Mandatory Basketball Rant 2021-2022 Week 6

Basketball in this new reality continues to be at the whims of fickle gods.  

Millie: COVID and an ice storm killed her Hazleton league games.  Her AAU Winter League remains a motley assortment of characters with the organizers making special guest appearances from other players to fill in needs as they come.  It's literally four good playes, one from each grade 4-7, and 4 players who might not make a team on the Mountain Top rec league (and everyone gets a spot on that league). Scores are unimportant in this league, as Millie gets to (a) interact and get challenged by some of the older kids on offense and defense and (b) continue to learn how necessary it is to communicate with all teammates.  

Speaking of "all teammates" the local rec league had the showdown of the year, between her team and her best friend Annika's team.  I initially felt pity for Annika's team.  They were short a player compared to other teams, plus their last player was recovering from pretty significant hand surgery AND we learned another player was afraid to dribble a basketball around people.  In response to that, I agreed to add a late registrant to the team and they were doing well.  

In the last week, the girl with the surgery has been cleared to play, and their "trainwreck/work in progress" scored a legit basket on us in gameplay.  

Oh, it's on... every division needs a villain, no matter how nice the coaches are....

Needless to say, the battle was tough, and it could be said that that player's two points were the difference... or the dozens of missed open looks from Millie's team.  Still, she didn't yell at her teammates this game, rather barking guidance and congratulating those who did well.  

Speaking of missed open looks, Millie's travel team wisely chose to hold Sunday night games during a thawing out period between an ice storm and a cold snap.  The Mountain Top team played the younger Pittston team again, and the result was close to the original, 30-9.  Millie scored no points, but played a solid point guard and a good impression of Gandalf's "You should not pass." at the top of the key on defense.  

Sad fact of the game,  three other players on Millie's team each had more missed shots than the Pittston team had shot attempts all game.  

Even sadder fact (?): All four of Millie's leagues have finally issued t-shirts for their seasons, they are all red.  Saturday and Sunday fashions will remain a bit stagnant for the next two months.

Maja's school practices have been sporadic at best, thanks to COVID, weather, and general gym availability.   

Her 7th grade team still isn't back to the weekend game hub in Kingston until this upcoming weekend, but they and the 8th grade team got a travel opportunity to Wyoming (the town in Pennsylvania, not the state).   The 8th graders started the back-to-back contest with a narrow loss their Wyoming counterparts.  Let's just say that the 8th graders are pretty close to a dumpster fire.  The highly talented 8th grade play exclusively on the Freshmen team, and it definitely hurts the others. 

The 7th graders who made the Freshmen team get to play on both, and that's been a boon for the remaining players who were good enough for just the younger team.  The coach played the "full-time" 7th graders almost the entire game, while mixing in the Freshmen qualifiers two at a time at best. 

The 7/9 players were happy to wait their turn and dissect the Wyoming apart in a fierce, but clinical fashion.  Maja ended up with 10, her fellow 7/9'er and AAU teammate had 13 in a 39-12 rout.  

The poor 7th grade-only players accounted for only 1 point, although they others gave them plenty of shots and other opportunities to shine.  Heck, one of them claimed dibs on the smallest girl on the Wyoming team, only to discover she has their prized point guard.  She guarded the girl for almost the entire game, and only allowed 6 (quite legit) points.   

The Freshmen finally got a game in this Monday, with a team from over an hour away.  While the 7/9 girls worked out some of their aggravation from their Hazleton loss last week, the 8th graders on the team afforded their opponents zero room for mercy, posting a 17-0 lead before Maja's group even checked into the game.  Maja went from center last week, to point guard this week (with a little forward).  Only 2 points in a 51-18 rout, but plenty of steals, assists, and lockdown defense that produced bad decision and rightfully inflated steals for her teammates.  

Wednesday's Freshmen game was 45 minutes away, and against predominantly 9th graders, with a few underclassmen, but it was also the first game with everyone back and cleared from COVID.  Maja got her first start of the season, and within minutes were already up 7-0.  The bench came in for relief, and the game tightened to 8-6.  

Maja ended up splitting her time between the starters and the subs, getting up to the speed with the A team, while locking down a whole side of the court, letting the others on the B team get more aggressive on defense.  Zero points for Maja, and only 1 steal and 1 assist (there would be 5-6 more assists if the girls could make their lay-ups/jumpers), but everyone was satisfied in another 50-21 rout. 

(Cthulhu Invictus 6th) Dannonus - Barbarian of the North - #CharacterCreationChallenge - Day 14

Day 14 of the #CharacterCreationChallenge and I keep working my way down the bookshelf.   

I'll be honest, it took me much too long to pick up a copy of Cthulhu Invictus, the Ancient Rome sourcebook, when it first came out.  Even worse is the fact that I haven't played a session in the setting yet.  

Hopefully, after Omicron, Deltacron, and the rest of the Transformers finishing ruining our lives with COVID-19, I can start up our face-to-face, once-a-month sessions again and Cthulhu Invictus will be the palette cleanser to start things off (Mwhahahaaha!)

Dannonus - Barbarian of the North

Height: 6'2"   Weight 210 lbs  Age 24

STR 17
CON 14
POW 16

DEX  7
APP 11
SIZ 16
INT 15
EDU 11 

Luck - 80

Idea - 75

Know - 55

HIT POINTS: 15

Sanity: 80

+1D6 Damage Bonus

Skills: Civics 40%, Climb 44% , Empire 40%, Hide 50%, Insight 35%, Jump 20%, Other Kingdom 21%, Own Kingdom 30%,  Other Language: Latin 40%, Own Language 55%, Ride 25%, Sneak 40%,  Shield-Small 35%, Status 50%, Sword, Long 66%, Throw 45%

Money: Currently none.

When I rolled so well for Strength and Size, the idea of Barbarian as occupation is a no-brainer.  Sure, he's the best definition of a stranger in a strange land concept, except he's been learning the culture day-by-day.  Like the text in the book says, he plans on making Rome his one day, so it makes sense to learn and appreciate the culture.   He enjoys Roman garb and styles.  The only item from his days beyond the Empire is his trusty longsword.

He's a big man who's technically outside the law, a perfect person to hire and find out issues with barbarians, settlers, and distant travel.

(Call of Cthulhu 6th) Samuel Silfkin, Undertaker - #CharacterCreationChallenge - Day 13

Despite suffering through all the long, lean years of Chaosium, I didn't bite the bullet on 7th Edition.  My brain's hardwired to 1st-6th, so much that I reverse engineer stats when I play in con games, and I intuitively know the resistance table like I know the THAC0 progressions for AD&D.

That being said, with a little help from Volume 2 of the Investigator's Companion, I present Samuel  Silfkin.

Samuel Silfkin, Undertaker

Height: 5'8"  Weight 159lbs  Age 26

STR 12
CON 12
POW 12 

DEX 10
APP 12
SIZ 15
INT 14
EDU 15 

Luck - 60

Idea - 70

Know - 75

HIT POINTS: 13

Sanity: 60

+1D4 Damage Bonus

Skills: Accounting 60%, Bargain 35%, Biology 61%, Credit Rating, 60%, Disguise 41%, Dodge 20%, Listen 50%, Persuade 30% , Psychology 45%, Spot Hidden 50%, Shotgun 50%, Handgun 25%

Undertaker is like lawyer in CoC, it would make sense to have one in your party of investigators, but it may make things a little less fun.  

Samuel was a bright student who became an apprentice to a local undertaker, Gordon Peterson.  When the undertaker passed away unexpectantly, Samuel took responsibility for the operations, as well as Peterson's two older sisters who had lived with the single man.    

Taking on all job duties has been eye-opening.  Some folks have not realized of Peterson's passing, and there have been odd knowing nods and comments that simply must mean something.  

(Kickstarter) Trouble in the Kitchen (or Never Trust an Ogre) by Old School Miniatures

Jamie Loft of Old School Miniatures is back again with another Kickstarter, this time more of a diorama or conversation piece, Trouble in the Kitchen (or Never Trust an Ogre).

There's also an Evil Dwarf Chef Roasting a Halfling on a Spit, and a host of Halfling characters, archers, etc.  

I'm only back on this for two reason, first is my general moratorium on UK orders (and shipping), second is the utter lack of faith that I'd ever get around to painting them off of my lead pile. 

(Risus) Flying Gary - #charactercreationchallenge - Day 12

 Day 12 of the 31 Day #CharacterCreationChallenge moves me to one of my favorite games, Risus.

Flying Gary

Multi-Faceted Pilot with a Stoic Countenance (4)

Pirate Re-enactor with a Cutlass for Every Emotion (4)

Trusty Navigator in a World Gone Mad (2) 

Self-Canning Pork and Beans Enthusiast (1)

Pilot's Cap (WITH goggles)

Cutlass 

Aircraft

Vintage Compass

Canning Supplies

It's a bit of an odd transition.  Flying Gary was my original TWERPS character, a simple pilot who needed to survive the zombie scenario to fly everyone to safety.  He had a few other adventures, picked up Sword-Fu, and we moved on to other games.  In a cliche-driven system like Risus,  I need to expand my his basic story a bit more.  

(Mouse Guard) Gethin - #CharacterCreationChallenge - Day 11

Name:   Gethin

Age:   20

Home:  Shaleburrow

Fur Color:  Gray

Rank:   Mouse Guard

Cloak:

Parents: Frankie and Alicia the Brewer

Senior:  Ian the Brewer (Usurer)

Mentor:  Carwyn of the Guard

Enemy:  Bailey the Woodcutter

Friend:   Aaron 

Raw Abilities

Nature (Mouse)    3

Will                       4

Health                   6

Special Abilities

Resources             5

Circles                  7

Belief: A guardsmouse needs to set a firm foundation before they proceed with any task.

Goal: I will discover where Ian's "contacts" have disappeared to.

Instinct: Rashness will end one's life.

Skills:  Brewer 3, Cartographer 2, Deceiver 3, Fighter 4, Hunter 3, Pathfinder 3, Scout 2, Scientist 2, Survivalist 3, Lockhaven-wise  4

Traits:  Cunning, 

Gear:  Sword 

(Star Wars d6) Bo'non'as and Oopsa #2 - The Four Space Gods of the Apocalypse

With the arrival of the prophetic

Space Gods, Bo'Non'as has put himself

in the position to become the 

Warlord of the Kurabanda.

With his trusted companion Oopsa, 

the philosophical musings of 

the shaman, Boz Diggity, and 

the potential Chosen One in young Dipsa, 

What adventures could possibly happen 

on the third day of Bo'Non'as' rule?

On the third day of the prophetic arrival of the Space Gods in their wedge-shaped chariot of death...

With armies being prepared for the imminent invasion of the hated Ul-Mor, the wedge shaped chariot of death disappeared from the skies of Volturnus.  All the little flies flying around the God Wedge disappeared as well.

Three things have changed with God Wedge disappearing:

• The Kurabanda Tribe of Bo'Non'as dropped to one-fifth its original size.  The others have left to other location.
• Bo'Non'as appointed Oopsa has the Warlord's Senior Advisor.
• The tribe controlled 90% of the original foodstocks of Plantains and Potass, but only have 20% of the water.

With the remaining tribespeople in a panic they ran to the throne of the Warlord of the Kurabanda
On the right side of the throne was Oopsa, sling shot in hand.
On the left side was a disgruntled four year old female Kurabanba named Dipsa.

In between them sat the Great Bo'Non'as, one leg draped over the arm of the throne, collectively contemplating a primitive paddle ball and how it worked.

NOT the improper posture of Bo'Non'as

One of the Warlord's most trusted soldiers, Kami, arrived in front of him with grievous injuries.

"Great Bo'Non'as, we are under attack!"

"Who are they."

"They are other Kurabanda. They are trying to steal our Plantains and Potass. They have come from the north."

Bo'Non'as and Oopsa lept into action, leading different arms of their military.   Bo'Non'as led the infantry into the fracas, while Oopsa led the elderly, young, and infirm in the slingshot legion "Pebbles from Heaven."

The attacking Kurabanda had infiltrated the food silos up in the trees, their faces and arms were painted red.

The fighting was tremendous, but the invaders managed to retreat with only a small cache of foods.

Luckily, they were able to capture four of them.  Bo'Non'as personally interrogated them.

"Who sent you?

"The Space God!"

"What Space God do you speak of."

"The Lightning God has come down from Space.  He is one of the Four Space Gods of the Apocalypse...."

Bo'Non'as and Oopsa discussed the punishment to the four...

"It is treason, great Warlord, perhaps we should..."

"Stuff them with Plantains and Potass until they explode, and return the bodies to the north?"

So they did.

The duo then looked for the great shaman, Boz Diggity, but ran into the Kurabanda Rain Dancer, Mida Wap.

"Rain Dancer, you must work harder, we need rain for water."

"I'm working my ass off, Warlord!"

"You ass is still quite large, work harder!  I shall leave to recover water from the streams to the south."

Bo'Non'as assembled his trusted team, Oopsa, the strong Adi'das, Mida Wap, and two the professional porters, Uha'ul and Pens'kay and their ingenious water cart.

When reaching the stream, Oopsa ordered the porters to fill their carts.  A shimmering green image of a Kurabanda appeared over the water.  With flowing rags, it emitted low moans and frightened many from the tribe.

The Ghost of the Stream.

Everyone was quite shocked, but it was Oopsa who noticed others flanking the mission. Blue faced Kurabanda.

"We're getting flanked!"

The entire crew hastily got the water carts from the streams.  Bo'Non'as and Oopsa defended the water and the haulers to get them out, with only a scare, but nary a scratch.

Returning to the village, the Uha'ul and Pens'kay was immediately talkative.  "Oh my, we encountered the angry ghosts of our ancestors!"

Dipsa was simply petrified at the thought of ghosts to the south, since she was only four years old.

Bo'Non'as tried to appease his frightened people.  "We had an unfriendly encounter with the Blue Tribe."

"Waitaminute, there's a Blue Tribe?  and a Red Tribe?  We need a color too!"

So, using the voice of his people, Bo'Non'as declared their tribe to be the Yellow Tribe, the bravest of them all.  Warriors would paint their faces with ripened Plantain and Potass, as well as a long streak of yellow down their back.  That way, they could know who was their ally! 

Oopsa led campaign to collect the yellow flowers and Potass to have enough dye to paint the Kurabanda warriors.  "We can mix the yellow with other colors on the face paint so we can be Ultimate Warriors!"

Day Four of the Rule of Bo'Non'as, Warlord of the Kurabanda
Water supplies continued to run low, but the range of the new Yellowback Tribe could only go so far with the water carts.  Looking for guidance, Bo'Non'as searched out the great shaman, Boz Diggity. 

"Boz, what help do you have with the water?"

"If a Kurabanda woman is with child, she is a sub-marine." 

"What?  Use pregnant females to collect water."

"If we send pregnant women into the water, two will be doing the work."

Oopsa arranged with the military for a perimeter defense system, using nothing more than Plantain and Potass peels.

A quick check with Mida Wap produced no further results with her rain dance.  A tired people went to bed.

In the middle of the night, the few guards alerted the exhausted villagers of an attack from the west. 

"The peels!  They worked!"

Adi'das reported back that the peel defense did work, largely throwing the Green Kurabanda attackers off their plan. 

Everyone again clamored to Bo'Non'as looking for guidance.

"Our perimeter controls worked!  We have to prepare for the next attack!"

The Yellowbacks relieved their guards, and everyone was reassured.  Mida Wap proudly proclaimed, "Bo'Non'as is our one true leader.  In fact he has the mark of the gods on his forehead."

Bo'Non'as swiped his brow, feeling nothing, but Oopsa could see a bright red dot of  light sitting upon the center of his forehead.  Oopsa moved Bo'Non'as head back and forth to see the light move off his forehead and back again...

A blast of energy flew past the moving head of Bo'Non'as and hit Mida Wap!

Everyone ducked for cover.  When a few looked up, they saw a lone large figure in higher trees.  He wore armor and a full helmet with two red glowing, along with a very large hairless one weapon.

Bo'Non'as, "Are you alright? The Space God nearly killed us!"

Oopsa quickly retorted, "I don't know if it was a god.  Space Gods, don't limp."

Oopsa quickly patched up Mida Wap, who in her gratitude, pledge herself to him as a bride.

"We'll do that after lunch tomorrow..."

Day Five of the Rule of Bo'Non'as, Warlord of the Kurabanda
The wedding of Oopsa and Mida Wap! 

The Chosen One, Dipsa, conducted the service, although it was full of giggling as Mida Wap's father walked her down the aisle, and he was shorter than the four-year old. 

The reception was a great celebration, with Hairy Fashon and Bongo playing the music, until the ancient Kurabanda tradition of whoever looked under their log and found the stinky fish to win the centerpieces.  When everyone sat back up, the Gold Kurabanda attacked with axes!

"Death from above!" they cried. 

Oopsa lost his shit, and promptly threw it in the face of one of the Gold warriors. 

Amidst the fighting, Bo'Non'as could see four Kurabanda flying into the reception on strange metal contraptions.  They threw spears, slaying more of the Yellowbacks, and badly injuring Penskay and Asfalt.

Before the perimeter guards could return as reinforcements, a great blow was dealt to the Yellowbacks, Oopsa and Mida Wap escaped the Gold Kurabanda's grasp, but others were not as lucky.  Bombs dropped from the metal contraptions, killing even more.   Tarmak and Boojet died, Bongo lost an arm.

Day Six of the Rule of Bo'Non'as, Warlord of the Kurabanda
Bo'Non'as  had lost control of the tribe even before the Plantain cake had been served.  The Gold Kurabanda simply had armor that was too tough to get through, and the Space God to the East resembled a MachineMan.

Dejected, he announced that four-year old Dipsa was now the Chosen One and true Warlord of the Kurabanda Yellowbacks.   Everyone agreed, and Oopsa offered his services as Senior Advisor to the new Warlord.

Oopsa, Senior Advisor, Recent Newlywed

Day One of the Rule of Dipsa, Warlord of the Kurabanda
With the four Space Gods surrounding the Yellowback village, Bo'Non'as decided to venture north to encounter the Lightning Space God.  The water porter Uha'ul accompanied him, wishing revenge on his fallen cousins.

In leaving, Boz Diggity gave sage advice, "We cannot see what the future is, my friends, but I tell you this, the worst thing to read in braille is Do Not Touch."

"What's braille?" asked Bo'Non'as?

"What's reading?" asked Oopsa.

...and with that, Bo'Non'as and Uha'ul left for the north.

Next #3 - Bo'non'as and Oopsa - Against the Lightning God