Adventures in Jimland

Adventures in Jimland is a fast paced, not very serious set of rules for hunting in deepest Darkest Africa and primarily uses a card system to generate encounters. Gamers take the role of Explorers who can be supported by a number of soldiers, Askikirs and Beraers (depending on how much money you have).

http://nagssociety.com/resources/Jimland/Jimland.htm

Use them as is, or with only a slight tweak, they could work well in the Land that Time Forgot. Either way, the "Reports from Jimland" are an amusing read. Oh yes, and its free!

There is also a Jimland scrapbook here, showing some adventures using 15mm figs
http://www.circagames.com/Resources/IECE_Jimland.html

Dinosaur Movie Trailers

Conveniently in tune with the recent "big game" theme at WWS, Prehistoric Pulp has posted some YouTube clips of some great old Dinosaur movies including The Land that Time Forgot, Gwangi and The Lost World.

http://prehistoricpulp.blogspot.com/2007/10/classic-dinosaur-movie-trailers.html

Enjoy!

Redcoat Painting Guide

The Wargames Illustrated website has a great guide on how to paint your redcoats to ensure that they look their finest while campaigning for Her Majesty.

Its written specifically for the Sudan but fits for any overseas British troop deplyments throughout the Empire, on Mars and beyond!

http://www.wargamesillustrated.net/gallery/download/Sudan%201883%20-%2085.pdf

NEW Prehistoric animal hunting rules

Tooth And Claw is a complete set of miniature wargame rules for the most civilised past-time of hunting extinct prehistoric mammals, by Chris Peers (author of Saurian Safari and Mammalian Mayhem)

Inspired mainly by the re-release of the splendid Dee Zee Miniatures models (though it does cater for a range of other creatures not so far included in this range),Tooth And Claw offers an exciting and challenging evening's entertainment. It uses fairly conventional skirmish wargame mechanisms to enable players to take on the roles of Stone Age tribesmen or Victorian big game hunters as they go in pursuit of some of the most dangerous creatures of all time - the monsters of the early Age of Mammals and the giants of the Ice Age.

All the players in Tooth And Claw take on the role of hunters, with the animals being controlled automatically. A game of this type lends itself perfectly to one-off scenarios, which can be played either solo or with a group of players. Players can either co-operate or compete against each other, according to their temperament or how you set things up.

The rulebook is 36 pages and fully illustrated in full colour throughout.

Available from all good hobby shops and www.wargamesillustrated.net from around 22nd November.

http://www.wargamesillustrated.net/newsitem.asp?id=175

Calm in a time of crises!

I love this clip, from Monty Python's Meaning of Life.

Note how calm the Officers are in a time of crisis, how loyal their soldiers are, and how much they drink before breakfast!

Trip to the Moon

A fascinating 1911 artist's concept of Astronef travel!

Dinosaur Revolver!

In response to my Dinosaur Gun post yesterday, I was sent this by one of the guys at the brass goggles forum. Its a Dinosaur handgun - the Pfeifer-Zeliska .600 Nitro Express Magnum.

And just check out this ammunition -more bearers will be required for the baggage I suggest

(shown in actual size)

Good show indeed, but hardly usable by the Ladies methinks...

Dinosaur Guns!

Searcy Enterprises, a smaller California double rifle builder has produced 0.600 calibre Nitro Express double hunting weapons ideal for use in hunting ultimate game! http://www.african-hunter.com/a_pair_of_dinosaur_doubles.htm

Things in Jars

Next to oil smeared mechanisms and steam exhausts, nothing (to me) says VSF more than creepy things in jars.. .

Here are some creepy cryptozoologcal specimens, necropathic spectregraph, and a Bio-aetheric correction device
http://www.manydeadthings.tk/

More stuff in jars here, including "how to" instructions for making your own for your laboratory:
http://aranamuerta.com/2007/02/20/witch-kitchen-jars/

North Head Miniatures

This new kiwi based company manufacturers naval miniatures. They are currently concentrating on modern and contemporary pieces, but have plans to do WW1 Gunboats and Pre-dreadnoughts in 1/1200 scale soon which will be great for Aquanef fleets. One to watch for sure!

http://www.nhminiatures.com/

Sandokan revealed!

You may recall the images taken by Mssr Vsanvlak of the aerial conveyance in the employ of the infamous Asian Pirate Sandokan

http://pauljamesog.blogspot.com/2006/06/asian-pirate-takes-to-air.html

Well, he has also manged to take some rare pics of the man himself, who is Wanted throughout the Empire and by many other nations too. Well done V!

Steampunk Laptop

Yep, another amazing steampunk retro!

This may look like a Victorian music box, but inside this intricately hand-crafted wooden case lives a Hewlett-Packard ZT1000 laptop that runs both Windows XP and Ubuntu Linux. It features an elaborate display of clockworks under glass, engraved brass accents, claw feet, an antiqued copper keyboard and mouse, leather wrist pads, and customized wireless network card. The machine turns on with an antique clock-winding key by way of a custom-built ratcheting switch made from old clock parts.

http://computers-review.com/steampunk-laptop/

Thanks to Karsten for emailing me this link!

10,000 Hits, BC

Goodness me - 10,000 Hits in just 3 months!

I continue to be astounded and humbled by the patronage here. I think it is a testamony to the great contributions by all the team here, and certainly Mssr Vanvlak is the most prolific manufacturer of fine VSF models so far.

Many thanks indeed Ladies and Gentlesirs!

And in a complete coincidence, I found out today about the upcoming film "10,000 BC" (due for release 7 march next year), which looks totally wicked.

Have a look at the site below to see a trailer. mammoth heards, sabretooth togers, prehistoric man...all it needs is a few fine chaps and a lady or two hunting in their best safari attire!

http://www.10000bcmovie.com/

Martian Empires released

Black Hat Miniatures and Fighting 15s have teamed up to form Oozlum Games , whose first ruleset is Martian Empires, a set of fast-play big battles rules (units are 4-8 stands of 4-5 figures each) for Victorian Science Fiction games.

Excellent... According to their post at TMP:

Martian Empires is in full colour throughout, runs to 52 pages excluding covers, and includes full rules, army lists and five introductory scenarios. The rules are priced at £15.00 GBP. The ISBN for Martian Empires is 978-0-9555686-0-2. The rules have been developed over the last three years, and there is a thriving forum dedicated to Martian Empires here.

Martian Empires is the first in a series of rules that we will be publishing over the next few years based on the Huzzah! system.

Great cover; a combiantion of Redcoats, Steam tanks and lizard riding Martians. Its just missing some sort of aerial conveyance!

You can find Oozlum games here: http://oozlumgames.wordpress.com/oozlum-games/

And buy Martian Empires online here: http://www.blackhat.co.uk/

VSF Fashions and Accessories

The following outfitters have been brought to my attention.
These reputable establishments have everything for the esteemed Gentleman and discerning VSF gamer.

http://www.gentlemansemporium.com/mens_victorian_outfits.php


http://community.livejournal.com/steamfashion/