WargamerX's Game Blog

So I've been enjoying the television show The Americans about a pair of deep cover KGB agents in Northern Virginia in the 1980's. It makes good television; the acting and writing is well done, and the set-up appeals to the same part of us that like gangster or crime dramas - with greed replaced by a morality and patriotism, but to another country. Great character development, plotting, meta plotting, and originality. I recommend it, but story reading now if you are interested - spoiler alert! After watching the season finale, I was struck by the story within the story. On the surface it was a classic season ender with the husband and wife team coming close to being caught by the FBI yet managing to not only survive to face a new season, but also finding solace in each other...very moving and very trope. What I like was the four or so Easter Eggs hidden in the stories of the supporting and in many ways "extra" characters. The agents handler, played by the amazing...

I am heading out on the road for work this week, so I've been catching up on yardwork, housework, and hobbies. Finished painting some wild looking resin pumpkin monster scenery I picked up at the 2012 Cold Wars. Look pretty kewl and I may try to build a Halloween One Shot around them....thinking. Finished "dipping" and sealing a collection of 15mm Napoleonic era Ottomans, 15mm 1870 Prussians, and my Old Glory Army 25/28mm Pirates. I used the MinWax Polyshades Walnut. It gives a shade of brown that is light enough for the 15mm guys, although I still like a little more dark to make the faces of the 25mm guys "pop". The seal looks shiny, but I've come to appreciate the coating for when greasy fingers start moving the painted lead over the battlemap. For any interested; my paint routine is usually; 1) clean figures 2) base to paint stand (a cut of cardboard - to keep steady while painting) 3) prime (black, dark grey, or sometimes although not often, wh...

While working on my Vampire, New York metaplot, I tried a new beer (for me) that was worth sharing... I bought a party pack of Abita beer last weekend, mainly because it was the first craft brew I've seen from around New Orleans, LA - the same area where I grew up (the Gulf Coast). Of the styles I have tried so far and all have been good, the stand-out for me is the Abita Mardi Gras Bock. I agree with the label, AMG Bock has a rich malt flavor and full body. I'll add that it is very smooth and has a hint of fruit, almost like a berry, but not excessively so. I have not tried all of the Abita Party Pack yet, but I am looking forward to trying the rest.

So, I have offered my Friday night gaming group, and they accepted, starting a VtM20 campaign. I used to have tons of Vampire stuff, but got rid of all of it years ago. Recently picked up the Vampire 20th anniversary edition. It is slightly modified from the old 3rd edition rules, and includes all of the clans, bloodlines and sects. A one stop game. Plus I got a copy of New York by Night, since the old Vampire story-line "kinda" ended there. My master plan is to advance the dead story line from the last published book - 2001, just before 9/11, to the present nights. I am not sure all of what would have changed, although (spoiler) the Antediluvian in New York was "hurt" by the 9/11 attack, but not killed. The general plot arc begins with the characters being turned by a depleted Sabbat Pack and thrown into combat with a small coterie of newly arrived Camerilla entrepreneurs - hence the Campaign Opener Title of "Cannon Fodder" Here is the opening cut s...