.  

The Swiss player killed off the French guards protecting the telegraph station, causing the wires of reinforcements or cowardly retreat to the embassies for fall silent. 

Let's take a moment to praise our fellow Gnome Wars player Robert (BruegelBurg on the Gnome Wars Facebook group) snapped some awesome Swiss-centric pics of the game). 

BruegelBurg

BruegelBurg

BruegelBurg

BruegelBurg

BruegelBurg

BruegelBurg

Saturday 5pm  - The Raid on Providence - "Burn the Pirates" 

Jim ran the final game of the con with two focuses.  1) The Hawaiians needed to travel halfway across the boardgame to regain control of their lost artifact and 2) The Pirates leave their ship to deliver their gold to their warehouse.  

I turned around for five seconds and the pirate warehouse was already in flames.  Tough crowd indeed! 

We also had the premiere of custom Amphibious Canadian units. Cavalry on beavers and marines on otters.  More of those on a later post!