Jurassic Terrain

Its been awhile since the last post on Dinosaur Hunting and Jussaic Adventues. This one is about representing tar pits and other prehistoric terrain on your table.


At the Lost World Safari yahoogroup, there have been some excellent suggestions about modelling tar pits and other pre-historic style terrain including land slides, hot springs, choking gasses and other nasties. I guess hunting 30 foot carnivorous beasts just wasnt dangerous enough!

Alan made the following suggestions:

"In our Lost World type game (see http://www.morvalearth.co.uk/Lost%20World/Lost_Wld_gal_01.htm and http://www.morvalearth.co.uk/Claymore05/balloonatic_intro.htm ) we had a number of "natural" occurrences on cards.

Naturally large tar pits and so on can be placed about the place in a more open way. Given the danger of entrapment the first turn is the important one. If the person/creature does not panic then an escape is likely. However, the more the victim panics the more likely they are to be trapped. The bigger they are the easier it is for them to get out on Move 1 but the more likely they are to get covered (sheer weight) if they thrash about.

I saw a reconstruction of a similar event on one of the Dino programmes on TV and this suggested that the majority of the animals that became trapped were old/sick/weak and the predators closed in - some of them becoming victims themselves. Once the victim(s) were dead or nearly dead the scavangers came in.

Tar pits:
That flat ground is a thin crust that gives way underfoot. Select a party member at random. Gets stuck in it and it takes a score of 8+ on a d10 to free them. Add 1for each additional person helping. Add more if they are using ropes, overhead in a balloon etc. These assistants may not shoot or fight this turn. A roll of 1 means that the victim is slowly immersed in tar and choking and baking dies a horrible death.

Strange Mist
A mist envelops the party. It blocks sight and reduces movement by half. Roll d6:
1,2 it lasts 3 turns
3,4 it lasts 2 turns
5,6 it lasts 1 turn
Roll d10 for each figure. If a 1 is rolled on any turn that figure is lost. When the mist clears roll a d6 for each turn the figure was lost and move away from their party in a random direction that number of inches.

Choking gas
A sudden jet of hot gas blasts from the ground. One random figure is knocked over and loses his/her weapon on a d10 roll of 1-3. The weapon may be recovered next go if they roll 7+

Hot spring
That flat ground is a thin crust that gives way underfoot. Select a party member at random. Falls in and it takes a full turn to free them.

Geyser
A sudden geyser of hot water blasts from the ground. One random figure is knocked over and so is the one following him. They lose their weapons on a d10 roll of 1-3. The weapon may be recovered next go if they roll 7+

Landslip
The cliff nearby gives way. D6 boulders bounce towards the party. Roll a d10 for each member within 9” needing 2+ to hit less one on the die per inch the boulder travels.

You will need to modify these for your own rules and situations particularly if the dinos are to be victims as well."

You can visit Alan's great Fantasy, VSF and wargaming site here:
http://www.morvalearth.co.uk/

There was also a good TMP thread over a year ago about modelling such things

http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=70973

WANTED: Raygun!

Weta Originals "Miniature Manmelter 3600ZX"

I have been a steadfast fan of Weta Originals products for years and they really helped me out during the Martian cylinder incident a few years ago. They have also helped me out of a bit of bother in boarding actions against the Boche and filthy pirates too, but that is another story for telling over a Brandy or five.

Unfortunately, I missed Weta's recent promotion of their Miniature manmelter 3600ZX (to be fair I AM on the other side 0f the world you know...).

http://wetanz.com/holics/index.php?itemid=353&catid=4

It looks like just the thing that every good Officer should have one! I was wondering if there were any spares around that might be available. I am willing to offer in trade my gilted sword which was gifted to me my the London Times for my exploits in Asia, but that is another story for telling over a glass or three of port.

Search your Laborotories!

Search your Armouries!

Let me know!

Seriously, if you have a one spare or available (or know where one is) please let me know and I'd be delighted to make you an offer.

Dr Steel Interview, Part 2

As you are probably aware, last week we had the opportunity to ask the infamous Dr Steel a few questions and learn more about him and his intended conquest of the world. This is Part 2 of that Interview, where the insane but lovable Doktor answers some supplementary questions. He writes:

Dr Steel: My Dear Tas,

Below are answers to your recent inquiries. I do so hope they help in your creation of this much appreciated blog.



White Wine Sauce (WWS): What exactly are you a Doctor of? Where did you study and what are your credentials?

Dr Steel: I am a doctor of spin and a professor of reality engineering. I am a Minister of Metaphysics and I have acquired my credentials online from the same university as Dr. Dre and Dr. Suess were appointed their elite status.


WWS: Many would-be World Emperors have made fatal mistakes on their road to immortality. Indeed, these have now been published into a large list of "Top things NOT to do when you take over the world" which my agents inform me has recently been brought to your attention. How will this list effect your plans and what, in your opinion, are the most important mistakes to avoid?

Dr Steel: Indeed, there have been many examples of what not to do by those who have attempted to take of the world in the past. I believe there is much to be gained from these past failures as well as much to be learned from the brief successes. Being certain to crush your foe quickly without explaining the complicated details of how you came to be and how you have decided to finish them is one of the most fatal flaws. Likewise there is much to be learned from the style of previous world domination oriented uniforms. There were some smashing designers with grand taste indeed. Shiny black is always a good choice.


WWS: Many would-be World Emperors have embraced organic familiars; Mr Bigglesworth the Cat comes immediately to mind, and keeping predatory animals such as sharks and crocodiles as a means of eliminating the unwanted. You have instead embraced artificial familiars in the form of your robot army. What is the downside to inorganic companions and what are the pitfalls of combining your friends with a mechanism for enslaving the world? Did your unfortunate episode with the poodle Baby Lu-Lu taint you at all?

Dr Steel: Though I do appreciate the natural world, I am rather opposed to the idea of "pets". Poodles are far from members of the natural world as they have been genetically altered to serve as decorative trifles and barking accessories. Such experimentation should cease immediately.

I do however enjoy my robotic experiments. Mechanical companions are grand...that is, when they work. I suppose the downside would be their frequent malfunctioning. I had one little fellow who became entangled in a bio-feedback loop resulting in its scratching a nearly un-repairable hole in my experiment room door. Though I look forward to far more efficient artificial intelligences in the near future.


WWS: What is your opinion on giant armoured airships and their uses in conquering and domination? What would you call your flagship?

Dr Steel: A good question indeed. I am rather a fan of the zeppelin, aesthetically speaking. When it comes to durability I would have to opt for flying saucers. As for a name, I believe "The Steel Beast" might be nice, or perhaps "Bad Ship Lollipop".


WWS: In return for my sworn allegiance and Commanding your aerial armada in support of the robot toy army rampaging below, may I be granted the Governorship of Australasia and South East Asia?

Dr Steel: Ah, by all means my good man. I'll even throw in a personal action figure to be molded in your honour as well.


WWS: Excellent! I cant wait to see "Action Tas" and what awesome array of acessories and weapons he comes with.

Thankyou again for your time Dr Steel. Its been another enlightening but disturbing journey through your psyche...

Dr Steel: Thank you ever so much for the grand spreading of my propaganda, my good man. I appreciate it very much



Yours in a White Wine Sauce,

Tas
Commander of Dr Steel's Aerial Armada and
Governor designate of Australiasia and South East Asia

Victorian Submarine Adventures

I discovered these wonderful photos by a Commodore Wells, of some mysterious goings on under the waters off the Mersey River in Liverpoool.


I'm not entirely sure what ensued (the Secret Act you know....) other than it involved giant sea creatures, Adventuers in Diving suits and an experimental Aquanef style machine. Huzzah!

This submarine was constructed from a large Christmas ornament, the prow is a curtain decoration bent into shape and the screw is a computer cololing fan. I think its grand!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/banging1out/sets/72157601821154141/

War Zeppelin

WARZEPPELIN

(Click for larger version)
Vehicle design for the Iron Grip series of videogames by Isotx.

I love this picture, and am consdreing getting a proper print of it for hanging in my Gaming Room. From the Artist's website below you can order 13x9 and 8x10 verisons.

http://keiththompsonart.com/pages/zeppelin.html

Recovery Dirigible

Vanvlak has been at it again, and this is a WWS exclusive - not posted to anywhere else at all.
Its his new 'flagship' - a recovery dirigible. In his words:

"This is 'Lysander', a ship owned by Titan Marine Consolidated, and currently assisting the knights as can be seen from the scarlet-tail markings on the twin dig hull. She's a sort of floating goliath crane (the type was originally designated Double-Goliath) slung under twin dirigible hulls, with a sliding cabin hanging below the crane.

Capacity - er - well, some day I'll calculate how much two bags of helium (or should it be hydrogen?) can lift.

The crane colour is actually a reproduction of the green patched look one of the cranes we had at the shipyard had for some time when it was being repainted. The smaller rig is in yellow because - well, many cranes are yellow.... "

Great job once again V! I shall endeavour not to need her services for my Fleet!

Electrolux Death Ray!

This one is more pulp than steampunk, but its a cracker:

Brotonic Weapons presents:
The Electrolux Death Ray! "Yesterday's future...today!"


See the fantastic advertising trailer here:
http://www.brotron.com/main/main.html

I have a sudden hankering to go searching for an old vacuum cleaner now!

More Aeronef Art

I found this great pic of an Aeronef in flight at the website of a band called Abney Park.
I thought you guys might enjoy it

There is a large, high-res version here:
http://www.abneypark.com/wither_-thou_goest.jpg

Original Aeronef Artwork

Juddski, a splendid chap I know from over at the Tactical Command Forums, has produced these splendid sketches of some of the fighting ships Her Brittanic Majesty's Royal Aero-Naval Service.

H.M.S. Lovechild

H.M.S. Heritage

H.M.S. Godspeed and elements of the Fleet

Steampunk City with Aeronef overhead

I think jusddski's work is just brilliant. I love the effects he gets with the sepia and grimy tones which really conveys the steampunk theme.

Thanks a lot for drawing these and letting me display them juddski!

Zeppelins across the Seas

Today's YouTube adventure takes us across the Atlantic in the airship Graf Spee!

Whats in a name?

I recently regaled Mssr Betts with this tale, who thought it sufficiently caddish and of drawing room interest to post here. He had asked me where the name "Yours in a White Wine Sauce" had come from...

About 15 years ago (good god! I'm really not that old you know) I was playing a Colonial game with a few of the lads. The Zulu war as I recall, with the movie of the same name playing in the background for ambiance purposes. Of course nobody wanted to be the Zulus so we all played British units and had the Fuzzies on some automatic rules. We all played Officer characters leading our own units of stout chaps in redcoats, but could not discuss tactics or anything while we played. Unless of course, a runner figure had first moved around on the battlefield to pass messages, at which time a hand written note could be delivered to the player concerned.

I was in a particularly hairy situation at the head of the column and surrounded by some rather angry locals with spears, when a runner arrived. I was given a note (written by the player who was the "Colonel") inviting me to afternoon tea at the centre of the column. It was signed "Yours in a White Wine Sauce etc" and took me quite by surprise, as that was before rampant silliness became the norm on our wargaming table.

With good Flashman-like courage, my character accepted the invitation and trotted off after handing command over to his Sergeant. Thus he was absent when his troops were completely surrounded and got the chop. The cucumber sandwiches were lovely and crisp though, with not a hint of sogginess.

It turns out that the good 'Colonel' got the idea from an old Monty Python skit where some shipwrecked sailors debate the finer points of cannibalism, leading to a letter of protest from a Naval Officer decrying that cannibalism is not longer an issue in the RN. He signs the letter "Captain B.J. Smethick in a White Wine Sauce with shallots, mushrooms and garlic".
.
So there you have it, I hope you enjoyed the tale.
Its left my throat a little parched though, time for another drink!

Yours in a White Wine Sauce,
Paul

PS You can see the Monty Python skit here- the letter comes in at 3:05

An interview with Dr Steel:- a White Wine Sauce exclusive!

You may recall my recent introduction of a visionary named Dr Phineas Waldolf Steel, which was detailed here:

http://pauljamesog.blogspot.com/2007/08/dr-phineas-waldorf-steel.html

I have been corresponding with the good (yet unstable and unhinged) Doctor and recently requested an email interview in which he would answer some posed questions. To my great pleasure, this dapper gentleman replied:

My dear Tas,

I would be delighted to appear in your blog.

* White Wine Sauce (WWS): What first led you to suspect your own insanity and embrace it as an ideal?

It began long ago with my daily commute to and from a small office while tolerating bumper to bumper traffic. Anyone who accepts such daily punishment certainly has psychological issues. I didn't notice this at the time, of course, and it wasn't until I was officially labeled insane by the medical directors of a psychiatric hospital that I became aware of my mental state.

Many insane people are unaware of their insanity, fortunately I was shown a graph charting my madness so it's all very clear to me now. I have embraced this fact and now utilize my own insanity to forge a new road in my life. Since one's reality is only as real as one perceives it to be, I have decided to become World Emperor.

* What will be the first ten things you do as World Emperor?

First of all I will do a monkey-like dance. Shortly thereafter I shall assemble an elite and talented crew of technicians from across the globe to begin realizing the transformation of this world; something I like to call a world "make-over".

I will then focus my attention on restructuring the educational system, followed by setting up the Neurological Android Research Facility to advance technologies in the department of artificial intelligence. Having tea with Ray Kurzwiel and Zecharia Sitchin would certainly prove to bring upon some interesting ideas, and then I shall oversee the refurbishing of the White House into a delightful, and educational, miniature golf course.

My attention will then be directed towards alternate forms of far more efficient transportation and cleaner food manufacturing. All the while, I shall be constructing giant robots to utilize as defense against the inevitable battle with The Alien Illuminati who will be rather displeased with such advancements. Lastly I would like to present a special puppet show about chinchillas.

* WWS:What is your position on extraterrestrial life and the search for it?

My opinion of extraterrestrial life is one that points to the idea that we, as humans, are the extraterrestrials to begin with. An alien presence has always been here for as long as we have been hitting two rocks together, and their intervening with the hominids on this planet resulted in the mish-mashed society in which we live. I am completely supportive of those who look for extraterrestrial life, though much of what is shown to us through the mass media is only a smokescreen in an attempt to convince us that if anything other than ourselves exists in the universe, that it is only a small microbe and very far away. When in fact, the very powers who control such information are those who came to this planet thousands upon thousands of years ago.

To find the truth, as is in many cases, we must look within...as well as underground.


* WWS: What do you think was God's biggest mistake?

Oh goodness, where to start? Humans have too many design flaws to even begin to list. Though in order to answer this question properly, we must first define "God". It seems to me that God is an idea, perhaps a feeling that there is something bigger than us in the universe. Something which plans and controls all things forever and always. To me, this sounds like a source of life, or energy, rather than a fellow with a white beard and a mean temper. Rather than God making mistakes, it seems that our general perception of God is a mistake in and of itself. As wee humans, our perception of things grander than us has always brought upon awe. As a result our "truth" hungry minds have devised a wide variety of ways to justify all things. As technology appears to be magic to those who do not understand it, humans have also etched tales of immortal gods in the stone of yesterday. Our assumed perception of the gods of antiquity are in fact the distant memories of flawed and power-hungry beings who have little to no respect for the occupants of planet Earth. To this end, many of our control oriented belief systems were established to keep "the monkeys" under control and quiet.

I feel that the idea of God is a good one in that we must maintain a perspective of there being a creative force of energy permeating reality. To become aware of this and to utilize such power is, in my opinion, the only thing really worth doing...

...aside from a monkey-like dance which is pretty fun too.


Sincerely,
~Dr. Phineas Waldolf Steel

-------

I would like to thank the good Doctor for donating his valuable time away from his music and world domination plans to answer these questions for Yours in a White Wine Sauce! I would also like to thank him for the use of the publicity photographs used in this article.

Coming soon: Dr Steel Interview, Part 2
or not, depending on how he feels and if the progress of his Toy Army permits

In the meantime, you too can enlist in the Toy Army here:

http://worlddominationtoys.com/drsteel/about/donate.htm

or you may financially contribute to the good Doctor's campaign for world dominance here:

http://worlddominationtoys.com/drsteel/about/donate.htm

New Nefs and the Balance of Power

Well its the first day of Spring here in the colonies, so as part of my Spring cleaning, I got all my lovely nefs out and catalogued them. That was a rather scary experience as you can see from this pile of lead!

Unearthing the motherlode, this hasnt been out of the box since moving house in Jan

[BTW I made a deliberate point of not working out what the total cost would be to buy them, please dont work it out and tell me either OK?)


Apart from reams of information on numbers and classes etc, I calculated the force structures, which actually became rather interesting. ( I have also just spent a few weeks studying naval armament conferences such as the Washington Treaty so that put me in the right frame of mind).


Using traditional categories of ship types (Capital Ships : Cruiser Force : Escorts), I determined I have the following distribution of aero-naval strength amongst the great powers:

• Great Britain 4 : 1 : 11 Note: 1 Capital Ship is a Carrier
• France 2 : 5 : 5 Note: both Capital Ships are Carriers
• Russia 0 : 4(+1) : 12 Note: not including Aerial forts
• Germany 1 : 2: 10 Note: all dirigibles
• Austro-Hungary 1 : 1 : 8
• Turkey 2 : 2 : 15 Note: not including War Balloons
• Japan 0 : 0 : 6
• Pirate/Anarchist 0 : 1 : 3
• Minor Powers (combined) 0 : 4 : 2

So based on this distribution, Great Britain is in trouble and needs more cruisers and the assistance of her Japanese Allies, the Russians need more battleships, a Franco-German Alliance would do well and Turkey should rule the Air! (those Turkish 'Nefs are so nice, obviously I cant help myself).


Maybe some redistribution is required....or maybe some more purchases!


Coincidentally, I also received today some 'nefs in the mail as part of a trade (thanks Jon!) - an British Audacious Class Battlecruiser and Argus Class Carrier (not shown), and a small Russian Squadron with 3 Destroyers and a Seaplane tender. Its always nice to have them show up ready for action...just have to get the rest of the fleets to the same stage!




Here they are here, click as usual for bigger pics. The Fleets continue to grow....

Cavorite Spheres!

Oh yes, its time for more Astronef goodness!

Cavorite Sphere by Larson designs
Medium: Resin
Diameter: 3.5"

"Based on the H.G. Wells' classic 1901 novel, 1964's movie "First Men in the Moon" told the story of British inventor Dr. Joseph Cavor who, along with his handsome young neighbor and his comely girlfriend, flew to the moon in 1899 aboard a metal sphere coated with an anti-gravity paste dubbed "Cavorite."
.
[Note that in the movie the 1890s expedition claim the Moon for Queen Victoria, Huzzah! - Tas]
.
As depicted in the film, the "sphere" was a multi-sided bathosphere-like contraption studded with rail car bumpers that allowed it to make a "hard" landing on the moon and roll safely to a stop. It was "steered" by opening the closing strategically placed Cavorite-coated panels like Venetian blinds, thus "repelling" the craft from either the Earth or its closest satellite.
The sphere's heavy geometry and rivet-covered surface beautifully evoked the simple functionality of Victorian-era technology.

The kit consists of upper and lower body halves, plus individual rail car bumper and eight portholes."
http://www.fantastic-plastic.com/Cavorite_Sphere_Page.htm


There are some nice pics of a very similar model on this french site here: http://modelbox.free.fr/analyses/MS2002_10AP/XPLUS_Moon/index.html


or this Union Class dropship for Battletech (by IronWind Metals) would make a great Cavorite Sphere too! (thanks to master converter Vanvlak for the suggestion)
http://ironwindmetals.com/catalog/popup_image.php?pID=4025


BTW the font of all knowledge (Wikipedia) defines Cavorite as:

"Cavorite is impervious to gravity and can shield other materials from its effects. It is used to shield a craft from Earth's pull, allowing easy flight. It was named after its discoverer, Dr Cavor, who used its levitational properties to travel to the Moon.

It also coats Martian flying machines, although, it is referred to as a "gravity- blocking substance", and not Cavorite."

New Nef stats charts from Brigade Models

That stirling chap Tony from Brigade Models has posted stat cards for the latest Russian Aeronef releases.

You can fnd the Strashchini DD here:
http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/Gaming/VAN/VAN-512.gif

the Raevski Aerial Redoubt here:
http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/Gaming/VAN/VAN-510.gif

and the Shevardino Aerial Battery here (20 guns...ouch!): http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/Gaming/VAN/VAN-511.gif