Have Spaceship- Will Travel.

Scott asked for a picture of the Vojik, armed scout ship from the last update, with one of the PCP crew.
I should have done it the first time, but I was too lazy to go get the bag with the crew, and was taking pictures fast.  So this fixes that.

Captain Vok and The Vojik. 

Makes for a nice one-man flyer in 28mm scale and a good sized ship for War Rocket scale. 

Alien Invasion Called on Account of Rain & Fastest Speed Painting

Well hell.
Three Fridays in a row I've missed gaming.  Two from working overtime but this last Friday I was determined to get to gaming.  Time is closing for Empire of the Dead and I wanted to get some more games in, especially since I'd painted up a mini for the Pangalactic Confederation of Planets.

So I packed everything and headed out. Checked google traffic as I always do, to see which of the two possible ways I take was the clearest, and it looked pretty good.  But it was raining.  And maybe people were leaving town early for Thanksgiving week?  I don't know.  But google traffic lied.  In a big way.  Instead of a clear freeway I had a parking lot.  The rain coming down and it took 10 minutes to travel the one mile distance up the freeway to the next exit. Seeing nothing but the same as far up as I could see, and knowing it takes 30-40 minutes to get there on an average day I called it quits, got off at that exit and went home.  Looks like it's the end for this season of Empire of the Dead.  Holidays next, then gearing up for VSF campaign on the Moon.

I know, crazy to complain about the weather: spoiled Californian.  I know many have much worse weather to deal with.  I tease my girlfriend that she lives in the Ice Age half the year as it's already snowing and below zero.  But driving 5 miles an hour in the rain for a couple hours.. no. That is why the PCP have spaceships.

Here is the mini I painted for the PCP.  It was very much a speed painting job.  I had converted this months ago for the faction, but deciding I wanted a chance to field it at least once, I primed & painted it the afternoon before I left.  After priming, it took less than 20 minutes to paint.

The Vojik: armed scout vessel. 

I went for a metal finish, for a retro sci-fi look. 

I forget the manufacturer of this mini. I saw it on sale and thought it was just right for the PCP crew. 

It had big bulk boxy weapons, so I ditched those and converted some eldar bright lances for its weapons. 

In Empire of the Dead, one of the pieces of gear a character can get is a steam powered gyrocopter.  

It allows the person to fly, and still perform an action even though he moves.  I thought this would be a perfect sci-fi version of this.  Give the character a repeating rifle (2 shots) and have this fly around and shoot twice- like it's weapons would suggest.  A model with flight can perch on top of terrain- like trees and roofs, so would be ideal for keeping a rifleman out of charge threat of werewolves and vampires.  

I kept the base black, since I can now also use it for War Rocket! 

Someday it will get some use on the tabletop.  

Depending on the rain...

Enjoy!

PCP vs. Opium: To Boldly Go On Their 2nd Away Mission and Probe Where No Probe Has Gone Before

Stardate: Third Floobalts After the Shaandaar: Captain's Note: Buy Lotto tickets: very lucky day!

Local date: the following Wednesday after the last mission.  Probably a day dedicated to some 'Saint', being one of many dead magic men, but apparently no concept of a Floobalts locally, let alone Shaandaar.

Mission Goal: Find further specimens for the medical lab.  Apparently the gestation feeding duct in this species fuses irreversibly after birth and Doc says he ruined several of the last specimens before realizing this.   Not to worry he says, he's found another entry point that will serve nearly as well.  This species continues to astound us.  Once we have a more complete understanding of their physiology and potential as a species we'll be better able to assess their current development and viability of offering membership into the Pan-galactic Confederation of Planets.  To this end, we have set down in a small village with an expanded team.  Weather continues to be dense with water vapor and devoid of direct light from the star: a truly depressing world.

Our team divided into two groups, to capture the primate species.
Captain Vok, Science Officer Vyoop, 3 tac-ops and the automoticon TVC-15 took the North end while Tag-At-Ot took position on an abandoned dwelling, with 2 of the tac-ops and the engineering team Tibbit & Plon taking the South end.   Scanners showed a group of 8 moving between the dwellings: these were their targets.

The men of the Jade Dragon Emporium, notorious opium importers, made their way through the town after delivering product to a wealthy gentleman. Carrying this much wealth, it was wise to have so many skilled swordsmen, and the two rifles .. one could never be too careful.  The master's sixth sense told him that something was wrong.  Perhaps a rival gang knew of their delivery?  Best to make a quick escape... 

Captain Vok spotted three of the primates hiding in the bushes ahead: they were spotted!  They must capture those creatures at all cost!

Tag-At-Ot spotted the majority of the Earthmen moving through the buildings: as a professional hunter he knew the element of surprise was lost: their presence was known, so he opened fire and downed one of the green-clad men, it wasn't dead but it would give them something to think about.

TVC-15 initiated its weapon, the low hum breaking the still air as a multitude of particle bursts sped out to the primates, shredding holes in one.

The remaining primates moved up and hid in the bushes.  What were they thinking?  We knew they were there.  Doubts about their intelligence were raised... perhaps they are well trained mimics or non-sentient animal servants? At any rate, we'd have to get closer to continue shooting at them now.

Meanwhile, in the denser dwellings, the injured man got up while the other shot at Tag-At-Ot.  It was only a small blob of soft metal, a wound, but nothing serious.  The creatures used the dwellings as cover, trying to escape by a more Southerly route.

Tibbit & Plon and the two Tac-ops made their way around the ruins to attempt to head off the green-clad primates.

One of the targets raised an object above his head and rushed at Red-3, but before he got more than a couple steps past the vegetation, Red-2 interrupted his progress with shots from his Partical Spray Projector.  It dazed the creature.

The crew of the PCP Starship Drowsy Wombat advanced to catch any of the feeling primates: none could escape to spread word of their presence.

Tag-At-Ot continued to down those who carried the long projectile weapons: the only ones who seemed to be a threat at this distance.

Red-2 & Red-3 engaged the attacking creatures in an example of true Tac-op professional training: rapidly hitting the primate with the blunt ends of their particle projectors while squealing in a high pitched cry.
Captain Vok, proud of his combat personnel praised them "That's good! Enough already!"

TVC-15 made for the bridge to bring his high-powered weapon to bear.

They'd bagged and tagged seven of the primates, ready to transport them back to the ship, but one still eluded them.  Three times Tag-At-Ot had shot him and three times he'd got right back up to his feet, yelling loudly in his language, as yet incomprehensible.

"You won't kill me demon!" he cried, "I am Hop Sup, master swordsman!" -This was recorded for later analysis.  Clearly such a dangerous alien required the Captain!  Vok charged in, forcing Tag-At-Ot to hold his shot as the captain's small head and prodigious mid-section obscured his aim.  Pulling out his dueling baton, -which initiates recorded program FS01, an audio play of the fight scene music from the Vel Opera "All My Conquests"- the clash began.  The primate clearly didn't expect an electric charge, nor was his metal weapon a wise choice in such a combat.  Nevertheless Captain Vok insisted on visual stills for his report.

With every one of the green-clad primates now dispatched the crew would head back to the ship, where the medical lab could do a proper evaluation of this species, as well as the many glass containers of opaque white liquid and powder.

Captain's addendum: Did lose one Tac-op member, death was irreversible. Only one!   A very successful mission!

Bringing an Ape to a Gun Fight : EotD Report for the Apes

Last Friday we had a short night of gaming, just one game for me, and since I'd be facing the Somber Society, which has had a lot of games and so has a high rating, I used the Apes, since they were the only one of my four factions that was close in rating.

We rolled a straight up fracas, though there would be statues to search for artifacts for the campaign as normal.

Greystoke's Apes, under the guidance of Alphie, the uplifted ape, has continued to expand it's number,
Now having 3 pack masters under his control, along with 4 apes (wolves) and 4 people: 2 humans and 2 chimps ('wolfskins' for the lycan faction).

A few of the characters have had a stat increase, but I've tried to keep quality expansion minimal to go for numbers. I figure since they often have to spend a couple turns running across open ground, I'd better have some extra bodies out there. Three of the four 'people': Woodhouse, Maggie & Bartholomew have bows, and Pim will have one for the next outing too.

By comparison, the dreary fellows of the Somber Society have put their advancing into stats, skills and expensive powerful weapons.

The only way into this section of the city was down a narrow alley, so the apes surged forward like a tide.

The Gloom Squad came on from the opposite corner, and as soon as I poked my head out, I was being shot at from long distance with hunting rifles with scopes (which reduce the range by 1)  making them very accurate, counting as medium range even from corner to corner.  ouch!

Woodhouse tried to give covering fire, but not to much effect, as the majority of the apes ran as fast as they could across the street toward the cover of a walled courtyard.  Maggie also opened fire and wounded the rival President!  Clearly a week of bed rest did her no harm!

But the Edgar Alan Poe Bookclub and Rifle Appreciation Society returned fire.  Percival Penguin's gun failed to fire, eliciting muffled guffaws from the others as they began a process which would bring down 4 of my party before I'd done much of anything to them.  Ouch indeed.

Woodhouse did find a cache of artifacts but as he called out his good fortune he took a bullet to the leg!
Pim ran to his aid, but brave Woodhouse urged him to take the valuable goods back to Greystoke Manor, and that he would follow in due course.

  One of the master Apes was wounded, but he continued on, making for the cover of the building's corner.
The rest of the apes made their way through the courtyard behind the safety of the walls before they'd spill out to rush the color-averse humans.   Then Bartholomew boldly moved out to get a nearly impossible shot on the President and hit her! She went down, but unfortunately not out, she dragged herself behind the cotton bale.

The dirge procession took this opportunity to move up closer.  

Alphie and his Apes run headlong into danger to join their fellows, an ape and master ape struggling in combat.  One of the humans fell, but it wasn't enough.

Just when things started to swing the way of the apes, the crack of a rifle wounding Bartholomew gave them all pause.  The apes looked to Alphie, to see what their Alpha would decide, as now half their number were out of action.  Alphie wanted to continue the fight, knew it would be easy to dispatch these humans before them, but this would only clear the path for the guns still baring down on them.  The safety of the apes came first, and with Pim already safely on his way with the artifacts, it was better they leave.  

With a call the apes leaped and bounded off, back to Greystoke Manor. 

A loss for the Apes, but a profitable one.  No serious damage to the party and the added benefit of finding a supply of artifacts, which contained an amulet for +1 strength, which they are sure to put to good use!

The terrain was especially rough for this fight, more so with rolling opposite corners for deployment type. 

There were two possible routes, both with a bit of cover, but likely 2-3 turns worth of crossing open ground.  

The other choice I had would have been to try to make it behind the building to my left and go through the covered path through the building (can see it in the picture above).  But this would have had more distance to cover in the beginning and give them a bottleneck to charge through. Splitting forces would likely have been a bigger problem.  Sometimes you just have to hope you get to your goal, which enough did that they were a serious threat still, but losing enough of the weaker members caused a break check, which I rolled a 3 and that was that. 

A good game!  It would have been fun to continue for another turn and bring those brass gauntlets down!

Maybe next time :)

In the meantime, the Apes are concerned with the posture of the Dour Dandies, so bring you this service announcement, followed by a movie you might like (starting about 27min in) with the Somber Society's favorite musical artists, The Edgar Allan Poe Marching Band, playing the introduction fanfare. 

Enjoy!

Apes Ambushed by Gypsy Pirate Wenches! EotD Report

James Clayton, the Lord of Greystoke, had heard that the coastal village of Dreary Bluff might have a clutch of artifacts and curiosities, so he dispatched Alphie and the apes to investigate.  Woodhouse would accompany them, in case any arrangements needed to be made, but Maggie was still recovering from the brutal treatment at the hands of dishonorable 'Gentlemen', so the young chimpanzees Bartholomew and Pim would go along as well by way of compensating for her absence.

The intrepid apes split up into small groups, to cover more ground, trying to find any artifacts as quickly as possible in the cold and quiet pre-dawn hours,before any villagers might wake.

But the morning was not as empty as they'd thought- a roving band of Gypsy Pirate Wenches were also out seeking plunder!

The apes surged forward, trying to reach the disguised markers before the unscrupulous women.

The apes advanced using the cover of the homes as best they could, for the wenches opened fire!
That is one way to keep villagers in their homes I suppose.

The secreted markers were within the reach of the apes, but still the women came on, preceded by shots!

At the south end, an Ape and Pim were the most exposed, and stumbled as both were shot!

Woodhouse and a house-ape intercepted two of the violent women, while others searched the marker.

Meanwhile, Alphie and the primates in the center dispatched two of the gunwomen. 

That accomplished, Alphie charged the leader of the Pirates!  

Seeing this, she called for retreat and they ran off back to their camp.  

A couple apes were injured, but nothing serious. The Gypsy Pirates were not so lucky, having one member die and another lost an eye- well, that's why they have eye patches. 

Unfortunately, the rumors of the artifacts were unfounded.  The apes searched every disguised marker, and there was nothing to be found but dirt.  

Still, it was valuable experience for young Bartholomew and Pim as well as more command experience for Alphie, who is coming into his own, one of the goals of Greystoke being to test the effects of the combined nexus within Alphie, to stimulate it's potential within this new form of being. 

PCP Away Mission: Secure Test Subjects

Local Date: Second Solar, Tenth Calendar Month of the year as known 1888.
Location: Sparse settled diaspora of dominant city of focal island, locally known as "Breh-tahn"
Mission: Secure a few of the primary life forms for evalutory medical analysis.
Mission Compliment: Pan-galactic Confederation of Planets starship captain, Vok of the Drowsy Wombat, Science officer Vyoop, Tactical Officer Tag-At-Ot, Engineering team ensigns Tibbit and Plon, Tactical Away Team Force A.
Note: First Officer Bvill refused to report for duty, stating grievance over vacation time, reprimand issued.

The away team landed the scoot in a copse of nearby trees, covered it with bushes then proceeded to the shelters. The crew remarked at the poor visibility once on the ground, it seems this planet has a moderately thick moisture at all times.

A large artificial stone shelter was nearby and as luck would have it, there were two members of the mostly-hairless species walking around it. These would be their first target.

"The mission is simple crew," barked Vok, "grab some of the people of this planet, stun them, and bring them back to the scoot.  Don't be seen by any of the natives, but if you are, bring them down and we will wipe their memories.  It may be that we will become friends with one or more of these species, but until that is known, we operate in stealth."

Shortfield scans indicated the approach of a highly armed group of the same species, though dressed differently.  Vyoop identified them as "Amerkhans" and said the slim file indicated that this offshoot tribe were never without several projectile weapons and should be considered dangerous.

As some of the Tac-ops squad moved to secure the two wandering primates, the rest of the crew moved to investigate the approaching war party. They took cover behind a large vegetation while Tag-At-Ot singled out a target should it be needed.

There was a lone primate near this position, a perfect opportunity for another specimen. Red-3 scanned and will-numbed it.

They were spotted!  How were they seen in such thick wet atmosphere?
The 'Amerkhans' let out a savage war cry, with long whooping calls and piercing cries of  'Yeee haaa'.
Most likely an invocation to their war god.
Loud cracks erupted from their many projectile weapons.

The first hit was Vyoop, who retreated behind the fabricated stone-like wall, which the projectiles could not penetrate.  Their presence could not be reported, so the crew returned fire.  Tag-At-Ot, the consumate hunter, brought two of the creatures down, and the scatter-rays of the Tac-Ops team silenced a few others.
Plon fell from a shot, but it was a minor wound and he regained his footing.

With just a few of the aggressive aliens left, they retreated.
Vok made the command decision to get the three captured primate specimens back to the scoot.
The primary mission was more important than the fleeing aliens, who likely could not have seen their forms clearly in the thick atmosphere anyway.

Once back on the ship, after repairing her wounds Vyoop began the scans on the creatures.
There was much to learn.

Who's Hunting Who? Nosferatu & Holy Order Report for Empire of the Dead

Following up from the last game report, after the Apes & (not so)Gentlemen worked out their after battle results, the other table had already started setting up another game, rotating an opponent as one member left early, so Mike and I each got out a new faction to play. Most in the league are running one faction, one or two running two, and Mike and I are each running four.  Guess who among us has the least self control?

He selected his Holy Order, so I chose my Nosferatu, since they are the most appropriate thematic opponent.  Now, I haven't done an update for the Nosferatu yet.  I thought I'd wait until they were finished painted, but that hasn't happened yet: they're still in the 'nearly done' phase and have been for months: painted enough to play, but not finished.  So someday when they are finished I'll do a whole background & showcase post for them, but I won't hold the battle report back just because it hasn't happened yet.

On we go!

The nest of Nosferatu are lead by the ancient Raedwald, much transformed. His consort Svetta, and between them their daytime guardian, Gort.  There are also three ghoulish men who serve him, hoping for greater favor, and there always seem to be swarms of bats wherever Raedwald is near.

Appropriately enough, we rolled up 'fracas' for our scenario, and considering the Nosferatu would face a Holy Order, any scenario might have just degenerated into an all-out fight anyway.  Again there would be statues to search for artifacts for the campaign.

The Holy Order had their flying paladin, and the head religious leader.  To add numbers they had a couple shooters and a couple Papal Guard with halberds.  There was also a fanatical woman with a couple cleavers! 

Raedwald has the ability to transform into ethereal mist, and so he did so, making himself immune to their gunfire, or any other attack. The bats flew up to the upper story windows, to pounce upon victims later.
Gort took position with his hunting rifle and waited for dawn to break so he could get a clear shot.

The misty Vampire proceeded forward, making the men of god wonder who he would attack but unable to do anything about it.  Their holy symbols would be some protection however: the vampires must pass a Bravado check in order to charge them, but only the Paladin did not have this limitation in reverse, so it would be interesting.  One of the ghoulish men tried to guard Svetta, but the Paladin charged her regardless.

Some of the bats attacked a guard, and though they would eventually fall, they held the guard tied up for a good deal of time, giving the numbers advantage to the Nosferatu to the left.  The mad woman tangled with a ghoul, and lost the battle.  Meanwhile, seeing his beloved attacked, Raedwald overcame any power the religious icon might have over him and charged the Paladin: just as the Holy Knight struck her down, he too was dispatched by the ancient Vampire.

A ghoul discovered a cache of artifacts and dutifully sneaked away back to the nest with them.  The bats were dead, Gort killed the guard who'd killed the bats and he himself was then brought down by a Holy Order rifler,who Raedwulf then killed, along with the last remaining guard. All that was left was the Vampire and the wounded Cardinal.  Raedwulf passed his Bravado check, determined to kill all who had injured his consort, but the Cardinal lost faith and ran.

A very bloody fight! All but one of the Holy Order was removed from play and all but two of the Nosferatu were removed from play!

The Nosferatu didn't fair too badly for after-action results, though the bats are laughably weak now- but no matter their roll is to tie up & delay, and they can still do that.

Thanks for reading!