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Monday 31 December 2012

Oh Yes! Another end of year report

Time for a bit of introspection. How well did I do with my resolutions? I looked at the post for this time last year:

Well it is that time for reflection. My biggest thing for last year was joining this community. The friendship of you ALL and the pure joy of reading your blogs, batreps and adventures has been a pure pleasure. So what for the new year. Well I have a medical procedure to look forward to in April (cardioversion, stopping and rebooting your heart) which means a big lifestyle change and a regimen of drugs.

Weirdly, this paragraph is a bit prophetic. Apart from the joining bit, it's now continuing with this community. The infection I got back in November put my heart back into AF, so the rest remains the same.

But that is nothing to what I want to do: 
Blog at least once a week: I got a post in every week and some months even more. +1
An ATZ game a month: I failed in January, Sept. & Oct But over all I got 17 games and BATREPS posted so I'm giving myself another score + 2.

Sort out my figures and go with Vampifan down the card model town lane: I got no new figures to sort out (a failure for a gamer) - 1. I went down the modelling lane instead of card models. I built a shantytown, some forest scenery and a cabin (my inter Christmas/New Year Project) +1.



 I'm also torn about starting a QWIK tourney and THW's new 'Long Rifle' game: No QWIK tournament but the forest and the log cabin as well as painting all of three Native Americans I have made a start on the LONG RIFLE game + 1/2.

 A new role in work should help with all the above: This may prove to be a little harder now as we have had a change in supervision and our new Inspector is into micro-managing the office -1.


Overall a resounding 4 1/2 out of 7 a partial victory.

Next year much of the same but change the ATZ environment. However, I still have one more game to play here. Get the BATREPS written up for my 'vanity book.' Start a Long Rifle campaign, with some zombies thrown in. Prepare for retirement which comes in Feb 2014 (eek!). PS the Viscountess has some plans for civic improvements to Castillo PZ (oh dear).

Anyway, thanks for all your support, comments and friendships. Take care out there and have a pleasant New Year celebrations.

Lorcan.

Friday 28 December 2012

For the Sci Fi gamers out there! Free Daleks

As you are aware my computing systems have all gone West. My sister and my brother-in law took pity on my plight and gave us one of their old Apple iBooks. So I'm back with blogging more frequently again.

I went to the local shopping centre today to price up a new laptop. Alas the Castillo PZ coffers are not that full 'til next month.

Anyway all was not lost, I found Halfords do a modelling tools and the main reason for this post.

This week's 'Dr Who Adventures' Magazine.

300COVERBIG

Is giving away a set of 11 plastic Daleks. From the look of them they're 1/72 scale and are fairly well detailed.

Not my scene really but some of you folk out there may be able to use them.

All the best out there.

Yours, Lorcan

Thursday 27 December 2012

That time of year

It's that time of year again. Time off with my family. Sister up with her gang. Now just for a couple of seasonal ciders at the club.

Thanks for all your posts and I wish you all a very merry festivities (lateness due to mylaptop's prossesor packing in snd my tablet playing up, the pigeons were too fat to fly!)y what's left of the holidays snd if your working 'keep your head down'.

Tuesday 18 December 2012

Old Glory Exclusive by Jimmy and Grafton Street

What is happening in Purgatory?
By Jimmy Street.
Photos by Grafton Street.

The first rains of fall tumbled onto Moor City’s Shanty but that was not all that surprised the residents. As an early morning raid by members of St. Michael’s Precinct and elements of 152nd National Guard crashed into the unofficial suburb.

Purgatory has been under quarantine for the last eight weeks as the result of an, as yet unidentified, virus. The situation had become so severe that the Guard was summoned to supplement Moor City’s finest. Rumours spread that criminal elements within the town had turned it into a virtual no go area. In an attempt to gain control the raid was organised. However this rapidly turned into a rescue mission.



The sound of gunfire alerted us to the chaos on Donkey Drive long before our arrival. The streams of refugees identified there was something more then a raid going on. Attempting to get an interview with Sergeant Al Lynch I was provide with a curt ‘no comment’. Half dead people emerged to assault and slaughter a platoon of the 152nd ripping the flesh from their bones.  Further enquiries got a pistol pointed at my head and an order to leave. The individual responsible was identified as a British agent working for the BOI on attachment to the Moor City office!

 

But what exists in Purgatory? You decide. Why are the British interested? I do not know the answers to these questions. Ballot the town hall. The truth is out there.



Wednesday 12 December 2012

Evacuation Part 2 - ATZ, Batrep, AAR

Two weeks since round one: But you all know the probs; work; family and now Christmas! Anyway I got there even if a bit rushed.

 

Prologue

 

The zeds are loose and rampaging through Purgatory. A team of police and army have been tasked with clearing the shanty, saving all well persons, evacuate them and raze the area. Zed hordes have broken from the source locus and are loose. Gunnery Sergeant Thomas Highway and Big Joe Savalas have a platoon each to clear the shanty. MCPD have been allocated to arrest the gangster element and facilitate the evacuation.

 

The volume of zeds has led to the military advance grinding to a halt. Big Joe has lost the majority of his platoon and Highway is down to his SAW and himself. Zed hordes abound and there are more on the way. (Doubles, house rules apply)

 

Turn 13

Highway checked his six and identified that the cops were doing their thing, “OK Murph, a couple of bursts and then we’ll fall back.”

Corporal Murphy required no further encouragement and squeezed off a short burst. Three zeds fell. Highway loosed off a round ripping an arm off of one of the creatures. It wasn’t enough; the horde ahead of them fell upon their position. Hampered by his BAR Murphy collapsed as sharp nails ripped at his uniform, shredding it to ribbons. Blackened teeth tore at his bare flesh. Highway stabbed and thrust at anything in range. He downed one and pierced a second before his bayonet jammed in the beast’s eye socket. The being collapsed, tearing the Springfield from his hands. As if in retribution a one armed zed grabbed Highway by the throat and lifted him from the ground. Highway passed out as his brain was starved of blood.

Cowboy Morris snapped off a round and one of the sick exploded. He didn’t see the second monster lurch at him, but he did feel his throat being torn out. Big Joe propelled twelve inches of US steel into the creature’s skull but not in enough time to safe his subordinate. Cowboy Morris had gone to the last round up. Joe started to edge away from the carnage.




Grafton Street collapsed his camera, “Jimmy, it’s time to skedaddle,” he said moving back up the road. His reporting brother turned and followed.

The zeds won the activation rolls and despite good ‘being charged’ rolls the sheer volume of zeds proved too much and the military succumbed. Thomas Highway may get ltl’d in place of ‘Big Joe’ for the final scenario.

Turn 14 (doubles x2)

Even the Lord seemed desirous of hiding what was happening in Purgatory and a heavy dark cloud rolled over town.

Big Joe glanced skyward and swallowed hard. Police Sergeant Al Lynch blessed himself.

James Street’s attention was attracted to a tall well-dressed man in a black suit, who seemed to be guarded by a rufus ‘red-neck’. He moved over to him.

“What the blazes are going on here! I’m a reporter from Old Glory. You can’t silence the press. I’m a citizen of the United States and I demand an answer.”

“Stick with the cops sonny and get the hell out of here.”

Jimmy recognised a distinct British accent, “what in dog gone damnation is a Brit doing here? Get me an American.”



 “Fall back lads. Orderly now. Let’s get ourselves back to the Forward Evacuation Point.” Al commanded and his men back stepped.

The doubles create: ‘ deterioration in the weather’ as well as ‘unruly citizens’. Two more hordes were released from the holding area

Turn 15
It was the biggest pistol Jimmy had ever seen and it was pointed straight at his head.

“Go with the cops. Mr. American Citizen,” hissed Hamilton Square.

Even in his state James Street, reporter, saw the benefit of the sage advice. The MCPD began to file past and Jimmy followed them.

Jimmy Street lost the argument with Hamilton Square (who had been engaged in the game but I chose to leave his experience out of the narrative as it was getting a bit confusing.) There was no zed move this turn.

Turn 16


Jack saw beyond the zeds as another group shambled into view. There were more now then he could count. He whistled up George and jerked his head to the rear and they both began to shuffle backwards in unison.

Turn 17 (doubles)

A peel of thunder crashed from above and a brilliant flash ripped open the sky. Huge drops of rain began to fall from above.

As if woken by the heavenly roar the zeds rose as one and began to tumble towards what remained of the police lines.

The doubles created the deluge. With no engagement JR and GC backed away.

Turn 18


“Jack?”

“George?”

“We gonna be OK?”

Jack Regan put his arm about his cousin’s shoulders and guided him from Donkey Drive to the safety of Arch Wright’s store and the Forward Evacuation Point.

Only the police moved this turn and the two remaining cops made it to safety.

Epilogue


Moor City’s finest have fallen back to the area where all this started Arch. Wright’s store. There they have created a ‘safe zone’. The final game of the year will be the ‘Safe Zone’ one. There were thirty-nine zeds on the table when JR & GC left. They will start the next game on the table, hence why I played it out to the bitter end.














Thoughts: Once again I am amazed as to how this game could well reflect real life; the failure of an evacuation plan and an advance on a fixed position. It also goes to show that even heroes die. I was not expecting the zeds to be as successful against the two army platoons, but failing the ‘see the feast’ test proved catastrophic. What a great game!
 My intention is to play this scenario before the year is out and turn to FFO in the New Year (if Santa brings me a copy.)  

Thanks for reading and commenting folks. Keep warm out there.

Lorcan.










Monday 3 December 2012

My Liebster Awards go to.

In no particular order:

28mm Heaven at www.28mmheaven.blogspot.co.uk: It's a great little site with some good ideas and a really pleasent writer.

Ancient Warriors at www.leadwarriors.blogspot.co.uk. A very skilled modeller with great knowledge and some very informative posts, particularly in the ancient field.

Anything but a one at www.anythingbutaone.blogspot.co.uk . Clint is a great guy and a good blogger. He has a very eclectic site dealing with all sorts of periods and models.

Shelldrake at www.zombiewargame.blogspot.co.uk. A fabulous blogger doing both zombie and wargaming. Perhaps the eason I got into the zed field.

Down amoung the Lead men at www.downamoungtheleadmen.blogspot.co.uk. You want to see his buildings just great. A very accomplished modeller, well worth a gander.

Well that's my five. As you can gather I've gone down my blog list and created them. There are so many others well worth advertising. 'Hard Boiled Zombie' , 'Obviously Zed', 'Those who remain'. So many good blogs.

Keep up the good work gang.

Lorcan.

Liebster Award



Hey the nice chap over at Sapper Joe's Wargame and Toys Blog presented me with this award. You can get his blog on.


It was really great of him. Thanks dude.

The rules for the award are;

Copy and paste the award on your blog linking it to the blogger who has given it to you.

Pass the award to your top 5 favourite blogsblog.

Sit back and bask in that warm fuzzy feeling that comes with knowing that you have just made someone's day!
 
Thanks again.
 
Now I've got to find my top 5 blogs with less then 200 followers.

Thursday 29 November 2012

Evacuation (Part 1)- ATZ, Batrep, Campaign, AAR


Prolouge

The sickness has spread and there appeaars to be the danger of a horde breaking out of the area around # 31.The great and the bold of Moor City have decelared they are going to raze Purgatory. The police and the 152nd have been tasked with clearing the shanty town and evacuating those that are well.


The Field

 

At last a game. Some house rules were brought into it. The main one was doubles (sync with Highway's roll). Allows a horde to escape from 31 and random event to occur. The horde takes 3 activations to arrive on the main board and comprises of 1d6 + Rep of zeds. Others rules follow variations within the game.

 

Turn 1 (Doubles)


Al Lynch turned to his troops; “I know boys that you want to just put the door in and skull drag Mo and his gang to jail. But the Commissioner says we gotta go softly, softly.  So we surround the place and talk the wee bar steward out.” The cops shrugged and trudged along Donkey Drive to Mo’s Catina.



The 152nd Recon platoon shook out. Field signals from their leader indicated to PFC’s Profile and Fragetti to check out the first shack whilst the Gunny and their Sergeant made to the next building along.



Sergeant Big Joe Savalas took up the second slot in the Indian file of ‘A’ platoon as they made their way along the right flank of the Regiment. This was his first ‘live’ operation and he felt more comfortable with the Company armoured car in support.



Fragetti put his right foot to the shack door and burst in followed by his colleague, “NATIONAL GUARD!” he screamed to an empty room. Thomas Highway found a similar situation in the ruined shack, as did Guardsmen Dick Fischer and Cowboy Morris of ‘A’ platoon.

A horde shuffled from the property surround number 31.

Turn 2


“Come on out Gamboccini we got the place surrounded!” shouted Lynch at the shebeen. He got no response. The police bided their time.

The internal door of Fisher’s shack proved no barrier.
“Don’t shoot sir, we all OK here.”
Fisher raised his rifle at the couple of civilians he saw cowering in a corner. Morris tentatively covered the two as Fisher ushered them from within.
As they emerged into Purgatory Savalas sighed, “Dick. Take ‘em to the evac point.” He said jerking his head towards the trough that had been so designated.



Tom Profile nonchalantly pushed at a large piece of packing case that acted as a door. He died in a hail of Thompson rounds as he stepped through the gap. His colleague burst into the room and snap fired at a figure hidden in shadows it collapsed before him.



Thomas Highway negotiated his way through the debris. A scream pulled his attention to his right as a matched pair of zeds struggled to get past a collapsed beam. One round and bayonet thrust finished their final acts on earth.


Turn 3 (Doubles)

Surprised by the tell tale rattle of a sub-machine gun Highway realised the rest of his platoon had bitten off more then they were expecting, he grabbed Jones and jogged back to the first shack.

“Look guys,” said Fisher to the couple he'd escorted from the shanty, “just hang on here and once we’ve cleared them shacks we’ll get you outta here.”
“Not so fast soldier boy!”
Dick Fisher spun on the balls of his feet bringing his Springfield to his hip only to be faced by a group of well-armed civilians.
“You boys ain’t goin’ no wheres ‘til you paid da tax.”
“SKIRMISH LINE, ROBERTS GET THAT BEAST UP HERE.”
Fisher glanced to his left as his Sergeant shouted out orders.
The crack of a ‘Saturday-Night Special’ cut through the early morning tension. Young Dick Fisher collapsed blood spouting from a hole in his chest. His two wards fled as fast as they could away from the gangsters.



Highway heard another burst of machine gun fire from within the shack. Loading a further round into his breach he burst into the building and opened fire at the only remaining, live occupant, his round crashed harmlessly through the back wall. Jones followed him.

Al Lynch, “I’ve had enough of this. BOYS! ON MY WHISTLE, TALLY HO!”

The doubles created a gang of 9 (! )looters that entered the fray adjacent to the planned evacuation point and another horde. Shooting had produced some zeds who had yet to be sighted, but were making their way to the players, some coming from the ‘home’ end. The zeds have been unable to move through dice rolls this turn.


Turn 4 (Doubles)

Big Joe gaped as he watched Dick Fisher hit the ground. Joe hadn’t been in Europe and this was the first man that he’d seen shot. He grimaced, anger swelling in his chest. “FIRE! FIRE AT WILL. ROBERTS GET SOME ROUNDS DOWN THERE!”
The National Guardsmen opened fire. Each of their rounds met with target. The heavier banging of Roberts’ Vickers sounded drowning out the lighter snapping of the army’s Springfields. When the gun smoke cleared Big Joe Savalas saw his vengeance had been enacted on seven of the gangsters. The remaining two stood stock still amongst their dead colleagues facing away. Big Joe followed their gaze.


‘A’ Platoon had never been inside the shantytown and Big Joe had never seen the sick. But there they were, a horde of blood stained, raggedy, walking corpses. Joe estimated there were a score or more. A sharp whistle blast shattered his reserve.


Every door on Lil’ Mo’s Sportsman’s Bar flew in as Jack Regan led the way. Morris Gamboccini sat pulling on a contraband stogie with two of his lieutenants sharing a bottle of bourbon.
“Officer Carter, please join us.”
“Stand up and reach for the sky Mo.”
The gangsters did as they were told.


Had one of the cops been with Highway they would have recognised the machine gunner as being Kid Ray Johnston and may have been able to negotiate with the trigger-happy gangster. But they weren’t and Kid Ray released the remainder of his magazine at the two guardsmen. Highway dropped prone behind the corpse of Vincent Fragetti. Stitch Jones gawped at the three blossoming patches of red that decorated his tunic.
Gunny Highway drew a bead and loosed a well aimed round. Kid Ray would cause no more problems for the MCPD. Climbing to his feet Highway checked for vital signs on his downed men. He did it more for himself then in anticipation. He pushed another clip into his magazine, worked the bolt and left.


Corporal Murphy was sharp and alert. His brief was to overwatch Highways building so when two of the sick lurched from behind it a short burst from his BAR despatched them in a cloud of black/red gore.

With the zeds unable to move the players got a decent round. BJ got lucky with his shooting rolls and Jack Regan won a parlay with Lil’ Mo which led to a bloodless surrender. Murphy tidied up some stragglers and another horde was released.

Turn 5 (Doubles!)

Jack Regan led the prisoners out to be welcomed by Sergeant Lynch, “Good to see you boys, now will you be gathering over there.” Jack moved to the left hand corner of ‘The Sportsmans’. A deep growl drew his attention to the brush on the far side of the drive. He steadies his pistol.
“George, the trees yonder.”
George Carter nodded and prepped his shotgun.













Highway, altered by the growl, turned from Donkey Drive and instructed Murphy to cover the tree line also.

“Boys. Hold the line,” Big Joe hissed. ‘A’ platoon holds their breath.

Another no zed move. However more are created by gunfire and (thankfully) all appear on the lower table. There are now 16 zeds on the whole board. Four civilians are generated in the bottom right of the table.

Turn 6


‘A’ platoon sees them first. Another half dozen sick push their way up Donkey Drive. The larger group, to their left, lurches forward and make it’s way towards them.
“ROBERTS! Get the AC over to our left engage that big group if they get any closer.”
The armoured car barks into life and bounces in the direction its been ordered.


Only the zeds and civilians get to move this time. A new horde of 7 appears and the big horde makes its way to the OOF’d gangers. The small (4) horde, near Carter, moves forward as do two other walkers in the top left quadrant.

Turn 7 (Doubles)

Nick Downie had never been a leader but three other blood stained men followed him through the undergrowth. Pitching into full sunlight he spied food, the others followed. Regan, Carter, Highway and Murphy opened up. Round after round slapped into dead flesh until neither Nick nor his followers were recognisable.
“Oh Jesus, Mary and Joseph. That’s all we need,” cursed Lynch as he saw ‘The Old Glory’ magazine truck spring into Donkey Drive. It screeched to a halt and the two Street brothers leaped from within.



“Chris!” Lynch screamed at his Constable, “to the boys' left!” he went on loosing a couple of shots at a pair of zeds staggering towards the new arrivals. Chris Dean swings the shotgun to his shoulder, aims with both eyes and fires. Both zeds fall. The Streets turn, camera and notebook in hand.

Doubles does its thing again, another horde and a news team. More zeds are created from gunfire. Active zed count 26. Civilians will move to the safety of the police/army lines.


Turn 8


Stillness settled over Donkey Drive. Highway nudged Murphy and they move further down the track setting up a cordon in front of the AC, protecting fleeing civilians. Neither speaks, they just soldier.


Big Joe walked along the line of his platoon. “How’s your ammo?” “You holding up?” “We’ll soon be home.”
His men wanly smile back and eyed their front.

James Street moved down Donkey Drive stopping adjacent to Police Sergeant Al Lynch. “Sergeant? Can you explain what’s happening here?” He would later report that he received no comment in reply, although Al had been more Gaelic in his reply.


No movement accept for civilians. The press get a couple of useable shots. But not an interview.

Turn 9

It came from his left charging out of the ruins of a torched building. Highway turned on the balls of his feet and fired from his hip. The bullet disappeared into Purgatory. What was once human crashed across the road reaching out for the Gunny. Thomas Highway set his feet with his knees slightly bent and as the creature neared he thrust his bayonet straight into its skull.

“Tom, you’d better look at this.”

Highway looked in Murphy’s direction. The sea of rotting humanity had flowed forward, straight at them.

The black markers are in fact body outlines.

‘A’ platoon saw to their weapons as the horde opposite them moved in their direction. “Make sure you’ve got one up the spout.”


The seething mass halted at site of bounded by the wounded gangsters. They paid no heed to ‘A’ platoon as to a creature they fell on the injured, maimed and recently dead. Screams and pleading came from those that were conscious and able. Flesh was torn from bones and forced into reddened mouths. Those beasts that could not use their hands just fell on the bodies and ripped gobs of muscle from warm, pliant bodies.

Guardsmen Gene Babra and Perry Putuko had only joined the National Guard for the uiform, to help them pick up girls. Life on the farm had not prepared them for this. Gene just dropped his rifle stood up turned and walked away. Perry screamed, he screamed as loud as he ever had screamed before. He ripped at his uniform stripping himself of his khaki tunic. Divested of it he spun around and ran. Joe Savalas could do nothing he stood and stared at the spectacle before him. Cowboy Morris rose from his kneeling position and joined his Sergeant.





Highway had seen it before, “Murphy. To your front. One burst. FIRE!”
The BAR ripped open and three zeds fell.


‘A’ Platoon failed their ‘see the feast’ test and half fled. Big Joe survived, as did Cowboy. Highway and Murphy held their nerve and dropped some zeds. 6 civilians have escaped. 3 more zeds appeared. The horde will feast for 6 turns that gives the defenders a break. But with the big horde marching and 2 more on route, the next activation is crucial for Highway and the next couple for the defenders.

There were a few other zed encounters but I chose not to include them as they became a bit samey. Work and family have curtailed the next round but with a bit of luck I'll complete it this weekend.

All the best and thanks for reading. Keep warm out there.

Lorcan