ViscountEric's Birthday Extravaganza 2020

It was put in my head that it had been awhile (six years) since I last had a Viscount Eric Birthday Bash.  Some games, some friends, and maybe some food, and a ton of fun at some local rented spot for the full day. 

With the impending arrival of Steve Jackson's Pocket Box Games of the Eighties, I was pondering finding out weekend rates for a hotel conference room.  A long table, comfy chairs, and perhaps a day of Car Wars, if the price was right.

But then I discovered that Mepacon will be returning to the Mountain Laurel Resort on April 24-26, 2020. 

So instead of the current, "For my birthday, please donate $xxx.xx to this charity of my choice," I'll be selfish.  For my birthday, I wish as many friends as possible make the trek to White Haven, PA for a weekend (or daytrip) full of fun and gaming.

So, for my friends with full schedules and/or limited funds, this is your advance warning.  Take the time off, start putting away twenty bucks a week to cover the registration fee, hotel, bar tab, and required trips to Wawa.

As always, oversized stuffed Muppets are optional, but recommended. Keep the alcohol at the bar.

Mepacon Fall 2019 Edition

With the craziness of work and the start of winter basketball for the girls, I had scratched off last weekend's Mepacon.  But as I was recovering from chauffeuring everyone around all day Saturday, I made a resolution to at least make it on Sunday.

After some scheduling snafus, the good folks at Mepacon were on the outside of the Scranton Hilton looking in, and scrambled to find a new venue for their Fall con.  Enter the Mountain Laurel Resort and Spa, conveniently located off of I-80 and I-476 (NE Extenstion of the PA Turnpike) in that gaming mecca of White Haven, Pennsylvania.

That might be the middle of nowhere for most gentle readers, but for me it's 12 miles away away from my house.  The last time I attended a con that close was Mepacon 2 in Wind Gap back in 2001.

I loaded the girls into the car, grabbed a huge breakfast at the White Haven Diner and found the resort, which I've always known as the weird driveway behind the Wawa.

Regular readers (and wargaming fans) will understand when I say that the Mountain Laurel is smaller version of the Lancaster Host with smaller versions of the Host's problems.

It was a nice, middle of the road, Poconos resort at one time that no one spent time or money for proper upkeep.. until recently.  The new owners are on a renovation kick.  Some portions are finished and are beautiful, others are a work in progress.  Unlike the Host, the construction has not turned the convention space into a claustrophobic set right out of old Doctor Who episodes.

I quickly registered ($15 for 9-6 on Sunday, not bad for inflation), and we ventured off to check out the Dealers, catch up with old friends, and perhaps get into a game or two.

The dealers, leading up to the boardgame ballroom.

We immediately ran into my friend George and his daughter Sam, and all three girls ran off to play Twister and Jenga, provided by the con staff to entertain young and old.

I'll be honest, most of my morning at the con involved keeping tabs on the girls (when I have to pay for their registration, they get a little more freedom), saying hi to everyone, and shooting the breeze with George.  Not my most productive convention, but time and money well spent.

The Mountain Laurel:  Once the remodel is done, it's going to be a nice place, and unlike the Host, the facilities during construction still seem bearable.  It's never going to be an epic sprawling con like HMGS or the regional cons, but I don't think the attendees or the staff want that.   Heck, there were people upset with the less than 30 minute additional drive time from the old site in Scranton (For the Lehigh Valley crowd, it's a 10 minute shorter drive from Easton and 20-25 from Allentown.  Once the renovations are complete, I can completely see a full weekend of fun for even the non-gaming members of the family with horseback rides, disc golf, boating, and even a spa for the long-suffering wives and moms.  It could be long-suffering mundane wives and moms or, wives and moms suffering from bad die rolls,

Food Options:  Oh, to be an urban con again.   The old convention sites of the Scranton Hilton and even the old River St hotel have made the convention a tad bit lazy.  A small, but vocal, group of attendees worried, not of the room quality, or the amenities, but the lack of Uber Food and other delivery services in the area.  In reality, two pizza shops in White Haven proper would drive the five miles to deliver, but usually turnpike exits aren't known for their Tibetan Barbecue.  Beyond the hotel restaurant (didn't get a review from anyone), there's three fast food joints and another restaurant/bar within walking distance.

AND A FREAKING WAWA.

I complain about many Philly institutions, but I would never disparage a Wawa.   I'm certain there are bigger and better convenience stores across the country, maybe flashier or cleaner, but Wawa is systemically the a solid place for the weary traveler, the morning commuter, or even the nearby convention go-er.   Now, the lactose-intolerant, Celiac-suffering, raised by wolves Organic dietary population might require some assistance, for the average gamer/drunk college student/average human, it should suit most of their needs.

Events:  I wasn't too won over by the unique events.  Standard organized play (read: money maker) block, plus lots of "normal" D&D, plus a lot of board games.  It's a formula that keeps people coming back for more.

Oh yeah, there was a My Little Pony game, which had a few players in it, so all my work running session after session was not in vain.

Swag:  The kids ate a hole in my budget, with their dragon sock puppets and other items going for a a buck or two.  I'm behind on most of the board games and RPGs I already own, so I kept things simple:   A copy of Decision Games: Border Wars (something I never usually see at the con) and I pillage one dealer's quarter boxes for some undead (and other fantasy) figures.  It's not the legendary Saturday night dollar auction, but few things are.

Other stuff:  Hanging out on Sunday only means I missed out on the games auction, the raffle, the costume contest, but I did get to see the Play it to Win It results.    Outside of their regular board game library is the "Play it to Win it" collection.  Attendees can play the game out of the special collection and fill out a slip and collect them separately.  At the end of the con, they pull out one of the slips associated with the game and that person wins the copy.  Pretty cool stuff with a wide variety of games to choose from.

Next Mepacon is Spring 2020, April 24-26 back at the Mountain Laurel.  My birthday is that previous Monday, so I'm thinking of discarding a Viscount Birthday Game Bash and just have everybody come up to White Haven and hang out, game, and be glad.  Definitely another blog post about those options coming soon!

Lost Dispatches of Feraso #52 - To the New Viscount

11th Day of QuaDec in the Imperial Year of 1028

Town of Feldkurton, Dominion of Greyhawk, Viscounty of Verbobonc

To His Lordship, Eger, Viscount of Verbobonc

I realized during our last encounter that I was required to inform you that Commander HouseKarl has tendered his resignation.  I am unsure of his current location, but our final conversation saw HouseKarl's vision heading far off to the north in Zieland, taking part in patrols on the spine of the world, defending against Ice Giants, Ice Witches, and other ne'er do wells who appreciate ice.  His demand to conduct patrols during the blizzard last year was a sure sign that he was looking at a new career path.

Commander HouseKarl in retirement in Zieland

I must confer my undying gratitude for my installation as Baron to the expanded territory of the Dominion of Greyhawk.   Despite knowing certain political conflict with Baron Augustus of Korbur, I was amazed as most when you stripped him of his title, split the Barony into multiple dominions and provided Greyhawk with two new towns to administer.

Regardless of this great responsibility bestowed upon me, not only do I consider the Viscount my liege I humbly serve, but I was also considered Viscount Wilifrick a friend.

If it does humor His Lordship, I will continue sending correspondence in regards to my travel.

Installation of titles for Lords and Ladies, and assignment of dominions is something a new noble may have issue with, yet you performed this well with a delicate balance of politics and power.

Please consider Andrei Krasimir as a potential Lord for a critical region, preferably one suitable for a tower.  While his lineage is not of Ferasean blood, he is a magic-user of great repute, who is pondering leaving our territory in lieu of a serviceable tower in Hermetus.   A man of such high character such as Andrei should not subject himself to the moral and arcane ambiguities of such a place as Hermetus, he should remain a force of good for Verbobonc and for the Krugraf.

Sir Elsderth Greyhawk, Baron of Greyhawk
Sage of the The Order of Merit, 

Wielder of the Legendary Betrayer.

Defiler of the Temple of Tiamat.

Slayer of the Wizard Sazor

Freigraff of the Totenlinden of Amberstoll.

DM Notes: Bad news, the Viscount is dead.  Good news, between the Viscount Willfrick's opinion of Elsderth, and the political climate in Korbur, the new Viscount, Willfrick's nephew Eger, has made a number of political moves, specifically granting Elsderth the title of Baron!

Viscount Eger

Commander HouseKarl's departure was long overdue.  Elsderth was capable of governing on his own, including maintaining the garrison.  His "retirement" and subsequent leaving for the steep mountains of Zieland gave me the opportunity to use Keith Parkinson's painting from Dragon #137, the second issue I ever bought.  I still use the weather articles. 

Elsderth figured it would be wise to keep Andrei in Verbobonc, especially since he was a 9th level magic-user (name level, woo-hoo!).  Pleading to the Viscount might get results, but a letter written on the same day might prove true intentions.

Next: #53 - To the Late Viscount's Daughter

Mandatory Basketball Rant - Week 1

The set-up:  At the end of last season of the local rec league my girls play in, I cornered the league president and offered to volunteer.

1) I'm now the Vice-President of the league, in charge of schedules and background checks for all the volunteers.

2) As my youngest, Millie, moves up to the all-girls division finally, I took it upon myself to coach for the first time since I helped some hurdlers back at my high school around 1993. 

3) Millie's female coach from last year volunteered to help, and we managed to draft a solid team with early draft picks and the only the good random lottery pick of the girls who couldn't attend tryouts. 

4) Millie's former coach has a hectic schedule all by herself, plus she is now pregnant.  Our third coach is much more vocal than I am, but he was also a coach on the one team last year that didn't win a game in the 3/4 girls division. 

With all that out of the way, our first practice was Thursday, and while other teams were trying (badly) at their first practice to try set-up game simulations, I focused on evaluating more skills than the tryouts entailed, some lay-ups and jump shots, and a LOT of running. 

Of course, the powers that be on the board decided to have our first scrimmages between teams the following Saturday, two days after the first practice.  In truth, it's more of a dry run for the junior referee program, but still, you have kids coming out for basketball for the first time getting an hour practice and getting thrown at the wolves in a game. 

We played the returning 4th grade players from the team Maja played on last year and got trounced accordingly 28-4.  If I had any condolences from that game, it was that they had previously scrimmaged another decent team and beat them by the same score.   Everyone knows who the villain in the 3/4 girls division will be this year.

With a short rest before our second scrimmage, we took the girls aside, reassured them that they had played a great team and they were something to aspire to.  The parents (including my wife) were a bit incensed by my apparent relaxed attitude and gave plenty of suggestions.  I ignored most of it and we went out against a different team that was short players, but had picked up a few quality extra players so we could continue with 5-on-5 (completely within league rules).   With the odds a little better in our favor, we won a last second 6-4 slobberknocker of game. 

Lucky for me, there's no games next weekend, so not only can I personally get down to Fall-In!, but we'll have time to focus on two practices before the next game (against the really good 28-4 squad).  I know the flaws of those players (and boy, do they have flaws), we just need time to correct our issues, build on what little practice we've gotten, and attempt a more respectable result on the 23rd.

Pre-season record as a coach: 1-1

Millie:  0 pts games 1, all 6 points in game 2.

New Gnomes for Fall-in! from Brigade Games

I regularly get the email newsletter from Brigade Games with all their new releases, and I've quite sadden by the lack of new gnomes coming out.

But in the latest blast, this picture was attached.

French Cavalry!  Finally!

Also a few new Post-Apocalyptic figures, including a very holiday themed figured... if Snake Plissken celebrated holidays.

(Kickstarter) Alpine Gnomes 2 by Old School Miniatures

Old School Miniatures has returned with an expansion of the tiny Alpine Gnomes line.

The original Kickstarter created the army, this campaign adds a bit more character to the line.  Mounted leaders, swallow-riding air cavalry, baggage trains, and other unusual characters flesh out your armies.

These are WAY too small to substitute in a Gnome Wars game, although they'd fit perfectly with any Splintered Light products.  They would make good (and very well armed) gnomelings.

(Painting) Arl, Beaverian Brute

October is behind us, I've got a pile of kid's basketball paperwork and scheduling overwhelming my already overwhelmed desk at work.  There's a light at the end of the tunnel this month, although I'm assuming there will be a foot snow when we emerge.

But I've gotten ONE figure done. 

Meet Arl, a Beaverian Brute I got as part of a small Kickstarter from Gydran Miniatures.

I almost treated the beaver teeth as armor...

 Definitely not my best work, and I need to make a trip for new brushes, but otherwise I'm satisfied that something got out of my (still dry) basement. 

Compared to an old metal Reaper figure for scale. 

Next:  At least one basketball rant, maybe some test subjects for space marines, and I'm hoping a game this weekend before life descends back into insanity.