ConsimWorld's Expo 09

I attended ConsimWorld's Expo for the first time as the convention celebrated its ninth year. The main focus of this convention is to give a chance for historical wargamers to play their "monster games." That is, very large strategic-level wargames. ConsimWorld is already gearing-up for next year's convention which is scheduled for 1-6 June 2010:

http://expo.consimworld.com/


The event was held at the Tempe Mission Palms Resort in Tempe, AZ:


http://www.missionpalms.com/

There was concern that the convention would move to another location, but this turned out to be unfounded.


This year's convention was attended by over 200 gamers from as far away as Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

My friend Joe asked me to go and hoped several more of his friends could attend in order to play the Struggle for Europe, Clash of Arms World War II monster game. Struggle for Europe is actually a series composed of 3 games focusing on the various European fronts: War Without Mercy (East Front), Brute Force (West Front) and Struggle for Europe-The Med (North Africa & Mideast).

http://www.clashofarms.com/ww-mercy.html

Since Joe & I were the only ones who could attend, we settled on playing War Without Mercy's Kursk Scenario.

We left on Tuesday, 26 May via Alaska Airlines from SeaTac International Airport. After getting settled we went down to the ballroom and spent the afternoon setting up the game.

My worthy opponent and friend with his daughter:

ConsimWorld's president John Kranz and Tori working the front desk:

The Main Ballrooom:

The Main Ballroom during a lull in the action, or maybe during the set-up (I forget which):

Nearly all the game maps were covered with plexi-glass or thick clear plastic. This made taking photographs rather difficult since the plastic reflected the overhead lights. So at times, I wandered around and managed to take some photos that I hoped would be legible.

Asia Engulfed:

Russia Besieged:

Determining the fate of the Galaxy in the game Twilight of the Imperium:

Pondering the next move:

Who will be the next Shogun in Samurai Swords (which use to be titled "Shogun"):

"I bid $5!" The auction held on the last night of the convention (Saturday, 30 May):

In fact I managed to buy 2 games for $5 each: Avalon Hill's Assassin and GDW's Battlefield Europe.

Since Joe & I were the only ones playing War Without Mercy we maintained a leisurely pace throughout the convention. I got up early each morning to do a short workout in the Hotel's fitness room. Breakfast was included in the stay and John Kranz would give a briefing of the day's events. We'd play for a few hours and then take a pool-break before lunch. John brought his two daughter's with him, so Joe's daughter had someone to pal around with. After lunch we'd usually play until 10-11 PM depending on the schedule of events. (Other gamers kept playing until 2 AM).

On Friday (29 May) we took a break from gaming and drove down to Sierra Vista/Fort Huachuca, one of Joe's assignments when he was in the army.

I'll post more detailed reports of our road-trip and the Kursk Campaign in upcoming posts.

Joe & I are hoping to attend next year's 10th Anniversary celebration along with getting the rest of our friends to join us.

The Studio's First Commercial Movie

Back in January the Historical Miniature Gaming Society (HMGS) asked me to do a YouTube movie for their upcoming Historicon-09 event in Lancaster, PA, USA (16-19 July).

Mayhem in Makassar Strait is a 6-part series with episodes airing each week in sequence until the 4th of July:

http://www.historicon.org/

The game I played and filmed is based on the Battle of Balikpapan fought on 23-24 January 1942.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Balikpapan_(1942)

I chose scenario from Clash of Arms Games Rising Sun: the First Half of the Pacific War primarily due to the few combatant ships and aircraft involved. The ship models were from Wizard's of the Coast's Axis and Allies: War at Sea, while the map I utilized for strategic movement was from Avalanche Press' Strike South. For rules, I chose to use Mongoose Publications Victory at Sea because of their easy game mechanics.

This is my sixth movie and so far, the longest of my productions. My previous works range from less than 3 minutes to just over 8.5 minutes in length. These are listed in chronological order along with the run-time:

The Road to Eggmuehl, 19 September 08 (8:38)

Impending Fury, 17 January 09 (8:36)

Vendetta on Vilhon, 19 May 09 (8:23)

Preparing for Battle at Enfilade 09, 24 May 09 (4:40)

Vice Grip on the Vistula, 25 May 09 (2:45)


In contrast, Mayhem in Makassar Strait is divided into 6 episodes each running between 3 to nearly 4.5 minutes. One episode will be posted per week until the 4th of July Weekend. Combined, the entire run-time is 21:32 minutes and is composed of 185 pictures and 37 narrative pages.

Once Historicon is underway, I'll be able to work on the other 4 movies I have in the works...

Remembering Those Who Served...

Enfilade 09 Report

Well it's been another year that I've been lucky enough to attend NHMGS's (Northwest Historical Miniature Gaming Society's) Enfilade! Convention.

Normally this event is held on Memorial Day Weekend, which this year was 22-24 May at the Red Lion Inn in Olympia, WA.

Opening day was Friday and I wanted to get there as early as possible. While the convention usually opens at 2 PM (1400 hours for us military-types), I've hardly ever been lucky enough to arrive that early. Travelling this past Friday was particularly frustrating.

I was invited to attend a job-fair orientation up in Seattle, an event that lasted until 1 PM. Since I was nearby, I took the opportunity to have lunch with one of my close friends who works nearby the job-fair site. I left Seattle at 2 PM hoping to get to Olympia by 4:00.

No such luck. Due to the holiday weekend, Friday afternoon traffic was worse than usual. Plus I tried returning an item to a store, but since it was passed the due-date on their return policy, I couldn't get my money back. So not only did I waste $25 but 30 minutes of my time. So I didn't arrive at Enfilade until 5:30 PM.

Despite my love of wargaming, I also like to keep in shape. So I usually don't stay long on the first night because I want to get up early and do a short workout before going back to the gaming tables.

I thought I'd arrive early enough for the pre-registered gaming sign-up on Saturday morning. I overshot that by 45 minutes. So I got involved in the DBA (De Bellis Antiquitatis) Tournament.

More on DBA:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Bellis_Antiquitatis

http://www.fanaticus.org/DBA/index.html

This session was an 8-player tournament pitting 4 Roman Players against 4 Barbarian players. I placed 2nd among the Roman Players!

Um, and 6th overall.

I had my heart set on playing, "The Battle of Rhode Island," hosted by Wes Rogers. His set-up is pictured below:

Wes ran the Napoleonic game I played at last year's Enfilade. This was the game I turned into my first YouTube film The Road to Eggmuehl. He's a great gamemaster and runs fast-pace, balanced and exciting scenarios.

Getting back to DBA, pictured below is my Roman Army advancing against the Visigoths at Adrianople. My opponent was Rich from Canada. We fought to a draw, each of us eliminating one unit from each other's army. I won the next battle, but then lost my last two. I took 22 pictures of Adrianople and will make a short YouTube film.

After re-playing the various Roman military disasters, I spent the next gaming period as a wargame correspondent for Chris Ewick's Battle of Kursk, using Flames of War:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flames_of_War

Chris is the owner of The Game Matrix, our local gaming store. About a month ago he asked me if I would film his game and I promised him I would.

I spent this game session entirely on my feet. There were 13 players involved in this game! Seven Russian players, most pictured below and 6 German players, not to mention Chris as the gamemaster and your's truly crowding around the table. I ended up taking 280 pictures for this tank vs tank bash! However, this is just "raw footage." I probably won't be able to use about 1/3 of my photos due to 13 pairs of arms and hands getting in the way.

The game was fought to a tie. The Germans destroyed enough Russian tanks to cause the Russians to be shaken, however the Russian's kept the Germans out of the town they were holding.


Pictured below is Chris (on the left in the black shirt) briefing the Russian players. The German players or off-camera to the left.



The last game I played was an unexpected choice for me: "The Battle of Naktong" (Korean War):
The rules used were Cold War Commander:

http://www.blitzkrieg-commander.com/default.aspx?Area=CWC

I decided to play this when I found out that one of my wargaming buddies, Adrian was playing. We both ended up being the North Koreans determined to drive the Yanqui Devils from the People's Democratic Republic. The rules required unit commanders to "activate" the units under their command by rolling 2x6-sided dice. If the player rolls the commander's "activation rating" or less, then the unit can move, or shoot. A unit as often as it is activated. Once a commander blows his die roll then the unit stops.

My infantry couldn't even make it out of Naktong village! (This is partially seen at the bottom of the picture). I guess the People's Democratic Republic soldiers decided they preferred drinking decadent soju over fighting the Republic's enemies.

After taking 97 pictures of this battle, my camera's battery finally died when we were about 3/4th's of they way through the game. I took 97 pictures of this battle.

Adrian's infantry was seriously mauled on the hill of our left flank. My armored column (minus the drunken infantry) drive down the right-flank valley destroying 2 Yanqui Chaffee tanks. Unfortunately 2 of the white-devil's Pershing tanks showed up and destroyed one of my SU-76's which blocked the pass. Fortunately Adrian's armored column destroyed the Yanqui tanks in the left-flank valley.

The path to victory lay open to the glorious army of the People's Democratic Republic and it's Dear Leader!

Seriously, it was a fun convention and it was great seeing several of the guys I've gotten to know these past several years.

I'm looking forward to Enfilade 2010!

Star Trek Movie Review

My wife & I saw Star Trek this past weekend and I can describe the movie in one word:

"Intense."

The film's action takes off at warp speed and barely lets up. But this isn't purely an action flick. The emotions evoked by the primary characters and their antagonist are as fiery as a solar flare.

I rate this as the best Star Trek movie yet. (Yes, even beating out Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan). Non-trekkies have raved about this film. Although some critics won't give this the same 5-star rating I do.

What makes this movie so good? (Warning, my examples below contain plot spoilers...)

The movie starts off with a bang--literally. A giant, evil-looking vessel emerges from a space anomaly and attacks the Federation starship USS Kelvin. The intruder is captained by Nero, a Romulan Renegade from the future. With the Kelvin crippled and the captain dead, George Kirk sacrifices the Kelvin--and himself--to cover the crew's evacuation. A crew that includes his wife giving birth to James T. Kirk.

Nero is on a quest for vengeance against Ambassador Spock and the rest of the Federation for the future-destruction of the planet Romulus by a supernova. The problem is: Spock's ship, which also fell through the same anomaly, hasn't arrived yet.

Nero did more than blast a Federation starship and kill Kirk Senior. His emergence has now altered the Star Trek timeline. As a result, James T. Kirk grows up to be a troubled townie in Iowa. Spock being half-human has his own growing pains. The two meet at Starfleet Academy and clash after Kirk "alters the conditions" of the famous Kobeyashi Maru Simulation.

What follows next, is a roller-coaster ride depicting the first mission for the USS Enterprise and her crew. But the movie is not just a special-effects extravaganza. Even when the action drops out of warp speed, the personal drama is just as blazing, if not more so, than the action.

In fact, I'd say the drama was primal. "Primal" is screenwriter Blake Snyder's favorite word. According to his book Save the Cat!, if you want to a story to grab your audience, then play on their primal instincts: Survival, hunger, protection of a loved one, fear of death and sex. (Remember we're dealing with a 20-something James T. Kirk).

And this movie touches just about touches on all of these.

Along with high-drama, director J.J. Abrams deftly handles the character development of all the Enterprise's bridge crew. We're talking about characters fans have known and loved for over 40 years! Accomplishing the this was no small feat. And no Star Trek movie worth it's dilithium crystals would be complete without by-lines, catch-phrases and well-known character mannerisms. All this occurs throughout the film but never feels forced or cheesy.

In the end, the valiant crew of the Enterprise prevails as they always did, but this time cost is enormous. Not only is Kirk's father killed by Nero, but so is Spock's mother--along with about 6 billion Vulcans when their planet is destroyed.

Since the original Star Trek series aired, the United Federation of Planets evolved into a near-Utopian society, especially with the next-generation style shows. J.J. Abrams' movie shows us a slightly grittier Federation--and then hits it with a body-blow. Vulcan was not some tiny colony in the outer reaches, but a core world of the Federation. Not only that, but it's a planet that's existed in the minds of fans for 43 years. Unlike the planet Alderaan, which was blasted by the Death Star within the first hour of Star Wars, Episode IV: A New Hope.

Now despite my rave review, this latest rendition of Star Trek continues the show's penchant for coming up with some off-the-wall pseudo-scientific gobbledygook. Or, in the words of "filksinger" Voltaire--to make sh*t up:

http://social.consimworld.com/video/2011369:Video:40896

In this case we're introduced to "red matter," a black-hole inducing doomsday material; which of course the crazed villain Nero manages to get his hands on.

And when Kirk & Scotty need to get off a desolate ice-planet and get back on board the Enterprise flying away at warp-ludicrous speed, what do they do? They beam aboard using "trans-warp beaming."

How convenient.

However, color-coded doomsday matter and the make-stuff-up synergy of the Enterprise crew doesn't detract anything from the movie. In a way it enhances the film. Because it wouldn't be a true Star Trek movie if there wasn't anything to poke fun at! It's part of what has made Star Trek so much fun to watch over the years.

So it's a dark & dangerous galaxy the Enterprise venturing into. But for those of us sitting in the comfy multi-plexes, the future seems bright & amusing.

My Kind of Cake!

"Oooh! I get a rose!"

That's my battle-cry anytime I see frosted cake--even if it's someone else's birthday. Since the frosting is the best part of the whole confection, I've always made a grab for the frosted roses.

What's funny is that I nearly always get away with it.

Usually because very few people have a sweet tooth like mine and the massive sugar rush would put them into a coma. I also think it's because I provide some additional entertainment for the get-together: A grown man throwing a hissy-fit over frosted roses.

I've seen cakes like this (okay, drooled over them) and wondered what they'd taste like. Since my wife knows about my frosting fetish she bought me to this baked beauty for my recent birthday.

Of course I carved myself a big hunk (okay, and a smaller second piece) right away. The frosting was actually a light, non-dairy cream; tasting like sweetened Cool-Whip. The bakery folks told my wife that these cakes are often made with lighter cream so the roses and other frosted artwork can stand-up better. That such large frosted decorations would be too dense to hold its own weight using the super-sweet butter&sugar frosting.

So I didn't go into a coma. Not yet anyway. The folks at the bakery didn't say the never make a cake like this out of butter&sugar frosting...

D&D PC: Thelanis Menelmacar, Elf Warrior

Striding through the wilds of The Forgotten Realms, Thelanis is represented by Wizards of the Coast Deep Shadow Elf, Collector # 14/72, of their Giants of Legend set.

Thelanis explores ancient ruins. (Another portal to Middle Earth?)

A fighter from Cormyr, Thelanis aspired to join the kingdom's Purple Dragon Knights (officers of the army). Unfortunately he was slandered by a rival who accused him of being a Zhentarim spy. Forced into exile he became an adventurer traveling throughout the Silver Marches.

Despite receiving news that his rival's accusations were false, there has been no word of a pardon by Cormyr's Regent, Princess Alusair Obarskyr. Alusair assumed the duties of Regent for the infant, King Azoun V, after his father and the red dragon Nalavarauthatoryl ("Devil Dragon") killed each other in battle. (See pages 111-116 of the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting, 3rd Edition).

Now Alusair and her sorceress advisor, Caladnei are tasked with rebuilding a nation and may have more urgent matters than the pardoning of one elf warrior.

 

In any case, Thelanis discovered he enjoyed the freedom of adventuring over a regimented military life. In his early travels he met-up with Mithdrake, the elf wizard. The elf-pair faced many challanges in the Silver Marches. After assaulting a hobgoblin fortress, Thelanis discovered Astalder, a magic sword forged to protect the helpless. Unfortunately, the discovery came at a high price, for Mithdrake was killed in the assault.

Eventually, Thelanis made his way to Blasingdell and along with Selinda the Bardess, helped the town militia drive-off a large party of orc raiders. The pair were soon joined by: Harkin, the Half-Elf Ranger; Pilga, the Half-Orc Cleric of Ilmater; Shem, the Halfling Sorcerer and a Dwarven Rogue, known to them only as "The Dwarf with no Name." (In actually he was Ondahl the Silent Killer).

The six then set out for Stone Tooth Mountain at the behest of Blasingdell's Elders. (See the previous post on Harkin). The party has yet to return...

 

Note: I rolled-up Thelanis way back in high school when I first started playing D&D 2nd Edition. He was my third character; the first two meeting untimely ends. So I'm afraid I can't remember all his "mighty feats" clearly enough to post here. It's been a long hiatus for this PC and was glad my DM friend allowed me to include him in the Silver Marches Campaign. However, since this campaign seems to have fallen by the wayside, maybe Thelanis and Harkin will emerge from Stone Tooth Mountain to take on the forces of evil that are plaguing the Forgotten Realms...

Thelanis Menelmacar's Stats

Campaign: Forgotten Realms Class: Fighter

Race: Male Elf Alignment: LG Level: 4

Height: 5'8" Weight: 150 lbs Eyes: Green Hair: Blond

Initiative: +5 Base Attack: +4 Speed: 30

Saving Throws: Fort-4, Ref-2, Will-1

Attack Bonuses: Ranged +6, Melee +7

Abilities: Str-13, Dex-12, Con-11, Int-13, Wis-11, Cha-12

HP: 31 AC: 19

Special Abilities/Feats: Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Improved Initiative, Weapon Focus (Longsword), Alertness

Skills (Trained): Climb, Handle Animal, Innuendo, Jump, Listen, Profession (Guide), Ride, Search, Sense Motive, Spot, Swim

Languages: Common, Elven, Damaran, Gnome, Goblin, Halfling, Turmic

Weapons: Mighty Composite Longbow (+1 to dmg), Magic Longsword Astalder (Elvish for "Valiant One," is +1 to hit/dmg; +3 to hit/dmg when defending unarmed/wounded beings), Silver Dagger

Armor: Elven Chainmail (+1), Shield (small, metal), Locked Gauntlet

Ammunition: 60 arrows, 10 silver arrows, 10 masterwork arrows

Equipment: Backpack, Tinderbox, Steel Mirror, Oil Flasks (x2), Sack, Bedroll, Whetstone, Flint & Steel, Paper & Ink, Sewing Needles, Thread, Signal Whistle, Chalk, Candles (x2), Waterskin, Belt Pouch, Spy Glass, Map Case, Tinder Twigs (x10), Soap, Silk Rope

Money/Treasure: Signet Ring, GP-225 on person, 1,500 held in family estate/lending house.

Companion Animals: 2 x heavy warhorses, Menelay ("Friday," male) and Valanya ("Saturday," female). These two were named after the days they were born.

Menelay's Attributes: Str-18, Dex-13, Con-17, Int-2, Wis-13, Cha-6

Menelay's Saving Throws: Fort-7, Ref-5, Will-2

Valanya's Attributes: Str-16, Dex-13, Con-16, Int-3, Wis-14, Cha-7

Valanya's Saving Throws: Fort-6, Ref-5, Will-3

Note: Astalder's power is similar to Townsaver, one of the magic swords in Fred Saberhagen's Books of Swords series.

 

Book of Swords Wikipedia entry:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Books_of_Lost_Swords

The Twelve Swords of Power:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_Swords_of_Power

Magazine Review: Table Top Teasers Vol 1

Henry Hyde launched Battlegames in 2006 and one of the regular features of this new gaming magazine was "Table Top Teasers" written by Charles Grant. However, Brigadier (ret) Grant's articles weren't exactly a new feature. Charles Grant's first wargame scenario was published in Battle for Wargamers in February 1978. Since then he and his son have made major contributions to the wargaming hobby, not just in the UK, but throughout the world. Charles Grant's book The War Game remains a classic.

Table Top Teasers Vol 1 is a compilation of the first 12 "teasers" to appear in Battlegames magazine. But there's more to this booklet than a dozen scenarios. Nearly every scenario is followed by battle report of a game played tested using one of Grant's teasers. While the scenarios were originally written for Napoleonic battles, the use of generic terms allows wargamers to modify them to fit other historical, or even science fiction and fantasy settings. These games were played by some of the UK's most well known wargamer-authors, such as Angus Konstam, Ross Mafarlane, Jim Purky and Bill Protz. If I left anyone out, that's because Volume 2 appears to be in the works. Also included is an introduction on the origins of "Table Top Teasers" along with a discussion of historical battles versus scenarios and a product list.

I've bought several issues of Battlegames since its debut and Grant's "Table Top Teasers" is my favorite section. Unfortunately, since I'm not a subscriber and don't always get regular issues here in the US, there's been a large gap in my "teaser" library.

But no more, thanks to this special edition and--hopefully--more to follow.

What I've enjoyed most about "Table Top Teasers," is that each scenario presents the players with a unique tactical puzzle--hence the name. These are not just "line 'em up and have at it" encounters. In addition to enemy forces, players may have to contend with hostile natives, treacherous rapids (and allies), exploding bridges, ancient artifacts and buried treasure; just to name a few curves that can be thrown at players in any given scenario.

From what I've read of the play testing reports, each scenario is well balanced and more often than not, provides a down-to-the-wire finish.

This is a 5-star product that I'm looking forward to implementing in future gaming sessions someday.

Table Top Teasers Vol 1 can be purchased directly from the Battlegames website:

http://www.battlegames.co.uk/admin/shop4.html

D&D (3rd Ed) PC: Harkin the Half-Elven

Stalking enemies amidst the wilds of the Forgotten Realms, Harkin is represented by Wizards of the Coast Gray Cloak Ranger, Collector # 16/60, of their Arch Fiends set.

Harkin explores the entrance of Ashardalon (The Sunless Citadel). Immediately after the launch of Dungeons & Dragons, 3rd Edition, Wizards of the Coast published a series of adventure modules to support their new product. The Sunless Citadel is one such module for 1st-level adventurers:

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dndacc/116400000

Hmmm. This set of ruins looks identical to the one Borgil is pictured exploring. Could they be portals between Middle Earth and the Forgotten Realms?

Harkin's Baptism of Fire:

A ranger from the wilds of Comyr, Harkin encountered fellow adventurers on the road to Oakhurst: Pilga, the Half-Orc Cleric of Ilmater; Shem, the Halfling Sorcerer and a Dwarven Rogue, known to them only as "The Dwarf with no Name." (In actually he was Ondahl the Silent Killer).

The four stopped a band of Zhentarim thugs from severing the hand of a farmboy in the village square. This was "punishment" for not paying tribute to Zhentil Keep and the Church of Bane. Unfortunately the accidental heroes were too late to stop the brutes from poisoning Oakhurst's well.

A local sage informed the party that only the White Apple from the Golthias Tree will cure the poison in their well. This fabled tree is said to be rooted in the center of the ruins of Ashardalon, a citadel swallowed by earth long ago.

Setting out immediately, the party followed the trail of two other adventurers: Sherwin the Human Sorceres and Sir Bradford the Human Paladin. The heroes discovered the "Sunless Citadel" at the bottom of a deep crevass and fought their way past goblins and bugbears inhabiting the ancient ruins.

They discovered the Golthias Tree was corrupted by the evil Druid Belak while Sherwin and Sir Bradford were turned into "Bark Minions." After killing Belak, along with putting Sherwin and Sir Bradford out of their misery, Harkin found one white apple. After plucking the precious fruit, the party set fire to the deformed tree.

Their return to Oakhurst however, was not a happy occassion for they found the village razed to the ground. All the villagers were either killed or carried off. Wanted Notices bearing their names were scattered among the remaining bodies. A bounty of 1,000 Gold Crowns was offered to anyone delivering their heads to Zhentarim Agents or Bane Cultists.

Harkin dropped the White Apple into the well. After hearing the lonely splash, he turned to his newfound companions and said "Maybe life will return here someday."

Avoiding Zhentil Keep's dark minions, the heroes made their way to Blasingdell reportedly terrorized by bands of roving Orcs. Once within the town's walls, they were joined by the Elf Warrior, Thelanis Menelmacar (the subject of a later post) and Selinda, the Bardess.

Blasingdell's Elders inform the party their town is practically beseiged by Orcs from Stone Tooth Mountain, located between the River Surbrin and the Moonwood Forest. The next morning the party set out to investigate.

As Blasingdell's inhabitants anxiously wait, Zhentarim Agents scour the roads and trails hoping to collect the reward when the heroes return...

(Note: A friend of mine started running a Forgotten Realms Campaign. Unfortunately we haven't been able to re-connect with him since he moved after we started the second adventure).

Harkin's Stats

Campaign: Forgotten Realms Class: Ranger

Race: Male Half-Elf Alignment: LG Level: 3

Height: 5' 7" Weight: 140 lbs Eyes: Green Hair: Brown

Initiative: +1 Base Attack: +3 Speed: 20

Saving Throws: Fort-3, Ref-2, Will-1

Attack Bonuses: Ranged +5, Melee +4

Abilities: Str-12, Dex-13, Con-11, Int-10, Wis-11, Cha-10

HP: 25 AC: 16

Favored Enemies: Goblinoids

Special Abilities/Feats: Point-Blank Shot, Weapon Focus (Composite Longbow)

Skills (Trained): Handle Animal, Hide, Intuit Direction, Jump, Move Silently, Ride, Swim, Use Rope, Wilderness Lore

Languages: Common, Elven, Damarran, Giant, Gnome, Orc, Sylvan

Weapons: Mighty Composite Longbow (+1 to dmg), Shatterspike Longsword (+4 to dmg), dagger

Armor: Scalemail, Shield (small)

Ammunition: 60 arrows, 10 drugged arrows (w/sleeping potion), 10 silver arrows

Equipment: Quiver (for 20 arrows), Backpack, Rope, Mapcase, Waterskin, Bedroll, Signal Whistle, Oil Flask (x2), Flint & Steel, Belt Pouch, Traveler's Outfit, Cloak, Crowbar, Steel Mirror, Chalk, Hammer, Pitons (x12), Tinder Twigs (x5), Torches (x2)

Potions: Endure Fire, Cure Moderate Wounds

Money/Treasure: CP-200, SP-180, Gp-67

Lord of the Rings RPG PC: Borgil of Bree

Answering the muster of the Dunedain, Borgil is represented by Wizards of Coast Freeleague Ranger, Collector # 14/60, from their Blood War set.

Borgil explores ancient ruins found between Fornost and Bree. This Hilltop Temple was orignally part of Geo-Hex's Battleground Set. Geo-Hex went out of business in 2003, but the Hilltop Temple is available from Monday Knight Productions:

http://www.mondayknight.com/

Borgil

1st Level Warrior

After escorting a caravan to Fornost, Borgil receives a message from a fellow Dunedain, a mysterious ranger known only as "Strider."

The message reads: Meet me at the Inn of the Prancing Pony.

Borgil sets off the next morning but runs into trouble along the way...

(Note: A friend of mine was going to run a Lord of the Rings RPG campaign, so with his help I rolled-up this character. However, shortly after creating my PC, he moved and we haven't been able to connect. So Borgil has yet to start his adventures.)

Borgil's Stats

Race: Male Dunedain Age: 25 Size: Medium Hair: Red Eyes: Green

Height: 5' 10" Weight: 190 lbs

Corruption: 0 Courage: +4 Renown: 0

Init: +5 Defense: +12

Languages: Common, Westron, Sindarin

Attributes: Bearing 10, Nimbleness 10, Perception 8, Strength 8, Vitality 10, Wits 8

Reactions: Stamina +1, Swiftness +4, Willpower +2, Wisdom +2

Order Abilities: Evasion

Edges: Warwise, Lionhearted, Wary

Skills (Trained): Armed Combat-3, Climb-1, Healing-2, Inspire-2, Intimidate-1, Jump-1, Observe-1, Ranged Combat-3, Ride-2, Run-1, Stealth-2, Survival-1, Track-1, Unarmed Combat-2

Regional Lore (Intermediate): Mordor, Rhudaur, Moria, Misty Mountains

Weapons: Longbow w/quiver & 20 arrows, Longsword

Armor: Chainmail, Shield

Equipment & Gear: Backpack, Blanket, Clothes (ordinary), Rope, Waterskin, Torch, Travel Rations (1 week)

Wealth: 11 Copper Pieces

Ancestors of Note: It is rumored that one of Borgil's ancestors was Isildur's standard bearer. No proof of this has yet been found.

Happy Easter!

This picture and what it represents today leaves me speechless.