Monthly Archives: June 2012

Ray Bradbury a master of Science Fiction dies at 91

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Normally I do not comment on the news but I just learned that Ray Bradbury author of more books than you could carry has died at the age of 91.  He had been ill for a long time, that I knew, but in a career that lasted seventy years I came across his work again and again.  From the classic Fahrenheit 451 to lesser known works he always impressed me with the skill and touch of his writing not to mention his boundless imagination.  My personal favourite has to be the collected tales in The Illustrated Man.

If you have never heard of Mr Bradbury then get out from under the rock where you live and get informed.  An excellent author who will be greatly missed.

GBS

Carrick Lowland Gathering 2012

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It is June now and that means time for the annual Carrick Lowland Gathering which takes place around the same weekend each year at the Victory Park in the middle of Girvan.  The Gathering as it is known has been a fixture of life in Girvan for a long time and it encompasses a lot of fun and festivity.  This year was no different on that score but it was an improvement on last year.

Throwing the Hammer at the Lowland Gathering!

A sunny Sunday lunchtime saw the Syme clan arrive and while I trotted about and had a few chats my good lady took some photos, the best two are in this posting.  The Gathering has a highland games event that includes hammer throwing, Highland Dancing and it has a Pipe Band championship too.  Alongside this are other smaller events and charities and a number of fairground rides and many stalls selling everything from traditional sweets and clothing to local wares like tartans and curling stones.  There are also workshops on how to dance and play the drums and pipes.

The Poet enjoying the Trampoline! (He is jumping, it just looks like he is tied up in the ropes)

Unlike last year it was dry and sunny which I think increased the turnout to more than two thousand all in and it meant more traders turned up too; there were no spare pitches left.  The pricing of everything was reasonable too and as always it was great to see the town busy and the children having fun.

Good Times!

GBS

Winter of ’79 Blog inspires USE ME Modern Warfare players

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The Winter of ’79 blog run by my good mate Mark Hannam (the original creator and runner of Dropship Horizon blog) is a fasinating place to visit and makes you feel like you have stepped into an alternate reality.  His passion in creating a world where end of the 1970’s in Britain came out rather differenty is an inspiration and I greatly enjoyed trawling the posts and looking at the pictures (like the ‘mock’ Osprey campaign book cover above…brill!).  But why was I there?  I do not game modern period most of the time.

Well I went along because 15mm.co.uk had half a dozen emails and comments sent to it over the weekend referring to the Winter of 79′ blog along with purchases of our own UM004 USE ME Modern Warfare pocket sized rules system.  It seemed obvious enough to me that wargamers were looking at the blog and then buying USE ME rules for setting their games there in 20mm scale.

Well done Mark!  Great Blog and Great Imagination.  I hope your continued recovery from illness gets you back to full strength.

GBS

Slorm reviews UM013 Eldritch Horror rules

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UM013 An Eldritch Horror

My friend the wargamer known as Slorm has kindly reviewed UM013 An Eldritch Horror on his great Spanish/English blog called El Rincon de Slorm.

It is a nice little and honest review of the pocket sized rules so have a wee read if the fancy takes you.  Remember you can get a free scenario for these rules from Barking Irons Online too.

GBS

Prometheus Movie 2012 – Review

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Space Jockey Alien from the back

I went to see Prometheus last night at the new Odeon cinema in Kilmarnock.  Due to work commitments I do not have a lot of time to spend just now on writing my normal longer posts but I will just say that the film was brilliant!

I knew nothing of the plot and nothing of the film beyond rumours and trailers so I went with an open mind to a late evening showing.  The film really is a forerunner to Alien and is very much set in the same universe with many nods to similar characters, technology, species and dialogue as well in the other films.  It helped that I re-watched Alien the night before and it was the ‘space jockey’ that I went to see the film as I have always wanted to know who the ‘big dude in the chair’ was.  Without spoiling it for those of you yet too see it I will say that it left my head battered and bruised as a viewing experience.  It was visceral, it was emotional and it went at a hellish fast pace too.  Many new questions are raised but you get to see the ‘origin’ of the ‘Alien’ and also to see something of the Jockey’s culture and abilities.  Visual effects are terrific but it is down to the director to deliver a first rate movie where plot and characterisation mean way more than CGI ‘bugs and ships’ and Ridley Scott did just that.

The movie also shot and featured Scotland and the landscape of Skye among other places.  Lovely to see it on the big screen.

Prometheus is a great movie which I highly recommend.  I do not agree with the 15 age certificate though, it should have been an 18 rating.  Go see it!

Oh and as always why do supposedly smart people not take care and precautions and insist on trying to touch everything with acid for blood… 🙂

GBS

Flintloque special scenarios for the big UK summer 2012 events

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Sharke Rides!

This summer the UK has two big events on the go for 2012.  These are the Olympics and the Queens Diamond Jubilee which take place on the 27th July to 12th August and the 2nd to 5th June with the Jubilee coming first.

I would like to do my part to celebrate these two fantastic events (as I watch them from all the way up here in Scotland) so there will be three brand new free Flintloque scenarios put up on Barking Irons Online.  These will be put up on or around the big days for each event and will be themed to those events.  Here is a little sneak peek at what to expect:

Diamonde Jubliees – The Goblin Queen is celebrating her ascension to the throne of Al-Garvey and her guest Kyng Gorge of Albion, upon visiting her, has given her a gift of diamonds. Now those diamonds are in danger. Can the Blacke Watchit protect two monarchs and the jewels?  A bonkers scenario for two players for Flintloque 3rd edition.

Visting a Kyng – Obidiah Hogswill is a nasty piece of work but sometimes he aids the Army of Albion indirectly by his actions.  The deserter general and his minions have found out that a deposed Elvish princess has become the lover of a Dark Elf noble allied to the Elves of Armorica who is promising to seduce Kyng Gorge III!  This princess is rumoured to have a sizable fortune in jewels among her baggage and Obidiah means to have them…after all Muvver says they is rightfully his!  A trecherous scenario for two players for Flintloque 3rd edition.

Sharke’s Olympnik – Captain Sharke has stolen the box of medals that Marshal Sault plans to give out to his best officers.  Now Sharke and his fellow Orcs must ride like the wind to escape not only a chasing squadron of Elf Lancers but also scattered troops from the Army of Armorica who bar their way.  An exciting two player ‘steeple chase’ moving table scenario for Flintloque 3rd edition.

Each scenario will be a full length and is designed for two players and or solo play too.

GBS

WIP – Diamonde Jubilees

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I am just about done penning a Flintloque scenario for Barking Irons Online.  Due to family matters this has taken me a lot longer than the normal four to six hours plus playtest.  But I do hope to have ‘Diamonde Jubilees’ over to Craig at BIO on Monday for use shortly afterwards.  As normal I do not want to give a lot away as it will spoil the surprise but I can tell you all a little bit about it.

Diamonde Jubliees
A Flintloque Scenario for Two Players or for Solo Play

“The Goblin Queen is celebrating her ascension to the throne of Al-Garvey and her guest Kyng Gorge of Albion, upon visiting her, has given her a gift of diamonds. Now those diamonds are in danger. Can the Blacke Watchit protect two monarchs and the jewels?”

—

‘Oh Gorgy porgy these sparklies are most delightful!’

Queen Maria, the ruler of the Goblin lands of Al-Garvey, danced around the knees of the towering Ogre king of Albion. He had only just arrived in the town of Peptiobisimol in the western part of the kingdom after travelling from Lisabone in pursuit of the Queen. Maria had been hard to find and while Gorge was happy to see her she was acting in rather an odd manner and this dancing was quite unseemly for a lady. He gazed down at her and spoke quietly.

‘Ma’m I am happy you like the gifts but why are we out here in the remotest country while the court resides in the capital?’

Maria stopped her dancing and beckoned for Gorge to lean down so she could whisper in his ear. The ruler of the biggest Empyre on Valon was not used to having to accommodate others but he agreed with a sigh and began to descend. This took him some time and he ended up sitting on the floor with his regal robes all around him. His dozen or so guards of the famous Blacke Watchit regiment remained impassive but he knew that they would be repeating this spectacle to every other damned Joccian they met. Even sitting he still had to lower his huge head so Maria could whisper to him.

‘I just wanted a little private party Gorgy, you know. You, me, the furry ones and Crispin of course. I just love the rubies though. Makes me want to go out in the sun and show them off!’

As she spoke she hopped on to Kyng Gorge’s lap and threw her hands about his tree trunk like neck. He tried not to jump away in shock but he could see ‘Crispin’ the Queen’s aged riding dodo shambling towards them as if this was perfectly normal. Two of the Blacke Watchit now had half smiles on their faces but they went back to stony blankness when the Kyng growled at them. He got to his feet with Maria still dangling from his neck.

‘They ain’t rubies ma’m, them’s diamonds. Finest in the worlde for you on this great day. But perhaps a stroll would be in order. I am sure they will sparkle in the sun and these fine soldiers will keep us safe for an hour or two.”

The Kyng pulled Maria from his neck and gently placed her upon the old Dodo which grunted under the extra weight. Without a word the Queen dug in her heels and trotted for the chamber door and the sunshine. Kyng Gorge strode after her and then turned to his guards.

“Well don’t just stand there. Follow me. Sentinal knows what she will do out there on her own!”

 

This Flintloque scenario is my little contribution to the celebrations of the whole nation of Great Britain and the Commonwealth to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II upon reaching her sixty year milestone as monarch.  An achievement which has only once been equalled before and that was by Queen Victoria.  The Queen is an inspiration and a figure worthy of respect not only due to her station in life but as a person too.

God Bless You Ma’am!

GBS