THANK YOU. And a bit of backstory.

A REALLY BIG THANKYOU to all of you that made comments. It has invigorated me to make an effort to keep this up.

BACKSTORY

Trebor SREVEI is the Peninsula Warden, a law enforcement agent in a lawless part of the county. The county seat is the walled city of Deva. The Peninsula is north of that (c.f. the Wirral.) The main town is Budestone, a port on the northern shore (I am working on the town map and buildings as I type.)

Trebor’s main protagonist is Maurice HIGHSPRUCE, a half elf/orc, who has control of all the criminal gangs in the area. Maurice lives in the wilderness. His gangs work in the town. The gangs are delineated by race.

There are four hostelries in the town, these are:

The Purple Panther Pub.           Elven
The Amber Adder Ale House. Orcan
The Golden Goose Inn.            Dwarven
The Ginger Grizzly Tavern.     Human

Being a port these establishment are not exclusively racially orientated, but are controlled by the named race.

Trebor has digs in The Ginger Grizzly.

Comment

One of the things I love about 2HW rules is the random nature of them. BRILLIANT (well done Ed!) My original theme was for Trebor to search and locate a ‘downed’ pilot (from a Da Vinci device) within the zombie ridden hinterland. Two Hour Wargames' game structure changed it to what it will be. So folks I have no idea where this is going.

Personal

OK the idea from Sue Laflin-Baker’s book. Which is good fun I can outline the plots in more detail if it is wanted. It is all about the Conference of Wargamers (COW) who dined and then after dinner played one of her plots in the book.

My SWMBO is out this evening on a works leaving do, so I am home alone with my boys. As I didn’t get to dine for the first outing tonight I am dining at the Ginger Grizzly this evening. (N.B. The Landord/chef at the GG is a retired Landsknecht combat chef!) 

 Menu to follow!

Take care out there.

Lorcan

Completely OFF TOPIC on Valentines day!

For the second year running. To all you romantics out there, something for your loved one to remind you by as more important matters are dealt with.

Happy Valentines Day to all you romantics out there.

Lorcan

Janus Post 2015

Well it's that time of year to look back and to look forward.

I had GREAT plans to get into gaming in 2015. However, life got in the way. I gave up the job in the power station and took a full time one forty (40) miles away in deep dark Cheshire. It didn't end well and this sort of sums it up.

As a result my entire gaming life practically ground to a halt. I concentrated on VCBW at my sister site (http://lrqan2.blogspot.co.uk/). It sort of went OK but my ambitions far out weighted my time and that slipped into oblivion.

On the plus side: That job ended and I got another one. This one part time and suits me better, It does need some behind the scenes addition but I'm nearly on top of that now, coupled with my volunteering with addition of the RWC the last third of the year picked up.

For 2016. I missed zombie gaming (and writing) so I'm going to start a new campaign; post an adventure every month and continue to work on the VCBW, in the background. (As if by magic the figures have literally just arrived through my door. A very good omen.)

With that may I wish you all (and your families) a very happy and prosperous 2016. Thanks for popping by and see you all soon.

Lorcan.

Janus Post 2015

That time to look back and see how I got on with last year's plans:

1. Get a new job. Pass. A great part time job as an education officer, tour guide at a local power plant. The company is super to work for and it is so different from what I did. I enjoy it immensely. Sadly it is only part time and I would like more hours. Saying that I have volunteered at my club as the 'cellar man', which I also enjoy a great deal. I'm giving myself 1 3/4 points for this one.

2. Blog once a week. Fail. As I had to take that sabbatical and I wasn't really into it this year. 0.

3. Game at least once a month. Fail. I only got a couple of games up this year. 0.

4. Civic improvements. Pass.  Sorted out the garden, the hall, tumble dryer, lots of other little things. More to be done though. 1.

5. Drive on with VCBW project. Pass. Although I didn't game it I did write half a novel on my campaign. I'm going to carry this forward. 1.

6. Get to at least two wargame conventions. Fail. No excuses not one. 0.

7. Get fitter, loose weight. Fail. Completely  the opposite. In my defence I have had a broken foot which didn't get fixed and is still painful. So I'm negating this one.

Therefore 3 3/4 out of 6. Not bad but must try harder.

Other: Retirement, not so good. But then I went on a rugger tour with my eldest lad, which was just brilliant, although the reality of aging hit me between the eyes. I had a fabulous holiday with the family. We went on a cruise in the northern med. Pompey, Rome, Cannes and Barcelona. Super, this takes the biscuit so 2014 was a resounding success. 10/10 for none resolutions.

2015: I'll bring forward those I failed at and let life take it's course. Seems to have worked last year.

Miss January 1960

All the best for 2015 to you and all your relations and friends.

Lorcan.

How about some festive fun?

For no prize just the amusement of our fellow blogers.

Post up or reply here the best (which really means the worst) Christmas Cracker joke you got/heard this year?

I'll start the ball rolling.

What does Santa use to take his Christmas pictures?

A NORTH POLE-AROID!!!

Ho, ho, ho!

PS I'm full of good turkey and a fine wine. Hope you're all having a good time.

Lorcan

A Sabbatical

Those of you who are kind enough to follow my blog know that I have this habit of writing my batreps in a sort of story style. These I later combine and fill in the blanks with further prose. This drives my gaming. Sadly, the zombie in me is lacking and I can't get into it again. Subsequently, I am going to take a sabbatical from zombie gaming. So what's going to happen?

Every year there is a monthly novel writing marathon know as the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriM: http://nanowrimo.org/) which takes place in November.

 So I've taken up the baton. I'm going to push into VBCW. I will use the Zombtober concept to focus my modelling on VBCW, I need all sorts of scenery and gaming counters as well as troops. When the troops are assembled I will run a campaign and it write up as a novel. Therefore I'm transferring my efforts to my brother site (A Plastic Very British Civil War: http://lrqan2.blogspot.co.uk/) for a couple of months.

A Plastic Very British Civil War

As most of my inspiration comes form you guys I won't be a stranger to your sites. I hope to return refreshed and ready to the ZBA in time for a Christmas Campaign.

Thanks for reading. See you soon.

Lorcan.

Sitrep-nothing exciting, I nearly got some zed gaming in.

The last Saturday in September and it's the last 'car boot' sale at my club for the year, which signifies the end of summer.

It is overcast on the peninsula and I thought with the Ryder Cup going on I'd have a go at THWs Zombie Golf  (golf is not a game that I particularly like despite there being some 13 golf courses within 10 miles of where I live.)

Well there I was planning my course ready to 'tee off' when in comes the 1st heir.
"Dad," says he, in that sort of' there's something more coming my way' voice. "Adamo is going scootering, Mater is off to a coffee morning, so I was wondering if we could go to the club and watch the derby?"

I'd completely forgotten about that! "When is it?" asks I.

"Twelve-forty five, but you'll need to get there early to set up the big screen."

I sighed and put away the golf course.

Maybe it'll look something like this. But I think not.

Is it: COYB or YNWA

The two days of this pairing are not unlike the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse as the streets of our borough will be deserted for 90 minutes, very eerie.

There's a very good 'crazy golf' course on the front, I think I'll visit that for inspiration. Hmm zombie crazy golf.

Keep safe out there.

Lorcan.

Getting the Mojo back.

As part of getting back in the swim I thought I'd address the vexed topic of my man cave. As you all know it is a nomadic space. However, I have neglected it only ripping out the bits I needed for the little projects I did. So when I decided to hit it today. Well pictures paint a thousand words.

Oh Lordy

Ever get that feeling that you wish
you'd never started something.

Everything has a place and a place
for everything.

FYI: The skull in the bottle is a WIP trophy. The whisky carton was a gift (as I can't stand the stuff) it contains a Piecepack set that I built from scratch. It didn't come out too well hence no pictures of it. The idea is good for gamers, if you like game theory and just playing. More info can be found here:  http://www.piecepack.org/ 

Future projects: A game mat for X-Wing and in the near future a couple of ships for the same (more will be revealed in the relevant post)

Catch up to you all soon.

Lorcan.
  

Birthday Post

It's been an odd few weeks with no modelling or gaming. But then it does tend to happen at this time of year. My birthday, my blog's birthday and on the peninsula there are a few beer/cider festivals as well as the end of the egg chasing season. The conclusion is I do nothing during May but be merry!!!

So happy birthday Plastic Zombie.

And happy birthday to me! (54)

 
Sorry to all you guys that have been posting but I have not been studying the web of late. But Monday sees the resumption of normal service.

Take care out there.

Lorcan.

Quick SITREP - Easter

Easter is a busy time for me and what with a couple of job interviews to prep for and go to (neither of which I got) I haven't been able to do any modelling or gaming.

However leading on from my last BATREP I've decided to take the gang on board the Paula M , secure it and hopefully save the ABs that fled. This requires the manufacture of the smack's internal geography. I was inspired by this work of art which is one of two on the local beaches.

The heirs on a blowy day

Just out of curiosity this instillation is on Hoylake seafront. This is were Daniel Craig (007) was brought up, the promenade was featured on the ITV series Watching for those of you old enough to remember it. On a wargaming front the town was also the site of William of Orange and his army's campsite before his embarkation to Ireland prior to the Battle of the Boyne. Additionally, there is a full Viking longboat buried under the car park of nearby pub, which makes it too expensive to excavate.

So this week's task is to convert the below into the innards of a rum runner.

Take care out there.

Thanks for stopping by.

Lorcan

Crossroads - Which way?

Not much zombie gaming and modelling this week as an article in a 'Wargame' mag spurred on my other project on the brother site Plastic VCBW. So terrain and another platoon was started for that.

The Christmas Edition. A decent all around read.

However, I have been thinking about my next zed adventure. The original concept of Adventures in North Carolina was to write a diary of a zombie hunter. Bringing into it some hunting, tracking and survivalist theory. However, as I tried to develop some new and entertaining exploits all I ended up doing was going on yet another zed hunt. What to do?

As a result, I think I'll return to Moor City and the cops of St Michael's Precinct. There's more scope for gangers, survivors and even to bring the National  Guard. Also the action will take place in an urban environment as well as the THW rules/scenarios tend to lend themselves more to that theatre.

So thinking cap back on for the next tale of Jack, George and the lads from St Michaels. Any ideas?

St. Michael's Precinct House

Hope you're all staying dry. Thanks for popping in.

Lorcan

Something found that may be of interest and they're free!

Hi all,

Surfing the net this evening, looking for something that I had lost when I came across these. Those guys who play modern zombie my like these they could make signage, cordons vehicle symbols. They are US emergency first responder fonts. Anyway have a look they're here and they're free.

http://www.fgdc.gov/HSWG/index.html

I found them through this website.

http://www.mapsymbs.com/

This chap has free downloadable NATO battle map markings in fonts. Not got the hang of the ones I want yet but some of you may enjoy them.

Lorcan.

This week I've been mostly .........

Reading. No wargaming again, no modelling. But I have been reading about the hobby. Scanning about the net has rekindled my interest in general wargaming. I'm not aware of any clubs in my area (The Deeside Defenders do meet  within striking distance, but just too far away) I have returned to my roots and taken up in the solo field.

Hence I've read a couple of books. First this one:

I picked up an electronic copy from Wargame Vault (http://www.wargamevault.com/). It is an elegantly simple collection of ideas ideal for quick and easy solo campaigns. Recommended.

Secondly, I purchased and read this classic:

It is a bit sad as I remembered it fondly from my youth (?). Ground breaking for its time and still worth the effort. However it is dated now and written very much for the aficionado with deep knowledge of the hobby. As all of you who read this are in that field it's still worth the read.

Subsequently, I've been doing the paperwork for my campaign which I will get posted on my other site.

And finally:

Enough said!

  

Now that emotional roller coaster is over I should be able to spent my weekends gaming.


Watch yourselves out there and thanks for reading.

Lorcan

Just a Quickie. HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

First off HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all you Dads out there!

How I like to see myself.

How the heirs' do?

It was  the  junior heir's 10th birthday this weekend and the Viscountess was flapping like one of Mathyoo's 'Magnifihens' (http://mathyoo28mm.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/meet-argentavis-magnificens.html) which forced me to retreat into my man cave and escape the chaos. Which got me to thinking about my coppering project. and so it started.

Peeling off some flash, cutting off back backs, webbing and filling in gaps. I then smoothed the boots and rough bits with 'wood glue'. They're now drying s let's see how it goes.

In the end we took the heir and a few of his friends to the 'Crocky Trail', just outside Chester (http://www.crockytrail.co.uk/). It was a great day out. Basically a farmer has hacked out a footpath around a couple of his fields that follows a stream. He's then built bridges, wobbly and solid, swings and tunnels into the banks. It's the stuff people of a certain age did in their youth, and the kids run wild. There are all sorts of rides and bits and pieces as well. You can stay there all day for £11.00 and bring a picnic. I'd recommend it to any family group visiting this neck of  the woods.

Well you get the idea.

Have a good day you guys.

Lorcan

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

 

Well my blog is two today and it was my birthday yesterday. I'm sorry that I haven't been posting of late.

 

 Having a birthday half way through the year it gives you an opportunity to check up how you are getting on in respect of your resolutions a the turn of the year. Personally; I've sorted out some issues in my life, which is good and I've just had the 'ALL CLEAR' from my cardiologist, although they do want me to have an ablation in the next twelve months.



 

On the gaming front I have not been doing too well. I've only had one zombie game and no other formats. My VCBW project is moving along slowly and I've yet to get my forces into battle.

Over all a real swings and roundabouts half yearly report. Must try harder on my blog and my gaming. Carry on taking the tablets and get back into training.

And how old am I? Well I've reached the age of everyone's lovable VW Beetle.

Thanks for reading and I promise to catch up with you all in the ether.

Yours
Lorcan

A Thankyou and some freebie buildings.

 

 

 

First off a BIG THANK YOU to all you guys that went to Salute and posted your photos. It was almost as good as being there. (Note to self: You retire next year GO!). Seriously, thanks.

 

On the modelling front. I was inspired by some of the buildings that have been slipping around the blogsphere, and felt I wanted to give it a go again. So here's my efforts.

 

 

The Bank Robbery

Another view.

The Drug Store

A Road Check.

I have to admit that building from stock card is a skill that you loose if you don't use. These were decent enough attempts but there is a lot more to be done.

The models are freebies from www.buildyourownmainstreet.com . There are a few of them in varying levels of complexity. The are 1/72 nd scale but I'm sure that you clever chap out there can re-size them accordingly.

I need a good idea for a game scenario to follow on from the last one. Any IDEAS. Should be a comp. but it's not. Maybe in the future.

All the best.

Lorcan

HAPPY EASTER

An Easter Scene? (up our way)

Happy Easter, may all your troubles be chocolate ones!

Anyone interested?

Any on interested in the above event. I thought if we all make an effort to play a zed game on the 30th and post our bareps. We could populate  ZBA with all sorts of stuff.

I'm game.

Site is a: www.tabletopday.com

See you around.

A Fascinating Read

Now I was brought up in England by Irish parents. I spent most of my holidays in a small seaside town just south of Dublin with my Grandparents. My Grandfather was an avid reader and this was passed on. Anyway I found a number of books in my Mum's attic, the above being one of them. There is another about Cork's story and there may be others.

The point I'm getting to is that the tales within these pages are a veritable mine of information for VBCW, and at a stretch zombie gaming. Living off the land, ambushing the enemy (whether they be bands of gangers or organised enemy). Limited food, ammunition and surviving on your wits.

It's not a great piece of literature but it is written by educated people who know how the English language works and it has a great deal of charm in that respect.

If you are interested in the inter-war period and the VCBW ethos it's well worth attempting to get hold of from your library. I would suggest an internet book stall but then I saw the price that was being asked!

Good luck out there. Note to self 'get a bloody zombie game done!!"

Lorcan

Mea Culpa, mea maxima culpa!

Well I got bitten by the 'there's something better' bug and have been tempted by 'A Very British Civil War!'

Members of the Cheshire Division

As such my Zombie gaming has slid a bit and the 'Long Rifle' project has stalled completely.

Wirral Volunteers in Training

Now as I have no rules for this period I spent the week writing my own. 'Bolsheviks Do Not Play Cricket!' This was allot more difficult and time consuming then I thought when I embarked on it. Well I completed them today and they're an IGOUGO; HG Wells, Charles Grant, Donald Featherstone style d6 romp. I must admit I found the experience very rewarding and good escapism.

Army of Liverpool Unload a Shipment of AC's

In my defence, I do have a start as my current project is set in that time frame and I have a couple of boxes of unpainted figures, plus my civilians fit.

How long will this sideline last? I've got to, at least, play test my rules. The Six Nations starts this weekend! Will I get a zed  game in?

Tune in next week for more of Lorcan's Fickle World.

Thanks for reading. Try and keep dry.

LRQ.