tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56097423274992969062024-02-19T03:48:14.502-05:00Adventures in HeroscapeThis blog is dedicated to my adventures with Heroscape, one of my favorite games and hobbies. I'll post pictures of boards and the games played on them, along with some of my own custom-made cards, figures, and terrain, for the benefit of all the other Scapers out there. I'll even post some of the scenarios I've developed for our game play.Pastor Mark Andersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04216925824992159117noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5609742327499296906.post-13576928743238330652013-11-01T10:27:00.000-04:002013-11-01T10:27:03.248-04:00Ghost Hunters Game DaySo our 5th Annual Halloween Heroscape Event was every bit of a success (in my eyes) as the previous ones. We missed Paul, but everyone else came and we had a great afternoon of fun, fellowship, and gaming.<br />
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One of the things I like about the Halloween game is that I ask guests to bring a Halloween- or game-themed snack to share. This year it was ghosts, of course. But I really like to see people's creativity come out in the snack area. This year we had banana ghosts with mandarin pumpkins. There was a big, red, jiggly brain to eat, mummy cakes, goblins, and even edible Heroscape figures (candy ghosts on Oreo cookies...yum). Pat brought a puking pumpkin again this year, too.<br />
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The afternoon began with a few snacks and a lot of conversation. The Halloween Event always draws a few more people that our regular games and there were some people who hadn't seen each other in a while, so it was a good opportunity to reconnect with friends. Some people were just hungry and like to talk. </div>
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Then the game began...</div>
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The first phase pitted all the Ghost Hunters (4 players) against the Shades of Bleakwoode (1 player). The heroes came through the the first phase unscathed and then moved on to phase two.</div>
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In the second phase of the game, the Ghost Hunters split up to search four separate rooms. Each Ghost Hunter player was pitted against a ghost player. Tina's Eladrin heroes faced Hypnotic Spirits in the library and defeated them earning Revenant's Tome as a reward. Solomon and Ana Karithon faced JP's Lurking Shadows in the hall.</div>
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Valguard and his viking companions under Anthony's control fought Charles' Oathbreakers in the armory. Valguard was the only survivor, earning a Brooch of Shielding in return. When the third phase began and the Caller in Darkness emerged, however, Valguard was in such shock from the battle with the Oathbreakers that he locked the door to the armory and hid for a few turns. Eventually his viking courage returned and he reentered the battle fighting bravely until he met his end.</div>
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In the rotunda, rookie player Jesse (with the helpful coaching of Benjamin) used her Phantom Knights to defeat Roheryn Dragonspine and her adventuring friends.</div>
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One of the things I love about our Halloween game is that I develop scenarios that create multiple simultaneous games. It gets more people playing more often, keeps the game moving along faster, and creates a wonderfully cacophonous controlled chaos that I love to watch.</div>
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Younger players (who weren't playing Heroscape) were playing outside and occasionally came in for a little snack.</div>
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Phase three brought all the rooms together into one. All the rooms which had been separate in order to better facilitate ease of play for the players, were connected together, and the surviving players had access to the entire house for the last battle against the Caller in Darkness.</div>
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Eventually the Caller in Darkness was defeated and the remaining ghosts fled from the house. Faron Deepshadow, under Tina's control struck the final blow winning the game for the Ghost Hunters.</div>
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It made Tina very happy to be the only surviving Ghost Hunter player and to win the game for her team.</div>
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It was a great afternoon, and I think everyone had a lot of fun. I know I did.<br />
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Until next time, happy heroscaping, everybody.<br />
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<br />Pastor Mark Andersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04216925824992159117noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5609742327499296906.post-45191139634496485162013-10-25T11:00:00.002-04:002013-10-25T11:03:06.485-04:00An Unexpected Party<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in;">
<i>Blogger's Note: This is the third and final episode of the "Ghost Hunters" chapter of "The Deathly Hallows" before our game. Tomorrow we write the next chapter together by playing the game. Read on and enjoy. Perhaps I'll see you tomorrow in the house of Zarek Ral.</i></div>
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Solomon Rayne and Ana
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The left gate swung
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The last time Solomon had
passed through these gates, they had been locked tightly with a guard posted
just inside them. The guard decided to
allow passage or not. Now, however, the
elaborate gate was unmanned and unlocked.</div>
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<br /></div>
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“Must have taken a lot to
make Ral leave this place,” said Ana as they stepped through the gate.</div>
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Solomon did not acknowledge
her. He was carefully scrutinizing the
trees along the path ahead. He motioned
for Ana to stop, and she halted immediately.
The path up to the house began to curve up and around the hill several
yards ahead. Solomon and Ana stood
silently as Solomon looked and listened for any sign of trouble along the
path. After a few moments, he motioned
to Ana to move ahead, and the two of them began to walk slowly towards the
house.</div>
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Neither Solomon nor Ana
spoke. Both understood the seriousness
of the task they were undertaking and the danger that might jump out at them at
any moment. Both of them stepped softly
and lightly on the path so that their footsteps could not be heard over a great
distance. Slowly, carefully, the two of
them advanced up the hill, toward the house.</div>
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Down in the village, the
sounds of music and laughter could still be heard coming from the direction of
the inn which Solomon and Ana had left a few hours before. More than once Solomon signaled to Ana to
stop because the sounds from the village broke his concentration and he needed
to regain his focus before proceeding onward.
</div>
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Once, before they started
forward again, Ana heard him mutter, “Idiots,” under his breath. Then they began again.</div>
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The high-pitched creaking
of the broken gate could also be heard all the way up to the house. It was a nearly constant cadence…a short,
high creak, followed by a long, low creak.
Only once had the pattern varied as far as Ana could tell. The creaking gate only amplified the anxiety
she felt as the two of them made their way through the trees, in the dark, up
to the haunted house on the hill.</div>
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When they had
almost reached the courtyard of the house where the trees began to thin and the
path began to level out, Solomon again suddenly motioned for Ana to stop.</div>
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“We’re being
followed,” he whispered to her.</div>
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“The Shadowfell?”
Ana whispered back.</div>
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“No. They followed us from the village.”</div>
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“Who followed us?”</div>
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“Eladrin, I’d
guess.” Solomon’s voice was suddenly
full and loud. He turned around, looking
back down the path.</div>
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Several yards
behind, almost out of sight around a corner of the path, two hooded figures
emerged from the edge of the woods onto the path.</div>
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<o:p> </o:p> Ana drew her
staff, but Solomon put his hand on hers and shook his head.</div>
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The two hooded
figures glanced at each other and then began walking cautiously toward Solomon
and Ana. Their footsteps made no sound
at all. As they drew closer Solomon and
Ana could see that one of them was taller than the other and wore a heavy, dark
green cloak. He had a long sword at his
side and a bow hanging across his back.
The other wore a light grey cloak, carried a dagger on his belt, and
held a bow in his hand.</div>
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“I don’t care much
for being followed, gentlemen. State you
business.”</div>
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“Our apologies,
Mr. Rayne, but we weren’t sure of your intentions here,” replied the figure in
the green cloak, apparently the leader of the pair. “After all you did work for Zarek Ral.”</div>
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Solomon took a
step forward and interrupted forcefully, “I don’t work for wizards.”</div>
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The green-cloaked
figure, unbothered by Solomon’s aggressive response, nodded slightly.</div>
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“As you say,” he
replied.</div>
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“And I said,
‘State your business.’”</div>
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The green-cloaked
figure nodded slightly again.</div>
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“I am Faron. This is my brother, Ordon. We, like you, have devoted our lives to the
defense of the mortal realm against the forces of the Shadowfell. We are here to join you on your quest.”</div>
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<br /></div>
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“Thanks, but no
thanks. I work alone.”</div>
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<br /></div>
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“Ahem.” </div>
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<br /></div>
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“Present company
excepted.”</div>
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“Thanks,” Ana smirked. </div>
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“We understand
your reluctance, but…” Faron cut his
statement short and stood listening for a moment. “I believe we are about to have company.”</div>
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Instinctively the
four slid off the path to hide in the edges of the woods, Solomon and Ana to
one side, Faron and Ordon to the other.
Both pairs crouched motionless, listening carefully.</div>
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The noise of the
inn seemed to be closer now than it had been before. In fact, the sounds seemed to be getting
closer. Voices and laughter could be
heard on the lower path.</div>
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“Six…maybe seven,”
Solomon whispered to Ana. “Human…for the
most part. Some of them are louder than
the others.”</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The glow of
torches began to appear on the path just below them. Then a few moments after that, they could see
torches being carried by six or seven people walking up the path. They spoke loudly, laughing and joking, and
lit up the night with their torches.
Neither Solomon and Ana nor Faron and Ordon had brought torches.</div>
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“Idiots,” Solomon
groused.</div>
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When the loud
group was almost to them, Solomon motioned silently to Faron and Ordon then
drew his crossbow.</div>
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“I can’t even see
them across the path, how do you expect them to see that?” Ana asked.</div>
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“They’re Eladrin,”
Solomon replied.</div>
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When the group was
directly between Solomon and Faron, Solomon said, “Get ready,” to Ana. He put up three fingers, then two, then one,
then he closed his fist. Instantly
Solomon and Ana jumped out into the path, weapons raised. Faron and Ordon did the same, Faron’s sword
at the ready…Ordon’s bow drawn.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Several of the
group in the path began to reach for their weapons.</div>
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“Uh uh…I wouldn’t,”
Solomon warned.</div>
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“There’re more of
us than there are of you,” said a man in the front. He was wearing an animal skin as a cloak and
a helmet with horns on it. He had a
grisly face, and the tone of his voice hinted at the fact that he was looking
for a fight and he wasn’t too particular about who was on the other side.</div>
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“I assure you,”
Faron added, “you would not get your sword drawn in time.”</div>
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The man glanced
over at Faron.</div>
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<br /></div>
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“We mean you no
harm,” said a voice from the back of the group.
It was a Dragonborn female who spoke.
She moved toward Solomon and spoke again, “My name is Roheryn. My brother Rhogar took a job for the wizard
who lived in this house, but he has not been seen since. My friends and I are here to find some clue
about where he is or what has happened to him.”</div>
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<br /></div>
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“Not me,” said a
short, bearded man. “I’m here to hunt
ghosts!” </div>
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<br /></div>
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“You’re that bunch
that was giving the serving girl such a hard time at the inn,” said Ana.</div>
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<br /></div>
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“Please,” Roheryn
pleaded, “We just met them at the inn.
They said that they were coming up here anyway so we came together. I just want to know what happened to my
brother.”</div>
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<br /></div>
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“Your brother’s
dead,” said Solomon coolly.</div>
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<br /></div>
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For a moment, the
only sound was the crackling of the torches.</div>
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<br /></div>
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“Dead?” she said.</div>
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<br /></div>
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“I’m afraid so,”
said Ana.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in 302.65pt;">
“How?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in 302.65pt;">
<br /></div>
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“The Shadowfell,”
Solomon answered. He lowered his
crossbow. Ana, Faron, and Ordon followed
suit. “Your brother…” Solomon paused for moment and then continued,
“fought valiantly.”</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in 302.65pt;">
Roheryn looked up
at the house looming before them. The
flickering light revealed a mix of sorrow and hatred on her face. </div>
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“I’m so sorry,” Ana
added.</div>
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When Roheryn spoke
again, her voice was unwavering and stern.
“I’m going up there. I don’t care
if it’s a wizard or some horrible ghostly monster. I don’t care.
I’m going up there.”</div>
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Solomon glanced
around at the group gathered along the path, studying each of them in
turn. He looked back toward Ana, who
nodded slightly.</div>
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“Okay look,” he
began, “I normally work alone, but I’ve learned recently that sometimes having
a little help can be…good. But…if you’re
going up there to that house, then you’re doing it my way. And if any of you idiots step out of line and
put my life in danger, I’ll put you down myself. Understand?”</div>
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“I don’t take
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“Well that’s just
fine. Then you’re free to leave. Now.
Cause if you’re not doing what I tell you to, you’re not going up there.”</div>
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The other man
growled lowly.</div>
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“Valguard, let it
be,” said his female companion. “That’s
Solomon Rayne. Let’s just do what he
says. He knows about ghosts and
stuff. Maybe he can help.”</div>
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Valguard looked
back at Solomon. “Fine. We’ll do it your way.”</div>
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“Good,” Solomon
replied. “Then the first thing we’re need to do is put out those torches. We can only hope that they haven’t noticed them
yet.”</div>
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“That who hasn’t
noticed them?” Valguard asked.</div>
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“Whatever’s
inhabiting that house,” Roheryn said softly.</div>
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“Put them
out. Right now.” </div>
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<i>Blogger's Note: Here's a look at a few of the custom cards we'll be using tomorrow:</i></div>
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<i>The figures for the two Eladrin brothers who followed Solomon and Ana are custom figures made from D&D figures. Ordon and Faron are a Greycloak Ranger and a Deepshadow Elf respectively. I haven't had time to make full-fledged Heroscape cards for them yet, so they have temporary testing cards to use for tomorrow. </i></div>
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<i>Roheryn (below) is a D&D Female Dragonborn Rogue. She's a custom I made some time ago, so she has a Heroscpe card made. She's not terribly exciting, but she's also not terribly expensive.</i></div>
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<i>As for the ghosts that the brave adventurers will face...you'll have to wait until the game begins to find out what ghostly spirits the Caller in Darkness has called to the house of Zarek Ral.</i></div>
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<i>Happy Heroscaping.</i></div>
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Pastor Mark Andersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04216925824992159117noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5609742327499296906.post-24220604375822894592013-10-18T10:30:00.001-04:002013-10-18T10:30:14.971-04:00The Deathly Hallows: Innkeeper's TaleBlogger's Note: Here's the next episode of "The Deathly Hallows". Read on, and enjoy.<br />
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“What can I get ya,
stranger?”</div>
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“Information.”</div>
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“No, I mean to drink…to
eat. What can I get ya?”</div>
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“I don’t want a drink, and
I’m not hungry. I want information.”</div>
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“Look, friend, this here’s
an inn. We sell food and mead. If you don’t want…”</div>
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“We’ll take two glasses of
mead,” a woman’s voice interrupted. She
placed two large coins onto the bar. </div>
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“Well, alright then,”
replied the innkeeper, and he turned to fill two mugs with mead.</div>
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The woman was tall and
fair-skinned. Not even the hood of her
purple robe could completely hide her long locks of bright red hair. Though her young face bore the unmistakable
signs of someone whose experience stretched far beyond her age, her eyes were
bright. There was an aura of innocence
and purity about her, making her seem somewhat out of place at the bar of this
inn.</div>
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A loud crash followed by an
eruption of laughter from the far side of the room startled the woman and she
turned to find the source of the noise. </div>
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The inn was filled with
people, and the noise of people eating and drinking almost filled the
room. At a table on the far side,
however, three men and a woman dressed in light armor were laughing louder than
all the rest. A serving girl was picking
up bowls and utensils off the floor from beside their table. The floor beside her was covered with stew,
and a loaf of bread lay in the middle of it.</div>
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“Here, let me help you with
that,” said one of the men.</div>
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He leaned down from his
seat, picked up the loaf of bread, and slammed it down onto the serving girl’s
tray. The tray crashed to the ground
again and the table erupted with laughter again. One of the men spit out a mouthful of mead
onto the table.</div>
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“Oh, I’m sorry,” laughed
the man, “clumsy you.”</div>
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As the serving girl leaned
over to pick up the bowls and utensils a second time, the man made a gesture
towards her, and the table exploded with laughter again. They pounded the table with their fists as
they laughed.</div>
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“Disgusting,” said the
woman at the bar. She turned back to her
companion, a rough and seasoned man in a dark green cloak. His face bore the scars of many battles…some
of them fresh. </div>
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“What are we doing here,
Solomon? The house is deserted. The wizard is gone,” the woman said.</div>
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“I need to know,” her
companion replied.</div>
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“You need to know what?”</div>
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“Here you go,” said the
innkeeper as two full mugs of mead thumped down onto the bar. “Now, is there anything else I can get ya?”</div>
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“Information,” said Solomon
Rayne curtly.</div>
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The innkeeper’s face turned
somewhat sour, mirroring Solomon’s curtness.</div>
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“We came to see the
wizard,” the woman interjected quickly trying to lighten the mood, “who lives
up on the hill, but his house seems to be deserted. We were supposed to come back to…”</div>
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Solomon shot the woman a
quick but stern look and she stopped talking immediately.</div>
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“Zarek Ral? He’s gone,” the innkeeper replied to her.</div>
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“Do you know when he’ll
return?”</div>
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“Don’t think he’s gonna. Took a whole cart-load of stuff with him when
he left…books and trinkets and such. I
don’t mind tellin’ ya, it seemed like he was real nervous, too. He sure left in a big hurry, after all. Didn’t tell anybody he was going, either. Just one day, he shows up in town, picks up
some supplies, food and such, and heads off.
That was about three months ago. My
niece, she worked up there for Ral, cooking and cleaning and such. She was there the day he left. She said she heard him say something about a
shadow falling or something like that.”</div>
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Solomon and the woman
shared a look of knowledge and concern with each other, though the innkeeper
didn’t seem to notice. </div>
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“I don’t really understand
that wizard stuff, you know. Anyway, he
packed up a bunch of his stuff and headed out the door, and old Zarek Ral
hasn’t been seen here since. Just left
my niece high and dry without a job, without pay, and without no notice. That’s no way to treat people who work for
ya, I’ll tell you that. She’s got them
kids to feed, and she’s had a hard time doing it these past three months. Guess I can’t fault that man for leaving,
though.”</div>
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“Why not,” said
Solomon. He was intensely focused on the
innkeeper’s story now.</div>
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“Well, ‘cause of the
haunting, of course.”</div>
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“The haunting?” asked the
woman.</div>
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“Sure…the place is haunted
now. Probably why he left in the first
place. I don’t mind tellin’ ya that I
couldn’t stay in a house that’s haunted like that one is…don’t care how nice it
is. No way. All those ghosts floatin’ around in
there. No thanks.” </div>
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The innkeeper leaned in a
closer to Solomon and his companion, and lowered his voice. “Sure has been good for business, though, I
don’t mind tellin’ ya.”</div>
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“What do you mean?” the
woman asked.</div>
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“Don’t get me wrong. I feel bad that Ral got chased out of his
home by them ghosts, but ever since people found out that the wizard’s house is
haunted, people been coming from all around to check it out….wanting to see a
ghost or maybe find some magical relic or something he left behind. People been streaming through here to go up
to that house.” The innkeeper nodded
toward the table where the serving girl was now mopping up the stew off the
floor. The table’s occupants were still
laughing loudly.</div>
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“Idiots,” declared Solomon. “They have no idea what they’re dealing
with.”</div>
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“Oh, you’ll get no argument
from me on that, friend. Like I said, I
wouldn’t go near that house. Some folks
that have gone up to that house don’t come back the same, and some of ‘em don’t
come back at all. No, sir, I don’t mind
tellin’ ya, I’m staying right here, thank you very much. But I don’t mind the business all them ghost
hunters bring in. They gotta eat, you
know, and most of ‘em gotta drink a whole lotta mead to get up the nerve to go
up to that house. No, sir, you won’t
catch me sneakin’ a peak up there at that house, but I sure do like the
business they bring my way. My family’s
gotta eat, too, ya know.”</div>
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Suddenly a shout came from
the kitchen. The innkeeper excused
himself and disappeared behind the door.
The red-headed woman watched Solomon as he reviewed the innkeeper’s tale
in this mind. After a few moments,
Solomon turned to his companion.</div>
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“We have to go up there, Ana.”</div>
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“I figured you say that,”
she replied.</div>
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“Ral knew about the Deathly
Hallows. If there’s anything in that
house…”</div>
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“I know. We can’t let them find the Hallows.”</div>
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After a few moments of
thought, Solomon said, “We need to prepare.
If there’s anything in that house that will lead us to the Hallows or
the wizard, we need to find it before they do.”</div>
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Ana nodded her
agreement, and the two headed out the door, their mugs of mead remaining
untouched on the bar.</div>
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Laughter erupted from the
table on the far side of the room again.
The three men and their female cohort were pounding their fists on the
table, again, totally unaware that Solomon Rayne and Ana Karithon had even been
in the inn. </div>
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A few tables away over,
however, two hooded figures sat silently in a shadowy corner. There were no dirty plates or mugs on their
table…no sign they had eaten anything at all.
They watched as Solomon and Ana left the inn, then turned to each other
and nodded.</div>
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Blogger's Note: Below are pictures of the board on which we'll be playing. They are rooms inside the wizard Zarek Ral's house.</div>
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The five rooms in which the game takes place are the Entry, the Rotunda, the Library, the Hall, and the Armory. Below are pictures of the Hall, the Library, and the Rotunda:</div>
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In this game, the Lava Field tiles aren't Lava Field, but serve as a red carpet running through the house. Charles and I came up with that one together while sitting in Chuck E. Cheese's at Liam's birthday party.</div>
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Each of the rooms will be separated (like they are in the pictures) at the beginning of the game to better facilitate several simultaneous one-on-one games, but when it's time for the Ghost Hunters to face the Caller in Darkness, all the rooms will be connected together to form one single board.</div>
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Don't forget to check back next Friday for the last episode before the game itself.</div>
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Until then, happy Heroscaping.</div>
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Pastor Mark Andersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04216925824992159117noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5609742327499296906.post-51957220627922996202013-10-11T00:01:00.000-04:002013-10-18T09:25:06.314-04:00The Deathly Hallows: Caller in Darkness<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in;">
<i>Blogger's Note: This is the sixth episode of "The Deathly Hallows". It picks up the story we began for the Halloween game in 2011 after that game. Read on, and enjoy...</i></div>
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The air was hot and stale.<br />
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Particles of crumbling
stone, decaying wood, and rotting flesh mixed with ash floated upward and in
and out of the large open windows which lined the hall. Above, a pale blue light filtered in through
the windows and the floating debris creating shadows within shadows. Below, pieces of broken bone were scattered
across the cold, rough, stone floor, drifting into small piles along the edges
by the walls.</div>
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A thick, heavy silence lay
over the hall.<br />
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At the far end of the hall
two long, blackened banners hung from the wall.
There was some kind of symbol at the center of each banner, but both
were too badly decayed to be able to identify it. Between the two banners, a large throne stood
on the dais. It alone was perfectly
smooth and polished stonework, untouched by the persistent decay that permeated
the hall.<br />
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On the throne a dark,
shadowed figure sat motionless, deep in thought, and silent as the grave.<br />
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After a few moments, the
hall began to echo faintly as with the sound of a hundred distant, indistinguishable
whispers. A shadow slid quickly across
the floor toward the dais, and as it did so, the whispers grew closer and
closer. When the shadow reached the
steps of the dais, it halted, and the whispers trailed off.<br />
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“Reveal,” said a voice from
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Immediately the whispers
began again and above the shadow before the dais a ghostly and ghastly figure
appeared. Its entire form was a
translucent, swirling mass of perpetual motion.
Faces appeared, moved across the surface of the figure, and then
disappeared again. Each face was
distorted and seemed to be crying out…seemed to be trying to get out…but no
screams could be heard and no face ever escaped the swirling form.<br />
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“I am the Caller in
Darkness, my Lord, as you commanded.” <br />
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The swirling figure’s voice
was a coalescence of many voices speaking at once, and as it spoke, it bowed
its swirling heads before the dark one seated on the throne. The whispers trailed off again.</div>
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“Nerull has failed me. He did not protect the Hallow, and now it is
gone.”<br />
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“Nerull is a fool,” the
voices echoed.<br />
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“Yes, he was.”<br />
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The shadowy figure glanced
at a small pile of ash and bone beside the Caller in Darkness. The hall erupted again with the echo of a
hundred whispers, and then was silent once more.<br />
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“I can no longer sense the
Hallow. Someone is protecting it…keeping
it hidden from. This requires powerful
magic.”<br />
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“A wizard, my lord?”<br />
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“Undoubtedly. I warned Nerull not to underestimate
them. I told him that not all would have
forgotten, and now his incompetence has lost me the Hallow and my doorway into
the mortal realm.”<br />
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The shadowy figure stared past
the Caller in Darkness and did not speak.<br />
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The Caller in Darkness
waited silently for his master to continue.
The faces moving in and out and across the surface of his form began to
move and swirl faster and faster as he waited.
Many of them glanced down at the remains of Nerull as they passed above
them, screaming in terror without uttering a sound.<br />
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After a few moments, the
one seated on the throne continued, “Nerull allowed a group of men and elves to get to the Deathly Hallow before its power could be fully harnessed and the
doorway between our worlds could be opened.” <br />
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“Do you wish me to bring
these men to you, my lord?”<br />
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“No, they are nothing. The wizard is the danger here. Find me the wizard who sent them to that
graveyard. Find me the wizard who knew
about the Deathly Hallow. Find me the
wizard who is now undoubtedly hiding it from me.”<br />
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“Yes, my lord.”<br />
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“Find where he lives, learn
all that he knows, discover all his secrets, then bring him to me. I want that wizard. Do you understand?”<br />
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“My lord, it will be done
as you command.” The Caller in Darkness
bowed before the one seated on the throne.<br />
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“Do…not…fail…me,” the
shadowy figure said slowly and carefully.<br />
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Several of the faces
swirling through the Caller in Darkness looked at the pile of bone and ash, and
the sound of a hundred whispers sprang up in the hall again, and just as
quickly as they had come, the whispers died away.</div>
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“I will not, my lord.”<br />
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The Caller in Darkness
bowed again and began to back away. The
Caller in Darkness turned away from the shadowy figure on the throne, and the
hall again echoed with whispers. As the
Caller in Darkness faded again into shadow and glided back across the hall, its
many faces stared transfixed at the dark figure on the throne and screamed in
terror without ever uttering a sound.<br />
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<i>Blogger's Note: Caller in Darkness will figure prominently in our game on October 26th. It is a Dungeons and Dragons figure that's both very creepy and very cool. Here's his Heroscape card for your preview.</i></div>
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<i>Blogger's Note: Log on again next Friday for the next episode of "The Deathly Hallows".</i></div>
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Pastor Mark Andersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04216925824992159117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5609742327499296906.post-78973658264282919192013-09-21T00:51:00.000-04:002013-09-21T00:59:46.436-04:00Gladiators of the Athasien ArenaAs I mentioned in my post about the StarCraft-themed Space Marines, a number of years ago, before the first Aquilla-allied figure hit the market even, my son Benjamin and I created a Valkyrie named Wyndar to be the General for some custom figures we were introducing to the game.<br />
<br />
Wyndar called the desert home and was a home for a number of Mage Knight figures that we were customizing for Heroscape play. We were including figures like pirates, assassins, and various other sorts of creatures.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPL1jMNAq39KhiH7LS2zDV9I3RBsnPFdSxjBrmy_Pw5xPvWkpFl16DIaZ3XQ7rqePmIbSv8MYs_5TdsFBVRZFNjtz-PqRRqWFV-9wI9hUuqXAjCrxnKZHXrNDoFSMEJVcc3aSa7-pER4/s1600/CAPTAIN+ANNA+MARIA+b.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="603" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPL1jMNAq39KhiH7LS2zDV9I3RBsnPFdSxjBrmy_Pw5xPvWkpFl16DIaZ3XQ7rqePmIbSv8MYs_5TdsFBVRZFNjtz-PqRRqWFV-9wI9hUuqXAjCrxnKZHXrNDoFSMEJVcc3aSa7-pER4/s640/CAPTAIN+ANNA+MARIA+b.bmp" width="640" /></a></div>
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On Labor Day this year, I had some friends over to play an arena game. The arena I build was called the Athasien Arena. It's an arena that belongs to Wyndar. Here's what the board looked like:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyHDt6Kj0q-H8818mo5f9Sue5WMo72RL84ruNKeK63unKY4AG64oljodNtE7SB1kT9q-1bKIm6kL-XgBcLQSSlCp5fALZk8zBW3k-HSpfw79i8gk97q_nFwyLfbfvBYjyQnbYkTUdyuE/s1600/00+Athasien+Arena.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyHDt6Kj0q-H8818mo5f9Sue5WMo72RL84ruNKeK63unKY4AG64oljodNtE7SB1kT9q-1bKIm6kL-XgBcLQSSlCp5fALZk8zBW3k-HSpfw79i8gk97q_nFwyLfbfvBYjyQnbYkTUdyuE/s640/00+Athasien+Arena.bmp" width="640" /></a></div>
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The arena board concept originally came from a post on the original Heroscape website operated by Hasbro (which has since been taken down, of course). It was called "Taelord's Coliseum" though I modified it somewhat, of course. It's a good basic scenario that doesn't take that long to play when you need a nice solid game that doesn't last too long.</div>
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We had a great game and a great afternoon of fun, fellowship, and combat in the arena.</div>
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Here was the setup for the game and the special rules of play:</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Valkyrie Wyndar, Scourge of the Wastelands, Lord of
Jutangaard, Master of the Noatun, and Archkyrie of Elswin, is a cruel and
insatiable general.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wyndar has an
unquenchable thirst for blood, sweat, and tears, and he encourages his subjects
and his armies to savor the same. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Wyndar has ordered his armies to wound and capture enemy
combatants when they can, and to return these prisoners across the desert to
the Athasien Arena.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There, their wounds
will be treated and they will be prepared by the trainers to be gladiators…to fight
and suffer…to kill and be killed on the sands of the arena.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Occasionally, Wyndar will even compel one of
his own soldiers to fight in the arena, ether to punish him or to punish the
others who are placed in the arena with him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A fight in the Athasien Arena is a tiresome and bloody
ordeal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beasts are released into the
arena with the gladiators to add an element of unpredictability , and the
crowds which gather to watch the games reflect their master’s unquenchable
thirst for bloody combat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If a gladiator
displeases the crowd they will turn on him, possibly even attacking him from
the stands, and if the crowd feels that a gladiator has become too badly
wounded to be entertaining, they may decide to execute him immediately.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The game begins with eighteen heroes and ends when only six
remain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wyndar keeps the gladiators
fighting by promising them freedom if they perform well in the arena…and if
they survive it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The better you are at killing,
the sooner you can earn your freedom from the Athasien Arena.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are ways for gladiators to gain
advantages in the games, however, provided you can provide enough incentive for
others to help you, and even the favor of raucous crowd can be swayed…for the
right price.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Athasien Arena is a hostile and suffocating place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Death in the arena will bring release from
captivity and the games, but it is an excruciatingly painful path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In the Athasien Arena, it is never a good day to die.</span><br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Special Rules of Play:</span></em></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Piles of Corpses.</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When a figure is destroyed, replace it with a hexagonal Corpse
Marker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spaces with a Corpse Marker on
them add one level of elevation for each Corpse Marker on it.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Wyndar’s Ruling.</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If a hero figure receives wounds and has only one life remaining, the
crowd will vote to see if that hero may continue in the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The host rolls 10 Wyndar Valkyrie Dice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you roll four or less skulls, the figure
remains on the board.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If five or more
skulls are rolled, the hero is destroyed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If three or more Wyndar symbols are rolled, the figure remains no matter
how many skulls are rolled.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Crowd Attack.</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When a player moves his or her figure moves into the Crowd area, he or
she must immediately roll a 20-sided.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
the player rolls a 15 or higher, the crowd does nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the player rolls a 1-14, the host attacks
that figure with a nearby Squad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When a
player moves a figure already in the Crowd area, if the figure ends its move in
the Crowd area, that player must also roll the 20-sided die for Crowd
Attack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The player who successfully
bribes the Crowd is never attacked by the Crowd <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(see below)</i>.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Crowd Approval Rating</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At the end of each round, each player except the player who successfully
bribed the Crowd <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(see below)</i> must
roll the 20-sided die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The player who
rolls the lowest will receive sniper shots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sniper shots are taken one at a time for each of that player’s
heroes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The host rolls the 20-sided die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he or she rolls a 19 or higher, that hero
is destroyed.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Releasing the Animals.</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At the end of the first round, after sniping shots have been taken, a
squad of animals is released into the arena.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Control of squad of animals is determined by Player Bribes <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(see below)</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When a player takes control of a squad of
animals, he or she may immediately take a turn with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of the second round, after sniping
shots have been taken, and the first squad of animals released has taken a turn
(if possible), another squad of animals is released.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A third squad of animals is released after
the third round in the same manner (first squad, second squad,
then third squad).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the
fourth round, continue taken turns with the squads of animals in the
appropriate order (if possible).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Order
Markers can never be placed on the animal’s Army Card, but they can defend
themselves if attacked.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Player Bribes.</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Before drafting begins, each player
fills out a “Gold Distribution Sheet.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Players may distribute 100 gold pieces in any amounts to any and all of
the following individuals or group:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<ul><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gladiator Trainer<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></li>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">High Priest of Dagmar<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></li>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Crowd<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></li>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Animal Trainer<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></li>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Players may not distribute more than
100 gold pieces in total.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Here's a copy of the sheet I gave out:</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbnc-1s3tnl17BT08hsp21m7gRtwSmaUtvE_AaKFMG6n5-WraD9kaypKRP7VUdbkIrXkKyIkJMXuvZJ-xZm1cEtXEX2fqjIpMtU8paT6JCgPK0VenmOcAvhylbD7DBDrKdFUTzKZKwjA/s1600/Coliseum+Gold+Distirbution+Sheet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbnc-1s3tnl17BT08hsp21m7gRtwSmaUtvE_AaKFMG6n5-WraD9kaypKRP7VUdbkIrXkKyIkJMXuvZJ-xZm1cEtXEX2fqjIpMtU8paT6JCgPK0VenmOcAvhylbD7DBDrKdFUTzKZKwjA/s640/Coliseum+Gold+Distirbution+Sheet.jpg" width="492" /></span></a></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">When all players have returned their
distribution sheets to the host, the host will declare which player has
successfully earned the favor of each individual or group.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(The player who successfully
earns the favor of an individual or group is the player who offers them the
most gold.)</i></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Gladiator Trainer.</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The player who successfully earns the favor of the Gladiator Trainer begins
the draft. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other players draft in
descending order the bribe amount offered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Each player must draft three heroes according to the following maximum
point schedule:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<ul><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">400 points: to the player who successfully bribes the Gladiator Trainer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></li>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">380 points: to the player with the second highest bribe.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></li>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">360 points: to the player with the third highest bribe.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></li>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">340 points: to the player with the fourth highest bribe.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></li>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">320 points: to the player with the fifth highest bribe.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></li>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">300 points: to the player with the lowest bribe.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The High Priest of Dagmar. </span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The player who successfully earns the favor of
the High Priest of Dagmar adds 10 to his or her initiative roll.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All other players add 1 to their initiative
roll for each 10 pieces of gold they offered to the High Priest.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Throwing Money to the Crowd.</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The player who successfully earns the favor of the Crowd is never attacked
by the crowd and is never sniped. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All
other players add 1 to their Crowd rolls <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Crowd
Approval Rating and Crowd Attack) </i>for each 10 pieces of gold they offered
to the Crowd.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Animal Trainer.</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The player who successfully earns the favor of the animal trainer will
receive control of the squad of animals released into the arena after the first
round.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The player who offers the second
highest amount of gold to the Animal Trainer will receive control of the squad
released after the second round.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
player who offered the third highest amount of gold will receive control of the
squad released after the third round.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Game’s End:</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> The game ends immediately when there are only six remaining
heroes.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Winning the Game:</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> The player who has the most points and has at least one hero
remaining at the end of the game wins the game. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Points: </span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Points are earned in the following
manner:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<ul><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Each player receives points equal to the point value of each hero he or she destroys during</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> the game, including heroes destroyed by animals that player controlled. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(For figures </i></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">destroyed by Wyndar’s Ruling, the player whose attack activated Wyndar’s Ruling receives </i></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the points for that hero.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No player receives points for heroes destroyed by the Crowd.)</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></li>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Each player receives points equal to the point value of each hero he or she has remaining at </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">the end of the game.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></li>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Each player receives 100 points for each hero he or she has remaining at the end of the </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">game.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></li>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Before the game began, I left the players with the follow blessing<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> I attributed to Anna Karithon:<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> “May
your steps ever fall beyond the watch of Wyndar.”</i></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As I said, it was a great afternoon,and a great game. Next up for us is our fifth annual Halloween Heroscape event, a continuation of the story we began two years ago in the search for the Deathly Hallows at Grim's Hollow.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Until then, happy Heroscaping...</span></div>
Pastor Mark Andersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04216925824992159117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5609742327499296906.post-27647835146741423632013-08-16T10:56:00.000-04:002013-08-16T10:56:04.497-04:00Heart of the SwarmA while ago now, I built a board called "Heart of the Swarm". <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3v1lP2eEc0tf0c5idAlKSCMpfwhspwewkf3cqGxm1Y7FgA1ezkyxTgi4MjUE8JIV5X-gyisEoC78LHPcL0dBv1tzqRSfnobDPiWh90v3L3XGqniIYsl3IkkwoQnoKLrbhjkL25tS60Ec/s1600/(2-6)+Heart+of+the+Swarm.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3v1lP2eEc0tf0c5idAlKSCMpfwhspwewkf3cqGxm1Y7FgA1ezkyxTgi4MjUE8JIV5X-gyisEoC78LHPcL0dBv1tzqRSfnobDPiWh90v3L3XGqniIYsl3IkkwoQnoKLrbhjkL25tS60Ec/s640/(2-6)+Heart+of+the+Swarm.bmp" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
It's a swamp board on which we played a couple of different scenarios. The first scenario was a four-player (two per team) game to test out the strength of my StarCraft-inspired custom figures (<a href="http://myheroscape.blogspot.com/2012/06/raynors-raidersraiders-roll.html" target="_blank">Click Here for More on Them</a>) by pitting them against a swarm of Marro, including two hives.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvkwGRW7YyL0LDA0zDIJRPwk5DJi8M8F-PKwiLTGb35fvu9wyyxMNzr7abEIglDxdaTF88JEgy2cbraxP7IlAL-zcCFE6LJ-GeWlFhtBo7xrKXzDA4uT3w7DMh-pciAw7y7oyUKrKqla8/s1600/DSCN6428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvkwGRW7YyL0LDA0zDIJRPwk5DJi8M8F-PKwiLTGb35fvu9wyyxMNzr7abEIglDxdaTF88JEgy2cbraxP7IlAL-zcCFE6LJ-GeWlFhtBo7xrKXzDA4uT3w7DMh-pciAw7y7oyUKrKqla8/s640/DSCN6428.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Despite being severely under-pointed, the Marines decimated the Marro swarm. We weren't sure if the Marines' points needed to be adjusted or if they were just particularly effective against the Marro. No points have been adjusted yet...<br />
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The second scenario we played on the board was called "John Jameson's Capture the Keg". I placed a barrel under the tower on each end of the board. The object was to have one of your figures adjacent to the barrel and unengaged at the end of a round. If you managed that, you'd captured the keg and won the game.<br />
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Time was running out and people had to go home, and with the last round, this is as close as Charles and Woody got because Woody put his last Order Marker on the wrong card. <br />
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So sad...<br />
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Then, of course, the board was up for a while between those two games, so the boys played a few free games on it, too.<br />
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All in all, "Heart of the Swarm" is a pretty good board for a variety of scenarios or just for free play. <br />
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In addition to the regular swamp and jungle terrain pieces, the board did have some custom pieces added to it as well, including the towers on each end. I find that aquarium décor (like the towers on this board) is great for adding character and obstacles to Heroscape boards. I also added some swamp/jungle plants of my own (from aquarium plants) as well as a couple of aquarium rock pieces.<br />
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I also used some custom terrain pieces on this board including Mud tiles and Blade Grass tiles. The mud tiles were created by modifying a pattern created and shared by <a href="http://www.heroscapers.com/community/showthread.php?t=33552" target="_blank">Delphic</a> on heroscapers.com. <br />
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Delphic's original design was for molten lava, but I recolored it for mud, printed it on sticker paper, then printed the hex patterns Delphic provided overtop. I put the printed sticker paper onto 1/4 inch Styrofoam sheets and cut them out. They work pretty well. <br />
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We played it that whenever you stepped onto a mud space, you had to roll the d-20. If you rolled 1-7 (or something), you got stuck in the mud and you had to bring a friendly figure adjacent to the stuck figure before it could move again (like the Glyph of Proftaka).<br />
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The other custom terrain piece on this board is Blade Grass. <br />
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The Blade Grass tiles were made by drilling small holes in a swamp water tiles in specific patterns and hot-gluing aquarium grass into the holes.<br />
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The special rules of the Blade Grass are that it you cross a line of grass, you must roll an attack die for each line of Blade Grass you cross. You take a wound for each skull you roll. That's why the patterns are important. You can created a walkable path through the grass or limit movement up onto land forms by creating a wall of Blade Grass. A figure can move through as a short cut, but not without risk.<br />
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I chose to use both red-tipped aquarium grass along with the regular green to suggest that they are blood-stained and dangerous.<br />
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I think that's all for now. I'll post something on Arena games after Labor Day.<br />
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Happy heroscaping.<br />
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Pastor Mark Andersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04216925824992159117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5609742327499296906.post-76507414059248381882013-07-30T22:22:00.001-04:002013-08-16T10:56:45.730-04:00Kill the DragonSo it's been a long while since I've posted anything. Truth is, it's been a busy year for life and a slow year for Heroscape. Plus, when we have played, I've forgotten to take pictures, and what fun is a Heroscape blog post without pictures?<br />
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But last night we had a game called "Kill the Dragon". It was a team game with 5 players on one team and 2 players (both played by me) on the other. We tried to find a way for most of the players to be on the same team against one enemy. One of the big challenges was to get the balance right in terms of points and Order Markers. I think we did okay, but it probably still needs a little tweaking.<br />
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Here's the pregame story I read to other players before we began...<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">For
centuries, Weston was known for the strength of its steel, due in large part to
a deposit of uniquely strong iron discovered under the largest mountain in
Weston, thereafter called the Iron Mountain. The mines of the Iron Mountain
provided the raw materials for thousands of weapons, and it made the
blacksmiths, the people, and the king of Weston incredibly rich.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">That
is…until <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">he</i> came….Ancalagon the
Black.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">He
laid waste to fields, devoured flocks, and ravaged villages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Worst of all, the great and terrible black
dragon took up residence in the mines of the Iron Mountain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ancalagon’s acid spray line burned deep into
the mine, collapsing tunnels and disintegrating miners.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">An
attempt was made immediately by the king to drive the dragon from the mines,
but he was unprepared to face a dragon like Ancalagon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He barely escaped with his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of his men did not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A
second attempt to retake the mines suffered the same fate and a third.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon Ancalagon was joined by a mate, Braxas,
a terrible and vicious dragon in her own right, and the two spawned many young
black dragons, which made retaking the mines a virtual impossibility. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The king of Weston conceded the mountain to
Ancalagon, and the mines were lost.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Now, the stores of iron from the Iron
Mountain’s mines are long depleted, and the harvests have been sparingly small
for the last few years as fields have suffered frequent raids by the offspring
of Braxas and Ancalagon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The economy of
Weston has collapsed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no steel
to sell and no food to eat.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But there is hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A new king has come to the throne in
Weston…Godric the Lionhearted, and he has decided to personally address the
problem of the black dragons of the Iron Mountain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Godric
has gathered a contingent of knights, archers, and champions of the realm,
including Sir Denrick, the giant hunter, and Sir Taylor, a reputed, if somewhat
inexperienced, dragon slayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has
also enlisted the assistance of the famed dragon hunter Pavel Halfdane from
across the sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8JiepfzyXGUDT6-BTW_smv1AZFQ-xTB9giFNy41TUUy-EH8ATKsvNZKZezWEHoIPy-29tGR65nWomrj30WppWga1c9ttSJr_FP9euNqC5tzGHvSNi1FtA2iKsGt-in8rR3E9cXWwJom0/s1600/aDSCN0114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8JiepfzyXGUDT6-BTW_smv1AZFQ-xTB9giFNy41TUUy-EH8ATKsvNZKZezWEHoIPy-29tGR65nWomrj30WppWga1c9ttSJr_FP9euNqC5tzGHvSNi1FtA2iKsGt-in8rR3E9cXWwJom0/s640/aDSCN0114.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Together
Godric, his knights, archers, and champions have climbed the pathways up the
Iron Mountain to face the terrible foe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They have come to this place to kill the dragons, to reclaim and reopen
the mines, and to free the land of Weston from the scourge of Ancalagon the
Black and his clan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They face incredible
odds, but Godric has the heart of a lion.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">He will kill the dragon or die in the attempt.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhAV92uA97BBGtlBGnSTtr7J5yCyo8IeNDkYSX8lSQvcjHQ9WG5lanZlSWGEn2wtsfWD9WJ14NBDmnpv-y5zOZHoLojtSN6g2Qonncuc3tt46sxbDv5aA4XIK9BAbIXhkMnXZcnbLYWg/s1600/aDSCN0112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhAV92uA97BBGtlBGnSTtr7J5yCyo8IeNDkYSX8lSQvcjHQ9WG5lanZlSWGEn2wtsfWD9WJ14NBDmnpv-y5zOZHoLojtSN6g2Qonncuc3tt46sxbDv5aA4XIK9BAbIXhkMnXZcnbLYWg/s640/aDSCN0112.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The game was a lot of fun, and the six of us had a great time. I even made the lemonade black (in order to be intimidating). We had pizza, mac and cheese, watermelon, and butter beers. In the end, however, the last play looked like this:<br />
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Sir Godric the Lionhearted and the forces of Weston were successful as the last Black Drake fell to one of the Knights of Weston with Godric looking on.<br />
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Here are the temporary cards for Godric and Ancalagon:<br />
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Godric is the D&D figure, Cleric of St. Cuthbert. Ancalagon is the D&D Gargantuan Black Dragon.<br />
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Here's the Virtualscape version of the board:<br />
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As I said, it was a great game and a lot of fun. And I'm happy to be back on the blog.<br />
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Happy Heroscaping, everybody.<br />
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<br />Pastor Mark Andersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04216925824992159117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5609742327499296906.post-65569553266294339182012-06-11T21:54:00.000-04:002012-06-11T22:00:27.894-04:00Raynor's Raiders...Raiders, RollWow, has it been a while since I've posted!<br />
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I guess it really is a good thing when life is so full that I don't have time to sit at the computer and post a significant blog entry about Heroscape. I like Heroscape a lot, but I also realize it's a hobby. <br />
<br />
Heroscape provides me with a helpful escape from life from time to time...allowing me to imagine and create worlds filled with deadly swamps, treacherous, snow-covered mountains, broad grassy fields, and deep, dark dungeons. I get to dabble for a while in a world in which the rules are known and followed by all the players, the purpose is clear, and your enemies are easily identifiable. In life, it is not always so.<br />
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Another way I like to escape for a little while is through <em>Starcraft</em>. It's another war game, of course, with a little less randomness in the play and a lot more blood and carnage. I prefer to play as Terrans (I do like my Bunkers and Seige Tanks) rather than Zerg or Protoss.<br />
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My first attempt at combining the two games was a Unique Squad of two U.E.D. Marines.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGGTrpaqJJkSc68Gx42xrbWI-Ooy49o6LQI3b1S4If68_mK4wDG1qrgoSXk06mQQ4NVkrnUpx4MrdPelgm0M2TtTOLFdacO4XpDT_O5CoQDMt8_ft7gWVnsIfkhPg5oaES-oykKOcnRQ/s1600/U.E.D.+MARINES+b.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGGTrpaqJJkSc68Gx42xrbWI-Ooy49o6LQI3b1S4If68_mK4wDG1qrgoSXk06mQQ4NVkrnUpx4MrdPelgm0M2TtTOLFdacO4XpDT_O5CoQDMt8_ft7gWVnsIfkhPg5oaES-oykKOcnRQ/s400/U.E.D.+MARINES+b.bmp" width="400" /></a></div>
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I took a couple of Zettian Guards and dug out the heads (Do they really have heads, per se?). Then I took a couple of extra Drake Alexanders (RoTV) and first, cut their heads off, then cut the faces off the heads. I glued the faces into the head cavities of the two Zettian Guards, then painted them in camoflauge. They turned out pretty well, and my friends (some of whom also play <em>Starcraft</em>) enjoyed playing with them.<br />
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After the release of <em><a href="http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/" target="_blank">Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty</a></em>, however, I was no longer satisfied with my little squad of two marines. I wanted more!<br />
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Then I found a set of Tactical Squad of Warhammer 40K Space Marines in a (relatively) local game store, and I knew I'd found what I'd been looking for. Each box contains 10 marines (For those of you counting at home, that means three common squads of three marines each and one unique hero. Perfect!) that I could build however I wanted to. I had to have them.<br />
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So, of course, I bought the box, and then, of course, I let it sit on my shelf for about 8 months.<br />
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Last April, though, I took a week of staycation, and finally got them out and start working on them, cutting them off the sprues and piecing them together with a little super glue.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijkR7IhqQyGdbBI7AC1dlq_uAEh-HY0ZK-ggq28urtrYDwc3dPvBaYsT0f-7DXG_plsaPukUnSPGH_7YjCrGoBMgrAYnTzv2CWepa4IjJaaxApVzScBQ4_0q4toHBnHCCjgNxYsLrGhXw/s1600/IMG_0332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijkR7IhqQyGdbBI7AC1dlq_uAEh-HY0ZK-ggq28urtrYDwc3dPvBaYsT0f-7DXG_plsaPukUnSPGH_7YjCrGoBMgrAYnTzv2CWepa4IjJaaxApVzScBQ4_0q4toHBnHCCjgNxYsLrGhXw/s640/IMG_0332.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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My wife was kind enough to take a few pictures of the process for this blog entry (which I had planned all along).<br />
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Of course, having been inspired by <em>Wings of Liberty</em>, the marines I made were Raynor's Raiders (<em>"Raiders roll..."</em>), with Jim Raynor as their Hero.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwU00Vvw1GWA7ko4EX_kG1-aNeiSQlhMLPeaX69rKRdcbqucmh9ulltb4kjx-WanPl8mR-EiYSgWWX4nYFP-xvR8paZfwAmvLZr4G9MMXZ2fZ2T1CtSPNirALe7EGGpBZ3fJ8dSnby66U/s1600/IMG_0366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwU00Vvw1GWA7ko4EX_kG1-aNeiSQlhMLPeaX69rKRdcbqucmh9ulltb4kjx-WanPl8mR-EiYSgWWX4nYFP-xvR8paZfwAmvLZr4G9MMXZ2fZ2T1CtSPNirALe7EGGpBZ3fJ8dSnby66U/s640/IMG_0366.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Keeping with the theme of the original Starcraft, Raynor's Raiders had to be blue. I used a base of a bright blue and then did a second coat in a metallic blue with some silver and some black metallic paint. I also used gunmetal gray metallic paint for the weapong. It turned out great. I highly recommend the gunmetal gray.<br />
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I painted Raynor, in a metallic green, rather than blue...to keep with the Starcraft theme and to help distinguish him from the Raiders.<br />
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The final result was this:<br />
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Me like!<br />
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Once the figures were done, of course, I had to go to work on the cards.<br />
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I already had worked out some of what the stats and powers would be, but I had to put them in card form and work out a few of the kinks. Here's how they came out:<br />
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For the Raiders, I kept the Stim Pack power from my original squad of marines, but exchanged the camoflauge (which didn't seem appropriate) for Commander Bonding. Jandar still seemed to be the best ideological fit for Raynor and his Raiders.<br />
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For Raynor, I used the idea of Raynor's special power in <em>Belly of the Beast</em> (the next to the last mission of <em>Wings of Liberty</em>, if you choose to do it) and used the language of the Fire Line Special Attack to create his Perdition Shot Special Attack (Awesome!), and I took a page from the Orcs and gave him Marine Enhancement to go with their bonding power.<br />
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They turned out beautifully!<br />
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Of course, I couldn't stop there. I needed to have marines from all three Terran factions, Raynor's Raiders, the Terran Dominon, and the U.E.D. So I bought a couple more sets of marines off ebay, and made myself some more to complete my collection. I also gave the marines from each faction slightly different powers and point values, so a player can choose the value of the marnies he wants to play with (they all have Stim Pack, though).<br />
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So in addition to Jim Raynor with his three squads of Raynor's Raiders, I now have three squads of U.E.D. Marines (<em>"I've been waiting on you..."</em>), in white armor, in keeping with <em>Omega</em>, the last mission of <em>Brood War</em>) with Adm. Alexei Stukov as the companion hero. They follow Einar. <br />
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And I have three squads of the Sons of Korhal (<em>"You want a piece of me, boy?"</em>) in red armor, also in keeping with <em>Omega</em>, the last mission of <em>Brood War</em>), with Gen. Horace Warfield as the companion hero (who has Shredder Grenades and a Flame Thrower). They follow Wyndar (a not as evil as Utgar or Valkrill, but not good Valkyrie my son Ben and I created that calls the desert home...seemed appropriate for Korhal and Mengsk's marines).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCeG768eHggiBTqZ6QfaAF0gEvMgKN9X84Px_9tC5HNhBTvFE78awXsDLX_Z5gnlhWEmTmukZ9yWqC27B7Gtg1fuYoDgEagsemNeFwOYYedNfanryFPjF6_GKzWISBF-06IGrfEYhPMs/s1600/DSCN6114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCeG768eHggiBTqZ6QfaAF0gEvMgKN9X84Px_9tC5HNhBTvFE78awXsDLX_Z5gnlhWEmTmukZ9yWqC27B7Gtg1fuYoDgEagsemNeFwOYYedNfanryFPjF6_GKzWISBF-06IGrfEYhPMs/s640/DSCN6114.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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As for my original squad of two marines, I was going to just retire them as prototypes whose time had passed, but then I had an idea. I renamed them and turned them into mercenaries (again in keeping with the theme of <em>Wings of Liberty</em>).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRL6AXn71RB1yWwJcahUmvYpvs8R3lKSiYSdvSDrp1r8kSikWDTrKdsqaKNIcUIJSv4G4l2gxELakoQlt1vAbzwdx1JRefbfowOhP4qnOzfGDzD554KIqpqkvpQB4Le85DKa8iKncVFdI/s1600/SPARTAN+COMPANY+b.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRL6AXn71RB1yWwJcahUmvYpvs8R3lKSiYSdvSDrp1r8kSikWDTrKdsqaKNIcUIJSv4G4l2gxELakoQlt1vAbzwdx1JRefbfowOhP4qnOzfGDzD554KIqpqkvpQB4Le85DKa8iKncVFdI/s400/SPARTAN+COMPANY+b.bmp" width="400" /></a></div>
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Oh, I also made a few other <em>Starcraft</em>-themed figures as well, but I think I've blogged enough for now.<br />
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Happy heroscaping!<br />
<br />Pastor Mark Andersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04216925824992159117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5609742327499296906.post-50152287720900649112012-03-16T17:13:00.000-04:002012-03-16T17:13:28.078-04:00Valkyrie Shrines - UllarYou may have guessed from the green background of my blog, but Ullar is my favorite of the Valkyrie. This is so because I do love the elves. They are my favorite species to play with on the whole, and Sonlen is sort of my alter ego in the game. He is the figure I go to when I need a good one to fill out my army.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpxOS9bfJ6-VOtFemdYWz89bh4B-9Zjn1gH7oqbLZccUg45cr7xHwfDy9lCYWYdbyJbtl-D8-VH5n0-T2Avag1WV0axjepAiOGMjfEjw6DxX1_uTeD-dLU7NmyHwjauJDmb9NdS9Jbe8/s1600/sonlen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpxOS9bfJ6-VOtFemdYWz89bh4B-9Zjn1gH7oqbLZccUg45cr7xHwfDy9lCYWYdbyJbtl-D8-VH5n0-T2Avag1WV0axjepAiOGMjfEjw6DxX1_uTeD-dLU7NmyHwjauJDmb9NdS9Jbe8/s1600/sonlen.jpg" /></a></div>
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His ability to Dragon Swoop is very effective against Soulborgs and other figures with a high defense or squads like the Krav Maga Agents with their Stealth Dodge (another favorite of mine). Add his Dragon Healing to that and a moderate ranged attack and you have one powerful figure.</div>
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Anyway, I like the elves, so Ullar is my preferred Valkyrie.</div>
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Below are some pictures of the Ullar Shrine.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6PEma6iHDrdfnj7tTb2DCCJ4Vcs3dabFy82HnA2rWii3Kw5plgUO_ta_FF5OC0Dn2VvzkC_I-k7cm6eyP9jA0C3URsxczMi0kq5bsKgJJ2oUD04uoDTpmSFJDehHJL6FLaL8ozL0XLTs/s1600/Ullar+Shrine+(Front).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6PEma6iHDrdfnj7tTb2DCCJ4Vcs3dabFy82HnA2rWii3Kw5plgUO_ta_FF5OC0Dn2VvzkC_I-k7cm6eyP9jA0C3URsxczMi0kq5bsKgJJ2oUD04uoDTpmSFJDehHJL6FLaL8ozL0XLTs/s400/Ullar+Shrine+(Front).jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHgSZWQd5YVEk7E3ZhhKb31-vGi-BYsjqRLwmLDt-0YRN7igW6pKkQ3RjzQqOiODc8NxQKtuyHGxJIhrS1jJPArFRgxgiI1_F37zq1FvkwdXGybFuscedXVeRP41q4xIOeXg1d9MCjHtE/s1600/Ullar+Shrine+(Left).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHgSZWQd5YVEk7E3ZhhKb31-vGi-BYsjqRLwmLDt-0YRN7igW6pKkQ3RjzQqOiODc8NxQKtuyHGxJIhrS1jJPArFRgxgiI1_F37zq1FvkwdXGybFuscedXVeRP41q4xIOeXg1d9MCjHtE/s400/Ullar+Shrine+(Left).jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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The main part of the shrine is a piece of driftwood that I got from my grandmother when she died. It originally had a seagull on it. We used to feed the seagulls on the beach of the Gulf of Mexico when Grandma and Grandpa would go to Texas for the winter. I took the seagull off and glued some light green clump foliage (from the model train store). As Ullar has a wood and forest kind of theme, his shrine needed to include wood and greens and water.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkPov3Tlnw9YzffURxRRoeag68uqz4ZJnc6PiySxCUpdB7yQYLG2dKKfPKCQaivB24bt27DpUeKG2GhGT0EB3ZhKmizYzG0z3KJ7h2JNUOiHmbaJ4pm2n68r4W4PEjl9n1XdcGBEWkxg/s1600/Ullar+Shrine+(Right).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkPov3Tlnw9YzffURxRRoeag68uqz4ZJnc6PiySxCUpdB7yQYLG2dKKfPKCQaivB24bt27DpUeKG2GhGT0EB3ZhKmizYzG0z3KJ7h2JNUOiHmbaJ4pm2n68r4W4PEjl9n1XdcGBEWkxg/s400/Ullar+Shrine+(Right).jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TcWXEbO8gcvy-4W1PtOjv1VVefU2vuHQGHGle_95Na5_x8Y4P82jtoXSd9k8VOcimV8dFBJr27Sqh_7Fw9l2AxoT2ZjpK48mmiNZhrSwP3hux9voCeP224x19WUlY0vL-LuzCYCBBxM/s1600/Ullar+Shrine+(Back).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TcWXEbO8gcvy-4W1PtOjv1VVefU2vuHQGHGle_95Na5_x8Y4P82jtoXSd9k8VOcimV8dFBJr27Sqh_7Fw9l2AxoT2ZjpK48mmiNZhrSwP3hux9voCeP224x19WUlY0vL-LuzCYCBBxM/s400/Ullar+Shrine+(Back).jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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There is also a Paint Pot rock filled with some hot glue and painted blue for a pool of water, and a Syvarris figure as a statue (I like to include a figure in the shrine design). The pool figures prominently in alternate side of the shrine card.</div>
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The primary side is pretty much like the Jandar Shrine:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-FzSk9fjUZGYzDIaFELqyMEc7XXPWekPaQKChPPeD_Nno7xnR9cy7foWma-IG7hJ4KuVmo32fC16NS5RluKyeTxzCZYuDj_yUyOsEFwmyup1B_OfOhEP44T2svAZ-mKUECPfkTs2H7U/s1600/SHRINE+OF+ULLAR.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-FzSk9fjUZGYzDIaFELqyMEc7XXPWekPaQKChPPeD_Nno7xnR9cy7foWma-IG7hJ4KuVmo32fC16NS5RluKyeTxzCZYuDj_yUyOsEFwmyup1B_OfOhEP44T2svAZ-mKUECPfkTs2H7U/s400/SHRINE+OF+ULLAR.bmp" width="400" /></a></div>
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The stone, as the source of the shrine's power, is the only targetable object.</div>
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The alternate side of the shrine's card, Ullar's Fountain of Life, has healing powers for those who stand in the open space of the shrine and also gives a bonus movement.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWUnH_RXfx8MSyffmu86vySck7dMiyKLIk2Jk1KIBoZ4Kd_U4g_jvASrVw4XDIK6E2D_vR8VvMCvapkHLnxhTF6QKxqTOA8M6Y3Ib8M-JD_TU09NqM9-PvwP-0OEeAtUJTEmaCq6i2W20/s1600/ULLAR'S+FOUNTAIN+OF+LIFE+(Ullar).bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWUnH_RXfx8MSyffmu86vySck7dMiyKLIk2Jk1KIBoZ4Kd_U4g_jvASrVw4XDIK6E2D_vR8VvMCvapkHLnxhTF6QKxqTOA8M6Y3Ib8M-JD_TU09NqM9-PvwP-0OEeAtUJTEmaCq6i2W20/s400/ULLAR'S+FOUNTAIN+OF+LIFE+(Ullar).bmp" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here is the shrine in the one board we've played with it, an Ullar fortress named Talos Orn, where an alliance of men and elves, together with the Green Dragonwing, stand against an assault of the Black, Red, and Blue Dragonwings, with their hordes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgti6AU2j4tr16ZxpMSzxxR7SXgh1pPq5Wfml0wDHZwToTjzlHhu3APKwxfgIw3lrV3IFo7u5VYEkmhcRS-Vg1P7EsRtsrYC1Aee0MCoDCnrivOktrwJZPUJdEBxxFVntTantBAPgzIuI/s1600/DSCN3849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgti6AU2j4tr16ZxpMSzxxR7SXgh1pPq5Wfml0wDHZwToTjzlHhu3APKwxfgIw3lrV3IFo7u5VYEkmhcRS-Vg1P7EsRtsrYC1Aee0MCoDCnrivOktrwJZPUJdEBxxFVntTantBAPgzIuI/s640/DSCN3849.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Ullar Shrine could be a good addition to any forest board or Ullar themed board to give an Ullar army that little bit of extra advantage that may turn the tide of battle.</div>
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Next time, I'll put up the Einar shrine, a custom piece which I'm pretty proud of.</div>
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Until then, happy heroscaping. </div>Pastor Mark Andersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04216925824992159117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5609742327499296906.post-18098671261915546712012-03-02T19:41:00.000-05:002012-03-02T19:41:24.268-05:00The GauntletGreetings, Heroscapers.<br />
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Once again the stuff of real life has kept me from dallying too much in the realm of fantasy. Today, however, I am taking the time to update my blog with another installment of my adventures in Heroscape.<br />
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This winter has not provided us with many snow days, so our play dates have been few and far between. Yesterday, though, God provided us with a bit of a winter storm that cancelled schools throught our region, giving my friend Charles a day off of school and cancelling an afternoon meeting for me. <br />
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<img alt="" class="img" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/p480x480/417564_2392927761756_1807791688_1408003_1459748729_n.jpg" style="left: -16.67%;" /><br />
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Finally, we had what we'd been waiting for. Let the games begin!<br />
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The board I built is called "The Gauntlet" (for somewhat obvious reasons). It's a board that was inspired by Ben's Omaha Beach board that he built for his World War II project. It is a beach landing, where a scenario game would have one army starting out in the water and trying to get through the gauntlet to the other side while being shot at from the high cliffs on either side.<br />
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Here are a couple of Virtualscape images (<em>sea side</em> and <em>land side</em>) of the board:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFF3hCHeeWBrsBvtqbmKr7am3mFjx4exDITjv4smKtFKnTofiOz4KGHBLlXGkxMS3XPtc3WUKmu4t-Q-9wXvKskcs4v1Q2MGUJHGcmj5eVGDIGAuQiFqvt6P7s6t684uJVQDE_vI2_-fM/s1600/Gaunlet+(Sea+Side).bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFF3hCHeeWBrsBvtqbmKr7am3mFjx4exDITjv4smKtFKnTofiOz4KGHBLlXGkxMS3XPtc3WUKmu4t-Q-9wXvKskcs4v1Q2MGUJHGcmj5eVGDIGAuQiFqvt6P7s6t684uJVQDE_vI2_-fM/s640/Gaunlet+(Sea+Side).bmp" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaJDFo-iunLwQYPGOB97hL65SRfYy-fyt-yMgUBqdwMTOKLEw_YiE-SmbU0AIquQj3gWu1x2boD3PYS7BSzM3tJEu_anCbFP8vgIBRwDT3AuiTqOhudeAzi4zeVStnftKTqtOm5jX6NU/s1600/Gauntlet+(Land+Side).bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaJDFo-iunLwQYPGOB97hL65SRfYy-fyt-yMgUBqdwMTOKLEw_YiE-SmbU0AIquQj3gWu1x2boD3PYS7BSzM3tJEu_anCbFP8vgIBRwDT3AuiTqOhudeAzi4zeVStnftKTqtOm5jX6NU/s640/Gauntlet+(Land+Side).bmp" width="640" /></a></div>
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The first time playing on the board we tried the scenario I described above with orcs as the Gauntlet's defending army...2500 points worth of orcs, trolls, and ogres!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1b2asORWHtTO8B5DJjj9VttbySoh9nl1hBb_aDSvMiTEu6ucxnStSS0pe7EvnPpX4y9N8-dnk5nHDYLo62qllpxOfJBSzszUeIagHZ5eEE47Fiz_veMrNODAcH-0A3jcIkuk-UOiz84k/s1600/DSCN5754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1b2asORWHtTO8B5DJjj9VttbySoh9nl1hBb_aDSvMiTEu6ucxnStSS0pe7EvnPpX4y9N8-dnk5nHDYLo62qllpxOfJBSzszUeIagHZ5eEE47Fiz_veMrNODAcH-0A3jcIkuk-UOiz84k/s640/DSCN5754.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The ladders on the pillars, while not strictly helpful to the defending orc army, provide for a better game, and add some much-needed stability to high towers of tiles.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXskCOF4PFy3XOgtvvcNKl7ssj1JZioR1fYv24sFJpzAYYuqU508jrtzd9gZUgoqOsBoEoz8_2pSOy_EkfZkPsKVA7FpiS8Cxa0AXgpbRgbvk1yRZRHd1squJG05bvPywtH1DBfYg98hY/s1600/DSCN5762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXskCOF4PFy3XOgtvvcNKl7ssj1JZioR1fYv24sFJpzAYYuqU508jrtzd9gZUgoqOsBoEoz8_2pSOy_EkfZkPsKVA7FpiS8Cxa0AXgpbRgbvk1yRZRHd1squJG05bvPywtH1DBfYg98hY/s640/DSCN5762.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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In addition to the archers on the high cliffs, there were swarms of Blade Gruts and Ferral Trolls hiding in every corner and crevice of the Gauntlet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiB6SBtJtkuHz0yplbj4NE98RD9laO1OOIf9J28IMfkLeHbAFsArmwfGcVzi7fF2wdPLhXhVg6x5tsIaS_euO0_KK1jVnNJAhdLzgdmv8jhU-rUJb9XINCW0wvTifn4nsGEhx6NlrOwzQ/s1600/DSCN5764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiB6SBtJtkuHz0yplbj4NE98RD9laO1OOIf9J28IMfkLeHbAFsArmwfGcVzi7fF2wdPLhXhVg6x5tsIaS_euO0_KK1jVnNJAhdLzgdmv8jhU-rUJb9XINCW0wvTifn4nsGEhx6NlrOwzQ/s640/DSCN5764.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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When the boys played the scenario out a couple of weeks ago, the orcs overpowered the invading army pretty quickly. I don't think they even really got off the water, even though we did away with the stopping in water rule (assuming the water was very shallow).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgou-P3W5r-RJAmkZYET4AXGqxBh8Q20AYmaIFx_qe9tPKAHKzIuQMt-u2w5Rjab31U3qKssMUbnRFqIZn5PVbOKnwPt6wezfNBfeNyZ5GFtMll-EuDX2oEiPhVq4Y3lRgM5QgQHHGI1L4/s1600/DSCN5778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgou-P3W5r-RJAmkZYET4AXGqxBh8Q20AYmaIFx_qe9tPKAHKzIuQMt-u2w5Rjab31U3qKssMUbnRFqIZn5PVbOKnwPt6wezfNBfeNyZ5GFtMll-EuDX2oEiPhVq4Y3lRgM5QgQHHGI1L4/s640/DSCN5778.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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So after lunch, they decided to draft new armies, and start again with everyone starting on low ground. It turned out to be a pretty good fight...better than I would have expected, actually.<br />
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Then yesterday, we played on it again with 5 players, two starting in each corner of the water, one in the crevices on either side of the Gauntlet, and one at the back of the Gauntlet. It was a good game and a great way to spend a snow day afternoon.<br />
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One of the things that make the board even more fun and playable is that we gave every non-flying figure a special power called "Leap". "Leap" says that the figure "may ignore elevation for up to one space when moving over a space of lower elevation between two spaces of higher elevation." <br />
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Basically, it means that non-flying figures could jump from tower to tower and cliff to cliff over the sand spaces inbetween. When leaping from a lower tower to a higher one, you still have to account for the increase in elevation, but for the space inbetween the towers, you assume it is the same elevation as the tower you are leaping from. It's a pretty useful power and makes play on this particular board.<br />
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Actually, it turned out to be a very good board, and much better at multi-player free-for-all kind of games than I originally expected that it would be. I love being surprised by my boards.<br />
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Eventually, I will get around to putting up that Ullar Shrine.<br />
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Until then, happy Heroscaping!<br />
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<br />Pastor Mark Andersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04216925824992159117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5609742327499296906.post-33870797511423629912012-01-26T00:38:00.000-05:002012-01-26T00:38:03.291-05:00Ben's D-Day ProjectMy kids are homeschooled, and my wife Michelle does a fantastic job with the vast majority of the work with them. Occasionally, though, I get the chance to do some fun school stuff with them.<br />
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For the past few weeks, my kids have been working on Word War II project presentations. The plan was for each of our boys to prepare and present a project on a particular aspect of World War II that they would present to another homeschooling family. Their family would also prepare projects to present to us.<br />
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My son Benjamin (4th Grade) decided that he wanted to do a presentation on D-Day that included a Heroscape model of the invasion on Omaha Beach.<br />
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I downloaded some pictures of Omaha Beach including this one for some visual perspective on the landscape:<br />
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And this one gave us another perspective on the landscape of Omaha Beach, but also gave us some perspective on the Allied invasion plan and the German defenses.<br />
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We decided that the whole beach would be beyond our capacity to build, so we focused on one section of the beach. We build the section identified in the Allied plan as "Easy Red" and included the edge of "Fox Green" so that we could incorporate the fortification near the edge of "Easy Red".<br />
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With a handful of images at our disposal, we set out to make the best representation of the coast of Normandy that we could. We started with the beach itself then adding the water on one side and the first level of grass on the other.<br />
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Then we built up the cliff on the one side of the board and the slope up the other side with a ravine in between the two trying to make the board appear as much as possible like our source images. When the board was finished it looked like this:<br />
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Add a bunch of Airborne Elite and a few Sgt. Drake Alexanders (both ROTV and SOTM) in a handful of overturned 7-hex concrete tiles, and you have an Allied invasion force.<br />
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Add a few squads of 10th Regiment of Foot (because when you don't have any Nazi figures, you make do with what you've got, regardless of the historical reality) in the German bunkers, and you've got yourself a great D-Day presentation Heroscape Board.<br />
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Benjamin also wanted to add a few trees to the board despite there not being any at all in our source images. We call it creative license.<br />
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I wanted to include Benjamin's presentation in this blog, too, not so much because of its connection to Heroscape, which is minimal, but because I'm a proud father sharing the good work of his son.<br />
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This is some of the fun <em>and</em> educational stuff you get to do (with Heroscape) when you homeschool.<br />
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Happy Heroscaping.<br />
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<br />Pastor Mark Andersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04216925824992159117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5609742327499296906.post-21493216767438905522012-01-19T14:27:00.001-05:002012-01-30T18:03:22.982-05:00Valkyrie Shrines - JandarLife, it seems, has not slowed up one bit since Christmas has passed. Meetings for one thing or another and planning for the new year seem to take almost all of my time. I have a few moments this week, though, to update my blog with a new entry.<br />
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I was trying to think about what I could put up that wouldn't take too much time to work up. We haven't played again since the day after Christmas. My son has the table and a lot of terrain pieces tied up with a school project which I will post about later on, after he's given his presentation. Then it occurred to me that I could put up stuff about the Valkyrie shrines I've made.<br />
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I encountered the idea of Valkyrie shrines a long time ago on <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/390327338223?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649" target="_blank">ebay</a>. I liked the idea, and thought that I could do something on my own similiar to what I'd seen. I got some clay and started working on a Jandar shrine. I also got a few colored stones (one for each Valkyrie) that I thought would work great as the power source for the shrines.<br />
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My first attempts were okay, but not really great. I tried etching the Jandar symbol into the clay and then painting it, but I'm not as got with creating desgins by hand. I much prefer the digital medium. Anyway, it didn't turn out too well, so like any good desinger, I tried again.<br />
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What I finally came up with was to use chunks of stryofoam as icy formations around a central monument. I looks good and it functions well.<br />
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There were four design constraints that I put on myself.<br />
1) I wanted to use a figure, if possible, in the shrine.<br />
2) The stones would be the power center of the shrines.<br />
3) The shrines would fit on a 7-hex tile (or its equivalent).<br />
4) There would be one open space for each shrine.<br />
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The Jandar Shrine has an original Raelin in statue form on the top of the monument. The bars were white fences from one of those Department 54 accessory packages. I made the top piece of the mounment from some scrap wood in the garage. All of it, of course, painted gray, so that it has the appearance of metal.<br />
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Each Shrine's Army Card has two sides. One side is the Shrine side. The Shrines are placed on the battlefield by the creator (almost always me) as a part of the battlefield and any scenario that we may be playing.<br />
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The Power of the Valkyrie was designed to make the Valkyrie Shrine work in conjunction with the Valkyrie Dice, so we had another use for the dice, other than the flag bearers. <br />
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The other side is a variation of a Shrine.<br />
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Like the Shrine, the Battle of Frozen Souls Memorial aids any Jandar figures on the board. The frozen souls are "frosted" Tarn Viking Warriors and MacDirk Warriors (any three will do).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHmYy3E57IoJd4rn1EqKHp8SIbeFnDDlphsvtmHuXrfP5ouMqdQykdf9tqWLrL0uFAXi5zg6g2QHzPknJaPKTKqsedabbZgcM5OZPNc94ArmO_zQncKwH0R5uetniWf17aOyMDjNIVGY/s1600/FROZEN+SOULS+b.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHmYy3E57IoJd4rn1EqKHp8SIbeFnDDlphsvtmHuXrfP5ouMqdQykdf9tqWLrL0uFAXi5zg6g2QHzPknJaPKTKqsedabbZgcM5OZPNc94ArmO_zQncKwH0R5uetniWf17aOyMDjNIVGY/s400/FROZEN+SOULS+b.bmp" width="400" /></a></div>
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Whichever player calls them into battle from the Frozen Souls Memorial receives two squads of Frozen Warriors, but you only get one shot at it per game, so get there fast and make that d-20 roll count. <br />
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The Jandar Shrine was the first one I did, but not the last. Next time I'll put up the Ullar Shrine.<br />
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Happy Heroscaping.Pastor Mark Andersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04216925824992159117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5609742327499296906.post-65412996219219806962011-12-27T20:40:00.000-05:002011-12-27T20:43:47.027-05:00Of Stargates, Swamp Grass, and Christmas CustomsIt's been a month since I've posted anything new.<br />
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December is a pretty busy month for Christian pastors like me, and there hasn't been much time for posting about Heroscape. After Christmas, though, I have a little bit more down time and am using some of it to update my blog.<br />
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Yesterday, we had some people over to play Heroscape on another version of the Pit of Doom board that I posted about last time. This board, however, was a dungeon board rather than snow and ice.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCmCkckA6C6CBWcmobouYHcHOkxAutsVXWkLzvupx3OUa9ipk1kwQLk8bGzolDRGjV4Us5UxBg5JRB-e2vwcwZ5K9rbD5pJB6mnJdO8CfzuRAgZPW7LrIzdMa1vUSdQxgdxLXVQb8boY/s1600/Pit+of+Doom+%2528Dungeon%2529.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCmCkckA6C6CBWcmobouYHcHOkxAutsVXWkLzvupx3OUa9ipk1kwQLk8bGzolDRGjV4Us5UxBg5JRB-e2vwcwZ5K9rbD5pJB6mnJdO8CfzuRAgZPW7LrIzdMa1vUSdQxgdxLXVQb8boY/s400/Pit+of+Doom+%2528Dungeon%2529.bmp" width="400" /></a></div>
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When I build the board the first time, I couldn't escape the feeling that the platform I'd build in the center of the board needed something on it. I tried a couple of differnt things, but ultimately, I decided to put one of my Stargate custom terrain pieces in the center of the dungeon. That was perfect. It was just what the board needed. It also gave me an idea for how to structure our game.<br />
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The Stargate, along with its DHD (Dial Home Device) is seen in this picture:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPy1ajCeY3xrwLu0LZAe_RGxLnD9SB_eWIB4uGoIggHlMbBqSP-2J6ZPx5GHFL8ys03xA06fKU1Dj4f8tiX7TuhQmakJgjyOSxCdyzQrQKLNn9jhB6oxUUyO89vBATLTdVTNpjtXuHGAc/s1600/DSCN5389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPy1ajCeY3xrwLu0LZAe_RGxLnD9SB_eWIB4uGoIggHlMbBqSP-2J6ZPx5GHFL8ys03xA06fKU1Dj4f8tiX7TuhQmakJgjyOSxCdyzQrQKLNn9jhB6oxUUyO89vBATLTdVTNpjtXuHGAc/s640/DSCN5389.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I orginally got the idea for the Stargate from a blog on heroscapers.com (<a href="http://www.heroscapers.com/community/showthread.php?t=14846&highlight=order+markers" target="_blank">Gate</a>). When I went back recently, the images were no longer visible in the blog. The author describes making a gate like this from extra Order Markers by cutting off the bases and gluing the pieces together. As a Stargate fan, I thought it was a great idea, so I ordered some more extra Order Markers and made a couple of gates.<br />
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With a gate at the center of the board, I decided to add another board to which the gate would connect. It was a swamp board filled with lots of rich stuff (read Treasure Glyphs and such). It looked like this (with a green gate):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGylAe4CEJx5Ipv3X2bJlnFBmf3hAgJ-2XHu9AWFPcASMLzJFCJMVc4oQETmz2eh-K1ohIRku-NlyY1Qz35-QgOpG4Bs9vAYvzSchzM8LXjWfBT-nZBhe87o2SEaFvgH_WblUVugTpIc/s1600/DSCN5391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGylAe4CEJx5Ipv3X2bJlnFBmf3hAgJ-2XHu9AWFPcASMLzJFCJMVc4oQETmz2eh-K1ohIRku-NlyY1Qz35-QgOpG4Bs9vAYvzSchzM8LXjWfBT-nZBhe87o2SEaFvgH_WblUVugTpIc/s640/DSCN5391.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The blade grass are some of my custom terrain pieces, too. To make them, I took some aquarium blade grass (2 parts yellow-tipped, and 1 part red-tipped) and cut the individual blades off their base. Then I drilled small holes along the edges of swamp tiles (3 holes along an edge) in various patterns. Finally, I stuck the grass pieces through the holes and hot glued them underneath the swamp water tiles. Then you have swamp water with blade grasses.<br />
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In order to win the game, most players had to travel from the dungeon board (via the gate) to the swamp board to retrieve a Treasure Glyph and then return through the gate back to their starting location on the dungeon board.<br />
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The rules for gate operation were as follows:<br />
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1) Only an unengaged figure adjacent to the DHD can activate the gate.<br />
2) When the gate is activated, any figure on one of the four spaces in front of either gate is destroyed.<br />
3) Once activated, the gate remains upon through the end of the round.<br />
4) Gate travel can only go one way, moving <em>from</em> the gate that was activated <em>to</em> the other.<br />
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When stepping through an active gate, a figure's movement is interrupted at the event horizon. Movement ends on the space in front of the gate and then continues on the space in front of the other gate. You can move through up to your maximum move number.<br />
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The trouble we ran into (which will require further future work on the rules for gate travel), was if an opponent's figure stood on the space in front of the receiving gate, according to Heroscape rules, without phantom or ghost walk or some kind of flying, the figure on the sending gate couldn't (legally) walk through. I also had to deal with my son putting one of his figures on the space in front of the sending gate, blocking my ability to get through it to the other side. GRRRRRRR!!!!<br />
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Anyway, we tried out a lot of new custom figures, too, including this one:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8GI9Hq-k030p8x23SvlUhTlF1295AmkTZy1dFCYTDXgtYFQR7-bFzpDW9Y6So8DOE6Dl6395tQmuUG_hI3FB5u0wOahX9JSGanRLAJYhZRvgQvGc-x3nuujGRc86YFljYcwwsHm4NSFw/s1600/MAJOR+X79+b.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8GI9Hq-k030p8x23SvlUhTlF1295AmkTZy1dFCYTDXgtYFQR7-bFzpDW9Y6So8DOE6Dl6395tQmuUG_hI3FB5u0wOahX9JSGanRLAJYhZRvgQvGc-x3nuujGRc86YFljYcwwsHm4NSFw/s400/MAJOR+X79+b.bmp" width="400" /></a></div>
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This figure was made for a friend to give to her son for Christmas. I couldn't post anything about it until after Christmas, of course, because I didn't want to give it away. It's a custom revision of a Heroclix Crimson Dynamo:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCVhDIKW9bcwDJ7yfmNGT59P_NCLhQRSc7gv4ZUGg8jYN2uR_IzxBzpH9bjFcNxLDodvqyfKeEIZdfETFlBIah1vmZt994unrh3n_m_Q-vxWm_E9Z_W9VYZv1eVwPmhuv1P2oEdUw98U/s1600/aw070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCVhDIKW9bcwDJ7yfmNGT59P_NCLhQRSc7gv4ZUGg8jYN2uR_IzxBzpH9bjFcNxLDodvqyfKeEIZdfETFlBIah1vmZt994unrh3n_m_Q-vxWm_E9Z_W9VYZv1eVwPmhuv1P2oEdUw98U/s1600/aw070.jpg" /></a></div>
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The figure was repainted and Major Q10's weapons were added to him.</div>
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Here is Major X79 in action just behind the base of the gate:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJR7V4DFcIUYQ-2cxQdN9pY8c_axKGWzlELOqf4kP4zvGNc_ododWbdsMeBjGerYLEenNu3srAS7_euA7QhgqrfEhtzc2vueU5dPmOIqIgrXLsbgPuNdLnBHhNOCABoRZ-uIIA1BI_m5Y/s1600/DSCN5372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJR7V4DFcIUYQ-2cxQdN9pY8c_axKGWzlELOqf4kP4zvGNc_ododWbdsMeBjGerYLEenNu3srAS7_euA7QhgqrfEhtzc2vueU5dPmOIqIgrXLsbgPuNdLnBHhNOCABoRZ-uIIA1BI_m5Y/s640/DSCN5372.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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He performed really well in the game, and Anthony (who I made it for) really likes him. That's all I can really hope for. It was fun to make more figures for other people.</div>
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I made his brother, Damiano, a custom figure, for Christmas too: Damian the Red.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge042kzVX6ojbsqJ7JDtvd64FuY6AOMg0w321OOmojcfBdnyG5gwzLX9urWuxyrNm5_p3y7QTJGoC7vIFQyYt9zalxkmut6bB2haF_raKHSyWklCKu5Zgcse8luYo2GLPCbhVKIGDVLyo/s1600/DAMIAN+THE+RED+b.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge042kzVX6ojbsqJ7JDtvd64FuY6AOMg0w321OOmojcfBdnyG5gwzLX9urWuxyrNm5_p3y7QTJGoC7vIFQyYt9zalxkmut6bB2haF_raKHSyWklCKu5Zgcse8luYo2GLPCbhVKIGDVLyo/s400/DAMIAN+THE+RED+b.bmp" width="400" /></a></div>
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Damian the Red was made by cutting Sonlen's dragon off of Sonlen, repainting it red, and gluing it to the back of a Bonded Fire Summoner (D&D: War of the Dragon Queen, 10/60). Damiano didn't draft it for this game, however. He went with knights instead.</div>
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Anyway, we had a great time and a good game.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi66s_Zpixt_sr7qk9ailoec9g4ruOie80dC96UDWHOLVwVnHSc36s1feSL9YA5RG24eLGwdgptVpwC_sJ2xGkZV04wDgARrYprLueUMvm_HuL73yOJw4NJmvEV40LgMPXTODH-V5fo9iw/s1600/DSCN5376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi66s_Zpixt_sr7qk9ailoec9g4ruOie80dC96UDWHOLVwVnHSc36s1feSL9YA5RG24eLGwdgptVpwC_sJ2xGkZV04wDgARrYprLueUMvm_HuL73yOJw4NJmvEV40LgMPXTODH-V5fo9iw/s640/DSCN5376.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We used Quest Cards for the first time in this game, too (I'll post about the Quest Cards later). It went pretty well, and definitely changed the nature of game play.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtj_X2oqG3gp_Wbv58z2K6iFMuuMjtpetdHKpkAePqWz8Vc4tapiQaqm3AtsreKZJ7OsvB1GcR4mo4KOTJriKnYGW2B3WzuEHiMRAZ4czWYMiG3p25Pyr6P0ghCQ88PCWSkYWgdkOnMHg/s1600/DSCN5381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtj_X2oqG3gp_Wbv58z2K6iFMuuMjtpetdHKpkAePqWz8Vc4tapiQaqm3AtsreKZJ7OsvB1GcR4mo4KOTJriKnYGW2B3WzuEHiMRAZ4czWYMiG3p25Pyr6P0ghCQ88PCWSkYWgdkOnMHg/s640/DSCN5381.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you look closely, you may see some Alien Warrior Drones in the picture above (and in the first picture of the gate). Fun, fun, fun!!!</div>
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0tBsrq3AJWV8lOqVOPYEDD0TMkAD2kuBL_X2FCSTs-OUSaez7zrndzXl1HSC9XMWtESgOaPhRSjSEYIN-qfxG9rtKwRE_r9y2Ad4uxVYBylSe_jnROFTXMHw6fO51bmprTQljHqOk_wc/s640/DSCN5380.JPG" width="640" /></div>
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Taylor, home from Basic, even got to play with us, which was very cool. We also got to introduce Woody to the game for the first time. I'm hopeful he'll become one of our regular players (we have so few adult regular players).</div>
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On another, more important subject: Joy to the world! Christ, the Savior, is born! </div>
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Merry Christmas, everyone, and happy heroscaping!</div>
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<br /></div>Pastor Mark Andersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04216925824992159117noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5609742327499296906.post-68542074584105915072011-11-27T18:27:00.001-05:002011-11-27T19:50:21.927-05:00Cryonnakis and the Pit of DoomI usually try to get a game over the Thanksgiving weekend, and this weekend we had some of our Scaper friends over to play. I designed a kind of an arena board called the "Pit of Doom" for up to six players that has sand, lava, grass, snow, water, and swamp versions. We decided to build the snow board for Friday afternoon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXzmCONwsFqQWZT6l13jwomIxayghCXQLBKPaZdt3gaBsX_4QwddeRI_bFiUwG1QNRS1jEbBzA0uycmGNwwAhIPnwOLpQaGyqIAWOVMC5C5q5AIuA5_8H7tT__PJwBQMeXyC-U-Feom-g/s1600/Pit+of+Doom+%2528Snow%2529+2.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXzmCONwsFqQWZT6l13jwomIxayghCXQLBKPaZdt3gaBsX_4QwddeRI_bFiUwG1QNRS1jEbBzA0uycmGNwwAhIPnwOLpQaGyqIAWOVMC5C5q5AIuA5_8H7tT__PJwBQMeXyC-U-Feom-g/s640/Pit+of+Doom+%2528Snow%2529+2.bmp" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's a picture of the acutal board from near the end of the game:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWbjo8t6iff1Urrx34LrN68aYUKIh-0g54dTziZxpDYDAgyTv-o5mQvDsfUoyTQqAOvvhTZwrl3DXLgiLxAfDvstkmQMbSwpoM5LBYil0rrTIKqX-vCp1sAdsLfOMl4RHqlsq5tKKNvSM/s1600/DSCN5202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWbjo8t6iff1Urrx34LrN68aYUKIh-0g54dTziZxpDYDAgyTv-o5mQvDsfUoyTQqAOvvhTZwrl3DXLgiLxAfDvstkmQMbSwpoM5LBYil0rrTIKqX-vCp1sAdsLfOMl4RHqlsq5tKKNvSM/s640/DSCN5202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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As you can see from the picture, the trees plotted on the VirtualScape image aren't really the trees from the Road to the Forgotten Forest, but frosted pine trees that are readily available at this time of year from Michael's, Hobby Lobby, Lowe's, K-Mart, or any place that sells those Department 54 and other miniature houses. I saw a pack at Lowe's today (<a href="http://www.lowes.com/pd_93816-75898-34968_4294801301__?productId=1266725&Ns=p_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr|0||p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl_Carole%2BTowne_4294801301__%3FNs%3Dp_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr%7C0%7C%7Cp_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&facetInfo=" target="_blank">Carole Town 21-Piece Trees</a>) for something like $12.99. For that, you get the 21 trees (seen below). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZQJzaMAtfaEe8sor0RV5Wd7dw3gjJDj7TGPuMm6Xbf_dLX6lg01lEeK58qnMHV9bfQxAvRba_0I0KRzrp1mhh1V2HMy68AMwK0JvfdtL4gKO9-FFfi3xTBAIm1gLulL1XZkSI4nWhU8/s1600/728162349682xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZQJzaMAtfaEe8sor0RV5Wd7dw3gjJDj7TGPuMm6Xbf_dLX6lg01lEeK58qnMHV9bfQxAvRba_0I0KRzrp1mhh1V2HMy68AMwK0JvfdtL4gKO9-FFfi3xTBAIm1gLulL1XZkSI4nWhU8/s400/728162349682xl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I don't usually use the two largest ones, but the other ones are perfectly suitable for Heroscape use. I have two sets of these that I use.<br />
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It was a great game that lasted about 7 hours (including drafting and a short supper break).<br />
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Here's a picture of the final shot as Agent Uniqua shot down the last Sentinel of Jandar and our final two players:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JwtK1NipHxLl1Lom_KYHgq28ZGnTQrpkvJvAUspfQLa5IF9C7-uRL_7hzKLn6XOO16Vbgg3hv6OoWfAcCiksZnCsmMK_de2qPRVBxk4XRP0Ql2bcoUw-9cxVYRmABd05cGo-YgXFtL0/s1600/DSCN5211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JwtK1NipHxLl1Lom_KYHgq28ZGnTQrpkvJvAUspfQLa5IF9C7-uRL_7hzKLn6XOO16Vbgg3hv6OoWfAcCiksZnCsmMK_de2qPRVBxk4XRP0Ql2bcoUw-9cxVYRmABd05cGo-YgXFtL0/s400/DSCN5211.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQCSjnG_wG4z92kKQECiWUBq_1MfLl7Qt0deKp4FZidPA12aWIii4arhK6i2vvtgCnXvxitgu59s32xGHUfoHkvkdyAtPvCPSR81KipKw6NlIqI1F6Fdmsn6QztU1mMC6ymJ17_AmcOQ/s1600/DSCN5213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQCSjnG_wG4z92kKQECiWUBq_1MfLl7Qt0deKp4FZidPA12aWIii4arhK6i2vvtgCnXvxitgu59s32xGHUfoHkvkdyAtPvCPSR81KipKw6NlIqI1F6Fdmsn6QztU1mMC6ymJ17_AmcOQ/s400/DSCN5213.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
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Though it was a difficult game for him (my boys learned a lesson about how life and gaming intersect...which may be the subject of an upcoming blog entry), Benjamin won the day with his army of agents. Congratulations, Ben!!<br />
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One of the most significant aspects of this particular game for <em>me</em> though, was that this game was the debut game for one of my favorite custom creations...Cryonnakis!<br />
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As I said in one of my previous entries, I like dragons a lot. When I found the Dungeons & Dragons gargantuan white dragon for a good price from <a href="http://www.auggiesgamesonline.com/Icingdeath-Gargantuan-White-Dragon-fig-only_p_3212.html" target="_blank">Auggie's Games</a>, I couldn't resist getting it. There aren't too many boards on which a Gargantuan dragon like Cryonnakis can play, but Friday's board was designed with that possiblity in mind, and Charles drafted him.<br />
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Cryonnakis was quite intimidating. The fear was that in drafting such a large and powerful dragon, it would become a very large target, but as it turned out, when Charles drafted him, it brought a chorus of, "Truce!" from several of our younger players.<br />
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When making custom figures for Heroscape from D&D figures, I try to translate the figure's special D&D powers to the Heroscape custom as best I can (and, yes, he fits on a two-space base). <br />
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Here's the card for Cryonnakis:<br />
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Here's some of the things I learned in watching him being played:<br />
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(1) A 10-space Ice Breath line is pretty powerful, especially when it affects figures adjacent to those in the line of attack. Charles used this power against Ezra army of Romans and Greeks. He significantly wounded Marcus Decimus Gallus and Parmenio and destroyed a couple of Sacred Band (who were in the line of attack) and destroyed 3 more Sacred Band and 2 Roman Legionnaires (who were adjacent to them) all in a single attack. Whoa!!!<br />
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(2) I think most of Cyronnakis' stat values are good. I'm not sure about his point value, though. He may be pointed too highly. We wanted to make Cryonnakis the most highly pointed figure (more than the Hulk), but I'm not sure, even with his high life value and great strength, that he is worth 380 points (see (3) below), though J.P. said he think he could be worth it in the hands of the right player.<br />
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(3) When the game started Ezra had a bunch of Legionnaires and Sacred Band squads and we all thought he was crazy for taking some many squad figures, but as it turned out, Cryonnakis is extremely vulnerable to large squads. His Gargantuan power allows him to be swarmed with squads, all of whom get a disengement shot at him if he should try to fly away. There is the possibility of Cryonnakis being engaged with up to 22 figures simultaneously. Whoa!!!<br />
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This presumes that a bunch of squad figures could reach him which, in our game, they did, and Ezra's Sacred Band finished off Cryonnakis on the turn after Cryonnakis' devestating Ice Breath Special Attack on his forces.<br />
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All that is to say that Cryonnakis can get trapped pretty easily making me question whether he's worth the 380 points. We'll play him again and see what how valuable he is in another player's hand before I decide on his points.<br />
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It was fun to watch him in the game, though. Another great adventure in Heroscape!<br />
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<br />Pastor Mark Andersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04216925824992159117noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5609742327499296906.post-38703700609418989432011-11-18T15:02:00.001-05:002011-11-18T15:48:10.473-05:00Heroscape: AtlantisJust a short entry this week.<br />
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A few weeks ago I was inspired to start designing a board resembling Atlantis from <em>Stargate: Atlantis</em>. <br />
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I started desiging it in VirtualScape, but I couldn't make it work out exactly like I wanted, so I had to go to the game table and start building. After I got it worked out, I finished it off in the computer, and here's the final result:<br />
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There are six starting zones on the edges (6 landing platforms) of the city, there are three sets of buildings in the central part of the city, and, of course, there is the central control tower. You may notice the several Glyphs of Erland (Summoning) scattered around the board. These glyphs mark the transporters which can move figures around to other parts of the city. All the upper platforms in the central part of the city can only be accessed by transporter.<br />
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I may not use all Glyphs of Erland (as I don't think I actually have 10 of them. It could be any glyph, really, or any 10 glyphs power-side down.<br />
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Here are some pics of the actual board:<br />
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Hold the city of the ancients against all invaders, or take the city from all other contenders!!</div>
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<br /></div>Pastor Mark Andersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04216925824992159117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5609742327499296906.post-3329984287208057522011-11-10T21:20:00.001-05:002011-11-10T22:39:35.059-05:00Dragon's LairSo a couple of days ago, while searching for something else, I ran across a quote that I really liked. As far as I have found it's not attributable to anyone in particular, but I liked it so much that I created a poster with it and hung it up in the garage by the game table. Here's the poster:<br />
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I've always loved dragons, so consequently, dragons are some of my favorite Heroscape figures. Not Braxas, though. I hate that dragon! Whenever I'm playing against her, she always kills me in a big way. Last time it was Parker decimating my heroes with her acid breath. I hate that dragon! I hate her! </div>
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Braxas notwithstanding though, I do like the dragons. They are some of my favorite figures to customize for Heroscape. So, inspired by my new dragon poster hanging in our "game room", I thought this week I'd post a couple of my custom dragons for you.</div>
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The first is one that got some play in our 3rd Annual Halloween Heroscape Event. His name is Rotscale. He's one of the more unusaul dragons in my collection because he's an undead dragon.</div>
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Rotscale was created by a simple modification of the Marro figure Su-Bak-Na. I cut the Marro Su-Bak-Na off and painted any remnants white. Simple, huh? <br />
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Rotscale has been play tested a few times and has proven to be an effective figure. I particularly like his Flesh-Rotting Infection. It'll kill your opponent off, but if you're not careful, your opponent's figure might kill you off before you die. I use whatever kind of markers we have that aren't being used at the time (usually Morsbane's brown negation markers or the black round markers). Rotscale is a perfect dragon to add a little more firepower to an undead/zombie/skeleton kind of game...or any game, really. <br />
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The second dragon I'd like to present is the dragon overlord Khellendros.<br />
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Khellendros is one of my more recent custom dragons. With the cessation of producation of Heroscape, I found a huge, gaping, blue hole in the chromatic dragon category, so I decided to rectify the situation by repainting an extra Charos I had sitting around. Charos doesn't get a lot of play in my house, so I didn't really need the extra one.<br />
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Khellendros takes the fledgling lightning breath of the Blue Wyrmling and extends it to an adult-sized special power. I started Khellndros prior to the release of the Blue Wyrmlings and had developed a more complicated lightning breath power, but after the release of the wyrmlings, I felt compelled to keep Khellendros' power in conformity with theirs. Khellendros isn't too complicated (or creative, for that matter) of a figure, but he fills a void in my dragon collection.<br />
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One of the other ways I've added to my collection is through a pair of squads of smaller dragons.<br />
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I remember in the movie <em>Reign of Fire</em>, there was one big dragon and a bunch of smaller ones. All the dragons (prior to the wyrmlings) were so huge, and I wanted to try and develop some smaller dragons to be able to use in conjunction with the huge ones. <br />
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These Dragon Warriors are modified versions of Bakugan figures (horns cut off and painted metallic copper with light green). I only have 2 squads of them because they stopped making the Bakugan figures I used and I couldn't find any more to modify.<br />
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With their Double Team Special Attack, they can pack a pretty good punch from range, and their Air Superiority makes them particularly dangerous against Kyrie and other dragons.<br />
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The last dragon I'll post today is actually one of the first custom dragons I made. I've made several custom variations by repainting Mimring, and this one is probably my favorite. It's Glaurung.<br />
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True, Glaurung (of Silmarilion fame) wasn't strictly a flying dragon, but what's a little creative license among friends. Glaurung's Golden Glare 10 has hypnotized many a Hero on the field of battle. With a slightly better than 50/50 shot, it's a pretty safe bet you'll get the chane to use it more than once. Oh, the power of temporary mind control (Thank you, Dr. Doom).<br />
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I have lots more custom dragons in my Battle Chest...more repaints of Mimring, other dragon figures I've found in the Dungeons & Dragons line, as well as a few others. I like the dragons. J.P. suggested one day that we create a dragon-morphing glyph, and so the Glyph of Morgoth was born.<br />
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Oddly enough, J.P. always seems to find it and turn some minisule, low-pointed squad figure into a great, big dragon. He also always seems to give lots of trouble to Taylor right afterwards (hence the creation of Sir Taylor from my first blog entry).<br />
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I hope you enjoy my dragons as much as I enjoy them.<br />
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<br />Pastor Mark Andersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04216925824992159117noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5609742327499296906.post-2807889436923368202011-10-25T16:11:00.003-04:002011-10-25T16:40:00.504-04:00The Deathly Hallows: Game Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWW7zEzE-qZAkM_tKLfjH8tebVOLjHL5xE2-HVwMYBZn_KDHR1fsMYtZiVZ-9AWAbttf8f3kKL9SbyfHCOvXALU8mqwL2FbiOHsjUMYWqZtbLQp5Af19hFRZBe0MwM5OZj1kctSeXZuY/s1600/pumpkin_2_original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWW7zEzE-qZAkM_tKLfjH8tebVOLjHL5xE2-HVwMYBZn_KDHR1fsMYtZiVZ-9AWAbttf8f3kKL9SbyfHCOvXALU8mqwL2FbiOHsjUMYWqZtbLQp5Af19hFRZBe0MwM5OZj1kctSeXZuY/s400/pumpkin_2_original.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
My third annual Halloween Heroscape Event went great! We had a few last minute cancellations, but it all worked out fine in the end. We still had a 10-player, 2 team game going on. It was great!<br />
It started with my wife, Michelle, making some great snacks. As there was a significant Zombie theme to this year's game, we decided to make some Finger Sandwiches as snacks for the game.<br />
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Don't they look delicious? <br />
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You take bread slices, cut the crusts off, then spread peanut butter or cream cheese on them. Then you roll them up, take a fork or something to put creases in where the knuckles should be. Put a dab of peanut butter or cream cheese (whichever you're using) on the end to attach to almond slice for the fingernail. Then, to top it off, you dip the other end in strawberry jelly giving the Finger Sandwich as nice, bloody, severed look. Top that off with some bloody punch (orange juice, gingerale, and some kind of frozen cranberry juice ice cubes with cherries in them with a red glaze around the rim of the cup), and you've got the makings of a good Halloween snack.<br />
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One of the players also brought a veggie tray, complete with a puking pumpkin that spewed out veggie dip onto the plate. Yumm...<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The game began with a fair amount of chaos, but what do you expect when you have ten people from an 8-year-old boy to a recently retired woman, playing 5, one-on-one Heroscape games simultaneously in close quarters around a 4'x8' table. It was a beautifully chaotic start!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZIf83iCU-JDgJLTQ_aSJetPo9XDhfeVhRMMDHj30qXsWb3hoVW33geiChWGI7dMFadfqZQS26pwyqE-kAZ_UtMuJZClSxdH7pkBfasFy5O77SGk_YMX_ek1YAmdghCzn2v3mZcEcMmI/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZIf83iCU-JDgJLTQ_aSJetPo9XDhfeVhRMMDHj30qXsWb3hoVW33geiChWGI7dMFadfqZQS26pwyqE-kAZ_UtMuJZClSxdH7pkBfasFy5O77SGk_YMX_ek1YAmdghCzn2v3mZcEcMmI/s640/001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As the Mortal army, led by Solomon Rayne sought out the Deathly Hallow, they released many unpleasant and formidable enemies. Jason, for instance, after revealing a glyph, unleashed the great undead Valkrill bone dragon Rotscale on his small band of Eladrin and Eltahale.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the end, Solomon Rayne, his brother Alastor, and all the Warriors of Annwyn were killed, but a brave Tandros Kreel, with the help of a single, fully experienced, Tagawa Samurai, who had come to Rayne's aid too late, discovered the Deathly Hallow. Faced with Sorrowsworn the Kyrie Warrior and the Shadowfell Overlord, Nerull, Kreel, too, was killed before he could escape the graveyard. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">His companion Samurai, however, was able to overcome the two Heroes of the Shadowfell, and clear the path for another Hero, Erioliende (a new custom Eladrin darkmage, and one of my personal favorites), after fending off a horde of Zombies of Morindan with high ground and her superior melee fighting skills, to retreive the Hallow and escape the graveyard of Grim's Hollow alive (though she was half dead with a life of 6 on her army card and 3 wound markers) along with another teammate's Morgrimm Forgehammer (who was also half dead) - the only two figures to survive the battle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Despite heavy losses, the Mortal army managed to achieve their objective, removing the Deathly Hallow from the graveyard and thwarting the Shadowfell's attempts to open a doorway to the mortal realm through it. <br />
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</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Congratulations to all on a game, well-played, and another successful Halloween Heroscape event!!</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Pastor Mark Andersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04216925824992159117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5609742327499296906.post-13110499340411261742011-10-21T16:23:00.000-04:002011-10-21T16:23:04.704-04:00The Deathly Hallows: Grim's HollowBlogger's Note: <em>Here's the fourth and final episode of "The Deathly Hallows". See you all tomorrow as we finish the story out on the battlefield. Enjoy.</em><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“It’s kind of fitting when you think about it,” said Alastor.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What is?” Solomon replied as he pulled the laces of the gauntlet on his left arm tight.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The two brothers were a short distance ahead of the column, marching up the narrow, winding trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though the sun had risen nearly two hours prior, all was dark there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition to the shadow of the mountain and the canopy of trees, there was an unnatural darkness sifting through the woods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trees on either side of the path were old and gnarled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their branches were crooked and dark.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4iveHhYxsCcudpL3Q884CmdshtlgH2Do13pfVNNGzoV39kCMdQjbBi0Mp4ez-cZbleuH3ImUyzNf0ZQvyM4F9cnwV8O7fpuUmyHVFKx9xYMibI7pb-GPtAhXfz4y58BaiJZPAoH5TPw/s1600/Mountain+path.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4iveHhYxsCcudpL3Q884CmdshtlgH2Do13pfVNNGzoV39kCMdQjbBi0Mp4ez-cZbleuH3ImUyzNf0ZQvyM4F9cnwV8O7fpuUmyHVFKx9xYMibI7pb-GPtAhXfz4y58BaiJZPAoH5TPw/s640/Mountain+path.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A thin, pale blue fog crept slowly down the mountain through the old forest.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You’re little hunting party, I mean,” Alastor explained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Humans, elves, dwarves…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took an alliance of all three races to defeat the Shadowfell a thousand years ago, and here we are trying to do it all over again.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Never really thought about it, I guess,” said Solomon.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Even got a wizard or two, but…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alastor glanced backward.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“But what?” Solomon replied as he began pulling the laces on his other gauntlet.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Dragons, Solomon?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“They could be useful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dragons are powerful creatures, even the forces of the Shadowfell fear the might of dragons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides they’re just wyrmlings, and that dragonborn paladin says he can keep them under control.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Still, I think we’d be better off leaving them behind.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Solomon stopped walking as he finished tying up the laces of his gauntlet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alastor stopped, too.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Let’s be clear about something, Alastor,” Solomon said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“All the way up here you’ve been pestering me about my plan, about the people I’ve brought with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enough.”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJw7-jEpXUB2gu7L1No-ttK_ekeKOpdHTZawqfLeMZeUglwf3yExdi2MvGX2c5atRFGYDBGZRhn9BH3InON7yQcwCS_tXH9UpM3VBAZf6eujEfR81B5q9Jbei1-QqDlKFEre4hrIbIFUs/s1600/Solomon+Rayne+%2528blue%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJw7-jEpXUB2gu7L1No-ttK_ekeKOpdHTZawqfLeMZeUglwf3yExdi2MvGX2c5atRFGYDBGZRhn9BH3InON7yQcwCS_tXH9UpM3VBAZf6eujEfR81B5q9Jbei1-QqDlKFEre4hrIbIFUs/s640/Solomon+Rayne+%2528blue%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You may be my older brother, and I may not be able to stop you from coming up here with me, but this is my task.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is my hunting party,” he said pointing back at the column following them, who by this time had also stopped, and were listening to Solomon. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I </i>am in charge here, and<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> I</i> say who goes where and who does what.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I</i> say that the dragons will be useful, then they will be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I</i> say that the wizards come, then they come, understand?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Alastor said nothing.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“This isn’t my first dance with the forces of the Shadowfell, Alastor, and I’ve done it all without your help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know what I’m doing.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Solomon turned and started walking up the path again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alastor stood silently, watching Solomon walk away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest of the hunting party began walking again, too, passing Alastor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some kept their heads down or looking forward as they passed him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Others smirked at him as they passed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When the warriors of Annwyn, near the rear of the column, got close to him, Alastor said, “Yes, sir,” and joined back in the column with them. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After awhile, the trees began to thin, and a large open space appeared before them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he entered the clearing, Solomon held up his hand indicating to the party to stop at the entrance to the clearing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They stopped as Solomon stepped slowly and carefully, scanning the tree line around him, carefully studying the broken, vine covered walls that erupted from the ground in several places, then staring at the far side of the clearing at a rock wall that rose nearly forty feet above the level of the clearing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thin, pale blue fog, seemed to be coming from a small crack in the rock face that extended all the way to the top of the cliff.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSLjfrj36FCFj_9qCVPH5-OsNg-IFgRzt_YMqRbGhnIw3XwOCtmKaok4apyWzhPlonxACCDh09C_CdDjaEtRQGmTk9VkWqE2Vw-YuVuymHF3eScn_zjypO8cMy05IASvAwJ5AZ-xOp2w/s1600/Ruins+of+Grim%2527s+Hollow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSLjfrj36FCFj_9qCVPH5-OsNg-IFgRzt_YMqRbGhnIw3XwOCtmKaok4apyWzhPlonxACCDh09C_CdDjaEtRQGmTk9VkWqE2Vw-YuVuymHF3eScn_zjypO8cMy05IASvAwJ5AZ-xOp2w/s640/Ruins+of+Grim%2527s+Hollow.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What’s he doing?” one of the warriors of Annwyn asked Alastor.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“He’s checking the clearing for traps,” Alastor replied.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What kind of traps?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You don’t want to know.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Oh,” said the warrior.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After a few more moments, Solomon turned around and headed back to the group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he returned, he gathered the group around him, and whispered, “Okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re about to enter the ruins of an old village.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We call it Grim’s Hollow, because it belongs to the dead, now, and the dead keep it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you don’t want to join them, watch your step, and keep your eyes open.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The cemetery’s on the far side, through that crack in the rock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s where we’re headed.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Stay close,” he said, then turned his back to them and started moving slowly back into the clearing, his axe held at the ready in one hand and his crossbow in the other.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The ground of the clearing was uneven and rocky as the group walked slowly over the ruins of stone houses, overgrown with grasses and vines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several times, Solomon stopped the group and studied the ground ahead of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Occasionally, he would lead them to the left or to the right rather than proceeding straight toward to the crack in the rock.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When the group had finally reached the far side of the clearing and stood at the narrow crack in the high rock face, Solomon stood alone at the center of the narrow passage up to the cemetery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alastor walked up and stood beside him as the others watched and waited.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After a few moments, Solomon said quietly, “We’re trapped.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What do you mean?” Alastor whispered back.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I mean those ruins are full of undead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even avoiding the worst places, we should have been attacked when we crossed.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He paused for a moment then finished, “They let us in.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Alastor looked back toward the clearing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Trapped,” he said.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes,” Solomon replied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Time is short.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our only hope is to find the Deathly Hallow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Shadowfell may have found a way to use its power, but it’s a terrible omen to the undead, and they fear it.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“It may be possible to escape,” Solomon turned to look at his brother, “but only with the Hallow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we don’t find it…and soon…we’ll all die here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Solomon and Alastor turned back to look at the anxious group of Hallow hunters assembled behind them.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Then let’s find it, and get off this God-forsaken mountain together,” Alastor slapped Solomon on the shoulder, “Brother, sir.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Alastor smiled at him. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Solomon smiled back.</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To be continued on the battlefield...</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Blogger's Note: <em>Here is a picture of the old cemetery at Grim's Hollow board that we'll be playing on tomorrow. There are five burial areas in the cemetery. The Deathly Hallow willbe found in one of them. Happy hunting!</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkpXY6Zjv2ssjZ_WICzThHV9ged-IsJFPXWROTYOjQDzmOY6Uw_4ncwnhfYxqkdn2Sqp79BLDkY2F88KOhF4hszRVeWj_q-faqHpy2a1yr1ijwuSS4KjczmBehsqiQcEi6qA2k3BadOfE/s1600/DSCN5070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkpXY6Zjv2ssjZ_WICzThHV9ged-IsJFPXWROTYOjQDzmOY6Uw_4ncwnhfYxqkdn2Sqp79BLDkY2F88KOhF4hszRVeWj_q-faqHpy2a1yr1ijwuSS4KjczmBehsqiQcEi6qA2k3BadOfE/s640/DSCN5070.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Pastor Mark Andersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04216925824992159117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5609742327499296906.post-80018423516720339702011-10-14T14:55:00.003-04:002011-10-14T14:58:56.876-04:00The Deathly Hallows: Homecoming<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">Blogger's Note: <em>Here's episode three of "The Deathly Hallows". Log on next Friday for a final bonus episode just prior to Saturday's game.</em></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Solomon Rayne stood outside the door of a cottage.</span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Outside the cottage, twilight was lingering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clouds covered the darkening sky, leaving only a pale, bluish gray light filtering down on the village of Annwyn, and even the pale light was beginning to fail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though his cloak was thick and warm, the evening breeze was cool on Solomon’s face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Inside the cottage, candlelight flickered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sounds of conversation spilled out of the nearby window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stood quietly at the door, listening to the voices for some time.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What are we doing here?” a voice whispered from behind Solomon.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m waiting,” Solomon replied.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Waiting for what?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“For the right moment,” Solomon’s voice trailed off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Take the others down the street to the inn, and settle in for the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get some rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll stay in the village, at least for tonight.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“But the wizard said…”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Quiet!” Solomon’s whisper interrupted her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He listened carefully toward the window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The voices from inside the cottage continued conversing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Convinced that no one inside had detected their presence, he turned back to his companion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Now, listen carefully because I’m only going to say this once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t work for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">anyone</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Least of all, a wizard…understand?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>His companion nodded her head, a mix of hurt and anger in her eyes, which were fixed on Rayne.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“If you lot want to march right on up to that cemetery and just start digging around because the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wizard</i> told you to, that’s fine with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told you before, I work alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t like having you lot following me around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So if you’d like to take that lot up there right now…at night…without knowing where to look for the Deathly Hallow or anything about the thousand deadly things you might be facing in that graveyard…you go right ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not having to look after all of you anymore would sure take a load off my back.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“If you’re so eager to die for that bloody wizard, you go on ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m</i> going to spend the night in the village, get some rest, and get some information before I go up hunting around that cursed cemetery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you want me with you when you get there, then I suggest you and the rest of your <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">adventurer </i>pals get over to that inn, get some rooms, and get some sleep.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Solomon’s companion bowed slightly, her eyes still fixed on Rayne, then backed slowly away into the muddy street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She turned around and motioned to a group of others to follow her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She didn’t look back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Solomon watched them walk down the street toward the inn at the far end.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I see your way with women hasn’t improved any,” said a rough voice from just inside the now open door of the cottage.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Solomon spun around to see a large red-haired, rugged man standing in the doorway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was strong, confident, and shrewd, yet there was kindness in his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwv0J0fdk3eMGw5qPsau8B4GyxziE_y-3EFzK1QBUmUWKOmxNs17DKCkBNCHSoSpSYjJyJOZ1J1a5RrNej8uuGhB2pnaPTNw1Gufr-dmD7Nlsyb6obMmjqfh7LoZPJkQdYTiJlLeJDpUk/s1600/Alastor+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwv0J0fdk3eMGw5qPsau8B4GyxziE_y-3EFzK1QBUmUWKOmxNs17DKCkBNCHSoSpSYjJyJOZ1J1a5RrNej8uuGhB2pnaPTNw1Gufr-dmD7Nlsyb6obMmjqfh7LoZPJkQdYTiJlLeJDpUk/s640/Alastor+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After a few moments, Solomon said, “Alastor.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Solomon,” Alastor replied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s been a long time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are you doing here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who are all those…people…with you?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alastor motioned toward the group now making its way toward the inn. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Solomon looked after the group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Travelling companions, nothing more,” he said.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I thought you always worked alone.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I do,” Solomon replied, quickly turning back to face Alastor.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are you doing here, Solomon?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“May I come in?” Solomon asked.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Alastor stood in the doorway, his large frame nearly filling the opening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked carefully at Solomon, studying him, but said nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The voices of a woman and small children could still be heard spilling out into the street from the nearby window and now, open door.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Please, Alastor,” Solomon asked quietly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m here because of the Deathly Hallow.”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcQo-eRkrA3cxEk5nPJ3J4ff2vW0sR5ZWRvfboyL0jx02QCX3eI3xJBLX06azaJ4hJJnsPGMb9ZWoh9-cLgTLEZGJVb8VO1F2bD0WLOVLqbbsycxTrMjV1e9JJdxR81tjDWMhwqSdASk/s1600/DEATHLY+HALLOWS+g.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcQo-eRkrA3cxEk5nPJ3J4ff2vW0sR5ZWRvfboyL0jx02QCX3eI3xJBLX06azaJ4hJJnsPGMb9ZWoh9-cLgTLEZGJVb8VO1F2bD0WLOVLqbbsycxTrMjV1e9JJdxR81tjDWMhwqSdASk/s320/DEATHLY+HALLOWS+g.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A brief flicker of understanding and suspicion crossed Alastor’s face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes darted up and down the deserted street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he stepped back from the doorway and motioned Solomon inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Solomon bowed slightly, and stepped inside the cottage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alastor closed the door behind him.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It was a simple cottage, but warm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alastor directed Solomon toward a room on his right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A fire crackled in the hearth and large animal skin covered most of the stone floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several wooden toys littered the corner of the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alastor motioned for Solomon to sit in a nearby chair.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Are you hungry?” asked Alastor.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes,” Solomon replied.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Alastor left the room again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a few moments, he returned with a plate of food and a mug of mead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He handed them to Solomon, who thanked him, and then sat down in a chair opposite him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alastor allowed Solomon to finish a few bites of food and a drink before he spoke again.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“So…what about the Hallow?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Solomon took another gulp of mead, and then replied, “The Shadowfell is rising again, Alastor.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m aware of that, Solomon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I live here…remember?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what has that got to do with the Hallow?” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The Hallow is fueling their rise, Alastor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re using the power of the Hallow buried in our graveyard to open a doorway for their armies into our world.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Alastor stood up and began pacing, thinking hard, and Solomon took advantage of the moment to take another bite of food. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a few moments, Alastor asked aloud the question he’d been running over in his mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can they do that?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I don’t know,” Solomon replied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The lords of the Shadowfell must have found some way to tap into the Hallow’s power from their world.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I don’t know, Solomon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t see how…”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“It doesn’t matter how, Alastor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not a coincidence that the Shadowfell’s rise is beginning here at Annwyn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s happening here because the Hallow is here.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There were a few more moments of silence while Alastor considered Solomon’s words.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What’s your plan, then?” Alastor asked.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I need to find the Hallow and remove it from the graveyard.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Ha!” Alastor chuckled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That Deathly Hallow has been hidden in that graveyard for a thousand years, and for all that time,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> I</i>, and father before me, and his father before him through generations,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh62l5dLm4C6MsmXlXn4LHfAB-z6ohffUnuz49K9Oa-SNpNFLBS6uHiMD4Ni_ShXEGvtmDXVBDuewR1KviGO2J5LfnfUYb8Tir69EganLLfE1RHV2kwuyBuKVrYpiLapzNojkNlMSgECo/s1600/Cemetery+at+Annwyn+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh62l5dLm4C6MsmXlXn4LHfAB-z6ohffUnuz49K9Oa-SNpNFLBS6uHiMD4Ni_ShXEGvtmDXVBDuewR1KviGO2J5LfnfUYb8Tir69EganLLfE1RHV2kwuyBuKVrYpiLapzNojkNlMSgECo/s640/Cemetery+at+Annwyn+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">have ensured that it has remained hidden…dissuading seekers, denying rumors, and worse, when necessary… and now <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i>…you are just going to walk in and take it, is that it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is that your plan?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Something like that, yes,” Solomon replied slightly irritated.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That’s a great plan, Solomon, really,” Alastor said sarcastically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And all you’re little friends, what part do they play in your plan?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The more people I have searching, the faster I can find the Hallow, and remove it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can hold my own, but I’m no fool, Alastor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lords of the Shadowfell will be protecting the Hallow well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sooner I can get out of that old graveyard <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">with</i> the Hallow, the better.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“All these years we’ve been protecting the Hallow from being discovered by countless seekers, wizards, zealots, and all, and now you expect me to let you just waltz in and take it away…revealing it to the world?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“It’s not like that, Alastor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These people already know the Hallow is here.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Have you told them it is?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No, of course not.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Then they only suspect, Solomon, like so many others before them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They don’t really know, but if you go digging around in that graveyard, and you find it, then, Solomon, then they’ll know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the world will know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then all hell will break loose, Solomon!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Hell is already breaking loose, Alastor, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">because</i> the Hallow is here!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The two men stared at each other for a few moments, each breathing heavily, faces stern and fixed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Alastor, the Hallow can’t remain here anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s too dangerous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to take it away from here before it’s too late.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And then what, Solomon?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What happens to the Hallow once you’ve removed it from the graveyard?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’ll hide it again.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Where?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I don’t know where.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somewhere far from here…somewhere the lords of the Shadowfell can’t find it.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What about the wizard I heard you talking about to that woman outside?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will you give it to him to hide, Solomon?” Alastor asked with a hint of accusation in his voice.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Wizards can’t be trusted,” Solomon replied defiantly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I haven’t forgotten, Alastor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have no intention of giving the Hallow to him.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Alastor studied Solomon carefully again, looking for any sign of deception or bewitchment, but he could find none.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, resigned, he said, “Very well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’ll go in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Shadowfell’s reach has grown greater than you know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The veil of shadow has fallen over the entire mountain already.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s always dark there, now, except for the unnatural, blue glow, so it doesn’t really matter when we go, but I’d feel much better just knowing that it was daylight.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What do you mean, ‘we’ll go,’?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I mean you and I, Solomon, and I think I can get a few others from the village to help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Men I can trust,” Alastor explained.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Absolutely not, Alastor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is my fight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s my calling…”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And it’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">my</i> home, Solomon…my family that will be the first to fall under the veil of shadow…my family that will suffer the torment of the lords of the Shadowfell…if you should fail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isn’t that right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well that makes it my fight and my calling, too.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No, Alastor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I work…”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You work alone, I know,” Alastor interrupted, “and I know why, but if you think that I would let you come in here after all these years and then go up there to that cursed graveyard and remove that Hallow from its hiding place all alone, then you really have been gone too long.”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Alastor…” Solomon began, but Alastor cut him off.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You might as well accept it, Solomon,” Alastor moved over and slapped his hand onto Solomon’s back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Since when does a younger brother get to tell his elder brother what he can and cannot do, huh?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alastor smiled at him.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Alastor, I didn’t come here to get you involved in this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just wanted to see you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your family…”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Solomon, I’m already involved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been involved since the day I was born.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s our family’s curse…the knowledge and guardianship of the Deathly Hallow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been involved since father entrusted me with the great <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">family secret</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I may not have embraced that calling in the same way that you have, Solomon, but I’m already involved.”</span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Besides, I’m doing this for my family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we succeed…if we find the Hallow…if we remove it from this place, not only will we save my family and Annwyn, but I’ll never have to burden my own sons with the knowledge of and responsibility for the Hallow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will never have to carry that weight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t think of a better gift to give them, can you?”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Solomon said nothing.</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Come on,” Alastor beckoned, “I want to introduce my sons to their Uncle Solomon.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two of them left the room.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>To be continued...</em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Blogger's Note: <em>Here are play testing cards for Alastor Rayne and the Warriors of Annwyn. You may notice that they bear striking similarities to existing Heroscape figures and cards.</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicsvfDluoxlV9ugy3Xler-evKWDX5MFMq2xmTMJABXffu_DLtwIXI2W-Ish7RQDgXgBtlxveOiifOqA60viyFa8TYes8g46BxXsxnl1CchTEjz3viWjjlaeGbs_oagI40BEkvx8Pj9nRo/s1600/Alastor+RayneTemporary+Card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicsvfDluoxlV9ugy3Xler-evKWDX5MFMq2xmTMJABXffu_DLtwIXI2W-Ish7RQDgXgBtlxveOiifOqA60viyFa8TYes8g46BxXsxnl1CchTEjz3viWjjlaeGbs_oagI40BEkvx8Pj9nRo/s400/Alastor+RayneTemporary+Card.jpg" width="265" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3dx0m_Zz9x1H03y-4cK5yo80q0mkD8er2-Peb41bv5odfG7e5tKtqUewdRoQTYqAdIVeGVAtcxKV_Jo8z1o3fxvJzomGLPk31VbKY60xf3RO8kB9qbXrU-ZvbsLw9ZZWi_kwoJxGLsI/s1600/Warriors+of+AnnwynTemporary+Card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3dx0m_Zz9x1H03y-4cK5yo80q0mkD8er2-Peb41bv5odfG7e5tKtqUewdRoQTYqAdIVeGVAtcxKV_Jo8z1o3fxvJzomGLPk31VbKY60xf3RO8kB9qbXrU-ZvbsLw9ZZWi_kwoJxGLsI/s400/Warriors+of+AnnwynTemporary+Card.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Blogger's Note: <em>Log on next week for the final bonus episode...</em></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Pastor Mark Andersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04216925824992159117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5609742327499296906.post-70756533574779557642011-10-07T21:06:00.000-04:002011-10-07T21:06:42.466-04:00The Deathly Hallows: The ShadowfellBlogger's Note: <em>Here is the second episode of "The Deathly Hallows". Read on, and enjoy.</em><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I trust that everything will be ready at the appointed time, Nerull?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br />
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes, my Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything is going according to plan,” replied Nerull.</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Nerull, tall and red-skinned with dark, flowing, robes, with a long gray, hair and beard, had a grating and rattling voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He carried a large, vicious scythe at his side, and a pair of human skulls hung from his belt as trophies of two particularly significant victories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes glowed with a fierce and malicious will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He walked beside, and slightly behind a taller, shadowed figure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ground made a loud cracking sound as they walked.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPL6XN59JeLT8lrLZze6ezpVsGfXtaGQWkKcEurNov30w4Pb3zGqJOLH4jMagprOUj836O8i8f4iwnJGbaHGHZn2H05VlkLweBGFuu46jUBPuYYCX9W3V2ZX7WUFCsWTYzMZ_dL5rHnMs/s1600/Nerull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPL6XN59JeLT8lrLZze6ezpVsGfXtaGQWkKcEurNov30w4Pb3zGqJOLH4jMagprOUj836O8i8f4iwnJGbaHGHZn2H05VlkLweBGFuu46jUBPuYYCX9W3V2ZX7WUFCsWTYzMZ_dL5rHnMs/s640/Nerull.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The world of mortals will not withstand the power of the Shadowfell.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nerull’s large, pointed teeth were bared through his broad grin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They will fall in fear before our hordes.”</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Good,” the shadowed figure responded quietly in a low, airy voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Good.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two walked on, and for a few moments, the only sound came from the ground beneath their feet, Nerull still slightly behind his shadowed master, then the master spoke again, “I look forward to expanding my garden.”</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes, my lord,” said Nerull, smiling even more broadly.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The skulls and bones of the dead cracked and snapped under their feet as they walked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On either side of the path of bones, bathed in the pale blue light of the Shadowfell moon, were rows of dead planted in the ground to their waists, their arms raised high above their heads as if reaching for the pale sky above them. The arms and bodies of those nearest the path waved slightly as the two dark figures passed by them.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb88wYtCU56De6gqhQGt4NG0Lh9IuCGw7SwGlzys6xJoklaMTXqcGg3f9p4AGtiBEzTm8ljB5qtIIN6VtpFVs6QUULNeUzbajyMkILr4sgrq2rdteeHddq8HrjjyBzODxT_A59clkvRik/s1600/Shadowfell+Gardens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb88wYtCU56De6gqhQGt4NG0Lh9IuCGw7SwGlzys6xJoklaMTXqcGg3f9p4AGtiBEzTm8ljB5qtIIN6VtpFVs6QUULNeUzbajyMkILr4sgrq2rdteeHddq8HrjjyBzODxT_A59clkvRik/s640/Shadowfell+Gardens.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“It’s a beautiful garden,” Nerull continued.</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The two walked on, heading toward a large, dark palace that erupted from the edge of the garden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its walls were thick and piled, its pinnacles, rough and jagged like great stalagmites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A large iron gate guarded the entrance to the palace wall at the end of the bone path.</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And the Hallow?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will provide sufficient power to create the passage?” questioned the shadowed figure.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes, my lord. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More than enough,” Nerull answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The ancient mages knew their craft well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Hallows are imbued with powerful magic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too bad the mages were never able to unite them and use them on us.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shadowed figure tilted its head slightly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nerull caught the subtle movement, and anxiously added, “Too bad for them, I mean.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shadowed figure looked straight ahead once more.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes,” it said. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They thought that by creating the pieces in several locations, that we wouldn’t detect them until it was too late.”</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“They were wrong.”</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes, my lord…dead wrong,” Nerull let out a sinister laugh as <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he bounced the two skulls tied to his belt up and down.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The two walked along in silence again.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As they passed through the iron gate, the shadowed figure spoke again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And what of the mortals?”</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“They are of no concern, my lord,” Nerull answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The Hallow is hidden in very remote area, far from the strength and might of the mortal realm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And their strength is not what it once was, my lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time they realize what is upon them, it will be far too late. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our hordes will be unstoppable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time things will turn out far differently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time, the mortal realm will fall under shadow forever.”</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I hope so, Nerull,” the airy voice spoke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ve waited and planned for this moment for a thousand years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would hate to see my plans fail.”</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That will not happen, my lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have seen to it,” said Nerull, once again with a hint of anxiety in his voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“As I said, the threshold is forming in a very remote area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The nearby village is a small and superstitious place, populated by old men and women, filled with fear of the Shadowfell and empty of the knowledge and ability to thwart us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they were to call for assistance, I doubt any mortal would come, my lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one cares about them.”</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Even if, by some small chance, someone would come to investigate, they would not survive the attempt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Hallow is hidden, and it is guarded well, my lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have seen to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Zombies, Grave Guardians, a few of my Reapers, as well as some…more dangerous…creatures wait to destroy any who disturb that hallowed ground.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtXieFNVL98L1WGa9gsLf2tQZTue6coNToTsV_3PdlCB1bGXZM6zkUTa3O7CnoEqak-eywYwW9XcBXpqffCLq6Qe8fLjWlxCroRvvR35JoRt5GwvdjWBy5xFHzxCQHe2dONXeXmm5S-I/s1600/Cemetery+at+Annwyn+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtXieFNVL98L1WGa9gsLf2tQZTue6coNToTsV_3PdlCB1bGXZM6zkUTa3O7CnoEqak-eywYwW9XcBXpqffCLq6Qe8fLjWlxCroRvvR35JoRt5GwvdjWBy5xFHzxCQHe2dONXeXmm5S-I/s640/Cemetery+at+Annwyn+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The Hallow will not be discovered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The threshold will be established.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mortal realm will fall under our control.”</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Besides, my lord, the Hallows have long been forgotten by realm of mortals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one…”</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The wizards will know,” the shadowed figure interrupted.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Surely not, my lord. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a thousand…”</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Not all will have forgotten,” said the low voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Someone will know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our success cannot depend on the forgetfulness of wizards.”</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“As you say, my lord,” Nerull bowed slightly.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“There is a risk in using the magic of the Hallow to open the passage.”</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“As you say, my lord,” Nerull bowed slightly again, “but it’s a only small risk.”</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Hmm,” the master’s voice faded away into thought.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The two dark figures silently climbed a small flight of steps that led to an iron door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they reached the top, the door opened of its own accord, but the shadowed figure stopped short of entering and turned to face Nerull.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Nerull, you are one of my ablest and most trusted lieutenants,” the shadowed figure said in its low, airy voice.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Thank you, my lord.”</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Do not fail me, Nerull,” the airy voice was firmer now.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No, my lord.”</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“If the mortals get their hands on this one Deathly Hallow, they will undoubtedly seek out the others, as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then my carefully laid out plans…the plans over which I have labored for a thousand years…would be undone, the conquest of the mortal realm would be in jeopardy, and the dominion of the Shadowfell itself would be subjugated by the power of the Hallows.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The shadowed figure paused momentarily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though his eyes could not be seen, he glared at Nerull, and Nerull shivered coldly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You would not live to see such a day, Nerull,” the low, airy voice was now unnaturally cold and forceful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Do you understand?”</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Y…yes,” stumbled Nerull as he bowed low before his master, “perfectly, my lord.”</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Good,” said the shadowed figure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shadowed figure turned back toward the open doorway, and said, “See to the plan,” as he walked inside the palace.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“As you say, my lord,” Nerull’s voice trailed off into silence.</span></div><br />
<em>To be continued...</em><br />
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Blogger's Note: <em>Below is the Play Test card for Nerull and the Skeletal Reaper, two of the new figures we will be playing with at this year's Halloween Heroscape Event</em>. <em>After we've play tested it, I will make a final Heroscape card for it (and several other new figures we'll be using in the game). But here's a look at the stats, powers, and points they'll be starting with.</em><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Blogger's Note: <em>Log on again next Friday for the next episode of "The Deathly Hallows."</em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .25in;"><br />
</div>Pastor Mark Andersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04216925824992159117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5609742327499296906.post-46928678854871255412011-09-30T17:02:00.003-04:002013-08-16T10:57:43.357-04:00The Deathly Hallows: Wizard's TaleBLOGGER'S NOTE: <em>The following is the first of three episodes giving back story leading up to my 3rd annual Halloween Heroscape event: "The Deathly Hallows." The episodes set up the scenario of the game we will be playing at the Halloween event. The story will introduce us to a few of the characters that will be played in the game as well as giving a few clues (some more obvious than others) as to the object of the game and the successful completion of the scenario. The episodes won't tell you everything, though. Something has to be saved for game time. For now, here's the first episode..."Wizard's Tale."</em><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A loud, quick knock reverberated off the stone walls of the chamber.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The man sitting at a table strewn with old books on the far side of the room did not look up from his book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was carefully studying a large book, turning its brittle pages back and forth delicately.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Enter,” he said.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A metal latch clicked conspicuously, and the heavy wooden door slowly swung open, as the servant stepped a few feet into the chamber.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“My lord, we’ve found him.” </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The man looked up from his ancient book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Where is he?” he asked…a hint of urgency in his voice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“He is here, my Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They've brought him here.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Bring him.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes, my Lord.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The servant bowed and exited the chamber, closing the door behind him.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The man considered the news for a moment then moved out from around the table at which he had been sitting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Open books littered the table, some piled on top of others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had the distinct look of having been copiously studied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Straps of leather hung out of multiple pages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Corners of some pages were folded over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But all of them were left behind for the moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The man, now focused on something other than his books, moved to a cupboard along the closest wall, his long, maroon robe, billowing behind him, and took two goblets and a bottle of wine from the cupboard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Setting the goblets on a small table near him, he began filling the goblets with wine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The chamber door opened, and the servant entered again, this time followed by a man in a dark green, hooded travelling cloak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a large, rough-looking man, unkempt but not dirty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His face, barely visible under the hood of his cloak, was deeply scarred, his face aged well-beyond his years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes, small and intense, betrayed the controlled rage that burned deep within him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For all his mass and roughness, however, his heavy boots fell to the stone floor without a sound.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Bowing, the servant announced, “My Lord, Solomon Rayne.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The man in the maroon robe nodded to the servant, and the servant turned and left the chamber, closing the door behind him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The man set down the bottle of wine on the small table, and picked up the goblets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“May I offer you a drink?” he asked, lifting a goblet toward the man in the green.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He noticed for the first time the large crossbow swinging on Rayne’s back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Rayne did not take the goblet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did not move at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He merely stared intently at the man.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The man, apparently not surprised by Rayne’s response, set the goblet back down on the small table, and took a drink from his own goblet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You have proven to be a most difficult man to track, Mr. Rayne,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I like my privacy,” Rayne replied in a deep, rough voice that befitted his rough appearance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Indeed,” said the man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Though your exploits are well-known and celebrated in nearly every village on this side of the Great River, no one seems to know how or where to find you when help is needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Strange that no one ever seems to call you, yet you always turn up to rescue people from…shall we say…that which haunts them.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The man paused, expecting Rayne to respond, but he did not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I've gone to a lot of trouble to find you, Mr. Rayne.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I said before, you’ve proven to be a most elusive figure.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The man took another drink from his goblet, watching Rayne, who stood as motionless as a statue and as silent as a grave, very carefully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a few moments, the man put his goblet back down on the table, and continued, “Have you ever heard of the Deathly Hallows, Mr. Rayne?” <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No,” replied the rough voice.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Somewhat surprised that Rayne had responded at all, the man surveyed Rayne even more closely as if he was searching for something inside Rayne’s mind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The Deathly Hallows are sacred and ancient objects of great magical...importance,” he said. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“During the last great war, the Hallows were made by the ancient mages to control the powers of the Shadowfell, but they were stolen and hidden by the agents of the Shadowfell so that the Hallows could not be used against them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When their forces were finally driven back, and the darkness vanished from the land, all knowledge of the Hallows' whereabouts vanished with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Hallows were considered lost, and then forgotten, by all but the most learned in the realm.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Wizards...like yourself, you mean,” Rayne interjected.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Indeed,” the man smiled and bowed slightly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wizards</i>, such as myself, have searched for the Hallows all these many centuries, without success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the searches...all the clues...have ended in fruitlessness, and the Hallows have remained hidden.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And sooner or later you're going to tell me why you went to so much trouble to find me, right?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rayne’s voice contained a hint of impatience and irritation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The wizard stood silent, looking irritated himself by this second interruption of his story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was clear that he enjoyed the story of the Deathly Hallows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The irritation bled quickly from his face, however, he smiled again, slightly, and replied, “Very well, Mr. Rayne.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To the point, then.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I need your help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe that I have discovered the resting place of one of the Deathly Hallows, but it is carefully protected against wizards, such as myself. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need a man of your...<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">particular</i> talents…to help me retrieve it.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There was a long pause as the two men looked intently at each other, each studying the other for signs of weakness…of a way into the other’s mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a few moments, Rayne’s face cracked a smile for the first time since he had entered the chamber.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“See,” he said, “this is why I make finding me so difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don't do requests. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I don't much care for wizards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can't trust ‘em, see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They're manipulative, and they never…ever…tell you the whole story.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Rayne’s smile faded quickly.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Good luck with your Deadly Hollows, or whatever they're called.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'll let myself out.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Rayne turned to leave, and took a few silent steps toward the door.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The wizard, whose face was now stern, called out after him, “Are you familiar with a village called Annwyn, Mr. Rayne?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Rayne’s determined march toward the door slowed to a halt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Hm.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wizard smirked slightly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are you aware of the...recent events…in Annwyn?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The troubling news?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The many…many…dark portents?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Rayne turned his head back toward the wizard, his eyes barely visible in the dark shadow of his hood, with a small but definite look of surprise mixed with concern on his face.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No?” the wizard continued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I would have thought that a man in your particular line of work would be the first to hear of such things, but, of course, being so…private…perhaps you have not heard the evil tidings from so far away.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Annwyn is under siege by the forces of darkness, Mr. Rayne.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dark powers are rising.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Shadowfell is erupting once again, just as it did a thousand years ago, and it is beginning at Annwyn.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You see, I believe that one of the Deathly Hallows is hidden at Annwyn, and I believe the lords of the Shadowfell have found a way to use the power of the hidden Hallow to open a doorway into this realm, and if the Hallow is not removed from there soon…” the wizard’s voice trailed off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Well, Annwyn will only be the first village to fall under the power of the Shadowfell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its people will be the first to suffer a terrible fate, Mr. Rayne, but they will only be the first.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You are known as a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">champion</i> of the people…a man who stands between the people and the darkness and drives back the darkness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely you will not turn your back on Annwyn, will you, Mr. Rayne...consigning all the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">dear</i> people who live there to the terror of the Shadowfell?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Rayne’s head turned away from the wizard again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wizard smiled broadly.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I've put together a group of adventurers committed to the cause, Mr. Rayne, but they need a leader.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>None of them has your extensive experience in this sort of thing, and I’m afraid that if they're forced to go on without you, their chance of success…well, they'll stand a much better chance if you're with them, won't they?”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Rayne slowly turned his head back toward the wizard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes were less intense than they had been when he entered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was uncertainty in them now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You see, Mr. Rayne, you may not like me very much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">trust</i> me at all, but the truth is that I'm not asking you to do anything other than what you always do…to stand between the people and the darkness and drive the darkness back.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Find the Deathly Hallow, Mr. Rayne, remove it from Annwyn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Save those people, and all of us, from a terrible fate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then bring the Hallow to me, and I will see to its…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A gleam of greed flashed in the wizard’s eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">protection</i>,” he finished.</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> To be continued...</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">BLOGGER'S NOTE: <em>Below is the Play Test card for Solomon Rayne, one of the new figures we will be playing with at this year's Halloween Heroscape Event</em>. <em>After we've play tested it, I will make a final Heroscape card for it (and several other new figures we'll be using in the game). But here's a look at the stats, powers, and points he'll be starting with.</em></span></span></div>
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BLOGGER'S NOTE: <em>Log on again next Friday for the next episode of "The Deathly Hallows."</em></div>
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Pastor Mark Andersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04216925824992159117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5609742327499296906.post-59531242599452264012011-09-05T22:51:00.001-04:002011-09-05T22:52:59.802-04:00Ice Rink RiskI had some friends over today to play Heroscape for a rainy Labor Day.<br />
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The board was one I'd built before, but it was a good one. I call it <em>Ice Rink Risk</em> (after a Mario Party Mini Game). Here's a picture of the board from VirtualScape:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZvoJKJZfwkIS4F_eyb2OwteYHuOpKGZzFUUWbh2KmsMYUIORNFNMnlK1z3RyGd9RqyQv_IwHDuS8y-04Q9GDYuqGyPOm-Xyt6GdEGVJXzErhRYSPJx5dhCkQxGU3YhGT1M_ciUA257k/s1600/Ice+Rink+3.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZvoJKJZfwkIS4F_eyb2OwteYHuOpKGZzFUUWbh2KmsMYUIORNFNMnlK1z3RyGd9RqyQv_IwHDuS8y-04Q9GDYuqGyPOm-Xyt6GdEGVJXzErhRYSPJx5dhCkQxGU3YhGT1M_ciUA257k/s640/Ice+Rink+3.bmp" width="640" /></a> </div>It's designed as a kind of stadium or arena board. On average, it's a smaller sized board than we usually play on, but it's a good board to get right into action, and as there is so much road tile, in addition to being relatively small, the board has a high level of mobility, too. It makes for a nice, fast-paced game. The ice in the center is, of course, the stadium's playing field. The snow tiles are the stands for spectators.<br />
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If you'd like the building plans, let me know and I'll try and post them.<br />
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Today, we played a 3v3 game. Essentially, it was a game of ice "hockey" (or whatever game they might play on ice in Valhalla) gone really badly, where the crowd (as well as the teams) turned violent. Each team had one player controlling an army on the ice, and two players controlling armies in the stands. It was a fight to the death.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafcmSkb_K8rmesWPIUh2FUsEJ0xkdEUbFFZm55KXATanvhhKBd63CfQk5dgDrcFPEl6pJ45owXNHP2aWCnfKvZsIPSQOAJTAtRDF63ZPrOiFLzAGBY4G8csgnyftL3JUpuFFn-TP4seQ/s1600/DSCN4232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafcmSkb_K8rmesWPIUh2FUsEJ0xkdEUbFFZm55KXATanvhhKBd63CfQk5dgDrcFPEl6pJ45owXNHP2aWCnfKvZsIPSQOAJTAtRDF63ZPrOiFLzAGBY4G8csgnyftL3JUpuFFn-TP4seQ/s640/DSCN4232.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The game room, as you will see, is our garage. The board in the foreground is the board being prepared for our 3rd Annual Halloween Heroscape Event. Stay tuned to future entries for details about that board and game.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOV2zbFzFsPy4MYgd9MTi1ixqjGkjeHYV-vWOJtQl-XLJ05Xjbh14wKLLC52zpJuD52xupo5MwMNk9F6atCfUnrAjiLk7BxWsTQ_FW1D81wcT9zM14jyCwwzH-ZziYdA2h47G9e1ts0wo/s1600/DSCN4216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOV2zbFzFsPy4MYgd9MTi1ixqjGkjeHYV-vWOJtQl-XLJ05Xjbh14wKLLC52zpJuD52xupo5MwMNk9F6atCfUnrAjiLk7BxWsTQ_FW1D81wcT9zM14jyCwwzH-ZziYdA2h47G9e1ts0wo/s640/DSCN4216.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The "paint-under-the-ice" effect is achieved by putting down a normal layer of ice with lava tiles for red paint and shadow tiles for black paint. Then I put a second layer of ice tiles over the first layer, looking for especially lightly frosted ones to put over the lava and shadow tiles so that the colors show through better.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQEgNqcrceT8ILF2aif0B_lWNZ3Rlpd8BClkr7G-CcmdBbaKPHFDeJyZoVu09E15ltiaMI3t_Xcb1wqm3QcGFbt9DKIbF-vH_F8y3lFmoCg5oC4Xol1ipo7Z29tjdiVX7HUP46-9kFBo/s1600/DSCN4259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQEgNqcrceT8ILF2aif0B_lWNZ3Rlpd8BClkr7G-CcmdBbaKPHFDeJyZoVu09E15ltiaMI3t_Xcb1wqm3QcGFbt9DKIbF-vH_F8y3lFmoCg5oC4Xol1ipo7Z29tjdiVX7HUP46-9kFBo/s640/DSCN4259.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You may also notice that some of the trees on the actual board are custom, snow-covered trees. These can be found in most craft stores (Michael's, Hobby Lobby, etc.) around Christmastime. They come in various sizes to fit the litle decorative village stuff. OF course, I like to wait until just after Christmas, so I can get them half price.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had to take a picture of these figures so that I could comment on them here. This little Micro Corp Agent, controlled by my son Benjamin, survived nine separate attacks by the Iron Golem and a negated Cyprien (each controlled by separate players) with his Stealth Armor. Nine consecutive times, from nine consecutive attacks, Benjamin rolled a 15 or higher on the d-20! Cyprien and the Iron Golem's team eventually got the better of the Micro Corp Agent (and won the day), but Benjamin was quite proud (as he should have been) of his agent's long defense.</div><br />
It was a good game, and a great day.<br />
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God bless and happy Heroscaping.Pastor Mark Andersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04216925824992159117noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5609742327499296906.post-63277952312189277122011-09-02T00:09:00.000-04:002011-09-02T00:09:24.413-04:00A New Creative OutletI've been playing Heroscape for a little over 4 years now. Just this evening, as my 9- and 11-year-old sons were playing on one board and I was building another one for a game on Monday, my nearly 6-year-old son asked me about the first set I ever got.<br />
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It was a Marvel set.<br />
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I'd seen the Heroscape game in our local Wal-Mart, and it had looked interesting, but it was a lot of money to try something out that might be a bust. A number of months later, we were on vacation and I saw the ROTV Master Set again along with a Marvel set. My kids liked Marvel stuff, and it was a little cheaper than the ROTV, and we were on vacation (vacation always brings out a little overindulging in me), so we bought it. The boys and I loved it so much, that a couple of days later, we went back and bought the ROTV Master Set, too.<br />
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And so began my love of (and my wife might say, "obsession with") Heroscape. Since that vacation, almost every vacation since has included "Heroscape Hunting". I would go to various Wal-Marts, Targets (until they stopped carrying Heroscape), toy stores, and comic/game/hobby stores, looking for any figures I didn't already have (or wanted more of).<br />
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I have lots of stories about finding good deals and great finds in various parts of the country, but I'll save those for later posts.<br />
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Some of the things you will see here will be my custom projects.<br />
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Heroscape has become my primary hobby. Making custom figures, cards, and terrain is how I spend some of my leisure time, and I would like to share some of what I've done and am doing with the rest of the world, too. Maybe someone will find my work of value in this new Custom Era of Heroscape, so I want to share.<br />
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As a beginning, here is one of my more recent custom figures.<br />
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Sir Taylor was a high school graduation present for one of our players whose name is Taylor. Sir Taylor's special powers and stats reflect my friend Taylor's interests and history, both in the game and in real life. The figure itself is an adapted version of a Dungeons & Dragons Aasimar Fighter (War of the Dragon Queen 01/60). I added a lance on his back and a shield on his arm because I couldn't see a dragon slayer going into combat without a shield.<br />
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We've only played with Sir Taylor once so far, with not-so-great success (no dragons killed) but the opponents caught him in engagement to prevent him from using any of his cool dragon-slaying powers. Opponents are so irritating that way.<br />
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I will also be posting pictures of boards that I build and scenarios that I develop, and who knows what else. I encourage interaction and feedback on actual game play of any of my custom units, should you choose to try them out. Pointing customs is an educated guessing system, and doesn't always work well the first (or second) time around.<br />
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I hope you will find this blog beneficial to your game play. Happy Scaping!<br />
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Pastor Mark Andersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04216925824992159117noreply@blogger.com0