[This is a continuation of the belated recap of GaryCon V that took place in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin last month. This recap also features my brother Michael as a guest blogger.
Also, I need to get this done so I can move on and blog about other things.]
Friday
One of the things I told myself I was going to do Thursday was to get everything together for the Shootout. That didn't happen, so for the second year in a row I was scrambling to get building models assembled and paper minis cut out. The glue sticks I purchased for the models didn't work at all, so I had to run back to Wal-Mart to buy tape. As for the minis, it turns out that I didn't have them with me when I left upstate New York. And my attempts to print out copies from the hotel's printer failed spectacularly as they didn't have any PDF viewers on their office computer. I decided to make do with the fantasy minis I used the day before and continued on. My only interruption being when Michael came back from his 9am game earlier than expected. I'll let him explain.
Showing posts with label miniatures. Show all posts
Showing posts with label miniatures. Show all posts
Monday, May 6, 2013
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Four Days Till GaryCon!
Okay, looks like I found the solution to my minis problem. If you are looking for some high-quality fantasy paper minis, look no further than The Fantasy Trip. There are tons of well drawn figures there.
Tomorrow is going to be a weird day for me. Due to GaryCon and my birthday falling within the same week, I decided to head out to Chicago a day earlier. But this means that I have a one-day workweek this week. And with my job, I'm not getting a lot of projects dropped in my lap since I won't be around to finish any of them. It should make things interesting to say the least.
Tomorrow is going to be a weird day for me. Due to GaryCon and my birthday falling within the same week, I decided to head out to Chicago a day earlier. But this means that I have a one-day workweek this week. And with my job, I'm not getting a lot of projects dropped in my lap since I won't be around to finish any of them. It should make things interesting to say the least.
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Five Days Till GaryCon!
First, I can't believe that I didn't think of this sooner. But the solution to yesterday's problem was realizing the a mat that could be rolled up could also be folded.
Second, it looks like I'll be checking my bags after all, since I will be bringing a few of my pained miniatures with me for my HackMaster game. I suppose it is possible to get them by the TSA without issue. But I am seriously debating whether or not it would be worth the hassle. I am trying to find some good paper minis to bring with me. I'm having some luck with the PCs, but I need ones of kobolds and dogs for my adventure. Alternately, I could use some sort of token or pawn as a stand-in. but I need to get them fast and cheap.
Other than that, I just need to make sure I have all my other stuff (i.e. everything not game or clothing related) packed and ready to go Tuesday morning.
Second, it looks like I'll be checking my bags after all, since I will be bringing a few of my pained miniatures with me for my HackMaster game. I suppose it is possible to get them by the TSA without issue. But I am seriously debating whether or not it would be worth the hassle. I am trying to find some good paper minis to bring with me. I'm having some luck with the PCs, but I need ones of kobolds and dogs for my adventure. Alternately, I could use some sort of token or pawn as a stand-in. but I need to get them fast and cheap.
Other than that, I just need to make sure I have all my other stuff (i.e. everything not game or clothing related) packed and ready to go Tuesday morning.
Friday, February 8, 2013
34 Days Till GaryCon! Memories of GaryCon IV: Part II
So Thursday started off with something new. Me sitting at a desk in my underwear desperately trying to get about nine paper building assembled in time for the shootout. I managed to convince Michael to help me ans soon we had our buildings done and I got some pants on. Things were looking up.
After a quick bite we went downstairs to find our table and get set up. I was a bit disappointed to see that we were at a small table shoved in the back room of the convention center. It wasn't until well into the game that we were actually given three tables and had that entire room to ourselves. Players began to line up, the majority from the Kenzer boards. Though I never took an actual count, I would say that we had at least a dozen players going. And despite having around twelve people gathered around the table, for some reason everyone seemed to be drawn towards the bathhouse for their starting position. It even got named the "Bathhouse of Blood" for all the kills that occurred around it. One of the highlights of the game when +Barbara Blackburn joined in, said "Take that you man-varmint!" and shot another character in the butt.
The game went for about three and a half hours before everyone had their fill and there was one player left standing. Since I didn't have much in the way of prizes to hand out, I had to settle for giving the winner the cheap paper model of the bathhouse as a reward.
After that I went to the Kenzer booth where I managed to get +Jolly Blackburn, +Barbara Blackburn, and +Steven Johansson to sign my special upside-down bound Hacklopedia of Beasts. Michael and I had ourselves some dinner and around eight o'clock we were back downstairs for some more gaming. This time I was playing HackMaster instead of GMing it. Our GM was +George Fields, the Ironman of HackMaster GMs. George runs more HackMaster games than the freaking Kenzer D-Team!
One thing that I like about making the switch from game master to player is that not only do I get a chance to get out from behind the screen, I also feel that by playing under other GMs makes me a better GM. It's nice to take a look at how other people interpret the rules and handle players. Even if you don't agree with how another GM makes a call, it does give you insight into aspects of the game you may have overlooked.
George's game wrapped close to midnight, and I was spent. Michael went on to do some more gaming that evening. Within two years he went from the timid guy unsure about even going to the convention, to socializing with strangers at a moments notice. I, on the other hand, went to bed for a much needed rest. After all, there were still three days of gaming to go.
After a quick bite we went downstairs to find our table and get set up. I was a bit disappointed to see that we were at a small table shoved in the back room of the convention center. It wasn't until well into the game that we were actually given three tables and had that entire room to ourselves. Players began to line up, the majority from the Kenzer boards. Though I never took an actual count, I would say that we had at least a dozen players going. And despite having around twelve people gathered around the table, for some reason everyone seemed to be drawn towards the bathhouse for their starting position. It even got named the "Bathhouse of Blood" for all the kills that occurred around it. One of the highlights of the game when +Barbara Blackburn joined in, said "Take that you man-varmint!" and shot another character in the butt.
The game went for about three and a half hours before everyone had their fill and there was one player left standing. Since I didn't have much in the way of prizes to hand out, I had to settle for giving the winner the cheap paper model of the bathhouse as a reward.
After that I went to the Kenzer booth where I managed to get +Jolly Blackburn, +Barbara Blackburn, and +Steven Johansson to sign my special upside-down bound Hacklopedia of Beasts. Michael and I had ourselves some dinner and around eight o'clock we were back downstairs for some more gaming. This time I was playing HackMaster instead of GMing it. Our GM was +George Fields, the Ironman of HackMaster GMs. George runs more HackMaster games than the freaking Kenzer D-Team!
One thing that I like about making the switch from game master to player is that not only do I get a chance to get out from behind the screen, I also feel that by playing under other GMs makes me a better GM. It's nice to take a look at how other people interpret the rules and handle players. Even if you don't agree with how another GM makes a call, it does give you insight into aspects of the game you may have overlooked.
George's game wrapped close to midnight, and I was spent. Michael went on to do some more gaming that evening. Within two years he went from the timid guy unsure about even going to the convention, to socializing with strangers at a moments notice. I, on the other hand, went to bed for a much needed rest. After all, there were still three days of gaming to go.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
39 Days Till GaryCon! Another Good Resource for Game Prep.
I don't have a lot of skill when it comes to painting miniatures. Thankfully there is Eddnic's Fantasy Paper Miniature Models blog.
Seriously, this stuff is beautiful and requires a minimum of gluing to get them put together. And the best part, they're all free!
Seriously, this stuff is beautiful and requires a minimum of gluing to get them put together. And the best part, they're all free!
Friday, March 23, 2012
Thursday, April 7, 2011
F is for Friendly Local Game Store(s)

For the gamer, the game store is more than just a shop. It also serves as meeting place, rumor mill and communications hub. Though the internet has made it possible to acquire gaming products more easily, the game store provides the social atmosphere that is necessary for tabletop role-playing.
Now, no two stores are alike. Some stores simply provide a place to purchase games, and that is it. Nothing is wrong with this business model. But, it is simply a business and nothing more. Some game stores are the stuff of gamer nightmares: poor product selection, employees with next to no product knowledge, and an atmosphere that says, "get your shit and get out!" These stores drive away both new and veteran players alike, which hurts the hobby. But then there is the Friendly Local Game Store, or FLGS as we gamers like to say. These stores go out of their way to provide a wide range of product, an inviting environment, and a place for gamers to meet and play. Today, I'm going to talk about two such stores.
Games Plus in Mount Prospect, Illinois is one of the best game stores, if not the best in the Chicagoland area. Seriously, I have heard stories of gamers coming through Chicago just to visit this little store in the suburbs. It is worth the trip. Games Plus has a wide selection of current and out-of-print games; role-playing games, boardgames and tactical simulations. Their walls are covered with miniatures for all genres. And best of all, they have a large game room for groups to play in. The store is also well-lit, clean and the staff are knowledgeable and personable. In addition to all that they offer a program to their regulars where, for every $100 spent in a six-month period, they give a $10 discount on purchases of new product. Games Plus is also the host for events such as ENWorld's GameDay. Overall, they provide great selection, great staff, and a great place to call your store.
The second store I have to mention is my current FLGS, Griffon Bookstore in South Bend, Indiana. The Griffon is a bit smaller than Games Plus, but in turn, it provides more than just games. As it's name suggests, it is also a seller of books. And by books, I am talking everything from science-fiction to military history to philosophy. Normally, a game store that sells items other than games would do so to their detriment. But by keeping their stock in the realm of things gamers are normally interested, they manage to keep things from veering away from gaming. On an interesting side note, when my father and stepmother came to visit me this past Februrary, we stopped by Griffon just to show them where I spent my Saturdays. Despite neither one having an interest in gaming, they walked out having bought around $20 of books and cards, as well as a better understanding of my favorite hobby. I can't think of a better endorsement.
Games Plus is located at 101 West Prospect Avenue in Mount Prospect, Illinois. The Griffon is at 121 West Colfax Avenue in downtown South Bend, Indiana. If you are in the area for either one, it's worth taking the time to check them out.
Monday, March 21, 2011
More paper hats for pewter minatures!

In the meantime, I have created another sheet of "hats" for people to use. This sheet adds five more hats (labeled K-O) for sleep, stun and death, as well as 10 hats for poisoned status.
Sheet 4
I also thought I should give a run-down of the status effects and what they could be used for. Some of these are obvious, but others may be specific to particular game systems. I tried to keep these as system neutral as possible overall.
- Sleep- either under the effects of a spell, KOed, or just dozing off.
- Stun- variety of effects that isn't quite knocked out, but not able to do much while awake.
- Blind- character can't see.
- Deaf- character can't hear.
- Mute- character can't speak/cast spells. May be used to represent characters under the effect of a silence spell.
- Burn- character is en fuego and at risk of taking continuing fire damage.
- Para.- paralysis
- Web- trapped in a web, either from a spell or a big freakin' spider.
- Engulf- the character is engulfed by something. Could be swallowed whole by a monster, trapped in a water elemental, etc.
- Petrify- character has been turned to stone.
- Posion- character is poisoned
- Dead- 'nuff said.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Paper hats for pewter miniatures.
I was inspired by Jolly Blackburn's Hack Kaddies on the Kenzer & Company Forums to try my hand at my own ideas for some paper cutouts to be used with standard miniatures.
Let's say you have an orc facing off against a spellcaster PC. The caster decides to cast a blindness spell on the orc to gain an advantage. As the GM, you want to make sure you keep that orc's condition in mind while you tend to all the other combatants on the field. What's the solution?
A paper hat!
I created the "hats" in AutoCAD, and scanned the printouts as Jpegs so anyone can use them. I'm a bit new to Google Docs, so if the links I'm about to provide don't work, please let me know. If anyone has any suggestions for new "hats", leave a comment and I'll try to get them worked out when I can.
Let's say you have an orc facing off against a spellcaster PC. The caster decides to cast a blindness spell on the orc to gain an advantage. As the GM, you want to make sure you keep that orc's condition in mind while you tend to all the other combatants on the field. What's the solution?
A paper hat!

Basically I created a few sheets of easy-to-build "hats" that list a status condition. If a Pc or NPC is under the effect of the condition in question, you can just place the "hat" over the mini as an easy visual reference.

These "hats" are pyramidal in shape. So, if you have to recycle minis for a combat session, say a group of kobold reinforcements coming to bail out the batch your PCs just cast a sleep spell on, you can use the "hats" as markers for where the old figures stood while you brought in new ones.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)