Mary & Paul’s Wedding

By

On 4th October 2021

In Blog

This weekend we took a trip to North Wales to see two of our polycule members, Paul and Mary get married.

On our way to Wales we stopped in Manchester, where we visited Fanboy 3, Travelling Man and Warhammer, whilst the girls called into their favourite tea shop, Bird and Blend.

We then had lunch at Home Sweet Home, as recommended by David Salisbury of Fanboy 3 fame, and I had a beautiful chicken in a basket with an amazing gravy.

Paul loves trains, potentially in a slightly worrying amount. And unsurprisingly they got married at a heritage railway, but all the way over in Wales.

It was a lovely day and full of lots of fun, the food was quite nice too and I had a lovely bit of Welsh lamb.

We stayed quite a bit away so couldn’t stay the whole night but it was so much fun. it was Steampunk themed so I dressed up as a steampunk engineer.

They even cut the cake with a sword.

The rest of our trip we stayed at a cottage in Bethesda which whilst a bit dated was nice and comfortable.

On Saturday we out on a trip to Llanfair­pwllgwyngyll­gogery­chwyrn­drobwll­llan­tysilio­gogo­goch, and I murdered any attempt to pronounce the name of the place.

We had a lovely cup of tea in the cafe and I attempted to read welsh words on the menu.

On Sunday we took a drive up to Tryfan and Llyn Bochlwyd and I have to admit that Wales is rather pretty.

On Monday we made our way home via Harrogate, where we stopped off for a break and to stretch our legs.

And now we are almost home, and a Chinese takeaway is the food plan for tonight!

What I Am Painting

Only one thing painted this week due to being away, and that was this Thousand Sons Terminator Squad and Ahriman for Heresy.

So what do next!

  1. Mechanicum Magos Macrotek Enginseer & Servo-Automata x 4 (Need to locate this!)
  2. Blackstone Fortress Negavolt Cultists x 6 & Rogue Psykers x 3
  3. Stormcast Eternals Judicators x 10
  4. Ork Nobz x 6, Warboss, Painboy & 3 Grots
  5. Death Korps of Krieg Infantry Squad x 10
  6. Legio Custodes Caladius Grav-Tank x 2
  7. Blackstone Fortress Spindle Dones x 6 & Guardian Drones x 2
  8. Grand Army of the Republic Phase 1 Clone Troopers x 22
  9. Ork Shockjump Dragsta
  10. Yndrasta, the Celestial Spear

What I Am Reading

Plodding on with Dark Avengers: The Patriot List by David Guymer and plan to finish it in the next day or so

What Video Games I Am Playing

Played a bit of Halo 3: ODST which I forgot had such an amazing soundtrack.

I also played a bit more State of Decay 2, and I think this is something I will come back to, I only played it for the GamePass Quest, but found myself really enjoying it.

But I was playing it over cloud gaming on a 3G signal so it was very laggy and a bit rubbish.

What Tabletop Games I Am Playing

We played a fair few games whilst away on holiday in North Wales, starting with Munchkin Steampunk.

This was followed by a couple of games of Codenames Pictures.

And finally on Saturday we played Colt Super Express which was really fun!

On Sunday we started with a game of Catch the Moon, which was won by Megan.

Then before lunch we played a game of Ticket to Ride Japan which Lindsay won.

And before tea we played a game of Calico and this time Megan won.

What I Am Creating

I published a battle report, done differently to my others, this one has focused solely on the games narrative rather than getting fussy about dice roles etc.

It’s very rough but I am headed in the right direction at last.

What I Am Backing

Rawr! Velociraptor! was funded and as we said we backed just for the greatest hits album and I look forward to getting that.

What I Am Cooking

Not a sausage yet again 🙁

On Crusade – Blood Ravens vs Space Wolves vs Dark Angels – Warhammer 40,000 Battle Report

By

On 1st October 2021

In Battle Reports

In trying to do battle reports, I have lost sight of what I wanted to achieve, and thus I have decided to go back to basics and focus on what I want to do, which is concentrate on the narrative aspect.

So here is a report from my Crusade battle report from a game I played on Tuesday, its simple, and just looks at the game itself and not each individual dice roll.

I really should have wrote a proper script rather than just notes, but I will for next time!

Anyway hope you enjoy!

Resolutions Update – September 2021

By

On 30th September 2021

In Blog

Well this month was a little bit of a slow start, but I am now up to 1121 models painted.

This includes finishing off the terrain to make a 2×2 Zone Mortalis board for Horus Heresy and Necromunda.

Paint 2000 Points of Necrons for Warhammer 40,000 – Complete

This month I painted the Canoptek Wraiths to complete this resolution.

I also added 6 Warriors and a Hexmark Destroyer to the army.

Paint 2000 Points of Flesh-Eater Courts for Warhammer Age of Sigmar – 77.25% Complete

This month I got painted some Crypt Flayers, a Crypt Haunter Courtier and a Crypt Infernal Courtier.

This leaves me with just an Abhorrent Ghoul King on a Royal Terrorgheist to paint for this resolution.

Bring My Mechanicum to 3000 Points for Horus Heresy, Including The Warhound Titan – 63.2% Complete

No progress cause I can’t find the Macrotek Enginseer at all!

Next month I think I may break out and start on the Titan as time is running out!

I did paint a Skitarii Marshal, who will be used a Secutarii Axiarch, just not in this list I think.

Paint Blackstone Fortress And It’s Expansions – 78.78% Complete

This month I painted the Cultists from Escalation alongside their Firebrands.

I also completed the Plague Marines and Poxwalkers from the No Respite expansion.

Completed Resolutions

  • Paint the Scourge for Dropfleet Commander
  • Paint 1000 Points of Early War Germans for Bolt Action
  • Paint 2000 Points of Necrons for Warhammer 40,000

So headed into next month, what’s on my painting queue?

  1. Magos Macrotek Enginseer & Servo-Automata x 4
  2. Blackstone Fortress Negavolt Cultists x 6 & Rogue Psykers x 3
  3. Stormcast Eternals Judicators x 10
  4. Ork Nobz x 6, Painboy & Warboss
  5. Death Korps of Krieg Infantry Squad x 10
  6. Legio Custodes Caladius Grav-Tank x 2
  7. Blackstone Fortress Spindle Drones x 6 & Guardian Drones x 2
  8. Phase 1 Clone Troopers x 22
  9. Ork Shockjump Dragster
  10. Yndrasta, the Celestial Spear

Changing Medication

By

On 29th September 2021

In Blog

So we think the reason I am feeling crummy, is a change in medication for my diabetes.

To be honest though, I am gonna try and tough it out, this new medication has some real positives, it’s reduced a personal issue which was causing a lot of pain, and it’s got me feeling like I have a healthy relationship with food for the first time in a long time.

The disadvantages are that my tummy has been a bit topsy turvey, and I am having eggy burps.

I have asked the doctor if we can reduce the dose slightly, so I shall see what they say.

What Am I Modeling

I started by finishing off the Necron Canoptek Wraiths, which actually completes the resolution to paint 2000 points of Necrons this year!

The first unit is armed with Transdimensional Beamers.

The second lot have no ranged weapon upgrade at all.

I then painted up three Crypt Flayers, a Crypt Infernal and a Crypt Haunter Courtier, which leaves me with just a Aberrant Ghoul King on a Royal Terrorgheist to paint for this army.

After that I painted a Lord of Virulance for the Death Guard, alongside the Plague Marines and Poxwalkers for Blackstone Fortress.

And I also managed to paint the Skitarii Marshall, who will also serve as a Secutarii Axiarch.

I have these past few days working on some Thousand Sons Terminators & Ahriman, trying out some new techniques.

I have gotten one finished and I am really happy with him.

Hopefully the rest will be finished tomorrow.

I also finally think I have this 3D printing things sorted!

So what’s coming up next week?

  1. Magos Macrotek Enginseer & Sevo-Automata x 4 (if I can find it!)
  2. Thousand Sons Terminators x 5 & Ahriman
  3. Blackstone Fortress Rogue Psykers x 3 & Negavolt Cultists x 6
  4. Stormcast Eternals Judicators x 10
  5. Ork Nobz x 6, Painboy & Warboss
  6. Death Korps of Krieg Infantry Squad x 10
  7. Legio Custodes Caladius Grav-Tank x 2
  8. Blackstone Fortress Spindle Drones x 6 & Guardian Drones x 2
  9. Phase 1 Clone Troopers x 22
  10. Ork Shokjump Dragster

What I Am Reading

Not a sausage actually.

But I did finish listening to the Godblight audiobook, and really enjoyed it, some interesting plot points that the Black Library can build upon.

What Video Games Am I Playing

I played through Alex Kidd in Shinobi World, a game I got for my 8th birthday, leant to my friend Simon and never saw again.

But I played it though emulation on Retroarch, and you can see that video below.

I also completed Halo 3, and I kinda wish that 343 Industries would remaster this game as it looks so much worse than the anniversary version of Halo 2.

And I have just tonight started on Halo 3 ODST, which is a beautiful game.

I also started up a Minecraft realm for my nephews, so they can have their own private area to play after a few nasty incidents in the game.

What Tabletop Games Am I Playing

Tonight I got in a three way game of 40K to start my crusade off.

I am not gonna give any spoilers away as I have made a battle report for it that will be published on Friday.

What I Am Creating

As mentioned above I played through Alex Kidd in Shonobi World and made a video if that, which you can see in that section.

I also published the Battle report for the second game of the Imperium magazine.

What I Am Backing

Still just Rawr! Velociraptor! which at the point of writing this has 2 hours left.

What I Am Cooking

Actually not a thing 🙁

Warhammer 40,000 Imperium – Issue 2 Battle Report

By

On 24th September 2021

In Battle Reports, Videos

The second part of the Warhammer 40,000 Imperium Battle Report Series

Each issue I will bring you a fully painted White Dwarf style battle report.

In this second episode, we see the Blood Ravens Primaris Lieutenant attempting to prevent the Necron Warriors from escaping and activating a Canoptek Plasmacyte which in turn can awaken the Destroyer cults.

Who will prevail in this battle between the sinister Necrons and the noble warriors of the Imperium.

Schedule Sucks Still

By

On 21st September 2021

In Blog

Well my schedule is complete balls right now, it’s all over the shop and it’s really doing my head in.

I know I need it to function well, but I am having issues asking for what I need to actually keep to a scheuldule.

Lindsay’s meeting schedule is now going on the family calendar but sharing an office means I can’t do certain stuff when she is in those meetings.

The doctor has offered some great advice for helping with my sleep, which is helping to a degree, but I also need to get the days sorted out.

I dunno, guess I don’t have much else to say really.

What I Am Modelling

I started the week with a the HQ models and the MG34 MMG Team for my Bolt Action early war Germans.

I then painted up the Cultists from the Blackstone Fortress Escalation expansion.

I then began work on a Fire Raptor for the Heresy Death Guard, I have had this model for so long, originally it was intended for the Space Wolves, but plans changed.

I also managed to paint a Hexmark Desyroyer, which I must say, is the nicest model in the new Necron range.

And finally I painted three Necron Warriors that came with Imperium, this is a second set, and I have another still to do.

So what’s up next?

  1. Necron Canoptek Wraiths x 6
  2. Mechanicum Magos Macrotek Enginseer & Servo-Automata x 4
  3. Flesh-Eater Courts Crypt Flayers x 3 & Crypt Infernal Courtier
  4. Death Guard Lord of Virulence, Blackstone Fortress Plague Marines x 3 & Poxwalkers x 6
  5. Skitarii Marshall
  6. Thousand Sons Terminators x 5 & Ahirman
  7. Blackstone Fortress Negavolt Cultists x 6 & Rogue Psykers x 3
  8. Stormcast Eternals Judicators x 10
  9. Ork Nobz x 6, Warboss & Painboy
  10. Death Korps of Krieg Infantry Squad x 10

What Am I Reading

I published the review of In the Shadow of Deimos by Jane Killick and you can read it here.

Haven’t read much else this week, but I have started listening to Godblight by Guy Haley.

What Video Games Am I Playing

Playing a little bit every day, played a little bit of PUBG, some Flight Simulator and finished Halo 2 Anniversary.

I have now stated on Halo 3 and have made a decent way though it so far.

What Tabletop Games Am I Playing

I played through two solo games of Warhammer 40,000 to create the battle reports for the Imperium playlist.

The first video was published on Friday and you can see that in the Creating section.

What I Am Creating

The Vlog for Company of Legends went up on Thursday.

And on Friday the first battle reports for Imperium was released.

And look out for a new episode of Edge of Empire dropping shortly.

What I Am Backing

Still just backing Rawr! Velociraptor! at the $11 level to get the Greatest Hots album.

What I am Cooking

I managed to make a filling for a cottage pie on Saturday, but that wiped me out for the weekend 🙁

  • Mood:- Funny Tummy
  • Caffeinated Beverages Consumed:- 8
  • In My Ears:- Crocodile Rock – Elton John
  • Tabletop Game Last Played:- Warhammer 40,000
  • Video Game Last Played:- Halo 3
  • Book Last Read:– The Patriot List – David Guymer
  • Movie/TV Show Last Viewed:- Archer
  • Current State of Projects:- Canoptek Wraiths, metallics finished, just starting on the carapaces.

In the Shadow of Deimos

By

On 19th September 2021

In Book Reviews

I have been provided with an advance copy of the new Terraforming Mars book In the Shadow of Deimos by Jane Killick, published by Aconyte Books, so here is the honest review I promised in exchange for the book.

So here is an important disclaimer which is always important to put out there first. I have a casual work contact with Asmodee to demonstrate board games for them in stores and at conventions. Asmodee being the parent company of Aconyte the publisher.

I am going to try my best to not let this cloud my judgement in this review, but I accept that subconsciously it might.

What Is Terraforming Mars

Terraforming Mars is a strategy board game designed by Jacob Fryxelius, in which you work to raise the temperature of Mars and make it habitable for human life

Players take on the role of a corporation that work together to terraform Mars, and advance human infrastructure throughout the Sol system.

The game is incredibly successful and has five expansions, a Big Box, and a spin off game.

It also has a digital version available on Windows, iOS, MacOS, iPadOS & Android.

The Story

Set in the year 2316 not long after the formation of the Terraforming Committee, a rogue asteroid crashes into a research centre and kills its sole occupant, which kicks off an investigation, an official one by Julie, the head of the UNs terraforming team, and an unofficial one by Lucas, a recent immigrant to Mars who witnessed the disaster.

As they start to dig into the accident, they quickly learn that things on Mars aren’t quite right and the corporations are keen to cover things up, to prevent damage to their profits.

At the heart of this story its a good old fashioned murder mystery, and that’s its strength, it takes a genre of book which works and gives it the sci-fi twist.

The book is one which gives the reader a broader scope than the characters, who themselves are approaching the investigation from very different sides, and you figure out things before them, and see how they reach the same conclusion as you as more information is revealed to them.

There is a healthy number of side characters as well, all of whom are responsibly well rounded and that makes the setting feel ever more real.

Conclusion

I really enjoyed this book, the story itself was competent and entertaining, but what elevated it for me was the realistic science. All too often books in sci-fi assume we will have invented fantastical machines to work miracles and wonders, but this book is more grounded and whilst things have advanced, its not unrealistic.

Things like characters returning to earth needing time in physio to readjust to the heavier gravity, just little things like that which really stand out as showing how much attention to detail there is.

My favourite scene was one in the mess hall where Lucas and some friends were playing football, and the way the author has realistically described how different a ball would behave in a lower gravity environment, plus it showed how even on the frontier, people find a way to goof off.

There are scenes that make you think, and some high paced adrenaline fuelled parts which get your heart racing, and both in a nice balance. In particular the pacing is good, it never feels too slow or too fast, just right as it builds up to the conclusion.

This is a very strong book, Mars has been the subject to many many books written about it, and for me this felt just as good as Kim Stanley Robinsons Mars trilogy, and frankly is Hugo material.

I solidly recommended this book and give it 5 stars out of 5.

You can buy the ebook now, and the paperback is published on the 11th Novermber.

Warhammer 40,000 Imperium – Issue 1 Battle Report

By

On 17th September 2021

In Battle Reports, Videos

I am starting a new 80 part series covering the Warhammer 40,000 Imperium collection from Hachette Partworks and Games Workshop.

Each issue I will bring you a dully painted White Dwarf style battle report.

In this first episode, we see the Blood Ravens entering Warzone Ramasus and the valiant Primaris Lieutenant attempt to stop a Necron Royal Warden of the Sautekh Dynasty from activating a series of Repair Nodes, which will reactivate the systems that will awaken the warriors of this tomb complex deep under the moon of Megaria.

Who will prevail in this battle between the sinister Necrons and the noble warriors of the Imperium

The Zone Mortalis Board

By

On 16th September 2021

In Blog

This post has been very delayed due to being unwell, nowt serious, just really feeling under the weather and an inability to keep any food down.

As I will mention in the Modelling section I have finished my Zone Mortalis board, well in its 2×2 configuration at least.

Really happy with how it’s turned out, it I have actually painted way more than needed so plenty of stuff to help expand it to 3×3 and perhaps even 4×4.

Next up, I think I want a Charadon box to add some big furnaces to block line of sight, and add a bit more variety and probably some more Munitorium Armoured Containers.

I also have somewhere a Repressor unbuilt that I will be building and painting up in Enforcers colours to be parked up to show that the brutal security forces of the Hive have been deployed into the area.

What I Am Modelling

I started off by finishing the Galvanic Servohaulers for my Zone Mortalis board.

I then painted the Praetors, Anhiliators, Knight-Vexillor, Knight Arcanium and Lord Imperitant from Dominion for my Celestial Vindicators alongside a Vindictor from the Getting Started magazine.

I also got the first delivery of Imperium so I painted the three Warriors that came with issue 2.

This was followed by finishing off the Zone Mortalis Terrain (for now) by painting the barriers, cranes and pipes.

I then painted up my Agamatus Jetbikes for the Legio Custodes.

And finally a pair of Remora Stealth Drones for Aeronautica Imperialis.

  1. Blackstone Fortress Cultists x 16
  2. Blitzkrieg German HQ x 4 & MG34 MMG Team
  3. Death Guard Fire Raptor
  4. Necron Canoptek Wraiths x 6, Hexmark Destroyer & Warriors x 3
  5. Magos Macrotek Enginseer & Servo-Automata x 4
  6. Flesh-Eater Courts Crypt Flayers x 3, Crypt Haunter Courtier & Crypt Infernal Courtier
  7. Death Guard Lord of Virulence, Blackstone Fortress Plague Marines x 3 & Poxwalkers x 6
  8. Skitarii Marshall
  9. Thousand Sons Terminators x 5 & Ahriman
  10. Blackstone Fortress Negavolt Cultists x 6 and Rogue Psykers x 3

What I Am Reading

I published my review of Outlaw: Relentless by Tristan Palgreen, which you can read here.

I also read In the Shadow of Deimos by Jane Killick and will release a review this week.

I am now reading Dark Avengers: Patriot List by David Guymer.

What Tabletop Games Am I Playing

Not a sausage 🙁

What Video Games Am I Playing

Not a great deal, just bits and bobs.

I completed Halo 2: Anniversary which was a lot of fun and really beautiful to behold.

Played a bit of Forza Horizon 4 and State of Decay 2.

What I Am Creating

Nowt this week, but a few things are on the production queue.

What I Am Backing

I did get an email about Car Wars giving me a chance to update my shipping address so that can’t be long in coming!

Also we are backing Rawr! Velociraptor! by The Doubleclicks, not for the plushy, sadly shipping to the UK makes that impractical, but we have gone in for the digital version of their Greatest Hits album.

What I Am Cooking

Not a thing sadly

Outlaw: Relentless

By

On 8th September 2021

In Book Reviews

I have been provided with an advance copy of the new Marvel Heroines book Outlaw: Relentless by Tristan Palmgren published by Aconyte Books, so here is the honest review I promised in exchange for the book.

So here is an important disclaimer which is always important to put out there first. I have a casual work contact with Asmodee to demonstrate board games for them in stores and at conventions. Asmodee being the parent company of Aconyte the publisher.

I am going to try my best to not let these things cloud my judgement in this review, but I accept that subconsciously it might.

Also I won’t lie, I have looked at other reviews to see what others think, so there may be some influences from them in this book review. If I am going to quote them, I will attribute them. But if I forget to, or something is highly influenced by them, and you think I ought to attribute someone, let me know so that I can.

What is Marvel

Look at this point I would bore you with a bit of background to the game/universe, but lets not, you all know the Marvel Universe, if you don’t have you been living under a rock!

The Marvel Heroines series focuses on the female hero’s of the Marvel universe, Tristan wrote the first book in the series, Domino Strays, which I really enjoyed, so I was looking forward to this book.

The Story

This is not an origin story, this picks up very much in the middle of The Hotshots, the posse lead by Domino being a thing, and begins with them doing a job for Tony Stark, by seizing an AIM freighter headed for Boston.

When the job goes south, Inez Temple, AKA Outlaw finds herself taking the blame, and starts wondering if she is losing her mind and her health as she feels run down and seems to be missing parts of her time.

She has always counted on her wits to survive, but now feels like she is being robbed of it. Taking a journey back home to Texas, via the Xavier Institute, she has to face her past to find out why she seems to be losing herself.

Look I don’t want to go too much into the story, because frankly, I don’t want to spoil it for you, and much more would spoil it.

The story draws a lot from Outlaws limited history within the comics, which despite her being only a very recent addition to the comics, is still quite rich.

But don’t worry, you don’t need to know anything as everything you need to know is explained in the story, its very good, in the way it portrays the background you need as almost wandering thoughts within Outlaws mind as she tries to make sense of what’s going on.

Conclusion

I can’t lie, The Hotshots is one of my favourite super teams, there are kickass women, who despite having very different background and abilities, actually get on very well, a real sisterhood. This novel is set slightly before that really clicks into place and there is still a bit of tension between the original members of Dominos Posse, and the newer recruits, but by the end, they are well on their way to being that tightknit team.

This story is full of action, but at the same time is quite introspective, there is a lot of time alone, that Outlaw has to think about the journey that lead her to where she is now. The way it sort of beats around her fear that she may be developing a form of dementia is actually really emotional.

The book contains links to some of the other Aconyte Marvel novels, which I loved, although one of them I haven’t yet read, but I can see myself buying it.

I am not sure what else to say, this book is super enjoyable and I literally devoured it in two sittings.

Absolutely a 5 out of 5 stars from me, and I really hope Tristan does more Hotshots novels.

The eBook is out now and the paperback hits the shelves on 11th November.

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