Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Future Wars => Topic started by: mikedemana on 23 July 2024, 08:56:02 PM
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I've been wanting to try out Five Parsecs from Home for awhile. I've read through the various threads of other LAF members and was intrigued, but was busy with other stuff. So, I never got around to painting anything up for it or giving it a go. Now that I am retired (which enabled me to chip away at the projects considered "more urgent"), perhaps it is time to officially give the game a try? Step one of that, of course, is painting up some figures for my crew! Doesn't step one always involve painting things (unless it involves buying things...!)?
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsfblQy5R4GB4y1XB1lqe8O_ZeHVA6m0N2OR_ganZrMru0mX49sCHJwDbQTC9PIWsTIo-uWs3FYo7f_th1oNDz7s-JCdAQpaSPP8nVWaKl4xQsRvzpzOKbHosbBFrYIsWzmgcYk47jIg9NiGCKLREGSe-3qEak0Ix7_QkWwW1ZS-jyOo3MA1OuWqDJ6g/w640-h280/FiveParsecsCrew_All.jpg)
The ostensible reason for purchasing the rules was to convert it from a solo game to something we could play as a running campaign on Sunday evenings. Each player could control a couple members of what would have to be a much larger crew, of course. Nothing wrong with that, though, as the tabletop fights with these rules are supposed to be fairly fast and fluid. We have played Galactic Heroes, from Wiley Games, and enjoyed them. However, Five Parsecs' strength is supposed to be how it threads everything together into a fun and interesting campaign narrative. Players make choices between games that affect what happens. They gain skills, improve their perhaps impoverished financial situation, gain clients, make enemies, and so on. The best idea to develop something like that for my friends is to test out a solo campaign myself, first. And now that I am retired, I should have time to do that!
The five figures that I chose as my starting crew were sourced from almost as many different places. Two, the captain Alistair Valentine and Cephvarx Hul, are from the Wiley Games line of 3D printed figures. Alistair is "Allister" (https://wiley-games.myshopify.com/collections/build-your-gang-miniatures/products/resin-28mm-miniature-scifi-allister) and Cephvarx is "Varx Blaxx" (https://wiley-games.myshopify.com/collections/build-your-gang-miniatures/products/resin-28mm-miniature-scifi-varxx-blaxx). The Wiley line is fairly tall, but I've found it is hefty and strong enough that you don't have to worry about limbs or weapons snapping like other 3D printed figures. Gunny MacBride is a Reaper plastic figures, aka IMEF Nick Stone. Doc Mecrosus is a listed as a Bounty Hunter from Battle Valor Games and their post-apocalyptic line. Finally, readers of my blog will recognize SAS B61 as a retro-looking 3-D printed robot from Thingiverse printed by my friend Joe.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8O3FZQo3FA12bu2x1nmI6uxJTaAXMTjLDNcsMxitdfgG0DOCnQnRzdFYjsgo5ocygGnYVeIJL0JtmY2stL1PldielM1Gu7EP22Fmpm6HKlzsNkqvI3pgmGEADJeuEweoi4Ken120y4izll-OgYZVrbIG5uEUHE0FsuHe_rtBM2bAQwTJO0iAmxQDLpP4/w638-h640/FiveParsecsCrew_AlistairValentine.jpg)
As of writing this blog post, I have not "rolled up" these characters with the extensive background creation system in Five Parsecs. However, here's what I am thinking. The captain, Alistair Valentine, is a former commercial star pilot who put in his decades of service with the company. In a cost-cutting move, the bean counters in the corporation have found a way to cheat him out of his retirement pension. Unable to kick back and enjoy his old age in a pleasant, touristy star system, Alistair is thrown back into working for himself. It takes most of his savings to purchase his ship, and he's looking to make money quick and hopefully get to that retirement goal. I realize that this is going in backwards on the standard Fiver Parsecs way of doing things, but hopefully what I eventually roll up will match what I have in mind!
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQkwh25OnatZbWZ4dc1Lh3kXhMfXBHvSIPtqgTer0bKmWvjOssIe8VRxPBZ7n7Ah9sIIYoLKP3YsAzE21gJ8alopiSqXZkayLXSsmcyLTSUUllNr8u8elR5CD94MGrrA9s0Z58v7ztLO3aHkS7pAG0-HE3fdoXonJf209v2KxSTwWOr2_I3StnetVmWY/w640-h494/FiveParsecsCrew_SAS%20B61.jpg)
Alistair pulled a few favors with colleagues to get his trusty security droid, SAS B61 retired from company service and have it sold to him for use as his personal bodyguard. Doubtless, the life of a hardscrabble star pilot will involve dangers, and the droid has proved dependable and a surprisingly humorous companion over the years. As a prank, decades ago a friend in the IT department had a comedy program inserted into SAS B61's system. Now, the droid starts every conversation off with a joke from his extensive library. It has learned to analyze human conversations and what provokes laughter, so is attempting its best to be a witty companion.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUuohyCkWEIxiRrHAMxPhEYoRDJkT2Og_m0mAxBS42JcGmhu1rQZdx2s7dTKjbCP0ERzadLNSQEmW5gCOEm2Ittbg0yaqNA2jgW3I9GfmrPqoq2iRldDYVpNdjaLQD9EmGRnQxOn8VlYCmYR5vSeu3Om4zrcvaMz-E_Pma-UP-5xth_6-QZC2mRjVVMQ/w640-h514/FiveParsecsCrew_Gunny%20MacBride.jpg)
Alistair's college friend, Gunny MacBride was also retiring from his career in the military when Alistair was forced from the starliner's rolls. Very sympathetic to his old friend's situation, he has volunteered to go along and watch Alistair's back on these potentially dangerous adventures. Gunny's military experience and familiarity with weapons will likely be useful in keeping Alistair and his crew alive. Once again, I'm hoping the backgrounds I roll on the Five Parsecs charts can be adapted/explained by these kernels of ideas that I have here.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV5w5djWhPl7zZNnv9F7F0H_p78HZH9uz1lhMRNMbyNKFz2Sm-NftLd-loVwORWJmvfyGaSuKv4un-1hY9XXnXUDvzwLvuQPnhn8Ft4fwlN6AyvW-4cND_Zw7w-GgI3L2yPIBwQML2rn8B0ZvCWBu6WUxQvA1fEVxSedJKjSmM3vPI_KMgVK5eAumVLwc/w600-h640/FiveParsecsCrew_Cephvarx%20Hul.jpg)
When word got out that Alistair was looking for a crew, one of the first applications he received was from Cephvarx Hul. The tall, purple-skinned alien comes from a race known for their engineering skills. Alistair had flown routes in their system for decades, and had met many of them over the years. Perhaps it is a sign of respect, or perhaps Cephvarx Hul needed to change his career, but the alien was very persistent and would not relent contacting him and following up until Alistair agreed to hire him. He signed on for what Alistair would consider a very low salary for someone of Cephvarx Hul's skills. The captain was intrigued and a little worried that he might be a plant for someone with nefarious plans, so had asked Gunny to keep an eye on the alien and monitor his actions and communications whenever possible. I will be using one of the "Primary Alien" races in Five Parsecs as a stand-in for Cephvarx Hul.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJJqy98gkhhJLLwH-NIxCfAC9bO3rwCmKxXwm_W_wp4DLZaGaMU_0z-0kiUqyExZX1fEnRy1po3BVIooRa5PtFXp4BdjTGi18u2o7RaBW18PRYIBDQT84HYCj_yNHjFVE9hl6f7OQSPCI8GHOEvIojsj5KrlnWW5_7WY8jn8Z372Bauim7svAHqPArfg/w640-h442/FiveParsecsCrew_Doc%20Necrosus.jpg)
The final member of the crew was the medic, Doc Mecrosus. The first thing anyone notices about the doctor is his sealed, beak-like mask which he wears over his head. He will explain through speakers hidden along the mask that he suffers from an extreme sensitivity to viruses and other airborne organisms. The mask filters all of these out and delivers scrubbed air to his mouth and nose. His dark outfit covers every inch of his body and is also designed to shield his skin from any germs or organisms that might overcome his fragile immune system. Many shake their head at the irony of someone with his condition going into the medical field, but Doc Mecrosus explains that the more he knows about the diseases that could overwhelm his system and kill him, the better prepared he is to deal with it. He also has a peculiar way of looking at life he encounters. Since so much of his energy is devoted to eliminating microscopic organisms, he feels little compunction with killing larger ones, as well. An avid hunter, Doc Mecrosus is no pacifist, and as such, Alistair felt he'd be a great one to take along. Not only would he help the crew stay healthy, he also had the ability to keep the safe!
I hope to get the various rolls made as early as this evening. I'll be back on this thread with more details as they arrive. My plan for a space ship is to peruse the aisles of a toy store and hopefully find something that I can repaint, weather, and convert. lol
Any suggestions, ideas, or feedback from the extensive Five Parsecs community here on LAF is gratefully appreciated... :-*
Mike Demana
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Have a look at some of the Buzz Lightyear ships, particularly the Armadillo and Zurg's mothership. There should be several threads on here showing them, and Amazon UK still has them.
They're not as cheap as they were a few years ago, but still pretty reasonable.
The crew's looking good - not a bunch I would like to bump into in a dark alley ;D
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Good looking start, as far as I'm concerned. I look forward to seeing more of this crew and their adventures.
I'm doing my games in 20mm and picked up a slightly cartoonish "Millennium Falcon" for ten pounds including postage on EBay to act as my crew's ship, "Destiny's Child". It's now bright red with black detailing and white accents.
I also have the Zurg Mothership, bought for much the same price, but that's going to be an alien raider because the Falcon looked much more like a third hand trader.
Final ship is a Slave 1, picked up for .... about a tenner. Currently base coated yellow, must finish it sometime.
So, if you are patient and not too picky about all the bits being present acquiring a ship isn't too difficult, in my experience..
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Nice warband!
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I use this ruleset to play a two players campaign as well. Spliting the crew in two groups.
Have you already started to look at the ennemies your crew could face ?
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They're not as cheap as they were a few years ago, but still pretty reasonable.
£13 on The Entertainer webstore. Down from £64
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Have you already started to look at the ennemies your crew could face ?
Not specifically, but I have been painting up different factions of Sci-Fi figs for Xenos Rampant (much bigger game). I figured I could easily dip into those forces for my enemies. I'm painting up my first Five Parsecs specific enemy squad right now. Five "Gator Folks" fantasy figs that I converted to Sci-Fi by giving each a modern or futuristic weapon. They're looking pretty spiffy so far. I'll post pics of them on this thread next.
I also misread and painted only five crew instead of six. So, I am also working on the sixth crew figure, a female "retro" looking one from Hydra Miniatures. Stay tuned for her, too...
Thanks for the kind comments, everyone!
Mike Demana
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You can play a 5 member crew, that's an adaptation mentionned in the book if I remember correctly.
For the ennemies, you will indeed have somme goons to fight, the thing to remember is that it is usefull to have different/identifiable profiles to represent the different type of ennemies. That's why I asked, it may be easier to focus on one type of ennemy at the beginning. Good luck !
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Good point! I must have read someone's AAR thread where they went with a 5-person crew and got that stuck in my mind. Never worry, though, the sixth crew members is in the flocking stages on my desk. Will add a picture of her as soon as she's finished.
Great idea on focusing on the enemies. Typically, how big a force would an enemy one be if I am a six person crew? Should I paint enemies of five? Six? Seven? Sorry for the silly questions -- I am new to the game and know a lot of you are well experienced.
Mike Demana
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Very cool figs, Mike. Especially love the plague doctor!
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I promised the sixth crew member, and here she is!
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJ6oFoOevkJbq8XUclYQVzQEvLJrX8n09jOcanuRlr-HH-7Vllf5WDj5y99IdQKrOFlC65AE5ao2IO9oBZrs9kIkBL71F2ZKZeauJoSt0Td2VAa9FZScERh3ZevRPb51-Pv4xoiBSwOB7yVLOx6J5VtF5uZmwKjJFS3-rb4mieq8nUK3nAme5vXRh9H4/w572-h640/ValkeeriEngF_C.jpg)
This single figure represents two "firsts" for me. The figure is from Hydra Miniatures "Retro Raygun" line of figures. It was sent to me as a freebie gift along with an order of their Valkeeri female soldiers I picked up for use with Xenos Rampant. It is the Astro Angel Engineer figure, which being female, fits well with the all-female Valkeeri force. I intend to paint them up as my next Xenos Rampant detachment...eventually. I did this one first because I found after I had painted my crew for Five Parsecs from Home that I was supposed to start with six (not five) characters. Serendipity, I guess!
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9uVeJv8CujwzbrCptDdZ0jfG_e_fcfyeLMUpQ5cZ-q_4ycpisr7hibwodWiMS4UNb1gkERBtBqszbTWzJKr-LUwVEc1ueT-c6egUgh0IhEvOZRN5Qb3HC2qgYTJDNiA-AcTpmiLD1twhmDQkD9SfaCK08o7efz7tGpPdDvJXylT58dBMtYNqnC1QyDc/w640-h414/ValkeeriEngR_B.jpg)
The other first is my first real use of color shift paints. This is a relatively new concept (I first heard about from John Leahy at Cincycon 2024 in March, though I'm sure they'd been out longer). The paint is essentially a glaze that reflects the light shining on the figure in a prismatic effect. The bottle I bought was from Folk Art, and advertised itself as having a Violet-Blue-Red shift. When I look at the miniature under my painting lamp, it looks mostly blue. However, when you change the lighting (as I hope you can see in some of the photos), it looks more purple. I think you really have to work with some strange lighting (or lack of?) to get any red out of it, though.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaLiE6BxfhcBIAHEJLvDFQ6vPMYUECNNGXJ27ZR94MZtFL0cUgzgEyzavs6l-zadNR-eNmvu44YeE2edWzDuAMd2PJnTeJrbMrpmX65NvdNhF_rglG2HzKpxCC4IGnqiJCfqHgufK95sgOaldKAP0JJuMa5I-hC_CW1HDYqogvQWGKOtbsN8DQoWjKqhw/w548-h640/ValkeeriEngF_B.jpg)
I had a color scheme in mind for my Valkeeri detachment, so figured this was a great opportunity to test and see if it worked. Ostensibly, I don't need this figure for my 24-point detachment, so it is a great test subject. I went back and look at how one of my favorite miniature painters, Dr. Matthias from the Forum, painted it. Click on this link
(https://shop.hydraminiatures.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_32&products_id=232&osCsid=b46b575fc3601ce190635c7face5a9ac)
to see how much better a painter he is than me! Anyway, I decided to paint the unitard that goes from the boots to neck and gloves with the color shifting paints. I shook up the paint a little extra and then opened it up to see milky white. I figured that I hadn't shaken it up enough, so did it some more. When it was still milky white, I put an old brush in the bottle, stirred it up, and pulled it out. It was all the same color -- the paint was shaken up enough. It was then I noticed the tiny glitter-like flecks.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjHXiB27X3R4Mv5n3-jmwzSoMx43ej2hmUXw0BaXdKUyB2uzcCeKDiaxWYJZsows8MA0XWFA6q5O_ud94oojZj0lmN58pJBjj_Eq8400gQTEf6DBwRLyu7Rhi9T3V05AXOlldA392smTX2qus0kOEg4HfgD08RNpKvmIJEjhpiSHSVpmMr7ENm4lp9DU/w602-h640/ValkeeriEngR_C.jpg)
Okay, I thought, here goes! I researched beforehand how to prep the surface for a color shift paint. You are supposed to prime it black and then do a clear gloss on the black. As I brushed it on, I was thinking, "This isn't working." It looked the same milky white (and didn't appear to be covering the black at all). I came back about an hour later and said, "Wow!" It did indeed dry opaque, but what a color that was! It was very sparkly -- think of a gold lame dress. That's how I felt it sparkled. As I said, though, it looked blue under my paint lamp. I was planning on a purple and black color scheme -- which I felt would look cool with the light green skin I was going to give my Valkeeri. Now what to do for the rest of the figure?
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2z1ifB4OfLqjbzaBCqtAYiOQic399ySN5JQww4OjUf59dULmti6jSLYzvadBSU98hF_ivcSQP5PbBj81dAzROyjO7TRHO-2Dtgecl-YNCx7-FEG8MVZdVAJnXIE7k0K89WifYw64OhmnQyhJnz3Ys8-aSrkbS3VRJaU0ZZRjn9PcpR8ZUzV-fQUIX9Zk/w522-h640/ValkeeriEngF_A.jpg)
I decided to give her purple boots and gloves, and make the flexible joints in the uniform black to see how that turned out. The helmet and metallic portions of the uniform I painted with a steel base coat and bright bronze highlights (also a Folk Art color). I thought this almost coppery tone would be a good accent and make it look suitably retro. I had decided my Valkeeri skin would be light green -- think of the Orion slave dancing girl that Capt. Kirk in Star Trek goes gaga over. Dr. Matthias paints his in a normal skin tone, but he is a master painter. I need something to make mine stand out...ha, ha!
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibquLQgaCZejuWEhp3Zc3vGMZOI0pJiAivexgtTh2EfZjFRdXMc1bR5G7nLw_BjQM62AiRioNALyQJdYzWfcSLaooodXye9C1xSkciVvRMV1JL9lGP6oqX2BCom-EdRA8m1Z86KR2rCOxKHEBAmftmCK4SyHWQc84vUneNUvsBW6tyhYqgejUn3qd6Zws/w640-h516/ValkeeriEngR_A.jpg)
So, how do I like my experiment? I do like it. I may change up the other uniform colors when I get around to doing my entire Xenos Rampant force of Valkeeri, though. In the meantime, the engineer will be my sixth crew for Five Parsecs from Home. Sorry about all the photos -- I wanted to show as many angles to hopefully illustrate the color shift effect.
Thanks in advance for any comments!
Mike Demana
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Brilliant stuff. Look forward to some reports.
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Good colour scheme, I can't make up my mind about the colour shift paint; I like the way it works here with your scheme but it also seems to destroy the sense of scale a little.
Hmm, very intresting to see though.
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Nice paint job! I like the colour changing effect, I think it works well with the rest of the colour scheme.
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Thanks, guys! Now on to some potential enemies for my crew for Five Parsecs from Home!
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTcmWPeM5FSav_DS0K9WHcyS8M3HrJQWuK_xGuUJrwRxZiIi0hKOthmvd1lMQbjdbQdKeKU2DCM6iSWUyWLeM7ilDGuEx9lQjIv0hsBw07In-FdWtd3-3kohh-g7T9kFKnFET687Uohxb64pszjelPMd39BVImZGKVM_GkL3EVhRu72ZaY5-2ZMgOuJI/w640-h250/SciFiGatorfolk_All.jpg)
One of my favorite finds in the Exhibit Hall at Origins 2024 was Beldolor Studios (https://beldolorstudios.com/). They have created an imaginative line of 3D printed miniatures. Most are anthropomorphic animals, such as the "Gatorfolk" that I picked up. They have various other animals, including an abundant Fishman line with everything from salmon to bass to several types of sharkmen. I picked up only two poses, the Gatorfolk Gig armed with a primitive looking spear, and the Thagomizer, with a laced-on Stegosaurus looking spiked tail.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPCy8BXinX8q9eGnEHid1uRyfeS96fjxo6P5WbIHkEb7jeOwST2DD_OG_1lEytlowVJjjaAvd-juwDJBxXrNtlTDkfVo63sK35K6b0SbRcEeCInuwXaP1FRu3c80yo56u7PX-spvz2lBQbMsEIyjOVCW8HECkF13tRGRjctm93-q3-CbJpngWUqOh4fI/w640-h388/SciFiGatorfolk_Regulars.jpg)
My intention from the beginning was to use them as aliens for my Sci-Fi miniatures, particularly as enemies in Five Parsecs from Home. The spear (or "gig") armed ones were bought from their "damaged" box that had the back half of the spear broken off. I was going to give them modern or Sci-Fi weapons anyway, so it was no big deal. I dug through my bits box back home and pulled out some large weapons to match their bigger size. Trimming the rest of the spear away was easy enough, but getting the weapon to settle realistically in their clawed grip was difficult. I'm sure someone more skilled at converting miniatures would have done a much better job!
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCR9klSPKbB1Ge35ZetNogqMDdA7r4ocOWQr3IDvzoSWjT-zJkO0k0PwtzgpA_HQaF81lB4i9lL-oeFN8GY-N6J25xtmdbLWcOd2-LOy-ogbaRsRTs8dIWeNoC4XFGFzeKDhbqQvCPpiQ59dYRkOFM1z1nGuzzikwCHSJilnLpPztNjO0-fPgnrXy-Bn0/w640-h206/SciFiGatorfolk_Thagomizers.jpg)
My next dilemma was figuring out what color to paint them. I wasn't as concerned with the alligator aspect, as these were going to be aliens. The first one I painted had green scales on its topside and a faded yellow underneath. I liked how it looked, but decided that I wanted them to be all different. The animal kingdom has lizard-like creatures in all varieties of colors here on Earth. So, why not in space? So, I made each figure unique, adding in purple, blue, orange, and red scaled varieties. I decided to keep the underneath scales the same basic color for all five, thinking that would give them a unifying look, as well.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZIN1qgkzIYfoj9TGxw0nYXBiPDL__MuksO-Jc_I-vbYqbCMcOOOKf7TuvI-ZoDWoT2u0oAlYVpGEVVpSHcqXuu-5QcBNRtWywnSWLsN8UAg8Q3qLY9oS1J9dViuKzElGOeZb06lwPxR_WF4X8bMC0KNHjh_21Lv1sl2oxVxbaSbawa7_KmxO7nIWjkvI/w640-h272/SciFiGatorfolk_Scales.jpg)
First, I primed the miniatures with spray acrylic black primer to give them more strength. Sometimes 3D printed figures can be a tad fragile, and I wanted to give the Gatorfolk the best chance at surviving handling during gaming sessions on the tabletop. I followed the spray up with my usual 50/50 mix of brush-on acrylic black paint and water. Now, the true dilemma: do I paint the scales individually, or attempt to dry brush them? I was worried that the detail of the scales might not be raised enough to avoid getting color in recesses between the individual scales (which I wanted to stay black).
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-Dab6D7F2AxS5h1iZFNPq9Q72bhLFJcAxGinHF-w8l21C2eK7k6CMsRfBWLkZCFnccRefJ860jJx2XT-i4xRFGC5QV8Zr0RCD2d03tSH0axh1HR98ozHpwnbEp-0oDDf1lmrgJK_NhXzRRvqjXeDgr23xZuUNrAXKISF8IE7Aa37TKe_Xlk1VO4UR5s/w640-h236/SciFiGatorfolk_GroundLevel.jpg)
Masochistically, I decided to paint each individual scale -- for all five figs! It was very time consuming. However, I did them one at a time and was very happy with the first one when I was finished. For the top scale color, I added in a lighter highlight in the areas that would be exposed to skylight the most. For the bottom scales, I did not do that, rationalizing that part would be hidden from the sun most of the time. I hand painted each of the claw nails a light tan, with white highlights. I also painted the insides of the mouth a dark, blood red and the teeth white. The 3D printings were very crisp, and the mouth, tongue and teeth had particularly fine detail and resolution. I did the eyes yellow, with a black gator-like slit.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKU4yfRrdblwVjnZCVPu_pQ2ZAIwOAgNpB7No7cwCtV5Xw945c0pwZlfxKIDUKpV8tb0lyhNw3sYoka5DJE29FDSuSt7R8OWLv0xD6QzKjwlTwJnOm6pAnRHc1dw8eT_Uru5bwZdNJXWMsDbSPkt1wgof1CakHo7y4mMDwZO9PrhOWJWGgGJeEaH2OjGE/w640-h154/SciFiGatorfolk_AllLow.jpg)
The weapons were done in my usual Sci-Fi theme. First, the entire surface of the weapon was done in Folk Art Gunmetal Gray. I then picked out details in their metallic brown, pewter, and silver. I gave some bright bronze accents, too. After those were completed, the figures were mostly done. My next decision was whether to do a black wash on them. I wanted to, but was worried it would darken them up too much. I decided to take my current black wash and water it down even more. I tried to avoid the eyes and teeth, but otherwise hit the top and bottom scales with it. I was happy with how it looked, softening the edges between colors just a bit, I feel. I used my black wash full strength on the weapons, because I like the effect it has on metallic colors.
Last was the flocking, which I did in an identical style to my Five Parsecs crew. I paint the base medium gray, then paint it with white glue and swish it around in a tub of Woodland Scenics Blended Gray Fine Ballast. I did a spray coat, then a dark wash on the gray flocking. This was followed by some accent stones and darker colored grass tufts. I'm very happy with how my Beldolor Studies Gatorfolk turned out and am tempted to order some of their Fishmen...or Frogmen. They're all so cool, and I encourage everyone to check out their miniatures line!
Thanks in advance for any comments!
Mike Demana
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More enemies incoming! In this case, we are talking about the famous aliens from the Sigourney Weaver Sci-Fi movies.
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I honestly feel these were the easiest figures that I have ever painted up in my more than four decades of painting miniatures! I followed the recipe provided by LAF's own Michi, and simply primed and painted them black, first. Then, I did a dry brush of a gunmetal metallic, and they were done. "Game over!" Seriously, there was still flocking, and a final gloss coat to make them look all shiny and acid dripping like in the movies.
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There were three poses in the "Aliens AL-06" pack I bought from JS Wargamer Printing. The one above is a crawling pose. I think the dry brush brings out the details on the head very well.
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I call this the "crouching" pose, and it is probably my favorite. The tail is curled up (and more out of the way), and the implied motion in the pose seems most menacing.
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The final pose is a standing or running post with the arms held out in front of it. Equally creepy and scary as it seems to be reaching for an enemy.
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"What are we going to do, now?" My crew might scream when they see this batch coming towards them. Or maybe, "Game over, man!" :D
Seriously, I had fun painting these up and they did go soooo quickly that I couldn't believe it. I was even tempted to order more. I went to the website of JS Wargamer Printing (who I bought them from), but didn't see them listed. I'll update this when I hear back from him if they're still available.
Hope you guys like them, and thanks, Michi, for the painting advice!
Mike Demana
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They look spectacular.
Ideal as Vent Crawlers, Sand Runners or similar in 5 Parsecs.
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The Captain Beaky (Doc) figure is excellent.
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Excellent! I really like the way you painted them!
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Thanks, everyone! I have actually rolled up my first campaign turn. I think I will start a new thread (or should I just change the thread name?) to chronicle the turn-by-turn adventures of the crew. I have to confirm one or two rules issues and then I will hopefully fight my first battle and post an AAR.
Thanks for the support!
Mike Demana
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I have to confirm one or two rules issues and then I will hopefully fight my first battle and post an AAR.
Getting a rule wrong once is understandable. Getting it wrong twice is a mistake. Get it wrong three times and it's a house rule! :D :D :D
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And so it begins! The campaign is underway, and I have fought my crew has completed their first mission. Here is the first of my campaign reports....
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Crew of the Interstellar Yacht 'Inconceivable,' undertaking their first Five Parsecs from Home mission
Captain's Log
Ship's Log, Interstellar Yacht Inconceivable, Capt. Alistair Valentine recording. My crew and I have arrived on the planet Taxore to take possession of our ship. My unending thanks to my friends on the Varxian Ambassador's staff who were so instrumental at arranging the purchase. We are still in debt 17 credits, but my hope is that we can use this ship to ferry passengers and cargo, and perhaps utilize the impressive skills of my crew to pay off that balance quickly.
I immediately gave my crew a week's shore leave, as I had to spend significant simulator time onboard to get familiar with flying my new ship. In the second simulator pod on board, Zorina Valthea is practicing combat skills. She is a Valkeeri, a mostly human race with green skin and the dogged fierceness of a vent crawler. My second in command, Security Officer Gunny McBride is paying a social call to the local HQ of the Galactic Marines, which he recently retired from. Actually, he's hoping to scare up a job for us on this incredibly expensive planet. The prices here are outrageous for a retired captain who was cheated out of his pension by those bastards at Amazonas Galacticus. I think Engineering and Medical Officer, Doc Mecrosus, is doing the same, looking for work. I can't believe how lucky I was to hire this strange and cerebral man. No one I know has ever seen his face, as he always wears his environmental suit to protect his non-existent immune system. His capabilities are amazing, though.
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Table setup for the Inconceivable's first mission - cyborg Infiltrators at top, crew at bottom left
My frequent passenger from my captain days at Amazonas Galacticus, the Varxian ambassador, also arranged for another of my crew members, Cephvarx Hul. These tall, lavender skinned Varx aliens are fierce, proud, and honorable warriors. I'm happy to have one of them in my crew. The last member of my crew, or at least I consider him a crew member, is the security bot SAS B61. I pulled every string I could to have this dependable and humorous (but don't tell him that!) bot discharged from service at Amazonas Galacticus and sold to me as surplus. His programming is superb, and he acts with almost no input once given mission and standard operating procedure parameters. Perhaps his most endearing trait, is his insistence on learning human humor. Every conversation includes a joke of his creation (or repetition?), for which he actively scans for reactions. Alistair Valentine, captain commanding, concluding entry #0001...
Security Officer's Log
Alistair insists, so here it is. Ship's log, supplemental entry SO #0001, on the planet Taxore. I guess, after a career as a senior enlisted man in the Galactic Marines, my old friend has conned me into retiring and becoming an officer. Hmmph! Knowing our crew has a miniscule 17 credits to its name, and that we are on this high-cost planet appropriately named Taxore, I figured I would scare us up some work.
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Six 'Converted Infiltrators' - cyborgs disguised as humans scouting the planet for invasioin
I don't know if the captain realized it when he was hiring them, but we have some serious muscle aboard this ship! Both the Varxian Hul and that Valkeeri Zorina are nifty shots. I would be proud to have them as grunts in my squad. And Alistair has told me stories about the droid B61's blazing fire with its short range, large caliber burst gun. Doc Mecrosus is an unknown quantity, though. But any "doctor" that brings his own colony rifle, which has obviously been zeroed in and customized, can't be that much of a slacker!
When I sat down in front of Marine Col. Zebrowski's desk, it was an odd feeling being out of uniform. It took every bit of self-control to not salute him. We exchanged some news about mutual friends, bitched about our last few postings, and he shook his head over my retirement. "Gunny, I can't believe you actually left the Corps. I thought you were a lifer," he chuckled. I leveled with him that I was honestly worried about my friend Alistair. When those leeches at Amazonas Galacticus cheated him out of all 40 years of his flight captain's pension, they left him virtually credit less. I thought he was going to take the easy way out and space himself. You know, in space, no one can hear you scream? Imagine - everything you'd worked all your life gone! Bang - like a landmine going off while you were on liberty! If I ever get Chuff Betzos in the sights of my hand cannon, well, the largest starline corporation in the galaxy will be looking for a new CEO. Bastard!
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Gunny, Zorina, and BR61 deployed to left to move forward under cover of the power generator
The colonel nodded and said some politically correct officer style platitudes to my rant. Then he leaned close over the desk. "Gunny, you come at a good time. I need someone I can trust for a mission. Is your squad trustworthy and dependable?" I said yes, in my evaluation, we had six good men who could be counted on to not jack things up too badly. The colonel thought for a moment, then made his decision. "We think we are being scouted by the Converted. An infiltration team has landed on the planet and is in the city, by my Intel. I have a pretty good guess, based on how they operate, where they're going -- the city power station, which is also the auxiliary planetary shield power source. However, those cyborg bastards are disguised as humans, of course. So, I can't send my grunts in there, and if we're wrong, shoot up citizens. P.R. disaster, right?"
How many? I asked. He held up six fingers, and flipped his computer screen around. He punched a button, revealing the face, profile, and full body shot of what looked like an ordinary person. "This," the colonel said, "is what their interplanetary communications cyborg units look like. Blow up this bastard and the other five have no way of getting a signal to their fleet -- wherever it may be hiding!" I felt my com device buzz as he transferred the file to me. "That's all I am asking, Gunny. Kill that one, call in my Marines, and we'll take care of the rest. I don't expect you to go toe-to-toe with Converted Infiltrators. The good news, though, is they won't have any heavy weapons or built-in armaments. They'd never made it past planetary screening if they did. Probably just handguns they've purchased planet-side." I nodded, giving him a thumbs up, showing we were game for the mission. "Good luck, Gunny! If I am wrong and they're civilians, I swear I will get your asses out of this and off-planet pronto! I promise!!" We shook on it, and the crew of the Inconceivable had its first mission.
...to be continued (as I have exceeded the maximum allowed length!)
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'Firing line' of Doc, Alistair, and Cephvarx Hul sheltering along the hedge row to pick off the cyborgs
The Game
After many weeks of painting up miniatures, re-reading the rules, I was finally ready to play my first game of Five Parsecs from Home. This solo or co-op, Sci-Fi skirmish game is known for the intricate and detailed storyline it weaves for your characters. In an earlier post, I gave the basic backstory for my crew members. I was now finally ready to roll everything up. I chose the flexible option which let me roll five backgrounds, motivations, and classes, and then assign them to the figures and characters I'd envisioned. Once I was done rolling everything, Alistair and his crew were ready.
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Zorina, BR61, and Gunny advance past the machinery out of line of fire of the cyborgs
Importantly, we had two Patrons (benevolent organizations, individuals, etc.) on our starting planet of Taxore. One was a government organization, so it made sense it was Gunny's local branch of the Galactic Marines. The other was the Varxian ambassador's office -- an individual who'd flown on Alistairs flights many times and become friends with. Gunny and Doc were sent off to look for work, and both were successful. You will see the friends Doc made in the next mission. They'll be a one shot patron, though, and will be done with us after our first mission. We also rolled up a rival -- a terrorist organization that disapproves of any Varx citizen leaving their home world and mixing with other cultures. Luckily, they had not located us, yet.
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Seeing the crew with weapons drawn, the Infiltrators spread out and take cover, ready for a fight
Gunny's contacts gave us a mission that had "Danger Pay" of 1 credit, the presence of "Shiny bits" (loot) and an objective to eliminate one enemy character in particular. I rolled up a Converted (think of the Borg from Star Trek) Infiltrator team as our enemies for the mission. They were obviously scouting Taxore prior to invasion. These could be tough opponents. I believe that Converted never check morale (at least that is the way I played the game) and have a Toughness higher than a typical human, making them harder to kill. However, I was very lucky in the combination of enemy A.I. (I rolled 'Aggressive") and weapons (handguns). In other words, they'd come to us. All I really had to do is sit back, snipe and kill their communications cyborg, and we could bug out.
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Alistair shows the crew how its done picking off the communications cyborg at extreme range!
I created a 3'x3' city table using my terrain. The rules give you guidelines, but a lot of this game is taking what the rolls designate and adapting that to the story you are envisioning. Same with terrain. I deployed the Converted Infiltrators 6" away from their board edge and my crew opposite. There were lots of terrain pieces to break up sight lines and give cover, as they recommend. I deployed my crew in two groups of three. Alistair, Cephvarx Hul, and Doc lined up along the hedge in the small park. They would be my covering fire group, as both Doc and Alistair had colony rifles with an 18" range and Cephvarx Hul had a military rifle (24"). On their left, next to the fountain, was Gunny, Zorina, and SAS BR61. All three had shorter range weapons. Gunny had his high caliber pistol "Hand Cannon," Zorina had a beam pistol, and BR61 was fitted with an equivalent of a shotgun (pellets that would not penetrate the spaceship hull, but deadly at close range). As they moved to their position, BR61 called out to the fire group, "Don't worry about my feelings. I won't be upset with you if you kill the cyborgs -- they're only part machine." The other five crew members grinned and shook their heads at the bot's attempt at levity.
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Alistair and Doc move out of the park and to get a better line of sight on the advancing Infiltrators
In Five Parsecs, you roll for initiative each turn, one die for each member. Alistair has a Communicator, so rolls two dice and selects one. If you roll equal to or lower than their Reactions skill (typically a 1 or 2), that figure assigned that die can operate first before the enemy. After the enemy completes its actions, the rest of the crew takes their actions. You may move and fire (not vice versa), and also take a "free action," unless you're stunned. One nice tactical twist is that if you are slated to act in first you can hold your fire and wait till an enemy moves, then fire at them. Even if you miss, this automatically prevents them from moving. So, it allows for true "covering fire." I intended Doc, Alistair, and Cephvarx Hul to use that to keep the Infiltrators at a distance until we picked off their communications cyborg.
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Zorina, blending in automatically in her shimmer suit, spots the loot top right near a domed hut
Combat itself is relatively simple. You're trying to roll a "6" on 1d6 to hit a target in cover. You need a "5" to hit one that is beyond 6" and in the open, or a "3" if within 6" and in the open. You add to this die roll your combat skill, which for starting characters is usually +0 at the start of the game. I was fortunate in that BR61, Cephvarx, Alistair, and Gunny rolled backgrounds that gave them all +1. Still, the dice were not going my way in the beginning. We rolled high enough to get a free turn before the start of the game (Seizing the Initiative, it is called), but Cephvarx missed his free shot against our target. In fact, he also missed the communications cyborg on Turns 1 and 2!
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Under fire, the Infiltrators and down one, begin to hug the cover even more as they advance
As the battle opened, Gunny led his team forward behind the power generator and out of line of sight of the Infiltrators. The other three hunkered down and started shooting or pre-empting Infiltrator movement. Doc was particularly effective at that, frustrating the cyborgs several times when they attempted to move. A secondary objective in our mission was the "Shiny Bits" (loot) which Zorina dashed towards, keeping the domed huts between her and the cyborgs. After watching the Varx miss three shots in a row, Alistair called over to him. "Breathe, Cephvarx, you're too tense!" The alien looked over, his expression unreadable. "Like...this!" Alistair slowly exhaled, squeezing off a shot. At the edge of his colony rifle's range, the communication cyborg's head exploded in bits of metal and fluid. "Yes!" he pumped his fist, grinning at the alien.
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Two cyborgs sweep right to circle around the power generator outflank Gunny's group of three
With the loss of one of their team, the Infiltrators began to advance more rapidly through cover. They were out of range, armed only with their handguns. Two broke off to the right to circle the power generator and outflank Gunny's team. The cyborg leader and the remaining two move forward, hugging cover while shots ricocheted all around them. Meanwhile, Zorina had snagged a pack full of electronic equipment leaning next to one of the hut doors. "This should fetch some credits!" She froze in mid-step as Alistair voice called through her helmet speakers, "Target eliminated. Retreat back to the hedge line. Repeat - retreat back." One by one, the crew began falling back, with Doc and BR61 provided covering fire.
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Having snagged loot already, Zorina spots more possible goodies next to one of the domed huts
The cyborg leader paused in its dash forward when it caught sight of BR61 at the corner of the power generator. It blasted away with its pistol, missing. The bot whirled to track on the cyborg and the short-barrelled gun barked twice. Metal and fluids sprayed in a cloud behind the leader and it fell, unmoving to the street. Two cyborgs down! Should the crew continue to run away, or take the chance in battle to "hold the battlefield" and get an extra roll on Loot? As Zorina dashed back, stopping and crouching in cover behind each hut, she caught sight of another pack. "Hmm...this looks valuable," she thought, seeing the glint of electronics inside. She risked Alistair's wrath to step forward, grab it, and then hightail it back to the next hut.
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The Infiltrator leader pauses in the open to fire at BR61, who returns fire and eliminates him
Alistair kept glancing over at Cephvarx Hul. He knew the Varx were a warrior race, and his constant missing his targets had to be galling to his pride. "Breathe!" Alistair hissed, again. He was rewarded by a shout of triumph from the alien as another cyborg fell backwards, fluids spilling from the holes punched in its outer shell by Cephvarx's rifle. Three down! Alistair called over the communicator to see how Gunny and his team were doing.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfo5vtkOwcCwhLErMXCaQ9C6TAByO03Pi6zcICy1KnacEmiXwtwr7HSujZf20Q2AHpGYQxLTBhqkxcN6ZFlKCNikk_XroMXis7yMrVkfjX282nx-flqHTcfmi63RP90afKa-EKTE7tSONzwyeHXoqd_r4MKWMHoDITJMrSUuupctWMMXYJ6AmREJsqRo/w640-h548/5Parsecs01_12FlankingForce.jpg)
The cyborgs' outflanking force rounds the corner to find Gunny's crew has already pulled back
"We're good, captain!" the marine answered. I'm in cover behind the fountain. BR61 is beginning his exfil, now. We'll fall back to the hedge next." He laughed. "Haven't fired a damned shot, yet, but have two cyborgs closing in on me and the bot from our left." The Infiltrators fired when they finally moved within range of BR61, but the machinery in the way them kept them from hitting. As they sought cover behind the same machinery, they came into line of sight of Cephvarx Hul. The Varx took careful aim and slowly pulled the trigger. Another cyborg pitched backwards and lay twitching on the pavement. Four down! At this point, I wondered again if I should shoot it out with the Infiltrators, or keep moving backwards? I decided to pull everyone back to the hedge line and see how things went. If things got hairy, we were one dash away from escaping off the back table edge.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8S4huXSt7nPGD5IqC-KlNulmzEjsvXiduGbo5lmfffzNUKn8KkYtHNGyZqnakQYnQ0ja2nH0E3uxSpGze5qP3mStCU7MwMYan-Vvkv3YZ8HzTnCktsMdRpLZy_s_O0_RNQBF_mQtZkOEmb1XvxFZ4FqgfMLO7MG8m-IqkV8lrVQonXwlAkBH-UTyof8/w640-h344/5Parsecs01_13RegroupingComplete.jpg)
Alistair insists everyone pull back behind the hedgeline, in cover for the final gun battle
From the beginning, the Cyborgs had been outgunned. Their handgun range was only 12", while the three crew in my firing line had either 18" or 24". Once they closed within their range, they also came within BR61's deadly firing range, too. It was the only weapon on the battlefield that fired two shots with each action instead of one. In the final firefight, as the crew of the Inconceivable hunkered down on the hedge line, blazing away. The bot took out yet another cyborg. The final one was taken down by Gunny's high caliber pistol. We had won, totally eliminating an enemy that was not subject to morale or panic.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23AN_3NyiuyVJhJySDbmhdndZGfrMRELnpVQy4c-3xe8Fuy8zjX0ETp8j7yHchEK0eUYiv5FUABMoVAbCpNoS-N4O_JjZDQPZ30aivS5yDu9YIBjfvjNayCRMGa8F5JWVGcMdH0bi28TUpl92a0ln9E3bFWaJFP6H-f9THeZ4F6bD6yjjdhQ9ukdlm4U/w584-h640/5Parsecs01_14InfiltratorsOutnumbered.jpg)
Outgunned from the beginning, the remaining Infiltrators are now seriously outnumbered
Once you finish your combat, there are a number of post-combat rolls you make for loot and payment from your patron. I will cover those in my next blog post. In the meantime, Alistair and Gunny met beneath the brightly-colored Taxorian trees and slapped each other's shoulders. Alistair quipped, "I'm getting too old for this, Gunny." The marine laughed, and called over to BR61, asking what it thought of that statement.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDA7i00830_uzElZpedJPVdY0Jjt0cIzIi4FTSMS6CmwnUiJTRb5SY9Ebyx6rZ1XbAOxOYZC2kZZHbDuPE2WRsND7ZSGxjleQtB43FYmSSsN6E4TirweYukaPeTVtw5fEQucxAboeGcu9t1GYZH-oANTqJHuRNWfnuBUTajXO3kWA4C58cgaZDlk4JXjE/w454-h640/5Parsecs01_15KillSpots.jpg)
An aerial view of the battlefield shows where each of the six Infiltrators was shot down by the crew
BR61 whirred his head slowly towards the two friends. "Remember, captain, old people are just young people that have been alive for a very, very long time." Alistair and Gunny caught each other's eyes. Gunny's mustache twitched, but Alistair shook his head mouthing, "Don't." BR61 paused, then called again, "Old age is better than the alternative, captain..." The two friends couldn't hold it in any longer and chuckled. BR61 was improving his humor...
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Some more possible enemies...Mon Calamari from Star Wars, or "Fishman Troopers" from the JS Wargamer Printing site (https://wargamerprinting.com/product/mon-calamari-troopers-star-wars/).
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5JmUv8-mzaE_Nm3Z-xeDOBANwtW1HZAy3yqso42tMNQ2NHkzTeAVnqCrpUMopF4fKFrVwH6ICNFS1IumAX0DRSQ5y3wSkY7jixp-GpAuKbqEjXX_MT7-X7i6lvyApkASn2Almc4r6faRYm8W8e9fvO-i4xrKmi_j77iICGeTDH5NCIFsvvYewgAP6SiE/w640-h264/Fishman01_AllLevel.jpg)
I used the Star Wars fan page Wookiepedia to discover I could paint these guys in various skin tones. Gives a bit more variety, I feel. Also mixed up the pastel colors for the uniforms.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBgZW-Wo_TAEDjiWyaivVH7KoQ1sUcZdvH7CwYCmt2bQAw4veNwTjy-4lu956ak1zHocJPiimHNFzoRqldCfVnzu4PaQMpQCt-tuXlUtnlOZ3hLoTt0r5l3M9XIaRDwcIoo7Ua3rPd_dHwi8odMPdqRm_DhAbNLwavZoTlTIy1m-OTaxPES9UVlonjSo/w640-h274/Fishman01_GroupC.jpg)
For more discussion of painting them up, and more photos, check out my Lead Legionaries blog:
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/2024/08/its-trap-more-sci-fi-figures-mon.html
Mike Demana
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It's a trap! I like the squids, very cool
So how did you feel about the combat system after your first game?
Your table and figures look good, nice bat rep.
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So how did you feel about the combat system after your first game?
Thanks for the comments. The combat system was fine. Not a lot of granularity for modifiers, but simple and easy to remember. You need to roll either a 6, 5, or 3 to hit the target, depending on its distance and cover. I am thinking of giving it a preview for the Sunday night gaming group. If I gave each player two crew members, that would be a co-op "party" of 12. Anyone have experience running this size of Five Parsecs battles? Or advice?
Mike Demana
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I'm a little behind -- I fought my second mission of the Five Parsecs campaign last week. I do have a question for readers, though. Should I start a new thread entirely for the missions, now that I'm underway and playing the game? Or is it okay to keep this one, with all of its painting updates, too? I'd be curious to hear feedback.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0czbnwe6OrKIqaRE3olzT5DOGhsJcNgs5O_r3K1FWUpAlOcl6yX5iq6F6otVi4b6M_qUwzW40F_4BtzT37X-xTdAjD-AGhVDFTQQOUNXiuxvxhYvdxbqAi9h3SrRgolvFq5_VoGMtgFcjGydqWt8XEAGQIpMYkXiogb0QZhuZLbL2JuTMXEyPYhwluVg/w640-h332/5ParsecsMission02_00BattleRaging.jpg)
Our second mission had us working on behalf of a new patron, the Free Trade Association of Taxore. We were hired to escort and protect a technician who was sneaking into the spaceport to install a monitoring device. Their goal was to prove by intercepting messages and reports of ship arrivals, cargo, etc., that the government was artificially keeping prices high on the planet. Our opposition would be veteran security guards at the spaceport.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvZUXTBXQlwQEf4zoSydTfrMWxP9jHvqtWwiNAAzA5I11hYB0jhd7LHcCF8XV-5ssEP1NeM-Rj7ppBkq0d4JdD2XAl4WRJYl9o3X08TKLXS6XtZxOaa1kCsl7KPNSkEK_LsD58ZkictUU_wcaQtpL-dFRGaJmd_npP0ngabqaERHu2S515D1Ycpg-Q0A/w640-h454/5ParsecsMission02_01EnforcerDeploy.jpg)
The guards' "A.I." was Tactical, which I probably followed too closely to the books descriptions of movement and decision making. In the future, I will allow the enemies to be a bit smarter and do things that in my understanding of the rules would make more sense. As they were armed with hand lasers, except for one with an auto rifle, they should have moved up much more quickly to get in range -- not the prescribed half move. I reasoned the rifleman would duck around the quonset huts for a better firing position, which took him completely out of the game till the very end. That half movement should have been changed to "Dash."
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhALoBHRrMHuPztuUMzs8ydNhz8TTjilJw2gwUTlJJhFafaP1pn7CtVfSxYO_fK56bGFjnpRbV8bYeOQC-UVbjPcZGg2pqgUTTECtz8dnsJp3bzaCzZMJhyphenhyphencAZ_2v-_zHK4XDmBj7eOuOD24AVSC_-FMdOsm473e7cJlORqhl5GyKvvj_a5-HufNxGC2A/w640-h342/5ParsecsMission02_02CrewDeploy.jpg)
The crew of the Inconceivable got very lucky in which side of the board they deployed on. We came in on the more cluttered side with the Customs House and warehouses, which we used to move up out of sight of the guards. Cephvarx Hul took up a sniper position on the Customs House balcony. Alistair and Gunny snuck through the warehouse on our group's right, while Doc crept through the one on the left. BR61 and Zorina escorted the technician to the Customs House, where all three scattered to take up good cover positions.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14Tz5E97yzKty3PByEewCLeAR2pDCB_OXwM-0KbT0TVWZdpsXrhmj7s4Bfze8zElDG1VvoZhj8TndZDkIIVvfCaUfW8sKHebupb_uCD622kpbu2jamUEvyV3Q3X0l6Lq_JuJhINsRgfItKqz_OOrP978dDCFqJYACJOCbaCsr54hYodrZ3vlUoTRLJbs/w640-h450/5ParsecsMission02_07DocSneakAttack.jpg)
As the guards crept closer, staying in cover of the wall, Doc and Alistair and Gunny made their way through the warehouses. Doc opened the door of his to see a perfect, close range shot on one of the guards, who was keeping a domed hut between himself and the crew at the customs house. Doc fired, and one went down. The security bot, BR61 clanked into range and blasted away at another, dropping him. Two down already!
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOnhLrJiciU74cfwQjZofIsFyIwF77fNwOQAu2WNcrUCHEYbKz0ha5eZWqPr8VKVVG6KouT5W5BOM83EHObACeoKLolPHnjSXMQ6RdVXMdvzea3Wda69TkauAILVe-vTKLmbCBfEl9mt1ZHrPyG53Gdh1AEiN6anIn-BFjriUTlWkQTIFiC2Xr0ubk1E/w640-h462/5ParsecsMission02_03OutflankingSpec.jpg)
The gun battle between the remaining guards on our left and the crew heated up. Zorina was picked off -- despite her shimmer suit camoflauge -- by an excellent shot from one of the guards. Both the remaining guards on that side were gunned down, though. Gunny worked his way through the quonset huts and emerged, surprising the guard with the rifle. He blasted him with his heavy pistol, ending the threat of the guards.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXir9CQAxyZVYHytc-GXKkitx4MxA6nv4OSmjl4dlfMhuka1VH8FGCtfID9jxCJhX3LwAPwYLsx-q7pLOVv0Ih91S-6VORABOkz21rkLCMWO81u4SjuKOtGjzzKPGhCp0saZF7ymFs-TURPJYCA8EsYmYTei1Ncjyvz8LncKdFkbI4wzobhH7SfsK3_k/w640-h370/5ParsecsMission02_09CephvarxSniper.jpg)
With no opposition left, the crew was able to collect some loot while the technician completed his mission. BR16 carried Zorina back to our entry point, then hurrying her back to the ship. She turned out to be okay on the roll, having learned not to be depend overly on her shimmer suit to keep her out of line of fire.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7RLzvQ-ucFsqNB7lYXM0kyMt4YUuNt33hD1gisRfhrjv2RApKaTC1MtdDvlG5u49pSYwOK2pxkesjFjKA1NRiERju2NHsN95-FOGxETRH7EkwoSi66B10HBzMZGNPf37SiF-b1yyJbouQXBBOoo2XLDfvrvz6RNLtz1TvAxdjmjTZg7EQZ6J1cNRaPVc/w640-h468/5ParsecsMission02_11ZorinaDown.jpg)
This is a much briefer post, but if you would like the full story, please read my entry on my Lead Legionaries blog:
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/2024/08/five-parsecs-from-home-campaign-turn-2.html
The blog covers the storyline and happenings in between missions in much more depth. It also gives a more blow-by-blow account of the game. More photos, too! I have been updating my blog quite a bit more since retirement, so would love to hear from readers!
Thanks in advance for any comments.
Mike Demana
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One thread to rule them all....
I like the update, the mishmash of dfferent buildings oddly works, especially the Mexican bits.
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A second vote for one thread :)
I've just read through both reports, very enjoyable thanks for sharing!
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Great AAR.
One thread please.
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A second vote for one thread :)
I've just read through both reports, very enjoyable thanks for sharing!
Thanks for chiming in guys and the compliments. I appreciate to hear you read through the whole report on my blog. I was going back and forth whether it was too long winded. Good to hear people enjoy it! :)
Mike Demana
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Just starting my first 5P game!
Played the 5L fantasy version, and my playstyle is to make money while avoiding combat :P so am playing the story campaign.
Anyway, good to see your background. Late reply, but you can always see which background descriptors match your characters and crew, then grab the bonuses from there, instead of rolling on random tables. One thread is fine.
Trying out solo hidden rules. Instead of enemies starting on the map, use hidden movement markers (blank bases). Reveal when within 12" or whatever.
Finally getting to play some orks I got in the 1980's. :P
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(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGa-xsaLLBHy1FWvq6zHhcFoYhZ4lGIIHFkfq7ppttaJFhOkt1QF6dmXvGXy5YZ6utdLGyOzMTZHCZuDNvpOz9TFI45ZDuAW2IPte9aJxQO2EmArWNHUwqeASgyLrT-6TeYRf6p5Iq1cv3Be8EbTkXXKd5jaBn_wEBj2KYGimSV6CC6tXCta9xMyWZLx8/w640-h492/TableSetup5.jpg)
It has been several weeks since I had a chance to return to my Five Parsecs from Home campaign. This mission would see one of our patrons, the Varxian Ambassador to Taxore, reach out to Captain Alistair and his crew. Apparently, there is a danger on this planet to the well-being of the Inconceivable's crew.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15FFSKmcSDClF2LhhVE6c4Am7ovUtWlFZ3hdYNYbdhxFt7RU3onZDLYP3Hgs99ySF3TYBrfmDC9URDsdeAdtajQ5WEivhp4JssyN49d69htaxWJA6N0kEI_OPOZ2O_JD1kjMTzsrTm8U09KaGctoinkq92QUIaetcamo1XFdxSpKgN8PpouZKg1Livfs/w640-h406/5ParsecsM03_01AlistairDocDeploy.jpg)
It would also see the crew get in potentially even hotter water with the authorities on this expensive planet. After last mission's shootout with the security at the spaceport, this mission would seem them engaging more Taxorans. The potential for things to go south on Taxore would be amped up considerably, seeing how they would be trespassing on the base of a unit of the Taxore Planetary militia!
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uFU96lNywCj8J7bUVWQXewV5cwtlUu8QbPEWJAl2j_1mp8UtrFuKEV4qq4YmLzNntbWRVJ6kpVzGc2LEjg66FeWm9E1JuDw5njPY04DpVZpYRIyzRhYGDIUn-RcfciFwtrO3F9AUD05UVjEsGmjAGDPSVcw2gfJQk0YKooaOgax2Lvxh-GgGjHHJ6AE/w640-h352/5ParsecsM03_04MilitaLeft.jpg)
Read my blog entry to find out how Alistair's friend, the Varxian ambassador, was able to convince the veteran starliner pilot that this was a good idea. What's more, the crew weapons would be considerably outranged by their enemy's. What suicide mission were the Varx sending Alistair, Gunny, and the rest of the crew on...?? :o :o
Hope you enjoy it. Lots more photos and an AAR of the action on my Lead Legionaries blog here: http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/2024/09/five-parsecs-from-home-campaign-turn-3.html
Thanks in advance for taking the time to go there and read it (and any comments)!
Mike Demana
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Enjoyed the battle report. It's always nice when the dice are on your side (or so I have heard :( )
My last game went well, until the post battle rolls. The tax collector showed up, at which point I started rolling 6s >:(
I do like the background you're creating. It's coming together nicely, even if the crew does seem to be alienating everyone they meet lol
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Excellent AAR and great layout
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Excellent AAR and great layout
I heartily agree!
I love the triffids plants.
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Pretty good read, I like the story you've developed to link the games and the table looks great.
Good work that man.
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Thanks, everyone! Getting a chance to use a little of my creative writing. My minor in college was Fiction Writing. The plan was to get a job and write fiction on the side. Once that started to sell, I would quit the job and write full time. FAIL! lol
Mike Demana
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There's still time Mike. :)
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There's still time Mike. :)
Haha...thanks for the vote of confidence!
Here's some scatter terrain that I added which will doubtless appear in my battles. Most are from Diabolical Terrain (https://diabolicalterrain.com/), except for one very unusual one.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4PPD7VtzyHM51NBFjaz57t5cfvIrh0EvQgOVnGRvnq-4ny1mGf9RQSNLYgm0NsIQM_cAWvz-RuB_iUqqYXolcPWZlQAE2Vc735-69iZRzvfZlKKKCgc_ZGglu5TsiGJDzXhPZVH_JwqLzPsh4UV66QCLwLjYjTduYJpapnbyzPo5sHTWtQT1y0Hhi_U/w640-h264/DiabolicalScatterDomeBldgLevel.jpg)
For the most part, these 3-D prints painted up quickly. The exception being the one on the left. There are lots of pipes, panels, and other details that I felt deserved my attention. I like using metallic paints on these as I think it gives a cool, Sci-Fi look.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QOPZl30no4TkSRjgE8u6zcZ2bNmZZnQNbEqZXjN23Ngmfk_8SGy9enamL3SYXq8CaKTxa9LxLj-qwe9elvip5u_5MlIE6_XaJ-rDYqrKQmbM-ii8ShwBeNmGtQtpbFZ9FQ06T7N10ymsy5CJKYcJXNDo5PJEYgZG5FSs3Rh627LH0MIdllZ4sIfsQUU/w640-h554/AlienNoduleOrange.jpg)
This piece was from a new dealer I'd never seen before called A Critical Hit. I honestly don't think I realized when I bought it that the color actually changes as you view it from different angles. I was aware of "color shift" paint, but not filament for 3-D printing. I painted and flocked the tendrils that were growing up the "Alien Power Nodule," as I called it. It turned out really nice for very little effort.
Here's a link to me spinning it around to show the color shifting:
https://youtu.be/win_tFSjtz0
Or you can see this photographic proof of the same piece, but looking purple from this angle:
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifU5oDcFXK4_AwtqTRD-J1e71r5skgXAEfDxU9_V2WYVeP2NhPE5cR-z8ub-BMqeHMHL1SpLN8M2XHRpwXuNMmLOIJJFcCzjzK9lMTvEnFNBu3lU1VCg8HiB7qusGR0oogqTTkvi_t6HO8d-mPRL_-bDjDyeeseP8zP7GF_vaXQgVLmkD7vIXDNGUgeA/w640-h544/AlienNodulePurple.jpg)
More Sci-Fi stuff on the way! I am setting up the battle for Mission 4, so that's coming soon, too!
Mike Demana
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A bit late but i'm reading now that you began your adventure. I loved the first text which give a very nice ambiance to this campaign. Gotta readthe details on the blog now !
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(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZWiDyB_tPA7I2exPxX7hSO0AjnrIyxe0v_25M8ff81wlW0p_xHmjn8WLzpWG9iFg16LUnRlcHsmHcaiTaucdl6OuYtOmAllT4G3g0KzXvnWUC_GIpBeER-MG8m203iyQ3LqprowUzuo0dY70OOVPvP-aI_33KQhxrf9d8Fk3nt4ZG4M5gvSjg1JAfM4/w640-h278/InconceivableCrew.jpg)
A new 'group photo of Capt. Alistair Valentine and the crew of the interstellar yacht, Inconceivable
The crew of the Inconceivable decided to bug out of the less-than-welcoming world of Taxore. They take their first star flight in their interstellar yacht and find something very interesting along the way. Upon landing at hectic, disorganized Dichelles 4, they immediately score a job for the Spaceport Administrator.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiD7BjwIyFbDRYsz2b2Kf70XBq9rQTEC7XOYbWjQNZrKPxxw0EpEuoK2sHRJUo_XKAvYrI_8LiWeXhz2rRkTyiSsBW6mpOSH4sxQTV2ZHI2dsC-vY_G2liX-KMwJDwRiAH311GdEWogs-rYtAYzyq3dWd45jlK6Yx5Gsh0M9Vi3C_OGY4z-EvG-zWhVWk/w640-h384/5ParsecsMission04_06LeftEntersWoods.jpg)
Read about what led the crew to leave Taxore and their new crew member on my Lead Legionaries blog. Then read about their first mission on the new planet here:
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/2024/10/five-parsecs-from-home-campaign-turn-4.html
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyK9cwkqh7VRsupoVJHuR0XDFuVYSLKxxfLXsX4Bob03ADjmBw6IY1XiJJJeYR5aTAO3Z-c1fwMPCYIpac6cpZEK5rsjX5B-n2qmU8BYEFhvZ6LuPsTB_ZNIQXTb7tnBmvrFVWJByYrK1xWC40uhriTwokffny5dVEKoST41YXdUgFdd2mufgozZfggTM/w640-h374/5ParsecsMission04_09EnemyOpenFire.jpg)
Thanks in advance for all of you who take the time to read my scribblings. Lots more photos on the blog from the battle and closeups of the new crew member.
Mike Demana
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I don't know how I missed your thread! I love the depth you go into and the actual explanations for how the game works. Great stuff for selling more folks on the system!
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Another excellent game,
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Thanks, guys! To be honest, it means a lot when people know they read and enjoyed the blog posts. :D :-*
Mike Demana
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Good stuff.
The gangers look the part. Very Metal, like Conan meets Mad Max, just the way I like 'em lol
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The gangers look the part. Very Metal, like Conan meets Mad Max, just the way I like 'em lol
Yeah, I call them to Barbarozas... lol
Painted up some more stuff! A few quick batches...
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8aY6nj4UvzppT1y37VlsCVWGgUKbnG8LrIexLmRWoAW6JnMNo0HRBpVYoGLOo6d5w241GdOntu5heo6l09E5fbs8h30u0zw2n1TrZkCe9YP5PhWKWkIULWhqBrBI7ZTIZGFo0WCYKQTe8SIZO9RjS2O0etsBqw6TMI7522im90mPq1oQ6O4Dxu3gAUrQ/w640-h322/AliensBarricades_Closeup1.jpg)
First, I painted up a dozen more Aliens. These are 3D prints from JS Wargamer Printing. After painting up my first pack of six, I was stunned by how EASY they were to finish. Literally, three steps (not counting flocking, which took more time than painting):
1. Spray paint black
2. Go over it with a 50/50 mix of acrylic black paint and water to ensure full coverage.
3. Dry brush metallic - I use a craft paint Battleship Gray, but any similar would work.
-- and you're done!
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQZ_euAbQ6NNSDQU68jQRMECf3wBF3AJoiPQScfj0gNpMIB05W-j1vnZAeIfSoiCzGNIrWamvEibqhZD3IFlhmc-QM_mD9weGfuCICsvIc75aql0c_ThU4Xwb1nki_UYxvbmwEl2UwG694v0XyRsAyEOQcOvsopmtbfiE2PHFWDIFl5UJGQjCC_61_F4/w640-h220/AliensBarricades_BarricadesInsides.jpg)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugA9IFKeKgTJmCePSBvsfoaOk2Tg8joJgJ_W5rfpNM1IlaQORQERI_OXeWlPrMbs2z-fHZoB4yx1znm_jN5ay4VHaTqyPI3DJ977DGDVEj3_Yao1NTPgkQ6NsGcvxSIZ8_4rrbKppeK1P5ppbFZA5T3ONzfETT95ot9AOq0FcrvnSoDvzRd2r_ttt24o/w640-h272/AliensBarricades_BarricadesOutsides.jpg)
Next up, a pack of 8 Star Wars Legion barricades. I went back and forth about how to paint them up. I even did a Google Image search to see how other hobbyists did them. I went with the same steps #1 & #2 from the above Aliens, then:
1. Medium gray dry brush
2. Light gray dry brush
3. Thin line of very light gray at the top of each section or compartment of the barricade.
4. Wet brush of "Georgia Clay" in the spaces between the barricade sections.
5. Painted keypads black, and then added bright colorful buttons.
6. Black wash.
I really like how these turned out. I have another pack of them which will make it to the tabletop soon.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphMCd0XhixU4xwGLrXhQI9SciHC1kfEUVPpch9bcj7l7nSTU0tFnhXWjv-VikTSbIyhVUm2aRQWf_TICZDGjo5rEuI-d-4OqlhuvSFc0Uy24ErVktQfYdq3HL1-X733S2tGd2P9LnCysKOwUCks6fKcYFjCzmu4NufeUkglDpUATxUnb0uB_D4wbcJCk/w640-h602/AliensBarricades_ContainerBrightSide.jpg)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqXc9nFZAajzpExg4C94XLPBQQsHQQAaf7f5rxJ2ThAb9Ff1cRDU1P9N0TgdvNPplAYv9q7uW5GqXxn-86o3f3HZdwkwwARWyeHjPHuh4KeGdKxp2FVU1zP8V4rvHFk43g3faK6K_4-0YV5wT7UCaw-scPb-fL5pUQQBFMFqtWhazv0GDD4-DJgbuBpY/w640-h522/AliensBarricades_ContainerDarkSide.jpg)
This is another piece of Sci-Fi scattter that I picked up from the new 3-D print vendor called A Critical Hit. Same one the "Alien Nodule" came from. Whatever was mixed in to the material gives it an effect similar to a color shift paint I've used called "Black Flash." One side has a very yellowish-green shimmer, the other fades to black. Thus, very little painting on this piece to get it ready. I painted the metal container straps, the metal anchors at the bottom, and the base itself Iron Wind Metals Steel. I highlighted the straps Pewter. Lastly, I painted all the recessed panels black and added a myriad of lighted buttons in yellow, green, red, and white. Very quick to paint up!
A look at the whole mini-diorama I set up to show them off:
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMMhI-N46onJgU_Jeh31xKGTWk6b1rOlkVTgIqxWKyNPXKga1exw4m9yCta-_o31a9veRnsdjoCpM-ULyQIAHX5QMigAFrwKUpGXdzNHS7tN_Q1-AYL9XS8-Y0-RolihlVy0KxbprdD3W43RFHtt5vdmT8qxuG8nGiZItMN2XOOV-yScfvxS9whpVfLs/w640-h464/AliensBarricades_FullScene.jpg)
More stuff on the way! More pics and more indepth discussion of the painting on my blog:
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/2024/10/more-aliens-star-wars-barricades-sci-fi.html
Mike Demana
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Those alien models are superb
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Those alien models are superb
Thanks, Scotty! These MAY see the tabletop in my Five Parsecs campaign, so I am including them in my usual thread. I finally got around to painting up some Star Wars imperial stormtroopers. I decided to throw in some walkers, too. Not the Legion ones, but something from Wiley Games line of resin models that I thought fit the look.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltIJxpgRcjHQz0FikmhdDrEMmg2QBn3kTUN8H7bKfzrDd92p0gAqLYKo__dDwixB03TsPTuTN7i2BEEEEm-3edNsWmLd4OHFhMf2d_ZQeVb_UGfBO6wsiZuvCmg4ToizxFR-24k6sl2bD_oB6moW4Iz7sGgGg2qTsR6UBJO2_REThHSd0VAyITo4X-64/w640-h296/Stormtroopers_All.jpg)
I went back and forth on how to paint stormtroopers and their white armor with black bits here and there. I decided that black priming and white dry brush wouldn't really work out well. So, white priming it was! I remember from painting my Bronze Legion what a pain in the butt it was to pick out all of those joints in the armor and such. And guess what? It was STILL a pain with stormtroopers!
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFm-m_IlJ__V2MD5rQHP9zPhjYsWtW_-vfe-XThMucTZYCiU31Y6T7EGNnkNdapfQwiln6ayTikUW45YAYb4FfW-RfL1q_FAq4H7e2UMFlz6Qs4HHWhu4zitXYvWB29EKaJ6I_hRlhkxktbP1NdEyBdByr34dN8zrpwOtVEKQNZFVQxEz2iShvEUqH86Q/w640-h320/Stormtroopers_GroupA.jpg)
I also took this as an opportunity to test out a recommendation of my friend Jason from South Carolina. He has begun using artist's gesso to prime his miniatures. Like he cautioned, it looks like it is going on too thick when you apply it, but it does a nice job of "shrink wrapping" onto the miniature. It does an even better job of "grabbing"t he paint and aiding in coverage. One coat of normal acrylic white paint was enough. I think I will be using this brush-on gesso from now on, at least for things I paint white.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieeiV1RspNqZBwWwD4JypNWRox9hOylN5rqOoNtIn36woonGBKvZZYVwlCFal5RlJ9Jf2SGKUuQiKKUk4lDI8yolbUmKQ3INODSCdC1_re0hADYFWDf5ekip2ojCmTob2AnjZjboTYHqKANQ5WBfOJS3y1lnP1gygUMIhfwq-HoB8C6R2s5KQy0D8fFI4/w640-h308/Stormtroopers_GroupArear.jpg)
I did run into an interesting problem after applying the base coat of white. I couldn't see the detail -- it was TOO blinding white! lol So, I problem solved by using a very diluted black wash on the figures, which settled into the crevices and marked out where I needed to do my tedious black detailing. For any areas that I felt got too dark with the wash, I went back afterwards and did white highlighting. A final step, after the blasters, flocking and spray coating, was to use my brush-on Vallejo clear gloss to give the top of the helmet, chest, and other highlighted areas a bit of shiny. I do like how they came out, but am glad that this will probably be the only batch of storm troopers that I need to paint! :D
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWT3fiExOu-DNIENY95qCmF7_W_q9v7nBi30yEb5lQvHly__FWaSfBjjflSnXCuzJAscI_uTcJCX7H6OZkdcsGP7ygKTxE-CB8r01_JmJ0cJOwkrnUHXgYuvOy6zkGfPFfb6Goo7HhDk0XhbhNIFwczVZo_ySF4sxqwzBn6MbNMVfIw0fa2ErSf7fFrp8/w640-h506/Walkers_Front.jpg)
The walkers are about twice as tall as the stormtroopers, and I thought they'd look good alongside them as heavy support. So, I gave them a white base coat. I decided to go with metallic color highlights, choosing three of my favorites -- a deep red, dark blue, and "Christmas tree" green. I liked how they turned out, though I am wondering if I should have done non-metallic accent colors instead of the metallics. Too late to change my mind now! I do like the Wiley Games resin line of miniatures. My only complaint is they are so freaking tall! Which of course didn't matter with these three (called BLST3R on their website).
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_VqYz2unInYEsg3gEDwqRyVBNUfH75WYJtROkTCnquywlbNXW2A6huYMhoYvYwywNLBeHs0stchrzdIZxc0hXibg6LBFl5SqAE1hdjhqo46qzd9eg5w_oLqPBfP5RqSr5A9fLfr383pj0n7yoGi5Ws-dANZWqW0Jq-4pN_MOZWgFZSOo7dV_Z6Uunng/w640-h570/AchesonSciFiBuilding_F.jpg)
Finally, the Sci-Fi building they are posed in front of is from Acheson Creations. A local distributor was liquidating his line at a convention I attended back in May, so I picked up a bunch of stuff at 50% off, including this interesting looking building. I used my favorite craft "Chocolate Brown" metallic as the base coat. I went back and forth over what color to do the ribs, but decided to go with the deep metallic red because I knew they went well together. I used battleship gray metallic for the steal plates bolted on, with a little bright bronze here and there as an accent.
I did run into an unexpected problem with the building, though. For more about that, and more pictures of the miniatures, check out my Lead Legionaries blog entry:
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/2024/10/stormtroopers-walkers-acheson-building.html
Thanks in advance for any comments. Now that the local convention that I help run is over, I will hopefully roll up Mission 5 for my crew and update the adventures of the Inconceivable in their quest to find the lost treasure of Amazonas Galactica!
Mike Demana
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I really like those walkers! Nice job on the others too.
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Good job on everything. BigMrTong sculpts?
Not seen the Walkers before, they look the part and look like ex Clone Wars droid types.
I agree Stormtroopers can be a pain to paint. For me, I eventually found a fairly simple paint job. White primer, then I picked out some bits with black, followed by a wash with Nuln Oil.
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Good job on everything. BigMrTong sculpts?
White primer, then I picked out some bits with black, followed by a wash with Nuln Oil.
I believe so...some (but not all) of JS Wargamer Printing products are ones he's bought the license to produce. If I end up having to paint more stormtroopers, I just might try that method. Thank you (and Freddy) for the comments!
Mike Demana
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(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNlyd4T4UEWGOBNOWYSjugzBb9FMeLpwPYIwkBdLaFKZw4vabdBLZOIXVo4MZz5sbrRPamtH08gRBUA-bex2timS57TbMWyxM-MilDi8TpfICaZUlkfC8YrO8zkCdqEiVQt8GQLAyioL-Q60EzqHTdKvSqY4n_zOOMvhrPwTVLWkRRmZQVlglUGrLhR6o/w640-h250/DroidBigBatch_All.jpg)
Sorry for the lack of games reports, lately. It's been a busy time getting a couple non-gaming things done. I have been keeping up with my normal morning routine of putting in an hour or so painting or building terrain. My latest batch of Sci-Fi minis that might see the tabletop in either Five Parsecs or another Sci-Fi skirmish is this large batch of droids.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFAW7_Pmbo24VY5D6ezAAOcf4-OGIvOJMHZx0R2mx6BS0S4gbkzW4duUSsEaPkl745ftCglT3cHEJy17BEs1_jhntJgQ2_BeldTyIbIkkRm_HJu_zZj3g18GKf1m_3DjJ6nlz1Oub9LVWsvjl_IK0YSEjZEyKraQO5tBsBtfnQ_n8hQCdyLbaSJ-MYnY/w640-h412/DroidBigBatch_Scatterdroids1.jpg)
They come from a variety of sources, including these three above. They began life as pieces of Sci-Fi scatter terrain from Diabolical Terrain. I sawed off the bottom quarter of them and mounted them on treads (tracks?). I scavenged these from Reviresco packs of gun droids and such that I picked up from RRB Minis & More. I like how they turned out. I was going for an R2D2 effect and think it comes close.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVP6Ec12uLe-G90gkHqHYosrBCZxq2zDpCdM8JU9j3AP2keRXhZTjGK7kW0qnPVFLcbKP5ZwFrmd4tl41QOztwCPff5xFWmqTM4KmkIMbvoLX9VdUghHkogExjGcct0ZZS9HMJAkD514caMj-W-FnTzSOg_vQDr7n6H-ot2WlcExBFcANKFVcifY5iJcY/w592-h640/DroidBigBatch_SimonRobots.jpg)
These two above are "Simon 6" from the Retro Raygun line from Hydra Miniatures. I gave them the white and primary color scheme that the others received to make them blend in a bit better. Otherwise, they're very "retro" looking, but I really like them. If you think about it, early Star Wars was pretty retro looking, too. These are metal minis and are pretty heavy. I dropped them while painting a few times, cursing, but finding they came through with no damage. I purposely did one in white with color trim then reversed that with the other.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicaGuWmhpIJPrMu76oUHS1chHY4RKj9U0BIHEOc4TayLWm0st_e_CDAXKuoFZRPuje_7hnvD1brE_sd2F0zFKSW4c6_Y6euXQziLzTfvKuEti176RDr6flaw49VRFQRTFXnd3qDNgFDp64dGgt8kJb6G8K7pOwuuvfd-EKj0ZpNMuccf0MPy6q48sdlIM/w640-h446/DroidBigBatch_BlockoGonkF.jpg)
I also picked up two of Retro Raygun's "Blocko the Squarebot" who takes retro up to 10, I think. Still, I like its funky mid-20th century vibe. I noticed while putting these together that if I left off the arms and head, I had a pretty good replica of Star Wars's famous Gonk -- the walking trash can droid. I couldn't resist doing that, tossing both the head and arms in my bits box for who knows what project! lol
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgof9_oeE2Lls_Bgt3-Qyftcm6x0D7O7O4cL2aZFmZ-wt3bAeIEZ8thFpanuBTHyMmS9HMclxngoQyJfJ-wRp2Anx7yIpQhLTEKfc_s5sb3HUqFs2siE9VEJ6BnhMkWU1h11xuK7-21dqwwO05jrdeElCHKiSldMSG8ueINLcZb_flhf14nhyEE9pWSjYU/w640-h616/DroidBigBatch_Hoverbots.jpg)
I really like how the Retro Raygun Hoverbots came out. They come in a pack of five, but since this was a big batch of miniatures to do all at once, I did only two. I can definitely see me going back and doing the other three. Either that or I'll steal one and convert it into Grogu's floating bascinet! lol Of course, that would mean I need a Grogu figure...! I like the white and single color look to these. Doing the scissors like appendages in white somehow makes them look less threatening and more civilian like -- which is what I wanted.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5g3slAhb5mgJfv_uguJlesVpBS97kbMTocIezZrYzYFXxrDKdu7D9-RrMBej06wtjQIpL2ne5LRq74QjAEfx5mrX01Iv_i0hX-OtgUomE7KiiDh8pyiYFvPl0kVzIFHlfiIiSb2jq9uvkebd7ewKIIqjEF5N6cuEACG4gBSWlsVPyIha7gi0K1gHfNI/w640-h346/DroidBigBatch_Monowheels.jpg)
The final droids/robots are Reviresco Monowheels. I envisioned these little guys as trash collectors let loose on the streets. They roll around on their single wheel and snatch up rubbish and deposit it inside their jaws. When full, they roll to a disposal facility and vomit it into the chutes. I like the combination of matte and metallic colors here. I stuck with the white theme with these, as well. You'll notice one of the poor little blighters lost an arm. I was carrying them from my desk (finished) to where I was going to take pictures when I noticed the arm was missing. I went over the carpet a half dozen times and never found it. So, I guess there's a Mark I version with one arm and a pair of Mark II with two arms! :D
There are some more photos on my blog, as well as more indepth discussion of how I painted each set up and why. Check it out here, if you're interested:
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/2024/10/hopefully-these-are-droids-im-looking.html
Thanks in advance for any comments!
Mike Demana
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(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigovaRaeZrLPifD_jjmAuJ9bO-c_ed4ZDjzE05nTWGBh4gffL_4rEzgOcEhL1uAz9YmNW2qh-XlaUahsv0fyRkm__yrB2jvnZ8dmQseuIRFeTQBEKu7FfN-3e4sof6elsPVPD9_of2oi2i57eWr8Z-VQBJxFycju9uHa5lr0TN2oG4r-xBsPfH4hx0IbY/w640-h536/SeonVuligada.jpg)
New crew member, Seon Vogalia -- "rescued from 20 years of sleep!"
Teaser for the next battle:
As the crew of the Inconceivable rode back from Dichelles capital to the spaceport on the warm, comfortable monorail, they teased new member Seon Vogalia about his celebrity status. Many news services on the planet had picked up the story about the "Man Rescued from his 20 Year Sleep" about his escape pod. He had even been interviewed by one of the stations, reflecting back on what he remembered of the icy planet before departing on his fateful mission two decades ago. All this new-found publicity for his rescuers, the Inconceivable crew, made Gunny a little nervous, though.
"Relax, Gunny," Capt. Alistair said. "It will make scaring up clues about the lost treasure easier with Seon being famous. Now everyone who remembers anything will be talking about how that ship, too, departed Dichelles 20 years ago before disappearing. The captain seemed animated, now that the quest for the treasure was officially underway.
"What if some people made those ships disappear?" Gunny asked. "And what if those same people are still around? And let's say they're still here on this iceball and don't want us searching for it." Gunny folded his arms. "All I am saying is it puts a big target on our backs, captain." The rest of the crew grew quiet, looking from one of the old friends to another. Finally, Alistair chuckled.
"You know, if B61 were here, he would say that the trail we are following has...ahem, grown cold here on Dichelles." Several of the other crewmen laughed, too, knowing the Security Bot's fervent efforts to understand and utilize human humor. They'd left the Security Bot back at the ship to watch over things while the rest of the crew explored the capital city of icy Dichelles. Gunny finally relaxed and shook his head.
"Well, I understand a cold trail, but B61 also wouldn't want things to get too...hot, right? That's why we brought along these duffel bags, right?" Gunny patted his duffel that contained his rifle. Similar bags were carried by most of the other crew members, containing their weapons and ammunition. If the authorities questioned them, they figured they could always produce the official letter from the Varxian Foreign Service warning them that a terror group from their planet was tracking them and planning an attack. "Speaking of which, I am a tad worried we are the only passengers on this monorail. Shouldn't there be more people headed to the spaceport? People looking to get off this icy rock? Or workers headed to their jobs?"
(https://t3.ftcdn.net/jpg/07/81/41/06/360_F_781410611_B01A75TNJ9oQRNlcjxiToY0dPFZX60nW.jpg)
All the crew fell silent at that, glancing around the interior of the monorail, then outside at the snow-covered trees and rocks rushing by. The dim orange sun was setting, and it would be dark in about an hour or so. The crew had taken this departure because they wanted to get back to their ship before nightfall. Riding a shuttle around the sprawling spaceport to the Inconceivable in the dark seemed like a bad idea after what had happened in their last mission.
"What the...?" Gunny barked, pointing at a trail of sparks arcing towards the monorail from a patch of woods. "Everybody down and brace yourselves!" A muffled explosion sounded ahead, then the piercing screech of metal on metal. The monorail tilted to the left, paused, and then rolled over on its side with a loud bang. The left side of the monorail was now the floor, and its thick plexiglass windows shattered. Intense cold, snow, and debris rushed into the compartment. The lights flickered and went out. The passengers were tossed around despite their best efforts to brace themselves or hold onto something. The slide seemed to go on for minutes, but eventually the monorail car ground to a halt.
Blue light filtered into the car from the above, right-hand windows. Snow and debris covered the inside as the passengers began to check themselves for injuries. And then another noise began. Metallic pinging along the monorail's undercarriage began slowly, then picked up in intensity. The pings coincided with loud popping noise from outside. "Gunfire!" Someone shouted. "Everybody up and out! Grab your bags, we're under attack!"
To be continued...
Mike Demana
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:o Oh man! eagerly waiting for the next installment to see what happens next. great writeup!
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Looking forward to this one
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(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFquk9zdyKlslVfeEVA-QDnlX9z4-w4pVj58LRfaVYKPDN3toS6c0azkr3xm9hUvmkNIv6OrD-dKsUjdLFohSqHXS2UO3iRf3VKoVjXOIGflJSUMO7saAF6EmGedNnF-lMr_UJbMfZhDpULIyuHDxuD2OWLiFal9CqX9aJwYsxNDaigXjhM9U1zwFpwKc/w640-h332/Mission05_07ThreeThruForest.jpg)
When I was rolling up the scenario, I was worried that this might be another walkover. However, the weapons the enemy was armed with made me reconsider. There were four Colonial Militia armed with military rifles (range 24") and one with a shell gun (grenade launcher, range 30"). All of them would outrange my characters, which could make it very interesting.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgts0UJdNUTQXARMk8Ti2GxzOaTb2AeytnbgkruhXlOsCESywCV3ISqdLL7gFbVoKf_YVxtC9jvVR9wGR9SjIe-VrD6wbblrFnjEvkmXZElqmYQpQh_V7mh5QZDt_CfdD71-mGaq0To1EtrvL4sSxzVqjbDM17WavR_nLjVbdR4sliprU5Exlg6RaxpeLQ/w640-h542/Mission05_04Ambushers.jpg)
The enemy in the bronze armor of Dichelles colonial militia set up in two groups
I set the terrain up with three large patches of woods, six smaller rocky outcrops, and a handful or linear lines of rock. Then I rolled to see which side they would deploy on. I measured the range to make sure no matter where we deployed, they would begin in range while all except Gunny would begin out of range. I was trying to be set a good ambush. The problem was where to deploy the grenade launcher? If I put it in the forest, the best cover in the center of their side of the board, it would immediately be in range of Gunny with his telescopic sight. So, I pushed it back to the rocky outcrop so he would be in range, but Gunny would not.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbadA8lrpN6xl45hmowgW28GgiL5wK8AVrOMdSdCAiW1afurE6mHPHPnZ828VM0EJETi4lmVSui8YmXPYPnT-WIDH7vbkH7o7-Nli_fqda7TVz-Jd9Dy66iUaCo2xVxqyAl2IEAL2Aq3RT2jBiwu-bsEjcr36dXEUxEwhQJJk5UgEEBRvt4BqL5Bs01E/w640-h560/Mission05_02AlistairDocZorina.jpg)
Here's the beginning of my battle report on my Lead Legionaries blog:
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/2024/11/five-parsecs-from-home-mission-5.html
Four of the six staggered out onto the snow and ice, emerging from the wreck of the monorail. The saw a snow-covered area of forest and rocky outcrops. Bright sparks of automatic weapon fire flashed in the distance like sparks before their dazed vision. Alistair looked around and saw Doc and Zorina nearby and yelled to them. "Into the woods - take cover!" Further down, obscured in the smoke, Gunny waited for a gust to temporarily clear his view. He saw the captain and two other crew running for the woods on his right. Good, he thought. To his left, he saw a small, rocky outcrop. When the smoke began to obscure his view of the distant woods, he marked the spot in his memory. "Now!" he thought to himself, and sprinted for the rocks. He emerged from the smoke and behind the outcrop too quickly for the distant attackers to get off a shot.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSnk7YTuofKYOcT9E0tqRYQlnVDKDeyncfTEyiJbtmuozowq0UVhETFQutGiSwOyfDTMmtPJQcLJjF4tqzZMv8FMBxzOYPzO0v6mzpHjDruIBjkjx69oMzvK9bgHs2dxJcsYciR5nhEdnH_EukoqgnGK9JjvxVIzFAm6x52QZM2kqjZoRmb-yTxi0f7c/w436-h640/Mission05_03GunnySniperPosition.jpg)
Gunny crouched behind the rocks and shouted back towards the monorail. "Cephvarx! Seon! You need help?" He heard both call back, saying they were okay. It was just taking them longer to clear the debris off of them and get out of the monorail's wreckage. Gunny nodded, and squatted down to remove his rifle and ammo from his bag. He inspected it to make sure it was undamaged, loaded, and good to go. Crawling up on the rocks, he sighted through his scope at the largest patch of distant woods. Three muzzle flashes, and the sound of more shooting blocked by a nearer woods to his left. Sounded like one more rifle. A whistle and trail of sparks arced from behind the woods and then slammed into the woods the captain and other crew had disappeared into. Five attackers total, it seemed. "Well," he whispered, "now, time for a little payback..."
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSlkYwueQjBTAT4X7cQs8gOnB34AnpHKase5_iphCH6P4UDLMstRSfum3Hr7YasFARjr3fiy4wyR3iq2EyQuUhz0J912615isVoDlNYtC5XOridoXuFYzk3qNqsPSc_fo4M6vNpEFGWo5ZeLGVUXZTEpbo6o5BhOQ9Vyg700_MHwk-77Sn8GAColt2Lc/w640-h408/Mission05_05GunnyShot.jpg)
He sighted through the scope, making out the glint of bronze-colored armor coming from where the muzzle flashes were originating. Breathing slowly in and out, he made out the shadowy form of one of the ambushers. Deep breath, exhale half of it, s-q-u-e-e-z-e the trigger. BANG! One attacker fell to the forest floor, unmoving. "One down," Gunny called out over the communicator to Alistair. He sighted again and fired a second time. He saw another attacker flinch and hit the dirt. "Damn! Close..." Meanwhile, he could hear from Alistair's communicator the sound of the captain dashing through the woods, snapping twigs. The captain informed him the group was fanning out through the woods to get to the edge, Alistair would be closest on the left, Zorina in center and point, and Doc on the right. "Good," Gunny called. "If you're in range, just hunker down and fire. We can outshoot these guys. If Zorina is out of range, there is cover just outside the woods she can make it to and be able to fire her beam pistol."
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9GI5K896XYcaXyXTlAyQc9EjoEn6jfGlVsE9RbVAbn7H2gVByFyNH0DBnTAiKEZ3reMTbfbB4s-cO-3pLks9olLFkBx9EoycOO8hAmr90oMJYLRLVyyHQ5tQq-Lf9s9l41KEgq6-YyiQCg56mggctx5unN1sRe0RQI6_NaiPjnV4N3Nq7on0i22dyfro/w640-h626/Mission05_06MoveUp.jpg)
Gunny continued to curse as he aimed and missed again. Meanwhile, on the other side of the battlefield, the attacker with the grenade launcher realized his predicament. "Blast," he called to his companion, "they have a sniper!" What's more, the three who had hightailed it to the woods were out of their sight, now. He and his companion had no targets from their position in the rocky outcrop. "Let's go -- to the trees straight ahead! Stay out of sight until we have an angle on the woods those guys are hiding in. Don't get in view of the sniper, yet -- we'll save him for last!" The two, wearing the bronze-colored armor of the Dichelles Colonial Defense forces, broke cover and darted for the trees. Snow flew as they crouched and ran forward, then angling to their left, once under the branches. Gunfire continued to echo. "Hurry," he shouted to his companion. "At least one of our guys is down!"
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_6dtvA-jGglcaHMGyexDdigcMJncG6EIt_lK0golojuPHgMrcpQSnSuLlgLmisW6L3GX3TJ8UwZ49h0IoQtFizD6BfsjdHuA_EAqv0rPY8a6_lNVhs6OUHD7WX1i10doECLbRvG48MYRf5vPYTLcc2vGygrgYMBdblXV9m8FlaUziacwYVvp6jS9_mk/w640-h376/Mission05_08ZorinaAlistair.jpg)
Meanwhile, both Alistair and Doc had entered the gun battle with the two remaining attackers in the woods. Since Gunny's first kill, no one had scored a hit as everyone hugged the cover of the ground and sheltered behind tree trunks. Zorina's voice broke in on the communicator. "I'm at the edge and still out of range. I'm going to dash for the rocks to the front of me -- I will be in range, then. Cover me, please..."
Gunny called out, "You got this, girl -- this is what you've been training for. Close down the range and show them what you got!" The Valkeeri darted forward, difficult to pinpoint with her shimmer cloak mimicking the snow and trees to observers. She heard her companions firing to keep the enemy's heads down and sprinted toward the rocks. She heard the snap of rounds missing her, then ducked down as she reached the rocks. She took a few quick breaths, hefted her beam pistol to her eyes and slowly raised up along the rocks. The first muzzle flash drew her attention. She could see the glint of bronze against the dark green of forest. She aimed, breathed as Gunny had taught her, and pressed the trigger. A brilliant red bolt leapt from the barrel of her gun, clearly illuminating the shocked attacker as it took him in the chest. He screamed in pain and pitched backward, unmoving. "YES!" Zorina crouched back down and pumped her fist as retaliatory shots ricocheted off the rocks all around her.
Check out the rest on my Lead Legionaries blog... :D ;)
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/2024/11/five-parsecs-from-home-mission-5.html
Mike Demana
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Alastair dead? Inconceivable!! :)
Nice scenario and great AAR.
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Alastair dead? Inconceivable!! :)
lol lol lol
Thank you, sir!
Mike Demana
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Going to have to go back over the thread, but while this is neither Sparta NOR madness, just enough of both to please.
'This is another piece of Sci-Fi scattter that I picked up from the new 3-D print vendor called A Critical Hit.'
I feel I have to ask: am I the only one, looking at the yellow side, that the image makes the drybrushing into a clear cover?
Ah, maybe I strayed too far into the madness side.
Doug
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I feel I have to ask: am I the only one, looking at the yellow side, that the image makes the drybrushing into a clear cover?
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqXc9nFZAajzpExg4C94XLPBQQsHQQAaf7f5rxJ2ThAb9Ff1cRDU1P9N0TgdvNPplAYv9q7uW5GqXxn-86o3f3HZdwkwwARWyeHjPHuh4KeGdKxp2FVU1zP8V4rvHFk43g3faK6K_4-0YV5wT7UCaw-scPb-fL5pUQQBFMFqtWhazv0GDD4-DJgbuBpY/w640-h522/AliensBarricades_ContainerDarkSide.jpg)
Thanks for the comments, Doug. I have to admit I'm confused by what you're asking, above. If you're talking about the darker side of the container (in the image I reposted above), it is interesting how there seems to be a reflection of the "straps." Not sure how that happens with the lighting issues, but it is definitely not painted on. That is, if that's what you're talking about... lol
Mike Demana
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Thanks for the comments, Doug. I have to admit I'm confused by what you're asking, above. If you're talking about the darker side of the container (in the image I reposted above), it is interesting how there seems to be a reflection of the "straps." Not sure how that happens with the lighting issues, but it is definitely not painted on. That is, if that's what you're talking about... lol
Mike Demana
Actually, more the 'yellow' side, with the grey(?) horizontal drybrushing(?) looking like the plastic overlay.
I DID admit it might just be me. ::)
Doug
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(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVAHAn225c030INC08IBsUZVGty2R-2KEYlO_1URUEWKRmPNFIqiFd0nPuxGL_mLxjTjRcDr_5JzK2B_TwuKmjwnktIvOzTiNot18Twou9eMHsj7J64-FY4TChKsKKEfh8rxAsntF6VBOsS0oV14O3mBi3OqX8Zl6stqOoqqxMfbzV7hlBZXQyMiRU07o/w640-h326/SciFi_Rebels%20AllUp.jpg)
Some more figures painted that may see use in my Five Parsecs from Home campaign. They're primarily intended for my upcoming Star Wars skirmish games as Rebels. These are culled from the Stargrave "Crew" and "Crew II" box sets.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xbI_53BTit0eVfjOBmZSvnowK2cbNXSxvwPd_f6vCap88Nr5d-z8byhxPyj35SIiQTSHa5Td5nJwrro5Q5DO38C5ESKME3Ti27cSz8IZBHs_O0T5BI_rmS37bwI-SejpDx5BMpOzR2wF5AfCQiOx8Vdmq5G1Y9ZhLBVWLG0_M0hfkdlO1Z7hiSq2mEM/w640-h278/SciFi_Rebels%20GroupC.jpg)
Since the campaign will be a skirmish one -- not a fleet action -- I didn't want the figs having a uniform of any sort. Obviously, the Crew boxes have a certain style, but I varied the color choices and accents on them so they could "blend in" with the population on their planet.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF61qE6gZ9J0C-Yq6knzyDOh_O9a6_dKPFEjh7ACW0aJMjSNZoqR3A_joKzen2RMbvsFUBSNWFAQvQjgXsmSkbAUEIKJLKkXVH8Zag2LAfHvCIM-2AJq01Mf3mfGy-ZC1lRevxaLIE3cUnzYGGin7mzFcIgKHqOXWy8yOdMIT7rI1Df9BnSL1EbAKv4wA/w640-h310/SciFi_Rebels%20GroupB.jpg)
I liked the head choices in the pack. In fact, I think it is one of the strengths of the Stargrave boxes. They're is a lot of variety. I did have to look closely to discern which torsos were meant to be male and which female...! lol One piece jumpsuits are usually not the most revealing or flattering apparel for women. :D
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQO09i856akrRpIWDibMfEthXR17hxnv1Kzlss9y17Ir0kewIHZ_4Y1Obcoj34EUEem_2GGlxl_mkZl5IoAWHPZ9sV7ytQ_J2KOhhshnj5Jseq9ztiWBTqLRr3Ya-_R2gp6lWJ-XLMpaMLJF3OA1G9D1CKJ0vTAN_ry86igpg7-4W0Xeoc3rjAZvp55Wg/w640-h272/SciFi_Rebels%20GroupA.jpg)
One side benefit of choosing the heads wearing sunglasses or goggles -- no eyes to paint! :D I have to say my eyes were good enough on this batch, but it is not always so. Of course, I'm beginning to think a lot of my inconsistency in avoiding the "googly eye" syndrome o_o is actually more dependent on the miniature than my skill at the moment. The eyes were fairly well cast on these plastic figures and easily accessible. No helmets or weapons or anything in the way. Well, that's my story at least -- blame the medium, not the artist! lol
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Br3IrPkAUiS-gBPCiZinzIdZZwmTm8-WqaJlTHfRAJQIqwyQr5OLstv2Ji0sAy35eeSm6Bt7zs-FTKGYtCC18kszDpsyR4WUSHAXh0Qu7u3wpQTCo9feg0VhVFNAdYVnfZlxoBcPN4fOQnEaLNfD3z0yg2ycK4LSstQuEWC6JlQOQfqb4tF9n9Y95P8/w640-h192/SciFi_Rebels%20AllDown.jpg)
All in all, a solid if not fancy or exotic batch of miniatures. I also featured in the photos my second box of Star Wars Legion barricades. I now have 16 of them...hopefully that will be enough! If you'd like to read my discussion of how I painted them, please check out my Lead Legionaries blog here:
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/2024/11/rebel-scum-six-figs-from-stargrave-crew.html
Thanks in advance for any comments!
Mike Demana
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Good colour schemes Mike.
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Thanks Hubbabubba!
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLzFP8mA14GBXY8_Jb_XExbXfXLXRb7v0gJ5-7mi9z0JWi5qaguevFuvU5-nenIMlncqg1_MvZs0QO6kbTd3ToVVhGid0m-ZqgVXd20jqSkDzWij-WreR6fBX6SWsvGXJPBqw_YPD98sWEYTuJlPnEoorvLUA57W3Vw2Pw-664Q8oFZabBy4hRT0hT64/w640-h464/PrismDroids%20All3WithFigs.jpg)
I created some floating droids using craft store materials for my upcoming Star Wars skirmish games. I used to do this kind of thing all the time, but have gotten away from it as so much stuff is available from vendors, nowadays. I saw the glass mini bottles at the store and thought they'd make great droid bodies.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWPAQZhM0MqW3zF50aTS692C8h4pRf40MOtGvvX8n11S-JKDu0s7XH5Gop__AbxCJj-NgohMaGKoIukLfB-uA6gMTbH03oQCJD6c00jqlHYABtks75SJi1QgrL3o4xOhtwr1m0OKO3kB3UeeulocBuqlDTdBHABmCfwwih8UjqL5UTyfdl6HwD5vdQWQ/w640-h394/PrismDroids%20Thrusters.jpg)
Check them out the construction and more photos here: http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/2024/12/more-droids-floating-robots-made-from.html
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nice blog mikedemana those floating droids are weirdly scary looking ha ha. I would definitely run from them as fast as I could :)
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(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEVCd3wKU4qCCIxKQtuWL63rvz-JbUSe4FMzH4iY_AI67yrCKQK1Nd6_4ThLJKzOWegdvu5SfCT0-b8M3Qg8fr50DDvPxnjGqCv82BqQtxlaKnXkx5t4IdyVfNyTU1mwo_K3IEb5FcgBdwbR1t7zQw_7qLz1nJgjIJadgVHR2U05ucm7pEkVIpQoO7eI/w640-h394/SciFiRebelAlliance_AllZoom.jpg)
I REALLY like this batch of miniatures. Intended for Star Wars skirmishes, there's no reason some of these figs might not also appear in my Five Parsecs campaign. They are from three different manufacturers. In my Lead Legionaries blog, I talk about the differences in painting each up and why I chose the color combinations that I did.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUoc_TZ1JqYvfFxFo4JdFxv-OvbIiiDYnncj4hOUR3IpZDmneuHhFZpyjTKOSvbMuGN50sPEOX8D42ULqJ5rH4kkvECOPeiczSzdfhiW2GcUdYvhqD5xBKiRJA4r-ZAcUha9HS7dwhbDdtIQtyq1HmiAZsRYwD4HRnKqVWYuS1UtqJ4oEzxZ9y7ob4CN8/w640-h280/SciFiRebelAlliance_HydraMinis.jpg)
For more pictures and discussion, check out my blog post:
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/2024/12/cool-rebel-alliance-figs-from-several.html
Mike Demana
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That was fun divergence to your blog!
I thought I recognized the Valkeeri even in the small image here. (Old man viewing on a phone;all images are small.)
Of course, all my Hydra have been spaceships, but hard to miss the lovelies when going to the site.
Done her proud, I must say.
Is too weird to admit seeing your not-Chewie made me think Jokaero, though far more visually menacing?
Thanks again!
Doug
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Thanks, Doug! I appreciate the kind words. Nothing strange about an armed orangutan at all...ha, ha! "Move along - nothing to see here..." lol
I definitely want to paint up some more of those Hydra miniatures. I like the Robot Legionaire so much perhaps I'll do a unit of them for Xenos Rampant.
Mike Demana
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I like those scratch build floating droids - very cool!
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(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjHj6pmAJeYMIKcXYVtwXbn_hdNX-Y_vhYT17hpKBSiepoB2Glkv8W684fZl1-RcUj60s4l6HxA1gTfAwK7C_nNcYlJgkO2tIqFc2RaVjmnb1exI8F5tKsqekNAhhHKoMPU0_Gx6RJzYvn_F5jQ2RTvh99bmcdi6644kE5tFlEAf09ynrnoAQWGoN9q8/w640-h296/DomedHabitats_Figs2.jpg)
More terrain for the various worlds my Five Parsecs crew explores! These are 3D printed domed habitats from RRB Minis & More. I already had three painted up and just added the two more in the foreground to my collection.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinB0w5HvkwvZhj32jEQR0nq0NewTfJM9gB2lTXU3PRqcL7Qak7gZhyphenhyphenJEBdpbCJ3FdqlfzoE24wJmLU097_DI7BWUABHeyoiIle4HgN2JX6kU6xrd8uxXMVs_aBCs-3W1dhcQV9grKasNKNlJgciMwpJFHJVBlnSEvPfjtDnXnlN-jg_co7t-u9_eklaOc/w640-h376/DomedHabitats_3.jpg)
I actually went back and repainted the two smallest ones in the back so that all five would match. They also match the larger domed Sci-Fi buildings I had picked up from another source: http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/2024/09/sci-fi-terrain-scatter-building.html
Now I am finally getting a halfway decent collection of actual Sci-Fi buildings I won't have to substitute my modern ones as much...! lol
Mike Demana
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Won't try to explain, but I've dismissed 'chocolate brown' in the past, but will definitely check the metallic version out for some VSF items in the future.
Loving it all, and got a smile at your going on about the changing hue nodule.
I've read a bit about the iridescence effect, found the info not impossibly dense, but I am damned if I could repeat it here... o_o
Doug
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(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhReO3-jEgrn6Gi_FRdm3A_rt3XYK9283jGPKbqShCB1a-uhA5bXd9gNXZ1k8IaCCJOXHwUyuj-LhgX_qOeQLG98T-F7RD6AGlExTbdyZ0GAhB8EvmdA_AlDiUIGMp9q4QJDLGNvKQDAj4DHpvNbdAxe4vgifHzILmFroxxLQRmyfH78D4Q4g5-jvrcJlA/w640-h254/IcyPlanet.jpg)
After more than three months off, it is time for the conclusion to the quest of my Five Parsecs from Home crew in their search for the lost treasure of Amazonas Galacticus. Captain Alistair Valentine and the crew of the Inconceivable have been through fire and ice and have finally discovered the secret of the lost treasure!
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8SZCFjjWYdug2HN0WjMhZCZDIWAkJkL7bK8fOiDopd79wMeKNnoBpj1BTQZ8SUFyuLLLgwcdoDt7kGmkzed4hiJbr7uyh8mS5aHPHHwePAV1KJ8awJzJfIIPH3N6qZVS00aqUZkASOsVTwbIGTN1tswzAIlADx_HKa220S0GxF5uYCktR_HxVcKiRrA/w314-h400/Alistair%20Cropped.jpg)
Check out my update to the solo campaign on my Lead Legionaries blog here: http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/2025/03/so-what-happened-to-lost-treasure-of.html
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4JwEfcuWiUwbCV6hLu6ikMro11IMbGcA59e9K5KQsOYDT0AzfqZvE8V3Zf4RQsG9uhTy_sMKb9OLs3diVtHv76vCs-LoT4cP0dFOf2l6BdFchHLJpiuuFr7dFtAembKpPVBtZ0qDuBPMgqkTGDZxxkDxpTpSAdg2PBwlNpaYfHb89Jsh5jlvQ7FOE1Y/w338-h400/Cephvarx%20Cropped.jpg)
The crew deliberates which course of action to take. Will they actually see or get their hands on any of the lost treasure? The next mission will tell...!
Mike Demana
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(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizqtx-sFbFJRUJUZmzkWCAQMnCo-g6Qisso5HwFjhrmAvz_PtuXCpOVOTyfNo_aCPdImarDJaPWGytrvUNUuq9js2p_u4Pm0-VTd0DGfQmsQjSdtXfCkeEFzeawrY3svRgEwElzheLnmPZLFHJngwiPfKWEJ32OuLMh3GqfVGNk2c9nNtn-JJijA4AW4/w640-h474/Mission06_11CrewMovingUp.jpg)
My final mission in the quest for the lost treasure of Amazonas Galacticus has been concluded. Check out the conclusion of the story arc as they assault into the underground bunker of one of the space pirates in the 6th mission of my Five Parsecs from Home solo campaign.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihmpLd8557J2480ehjiwaS1_gFEJa0ggpfBZavBhJEB9Lke_EEMueLrXao5VIuAbwquflobWgZB8kcZCba6WRZpRG5LSPJnSKUDzpQzklRzfzH4bmherFXZM06dvyvOQKVajs0rS_9y-6HiDZiA5xoVXY25-w26iwQsbJSgHtMfDF8UTuFCyooogDwgkY/w640-h430/Mission06_02DroidTeamA.jpg)
Here's a taste. The AAR is over on my Lead Legionaries blog:
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/2025/03/five-parsecs-quest-for-lost-treasure.html
As the huge door to the underground complex slid to the side, the ceiling lights began flashing and an annoying klaxon began to sound. "Damn it, cap," I called to Alistair, "the alarm's been sounded. Let's hope Zorina and Seon can handle things upstairs. Same plan?" Alistair gave a quick affirmative and I saw him and Doc begin to dart to the right. I nodded to the looming Cephvarx Hul and we dashed off to the left. Hopefully, it wasn't a dead end and we could close quickly with whatever security was sure to be down here. I threw the rifle over my shoulder and pulled out my pistol -- this battle would likely be up close and deadly!
Lots of photos and the full story on my blog! Thanks in advance to any who take the time to read it... :)
Mike Demana
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What a long, strange trip! Fun read, Mike, I hope there's more one day! I do agree that the game feels a little swingy on difficulty. There's moment of intense fear, but outside of those feelings of risk are a bit absent.