Happy Halloween!

(Illustration by Elpiney.deviantart.com)

Happy Halloween!

I've always considered Halloween a fun prelude to the Holiday Season. (A time to be a little naughty, before you have to be nice).

Here's the history of Halloween according to Wikipedia:

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

PNWA 2010 Conference: Drawn to Drawn Books

(Image:  Stinz Charger: The War Stories, by Donna Barr)

I was originally planning on attending a thriller/mystery panel hosted by several authors I’m acquainted with. However, the Eyes and Hands: An Introduction to Drawn Books workshop caught my eye.

Hmmm.

Since I’ve produced YouTube movies and posted my first graphic novel, The Bushwhackers of Kashyyyk, I thought this workshop would be right up my alley. So I walked into the assigned room and met Donna Barr, the speaker and her assistant, Hedwig Vinson.

Then two other guys walked in for the class.

That was it.

Uh-oh.

When so few people show up for something like this, it can either be very good—or very bad.

Fortunately, this turned out to be not just good, but a fantastic experience.

We pulled our chairs into a tight circle and discussed some of the aspects of what Donna calls “drawn books.” She coined this term because she’s observed that using the more traditional terms of; comic books, commix, or even graphic novels, was still dismissed as “just for kids.” In fact, it was this perception that led to comic-book publishers into accepting the maturity rating system. This in turn, led to a discussion about censorship within the comic book industry--which she vehemently opposes.

When discussing the books themselves, Donna defined drawn books as “…being the perfect balance between writing and art” (from the workshop handout). At this point I became concerned because, when I think of "art," I tend to think of hand-drawn pictures or painting. So I asked about my work with photographing miniatures, in which I spent several minutes showing her and the rest of the class The Bushwhackers of Kashyyyk.

I was pleasantly surprised to learn that there’s an actual term for this form: It’s called Fumetti.  This is an Italian word meaning, literally, “little puffs of smoke,” referring to the speech balloons. In English this refers to what’s otherwise called photonovels or photographic comics:

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

Wow! Up until now I didn’t know there was an established art term for what I was tinkering around with. This was a revelation for me! I’ve spent the past several years trying to figure out what niche I fit into as a writer. Now I can say I'm a graphic novelist.

Donna Barr is best known for her two series: The Desert Peach and Stinz. The Desert Peach features the gay brother of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel; while Stinz is an historical fantasy about a centaur living in central Europe. Donna Barr’s website is:

http://www.donnabarr.blogspot.com/

Donna also suggested checking out the works of the following drawn book novelists:

Roberta Gregory:

http://robertagregory.com/

Colin Upton:

http://colinupton.com/

Carla Speed McNeil:

http://www.lightspeedpress.com/

Madison Clell:

http://madisonclell.net/

Kevin Bose and Stasio Kato (The Virgin Project):

http://www.artofkdboze.com/

Diana Sasse:

http://www.graphicsmash.com/comics/kt.php

Redshift Chronicles: Outtake #1--Bongolaan's National Treasures Stolen?

Stardate: 026-130 ABY/Fringe Info Network (FIN)--Tarsus Bureau

Subsector: Shannekam

Bongolaanian Security Camera Images Were Faked!

FIN has learnded from an anonymous source within the Tarsan Intelligence Service (TIS) that the images from Bongolaan's Pesidential Palace, transmitted 6 days ago, were tampered with.  According to the testimony given by the refugees; after securing the palace command post, they obtained additional weapons from the armory in order to fight their way past Bunda Akhtar's battle droids and rescue Ambassador Heraud.  They were not looting the planetary treasury as claimed by the Bongolaanian Ministry of Justice.

The above image clearly shows the refugees....wait a minute...that's not the right image!...We are...um...experiencing technical difficulties. 

Please stand by.

End transmission.....................................................

Notes on Miniatures:

Figures by Wizards of the Coast

Doorway by Paper Make It

Containers by Topo Solitario:  http://www.toposolitario.com/principal/index.html 

Redshift Chronicles: Intelligence Brief #1--Bongolaanian Bounties

Stardate: Thirday, 025-130 ABY/Tarsan Intelligence Service (TIS)

Subsector: Shannekam

Bounties Posted on Bongolaanian Refugees

Five days ago, the Peoples Democratic Republic of Bongolaan's Ministry of Justice issued a bounty on their former president-for-life:

Wanted Alive:  Zeveg Bharzi

Species: Human

Homeworld:  Bongolaan

Known Associates:  Callithea Lockridge, Cad So Billes, Sei'do Avari and Nance Windu

Bounty:  28,000 CR

Classification:  Planetary, Government

Application Conditions: Alive

Bonus:  (See bounties on known associates)

Detrerment: No serious injuries

Crimes:  Corruption, grand larceny, racketeering and smuggling

Originator:  Ministry of Justice of the Peoples Democratic Republic of Bongolaan

Receiver:  Any Ministry of Justice representative or law enforcement officer

Due to diplomatic immunity, no bounty has been posted on Ms. Lockridge.  However, Bongolaan's Ministry of Diplomatic Affairs revoked her diplomatic status.

Persona Non Grata:  Callithea Lockridge

Species: Human

Homeworld: Tarsus

Known Associates: Zeveg Bharzi, Cad So Billes, Sei'do Avari and Nance Windu

Bounty: None

Classification: Planetary; government

Application Conditions:  Alive

Bonus: (See bounties on known associates)
Detrerment: No injuries

Crimes:  Conduct unbecoming a diplomat and misuse of diplomatic rank and position

Originator: The Peoples Democratic Republic Ministry of Diplomatic Affairs

Receiver: Any Ministry of Diplomatic Affairs, Port Authority, or Customs Enforcement personnel

However, the individuals who aided Ms. Lockridge have been identified and now have bounties posted against them:

Wanted Alive:  Cad So Billes

Species:  Durosian

Homeworld:  Duros

Known Associates: Callithea Lockridge, Zeveg Bharzi, Sei'do Avari and Nance Windu

Bounty:  2,500 CR

Classification:  Planetary; government

Application Conditions:  Alive

Bonus:  (See bounties on known associates)
Detrerment: No serious injuries

Crimes:  Aiding and abetting a known fugitive

Originator:  Ministry of Justice of the Peoples Democratic Republic of Bongolaan

Receiver:  Any Ministry of Justice representative or law enforcement officer

Wanted Alive:  Sei'do Avari

Species: Human

Homeworld:  Unknown

Known Associates: Zeveg Bharzi, Callithea Lockridge, Cad So Billes and Nance Windu

Bounty:  2,500 CR

Classification:  Planetary; government

Application Conditions:  Alive

Bonus:  (See bounties on known associates)
Detrerment:  No serious injuries

Crimes:  Aiding and abetting a known fugitive

Originator:  Ministry of Justice of the Peoples Democratic Republic of Bongolaan

Receiver:  Any Ministry of Justice representative or law enforcement officer

Wanted Alive:  Nance Windu

Species:  Human (clone?)

Homeworld:  Unknown
Known Associates: Callithea Lockridge, Zeveg Bharzi, Cad So Billes and Sei'do Avari
Bounty:  2,500 CR
Classification: Planetary; government
Application Conditions:   Alive
Bonus:  (See bounties on known associates)
Detrerment:  No serious injuries
Crimes:  Aiding and abetting a known fugitive
Originator:  Ministry of Justice of the Peoples Democratic Republic of Bongolaan
Receiver:  Any Ministry of Justice representative or law enforcement officer

None of the other beings who debarked from the Aimless Drifter, which landed at Newland Down Starport 18 days ago, have bounties posted against them.  They are:

Shiri Blen, the holovid celebrity (Twi'lek female); Rensi Rabogo, the council-being for Ratankiri's 9th District (Caamasian male); and the remaining 6 Gamorreans of Bharzi's bodyguards--Gartogg, Jubnuk, Kradd, Thok, Ugmush and Warlug.

Ms. Blen's galaxy-wide is most likely preventing Bongolaan's Ministry of Justice from placing a bounty on her head.

Rensi Rabogo was known as one of the few honest politicians in the capital city of Ratankiri and a staunch advocate for the planet's gabaki pickers.  The Ministry of Justice may not want to antagonize the population by arresting a beloved public figure.

As for the 6 Gamorreans, the Ministry of Justice probably believe these "hired guns" are not worth the effort to apprehend.

No Imperial warrants or bounties have been issued against these beings.  This, however, could change once Emperor Roan Fel consolidates his gains over the former Galactic Alliance.  The low bounties posted are not likely to attract bounty hunters outside the Tarsus System.  As of now, the most likely danger to the targeted individuals lay with any bounty hunters currently operating on Tarsus.

PNWA 2010 Conference: Another Steamy Workshop

Well it's been a year since I attended the Writing Sex Scenes workshop and I still haven't done it yet.  By "it" I mean, actually write a sex scene, in case you're wondering. 

C.C. ("Chris") Humphreys gave a return performance for the Sex and Sensuality workshop, while his co star and leading lady for this show was Megan Chance.

http://www.cchumphreys.com/Site_2/Welcome.html

http://pages.prodigy.net/mchance/

Together, they provided a balanced "he said/she said" viewpoint to a subject most writers find difficult to wrap their arms around. 

Figuratively speaking, of course.

Here are some of their notes and comments:

Sex and sensuality are not necessarily one in the same.  Just because you have one, doesn't necessarily mean you have the other.

Sex can be:  Funny, routine; or even vengeful and violent.

Sex can be described in many ways:  Sensually, graphically, gynecologically or metaphorically.

The key question to ask is:  What is the purpose of a sex scene?  The answer should be to develop an understanding of a character and to move the plot forward.  Another point is, the focus should be on the characters' emotions and not the mechanics of the act--or in some books--acts.  Although some genres, like romance, require sex, or at least sensual scenes.

Megan commented that as a society we're often more comfortable with violence than sex. 

Romance writers are often plagued by a "what-will-my-mom-think?" inhibition when they try to write a sex scene.  But it is an author's job to entertain and one must accept the fact that not everyone will like your scenes--or your book, for that matter. 

One of the best ways to overcome such inhibition is to focus on the characters.  The best kind of sexy and sensual scenes should originate from the characters involved.  That is, ask yourself:  What would these characters do in this situation?  How do they feel about what's happening?  As opposed to asking yourself what you would do and how would you feel.

If you want to satisfy most of your readers, then it's best to build the sexual tension slowly in a step-by-step process.  Create an illusion for the reader and establish interesting characters that behave differently in different circumstances and make them relatable to the reader.

Or as Chris said:  Set up interesting characters and readers will be willing to follow them into battle and the boudoir.

An authentic narrative is a key ingredient in keeping your reader interested in your story.  Scenes should be viewed the way the character sees it and describe it in the language he or she would use.  But avoid cliches.  For example, don't use the term "soft as a baby's behind" if the guy has never raised children. 

Now comes the tough question:  How far do you go?  How much detail is too much?

Once again, go back and answer the question:  What is the purpose of this scene?

If a scene feels too graphic, try to write it out in it's entirety.  This doesn't mean it has to be included in the final version of your book.  It will come down to your personal choice and the purpose of the scene.  Consider though, who's POV (point of view) the story is being told from, which should be from the person with the most at stake. 

It may also help if you write a scene obliquely or vaguely.  By doing so, the reader will often go as far as his or her imagination will take them.

(And as Han Solo said in Star Wars:  I can imagine a lot!).

Writing good sex scenes requires you to conduct research as you would with any other topic.

(At least the subject won't be dull).

This can be done by:

Reading novels of the period you're writing about.  Keep in mind, for historical fiction what's more important than the truth is what's perceived to be true.

Ask a person of the opposite gender what they like.  Men and women view sex differently.  For a woman, sex has a more emotional connection.  Her first sexual experience is a transformative event, which sadly, is not always a positive one.

So even after reading all these helpful hints and you're still stumped on how to write a sex scene, you can follow Megan's last bit of advice:  Read or watch pornography.

(Well okay then, she doesn't have to tell me twice). 

However, I can imagine the likely outcome of a writer's wife walking in on him watching porn.  Somehow I don't think saying, "But honey, Megan said..." would help diffuse the situation.

In fact, later during this conference, another author entertained her audience with a story about such an incident with her husband.  But that's  a subject for another blogpost.

In the meantime, I have some research to...um...ah...watch, for next year's workshop.

PNWA 2010 Conference: Lunch With Bob Dugoni

Contrary to popular belief, writers don't subsist entirely on chocolate, coffee and alcohol.  While this might be true for some--okay, most of us--writers need normal, almost-healthy food.  So we can't go all day without a food break.  (See my first conference post about the dangers of that).

But since this was a gathering of writers from all over the world, what better way to become acquainted with your fellow authors and getting some great advice than over a meal?

So to maximize the exchanging-of-ideas experience, by noon each day, PNWA (Pacific Northwest Writers Association) would sponsor a couple of "Lunch With (Insert Name of Famous Author Here)" gatherings.  During these sessions, moderated by Jeff Ayers, the author would discuss various aspects of his or her writing career, from the ups, downs and in-betweens.

The first lunch session of this year's conference was with none other than PNWA's own Robert Dugoni:

http://www.robertdugoni.com/index.html 

Despite his busy schedule of writing, promoting his 4th novel, Bodily Harm, along with practicing law part-time; Bob remains heavily committed to PNWA.  It's rather moving to hear him attribute his success to the association and see him unselfishly give back to the writing community.  Bob can be found at the forefront of any PNWA activity, whether it's leading a panel or coordinating an event.  As a speaker he brings an "I-was-sitting-where-you're-at" perspective that always resonates with his audience.

And that's because us aspiring writers can't wait to be sitting where Bob is at now!

Redshift Chronicles: News Brief #3--Elections and Reparations

Stardate: Fiday, 020-130 ABY/Fringe Info Network (FIN)--Tarsus Bureau

Subsector: Shannekam

Bongolaan Elects a New President

The Bongolaanian Ministry of Truth announced that Bunda Akhtar was elected President-for-Life by a landslide on 008-130 ABY.  Such a claim may be dubious at best, since the former President-for-Life, Zeveg Bharzi, was elected by a similar majority vote, prior to the Galactic New Year.  Bongolaan's new chief executive, seen in the lead photo with his droid body guards, conducted an extensive inspection of the planet's gabaki plantations as his first order of business.  (At this time, it cannot be confirmed whether "political contributions" were collected during Akhtar's inspection tour).

However, in its first week, Akhtar's administration did not confined itself strictly to planetary affairs.  Yesterday, the Tarsan Commision of Diplomatic Affairs (CODA) received a comminique from their counterparts on Bongolaan, responding to Tarsus' demands.  The following are excerpts that have currently been made public:

"While the Government of the People's Democratic Republic of Bongolaan, regret the death of Ambassador Heraud, no formal apology will be issued.  The ambassador was armed and the battle droids returned fire in order to defend themselves."

"Battle droids form an integral part of the Bongolaanian People's Democratic Defense Force.  Therefore, no battle droid will be dismantled for defending the lives and property of Bongolaan's citizens."

"The Government of the People's Democratic Republic of Bongolaan would like to comply with the wishes of the Heraud Family and return the ambassador's remains.  Unfortunately, this is impossible.  Restoration efforts required the immediate disposal of the few decomposing bodies in order to prevent the spread disease."

Pictured above:  Zeveg Bharzi collecting "campaign contributions" from a gabaki plantation owner.

In addition to refusing Tarsus' demands, the Akhtar administration made the following counter claims: 

"The Bonolaanian Ministry of Justice hereby demands the extradition of Zeveg Bharzi, Bongolaan's former president, to face charges of corruption and various crimes against sentient beings."

"In addition to returning Bharzi, the Ministry of Justice also insists upon the extradition of the four individuals who aided him in his escape.  Included in this transmission are two images of these culprits stealing cases of gold latinum, valued at 2,000,000 CR, from the People's Treasury prior to their flight from justice."

Along with the extradition orders, the Bongolaanian Ministry of Finance demanded the Tarsan Board of Directors pay the following in reparations:

--2,000,000 CR for the gold latinum stolen from the People's Treasury

--100,000 CR for the theft of the People's Merchant Vessel (PMV) Aimless Drifter

--82,000 CR for the theft of 82 tons of gabaki on board the PMV Aimless Drifter

--36,000 CR for the cost of replacing the 20 battle droids destroyed by the fugitives

--200 CR fine for the fugitives operating a gabaki barge without a license

--200 CR fine for the fugitives not filing a starship flight plan

--200 CR fine for the fugitives exiting the Bongolaanian system outside the normal departure corridor

--200 CR fine for the fugitives operating a starship without running lights

Total reparations:  2, 218, 800 CR

Tarsus' CODA has not yet issued a response to Bongolaan's counter demands.

Notes on figures:

Miniatures and game mat by Wizards of the Coast.

Bulkead doorway by Paper Make It.

Boxes by Toposolitario:  http://www.toposolitario.com/workshop/index.html 

Book Review: 300

300 puts the "graphic" in the term "graphic novel."  This book, published by Dark Horse (1999), is Frank Miller's and Lynn Varley's artistic rendering of the Battle of Thermopylae, fought between the city-states of Greece and the Persian Empire, sometime in August or September, 480 B.C.

Let's start off with 300's shortfalls.  First, Spartan hoplites dressed like this...

...and not, um, (un)dressed like this:

Nor was the pass at Thermopylae held by a mere 300 Spartan hoplites, but by several thousand allied soldiers as well.  There is no record that the traitor, Ephialtes, was a hunchback, or even a Spartan for that matter. 

And speaking of appearances:  The Persian king Xerxes, was not an effeminate and bejewelled giant, nor were his elite troops, the Immortals, the type warriors to march out of the Black Gates of Mordor.

In fact, from an historical perspective, even Wikipedia provides better information on this famous battle than the graphic novel:

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

But the quest for historical truth wasn't the reason why I bought 300.  I love the stark and edgy imagery used by the authors to depict the brutality of hand-to-hand combat.  Despite all these historical inaccuracies, the authors retained the core of this epic story:  A desperate holding action by a few against a vast army. 

For these reasons--and that I only paid $8 for the novel at a used book store--I'm giving 300, a five star rating.

300 has been around for nearly a dozen years--leaving plenty of time for readers to vent about it.  There are 240 reviews on Amazon.com's website, most of which are overwhelmingly positive--143 x 5-star ratings and 43 x 4-stars.  The 29 x 1-star raters really hate this book and recommend Steven Pressfield's Gates of Fire.  While I concur with their recommendation, even this book was hit with 20 x 1-star ratings:

http://www.amazon.com/Gates-Fire-Novel-Battle-Thermopylae/product-reviews/055338368X/ref=cm_cr_dp_hist_1?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0&filterBy=addOneStar 

I guess there's no pleasing everybody.

So if you want a book loaded with accurate detail on western civilization's most famous last stand, then look elswhere.  But if you're looking for vivid, gritty and heroic imagery--and you can get a good deal on the book like I did--then 300 will entertain you.



PNWA 2010 Conference: Agents and Editors Forum

 

Literary agents aren't involved in international intrigue.  (Although, wouldn't that be cool if they were?).  Instead, theyr'e embedded in the publishing industry.  They form a partnership with authors; much like John Steed and Emma Peel (played by Patrick Macnee and Diana Rigg), of the Avengers, pictured above.  They provide the left-brain business savy to the author's right-brain creativity.

This year, PNWA did away with the agent and editor workshop and dove right into the forum.  Both forums, conducted back-to-back, were hosted by PNWA's perennial MC, Robert Dugoni, who has a talent for keeing this lively and on track. After each agent/editor introduced themselves and discussed what genres they dealt with, Rob would open things up to extensive Q&A sessions.

As in years past, I still don't have a book in the making.  However, I always enjoy attending these forums in order to see the friends I made the previous year and meet new people.  (I avoid using the term "networking" as much as possible).   Sitting in on these forums also keeps me informed of the latest trends in the publishing industry.

Agents present this year were:

John Baker, Barbara Braun, April Eberhardt, Amberly Finarelli, Sally Harding, Esmond Harmsworth, Christina Hogrebe, Andrea Hurst, Laurie McLean, Joe Monti, Laura Rennert, Jennifer Rofe, Rita Rosenkranz, Melissa Sarver, Erika Storella, Carolyn Swayze, Elizabeth Wales, Christina Ward and Cherry Weiner.

While the following editors were also present:

Paul Dinas, E. Kieth Howick, Monica Howick, Peter Lynch, Paula Munier, Lynn Price, Michelle Richter, Shane Thomson, Michelle Vega and Adam Wilson.

And for a closing note, here's the Avengers theme song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvmgrnsaE1U&feature=related 

Star Wars Redshift Chronicles: News Brief #2--Death of a Statesman

Stardate: Wonday, 009-130 ABY/Fringe Info Network (FIN)--Tarsus Bureau

Subsector: Shannekam

Ambassador Heraud Murdered!

Ambassador Fitzroy Heraud was killed within the first hours of the Galactic New Year, while on the planet Bongolaan.  The Tarsan ambassador and his aid, Callithea Lockridge, were on a diplomatic mission to negotiate a trade deal with the recently elected, President-for-Life, Zeveg Bharzi.  While election fraud was a likely factor in elevating Bharzi to high office, his administration lasted less than a week. 

Bongolaan's Vice President, Bunda Akhtar, staged a New Year's Eve coup, using Clone War-Era battle droids, reportedly supplied by the Fel Empire.  Droid squads, supported by HKDs (Hunter-Killer Dropships), seized critical facilities and interdicted ground and airborne traffic until the planet was secured.  Ambassador Heraud was traveling in a motorcade through the Bongolaanian Capital of Ratankiri, with President Bharzi and Twi' lek holovid celebrity Shiri Blen, when Akhtar's forces struck.  The VIP convoy was strafed by at least one  flight of HKDs, in one of several simultaneous attacks launched prior to Galactic Midnight.

Ms Lockridge was in the Presidential Palace when the initial attack took place.  She joined three relief agency workers and helped defend civilians within the palace against the droid onslaught.   The ad-hoc team then made their way through Ratankiri in an attempt to locate the Tarsan ambassador.  En route, they drove off a pack of looters assaulting Shiri Blen and her Rodian agent, Geelo. 

Shiri and Geelo led the group back to the ravaged motorcade, where they found Ambassador Heraud still alive, but pinned under an overturned speeder truck and suffering from serious injuries.  Unfortunately, when they tried removing the ambassador from the wreckage, they were attacked by a squad of battle droids.  Geelo was killed in the firefight, while the light-saber wielding human was struck by blaster fire and left for dead.

The leading image was transmitted to the Tarsan Commission of Diplomatic Affairs (CODA), by an anonymous source, claiming to be a member of the Bongolaanian Armed Resistance Cadre (BARC).  The hazy picture shows the wounded Ambassador Heraud exchanging fire with two battle droids approaching behind him, near the rim of a blast crater. 

Pictured above:  Callithea ("Calli") Lockridge disembarks from a Rockhopper-Class shuttle at a remote Bantha ranch on Tarsus.

The news of Ambassador Heraud's death wasn't released until this morning.  Yesterday, the survivors of the Bongolaanian Coup were interviewed by the Tarsan Board of Commissioners, while members of the Heraud family were notified of their loss.  According to Ms Lockride's emotional testimony, Ambassador Heraud ordered her and her companions to leave him, because he was too injured to move and the entire party was on the verge of being overrun. 

In addition to publicizing the tragic news about their ambassador, the Board of Directors transmitted the following demands to the government of Bunda Akhtar via subspace radio:

--immediately return the ambassador's remains

--issue a formal apology for his death, and

--dismantle and scrap the battle droid squad responsible for killing the ambassador.

Since Tarsus has no direct holovid connection, it will take four days for the subspace signal to reach Bongolaan.  In the meantime, preparations are being made for a state memorial service in honor of the late Ambassador Heraud.

Fix Bayonets 2010 at Fort Steilacoom

Historic Fort Steilacoom was the scene of the first annual "Fix Bayonets" game day, held on Saturday, 18 September:

http://www.historicfortsteilacoom.com/ 

Pictured above is Quarters 2, where all the gaming took place, while below is the historical marker by the house's doorway:

Damond, Lawrence and Bruce, all members of our regional NHMGS (Northwest Historical Gaming Society), conceived and hosted this debut event. 

The game day was divided into two periods, with 4-6 games played during each session.  Despite the intimate venue, the games represented several eras and genres.

Below, Dean and Adrian set up Ichi no Tani, a raid and rearguard action fought during Japan's Genpei War (1180-1185 A.D.):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Ichi-no-Tani

A quick snapshot of Wes's American War of Independence (AWI) game:

Wes monitors the action as the British players advances their forces against "those damned rebels:"

Kevin's Spanish Civil War game:

Republic and National players pondering their next move:

Not every game was straight-laced historical either.  Below, a boatload of Eurpean troops are attacked by natives as they slog through the swamps of Venus, in this steampunk pulp game:

A lot of players were drawn into the "Venusian Quagmire:"

Thirty gamers attended the event and raised $300 in donations for the Historical Fort Steilacoom Society. The feedback by the attendees was predominantly positive.  There's even some clamoring to make this a twice-a-year event.  If so, I certainly plan on attending!