Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Future Wars => Sci-Fi Small Skirmish Games => Topic started by: Bullshott on October 23, 2023, 04:14:59 PM
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This thread will cover my attempts to play a Five Parsecs from Home set in the universe of the late 70s/early 80s TV series Blake's Seven.
This campaign is set after the conclusion of the Blake's Seven series, set against the background of a much-weakened Terran Federation trying to take control of breakaway outer worlds.
Background
The Intergalactic War in the third century of the second calendar saw the forces of the Terran Federation defeat the invading Andromedan fleet. However, this was at the cost of the destruction of 80% of the Federation fleet and the loss of the Star One supercomputer that controlled transportation, communications and weather on hundreds of Federation worlds.
The region of space on the edge of the Outer Worlds formerly controlled by the Federation is commonly known as the Fringe. In the aftermath of the war, the huge military losses allowed many of the Outer Worlds to shake off the tolalitarian Federation's yoke. For some worlds this freedom was short-lived as the diminished Federation forces conducted a rapid campaign to reconquer them. During this period, political intrigue within the Federation's upper echelons saw President Servalan deposed and a cull of those most loyal to her.
Soon after this, free worlds started coming back under Federation influence at a high rate. This was due to the Pacification Programme, under which whole populations were drugged with the pacification drug Pylene-50. This programme effectively came to an end when the rebel worlds acquired the means to mass-produce a vaccine to the drug. Following the ending of the Pacification Programme the Federation's efforts to re-assimilate lost outer worlds has effectively stalled, as their fleet has had to re-deploy to counter the threat of incursions from (what were once considered minor) alien races from beyond the fringe worlds. The only recent good news for the Federation at this point was that the infamous terrorist (or freedom fighter, depending on your point of view) Roj Blake was confirmed as being killed by Federation forces on the planet Guada Prime.
The power vacuum created by the loss of Federation control amongst many worlds on the Fringe has spawned a plethora of new planetary governments (of various levels of loyalty to the Federation), as well as various rebel factions determined to take their fight to the Federation, mercenaries after a fast credit, pirates and adventurers seeking fame and fortune.
Page 1 - Background
Page 1 - Federation troops
Page 1 - Local Security/Rebels types
Page 2 - Crew of the Sun Chaser added
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In terms of gaming the B7 universe with Five Parsecs, the obvious difference is that Unity is replaced by the totalitarian Terran Federation, so this seems like the obvious place to start.
Two companies supply suitable figures to represent the Federation rank and file troops:
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/60/164-231023151754-60441138.jpeg)
These were originally manufactured by Crooked Dice, but are now available from Beast in the Broch (who also sell crew figures for the Liberator and Scorpio)
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/60/164-231023153738.jpeg)
CP Models also do a nice collection of Federation troops. The heavy weapon trooper is a conversion using weapon and arms from the Stargrave plastic Scavengers set.
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/60/164-231023151754-60443526.jpeg)
The two ranges are close enough to use on the same table, but with sufficient differences in style to allow me to use them to represent two different (and easily identifiable) units.
The 2nd, 4th and 6th figures in the line-up are from CP Models. The rest are Crooked Dice/Beast in the Broch. The figure on the right is the Crooked Dice sculpt of a Federation mutoid (more of these later).
In terms of Five Parsecs rules, the Federation troops are treated as Unity grunts, except that they are always armed with Blast Rifles. Lieutenants are armed with Blast Rifle and Blast Pistol. Specialists roll for their weapon as normal.
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Sounds like a brilliant project! I have only seen a little of Blake‘s 7 but what I saw was quite compelling, in a Tom Baker Dr. Who kind of way.
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Sounds like a brilliant project! I have only seen a little of Blake‘s 7 but what I saw was quite compelling, in a Tom Baker Dr. Who kind of way.
Ignoring the low budget production and concentrating on published lore actually gives a perfect campaign setting, especially if set after the conclusion of the series. Lots of independent worlds and a Federation struggling to regain control (struggling particularly hard, as I'll be adding pirates and interested alien races on the Federation borders, all trying to take advantage of the Federation's loss of influence). With only two of the cast having escaped the series unscathed I don't even have to enclude them, except for maybe the occasional mention.
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Looking forward to this. I only have vague memories of the show but expect you'll pull it off exceptionally.
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can't ignore a bit of Blake's 7.
Duly notification set and +1 looking forward to what you do with this very much.
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great stuff.
this should be really good. look forward to further developments.
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I like your Federation troopers.
If you want to bulk out your army, you can get 3d printed versions of them on the likes of Etsy and other places.
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1070827406/space-federation-troops-and-robots-28mm?click_key=a17b6223e2cd039d3e44406604371286f7b7ce70%3A1070827406&click_sum=cefa9759&ga_search_query=federation&ref=shop_items_search_3 (https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1070827406/space-federation-troops-and-robots-28mm?click_key=a17b6223e2cd039d3e44406604371286f7b7ce70%3A1070827406&click_sum=cefa9759&ga_search_query=federation&ref=shop_items_search_3)
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1146019896/space-federation-set-2-28mm-scale-3d?click_key=720005083fe869d08bbe89fd7aa02c9e8b1b1ccd%3A1146019896&click_sum=8b5c9288&ga_search_query=federation&ref=shop_items_search_2 (https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1146019896/space-federation-set-2-28mm-scale-3d?click_key=720005083fe869d08bbe89fd7aa02c9e8b1b1ccd%3A1146019896&click_sum=8b5c9288&ga_search_query=federation&ref=shop_items_search_2)
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1284485597/28mm-officers-and-robots-x10?click_key=104fdaa51640b503d2f3918e582899f036e97c91%3A1284485597&click_sum=536024a6&ref=shop_home_active_7&pro=1 (https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1284485597/28mm-officers-and-robots-x10?click_key=104fdaa51640b503d2f3918e582899f036e97c91%3A1284485597&click_sum=536024a6&ref=shop_home_active_7&pro=1)
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1270466998/28mm-troopers-and-robots-x10?click_key=c2e92b55b0bfe68927190d072758ae53ace3df2d%3A1270466998&click_sum=82c27043&ref=shop_home_active_6&pro=1 (https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1270466998/28mm-troopers-and-robots-x10?click_key=c2e92b55b0bfe68927190d072758ae53ace3df2d%3A1270466998&click_sum=82c27043&ref=shop_home_active_6&pro=1)
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Looking forward to following this, great idea!
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@nozza_uk - thanks for the links. However, I have enough Federation troopers for my current needs. I currently need to add other armed factions as opposition for my crew. Talking of which ...
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/60/164-301023121202.jpeg)
These are head-changed CP Models Fed Troopers. The chap with the heavy weapon is a conversion using a Stargrave plastic Scavengers gun and arms.
These will be used for a variety of roles; including corporate security, local enforcers and rebels. I went for these figures because I wanted them armed with Federation-style weapons and dressed in coveralls (to match the BBC aesthetic for dressing extras, i.e. do it on the cheap and stick them in overalls!
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Never saw Blake 7 but I can tell this is going to be topic to follow. I’m looking forward to seeing how it goes and how the 5 Parsecs rules handle the campaign.
Doug
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Looking good!
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I loved Blames 7. The ex Crooked Dice miniatures have been appealing to me for ages. I can't understand why B7 hasn't been reimagined for TV, it's mix of oppression and paranoia seem just right...which makes me wonder if we are 're-living the '70's. 5 Parsecs is great and seems just right for this project. I'm sat Bing with interest since there doesn't seem any chance of a reboot any time soon.
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there have been several attempts to "redo" a blake 7 but I think like other Great British Sci-Fi
They fail miserably at "getting it", and added to that unlike Dr Who, it does not have the same level of global distribution or recognition.
Butt.. Disney and the latest with Dr Who and their involvement in getting into Sci FI franchises and spreading them as thin as possible..I mean expanding the Universes.
Just like doing marvel movies based on 1980's comics..
They might be willing to throw money at any old BBC Franchise they can..
Probably the original will still be better than their spin-offs but.. who knows?
Meh - lets have some quality AARs and minis and gaming imagination in the meantime?
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Yes! A Blake's Seven thread.
I'm a fan of the series and am looking forward to seeing more of your B7 stuff.
T.
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Introducing the crew of the Sun Chaser:
'Captain' Apolonius Carmine has put together a bunch of misfits who are now living the dream, in search of adventure and a better future.
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/60/164-201123123341.jpeg)
From left to right:
Apolonius Carmine (CP Models):
Apolonius (known to his friends as Apollo) was a member of the administration on Bartoc IV, a peaceful high tech colony. With the withdrawal the Federation from the sector during the Intergalactic War, he became a diplomat negotiating with other newly independent colonies. He was off-world on the research station off Logan's World when the Federation reacquired Bartoc IV. To make things worse, at this moment pirates chose to attack the station and he found himself stealing a science vessel to escape.
Nero Cobalt (CP Models):
A pilot on the orbital research station off Logan's World, Nero funded his gambling problem with petty crime (smuggling and various scams). Station security eventually caught Nero and were escorting him to the brig when pirates attacked the station. Taking advantage of the chaos and realising Nero could help him escape the pirates, visiting diplomat Apolonius helped Nero to escape custody and steal a science vessel in the station's dock. Nero is driven by loyalty to Apolonius.
Minerva Limone (CP Models):
Agitator and trouble-maker on low tech colony Logan's World, Minerva was sentenced to servitude on a penal colony. Awaiting transfer to a prisoner transport, she was in a holding cell in the orbital station above the colony, when the it was attacked by pirates. In the chaos that ensued she ended up on a stolen science vessel. She'll tag along in search of fast credits.
Alyce Chartreuse (Crooked Dice):
Alyce was brought up as a member of an isolationist enclave, hiding from the Federation in order to be able to practice their banned religion (all organised religion was banned by the Federation). Alyce hated the socially restrictive and technologically backward enclave, She wanted to escape and improve her life off-world, where she could also have the benefits of unrestricted access to technology.
When the Sun Chaser visited the enclave to trade supplies Alyce stowed away on the starship. Minerva took pity on her and persuaded Apolonius to let her stay. In celebration of her escape, Alyce adopted a radically different clothing and hairstyle to those permitted on her homeworld.
Wulf Greymantle (Frostgrave plastic Barbarian with CP Models gun):
Wulf was a warrior serving a local lord on his primitive world. When his lord's entourage was massacred by an enemy, he was saved by Apolonius. With his old master dead, he has pledged his loyalty to Apolonius.
Indigo Jones (Killer B Games' gangster with Stargrave plastic gun):
Indigo was a supply technician on a long term space mission exploring beyond the Fringe. When they returned home he left the ship, equipped with a large amount of back pay (which he spent on expensive clothes, fine wine and women). With his funds now running low, he's decided it's time to seek his fortune.
The Sun Chaser
The crew's ship is an old Armadillo class utility starship, formerly used as a research vessel. The ship's lower pod section was originally configured to contain a laboratory and sensor arrays, together with a small cargo bay. Apolonius took out a loan to ostensibly cover 'repairs', but actually used it to fund getting the ship a new identity and set of ownership papers.
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Nice crew, especially the c.p. minis.
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yes, and back stories.
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Haven't played 5 Parsecs, but I am a big fan of the fantasy variant 5 Leagues and I really like the format of these games. It's always good to see peoples' crews/warbands and read their bios.
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Always interesting to add a little background to each mini! :)
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I didn’t really know anything about B7 (before reading this thread that is!). Great background and crew, looking forward to reading more.
Those converted CP civilians are definitely on my wish list too.