Another Month of New Gaming (February 2020)

Issue #240 of Game Trade Magazine will soon be out to FLGS everywhere, and is available on pdf here.   We're in the midst of the winter doldrums in gaming-ville, so it's no suprise that the solicitations are a bit scarce amongst the numerous ads flooding the book.

Thank God for Baby Yoda.

ViscountEric's Want List
Nothing

ViscountEric's Money-Is-No-Object Want List
Funko
Mandalorian - The Child ................................. PI

Nobody really needs a Baby Yoda.....

And with enough time to design and prep the merchandise, this months Game Trade is innundated with just enough Baby Yoda stuff to tempt a store owner.  Remember, store owners, triple check the discount structure before you order, because most FLGS can't compete with chain store pricing, and Hasbro isn't just selling to swanky boutiques.

Reaper Miniatures

I may need a few more of these, and I haven't finished one of the Bones frost giants yet!

The Imaginary Store List (The Pegleg Gnome)
Burnt Island Games
In the Hall of the Mountain King ............................ $49.00
In the Hall of the Mountain King Cursed Mountain ... $10.00

Chaosium
Aquelarre RPG .............................................. $59.99

Coolminiornot
Airship City ..................................................... $39.99

Fantasy Flight Games
Star Wars Legion - Kassian Andor and K2SO .......... $19.95
Star Wars Legion - Iden Versio and ID10 ................. $19.95
Star Wars Legion - Republic Paint Set ..................... $29.95
Star Wars Legion - Separatist Paint Set ................... $29.95
Star Wars Legion - Vital Assets Battlefield Exp ........ $34.95

Games Workshop
Sweet Baby Jesus for the Emperor, the Citadel Contrast Paints are being solicited and every one is $7.80 a pot?  I've cringed while picking up Seraphim Sepia, I can't imagine stocking your painting table with more than a handful of these.... unless of course, the pot size has increased.

Paizo Publishing
PATHFINDER RPG: AP - EXTINCTION CURSE PART 4 — SIEGE OF THE DINOSAURS (P2) ...................................... $24.99

PATHFINDER RPG: BESTIARY 2 (HC) ............. $49.99

Special Edition Available for $69.99

PATHFINDER RPG: CHASE CARDS DECK (P2) .... $12.99

PATHFINDER RPG: FLIP-MAT ..BIGGER ANCIENT DUNGEON ... $19.99

STARFINDER RPG: AP - THE THREEFOLD CONSPIRACY 3 — DECEIVERS’ MOON .......................................... $24.99

STARFINDER RPG: PAWNS — ATTACK OF THE SWARM! PAWN COLLECTION ...................................................... $24.99

Pathfinder RPG Spell Cards ................................. $24-29.99

Available in Arcane, Divinie, Focus, Occult, and Primal

Steve Jackson Games

Classic Pocket Box Games Bundle ..................... $99.95

Contains Undead. Necromancer. One-Page Bulge. Raid on Iran. Kung Fu 2100. and Awful Green Things from Outer Space!!!!

MUNCHKIN PATHFINDER: 3 — ODD VENTURES .... $14.95

MUNCHKIN WARHAMMER AGE OF SIGMAR: LIGHTNING DICE .... $8.95

Wizards of the Coast 

Monster Madness ...................................... $24.99

WizKids

EBERRON: RISING FROM THE LAST WAR PREMIUM SET — SKYCOACH ............... $69.99

DESCENT INTO AVERNUS — ARKHAN THE CRUEL AND THE DARK ORDER FIGURE PACK ............. $39.99

Wave 11 of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS NOLZUR’S MARVELOUS UNPAINTED MINIATURES is solicited, and I won't list them in their entirety.  I will, however, say that the quality of these figures is almost too good for plastic for use on a D&D table.

Marvel Heroclix - Black Widow
Marvel Heroclix - Black Widow on Motorcycle ................ $14.99

The Cold Wars 2020 PEL Is Finally Up!

The Cold Wars Preliminary Event List (PEL) is finally available here.

As I do with each of the HMGS cons, I'll pull out the events that pique my interest.  You mileage may vary.

F09:417 - Forest Patrol
Friday, 9:00 AM, 3 Hrs, 4 Players GM: Kevin Fischer & HAWKS Sponsor: None, Prize: None Period: SciFi, Scale: 12mm, Rules: Heavy Gear Blitz
The woods of Terra Nova can hide a few secrets but is the price of discovering these secrets worth it? Especially when two sides are involved in a Cold War status? Who will secure the site and will it tip Terra Nova into another vicious war?

F10:485 - Zombies in Ohio!
Friday, 10:00 AM, 4 Hrs, 8 Players GM: Don Carter & ODGW Sponsor: None, Prize: None Period: French & Indian War, Scale: 25mm, Rules: Mein Zombie
1774 in the Ohio valley, there is an uneasy peace between the local native Americans and the white man.One night the sky filled with shooting stars.A small number of stones are found both sides. Unknown thee stone carry an illness. Can the survivors reach safety, or will the illness take them.Kids welcomed. 10 and up.

F10:489 - Mein Panzer Jr: Tanks 101
Friday, 10:00 AM, 4 Hrs, 4 Players GM: ODGW Staff & ODGW Sponsor: ODGW, Prize: None Period: World War II, Scale: 12mm, Rules: Mein Panzer
Come play and learn Mein Panzer Jr.!! Great game for kids 8 years old and up!! This is a kids version of our popular Mein Panzer Core Rules system that is a tank skirmish level game. One tank represents one tank!! Mein Panzer Jr. will teach the basic game mechanics of Mein Panzer so once you get to hang of MP Jr. you can move up to the full complement of rules and excitement.Rules Taught/Beginners Most Welcome.

F10:239 - ARR! Thar be Gnomes! Friday, 10:00 AM, 3 Hrs, 5 Players GM: James Reynolds Sponsor: WNPG, Prize: None Period: Age of Piracy, Scale: 28mm, Rules: Gnome Wars
Rumors have spread about the location of the treasure of the famous pirate Flowerpot Jack. Many a hearty Gnome Pirate crew has joined the race to find it. Gather your crew and set off for the Island of Lost Gardens, and adventure. Kids game.Kids game
Much love for the spontaneous gnome game!

F11:492 - Battletech - Grinder 1 
Friday, 11:00 AM, 3 Hrs, 10 Players GM: Mark Yingling & Battletech Sponsor: None, Prize: None Period: SciFi, Scale: 1:285 micro, Rules: Battletech Total Warfare
The Grinder is a free for all Battletech Demo game where new (or returning) players will be taught using the Introductory Rules. You start out with a Light mech and as you die, you advance to the next weight class.All materials, mimiatures, and dice will be provided. Beginner Friendly and Rules taught.

F17:241 - Ghostbusters 
Friday, 5:00 PM, 3 Hrs, 4 Players GM: James Reynolds Sponsor: WNPG, Prize: None Period: Modern, Scale: 28mm, Rules: Ghostbusters
There is something strange in the neighborhood. Paranormal activity is up across the city and ghosts seem to be taking over the city. This can mean only one thing, reunification of Gozer is near. Who you gonna call? Kids game.Kids game

F18:236 - Snowballs at Dawn! 
Friday , 6:00 PM, 4 Hrs, 6 Players GM: Pete English Sponsor: Old Glory, Prize: Snowball Figures Period: Other, Scale: 28mm, Rules: Snowball Fight
Time to settle this once and for all! A fight to the finish between the kids of Hobbs Middle School and the Snowmen of the dark forest. Which side will be victorious in the snow covered hills of Calvin Drive? A true "Cold Wars" engagement. Children welcome with adult, or someone who claims to be an adult.

F19:405 - Wars of Ozz(TM) Demo Game 
Friday, 7:00 PM, 3 Hrs, 6 Players GM: Buck Surdu & HAWKS Sponsor: Old Glory and Blue Moon, Prize: None Period: Fantasy, Scale: 28mm, Rules: Wars of Ozz(TM)
This game showcases the new Wars of Ozz figures and the soon-to-be-released rules. In the apocalypse caused by the use of “madness bombs,” the survivors discover tattered copies of the original Oz books and use them as the blueprint for a new society that includes Munchkins, Winkies, Quadlings, and Gillikins, but also mutants, such as pumpkin men and giant winged apes. Experience first-hand these exciting new rules, set in a postapocalyptic world inspired by L. FrankBaum.Younger gamers welcome with a participating adult. No booze, please.

F19:132 - Horses, Hereros and Hot Lead! (German South-West Africa, 1904) - Theme
Friday, 7:00 PM, 4 Hrs, 6 Players GM: Roy Jones Sponsor: Recreational Conflict, Prize: German SouthwestAfrica Miniatures Period: Colonial, Scale: 25mm, Rules: Sword and the Flame (Modified)
German Marines and Schutztruppen are moving in column through incredibly thick thorn bushes, in pursuit of Herero forces. Suddenly, shots ring out from the bush - and Herero troops on horseback spring their trap! Germans on foot vs. Hereros on horse, bayonets flashing and bullets whistling: bring your wits, your Mauser, plenty of ammo, and as much guts as you've got - this ain't gonna be no picnic, bud!

F20:237 - The Friday Night Joust!-Theme
Friday, 8:00 PM, 2 Hrs, 24 Players GM: Eric Jacobson Sponsor: Brigade Games, Prize: Gnomes! Period: Fantasy, Scale: 28mm, Rules: Gnome Wars, Gnome Jousting
Hear ye, hear ye! All are invited to participate in the grand Friday Night Gnome Joust!!! Rules taught, quick, easy, FUN! PRIZES!! No one under 10 without a playing adult.
We never turn anyone away (unless they're an unaccompanied minor under 10).  To the Line!!!!!

S10:104 - Buccaneer Wars - Old Glory Miniatures 
Saturday, 10:00 AM, 3 Hrs, 8 Players GM: Brian Whitaker Sponsor: Old Glory Miniatures, Prize: A ship will go to the best player. Period: Age of Piracy, Scale: 28mm, Rules: Buccaneer Wars
Pirates and Pirate Hunters square off in this high action game. Pick your side and trust no one.Cabin boys and girls welcome. All rules will be taught.

S10:234 - Rescue the Caravan (French Foreign Legion) - Theme 
Saturday, 10:00 AM, 3 Hrs, 6 Players GM: Scott Landis Sponsor: The Rogues, Prize: None Period: Colonial, Scale: 28mm, Rules: The Sword and the Flame (slightly modified)
The Archaeological Team caravan from the British Museum has made a major discovery but they need to get it back to the town for safe travel. The French Foreign Legion is sent out to get them safely back to the town. Can you make it in time? Will the locals retain their cultural heritage? Will you March or Die?

S10:244 - Battle of Bearsalus - Theme 
Saturday, 10:00 AM, 2 Hrs, 8 Players GM: Sean Reynolds Sponsor: WNPG, Prize: None Period: Ancients, Scale: 28mm, Rules: Teddy Bear Picnic
Yogius Caesar faces Poohpey at the decisive Battle of Bearsalus. Which of these great Teddy bears will rise to rule the Bearon Empire. Take command of your legionbears to support your choice. All ages of kids are welcome.Kids game Game Master is under 14

S11:476 - Re-Return to Castle Wewelsburg 
Saturday, 11:00 AM, 4 Hrs, 6 Players GM: Larry Morris & Yellow Worm Society Sponsor: None, Prize: None Period: World War II, Scale: 28mm, Rules: Hone Rules
After hearing tales of an escape of an American Spy from a supposed abandoned Nazi Stronghold inside a nearby castle, 4 Soviet solders sneak into the castle for a quick look. It seems the castle was not abandoned… The Nazi She Devils are Rated PG. Think of it as 90's video game – Like Castle WolfensteinNew Players Welcome as rules will be taught as needed

11:242 - Banana Buggy Rally - Theme 
Saturday, 11:00 AM, 2 Hrs, 4 Players GM: James Reynolds Sponsor: WNPG, Prize: None Period: Modern, Scale: 28mm, Rules: Gaslands One banana, two banana, three banana, four. Four bananas make a bunch, and so do many more. Over hill and highway the banana buggies go. Tra-la-la, la-la-la-la! Join us for a fun road and off-road rally with the Banana Splits (Fleagle, Bingo, Drooper an' Snork). Kids game.Kids game

S14:413 - Something Strange Comes to Schlegel's Ferry 
Saturday, 2:00 PM, 3 Hrs, 8 Players GM: Eric Schlegel & HAWKS Sponsor: None, Prize: None Period: Modern, Scale: 25mm, Rules: Blood & Swash
It is 1958 & something strange is happening around Schlegel's Ferry. There have been lights in the sky, weird noises in the woods & odd people seen about town. Could it be aliens, Communist spies, Schlegel shenanigans or all 3. This is the 4th of 6 linked scenarios depicted the struggles of the Schlegel & their friends throughout the history of America.Players under 13 welcome with a playing adult.

S15:436 - Plastic Pirates Produce Problems
Saturday, 3:00 PM, 2 Hrs, 8 Players GM: Geoffrey Graff & HAWKS Sponsor: None, Prize: None Period: Age of Piracy, Scale: 40mm, Rules: Plastic Pirates
Once again those Little Lego Looters slip the ship, jaunt through the jungle, visit the village, panic the population, shock the soldiers and irritate the islanders. Now doesn’t that sound like fun? A game for youngsters, reading would be helpful.

S15:233 - Medieval Siege Game 
Saturday, 3:00 PM, 3 Hrs, 8 Players GM: Michael Lung Sponsor: None, Prize: None Period: Medieval, Scale: 28mm, Rules: Tactica This is the game where we take the theories discussed in the “How do I run a game” workshop and see them in action on the tabletop. This is your opportunity to play in a game to see what it's all about and ask questions.
"HMGS Award-Winning GM Mike Lung runs a game!  Fun ensues!"

S17:240 - ARR! Thar be Gnomes! 
Saturday, 5:00 PM, 3 Hrs, 5 Players GM: James Reynolds Sponsor: WNPG, Prize: None Period: Age of Piracy, Scale: 28mm, Rules: Gnome Wars
Rumors have spread about the location of the treasure of the famous pirate Flowerpot Jack. Many a hearty Gnome Pirate crew has joined the race to find it. Gather your crew and set off for the Island of Lost Gardens, and adventure. Kids game.Kids game

S19:416 - Buck Rogers Returns to Schlegel’s Ferry 
Saturday, 7:00 PM, 3 Hrs, 8 Players GM: Kurt Schlegel & HAWKS Sponsor: None, Prize: None Period: SciFi, Scale: 40mm, Rules: Blood & Swash
It's the 25th century & Buck Rogers has returned to Schlegel’s Ferry to see how his friend, Dr Huer is doing excavating the ancient town. Also appearing will be Col. Wilma Deering, Black Barney, Killer Kane, Tiekomen Oneeyed men and more. Fast and easy rules for players of all ages. This is the last of 6 linked scenarios depicting the struggles of the Schlegels & their friends throughout the history of America.Players under 13 welcome with a playing adult.

S19:195 - Trench Wars: Red Thrust 2020: Russia Invades ______!--An HMGS War College Game 
Saturday, 7:00 PM, 3 Hrs, 6 Players GM: Frank Luberti, Jr. Sponsor: New York Wargamers Association and Connecticut Game Club, Prize: None Period: Modern, Scale: 12mm, Rules: Trench Wars (modified)
Fill in the blank: Ukraine, Sweden, The Baltics or all of the above. Microarmor game using the Trench Wars rules modified for Modern warfare. No charts, just a few dice and a ruler per player. Novices, children with adults, rules lawyers and GMs looking for revenge welcome. Parent/Child teams welcome.Scenario inspired by the book RED THRUST by Fall In 2019 HMGS War College speaker Steven J. Zaloga.

S19:207 - Another Wild West Skirmish Game - Theme 
Saturday, 7:00 PM, 4 Hrs, 8 Players GM: Leo Walsh Sponsor: None, Prize: variety of awards for actions Period: Western, Scale: 28mm, Rules: High Noon
As always anything goes! Let’s make up the scenario right at the table. I have a wide variety of figures or you can bring your own. Prizes will be awarded for specific actions in this game. These rules are easy to learn and fast playing. Moms and dads welcome, even grandparents as well. Everyone starts off with 2 characters of your choice.

S20:257 - Gnome Wars: The Incident at St. Gotthard Pass 
Saturday, 8:00 PM, 3 Hrs, 8 Players GM: James Stanton Sponsor: Brigade Games, Prize: None Period: Gnomes, Scale: 28mm, Rules: Gnome Wars
The Allied forces have launched an all out assault on the German positions at St. Gotthard Pass. The Germans, having been caught by surprise, are spread thin but are standing firm praying that the expected relief column is nearby. Will the Allies push the Germans out of this key position or can Lon the Lunkhead reach the garrison in time to save the day? Players with a painted 300-point unit from Brigade Games do not need pre-register.Rules will be taught. No one under age 14 without a playing adult. Parent-child teams encouraged.

S20:136 - Roman Chariot Race - Theme
Saturday, 8:00 PM, 3 Hrs, 12 Players GM: William Chappell Sponsor: None, Prize: Medal Period: Ancients, Scale: 54mm, Rules: Roman Circus by Brian T. DeWitt
Thrills, chills, and spills in the 1st Century equivalent of NASCAR, with attitude. Drive your chariot around a 12 foot track. Are you Ben Hur (Good)? or Messala (Bad)? There are no laws in the Hippodrome! See if you have what it takes to cross the finish line IN your chariot. Only one person gets to wear the laurel wreath and walk away with the gold medal.

S20:226 - Saturday Night Soccer
Saturday, 8:00 PM, 3 Hrs, 6 Players GM: Jeff Wiltrout Sponsor: None, Prize: None Period: Modern, Scale: 28mm, Rules: Corner Kick
At Fall In we had a World Cup preview. This round will continue with the winners of those games. Come play with Brazil or Croatia for the glory of the Cold Wars Cup.Knowledge of soccer rules and tactics is not necessary. Having fun is.

S20:262 - APES OF WAR - A QUEST - Theme 
Saturday, 8:00 PM, 3 Hrs, 20 Players GM: Peter Panzeri Sponsor: MINIATURE BUILDING AUTHORITY, Prize: None Period: Future, Scale: 28mm, Rules: WICKED WITCH RULES!
“SATURDAY NIGHT WILD PARTY You're on a QUEST to beat, or at least escape from the Ape. Bring your own 3-4 Player Team, or be assigned one. APES assault the human enclave ... Mutants Let loose and prey upon all! All forces converge for a Battle of courage vs. cunning plans and Evil tricks. You must "KILL or BE KILLED!" Who will be successful and live to tell? "Classic Horror Fiction

Z10:414 - The Apocalypse Comes to Schlegel's Ferry 
Sunday, 10:00 AM, 3 Hrs, 8 Players GM: Eric Schlegel & HAWKS Sponsor: None, Prize: None Period: Future, Scale: 25mm, Rules: Blood & Swash It's 2021 & a global catastrophe has devastated the planet & severely the reduced the population. The denizens of Schlegel's Ferry struggle for survival among marauding bands of scavengers. This is the last of 6 linked scenario depicting the struggles of the Schlegel's & their friends throughout the history of America.Players under 13 welcome with a playing adult

Z10:232 - Eat Hitler! 
Sunday, 10:00 AM, 2 Hrs, 12 Players GM: Brendan WattsSponsor: None, Prize: None Period: SciFi, Scale: 25mm, Rules: Howard Whitehouse's Eat Hitler the Nazi Taste Treat
Not quite a theme game but we do have dinosaurs pursuing and eating Nazis from a crashed theme game featuring more Nazis and new dinos from Disney souvenir shop!Kid & family friendly, play a quick game before leaving the convention for home

Mandatory Basketball Rant - Week 12

I'll skip all the adult problems that interfere with kids' basketball this week, because it was a great week.

First off, the boys teams were invited to hang with the high school team at their game on Thursday night.  This caused a mass cancellation of practices, but also allowed not only the Bulls, but the Sixers a chance to practice with the Spurs.  After twenty minutes of warm-ups/practice, the teams rotated in and out of scrimmaging for an hour.  Good times for everybody.

With less than an hour before Maja's travel team's "Conditioning Session" at the same site, we decided to stay and I managed one-on-one time with a few remaining players.  One day, I'm quite certain the one girl will execute a proper lay-up, but we got a lot closer in those 45 minutes than we've had with weeks of practice.

We decided to divide and conquer on Friday night.  Millie had a late game in Hazleton, so my wife took her and I took Maja to her local practice.  It was a wise move on my part, as Millie got the ball a grand total of three times in the game.  I thought this team was moving past not passing to a girl, but the one player who's a fundamental mess, loves to lob (and miss) 3's, and whose family thinks he should be playing up, dominated ball-time (and what tiny scoring that game had).

Fun fact:  Millie's still the second leading scorer on the team...  #statsdontlie

Saturday morning opened with a deluge from the heavens, as we hydroplaned at any speed to get to Hazleton for Maja's game.  Her team was the polar opposite Millie's:  great passing, aggressive defense, and heads-up play to find the open man.  Everybody got a chance to shoot, and Maja ended up with 10 points of 32 in a game where she was benched for most of the 4th quarters (after hitting a 20-point lead, the top three scorers must sit.)

After a stop at Buddy's Bagels for breakfast, we made it MYBL for Maja's second game of the day.

I made the comment to a number of coaches and parents that we may have hit the mid-season winter sports doldrums.  Maja played a much better game than last week, and her points were essential for her Bucks to hold off a late push by the Celtics, but everybody else is languishing on the court.  With smarter play, they could have easily built a 10+ point lead instead of 4 with thirty seconds left.
Millie's doubleheader

Millie's Spurs closed out the elementary school with a double-header against the Bulls, and the much-hated Celtics.  We allowed the Bulls an extra player (and a good one too) to allow some substitution for their otherwise five-player team, and still pulled away with a 23-16 win.  Millie and our center Annika dominated play, even to the point that they reversed their guard-center relationship for Millie to dump a few baskets down low.

Since we practice with the Bulls, that familiarity fosters an assertive play that may resemble a rugby scrum.

Bulls v. Spurs jump balls = floor time!

In my first season of coaching, there have been plenty of times I've realized that I'm making an impact on the girls, but the end of the Bulls game was the first time my coaching decisions make a fantastic impact on game strategy.

With a back-to-back doubleheader, I decided to sit some of my taller girls (and let Millie play center... because, well... she wanted to play center).  In the 3rd/4th grade divisions, teams can only full-court press in the last two minutes of each game  and with a smaller and weaker back court, it was pure unadulterated chaos.  Teams traded equal blows and scored the same points during that time, but as the buzzer went off, the girls walked off the court panting for breath, but with a wholly different look in their eyes.

I kept it simple as they sat for a moment and sucked down their remaining water bottles, "You know the feeling you have in your chest right now?  How you felt in the last four minutes on the court?  I need you to play with that intensity for the entire game with the Celtics!"

And they did.

Maybe the Celtics are languishing worse than our girls, but the Spurs managed to hold them down to a field goal and two foul shots in a 13-4 win.  And the best part?  No shenanigans on either side.  With the prior history we had, and the intensity the girls were playing with, not only did I need a time out to calm down my girls, but the Celtics did the same thing.  And the questionable player that was center of all the controversy before?  I think she scored all four points, and despite the frustration on her face, played a hard, clean game that will make opposing players remember her name for all the right reasons.

And with the cancellation of last week's games, no matter what the result is next week, I can retire from coaching with a winning regular-season record.

Sunday was a lot of running around as we prepared for Millie's birthday party to end her annual birthday month.  A party on the first weekend in January is always a crap shoot, so we plan for the end of the month for the 'friends' party.

I only remember seeing 12 invitations.... 28 showed up.

And did I mention it was a snake party?

We had had Cameron from CDE Exotics come to the house and let the kids hold and play with a number of snakes and other reptiles.  Not my thing, but most of the girls (and my wife) thought it was the best thing ever.  I can't dispute that.  Tons of aggressive basketball and a "science-y" birthday party?  Right up these girls' alley.

Maja's travel team ended the week, and despite a desire to go 6-0 for the weekend, they looked horrible, confused, and fumbling out on the court to loose in the first round of the playoffs.   At this point, I'm happy we're done with Wednesday and Sunday basketball now.  Part of the winter doldrums was homework starting to decline, so we can address that, do some family activities, and rest up before we decided what to do for spring ball.

On the adult front:  Board member continue to bicker, I completed the playoff schedule (but refuse to release it until one last moving piece resolves itself, and we had our local Night at the Races fundraiser.  This was the one item as a board member, that I decided to distance myself from, as far as responsibility .  I was given a pass since I had two games in the first two hours of the event, but that allowed my wife and I to just buy tickets, be sociable, and win a raffle basket.  The league raised the the most money ever for that event.

This week is the release of the playoff schedule and another AAU tryout, so as my old track coach, Mr Herman, would say,  "We shall see what we shall see..."

Lost Dispatches of Feraso #61 - Leaving Verbobonc For Good

The 24th Day of QuaDec, 1045 - Verbobonc City
After carefully crafting the elaborate backstory of my sudden (and heroic) demise, I wisely venture to the most incognito place I know:  Verbobonc City.

My initial sarcasm stung my decision to travel there in search of the careless adventurers Carathmus, Sloemin, and the dwarf Sabu Tablesmasher II, but it was far more practical.  The capital city is metropolitan enough that I could convert my gold into less bulky currency with few fees, mercantile enough that I could resupply, nay, re-imagine myself in fashion.  Gone is Elsderth Millbottom, Vanished is Sir Elsderth Greyhawk.  With a gruffer persona and an odd decision transform myself to completely clean shaven in the first time since my scribe apprenticeship, I walked the seedier sections of the capital as Torben Hardox, bounty hunter, mercenary, and most certainly, a tougher individual than I actually am, and amazingly came out with information regarding the trio.

One last look at Verbobonc City

A few quick visits to some pawn shops to rid myself of some baronial belongings netted me an outrageous pair of fur boots, which were surprisingly comfortable, and this journal, with sufficient ink and quill for the time being.  I'm disappointed this journal won't go with my library of others I've kept through the years, but if that's the first regret I've had since concocting this plot to avoid certain doom against the evil elementalists, then I chose wisely.

I will have a fine dinner tonight, drink some wine, and sleep one last time until I find the three individuals responsible for inciting the ire of the temple and the deaths of dozens, if not hundreds of innocents.  My leads put them following the trade road up into the County of Fresklun. I might be part of the Ancien Empire, but it's nothing more than one the petty jarldoms when I gallivanted through Wyrmnal as a youth.

The 25th Day of QuaDec, 1045 - Rynehurst
I'm disappointed my veil of civilization disappeared before my first full day's ride.

In all my travels east, I never knew the scum and villany was but a few leagues beyond the turnoff to the Feldkurton.  Where the Calebron River meets with the Velvderdya is a quaint fortified village known as Rynehurst.  At least quaint was my first impression.  Inside was a den of thieves, an illicit bazaar of black market items, and a haven for underground bloodsport.  That this type of place is a mere 30 miles from the Viscount (40 from Feldkurton) disturbs me greatly.

The only respite I could find was that the elements who kept Rynehurst independent also enjoyed some of the finer treasures of the civilized lifestyle, so travelers could very well frequent certain establishments, and possibly escape the seedier undertones of of the town.

"Torben" is out of sorts in those parts of the town, but manners and money won the day.  I did regain some creditbility when I inquired about acquiring armor and weapons... a LOT of weapons...

No transactions came about my mass armament inquiry, but I did get further leads on the trio.   They caroused their way through the seedier portions, partook in every harlot that would have them, and fought some unfortunates in the pits.  Just a regular day in Rynehurst, but one of the whores has been missing since they left.  Most account her desire to become a camp follower of the trio, but with the rumors of "living armor," I fear a far worse fate.

The trio was last seen leaving Rynehurst for the west.  The Old River Road goes beyond the borders of Verbobonc, with a short stop in Valkurl and into the domain of the Margrave of Fresklun:  Devarnish.

DM Notes:  Elsderth as we know him is no more.  A fully presented hired sword in a way he could only dream of in his early forays.  Torben, of course, is the original Viscount's seneschal and confidante of Elsderth for those initial letters.  Hardox wasn't the prime caravan guard that got him in trouble with Runholf the Dandy in Wyrmnal (and ultimately on the road with the Order of Merit), but his name was far more memorable than Harbash.

And hiding under an assumed name does not work if you keep sending letters to the Viscount.  A journal is a much better vehicle this new chapter of his life. 

I came to realize in all his "holidays," Elsderth never traveled west.  I'll take a good hard look at all the previous episodes, but he's always made a hard right when the road from Feldkurton meet the Old River Road.  The entire continent west of the Calebron River is new territory.

Next: #62 - The County of Devarnish

(Kickstarter) Halflings Gone Bad 2

Midlam Miniatures has launched yet another Kickstarter, this time an addition to their Halflings Gone Bad line.

Dwarf Camp Followers - Flintloque 002 from Alternative Armies

Flintloque is one of those games that almost matches up to Gnome Wars, but in the small world of fantasty miniatures in a pseudo-historical setting, almost is just enough. 

Alternative Armies recently posted pictures of their latest releases in their project to remaster and remold many of their older codes dating back to the 90's:  52017 Dwarf Camp Followers

They might be small for Gnome Wars proper, but between objective markers and regualr fantasy figures, they will certainly do the job!

My Original Painted Miniatures

Sure I painted figures all through the 90's for fantasy, Warhammer Skaven, and Legions of Steel specifically, but 20 years ago I started the slow and winding true path I'm still part of today.

Back then I  was wrapping up my college campaign, splitting my Summer between the National Canal Museum and Griffon Games, and slowly plotting out my next fantasy campaign ideas.  I've plotted them out before on the blog, and to be honest, most didn't come to fruition.

The one thing I did manage to do was start painting figure and not making it a chore.

With the motley collection of Ral-Partha and Citadel paints the store kept in a storage closet, I set up a small paint station to work during slow hours. 

I know I painted a ton a skeletons (we sold a LOT of Reaper skeletons, but I preferred the Ral-Partha version that sat in metal bases.)  But the first character mini I finished Tara the Silent (02021)  by Sandra Garrity.

A simple snip off the knife and she was Katerine, the clueless and simple woman with a misplaced magic item (and lots of treachery) in the The Scepter of Amun-Ra.  The Hackmaster campaign that session launched only had a few painted figs over the year, but it grew my interest and competence in painting 

She's also better known as Archaeologist Maja Millie in the Pulp Games I play with my kids...

The other big mini that I painted was an official WotC D&D Ettin.  He played a crafty role in “The Ettin’s Riddle” for 3e and Hackmaster and has gathered dust most of the time since.

They both need more than just a "touch-up"

Baby Yoda Beats Sun Tzu...

Three quick shout-outs...

#1 - The Mandalorian on Disney+ is the greatest piece of Star Wars media ever devised.  Outside of that phase in my youth where we ran around the neighborhood wielding light sabers wiffleball bats, my viewpoint of the entire property, from books to role-playing game actual plays, is colored exactly like Jon Favreau.  Even the artwork during the end credits is more inspiring that most of the recent trilogy.  And, of course, there's Baby Yoda, who's real name is McGuffin. 

#2 - Ken Newquist over at Nuketown doesn't post a lot, but it's usually a quality collection of material.  He's my original source for a great article by The Angry Staff Officer for Wired.

#3 - The Mandalorian Is the Only Smart Soldier in the Star Wars Galaxy.  Every episode is my favorite, but the one with Cara Dune and the beleaguered krill farmers was one of my favorites, exactly for the reasons the Angry Staff Officer details. 

Reaper's Australian Bushfire Relief Fund

In response to the devastation caused by the bushfires in Australia, Reaper Minis has launched a fundraising promotion to raise money for the RSPCA of South Autralia.

With the purchase of one of the Bushfire Relief Miniatures, Reaper will donate $7.50 to the RSPCA.

01647: Courage the Koala by Jason Wiebe  $9.99

01649: Australian Wildlife by Andy Peiper $9.99

01648: Hope the Koala Druid by Jason Wiebe $9.99

Lost Dispatches of Feraso #60 - Regarding a Delivery of Barley

The 22nd Day of QuaDec in the Year 1045

To Murag Mountainhammer, Principal Residence Mountainhammer Cottage, Feldkurton.

Duplicate receipt furnished to The Headquarters of the Duchal Expeditionary Force

Received from Merek Terrowin, procurer of agricultural and botanical products, with Druidic acceptance and procedural boon, the quantity of four hundred bushels of Blue Ferasean Barley, harvest wholegrown from the Vrianios Valley within the appropriate restraints of the winter planting schedule, approved by the Imperial Auditor,Titos Hosmer, under independent review of Freigraffs related to the region.

Said delivery guarantee by written contract filed with the Viscount of Verbobonc originally certified the 19th Day of HexDec in the Imperial Year of 1039.  Executed by bonded teamsters, payment recieved up front, recognized as Hawise and Rufus, both originally from Willip, and residing with the Duchy of Ostverk.  Two hundred bushels were secured in your outbuildings, and the remainder of two hundred bushels delivered and receipt and the divine providence of Akana provided by the granary of Millsbottom.  All records are on file and all parties related in the transaction shall be granted accountability to the same.

Following the advice of one Mountainhammer, future deliveries will be executed by snow sledge, when and if possible.  Blue Ferasean varieties of barley will be considered adequate fulfillment of the contract unless Red or Paisley barley, only made available in the Summer months when dragons dance with your mother's lover and the merchant drinks love potions out your nose.

If none of those provisions are to honored it should be noted in detail below by the barristers of Verbobonc....

Murag, do not despair, for I, E.Millbottom, am alive and well.  After our first foray into the temple, I've never had a desire to go back, and with the absolutely incompetent group of peasant militia provided to me for the first wave of the assault, I felt best to use my prior training of years gone by, and the fine calligraphy sets and the Duchal wax and seal of Ostverk and provide my own heroic escape from that situation, and my life in general.  

While I do not wish any sorrow bestowed upon my wife Felicia and my children, my time as Baron has been conducted with the barest of requirements, and my obligations to my family even less so.  I do not consider myself a broken man, nor do I suffer some unquenchable wanderlust after all these years.  However, given my dereliction of duty and and untimely demise ahead of my earthly schedule, the idea of being the only person to attempt to search for the trio of Carathmus, Sloemin, and Sabu Tablesmasher II and possibly obtain justice for the innocents slain due to their insolence, is of high ideal.  

Do not inform my family of my intentions.  According to the official report given to Viscount Eger, I was disintegrated by a fire elemental.   Mourn my loss at my funeral, and if you are a far better friend to me than I was to you, I beg you to stay around Feldkurton, giving advice to my son Matthias as he attempts to rule the Barony.  You are but a dwarf in the prime of his life, and another ten years watching over the Millbottom family in some capacity still means you have two more human lifetimes to experience after my simple request.  

Thank you, friend, for being a stalwart companion all these years, in spite of your true wisdom screaming at you to run away.  We may meet again, but I surely doubt it.  - E.

<THREE MORE PAGES OF BUSINESS, AGRICULTURAL, AND GENERAL LEGAL DISCUSSION> 

Received and Acknowleged
E.Millbottom, Miller and Granary (Recently Retired)

DM Notes: Elsderth Greyhawk is dead!!! Long live (again) Elsderth Millbottom!!! Unlike a number of characters, the former scribe is not one to do foolish things... unless the alternative is even more foolish. Pressed with assaulting a Temple of Elemental Evil, he chose a path of lesser resistance, and with a satchel full of baronial gems, and a collection of minor magic items, he's setting off to initially search for those individuals who caused this mess in Hommlet in the first place. From there, who knows.

This episode contains the last ever reference to the Barony of Greyhawk, Elsderth's family, and even Murag (or Morag) Mountainhammer.  Heck, once we clean up this short (yet geo-politically important) storyline from the short campaign I ran in '97, the next time anything significant in Ras-Prythax is mentioned is on 31 TriDec 1071, almost 26 games years later, and that was a disastrous side-trek.  

Sixty weeks of episodes (with a few breaks in between) and I've done a fair job at documenting the region that I've largely ignored since high school, Ras-Prythax was always my attempt at creating a Holy Roman Empire in my campaign world, with the corruption from the inside eating away at the effectiveness of the political machinations.  If only, even for a little while, a strong individual could unite the Ras-Prythax, the Weissmach, and the other satellite nations that once made up the Ferasean Empire.  Perhaps that could be a whole future campaign....

NEXT:  #61 - Leaving Verbobonc for Good

Mandatory Basketball Rant - Week 11

First off, the "Adults Ruin Everything" Portion.  It's crunch time in the season for the Board of Directors for the community league.  Lots of moving parts requiring approval for payment, and luckily enough, we have some money in the treasury.  The fun Night at the Races promotion is going as smoothly as a Bolivian mountain road, but so long as I sell my tickets, I'm off the hook. 

Then came the BoD meeting and just simple bickering from everybody....   Coaches complaining about refs, parents complaining about coaches, board members needing to remove unzealous parents from the bench area at games. 

And off course, my favorite, "sticking with what we always did" is fine, unless you happen to have a friend who runs a trophy business... and that quote is too damn high.

This week we suffered from some mid-week weather that cause some more schedule adjustments.  Outside of one coach asking to permanently changing their team practice to another (open) day and time, things went smoothly.

Millie's joint practice with the Bulls was miserable.  We haven't gotten hit with any bugs, but for some girls (and boys on the team we share the court with), you can tell the winter malaise has kicked in.   

Our Hazleton league cancelled Saturday games, due to an impending snowstorm, before 3pm on Friday.  With a wrestling tournament at the local high school and other school functions already pegged for Saturday, our local school district waited until after 7pm to close all school buildings for the following, effectively cancelling all of our basketball games save our Sunday high school division

But that meant we still had Millie's Friday night Hazleton game, albeit with a subdued pre-snowstorm crowd. 

Millie scored the first 4 of the team's 8 points in the entire game, and openly wondered why the boys weren't passing to anyone who was open... on either team.

I don't know why either, Millie....

The ended in an 8-8 tie although their was a valiant 3-point attempt for Millie's team as time expired.

Saturday ebbed and flowed with only three inches of snow all day, but just enough to cause dozens of accidents in the area. While we could have made all three of our games without incident, Referees and families traveling across the school district might not be as lucky. 

Sunday was the Knights of Columbus foul-shooting contest and with free entry we decided "what the hay!"

The gym at the local Catholic grade school is dated, but it certainly worked.  Everyone was nice, we ran into our new best friends in the 3/4 Sixers, and a few faces we haven't seen in awhile. 

Considering this was an early afternoon event, I was disappointed in their shooting.  Only one or two kids in their age groups shot better, but there was a focus on finesse when they still need some more core power at their ages.  Still, it was a well-run event and the girls want to come back next year.

 A quick ride back home to wait for my wife to come back from work and we were all back in the car for the Wyoming Valley Clutch AAU tryouts.  Both girls fit the age brackets, but after our experiences last year, we were gauging the other players trying out, reading their informational handout, and listening for any doublespeak coming out of the organizers' mouths. 

It's not too promising all the potential players are point guards, save one potential center.  Add to all of that a desire for all the coaches to merge 3rd/4th grade and 5th grade into one 5th grade team, and I'm not seeing the benefit of paying $700 a kid for 2 local tournaments, 3 Philly/Harrisburg area tourneys, and two further drives to the beach to get slaughtered at most of them.  I'd rather spend a lot less and have them get shellacked by much better local teams for Maja's travel team. 

Speaking of travel team, four tryout participants dashed across the river to Kingston:  Maja and Maja's friend,  Millie, although she's not playing, and one 6th grade girl from the Dallas team they were playing. 

Maja vs the 6th Clutch tryout

It was a repeat from before, a big 38-9 loss.   Despite added (and late) emphasis on conditioning, screens, and running plays, the Dallas girls are simply bigger and faster.  I compared it to my wife trying to keep up with me when we go places, and no one argued.

An Evolving Winter Wonderland

Saturdays in this house are basketball Saturdays through the of March, but for the first time since October, weather might influence it.

There have been wildly varying forecasts since Monday, ranging from Sunday ice to an all weekend blizzard.  It's scared enough folks that Maja's Hazleton league games for this morning were cancelled by 3pm yesterday.  Guess I'm overseeing some naughty adults allegedly coaching 5th/6th grade Boys Basketball the wrong way....

From there, I've either got two games right around the corner, or nothing at all if they cancel.  Should be able to enjoy the snow and relax at some point this weekend.

(Kickstarter) High Colonies RPG by Columbia Games

As a child of all things role-playing in the late 80's I have fond memories of all the cool ads of smaller press games splattered across the pages of Dragon Magazine. 

Over time, I bit the bullet on Talislanta and TWERPS.  Game like Reich Start and High Colonies I gave a pass to. 

Now I have a hint of nostalgic remorse with the launch of a pdf-only Kickstarter for the relaunch of High Colonies, this time by Columbia Games, the makers of Harnworld.

High Colonies was a hard sci-fi setting with a ravaged Earth and only space colonies representing the last hopes of humanity.   I assume the folks who run Harn would keep it like that, if not moreso.    The PDF price seems a bit steep, but if it's chock full of material like Harnworld, it's a good investment.  

(Gnome Wars) Domesticated Crickets

Gnomes have a penchant for befriending, and in some cases, domesticating, numerous woodland critters.  

While rabbits, squirrels, and even slugs are common sights in some countries, tamed grasshoppers (and crickets) are a rarer occurrence, but still quite helpful.  

First off, a quick biology lesson.  Gnomes can equal luck working with the insects, but grasshoppers usually do their work in the day, while the cricket families stay up at night.  Due to the variety of sizes, colors, and temperaments, the tasks of one creature can be duplicated by the other. 

A gnome grasshopper wrangler befriending a wild critter.

Grasshoppers were originally tamed to handle wild underbrush around a gnome's home.  Crickets were used in maintaining gnomish agriculture, learning to not each the crops and focus one weeds, fungus, and small nighttime insect pests to the fields. 

Both creatures are musically talented, and it's not surprise to see wealthier gnomes assemble an orchestra of them.  Not only are they talented creating "chirping songs" with their legs, they're actually quite proficient in many musical instruments.

Larger breeds of the insects can be used as beasts of burden, pulling smart carts and wagons. 

Only the most foolish of the gnomes would attempt to make either creature a steed to ride/leap or fly upon.

(Kickstarter) Return to Dark Tower by Restoration Games

Restoration Games, the company behind the new version of Fireball Island, has swung for fences with a Kickstarter campaign to create a new version of one of the holy grails of fantasy boardgaming with Return to Dark Tower.

It's $125 for the base game with an expected delivery date of February 2021.

Lost Dispatches of Feraso #59 - Rest in Peace, Lord Greyhawk

The 19th Day of QuaDec in the Year 1045

The Headquarters of the Duchal Expeditionary Force Proceeding Against the Temple of Elemental Evil.

To His Lordship, Viscount Eger of Verbobonc

My Lord, it is with great sorrow that I must report the death of your faithful vassal, Sir Elsderth Greyhawk, Baron of Greyhawk.

Your loyal Baron led one of the early forays into the Temple of Elemental Evil located east of the village of Hommlet.  Despite my anticipation of  heavy casualties as we attempted to destroy the foul influence of the temple once and for all, Elsderth valiantly volunteered his services and not only led his troops into the temple, but reached the dread fourth sub-level of the dungeon, the Temple of Elemental Fire.

Elsderth's last moments, perhaps?

His lieutenants under him reported coming under attack from a fire elemental.

Despite expressing a fear of fire, he possibly sacrificed himself to allow his men to retreat and regroup to take the chambers within the elemental sanctum.

These same lieutenants could not recover any trace of the Baron.  We all believe he was completely immolated by the beast.  With this situation, I personally believe all the gold in the empire might not be enough to bring him back from the infinite specks he has been transformed into.

All the surviving men I've had the pleasure to speak with were all bewildered, amazed, awestruck by the heroism.

That being said.

Sir Elsderth's title and land grant was bequeathed by His Lordship, so I can only provide advice and recommendation to you as a peer.  I heartily beseech His Lorship to make the Baron of Greyhawk, a hereditary dominion.  His son, Matthias, is of the proper age, and has served me directly as a squire for my duties within the Knights of Feraso.  Despite his youth, I believe he will conduct himself in a manner equal to that position

With Great Sadness,

Duke Gregor Walter Reikhoff, Duke of Ostverk
Commander, Knights of Feraso

Sealed with the Duchal Seal of Ostverk.

DM Notes:  After years of a sedentary lifestyle, Elsderth returned to service to the Viscounty, the Duke of Ostverk, and ultimately the Krugraf of Ras-Prythax.  Things have not fared well for the main cog of the Order of Merit, but he has died a hero, and his reputation may have installed in his family as the permanent defenders of Feldkurton and the Barony of Greyhawk.

Matthias (Millbottom) Greyhawk, the second Baron of Greyhawk

Next:  #60  Regarding a Delivery of Barley

Mandatory Basketball Rant - Week 10

In the grown-up world of youth basketball, my wish of a full week of practices was not fulfilled.  Late news of an after-hours spelling bee closing the one school caused a panic for reschedules.  No one foresaw a series of snow squalls that same day not only produce a delay for the schools, but ultimately a late closure.   The school administrators wisely  rescheduled the spelling bee for during school hours the next day, so we did not lose another day....

On the kid-side, well... this begins two months of hell.  Our local rec league is in full swing, with playoffs starting on February 8th.  The rec league in the neighboring town started its game this week, so it was a little crazy with the half-hour drives between sites between the two leagues.

Thursday:  A normal practice for Millie, with invitees from the Bulls and Warriors.  The low point was introducing the concept of the screen to the ladies.  Perhaps the high point of the season was starting a scrimmage with the 3/4 boys we share the court with.  A learning experience for both teams.

After a quick drive home for dinner and homework, it was back to the school for Maja's travel team's spelling bee rescheduled practice, with a special guest appearance by Maja's rec team's Coach Rich.  Lots of drills on breaking a full court press.

The girls slept restlessly that night.

Friday:  Last year, both Maja and Millie played on the same team at the neighboring community rec league (WHYBL).  It was an interesting experience, and this year we returned with the understanding that Millie would play in the Junior division (grades 3-4), while Maja moved up to the Seniors (5-7).  Both are co-ed leagues that are 90% boys.

We raced down after work to Millie's Friday night game.  We got there a half-hour early, only to discover the preceding game to hers was just finishing warm-ups.  Add in four 8-minute quarters, a 5-minute halftime and the coaches using more time-outs in a game than I've used all season, and I think we were running into the proceeding game's time before the first one finished.

With all those delays, I need to run Maja and her friend back to their local rec team practice back home, so I got to see a whole quarter of Millie's solo WHYBL career.

Not a damn boy was passing to her, and she looked pissed.

We got to practice on time, and forty minutes later, Millie comes running into the school.

Me: How'd you play.

Millie:  Okay, I guess.

My wife, later:  They won 18-8, Millie had 6 points, a bunch of rebounds, and spent most of her night preventing this guy from scoring.

That guy, in the paint.

Nice to stay humble, kiddo.

Saturday: Busy day with Maja's rec league Bucks still having the same issues that plagued them in last weekend's loss.  They just seemed loss, even being down 6-4 in the middle of the second quarter.   After that, Maja scored 6 points in an 8-point run to close out the half, and perhaps thanks to that spark they pulled away to an expected 32-12 win.
Maja: 10 pts, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, and at least six steals.

Jump into the car again for a 25 minute ride for a game in 30 minutes for WHYBL, and it was delayed... again.... Add in four 10-minute quarters and maximum time-out usage and we barely had time to eat and get back home for the final game of the night.

Maja was the only girl on the court for her division, and again suffered from the lack of boys passing to her, but with her training and smarts, just like Millie she took advantage of her opportunities.  It was a nail biter, but the green team lost to the black team 24-20.
Maja: 6 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 steals on 50% shooting.  Considering the so-called "good" players were lobbing bombs from the arc with under 20% accuracy (most were under 10%), I'll take it.

Plus the entire second half, she was tasked with covering their big center.

The big guy with the ball is a few feet further away from the others in the picture

She (and a little help from another player), held the big guy to 2 points in the second half.

Millie's Spurs had our second game of the year with the Warriors.  After giving them a 16-1 drubbing last time, I demanded the same aggressive and smart play.

This time, we made mistakes, the Warriors were a lot more aggressive, and despite making a good effort of distributing the ball to everyone, it was a disappointing win, 23-16.  Millie had 11, our star center had 10, and the young lady who couldn't hit the broad side of barn last week, ended her drought with the other two.  We can't survive on bad passing and two players for most of the scoring... and we didn't set one screen... correctly.  Back to the drawing board on Thursday.

We dashed off to our scheduled hockey game, and while there I got a call from the league president.  Tonight was the first game all season between our pre-season villain Sixers and the new-ish villains, the Celtics.   To the chagrin of the President, the kids were fine, but the adults, coaches, parents, and referees were simply maddening.  He managed to prevent a poor situation from happening again... and with a full roster and good execution, the Sixers prevailed.

Of course, we're (unofficially) 4-3, and with four more games related (one each against the other teams in the division), I'd like to go into the playoffs with at least a 6-5.

Sunday: Maja's travel team had an 8pm start which meant we could have a good day at home cleaning, laughing, and letting the kids play with the neighborhood kids.    The downside was we were subject to the delays of the entire day's games, so we start 40 minutes late.

Not sure of the logic, but the travel team is broken into two distinct teams for subbing en masse, with no overlapping.  It balanced out to exactly the same time, but team one (without Maja) was dreadful.  Maybe not dreadful,  exactly, but when you're responsible for the 8-4 portion of the 23-4 win and you're the "good" 5th and 6th graders, it means something.
Maja - 6 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, and two potential assists that generated foul shots for the other player.

This week: another high school game, a board meeting, part two of Screens: the Myth continues, and our final regular season game against the Sixers.

My Events for Cold Wars 2020

I got my submission for Cold Wars in under the wire for the Preliminary Event List (PEL!)

Sorry, no Battle of Yellowstone replay to tie in with the Wargaming in Education Program.   Late Winter basketball dies out the weekend of the con, with the finals the next week, so I'll be running the Gnome Joust 8pm Thursday (in Open Gaming) and on the PEL for 8pm Friday.

Friday Night Joust!  - 24 Players
Hear ye, hear ye! All are invited to participate in the grand Friday Night Gnome Joust!!! Rules taught, quick, easy, FUN! PRIZES!!  No one under 10 without a playing adult.

I'll be in the Wargaming in Education group all day, helping out with a Medieval game, and acting as an honest-to-God panelist for the "How Do I Run a Game?" Q&A with interested educators.

How About This Weather, Y'all....

Outside of a new penchant for this area to get hit with quick, violent snow squalls from time to time, I'm enjoying this winter.

It's been a rather warm winter when I wince at last night's weather forcast.

Funny that in 36 hours, that forecast will be the same, but in Celsius!

Mandatory Basketball Rant - Week 9

The weekly grown-up grumblings were limited this week.  Coaches took whatever available practice times were available.  My Thursday 5pm open court might be filled forever with the pairing of a 5/6 girls team with the existing 5/6 boys team scheduled there.  The girls ran circles around the boys (not bad for no practice for a month), but both coaches agreed that it made more sense to run full court scrimmages with like age groups.

For the Spurs, I taught them the concept of "getting the lead out" with repeated sprints and quick drills to shake off the holiday malaise.

Saturday was Millie's birthday, so we had a jam-packed day.  And the Birthday Girl was prepared for anything:

She did not wear the tiara in the game.  

First off, we completely bailed on ordering school pictures this year, but that's okay because the basketball pics are in.

Choose from local rec league team jersey or Department of Transportation safety orange travel team.

Maja's game started the day with their first crack at the Warriors all season.  The Warriors' coach won last year's 3/4 Girls title, and he managed to keep a few familiar pieces together in the draft and some to boot.  Maja's Bucks were confident they would win but lack of focus had them down by ten at halftime.  A few corrections were made (and heads removed from posteriors), and they got as close as down by 4 at the end. The coach was not happy (and he's almost always positive) and with good reason.  With three teams in the division with one loss, it's anyone's title for the taking.  And with a completely random structure for the playoff seeding, it's the luck of the draw.

Still, Maja had a decent game stat-wise, but was more essentially with her ball handling and movement around the court helped keep the point bleeding to as bad as it was.   I constantly tell my 3/4 team to keep their heads, and it seems it's not much better in the next division.  Maja would make a great cut and not only lose her defender, but her teammate too, as the ball was passed a full 180 away from her into the seats.

After the game we drove up to Misercordia University to watch their women's team take on Lebanon Valley.   We left with four minutes remaining and the Cougars victory well in hand and stopped for bagels before I dropped off all the women in the household for a private lesson with their coach, Mia, while I ran errands.

In the middle of errands, I got hit with a series of text pointing out a 3/4 boys coach's social media rant about children fouling out in that age group (they've done so for years... we just usually have more players per team to soak it up... because the coaches all agreed to 7 player teams this year.  Figuring my previous conflict finally resolved this week, I called the other parent who coaches alongside the poster, got a relatively balanced take of the situation (there's some poor sportsmanship on both sides and the ref forgot to go over in-game with the player why repetitive calls were being made.  At the end of the day, no injuries, but no coaching on fouls, and no reading of the rules is not cool when the other kids are playing their hearts out without a break for the entire game.

After practice, we raced to Buffalo Wild Wings for take out to make it to Millie's game on time.

Thanks to the joint practices, the comfort level between the Spurs and Bulls is noticeable.  It also allowed me a chance to start the smallest version of the line-up, with Millie playing the opening jump ball (her biggest birthday wish).  Despite an inability to hit the broad side of a barn if their heads were stapled to it, the Spurs ran up a ten-point lead and slowly gave up uncontested shots until it was 15-13.  With the full "big team" playing the last four minutes, we made some tremendous plays on defense, two big time shots, and a great rebound and basket to pull to 3-3 for the season with a 21-15 win.  Lots to work on, but the girls looked better in the second half.  Unfortunately the Bulls' effort needed the help of a pick-up player as their center went down with an ankle injury in recess earlier in the week.  Here's hoping she's back for the playoffs.

The last act of the night was hockey with Millie's other coach, Haley.  Fights, chants, and Italian ice made it a great night.

Sunday was my day off from everything.  I took the Christmas tree down, while my wife drove the Mia, Haley, and the girls to the Syracuse-Notre Dame Women's game in Syracuse.  A great time was had by all, and while our courtside seat for Division-III Misericordia were better, their seats for a D-I game weren't too shabby.

Thank God we did cake and presents late Saturday night!

Maja missed her travel team game, due to the Syracuse trip, but they won against a heated rival.... and now were in crisis mode because the one school has a sudden after-school closure and we're already past the available extra practice slots to adjust.

Just once, I'd like a full week of regular practices for all the teams.