Happy Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you all and I hope that you have a pleasant and peaceful time, wherever you may be.

May you all find something in Christmas stockings.

Lorcan.

Jolly Boys Outing. Sort of AAR (but not really)

I was hoping to post a batrep today but I never realised how busy this week turned out to be and yesterday some of the lads and I went on a our Jolly Boys' annual pub crawl. Let me take you there in lieu of an AAR.

We all met at the Victoria Monument.

How it looked in 1941

Scousers are proud of this statue and it's is known as Queen Vic's Dick. She holds a mitre in her right but at a certain angle, well !

Queen Vic's Dick

We hit the 'CORNMARKET' first. One of the oldest pubs in the city with major connections to the shipping industry. It has two entrances on two different streets,because it was once two inns.

 And so it began......

                                                           

The Slaughter House Dates back to the Reign of George III

Infamous in the 1990's Spice Boys scandal

Followed by a wee stroll around and some sightseeing in our own city.

Town Hall

Bank of England

       During WW2 the Nation's gold bullion was moved to this bank for safe keeping and rapid evacuation to Canada, should it be required. Many years ago I ran a game based on German Paras dropping into the city to seize the gold and transport it to a waiting U-Boat. Damn nearly made it too. It was also subject of a David Jason drama in 1993 called the Bullion Boys(as good an actor as he is, his scouse accent was shocking!)

A Crib at the top of the Main Shopping Street

Some street life

The Eleanor Rigby Statue, dressed for Christmas

Now you don't come to Liverpool and not get a dose of the famous four.







Our final destination was, 'The Grapes' on Matthew Street. Renowned as the pub where 'The Beatles' used to pop in for a couple of pints between gigs at  'The Cavern' which was about fifty feet up the road.

Paul

John

Like most British cities everywhere you turn there's history and a vibrant social life. This was just a quick trip for a few hours around a very small area of the city. There's plenty more. Even if you're not into the music there's so much more and for guys like us the military side is just as rife. Some time in the spring I may take you for a military tour of the city. Hope you enjoyed this trip it is a bit of an AAR.

George

 

Ringo

A return, an explaination and an end!

An Explanation.
Hi all! it is good to be back and have the time again to do things that one likes. The reason I was off line for a month was that there was a major restructuring at work any many depts. got centralised at the beginning of this month. This has been on the cards for six months but those that are paid a lot more then I didn't realise its significance. So I ended up having to do three months work in a month! Bosses were just sent to try us! So that's done now.

An End
I mentioned a 'major change' in my last post. Well that time came, and I have finished working. I actually retire at the end of February next year, but with leave and time owing I no longer have to go in until I hand in my uniform and warrant card in February. Where did thirty years of my life go? Saying that I've had a TERRIFIC career and enjoyed every minute, I consider myself so lucky to have worked in an environment that I loved so much.

The Future
I need to find another job. But in the mean time it's back to gaming for now. I owe you all a batrep and I'll get that done before Christmas. Then it'll be the annual New Year plans.

So thanks for popping by. I've kept my sanity my updating myself on your postings, thanks.

Mind How you go!

Lorcan.

Its been a while.

Hi Folks.

A quick sorry, I've been off the net for a while. I was hoping to keep my head down but real life caught up with me and I'm totally swamped at work.

It's going to be like this for at least a month and then there is a life changing event in Lorcan/Bob's world. So really I'll be off the net until then.

I'll try and pop by and visit you, leave the odd comment. But if I don't manage it sorry (it has been difficult, particularly over the last week.)

Any how, keep gaming and keep blogging.

Keep safe out there.

Lorcan.

Chapter 3 - Part 2 - Introduction

Buck and me, we swung by Hector’s place on the way back to our cabin. Now Hector’s cabin is a mite smaller then mine and about a mile nearer to town.

Hector (or Eric as he’s sometimes called, why I know not) was a railway worker. He was the first on site at the crash scene that caused the sickness. He saw what the medicos called patient zero and got chased back through the brush fighting off all comers with nothing but a baseball bat and spraining his ankle into the bargain. He made it to where it all blew up, thirty-nine Donkey Drive, and was saved by Regan and Carter. He never worked the rail-roads again. But being a decent engineer he eked out a living fixing trucks and cars for at a rate that folk could afford. Sure he’d never be rich but he did OK.

“Hey! That you and Buck I see?” the voice, un-mistakenly Eric, came from the cabin.

“’Pends on who you mean by YOU,” says I.

Eric bursts from his cabin arms outstretched, grinning like a mule. “Man, you only live a mile away and I ain’t sin you in, how long?”

“Too long,” says I crooking Lilith in my right arm and wrapping my left around my old pal.

“Aye to that,” he says stepping back. He scans my state and has a good look at Buck. He couldn't fail to notice Buck’s blood matted fur and my dishevelled condition. “Somehow I don’t tink I'm goin’ te like dis.”

I smile, “there’s a mess of roamers up by the Pedersen ranch. The city’d like us to clear them out.”

Eric looks sceptically at me.

“There’s a bounty in it,” says I.

“Fify, fify,” says he.

“Fifty, fifty,” I say.

“Come on in an’ git cleaned up. Pork OK for dinner? We’ll head up there on the morrow.”

I followed Eric into his shack and Buck he follows me.

A bit of a late pimp. Zombie Babe Quiz.

Yes I'm sorry a late blog and nothing zombified but the zombie babes.

Last week's winner was Brummie from:

http://brummieswargamingblog.blogspot.co.uk/

For his correct identification of Hazel Court from Dr. Bloods' Coffin.

A hat tip to Ed the 2HW guy for being a sound bloke (there is a story).

http://2hourblog.blogspot.co.uk/

This week's zombie babe quiz is?

Good Luck out there.

Lorcan

PS Another batrep to follow next week.

Adventures in North Carolina - Chapter 3- AAR - Batrep

Turn 1 (Zombies 3 – Ernie 6)

It took a couple of days to walk to the Pedersen ranch, but me and Buck we had a good time, him chasing the wildlife and me just enjoying the scenery. We gets to the ranch and although there is no fencing you just knows it’s their place as you pass the copse known to all as Pedersen woods. The ranch house is to my eleven-o-clock and there are a series of hills to my twelve, Pedersen woods is on my nine.

We stop and I take stock of the land ahead.

“You see something up ahead, Buck?” asked I catching a glimpse of some shadows in the hills. I could swear that the dog just giggled.

Ernie moves onto the board and does not activate. Two zeds are created one in the woods and one off table (6-o-clock). I dice to see when it will arrive. It comes on table in turn 7.

Turn 2 (Z:2-EC:5)

I squint into the dying sun but can’t make head nor tail of the nearly eighteen months but I didn’t need a Doctor to tell me that the shambling figure before me was a ‘roamer’.

That’s when it all came flooding back, the panic, the horror and the fear. I just reacted, and that ain’t something you want to do when fighting the un-dead. I swung up Lilith and loosed both barrels. Shot ripped through the emaciated corpse and it disappeared in a cloud of red mist.

Realising that the report of my gun would attract any others I spun hither, dither looking for sign, but none was visible.

No activation for E but the zeds did. The in sight test was passed and It was easily dispatched. Doubles required that E would have to reload. Unknown to him a zed was created ‘off table’ and would appear at 7-o-clock the same turn as the initial z

Turn 3 (2-1)

Now that shadow I was chasing came into view. I could make out about half a dozen shapes. Buck now he pumped up his shoulders and barred his teeth. He released a low threatening growl, not his ‘roamer’ growl, but his; ‘bring it on growl.’

I focus some more and them shapes take the form of a pack of dogs.

“Buck, I think you and me are going to get into a fight,” I says slipping fresh shells into the breach.

 

Buck he don’t reply.

One of the PEFs resolves as a pack of 4 feral dogs. They are too far away to charge into melee and just trot forward.

Turn 4 (6-6)

I check the distance to Pedersen woods. If them dogs rush us we could be in for one hell of a time. But I reckon that they’re just too far away and I decide to make a stand. Nothing like being prepared and I pull back the hammers on my gun.

No activation for anyone.

Turn 5 (3-5)

I keep my eyes on them dogs as they make their way towards me and Buck. Now Buck he’s always up for a scrap. But hell there’s four of them and two of us, well Lilith makes three and I bring her to my shoulder and pick a point within range.

Turn 6 (3-6)

It happened like a twister hitting the earth. One second they were milling around and next they were bounding at me teeth bared and barking like beasts possessed. I let them have both barrels and two go down.

Of the others one jumps up at me it’s teeth biting down on Lilith and I see the tips of a couple break off. Out of the corner of my eye I see Buck bob and weave away from the attacks of the second.

Yet again no activation for E. The rest is self-explanatory. 1 z is created in the trees.
Turn 7 (2-3)

That hound sure had a strong bite and I’m glad that it wasn’t on my arm. I twist and slam the dog into the dirt, it squealed as its back hammered onto the earth snapping in two as I bear down on it. It shudders once and lies still. I turn to help my buddy to find that half the other’s throat is in his mouth. Buck spins and barks, I turn to see one of the dogs I shot get to its feet. He obviously thinks better of taken us on and slinked away.

I smell them before I see them and Buck he slipped slowly around my feet to face the way we’d come.

E’s second activation has him in melee! Both hero’s win their fights. The two zeds from the initial placement appear on the table, but cannot activate. E has his back to them.

Turn 8 (3-5)

They’re on us before I can turn. I feel the cold of one of their hands through my shirt. I drive back with Lilith’s stock hammering it in the stomach, I feel the flesh just give way. Dropping her barrel I changed the angle of old Lilith’s butt and drive upward catching the creature under its jaw propelling it to the ground. Buck’s locked in his own combat and there’s a third on the way.

Straight forward ‘fight for life’ melee.

Turn 9 (2-2) (4-3)

It came on me it’s blackened hands grasping for my throat. I could feel the other trying to claw it’s way up my leg. I lash out out with my foot and send the latter sprawling onto it’s back. I swing Lilith around in a wide arc before me swiping away the avaricious hands of the former and hammer her stock into it’s temple. The creature’s head popped like a water melon, there was no time to admire my work I turn and smash my foot into the face of the roamer that was trying in vain to get up.

Now buck he’s holding his own and I consider settling down to watch the fight.

A PEF is created in sector 2.

Turn 10 (2-3)

Then catch sight of a look Buck’s eye saying, ‘you getting engaged here?’ If I didn’t Buck would be hell to live with and that ain’t something no one wants. I think this time lay down Lilith pull my knife and slice the roamer’s head from it’s body. It collapses to a heap on the ground. I look down at Buck and he’s standing there with an arm n his mouth and he looks pissed.

“Good Boy,” I say to him, polishing his head and sheathing my blade.

Buck, he spits out the arm and just stares me down.

Turn 11 (6-6) (5-5) (2-5)

I thinks it’s best to stay out of Bick’s way ‘til there’s something else to occupy him. I retrieve Lilith and check her load.

Yet again no activation for E. 2 PEF’s created in sectors 1 and 2

1. Turn 12 (4-3)

Time was getting on and I had no desire to be stuck out here in the dark. I could push on the ranch house and hole up there for the night. But what’s in there? Buck and me had dealt with four zeds and a pack of wild dogs, one of which was still out there.

“Report of A roamer out by the Pedersen Place! They said. Just go take a look! They said. Holy smoke Buck! Four of them! And a pack of feral hounds!”

Buck dropped onto his stomach and emitted a rumbling snarl. I look into the distance and just behind the ranch house I make out a mountain lion. “God damn and blast! That’s all we need. Hey Buck?”

One of the new PEFs resolves as a medium ferocious creature. A cut out  from www.juniorgeneral.org.

Turn 13 (4-3)

“Time to high-tail it outta here Buck,” I say, rolling away from the Pedersen place and heading home. Buck follows me.

“You know feller? We’re coming back here to clear these things out. I’m going to get Eric, he’ll give us a hand ‘specially if there’s a buck or two in it. Well there’ll be at least one Buck, hey!” I laugh at my own joke. Buck I’m sure he snorted in derision.

Thoughts

Running a FFO game I found the rules a lot easier then previous sets cobbled together. It did take a short time to get used to them but once I got it the game really flowed. I had a couple of house rules and I’d created my own PEF tables. There were a couple of more resolutions, in the scenario, but they had no bearing on the game. I’m not sure about the ‘attack from the rear’ melee rule but it does make survival more probable. I can’t believe that of 13 turns EC only activated 6 times and most of these were when he was in melee. But that’s the game. I forgot how much I like playing and how much I missed it.

I’ll do separate posts for the quiz, pimping and results.

Thanks for popping by and reading. Take care.

Lorcan.

Adventures in North Carolina- Chapter 3-Introduction

It was early fall a year on from the plague. I was enjoying the evening sunset, sitting on my porch cleaning my shotgun and watching my hound run about chasing ghost rodents.  Now most folks will tell you that a good oiling never hurt no gun, but me I like to clean my gun with a neat dribble of moonshine. It sure brings up the gun and stock right shiny and my ‘Lilith’ looks as young an’ fresh as the day my Pa gave her to me. I fills me a pipe, pours myself a shot and commence to clean. Happy in life.

I heard the jalopy a good ten minutes before I seen it and when I did I was surprised to see it was a Bulls’ car. I slipped my flask of oil under the porch and rose to greet my visitors.

“Evening Ernest,” says Sergeant Lynch as the vehicle pulled to a halt.

“Sergeant Lynch,” says I, “been a while.”

Two officers, my old compardres, from the plague times, Officers Jack Regan and George Carter, accompanied the Sergeant. They were all looking dusty and tired.

“Coffee?” I ask.

“Sounds good,” replies the Sergeant, and I goes and sticks on a pot.

A short time later I’m out with four mugs of Joe.

“Any cream?” Carter hints. I glance at Lynch who just smiles and I pass around the gun oil.

“What brings you boys out this way?”

“Just passing, Ernie. We’ve been up past the Pedersen place. There’s been a report of some roamers up there.”

‘Roamers’ were the name that had been given to those persons that had fallen to ‘the sickness’ of last year and had not been dealt with in the razing of Purgatory.  They stumbled around the backwoods looking for prey. Occasionally they made it to town but were soon dealt with and it fell to the cops to keep them in check.

“You get ‘em?”

“Nope, we just aint got the time to spend trackin’ em down. Can’t say it’s a decent job, we got more then our work cut out in the city.”

I took a sip from my fortified coffee; “maybe I could take a look up there for you?”

Lynch pursed his lips and shot a glance at Carter, who shrugged, “don’t see why not,” says he, “Ernie was there with us and he knows what he’s up against.”

Lynch looked back at I, “OK Ernie. I tell you what if I can square it with the council maybe we could get you a bounty for any you clean. You bring us back proof of your cleaning and I’ll see to it you get a fair price.”

“Expenses as well?”

“Shot only.”

“Up by the Pedersen place, you say?”

“Yep.”

“I’ll be on it at first light.”

We pass the next hour on idle jibber jabber, sippin' joe and 'gun oil', just watching Buck chase his imaginary rabbits. When the cops climbed aboard their vehicle they bade me farewell and left. I suppose that was my first commission and the start of my new career.

Blog Babe

Last week's  1/2 coconut went once again to Zabadak, with the film title, "The Coffin of Dr Calgari." the Zed Babe was Lil Dagover.

This week's zombie babe is?

Batrep to follow in next publication.

Thanks for popping by. Ya all come back now ya here.

Lorcan.

New Character (WIP) for New Campaign.

Enthusiasm is running rife for my Zombie World, it's a great escape from the reality. As mainly the ATZ world is based on you encountering the zeds I decided to design and make a character to portray me and to get a grip of this ongoing battle with 'green stuff'.

First: Find a suitable figure.

The Lucky Winner is.

A head swap with an ANZAC

I fancied myself as a bit of a loner wandering the wilderness in one of those long dust coats. So began the ongoing 'green stuff' battle. 

Left over 'Green Stuff' modelled into equipment

Coat on

A new cane added

and a sawn-off shotgun in a holster.

A few more bits to do and welcome to Brother Bob

This blog's babe is? 

From now on they all will have connections to zombie movies.

 I think she will even stump the valiant Zabadak (well worth a visit if you're into modelling http://zabadakszombieworld.blogspot.co.uk/). Pimps for guessing the last beauty.

Thanks for popping by.

Yours,

Lorcan.

FFO-SITREP & your weekly Pretty Lady test.

You know the feeling when you get back to work after time off and you think everything has changed fro the better and then within a couple of hours your holiday is a long distant memory. Well it didn't happen to me this year. I came back to find that of the three of us in the office one had been redeployed to another department and the other had been sacked from the role, meaning that when I got back I found that my workload had tripled. Whop de do! Hence no gaming/modelling loveliness.

I did seek solace in reading FFO. On my first scan I felt a bit ripped off as most of it seemed to be a rehash. But saying that I realised that it is in fact a decent development. Sadly, it makes some of the other supplements a bit redundant. Saying that the idea of THW is to have fun and like our pal Zabadak I've taken to adapting bits an pieces. The THW zombie world game would seem to flow a bit smoother. Watch this space for developments, time permitting.

But I did bring some beautiful cider back from Normandy, the one I'm sipping now has a toffee flavour. Gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Speaking of Zabadak he gets the virtual coconut for correctly identifying Veronica LAKE as the weekly beauty. This week's lady is a fair (even though she is a beautiful brunette) bit easier to guess, but none the less, less lovely.

Ciao,

Lorcan.

Zombie Clowns and other Deliciousness.

 Tempus fugit. My great time on leave is coming to an end, Monday :-( . But the weekend holds some pleasantness; visiting my club and an open day at the local Rugger club. As cider may feature prominently I decided to get as much done in my current zombie project as possible.

And here it is. First up the Zombie Clowns. I wanted a rougher result to them so I just Skim painted them and tried out some washes and dry brush techniques, which I'm not too good at. Saying that I'm fairly pleased with the result.


Working in plastic means that it is cheap to practise some conversions. I rushed these ones but it was a good exercise just the odd cut and add, really gives an individuality to the figures. If I make some more I'll spend a bit more time cultivating head moves and the like.

The Chupacabras were next. Flushed with my success with the painting techniques I tried the same on these. Not too bad but I do need to get a grip on colour grading. Being colour blind doesn't help and I work in primary colours. Next time one of the heirs can sit with me and give the various shading.







Snakes are required in the 'Giving up the Goat World'. So a couple of 'green stuff' sausages for them.












Finally, Colgar6 suggested Zombie Nazis. Now as my games are set in the early Nazi era and I had no WW2 Germans I struggled with that. Then the electric light bulb lit above head and I came up with 'Zombie Bosch.' WW1 Airfix German Infantry, a craft knife and some glue. Changed some heads and arms, roughly scraped away the flash, UHU gloopy glue to give the 'just came from the grave' look and a grey undercoat.




I'll try again with the washing and dry-brushing and see how these come out and with a little luck smart Zombie Bosch.










And this weeks beauty is?

Enjoy what's left of the summer. Thanks for popping by.

Lorcan.