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Queen in Yellow - File XQ03 - FYEO
“My heart palpitated as I scoured the letter I had received on the night of March 5th. The messenger did not reveal his identity, but the waxen seal upon the envelope informed me of his purpose. Without another word, the post was hand delivered with a deep, respectful bow. The agent from the Carcosa Society left me to inspect the contents.

Again and again, I scoured the letter in delight. I had spent nearly a year attempting to gain admission to Carcosa. I had heard of the group of erudite historians through a fellow Paleontologist, Joachim Barrande, during a dig outside of Strasbourg. There we discovered a book in Melevingian Age ruins La Reine en Jaune. The Queen detailed in the book seemed to rule western Aquitar for a period during the fall of Rodentia. Unfortunately, before we could study the book in detail, in transport back to Limouse, the book disappeared.

Barrande disappeared soon after, having divulged to me his theory as to the culprits just days before. I learned everything I could about the Society. A group of collectors, who seek out ancient works. Numerous thefts across Aquitar were credited to them, but I only sought the book they had taken from us.

The following evening I found myself on the street corner I had been instructed to wait on. For an hour I waited, before a coach stopped before me. The driver opened the door and motioned for me to take a seat. the windows were covered in black paint, keeping me from learning the path to the meeting hall. Several more hours passed in the passenger’s compartment, before I was released before a rustic mansion.

Though it had once been opulent, it was slowly declining into disrepair. Turning about quickly, in a vain attempt to discern my surroundings, only informed me of the great Vandal forest that surrounded the structure. A great portion of the western lawn was occupied by a greenhouse, nearly as large as the mansion itself.

A member of the Society stepped through the open door of the house, garbed in the same visage concealing robes as the messenger the night before. They beckoned me inside, welcoming me as a new brother of Carcosa. Inside, a dozen more members were gathered, before a great fireplace stood a long table, a great cask rested upon one side, and nearly twenty wine glasses along the other half. Over the mantle draped an ancient tapestry. It depicted the throne room of the Queen in Yellow. from left to right her citizens bowed en masse. Great lancers guarded her, bearing strange wings upon their backs. The Queen herself appeared as a silhouette in yellow, a flowing dress draped behind her, filling nearly a quarter of the piece. Blood flowed from an outstretched arm and a lucky few worshippers held a bowl to catch the crimson liquid.

One of my fellow society members proffered a glass of white wine, and I took a polite sip. I was surprised by the sweet flavor that greeted my tongue. I enquired as to the variety and was given the name ‘honey wine’ in return. The word was not one I was familiar with and upon further inquisition told it was a product of flower pollen. I was surprised to discover that such an item was not more common, especially as dessert wines had become quite popular in Limouse of late.

I conversed for a period with several other members and was pleased to find we all held knowledge in high regard. The preservation of history was of paramount importance to the society, and many of the relics recovered were done so to keep them safe from political upheaval and constantly shifting borders. As I continued to imbibe, I began to feel at home amongst my fellow intellectuals, and my goal began to stray from my mind.

At last, the house bell struck midnight, and conversation soon ended. The master of the house came into the foyer carrying the book as one might hold a child. He spoke softly but with great charisma. Only this I remember from the preaching and evangelical diatribe he shared of the evils of the outside world. By this point of the evening, I had lost count as to the number of glasses of honey wine I had ingested.

After the sermon, the Master led his congregation out onto the lawn, and toward the great greenhouse. The flower pollen crept into my mind, and I thought perhaps I would see how the wondrous drink was crafted. I was not wrong.

The interior of the facility was gilded, but not with a precious metal, but with an organic mass. Though at first the hexagonal pattern made me believe the room had been manufactured, the glistening and impossible patterns made my mind spin in horror. No industrial press had created these demonic dens. Only the beasts that dwelled within could have crafted such nightmares.
As the monsters regurgitated their honey into the hexagons, I felt my own liquids screaming to escape. The master of the evening’s hell turned to share a passage from La Reine en Jaune, only for my quivering hands to wring the book from his grip. In a drunken daze and panicked mania, I fled the grounds as quickly as my feet would carry me. Several times I dropped to three paws in the hopes to gain some ground on any pursuers, but not once did I look back toward the mansion.

I awoke at dawn on the porch of a farm somewhere in Limouse county. I had wretched what remained of my honeywine onto my finest clothes. Despite my state, the couple who owned the property took me into town, even directly to my apartment. I dare not spend much longer here, as I know the Carcosa Society will not be far behind. The book must stay out of their hands, if for no other purpose but to spite those demon worshippers. I cannot give reliable directions, as in my panic to flee, I did not note the route I took to find myself on that farm. I leave it in your hands, and must flee for my life. Destroy this letter, or they could find you.”
- Dr. Vance Castaigne, Palentologist, Limouse University; Letter to Hildegarde Castaigne

As a member of the Limouse Police, Dr. Castaigne likely assumed his sister capable of protecting the book. Unfortunately for them both, Hildegarde Castaigne was killed in a fire that destroyed Dr. Castaigne’s Apartment. The letter and the book La Reine en Jaune were found, unopened, in her own building’s postal room. After significant political pressure, Aquitar released the letter and the book into WATCHDOG custody. The whereabouts of Dr. Castaigne, or the cause of the fire in his apartment are currently unknown.

Additional Notes: Details on the Queen in Yellow gleaned from the book suggest a flying Exo, perhaps a hive leader of the Pazuzu Type, or a similar sub-type. The fervent worship of the Carcosa Society may be linked to the Honey imbibed by the cult members. The sick recovered from the Depardieu Farm was too degraded for Medical to make an firm assumptions.

Additional Notes: La Reine en Jaune has been sealed at our Wilder Archives, after one researcher shot another, then killed themselves during a translation session. The symbol of the Carcosa Society was found carved onto the chest of the first victim.
Included below is a rare photograph of a Legion-Class Queen. No documentation exists for a Pazuzu-Class Queen.



Shiva - XD01 - FYEO
“08/12 - Hundchester - Initial Reports provided by our Liaison suggested a new Maharaja attacking locations in northern Bharat. South Sea Trading had recently begun a new initiative into Bharatese trading, and the warlord was threatening their business concerns. To boost morale of the Trade Company troops, Parliament requested a detachment of Milnean Knights to board the Warrior, an ironside transport headed for the east.

My brother came to see me and begged for my personal assistance in the matter. Mordred had not personally spoken to me in many years. Since he left the order to go into political office, we have not seen eye to eye. I refused to let down my guard around him, but his pleas seemed genuine. While Lady Protector Grey seems only interested in using the Milne name to keep Orwell’s dream alive, Mordred’s pleas spoke of the people of Axony. Many setbacks of late in the colonies have set the nation into a downward spiral. A great moral and economic victory could stop the decline. So, in the end, I took direct command of the Knights on the Warrior.

09/20 - Marluk - The welcome we received upon our arrival was far more muted than the sendoff we received when we left Axony. Many ships were full to bursting with refugees. Some sought to make the short trip to Scyzantium, but far more sought passage to Vespuccia. All were desperate to to flee ‘The Destroyer’. Tomorrow we set out for the interior. Reports coming in from the front lines suggest most of the subcontinent now lay in the hands of this warlord. Only the mountain Rajas remained independent. Azad Khurram, one of the few remaining allies of Axony, offered his mountain fortress, Dhusar Qilah, as a base of operations for the SSTC and our Knights. I am loathe to agree to such an arrangement based on a number of reasons: 1. With our backs to a mountain, Dhusar Qilah offers no point of escape should a siege occur; 2. The loyalties of Raja Khurram are unknown to me or my Knights, the SSTC can only guarantee his assistance as long as our trade and income continues; 3. To reach Dhusar Qilah in a reasonable time, we must pass through a large portion of the Destroyer’s territory.

09/25 - Bharatese Interior - I once again realize my position as a mascot and figure head. The South Sea Sub-Director Elliot Weir ignored my points of contention, and now our small army marches for ‘The Grey Fort’. We are soon set to pass through enemy territory, and even here the effects of their attacks can be seen. Every village that has suffered under this warlord is gone. Every man, woman, and child murdered in horrific manners. Torn apart or Eaten to the bone, none survived these massacres. These sights have damaged morale severely, even my own Knights are not immune to these visions. The one soul we discovered during our travels, a guru, only rambled in his starvation, claiming the Asura had come to reclaim Bharat and enslave mammal and reptile-kind. Though we tried to feed him, the guru had self imposed his fasting, and in the night, wandered out of camp into the wastelands.

09/27 - Foothills of the Himavats - Our troops have cut their teeth on our first battle. The night after the guru fled, as we camped at the foot of the great mountain range, a pack of horrid creatures rose up from the ground to attack us. Formations were quickly formed to deal with the threat, only to have more appear in our midst, as a great hole dropped a hapless few down into the dark of the earth. Just as quickly as it had started, it was over. Along with my Trade Company counterpart, I examined the remains of friend and foe alike. The enemy was far more varied than we, indeed a more mixed menagerie than even the Legionnaires of Aquitar. Asura, as the guru had named them, was as apt a name as any I had heard as a child. Demon and Devil quickly sprang to mind. As we finished the task we had set for ourselves, an appalling sound rose from the earth. A thousand voices spoke at once, and yet individually. "Shiva the Destroyer is come, throw away your lives or throw away your freedom, He cares not which you choose." No threat appeared at this claim, but we agreed that we must set a faster pace to reach the fort.

10/03 - Dhusar Qilah - I always thought demons came in the night, the Shadow Army of Nazar came in the night. Shiva did not. The Asura wanted us to see it, and the army that followed it. The hills below Dhusar Qilah moved like the sea with their number. The great Shiva orchestrated the same speech we had heard 6 days before. We were within sprinting distance of The Fort, and many of my men chose to delay the enemy that the Company troops might reach safety behind those grey walls. We lost many good Knights. both ours, and the SSTC’s numbers now stand at half what we set out with from Marluk.

The Asura are a race of many-legged creatures. Lord Khurram has told us that these beasts ruled Bharat, and much of the world, in pre-history. Still my mind screams to grasp this vision of the world. Our ancient masters have risen to reclaim what is rightfully theirs. This war will not stop with Bharat. I do not know how long The Grey Fort will hold against such madness, but we will fight to the last. Mordred, please do not let our sacrifice be in vain.”
- Lady Robyn Milne, Knight of Godwin; Sealed Papers to Mordred Milne.

These papers were found on the body of Sir Triston Lyones after the Wilder Incident. It is believed that Lyones realized he was infested and raced through downtown Wilder in the hopes of reaching Parliament before his death. How Lyones survived with his plight for so long is currently unknown. Liaison Mordred Milne was one of the first responders, and dispatched the legion that spawned from Sir Lyones before it could cause serious damage to any urbanites.
Additional Note: This incident has brought Exos into the public eye, but the quick work of Milne and WATCHDOG has hopefully contained any major panic until our forces are ready.

Additional Note: The rough sketch of the Destroyer included with Sir Lyones' effects appears to be a Diabolos-Class Exomorph, but the accouterments suggest Shiva is the master of a Class 3 Hive. This is peculiar as most high level hives are reigned over by a Queen Sub-Type.


Once you have reviewed these materials, please provide Division 5 and Division 6 with any command orders planned to be issued to the armed forces. Under your purview we will also begin releasing materials to allied intelligence agencies to coordinate efforts.

Signed,
Howard Carter
Sir Howard Carter, KHOM, CP
Director of Protectorate Intelligence Division 4 - Exo Files

~~~~
Just one more Entry next week and Brushfire Halloween will be over!

1) Did you enjoy this month long theme? Would you like to see more of these Theme runs?

2) Would you prefer more Short stories/fluff in such theme runs or scenarios and other game related content?

3) Any particular theme you would like to see me do next?

"What are you afraid of Mr. Lovecraft?"
"Colors, angles and architecture."

1.) It's fun, but is starts to get old. Some group of people runs into exomorphs, WATCHDOG covers it up. (I wonder if they have the flash-memory-wipe-thingy from MIB ) Otherwise, it's a fun read.

2.) I don't know... let's see some game related content now.

3.) Damn, I hope there is not going to be a Brushfire version of the Christmas Carol or something...

On the topic of scary and the christmas carol...

http://youtu.be/Xv_pTT-W_lI?t=2m24s

I saw scourge going to hell in that scene when I was little, and scared the pants off me.

We've got a special (and early!) Visiting Hours this week for you.

“Mr. Mordred…” The pallid individual who stood before the grand oak desk scratched a portion of bare skin, where fur had once been and long ago fallen away. “Mr. Mordred…” A voice wafted from everywhere and no where.
“WHAT!?” The figure turned tossing the papers in his hand to the floor. He breathed heavily. In one hand he bore an intricate dagger which reflected little light in a jet hue. The knife was held out as if to fend off the unseen intruder.
“You have done well Mr. Mor-”
“STOP CALLING ME THAT!” The Minister for Protectorate Intelligence interrupted the voice, brandishing the knife even more violently.
“Mr. Milne your tea is-” A young feline opened the door to the office, carrying a tray filled with an afternoon repast.
Startled by the invasion, Mordred Milne dropped his weapon and attempted to guise his emotions with nonchalance.
With a small yelp, the assistant looked about the office “I..I’m sorry sir, I thought I heard a visitor. I grabbed a second cup just in case.”
“That is fine, please, just leave me be.” The canine motioned for his assistant to leave the way she had arrive, and after a moment, he was alone with the voice again.
“There is no reason to be upset...Lord Protector.”
“That is not what I wanted. None of this is what you promised. My sister… You’re going to kill her.” Seething rage boiled beneath the surface of Mordred’s crumbling demeanor.
“We cannot control what the Destroyer will do to her. We simply needed such symbols of hope far from Albion.” The voice had begun the conversation faintly, as if spoken from a great distance, but as it continued, the voices that comprised it became clearer, speaking individual syllables to create complete words. Several books fell from the Minister’s bookcase, and any dulling fell away with them. Behind the bookcase, a hole led into a passage behind the office. A single limb withdrew from where it had cast the books onto the floor.
“Queen Medb wishes for your appearance before the court. You are to leave for Avalon tonight. Remember that we are always with you.” The voices and figure behind the bookcase faded, leaving the Minister alone in his office. Only the sounds of the streets of Wilder now reached his ears.
Solemnly, he took a great sip from the tea that had been left by the door, and consumed a single piece of grinder that rested beside it on the tray. Mordred Milne stepped before the mirror in his office, and cringed at his countenance. The sickness which afflicted him had caused most of his fur to fall away. In one short decade he had appeared to age nearly thrice that. In a futile attempt to cultivate an acceptable look, he combed back what hair remained him. Placing the comb down respectfully and adjusting his tie, left the Minister with little grooming left and more important tasks ahead.
Off the desk he picked up a stack of folders emblazoned with the code FYEO. Afterwards, his chitinous, black dagger was retrieved from the floor, and with both parcels in hand, he headed out of his office for the last time. “Gwen, If you could book passage for Connacht that would be lovely.”

While Matt and Emily are off at the Warstore Weekend, they left me to put the finishing touches on our special month-long Cult of Exomorphism Preview, so with that I give you the Killing Fields, an attempt at bringing horror to Brushfire. I hope that I've given you something creepy enough that you want to play it just to see how well you do.

The Killing Fields
A enemy scouting party has taken to a nearby field of crops, attempting to make their escape after you discovered their presence. Determined to not let them escape, you chase them through the fields. The twisting turns and paths in the seemingly endless maze have left your troops confused. As the darkness of night envelops the field, the air grows cold, a soft chittering sound begins to fill the air. You are unsure if those shapeless forms, moving through the field, are enemy soldiers fleeing from you; a scarebug bending in the wind, or something more horrid.
The objective of the Killing Fields is to root out and destroy more of your opponent’s Models than they kill yours. Be careful, because the autumn nights hold more than just the brisk fall air, something else lurks in this field.
Army Size:The Killing Fields can be played at any size. Though it is recommended for 50 Resources.
Setup: Follow the Standard Board Size and Terrain Deployment rules. There are no Fortification or Siege Engines..

Deployment: Follow Standard Army Deployment Rules.

Special Rules: During Terrain setup, place 15 Scarebug tokens around the table, at least 5” apart.
Scarebug token - When a unit activates within 5” of a Scarebug, roll 1d10 and follow the results below:
1-6: Jumping at Shadows - The Scarebug is just a stick and some straw, remove the token from the table.
7-10: Don’t Blink! - The Scarebug is a hideous exomorph Stick Bug, and you’re its prey! Move the Stick Bug up to 5” into B2B with the nearest model. The model is immediately removed from play. Revealed Stick Bugs activate at the end of every Turn. At the beginning of the Stick Bug’s activation if there is another model within 5” the Stick Bug moves into B2B to that model and removes it from play. If there are no models within 5” the Stick Bug takes one of the following actions:
Motionless - As long as the the Stick Bug is in line of sight, it does not move during its activation, waiting until it can pounce on its prey.
On the Prowl - If the Stick Bug is not in line of sight, it deviates as per the Deviation Rules in the Brushfire 2nd Edition Rules.

Nighttime - Due to the dark of night, any model or token beyond 10” is considered to be out of line of sight.

Results: Make the End of Game Roll after Turn 5. Each player tallies the total FD+GD+LR cost of their opponent’s models that were slain or removed. Each slain Hero is worth a number of points based on their current level. Each Hero that is hLVL 1-4 is worth 10 points per level. Each level above 4 adds an additional 15 points per level from level 5-10. Additionally, note the number of models removed by the Stick Bug(s). After totaling the Army and Hero Points Together, compare your value to your opponent’s.

Victory Severity:
Pyrrhic Victory: Lose more models to the Stick Bugs than you do to your opponents
Close Victory: A difference of 25 Resources or Fewer, and more than 50% of your own Resources remains.
Hard-Won Victory: A difference of 26 to 50 Resources
Glorious Victory: A difference of 51 Resources or more

That scenario looks like a fun way to throw fear of the unknown into a tabletop game. I like that it the new mechanic is simple, but could really change the way people play.


I'll answer last weeks questions since I never got around to it.

Did you enjoy this month long theme? Would you like to see more of these Theme runs?

I did enjoy the stories, but I'm ready to see a sample army list or battle report using exomorphs. I would be interested in seeing more themed articles with a combination of game discussion and fluff.


Would you prefer more Short stories/fluff in such theme runs or scenarios and other game related content?

I like a balance overall. I like game material but know that know that coming up with new stuff on a regular basis can be a lot of work. The stories have also been great, and longer than I would expect from a segment such as this. Perhaps one week give us a story based around a specific unit and the next week give us a tactics write up, battle report, or army list highlighting said unit.


Any particular theme you would like to see me do next?

I have plenty of ideas
As the next few Brushfire releases become available write up little blurbs about how they fit into the army. Perhaps in character discussion by army generals about using the unit in war, along with game discussion on adding them to an army list.

I would love to hear about Changshu Dun, how to use him in a Chugoku list, his place in the fluff, and how real world inspiration affected his design.

Lets have talk about color schemes, heraldry, and painting. Appropriate face/body paint designs for hamsters, highlanders, and Zabar. Ideas on fur colors and patterns for various Brushfire models. Uniform color schemes for Axony, Aquitar and others (possibly based on historical examples.)


I would love to see write ups on the nations of either the Brushfire or Endless worlds. Maybe flesh out a particular city or region in a country. Give ideas for terrain and board set up for a region. Mention models/units that would be more common there. Give a basic "day in the life" for a citizen of the region. Give reasons for conflict in the area. Talk about imports/exports, weather, etc. This sort if thing could be split up over a few weeks, perhaps alternating Brushfire and Endless each week.

I know Endless does not restrict list creation by faction, but it would be fun to see what a "typical" Zeutenheim force might include. How do the knights of one nation differ from the knights of another (fluff wise).

Secondary faction discussion. Tell us about a specific division of the Axony army, or a group of bandits based in one of Halleford's forests. There doesn't need to be special rules added, just maybe game examples. The High Forest bandits might be led by an elf that distrusts magic. In game, treat him as an Archer with Elven ancestry, Sprint, Silencing Shot, and Volley. I am particularly engaged when the fluff and the game connect in some way kind of like this. I think it helps encourage other people to do the same and add more story to their games.

Now all I can think is how could I make a cool crop field for Brushfire.

 WhiteRoo wrote:
Now all I can think is how could I make a cool crop field for Brushfire.

Please do I'd love to see it.

Turns out it's harder than it looks.

 WhiteRoo wrote:
Turns out it's harder than it looks.

I know

Just a small VH for today, Much of the last week was taken up with The Warstore Weekend. Shoutout to everyone who played in the Brushfire Tourney and those who stopped by and said hi!


Empowered
You have arrived too late to stop the incantation. The figure at the center of the enemy’s base glows with awesome might. Their aura alone is enough to nearly shake your will to fight. With a silent nod to your compatriots, you charge headlong toward your foe. If all of you shall fall, so too will this threat.

Party Size - Both players create a party of 10 C. The Defender must elect a 1C model to be their Empowered Model. This decision is declared before deployment.

Setup - The Defender deploys at least 5 rows from either edge. The Attacker deploys within 5 rows of either edge.

Defender Rules - The Empowered Model is considered to have all of their available commands and every stat on their card is doubled. 4 HP becomes 8 HP, 3 ATK becomes 6 ATK, etc.

Results - The Defender is awarded 1 Victory Point per enemy Crystal slain. The Attacker is awarded 1 Victory Point per 2 HP the Empowered Model has lost. If the Empowered Model is slain, the game ends immediately, and the Attacker is awarded an extra 2 Victory Points. This Scenario is best played twice, swapping Attacker/Defender roles for the second match.

This is a sort of variant on an Overlord/The One mode. The Empowered model is much more powerful, but still vulnerable to the right kinds of attack. The Defender should think carefully about which model they Empower. One with a high ATK or MAG can quickly knock out enemy models, but if it only has a base 2 DEF, a DEF of 4 is not keeping it up forever, especially when it will be the focus of enemy attacks. The Defender may also wish to choose commands for their other models with Stop or Sleep, anything to slow down their melee enemies from closing on the Empowered. The Attacker will want ranged units to target the Empowered as soon as possible, and any melee models with a high MOV to get in close and get their attacks in before they are dropped.



The Brushfire V2 Mercs PDF is now up for free at the following link:
Mercenaries



The finalized art for Leir Satona, Rune Fencer 3C Character, by Heath Foley. This will be in the updated Endless PDF soon.


In other news, the Masters for the new Light Dragoon are completed, and once we have cast our first master, we will share some choice pics with you.


"As Seasonal as I Get" Q&A
1) Do you share gaming as a hobby with any of your family members? Do you play with them regularly or only during the holidays?

2) How do your attempts to explain/introduce the hobby to your relatives go?

3) Do your bring your kit along with you to family visits? Do you set aside time during the season to play?



My Answers
1) The closest I come to sharing gaming with family members is my father is big into Rock Band, particularly The Beatles version. He did originally get me into wargaming though, getting me a 40k Painting Set, the one with the little Tactical Squad and Smurf paints.

2) When I refereed to "Game Magazines", my Grandparents thought I said "Gay Magazines". I have learned that if I must explain the hobby, I start with basic analogies "Its like a complex version of chess.", "They are toy soldiers but you have rules for how you play with them." It feels like I belittle the hobby with such explanations, but when you pull the minis out to show them, they get a vague sense of realization. More than once I have had to throttle back my explanations as I see their eyes glaze over.

3) I used to bring an array of board games along to familiy visits, the simpler the better. Trivial Pursuit and 221B Baker Street were our go-to games.

Here is the Dragoon [F], with a quick and dirty prime job that came out a bit more gritty then I'd like..

What did you use to prime it? O___o

Let's just say my family is not interested in the hobby or board gaming at all. Or at least any higher level than "Pachisi" (we call that "Who laughs at the end" by some reason).

1) Do you share gaming as a hobby with any of your family members? Do you play with them regularly or only during the holidays?
I share my gaming hobby with them so much as I let them know when I'm gaming, what I've been painting, etc... and that's only my immediate family.

2) How do your attempts to explain/introduce the hobby to your relatives go?
Terribly, I've tried to teach my dad various games over the years, and the only games we've been able to sit down and play were in the past year with Dreadball, Endless, and Star Wars: X-Wing. I've pretty much given up trying to get them to play games with me, though it would be less of a money waster if they did

3) Do your bring your kit along with you to family visits? Do you set aside time during the season to play?
Our family is spread around the country (on my dad's side) so we rarely see them, and they're all self-absorbed with their own thing, so we don't bother them during the holidays/ever, as for my mom's family we might get together for a holiday party, but that's about it and so we don't really do anything with them either, which is odd since they all live nearby with the exception of a cousin of mine.

"As Seasonal as I Get" Q&A
1) Do you share gaming as a hobby with any of your family members? Do you play with them regularly or only during the holidays?

Short answer... No. Slighty longer answer, when I was a kid I could talk them into playing a game like Monopoly with me...

Anymore my parents know that I play games on Tuesdays and Fridays and sometimes disappear for a weekend to go play with my models.

2) How do your attempts to explain/introduce the hobby to your relatives go?

I've never really tried, none of them have any desire to learn.

3) Do your bring your kit along with you to family visits? Do you set aside time during the season to play?

My family lives pretty close together so any family visits are usually just day trips so I don't bother bringing stuff along. My gaming schedule doens't really ever change.

"As Seasonal as I Get" Q&A
1) Do you share gaming as a hobby with any of your family members? Do you play with them regularly or only during the holidays?

I did LARP and play Fantasy with my younger sister while we both lived in the same town, years ago. But we both have own own families now, and live 3 hours away. I kept playing, but she mostly has stopped. I bring simple boardgames when I visit the rest of the family, but she is open to some heavier stuff, and also like trying a different mini games once in a while, as long as I provide everything.

2) How do your attempts to explain/introduce the hobby to your relatives go?

I've been doing that for over 20 years now, so they are mostly used to it. When I try to explain it to new people, I try to put forward the hobby aspect first, as that is what I do most. I compare it to model train scenery making, painting, sculpting, then bring up the game part. It doesn't always go smoothly, but easy access to pictures with smartphones helps nowadays.

3) Do your bring your kit along with you to family visits? Do you set aside time during the season to play?

Once in a while, I bring some sculpting or painting to do at night when we go over for 2 or 3 days.

Brushfire Scenario
Battle of Xiang Gang Island - 1824 AF


An island in the southern seas of Chugoku has been found to have a great wild crop of Nepeta. Though the Ministers of Chugoku have declared all foreign trade of Nepeta illegal, your own government has seen fit to send you halfway across the world to seize the plant for your homeland. Your fleet has sent your ship and crew into a small village on the coast to base your retrieval operations.

During your recovery of the Nepeta, you do not see a single soul from the village. Before you can get the entire crop onto your vessel, a report arrives from the fleet: The island is a training area for the Chugokuan Military and not the innocent fishing village you thought. You look up and realize the buildings of the village are no longer empty. Crossbows and Pikes aim at you from every window. You’re surrounded and in possession of the largest illegal cargo in history. The docks are only a few yards away, can you make away with your haul?


Pre-Game: Before the game, each player makes a TS roll of the highest TS in their army. The winner of the roll determines if they are the attacker or the defender. Neither side may enlist Fortifications or Siege Weapons.

Setup: A game area of at least 2x4, scaling for higher point games. The Attacker may place terrain up to 10” from the Defender’s Table Edge, and the Defender places a 5” by 5” zone against their table edge known as the Recovery Zone. In this Zone the Defender may place 1 Cannon for every 4 Terrain Pieces placed by the Attacker. The Attacker must place terrain in sets of 4. After the first four pieces, either player may choose to end terrain placement. No additional pieces are placed if someone ends placement.

Deployment:The Defender deploys their entire army in the center of the board, at least 10” from any board edge. The Attacker’s Army begins the game in reserves.

Special Rules: Home Territory: All model’s of the Attacker’s Army may Ambush, and may begin ambushing on Turn 1, but do not get a TS bonus to Ambush rolls until Turn 3 as normal. No models of the Attacker’s Army may perform a Rear Flank.
Laden Down: The Defender may not rush during this scenario.

Objectives: Any model of the Defender’s Army that ends their Move Phase in the Recovery Zone may be chosen to be removed from play, and count as Recovered. Make a note of how many of the Defender’s models were Recovered as opposed to slain. Compare the Resources Recovered against those Slain or Remaining in play at the end of Turn 5 or 6. Any Defender models within the Recovery Zone at the end of game are considered Recovered.

Victory Conditions:
Pyrrhic Victory: A difference of 0-1 Models Recovered vs Slain/Remaining.

Close Victory: A difference of 2-4 Models Recovered vs Slain/Remaining.

Hard Won Victory: A difference of 5-7 Models Recovered vs Slain/Remaining.

Glorious Victory: A difference of 8 or more Models Recovered vs Slain/Remaining.

~~~~

Endless Scenario

Loot the Room
The Treasure Vault, Finally! You and your fellow adventurers begin gathering up piles of coins in triumph. A loud scraping noise suddenly causes you all to stop. One of you swears they saw a treasure chest move. Was it an illusion? Or is something more insidious at work?

Setup - At the beginning of the game, each player places 5 Treasure Chests on their half of the table, outside of both deployment zones. and at least 3 squares from another Treasure Chest.

Rules - Treasure Chests placed throughout the area. As a model's Act Phase, it may open an adjacent chest. Roll a die. On 4+, the chest is a Demonite Chest under control of the Party that did not open the chest; place its card next in the Initiative Order. On a 1-3 the chest contains a non-unique item of your choice. The model that opened the chest gains the item, regardless of ITM limit. Each Treasure Chest that does not become a Demonite Chest awards 1 Victory Point. Each Demonite Chest that is slain awards 2 Victory Points.

Results - End of Game rolls begin on the turn after the last chest has been opened. At the end of the game, Each surviving Demonite Chest awards 1 Victory Point to the player controlling it. The Player with more victory points wins.

Demonite Chest - 3C, Dark Blood
ATK - 3
DEF - 4
MAG - 3
HP - 9
MP - 7
MOV - 3
JMP - 3
ITM - 0

Inconspicuous Furnishing: The first time a model is targeted by the Demonite Chest it is considered to be flanked. This can occurs once for each model.

Mimic Commands
Camouflage - The Demonite Chest is not affected by Multi-Target Commands, unless it is the only target of them. (Passive)
Eldritch Timber - The Demonite Chest negates the first successful ATK die of each attack against it. (Passive)
Weapon Break - 1 MP - ATK, -1 ATK[2]
Digested Contents - 1 MP - MAG, RNG 3, AoE 1, Poison[1], Dark Element
Item Devour - 3 MP - ATK, Target Discards a random Item and the Demonite Chest’s HP is healed for the ITM value of the Item.
Locked Tight - ALL MP - Demonite Chest has DEF x2, MAG x2 for Defensive Rolls, and successful defensive rolls deal damage to the attacker{3}


To go along with these scenarios, we have a piece of art for you:

Slavemaster Ainar, a High Elven noble who once worked the gladiatorial pits of Mercurious, but chose to break away from her decadent past and fight alongside the rebels against her own people.



Q&A
Do you have a favorite battle or period of history? Is there an event you would like to see recreated as a Brushfire Scenario?

Do you enjoy ‘gimmick’ fights in games (Table or Video) or prefer straight ruled battles?

If you could add an item/equipment/upgrade to either game, what would it be?

Why can’t we think of more questions?

Do you have a favorite battle or period of history? Is there an event you would like to see recreated as a Brushfire Scenario?

I'm not that much of a history fan. The siege of Redwall I guess? Better, the siege of Gabool's castle from Salamandstrom

Do you enjoy ‘gimmick’ fights in games (Table or Video) or prefer straight ruled battles?
I like gimmicky stuff because it breaks monotonity. Actually if it mostly is straight fight and some gimmick now and then, that's the best. because neither of those get's boring whith that setup.

If you could add an item/equipment/upgrade to either game, what would it be?

For items:
Promotion medal - You may equip this item to a model that uses stances. That unit may take an additional stance and gain all equipment and special ability from every stance it chooses. You can equip one model whith a promotion medal multiple times.
Anti-venom ichor - Target squad in X inch gains immune to poison for some turns.
Anti-Fire device - Cancel the first fire effect that hits the squad this model is in.
Rum - If thismodel passes a Shock Test it gains Immune to Shock until end of game.
Matching armor - This model cannot been targeted whith Sniper while it is in squad whith non-hero models.
Termite Grenade - When this model at any point in it's movement phase is b2b whith a siege weapon or mechanical unit it may destroy it. Usable once only.

Equipment:
A Valkyr for the Warlord. So you can build a full-Valkyr warband.

And Canned Raid - against bugs

Why can’t we think of more questions?
I'll think about this.

I've been getting behind. Stupid life getting in the way of my games

I see that the Endless 3C Character art is coming along nicely. Heath is doing a great job. I love the pose in the Leir Satona artwork and hope the eventual figure is built the same way. It shows a lot of character.

I think Empowered might be my favorite new EFT scenario yet. It looks like great fun. How well do you think it would play if both sides received an empowered model? For Loot the Room Reaper has the perfect miniature for the demonite chest, and it comes in their bones plastic. When you have a few more scenarios thrown together you should throw them all into a couple pages of pdf or just compile them on the OTLG website.


Now I'll try to answer all the questions I've missed:
Do you share gaming as a hobby with any of your family members? Do you play with them regularly or only during the holidays?
I can’t say that I share much of my gaming with family. My brother has played some Magic and video games, but no serious tabletop games. My brother-in-law is a big Star Wars fan. I have played Star Wars RPGs and X-wing minis with him on a sporadic basis. There has been recent talk of the possibility of a D&D intro game for my brother, sister, and their significant others over Christmas one of these years.



How do your attempts to explain/introduce the hobby to your relatives go?
My Father and Brother were both exposed to RPGs through video games which I have found is fairly common. Overall I don’t bring my gaming up so that I won’t have to go into any explanations, but over the years I have developed go-to lines to use when trying to explain gaming to new people.

For Role playing Games I lead with the idea that it is cooperative storytelling, like writing a book. One person writes the world, while everyone else plays a character in the story.

For Wargaming I focus on the artistic aspects of the hobby, modeling and painting. Think model trains, but with a game attached.


Do your bring your kit along with you to family visits? Do you set aside time during the season to play?
I always used to bring a rulebook and build an army list or roll up a character when nothing was going on. Now we often play standard card or dice games that everyone including the grandparents are comfortable with. Word games like Bananagrams, or Scrabble are also common.


Do you have a favorite battle or period of history? Is there an event you would like to see recreated as a Brushfire Scenario?
I can’t say that I am well versed in any military history. Have you written up any overwhelming odds scenarios like Custer’s Last Stand? A scenario with regenerating troops or higher points totals for one side? Loss is inevitable, but can you hold out long enough to go down in history as a hero? I can see the agents or a group of knights put in this sort of position.

I don’t know all the history related to them, but the navel battles/invasions from the Dynasty Warriors franchise were always cool. I’ve seen the pictures of your tables with ships on them. Have you ever played out a scenario where the ships could be lit on fire? Break through the enemy lines at night to burn their ships, or some such?


Do you enjoy ‘gimmick’ fights in games (Table or Video) or prefer straight ruled battles?
I prefer straight ruled fights, but know that ‘gimmick’ fights have their place. Both can be memorable, but those gimmicks don’t tend to have as much replay value. I am reminded of both Final Fantasy Tactics, and Disgea, where the story had some gimmick fights that were great fun, but the random encounters seemed just as fun and interesting. Disgea’s random level system in Item World was especially impressive, with varied maps, enemies, and terrain effects, while using a constant, finite, rules framework. Every fight was “standard” rules but a pervasive terrain effect, odd map shape, or unusual deployment of the enemies could require you to completely alter your tactics.


If you could add an item/equipment/upgrade to either game, what would it be?
This is an excellent question, but for some reason nothing immediately jumps to mind. In EFT there are no non-unique items that increase ATK, which I think is good, but perhaps a third (currently Gloves of striking, Hero's Sword) unique item with a ATK bonus. Heck in some lists I would pay item Cost 2 for a second Gloves of Striking.

- oooh, how about Magic Whetstone (unique) Cost 2: Break: Basic attacks gain Piercing (2).

I would also like to see an item or two for increasing JMP, since there currently aren't any. Portable trampoline, Spring shoes, Pogo stick, I don't have any good idea what to call it, but it would be cool. Perhaps an item that gives a set # (lets say 4) for JMP for a turn or two.

-How about Grappling Hook. Cost 1-2(?), Equip, Model can always use the Ladder terrain rule.

I’ll keep thinking about equipment for Brushfire.


Why can’t we think of more questions?
Questions are hard. 3-4 each week adds up. You and Cyp have a lot on your plate: tweaking rules, writing fiction, casting minis, shipping, contracting new sculpts, etc. EFT just came out and Brushfire just hit second ed. so it’s hard to ask too many questions specific to the games and expect everyone to relate. We appreciate all your effort.

As a heads up, with the Holiday Season upon us, Visiting Hours will convert to a Alternating Weekly schedule. See you all back here on December 7th!

In the VH today, we’ve got a sequel to last week’s Brushfire Scenario, to help create a theme series/campaign; and taking a page from Brushfire, the Endless Scenario is a ‘fluff’ battle this week. Hope you enjoy!

Brushfire Scenario
Battle of Last Bar - 1824 AF

With the wind and quality of ship, it was inevitable that the Chugokuan Fleet would over take you. Now your crew prepares defensive positions on this forsaken rock you’ve run aground on. Last Bar Island appears to be your Last Stand, until a crewman calls out, with a spyglass to his eye.

The battle ensign, at the front of a fleet of ships on an intercept course, leads to a cheer from your soldiers. A faint glimmer of hope: your own fleet sails to defend you. Your resolve is steeled. You must hold out until reinforcements arrive, and defend your precious cargo.

Pre-Game: Before the game, each player makes a TS roll of the highest TS in their army. The winner of the roll determines if they are the attacker or the defender. Neither side may enlist Fortifications or Siege Weapons.

Setup: A game area of at least 4x4, scaling for higher point games. The Defender may place terrain at least 10” from any table edge. The Defender may place 4 Terrain pieces.

Deployment:The Defender deploys their entire army in the center of the board, at least 10” from any board edge. The Attacker’s Army begins the game in reserves. Place 5 50mm markers, with one in the center of the table, and the rest at least 5” from the center of the table, and 10” from any table edge. These are Cargo Markers

Special Rules: Ship to Shore: No models may ambush. All model’s of the Attacker’s Army treat every table edge as having a Side TD for Flanking, and may begin flanking on Turn 1, but do not get a TS bonus to Flank rolls until Turn 3 as normal.
Naval Cannon: Starting on Turn 2, at the beginning of each turn, the Attacker may make a normal cannon attack(ignoring faction special rules) from any table edge. The Cannon uses an RS of 0.

Precious Cargo: Each Cargo Marker has a VY of 10 and an AR Shield of 5. Models in B2B with a Cargo Marker may be allocated Damage in its place, except from template attacks.

Objectives: When a Cargo Marker is reduced to 0 VY, it is removed from play. At the end of Turn 5 or 6, compare the number of Cargo Markers destroyed to those remaining in play. The Attacker wins for 3+ Markers Destroyed, and the Defender wins for 3+ Markers remaining.

Victory Conditions:
Pyrrhic Victory: 3 Markers Destroyed or 3 Markers Remaining and you have less than 25% of your resources remaining in play.

Close Victory: 3 Markers Destroyed or 3 Markers Remaining and you have at least 25% of your resources remaining in play.

Hard Won Victory: 4 Markers Destroyed or 4 Markers Remaining

Glorious Victory: All 5 Markers Destroyed or All 5 Markers Remaining

~~~

Endless Scenario
Battle of Halle’s Ford, White Creek Bridge

The Arganeans stand upon the opposing shore. A horrid army of them. Upriver from your position, Halle Highwater is holding back the vanguard. Here, a small bridge could allow the imperialist Elves to flank the human resistance and wipe them out. You have been tasked with defending this point. Let none through.

Setup - A specific map design is included for this scenario. Players are welcome to alter the basic design, but the premise is for a narrow bridge to funnel combat high above the water. Each player has a 3 row deployment zone.


Link to Full Image

Rules - The Initiative winner declares one player as Attacker and the other as Defender. The Attacker removes any of their models from play that end their Move Phase in the Defender’s Deployment Zone. Each model removed in this manner awards the Attacker 1 VP per Crystal Cost. Each Attacker model slain awards the Defender 1 VP per Crystal Cost.

Special Rule - White Water Rapids: Models that move into the water from a greater height take damage as if they moved involuntarily.

All Models have the following command:
Bull Rush - ATK, Push Back 1, No Damage

Results - End of Game Rolls begin on turn 7. As with other Asymmetrical Battles, players should play twice, reversing roles to determine a final victor.

~~~

Keeping the same QnA for the next two weeks to invite others to share their thoughts:
Q&A
Do you have a favorite battle or period of history? Is there an event you would like to see recreated as a Brushfire Scenario?

Do you enjoy ‘gimmick’ fights in games (Table or Video) or prefer straight ruled battles?

If you could add an item/equipment/upgrade to either game, what would it be?

Why can’t we think of more questions?


Edit: to clarify Victory Conditions on BF Scenario.

I like how I wasn't included in Galen's answer on why we can't think of more questions

Yay! Bridge fight!

 Alfndrate wrote:
I like how I wasn't included in Galen's answer on why we can't think of more questions

No offense Alf, but I'm not sure I always understand what exactly it is you do, and I don't like to assume. I'm sure you are very busy doing important work type things. I appreciated all your hard work too.


So, about those grappling hooks...If not an item then it should definitely be a command on some new explorer class, or on a thief or archer variant.

 Galen wrote:

 Alfndrate wrote:
I like how I wasn't included in Galen's answer on why we can't think of more questions

No offense Alf, but I'm not sure I always understand what exactly it is you do, and I don't like to assume. I'm sure you are very busy doing important work type things. I appreciated all your hard work too.


So, about those grappling hooks...If not an item then it should definitely be a command on some new explorer class, or on a thief or archer variant.

It's cool, I don't live near OTL HQ. I work with Matt on the writing of stuff. Like last night when we were trying to figure out wtf we wanted to do for the EFT Scenario. I threw out Bridge Scenario, went on to my normal Friday gaming, and then called Matt over skype and we hammered out the scenario. Matt and Em definitely have their hands full with the casting of miniatures and shipping, etc...

@Galen, Chain has a 'grapple shot' but it does not work in a movement manner. We could definitely see about that sort of JMP based item in the future.

@Whiteroo, A Valkyr hero is not out of the realm of possibility, we tried to make all the heroes flexible enough to fit any theme, but thats obviously a facet we missed.

We'll see about a can of raid for fighting Exos!

I'm a little bit confused with this scenario.

Who wants to destroy the cargo? The Defender or the Attacker? (I guess it's the attacker)

How long this game is? Five turns plus one more if the initiative winning player decides so?

 WhiteRoo wrote:
Who wants to destroy the cargo? The Defender or the Attacker? (I guess it's the attacker)

It is indeed the attacker

How long this game is? Five turns plus one more if the initiative winning player decides so?

Objectives: When a Cargo Marker is reduced to 0 VY, it is removed from play. At the end of Turn 5 or 6, compare the number of Cargo Markers destroyed to those remaining in play.

So if the defender is wiped out completely, but most cargo stands, the defender still wins.

 WhiteRoo wrote:
So if the defender is wiped out completely, but most cargo stands, the defender still wins.

It would by a Pyrrhic Victory, meaning that the Defender would win the game, but the Attacker would still get the same amount of victory points for forcing such a victory level.

 Alfndrate wrote:

 WhiteRoo wrote:
So if the defender is wiped out completely, but most cargo stands, the defender still wins.

It would by a Pyrrhic Victory, meaning that the Defender would win the game, but the Attacker would still get the same amount of victory points for forcing such a victory level.

It would only be a Pyrrhic Victory if exactly 3 crates remain in play and you're wiped out. Any more, and its a Hard-won/Glorious Victory for the defender; any less, and its a Hard-won/glorious victory for he attacker.

Edited the Objectives of the Scenario to clarify who is after which result.

 miskatonicalum wrote:
@Galen, Chain has a 'grapple shot' but it does not work in a movement manner. We could definitely see about that sort of JMP based item in the future.

I was only trying to find an excuse to stay on topic. I won't be heart broken if I don't see it.

I don't usually have trouble finding items I want to take for my EFT parties, out of the current list, so the challenge is coming up with items that I would consider taking over existing items but wouldn't be auto-includes. The closest thing I have to an auto include right now is the Vial of Miasma, but there can be reasons to take a healing/mana potion instead so I don't think it is too powerful. The one item I can think of that I feel is too weak is the Magma Crystal Shard. It just doesn't do enough. The only thing I can say in its defense it that it is the only non-unique item that can boost offensive capability, but pure power wise it is inferior to the 1 cost Gloves of Striking.

More Item brainstorming:
Smoke Bomb Break, Cost::2 Unique - You have flanking for the next attack you make before the end of this turn.

Charms - Small necklaces or pendants of elemental crystal that are worn for protection, but can be broken for additional effects when the need is dire.
Earth Charm - Equip, Cost::2 - Grants Immunity to Push Back. Discard before making a Basic Attack to give that attack Push Back 3.

Wind Charm - Equip, Cost::2 - Grants Immunity to Silence. Discard before making a Basic Attack to add Silence[1] to the attack.

Water Charm Equip, Cost:2 - Grants Immunity to Stop. Discard before making a Basic Attack to add Stop[1] to the attack.

Note: maybe those aren't the best status effects to choose, but you get the idea. If Immunity to Stop seems like too much, maybe just have a cost 2 Break item that cures Stop. Hmm, re-examining the current items again, I think maybe immunity is too much for cost 2. Maybe Charms could be break items with two options, one offensive and on defensive.

Alternate Water Charm Break Cost:2 - When used choose one: Remove Stop, or Basic Attacks cause Stop[1]{1}



I have thought up an idea or two for Brushfire. Forgive me if these already exist. I didn't check the pdf and my familiarity with the current items is limited.
-An item that gives bonuses to reserve rolls. Pay 5-10 lumber or gold on an appropriate model to get a +5 (too high?) to the rolls. How about a horn that gives +3 TS to all your reserves rolls next turn? Horn of Decisive Action?
-An item that gives a squad either a bonus or reroll when rolling against enemy tactics rolls targeting the squad.


I know it is a little late to bring up, but I was recently thinking that it would be cool if squads with the Ambush special rule received a bonus to their reserve rolls if they instead chose to Flank. It seems slightly odd that a unit that can ambush isn't any better at flanking than standard infantry.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
-For Brushfire - Lucky Charm - One Use: reroll one die roll. A second rules option would be: Add +2 to a roll the model/squad just made.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
-For Endless - Liquid Courage - Break, Cost:3 - Roll one additional die and add it to a roll you just made.