Recent Gaming + Travel

 I've been bad about porting Batreps on the blog recently and figured I owed it to myself to document a couple of recent outings. Back on October 3rd I put on a game of BelloLudi Crossbow. BelloLudi is sort of an open template ruleset and game mechanic system that is suited to a lot of different gaming periods and styles. I chose the Crossbow variant as a starting point for my 28mm fantasy battle game, since the basic weapon technology and fighting style pretty much matched my idea and intent. The publisher has a magic and monsters supplement that bolts onto all of their games. We didn't use that for this first game and we were just figuring out the rules.

I got to put most of the toys on the table, halflings and elves fighting goblins and orks. Ziggy commanded the 'flings and elves while David led the gobbos and kin. It ended up being a fairly even affair and after about the first hour we were pretty comfortable with the rules in general. David and Ziggy both rather enjoyed it, I enjoyed watching as a GM. My hope is to run a game of BL WW2 for Tanksgiving , but to add the magic rules, turning the game from just a typical 1942 eastern front battle into World War Witch with a bit of strangeness heaped on top of the T-34s and Panzers.

In between that game and the next one, my wife and I went our to Bachelor Gulch Colorado for a business conference I had to attend. We did get to stay in the Ritz Carlton and holy cow, that was amazing. We also got to see son #1 on Friday evening in Denver. He moved out there in July and I had not seen him since.

The view from the hotel.

Vail. We hung out here for a couple hours shopping and having lunch.

Red Rocks outside Denver.

The famous Red Rocks amphitheater. They were setting up for an EDM show that evening.

Obligatory visit the the state capitol building. A few years ago we decided we'd visit these whenever we get the chance. They're usually quite interesting. New Hampshire has so far been my favorite with its massive collection of AWI treasures.

I can't remember if this is the House or Senate chamber.

I'm a sucker for a gorgeous doorway.

We especially enjoyed the window propped open with a book. It's an old building.

And dinner with most of the fam at a Brazilian steakhouse!

Last up on the gaming front was yesterday (October 24th). I got with Mike and David for another installment of Star Fleet Battles. We played at Starbucks out in Pooler close to where Mike lives. It's not a visually interesting game, so I'll spare you lots of pictures. The scenario I put together was this:

A small Hydran group is trying to save some travel time by skirting through LDR territory. An LDR patrol of course noticed the Hydran vessels and confirmed this was an unauthorized intrusion. The LDR patrol was cleared to engage and stop the intrusion. The Patrol caught up with the Hydrans in the dust cloud outside the Armanhammer system.

Victory Conditions:

Hydrans: Exit one of the freighters from the 0xxx hex row. Each additional ship exited results in additional bragging rights.

LDR: Prevent the Hydran from completing their objective.

David commanded the LDR ships while Mike and I split the Hydrans.

Mid-way through. David had mis-timed his ESGs which kind of hampered his options for a turn. Mike and I decided to sacrifice our plucky little police ships, keeping the LDR DD and FF occupied while the two freighters slinked away. The plan worked nicely.  An unfortunate tractoring of my ship then resulting in me shoving David's DD further away from the freighters. 

AUDITS IN SPAAAACE! Don't look so excited, Mike :)

And the fortunate Hydran freighters make their escape. Interesting game, worthwhile scenario and great gaming buddies. What a great way to kill an afternoon!

Back to the painting table I suppose. Be well and good gaming, everyone.