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Miniatures Adventure => Post-Apocalyptic Tales => Topic started by: Dan55 on March 08, 2023, 07:34:28 AM
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I really like the idea of having a post apocalyptic skirmish campaign where the characters can leave the area, rest up and re-equip, and then go right back in. I'm using a collection of home made rules and individual ideas to make a free flowing solo game.
Agent, below is a photo of a group currently causing disturbances in the zone. A short summary of what is known about their members follows. From left to right they are -
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C01_Crew.jpg)
Zola - leader, combat trained, intelligent Background: Tech Corp Motivation: revenge
Known gear: Assault Rifle, handgun, laser sight, blade
Zola was head of security at a science & technology firm tasked with recording the artifacts coming from the exclusion zone. He became fascinated with those artifacts and the people who risked the zone to collect them. On those occasions when no-one came back from an expedition or they came back hopelessly broken he took it personally and began to believe the zone itself was toying with the lives of all those who enter it. Eventually he could no longer bear to sit helplessly by, cataloguing the latest loses. He requested release from his contract, which was granted, and made his plans. The Zone had made an enemy.
Dalila - zone runner, combat trained, wealthy Background: religious cult Motivation: wealth
Known gear: Assault Rifle, handgun, dagger
Dalila was an enforcer for a new Zone Cult, one that was growing quickly in size and power. She grew tired of watching the church's leadership grow fat and rich off the believers while selfishly not passing any of the riches downwards to others. One day in disgust she looted the daily offerings and walked away. The church, knowing just how dangerous she was, decided to pretend it didn't happen. She has retained several connections from when she worked with the church. The Zone seemed to be a good place to make money.
The Kid - zone runner, technican Background: religious cult Motivation: adventure
Known gear: Advanced Rifle, handgun, dagger
The Kid was brought up in a pacifist society where doing anything unusual or exciting was forbidden. When young he got his hands on some adventure novels and kept them secret for all his young life. When of age he took the first opportunity to escape the cloister and the second thing was to buy guns. Now where to use them?
King - zone runner Background: drifter Motivation: adventure
Known gear: Advanced Rifle, handgun, dagger
King was a wanderer most of his life, drifting from town to town. He heard about the wonders of the exclusion zone and decided he needed to experience the place at least once before he died. He's been there ever since.
Max - zone runner, tough Background: union worker Motivation: adventure
Known gear: Shotgun, handgun, fireman's axe
Max was a union agitator at a large, successful mining company. Since the operation was running smoothly, his services were rarely required. Not liking the boring 9 to 5 life he'd fallen into, he started looking about for a more adventuresome career. He heard about the Exclusion Zone and checked to see if anyone was hiring.
Artur - zone runner, fast Background: inner city Motivation: glory
Known gear: Sniper Rifle, handgun, blade
Artur lived in the big city most of his life. Since his early 20s he survived as a bounty hunter while experiencing the dirty underside of the city. The more he saw the less he liked and eventually decided to escape the city whatever the cost.
Agent, we have recovered what seems to be a diary of their exploits in a recent raid. The record of their first excursion into the zone will follow.
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nice little gallery of ne'er-do-wells - looking forward to seeing them in action :D
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Nice backstories for your crew. Waiting to see how they do in The Zone...
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Thanks for looking guys, here's the next post.
New Campaign, Week One
It was several days hard driving before we pulled up near the old abandoned farmhouse we had chosen for our new hidden base and settled in. Camouflaging the mobile home we were using took a couple of hours but we were satisfied when we were done. We then checked out the nearby small town and sent word to the new recruits as to were to find us. As soon as they arrived we would be ready to do a quick and shallow exploratory penetration into the nearby exclusion zone.
Tasks prior to the preliminary excursion
Zola & Dalila - guarding the base
The Kid & King - sent out to explore the surrounding area and begin the basics of a map
Max & Artur - sent into town to do a little trading
The Kid found a hidden arms dealer who might be useful later on if we ever need more weapons. King located a tech fanatic who spent the afternoon talking his ear off. Max checked out the general store but was unimpressed with the stock. He picked up some trade goods just in case we ever find a use for them. Artur found a broken gunsight for almost nothing that he thinks he can fix.
Since this was the first time into the zone for this crew, we didn't attempt to line up an official sponsor. This was more of an opportunity for reconnaissance so we left things up in the air. We wondered if we'd made a mistake the moment the fog rolled in. We were in for poor visibility for the rest of the day (it limited our weapon's ranges). The Kid thought this was a perfect intro to the zone. After an hour of advancing cautiously we came into contact with another stalker group (4 unknown mercs), who thought we were trying to ambush them. A scuffle ensued, good practice for our new recruits.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C01_01.jpg)
We advanced along the left side of a short dirt road which ended near a broken down old shack. It was then I realized what we had stumbled upon. Our opponents were defending their own hidden base, and one within the zone itself. This was going to be a harder fight than I had expected.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C01_02.jpg)
It was a good thing that we outnumbered them, because they sure looked tough. They confidently moved forward.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C01_03.jpg)
King and the Kid ran towards the cover in the center of the field. King let loose with a hurried potshot, but his target didn't even notice.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C01_04.jpg)
The Kid raced to catch up when incoming fire erupted all around him and he went down. King turn in shock just in time to see the Kid jump up again and get into cover. King burst out laughing - the Kid had tripped and fallen on his face. The enemy had almost gotten first kill with their first shot but ended up missing. (we collect special points, something like "fate" points that you can spend to change the results of certain dice rolls. However we require that the player works the change into the story somehow - not just cancel the roll.)
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C01_05.jpg)
The enemy opens fire, determined to pin down King and the Kid.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C01_06.jpg)
Max sprints forward attempting to get a good angle for a shot with the shotgun. The plan to flank the enemy seemed to be working. The small hill is useful in blocking the enemy's line of sight. Zola & Dalila follow him. Artur calmly covers them with the sniper rifle and at just the right moment takes his shot.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C01_07.jpg)
The enemy ganger goes down.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C01_08.jpg)
The rest of the enemy move up. They continue firing at King and the Kid who are cowering behind the crates. How did we get into this asks the Kid. Their sniper shifts position to get a better shot.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C01_09.jpg)
Their sniper gets the Kid and he goes down. King tries to spot who had fired.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C01_10.jpg)
King and Max open fire at the enemy fighter in the rocks and he goes down. But King does not notice that one of the gangers has now advanced into the stack of crates.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C01_11.jpg)
Zola & Dalila finally arrive just as the enemy fighter bursts out of cover and attacks King. It now no longer seems like the flanking move has worked as planned. Not when the enemy manages to flank you instead. Surprisingly, King manages to hold his own for a few moments.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C01_12.jpg)
But it's not to be, and a crashin' blow from a huge right hand sends King spinning into the dirt. As the ganger looks up and sees me, Max and Dalila staring at him I could almost hear him thinking "oops". When the gunsmoke cleared he's down and we could see the last gang member beating a hasty retreat.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C01_13.jpg)
We patched up King and the Kid as best we could and prepared to move out. We took a look at the old shack before we left and quickly realized that it wasn't anyone's base, it was just an old shack. It had been a co-incidence that we'd bumped into the other gang just outside it. We picked up some old junk that might be of some value to someone and some old guns that could see use again with some cleaning. None of our opponents were dead, but we did not loot their guns because it is an unwritten law in the zone - you never leave fellow stalkers defenseless. In the truck, which had no chance of ever running again, we found some pills and an old attache case.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C01_14.jpg)
We got King and the Kid to the small local hospital. King was fine, nothing a bit of rest and some over the counter extra strength pain relievers wouldn't cure. The Kid was a bit worse off. It was only a flesh wound, but he required some patching up and would need a couple of weeks bed rest. We promised him he could have his pick of the new weapons when he recovered.
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Great table and great report :)
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Great batrep and some lovely looking terrain.
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Good first trip in. Could have been a worse outcome, so your crew is either lucky or skilled. Or both... ;)
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Loving it! 👍
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Fun AAR! It makes you care more about the characters when you've developed a back story for them. Keep the adventures coming!
Mike Demana
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New Campaign, Week Two
Assigned tasks
Zola - investigate rumors
Dalila - get in touch with her contacts in the church hierarchy
The Kid - rest
King - watch the camp and attempt some repairs
Max & Artur - sent into town to do a little trading
We heard rumors that someone was asking questions about the new group in town (us) so I went into town to see if I could track down the source of these rumors.
The documents in the old attache case were a bit of a mystery. Mostly they were just old printouts of numbers and code words, but on the back of the first page was a penciled note. ". . . we found it by a couple of old abandoned twin cottages separated by a stone wall. We tested it with a couple of bolts and it was there alright. We had no time to check it out right then, but when we have time . . ." We debated excitedly about this. If it was what we thought it was, then this was why we came to the zone. We needed more info of course, we needed to find out more about the cottages in the area. Artur spoke up. He knew where there were a bunch of cabins inside the zone. He had checked an old area map before he came.
We settled the Kid in for an extended rest and assigned King to keep an eye on him while guarding the base. If he felt like it, he was encouraged to try and fix-up some of the recovered weapons. He wanted to work on the gunsight Artur had found instead. Max and Artur went into town again. Artur checked out a contact we had made at the local pharmacy and found out the pills were just strong stimulants. His contact also mentioned he'd heard about the Kid and asked if we didn't have any 1st aid kits. Artur said we did and found out something we didn't have - knowledge on how to use them properly (actually, I'd forgotten the gang had them - they would have been useful during the last battle). Artur also dumped the junk he'd picked up last week for a few bucks. Max did some odd jobs for the hospital and picked up some stim packs and medical kits in return.
I decided for our next excursion we needed to get paid, so I asked Dalila if she'd check with her contacts to see if her old church had any needs from inside the zone. The tech fanatic that King met last week dropped by and helped fix the gunsight and as a bonus, dusted off the bipod found with the old weapons and showed King how to attach it to Artur's sniper rifle. He commented on our repair tools, said we have a very good selection.
Now we wait.
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Sorry for the delay, I've converted the campaign over to the "Five Parsecs From Home" rules from Modiphius. A friend alerted me to these rules and suggested I give them a try. I looked into them but thought a different set "Five Klicks From the Zone" would work better for what I was doing. I discovered that these rules all tend to have themes as to how they work, and 5 Klicks had the theme of "defend & improve", while 5 Parsecs was "make lots of money". I decided the 5 Parsecs theme fit in better for a exclusion zone campaign and went with it.
Obviously, since the background did not include any space travel, the mobile home had to take the place of any space ships, and travel had to be limited to moving from town to town outside the zone. Otherwise, I tried to convert the rules while staying faithful to their basic intent.
New Campaign, Week two - the photo op
Information came back from Dalila's contacts that the church did indeed have a quick job that needed doing, but needed to have some facts confirmed first. There was an abandoned inspection building inside the zone that they wanted searched IF it was still intact. We were to follow a map that would be supplied, photograph the installation, and bring the photos back. Depending on how it looked a further operation might be authorized. It wasn't much money, but a job's a job.
We left the Kid in charge of our base, packed up all we thought we'd need for a simple walk in the park, and left at first light. The trip in was straight forward and unremarkable, except for the fog. Fog again, but it burned off after a few hours. Other than that and sighting some wild dogs that kept their distance, there was not much to report. Photographing the building from its parking lot was quickly finished and we headed back.
On the way back I decided to follow a dried up creek bed since it would be quicker and easier. In the distance I could see an old abandoned truck sitting in a field, and decided to give it a quick search as we passed it.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C02_01.jpg)
I was walking point, and waved the rest of them forward when I spotted the truck.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C02_02.jpg)
Just to be safe I ordered Artur into an overwatch position with his sniper rifle. From there he could watch out for the rest of us as we checked out the truck. To keep HIM safe I had Dalila join him.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C02_03.jpg)
King, Max and I advanced on the truck. That's when we saw the bugs.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C02_04.jpg)
Swarms of them poured out from under the truck. They must have heard us approaching. They were huge (for bugs) and were a bright red colour. We immediately began calling them Firebugs.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C02_05.jpg)
They weren't doing much but milling around and they were moving rather slow so I told King to move around them to the right to check out what he could see from there. I fired a shot into them to see if I could disperse them.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C02_06.jpg)
That's when we discovered they could fly.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C02_07.jpg)
King and I began firing into the swarms, but it wasn't effective. Each shot would take out 2 or 3 bugs but there where dozens of them. Artur opened fire as well but had the same problem. We were getting scratched and bitten without doing much harm in return. Then Max opened fire with the shotgun. That worked just fine.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C02_08.jpg)
Taking my cue from Max I switched my assault rifle to full auto and fired an entire clip into the remaining swarm. An expensive way to kill bugs, but it worked. King and I then checked out the truck. We found in the cab a leather case containing what looked like several fake IDs, and in the back a crate filled with canned goods. We dumped the dented ones and packed away the rest.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C02_09.jpg)
By this time Dalila and Artur were coming forward. Lucky for them Max had moved to meet them because 2 more swarms appeared out of nowhere, probably attracted by the noise. Max put several shots into one of them, and Dalila dumped another clip full auto into the other. Do you know how much a full clip of assault rifle ammo costs? Both swarms disintegrated.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C02_10.jpg)
At this point, all bitten and stung, we carefully and quietly walked out of the zone.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C02_11.jpg)
We delivered the photos and are now waiting for further word.
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Nice report. It certainly gives a good feel to what it's like in your zone.
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How did the team react when they realized that the tow truck had a smile? :)
Great reports, very ambiant.
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Enjoyed this. Especially like the background and terrain you have created.
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Loving it! I have considered something similar, repurposing a game setting to a different genre. Looks like it is working well for you.
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Fun report. I was worried that the bugs were going to have a poison effect, or cause some sort of debilitating disease... :o
Mike Demana
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Thanks for the kind comments everyone.
Redmao - you recognized the tow truck did you? It's so hard to find 1/55th scale vehicles that I use what I can find. I treat it like a strange dent (and normally take photos from the other direction).
mikedemana - the bugs were randomly generated and the gang was lucky in getting very low level opponents, so no complications. There were supposed to be 4 swarms, but I only have 2 so they had to arrive in 2 waves.
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Excellent narrative games, I like first person reports as well so double good.
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What a great thread 👍🏼
Nice motley crew you’ve got there 😊
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Most excellent, thanks for posting the batrep.
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At the institute we never sent the same stalker into the zone more than once a week. I thought they must have known what they were doing, so I do the same. We probably don't need to be this cautious since we're not going very deep into the zone yet, but it's a good habit to get into. Since we had some time to kill, I went into town to pay the monthly installment on the mobile home and the van. While I was there I tried to gain some info on whoever was being nosy about our group, but found nothing new. On my way back to the camp I dropped in to have a talk with our local gun runner and see if I could resupply with ammo. He had what we needed and happily took my money. I mentioned the small pile of old guns we had recovered and asked if he had any use for such things. He just smiled and waved me into the back where he had a small collection of such weapons. When I asked him what he would pay he opened a chest and showed me an old, frayed 2nd-hand police bullet proof vest. We quickly made a deal. I will be better protected during next week's visit to the zone.
Dalila also went into town to see if there was any word from her contacts, and ended up going shopping. She met a "nice lady" in the cafe, who runs a high end clothing store, and after a few hours, Dalila came away with a brand new outfit. (Note - I was continuing to paint figures for the campaign when one of them, in my opinion, ended up making a better Dalila figure than the current one - it did a better job of blending in with the other figures. I thought "what a shame I didn't see this figure earlier". Then I rolled "time for a make-over" as her character event. Who am I to argue? Don't you love it when the story comes alive all on its own? So, I present the new Dalila "ensemble").
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C03_Dalila.jpg)
Oh, and incidentally, her contacts said yes - so it's a GO.
The Kid is going stir crazy being confined, but he's not 100% yet so he stays in. I suggested he go through the old guns and pick out the best before we dump the rest on his friend the gun runner. That should keep him busy as he tries to decide which ones are "the best". I figure he'll change his mind multiple times before finally deciding.
King worked on some of our damaged equipment, but didn't manage any new breakthroughs.
Max & Artur went into town to do some trading, but weren't notably successful, bringing back some trade goods (for later) and some fresh food (so we don't have to keep eating the canned stuff).
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Nice interim report. Dalila looks tough and confident.
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Fine touch in the interim narratives. Few bother to design time and space like this. As Adam Savage put it, you can find more space on the Z-axis. You got my interest.
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This is a good topic. Really enjoyed the reports and some nice photographic effects - congratulations. I’m assuming you’re playing this solo?
And did I spot a quote from Big Bad John in there? I guess it depends how old you are :D
Doug
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....And did I spot a quote from Big Bad John in there? I guess it depends how old you are :D
Hah. I caught that too...
I like Dalila's makeover. Well done with that!
Now we wait for their next trip into the Zone...
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Again, thanks for the supportive comments everyone.
James, in a way the interim narratives are built into the system. I have to give credit where it is due - Ivan Sorenson & Modiphius Entertainment have created a very nice solo campaign system. The numerous random tables and charts seem overwhelming but do a great job of creating a background and, during play, presenting imaginative random events. All the player has to do is find a way of turning the rolls into some kind of story.
Doug & Capn Jim, yes, your spotting was dead on. Did you also notice that King, who has been traveling these back roads for years, will also do anything for a buck? We don't leave him in charge of the mobile home in case we come home and find it rented out.
New Campaign, Week three - Break & Enter
I believe Dalila's contacts used our first mission as a test to see how well we would do. We must have passed their test as their offer came quickly afterwards. I've decided not to wait but to begin the mission immediately. There is a complication, some sort of scientist is to tag along with us. Our job is to get him to the building, get him inside, and then guard the building until he announces that he is done. Then get him safely back. It shouldn't be too hard, we know the route already.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C03_01.jpg)
I feel ready. We are well armed and have plenty of support equipment such as 1st aid kits. Dalila and I are the only ones with assault rifles, but the rest of the group make due with different varieties of semi-auto AR-15s, except for Max and his shotgun of course. Artur's gun is well tricked out now and he should be a terror while on overwatch.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C03_02.jpg)
We were very quiet as we approached the parking lot. It looked like we could waltz right in, but I had an uneasy feeling. We had some rocks to our right and a small woods to our left. We could use either if we wanted to be cautious. I looked around.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C03_03.jpg)
It was a good thing I did - there was someone else already there. And Dalila spotted movement inside the building. Someone was checking out a truck cab abandoned in the parking lot.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C03_04.jpg)
I wanted Artur to go on overwatch but this was not a good spot for him to set up. The sight lines were restricted and the rocks to our right were too close to the building. So I sent King out to our left to check out the trees while Dalila backed him up. Max and I moved closer.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C03_05.jpg)
Word quickly came back that King had found someone hiding in the trees, watching the building. He began to question him.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C03_06.jpg)
I sent Max over to the rocks and he quickly set up. Unfortunately, he was spotted. The person on the truck shouted a warning and immediately opened fire. And he was good. I should know, I was his target. His shooting skill, and the way he was dressed, made me start thinking of him as some sort of government or corporate agent. What had we gotten into? I turned and looked at our scientist, but he just shrugged.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C03_07.jpg)
Meanwhile Dalila and King had been grilling the onlooker. I found out later that he claimed to be a local who liked to visit the zone and had been watching the individuals as they searched the building. If true, this made him just an innocent bystander.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C03_08.jpg)
Two more opponents appeared, all of them dressed like some kind of agents. Artur tried to fire on the one in the center, but as I had feared, he couldn't get a proper bead on him. Max opened fire and at the same time gestured towards something in the parking lot I hadn't noticed, some kind of fancy military case. Perhaps this is what we'd been sent for.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C03_09.jpg)
Did I mention they were good shots? I couldn't see the agent in the blue jacket any more as he'd moved to the front of the truck cab, so I exchanged shots with the one all in black. I missed, he didn't. I suddenly found myself on my butt. The vest had returned every penny of my investment, I was bruised but otherwise unhurt. Max fired upon the one on the far right, just missing - you could see where the shotgun blast tore a piece out of the corner of the wall. I had been sure the agent had been hit too as he ducked back, but a second later he returned fire.
King moved forward firing, but agent blue (what I decided to call the one in the blue jacket) waited until just the right moment and King went down hard. Seeing this, and not having a shot herself, Dalila moved around the woods to the left in an attempt to reach King.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C03_10.jpg)
Agent blue moved towards Artur as I staggered to my feet and prepared to return fire on agent black. Suddenly I heard Max shout out and go down. There were only three of them and we were getting our butts kicked. Enough already I thought, switched my rifle to full auto and let loose on agent black.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C03_11.jpg)
It was their turn to lose someone and he went down hard.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C03_12.jpg)
I ran over to help Max and opened fire on agent grey. "click". In my hurry I had forgotten to reload. As it turned out it didn't matter. For some reason agent grey had already retreated. I quickly slapped a patch on Max. Luckily it turned out to be just a light wound.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C03_13.jpg)
Meanwhile Artur and agent blue were exchanging shots. Artur missed but agent blue didn't and managed to wound him. Even though it was only superficial, Artur ducked back into cover. I move back to my original position. It was about this time I began to wonder what had happened to Dalila.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C03_14.jpg)
Artur sees me hiding behind a bush and moves left to get a better shot at agent blue. I see agent grey peeking around the building and realize agent black is no longer lying in the parking lot. Agent grey had pulled him to safety.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C03_15.jpg)
Agent blue slowly walks forward firing. Artur goes down. Agent blue must not have seen me move and didn't realize I was nearby.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C03_16.jpg)
And agent blue goes down.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C03_17b.jpg)
That was the end of that. Agent grey and black disappeared, although they left behind an expensive high power pistol. No wonder they had been so dangerous. Our scientist, I never did learn his name, entered the building and twenty minutes later, came out furious. Dalila appeared covered in mud. She had slipped while going around the trees, rolled down the hill to get tangled in the brambles at the bottom. It took her this long just to get free and get back to the parking lot. She saw the casualties we'd suffered and moved to help King and Artur.
Max checked the military case, but it was empty except for a single data-stick stuck inside the lining. King shouted out to bring the case with us, it might be nothing but a fancy case but we could sell it for a couple bucks back in town.
I used the delay in starting home to ask my own questions of the character King had found in the woods. He'd stuck around until the end, and had truly been an innocent bystander. I wish I'd brought my camera along, innocent bystanders were rare enough they were worth taking pictures of. He was a local farmer but since nobody was willing to purchase food grown this close to the exclusion zone, the government was paying him to keep his land out of production. He spent his time exploring the zone. He'd been resting under the trees when the other three had turned up. They spent a little time inside the building, then one of them came out and started searching the parking lot. They seemed to have been in a hurry. Whatever they were searching for, the farmer didn't think they'd found it. I doubt we'll ever find out what it was all about. I asked about the twin cabins and he gave me some local gossip that had me thinking late into the coming night. Then he helped us home.
We rushed King and Artur to the hospital. Artur asked if they had a frequent flyer discount. Obviously he had only minor wounds. A week's rest and he'd be good as new. King was in more serious shape and required immediate surgery. In the recovery room we were told he may require up to 4 weeks of rest. This was not what I'd consider a successful outing. Every one of us had either been injured or shot. It's a good thing that the Kid is ready again.
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Great looking game and nice report. I might adapt this scenario for my Zona Alfa games :-*
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Great miniatures and terrain! I love the backdrops you use in the pictures; they really sellt he whole concept. Do you use a green screen for that, or are the backdrops large prints behind the table?
Also; the narative is compelling and exciting; I'm really curious to see how the story develops 8)
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Great battle report! I kept picturing Agent Smith from the Matrix firing at your guys... lol
Mike Demana
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Did you also notice that King, who has been traveling these back roads for years, will also do anything for a buck? We don't leave him in charge of the mobile home in case we come home and find it rented out.
Mmm - don’t understand that one :(
Another excellent read - I’m loving this topic. Being involved with a Five Leagues from the Borderland campaign, I can really relate to this narrative.
In case you’re interested, reports of our Five Leagues campaign are here:
https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=140996.0 (https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=140996.0)
Doug
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I'm with Doug. That reference is vaguely familiar, but I'm not placing it....
In any event, another great story. Your team took this one on the chin a bit, though. Hopefully, King has a speedy recovery...
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I'm with Doug. That reference is vaguely familiar, but I'm not placing it....
That old classic tune, King of the Road, shurely? ;)
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That old classic tune, King of the Road, shurely? ;)
That's what I first thought. Not sure though. But I'm likely over-thinking it, as I'm prone to do.... 8)
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Trailers for sale or rent?
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Trailers for sale or rent?
Of course - I should have got that; keep ‘em coming…..
Doug
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Right! Like I said, I was over-thinking it... :D
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Just a minute….!There’s more. The King is is a human catalogue of my favourite era of pop music:
"King was a wanderer most of his life, drifting from town to town"
With his two fists of iron and he’s going nowhere. Right? With Flo on his left and Mary on his right I don’t doubt.
Doug
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Another great story/game, I went back to the beginning of the thread and realised you aren't using Zona Alfa but 5 Parsecs from Home. I played out a game a couple of days ago and struggled with my first use of the Z. A. Set.
Are you using the combat rules from 5 Parsecs or just the campaign aspect of it?
The last game scenery works incredibly well for such a simple set up, the backdrop helps a lot but the building being placed on a different coloured tile? works with the bits and pieces seting it all off nicely. Impressive.
Someone asked if you were soloing this but you also made some reference to our group does this. Just curious which way you're playing.
Looking forward to more from your team.
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Love the story.
Great terrain.
I see you are using vehicles for the movie "Cars."
My grandson has a lot of them,
Maybe I will steal (borrow) some of them. ;)
Look forward to the next story.
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Yes, I am playing this one solo.
Daeothar - green screen although I use black and I'm having some problems with it. Mike - I laughed at your comment about agent smith. Although if you could see the agents close up you'd swear two of them are agents from some international law enforcement agency. Doug - I've taken a look at your campaign, very nice. Vagabond - I'm using the combat system as well. I've only got the original rulebook and I really like the balance between the time spent on campaign issues and the time spent playing the battles. The tile is a textured brown one that makes a very nice dirt parking lot, but doesn't photograph so well. Marine0846 - yes, as I said a little bit of painting (the eyes are gone) and modelling and you have a vehicle right in scale with the figures. And I got them cheap too.
And thanks to everyone for your interest.
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These reports are brilliant. I have a pdf of 5 Klicks from the Zone which could add some interesting between game to Zona Alfa games if combined.
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New Campaign, Week four
The Kid was up and about early today, determined to be a full member of the team again. Artur would be out for one week and King would be out for a while unless we could find him some specialized medical care. I decided to go into town one more time to scout out these mysterious individuals searching for us. If I didn't find anything solid I'd stop wasting my time. Dalila, who'd become quite a saleswoman, would search for a new project for us. Max would do some shopping. I noticed Dalila was much more attentive to her surroundings now, perhaps a side effect of her time in the zone. To be honest I guess I am too. (+1 reactions for both).
Dalila was contacted by several "procurement" specialists for a rather wealthy individual who remained nameless. He was looking for some flexible delivery people and we had come recommended. A simple delivery, but with some conditions attached. First, the mission needed to be done without anyone finding out anything had been delivered. This meant a night mission. Second, the number of people knowing about the mission had to be kept to a minimum. This meant a maximum of 4. Bonuses would be paid.
Dalila reported that she had trouble keeping a straight face as she solemnly agreed to only 4 participants instead of 6. And that a night mission would be acceptable, but we had some conditions too. She wanted to know if they could supply us with body armour. They discussed it for a moment and agreed to supply 2 sets of corporate quality armor. So we have a mission, and some new armour.
While I was in town I discovered a disturbing development. A new group of people were searching for information about us. A friendly contact of ours managed to get a picture.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C04_rivals.jpg)
Seeing their picture re-enforces my belief that they must be some kind of corporate security or government, perhaps international law enforcement. We'll try to keep out of their way. Max came home empty handed. I think he needs to pick up some hints on how to deal with people.
We await the item to be delivered.
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The plot thickens, those 2 are are probably trouble, unless they have a job for you.
Beware men in suits.
Horseman's Deli is an iconic building in Horseman's Flatts, I put a picture of it on my thread. I've got a team investigating how you have discovered it's whereabouts. Is there a rift in the space time continuum I wonder.
I'll be back to read about how your team go on with the job. Do they have a name? It might be good for business!
Cheers
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Seeing their picture re-enforces my belief that they must be some kind of corporate security or government, perhaps international law enforcement. We'll try to keep out of their way.
Are you sure they're not just long list U.N.C.L.E.s?
Great campaign. I do like the between game activities that help grow the storyline
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Are you sure they're not just long list U.N.C.L.E.s?
careful, getting involved with U.N.C.L.E.s leads to a T.H.R.U.S.H. attack. lol lol lol
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Funny - that's the first thing I though when I saw that photo. They looked suspiciously like Solo and Kuryakin...
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As to the previous picture, yes - I think of them as agents of United Nations Covert Law Enforcement, although that's probably a cover name and their real name is something silly.
Vagabond, my Horseman's Deli is slightly different. The shack on top is oriented differently, and it never has those pesky runs on the coffee supply.
New Campaign, Week four - Special Delivery
The item to be delivered arrived along with two sets of adjustable corporate armour. The item was a small locked suitcase, and since he was so full of energy we gave it to the Kid to carry. Dalila and I got the new armour, while the vest was passed on to Max. Dalila and I also had our precious last two remaining med kits (actually stims). We left as soon as it got dark. There was a half moon out, so there was some light to guide us, but engagement range would be limited. So much for our expensive long range assault rifles (again). We'd been given a map with an abandoned building marked. We were to hide the suitcase in some bushes directly behind this building.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C04_01.jpg)
Following the map was easy and we found the building with no problems. The bushes were right where they were supposed to be. However, off in the distance I could see a campfire. Someone else was already here. They looked like cultists. I turned to Dalila who frowned, then shrugged.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C04_02.jpg)
There seemed to be two men on guard while I was pretty sure I could make out more individuals bedded down for the night in among the rocks. They must have decided to camp there instead of inside the building. At least that was a bit of luck. I was worried that they might spot the Kid, who needed to get closer, so I decided to distract them.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C04_02b.jpg)
Oh yeah, and in spite of the campfire it was dark.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C04_03.jpg)
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C04_04.jpg)
We moved up along the rocks on our left, attempting to gain a flanking position on them. The Kid moved towards the building.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C04_05.jpg)
When we were ready I shouted "Hello there, the campfire".
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C04_06.jpg)
They must have been light sleepers. In just moments they were up and armed. They definitely looked like cultists to me. There seemed to be six of them, including a leader with an auto pistol and someone with a shotgun. The rest had normal rifles.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C04_07.jpg)
Meanwhile, the Kid took advantage of the noise and hid the suitcase.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C04_08.jpg)
The cultists advanced towards us and opened fire. There were bullets flying everywhere. Except near us, it was dark and they hadn't spotted us yet, but it certainly was impressive. (In the dark a natural six was needed for a hit).
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C04_09.jpg)
We didn't have the same problem. We had muzzle flashes to aim at. I hit the man with the shotgun and he went down. Max ran forward to get into close range with his shotgun, suddenly changed his mind and moved towards the gap in the rocks in front of him instead. "Gotta get closer" he shouted as he ran past me. Meanwhile I got shot by the enemy leader. I guess two can play at firing at muzzle flashes. I was knocked back and stunned, but the wound was a minor one.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C04_10.jpg)
When Max arrived at the gap he found a cultist waiting for him. Max was hit but his vest saved him. His return fire, also hit and the cultist went down. Two down. A cultist and the leader moved to our left to clear their lines of fire. The large rock formation was blocking a lot of their fire.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C04_11.jpg)
Meanwhile, the Kid was shooting it out with the sixth cultist. Neither was having much luck due to the darkness, but eventually the Kid won and the cultist went down.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C04_12.jpg)
The two cultists came around the end of the rock formation and opened fire. Dalila was their target but they managed to miss. She fired back hitting the one with the rifle. He shrugged it off.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C04_13.jpg)
I moved up beside Dalila and fired, also hitting the cultist with the rifle. He changed targets to me. Max and the cultist leader were exchanging shots but the rock formation was preventing any hits in spite of the close range. The cultist to our right suddenly realized he was all alone in the dark and fled.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C04_14.jpg)
At this point things got a little confusing for me as I was hit again and this time the armour didn't help me and I went down. Dalila and Max both opened fire and finally the cultist with the rifle went down. This left only the leader, but not for long, as the Kid had snuck up on him and opened fire. The battle was over. I quickly used up our second last med kit on myself to stop the bleeding.
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Great report. I like the way this campaign is going. Hopefully payment for this job will buy you more med kits.
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Great little solo campaign you have running here. 👍
I like the setting, style of storytelling and the pictures.
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Armour and med kits FTW!
Maybe buying/finding some night vision equipment might help in night fighting scenarios such as these? It would certainly increase the engagement range and would prevent some nasty bruising onderneath those fancy pieces of armour ;)
Another great and exciting report; please keep 'em coming 8)
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Well done! Both in terms of the crew and their exploits, and your telling of their story. A+
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Another enjoyable story and a successful conclusion to the mission. Thumbs up for that.
I said last time that your table looks great and this is just as good, simple effective and realistic, then I realized that we have a few things common to our layouts apart from Horsemans Deli. Individual aquarium plants, clump foliage scattered on the table mat as well as bits of scattered stuff, barrels etc that tend to tie the thing together so I guess I'm a bit biased in my view. 8)
I've never thought the aquarium type of rocks work particularly well when I've seen them on other set ups but in the games you've shown they blend in really well. I'm not sure if that's your painting or the mat graphics but I'm reconsidering my opinion on them.
Is the mat a Deep Cut one or another manufacturer and it's hard to see in the photos but have you flocked your aquarium plants? I just dry brushed mine cause I'm lazy.
Keep it up, I'm enjoying reading games on LAF there's not enough posted in my opinion.
Cheers
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In the last game I expected the third turn random event would spawn a monster which would have arrived via the abandoned building in the middle of the table. This is one of the reasons why the cultists started on the opposite edge (the other, more important one, being they were the opposition and that's where the opposition deploys). This created an excuse for the setup. However, when the third turn came around, the random event turned out to be a double move for Max.
Vagabond - I find that the "scatter terrain" makes or breaks how the battlefield looks, and I try to use more than the usual amount. The aquarium plants are an easy way of filling up much of the available space. I'm not sure what you're referring to with "aquarium type of rocks". If you mean those rock formations they are actually cedar chips (I think) glued together, painted, drybrushed, flocked and based.
The mat is GRASSY FIELDS and it's from Battle Systems Terrain. As to the plants I'm using, the ones you probably noticed are the ones I'm using for bushes which are dry brushed (to get the sheen off) and flocked with fine dark green flocking. They are not aquarium plants - I got them from a dollar store and they come in large sections. I cut them into pieces and based them. The rest are not flocked except for the tall ones. When I based them I found they looked rather scrawny so I used spray adhesive on them, dropped them into a bag with fine flocking and shook them up. This resulted in scrawny looking plants with flocking on them.
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I have some wood chippings in the garden, I thought they were much thinner than yours, I'll take a look and when Mrs V isn't looking I'll pinch some. :D I had a look at the mat manufacturer, they have a couple of nice ones, I like yours and the paving slab one looks pretty good too. Could be spending more money. o_o
Thanks for the info.
Cheers
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We reported the assignment successfully completed and the sponsor of the mission seemed very pleased. We may have won over another new patron. The payment was fine and made promptly. However, there was one complication that I should have seen coming - they charged us for the armour. They never did tell us it was free after all. Oh well, we still made a profit.
Artur was up and around again and I sent him into town. The Kid was walking the perimeter of our camp, and King was resting. Dalila, Max and I were debating on what we should do next. I thought it was time to check out what little info we had on that artifact sighting near the twin cabins. After all, it was what we were all here for. It didn't require much convincing to get the other two to go along, so we decided to put it to a vote later. We had enough surplus to live on for at least a week, so this was seen as our opportunity.
Dalila and I got into a discussion about the mysterious group that was snooping about asking questions about us. Dalila admitted that the gang we had just fought looked familiar. She believed the cult might be looking for a chance for some payback. On the other hand, I knew my leaving the science & technology firm (which remains nameless) wasn't on the best of terms. So it was a toss-up. We'd deal with it when we needed to.
Artur came back from town early along with a doctor that had just gotten off shift. Artur said he'd been telling stories about our adventures and the doctor volunteered to come by and check up on King. The doc looked him over and pronounced that he should be up sooner than expected. He left behind some medical kits and stims with the instruction to let King rest another week and administer some of the stims to see what happened.
Max hadn't been busy so he ran into town for some quick shopping and came back with a cheap (used) drone. He claimed it would be great for scouting . . . as soon as it was fixed. The Kid had an interesting time. That old farmer wandered by and got into some in-depth talks with him about what he'd seen in the zone over the past year. The Kid came back thoughtful and excited about some "tricks" he'd learned. Later, we took a vote, and our next mission will be for us - search for the artifact.
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Having bought and read most of "5 Parsecs from Home" I am seeing the mechanics of how you've adapted the campaign system. How much retooling of the charts did you have to do? I'm considering using the Wiley Games rules Fistful of Lead for my action, but would love to port in this campaign framework. It does a beautiful job of storytelling!
Mike Demana
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Looking forward to reading about your mission to search for that artifact....
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Thanks again for the kind words.
Mike - I haven't made very many changes other than superficial ones, things like names and descriptions. Most of these changes are due to my taking a sci-fi set of rules and using them for essentially a modern setting. So, no aliens or space travel and the monsters need to become mutants instead. Travel by mobile home around the perimeter of the zone to new towns replaces flying to new planets. This requires some changes, but not so much to the rules or charts.
Most of the charts I left intact, only making on-the-fly changes whenever needed, depending on what I rolled. And I use them as designed. After all, it's their number and variety of results that work towards creating the story. For example, in the wrap-up of the last adventure the random campaign event for turn 4 was "friendly doc" and Max's trade attempt in town was only 2 percentage points from getting "medical supplies (reserves)". So, spending a story point allows this to become a visit from a new npc - the friendly doctor, and as a bonus King rejoins the action two weeks sooner.
One change that is needed, of course, is the zone itself. I use the common idea of levels of "weirdness" the deeper one goes into the zone. So far the gang has been adventuring in the White Zone (level 0), a one mile deep perimeter around the zone, which has no anomalies or artifacts. The next level, the Yellow Zone (level 1) will have one of each, probably located in the center of the table.
As far as using other combat rules, I can see no problem. I started by using a home-brew set of skirmish rules and I had no problem using them instead of the provided rules. You just insert them in place of the official ones and modify any problems.
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Like Mike I've thought about how you are using the 5 parsecs campaign background to flesh out your storiy/games. I'm reading through the game system and campaign rules at the moment. It looks promising. Thanks for the tip.
Cheers
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I've got Five Parsecs on order and it should be arriving this week. I'll then look at it in slow time and work our how I'm going to use the campaign rules with Zona Alfa (or perhaps Kontraband supplement). No rush though as, after I post the next game report for my Northmoor setting, I have three more episodes of the Quatermass Run written and ready to play (I just need to finish some terrain pieces for them).
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Great to see all these zone stories progressing.
Your tables and photography are wonderful and really make it 'real'.
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Well, I suppose I should jump on the proverbial bandwagon, and see what all the fuss is about with Five Parsecs...
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New Campaign, Week five - The Twin Cabins
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C05_01.jpg)
It was late afternoon on an overcast day when we finally found them. It had taken quite awhile with many false starts, but there they were, just as described. The first thing the Kid said was "look at that car". There was an old abandoned demolition derby car parked next to one of the cabins. The first thing I noticed was the strange mutated white vegetation surrounding the shed behind the cabins. We didn't know what to expect here, but it was time to find out.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C05_02.jpg)
I told Dalila and the Kid to move up and investigate the cabin on the left while Max and I investigated the one on the right. I told Artur to place himself in the rocks in the center and cover us.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C05_03.jpg)
Dalila and the Kid moved up and Artur positioned himself without any problems or signs of opposition.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C05_04.jpg)
Max and I moved up as well. The cabin looked completely empty and we were about to move towards it when I spotted movement near the stone wall. Firebugs, again. They caused enough trouble the last time we met them. At least now we know how to deal with them. I put a shot into them to make them move.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C05_05.jpg)
And move they did. They took off and swarmed towards us. Artur and I opened fire, but it was Max and his shotgun that did the most damage. The swarm scattered.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C05_06.jpg)
Meanwhile, Dalila spotted another swarm by the car that hadn't moved when the first one did. I gestured to take a shot at them, the Kid did.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C05_07.jpg)
This group swarmed even faster than the first one did. In a flash the Kid was buried by stinging biting bugs. Dalila tried to fire into them as they moved forward but had no effect before they'd attacked the Kid. He started kicking and slapping and eventually used his rifle as some kind of make shift bug swatter. He did manage to drive them off but his rifle was no longer usable, and the Kid's face and arms were covered in bites and patches of blood.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C05_08.jpg)
When we saw that the Kid was no longer in danger Max and I returned to checking out the cabin. It was completely empty. I thought I heard a noise coming from beside the cabin and I took a look.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C05_09.jpg)
Oh my! It appears that firebugs come in small, medium and LARGE. I opened fire but my surprise was so complete that I only managed to hit once, and it bounced off. That armour was going to be a problem.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C05_10.jpg)
I backed up firing, and my shouts brought everyone else into the fight. Max's shotgun wasn't doing much harm, but between Dalila's and my assault rifles it was obvious we were inflicting some damage.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C05_11.jpg)
The creature kept crawling forward in spite of our firepower and actually managed to cross the road and come within a couple of feet of us before it stopped moving. I gave it a couple extra shots just to be sure. Predictably, they bounced off.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C05_12.jpg)
Dalila and I moved towards the shed, Max started looking through the junk between the cabins and the Kid went straight to the car. "This is so cool" he shouted. "I think I can salvage some expensive parts from this thing". I noticed that the mutated vegetation around the shed extended off to the left, something that seemed unusual.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C05_13.jpg)
Suddenly Artur began shouting and firing. We turned about and discovered that the dead bug was once again crawling towards us. It seemed to have chosen the Kid as its main target, because of his bloody condition I hoped. It didn't bear thinking that it choose the Kid because his rifle was out of action.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C05_14.jpg)
The Kid tried to defend himself with his pistol. As it closed in, Max leaned forward, placed his shotgun against its head, and gave it both barrels. It stopped moving for good.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C05_15.jpg)
We closed in on the shed, with the Kid commenting on the trail of vegetation leading off to the left. That's when it struck me - the anomaly was MOBILE. From the shape of the vegetation left behind it had long ago slowly moved off to the north. With Dalila and the Kid covering me I carefully creaked open the door of the shed. There was nothing inside but more of the weird vegetation.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C05_16.jpg)
I went in. Dalila held open the door, the Kid and Max went back to looting, and Artur checked out the second empty cabin. Searching about I discovered an hour-glass shaped object that changed shape as you looked at it from different angles. I recognized it. It was a known type of artifact, although they usually came in groups of 4 or 5. Someone had already been here, but had missed this one item. Dalila suddenly started shooting.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C05_17.jpg)
A group of these bugs were coming down from the north. Dalila, Artur and the Kid were firing into them but didn't seem to be doing much damage.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C05_18.jpg)
I joined in. The bugs were not moving excessively fast, about equal to a fast walk for humans. The small swarms were not yet attacking but were instead flying around the large ones.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C05_19.jpg)
The small ones swarmed, targeting Dalila who fled. Landing on the roof of the car they came face to face with Max's double barreled bug swatter which did significant damage to them. I kept firing and gave an order I never thought I'd give.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C05_20.jpg)
RUN!
Fortunately the bugs could not keep up with a human fast run speed.
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Fun stuff.
Where did you get the BIG bugs from?
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Looks and sounds fun!
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Excellent stuff. More please!
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Wow, these Bugs are nasty. Hope you were able to secure the artifact.
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Sounds like they need to bring a
bid BIG can of Raid! next time... :D
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^^ Or a grenade! I wonder if there's a way to tip them over and see if the big ones have a soft underbelly...? :o
Mike Demana
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Thanks for the comments everyone.
Has.been - the big bugs are from a weird war Vietnam range called Black Sun. They're actually the SMALL bugs. This range also has the wonderful "deep ones" with AK47s.
https://www.cruciblecrush.com/store/range/19/28mm_Weird_War_Nam/
Cordvane - one of the things that made the decision easy for Zola was that Max had already looted the junkpile, the Kid had looted the car, and he had the artifact firmly in his hands.
Mike - when cooked they taste like lobster.
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Thanks for that, I'll have to give them a look.
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As always, I like your table and the establishing shot at the beginning looks great. Incidentally, what size table are you using? You seem to get a lot of action in what looks like quite a small area.
A very interesting game and not a human enemy in sight - I do like those bugs. Loving your campaigns.
Doug
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Agreed with the others, this game looks amazing. Great job!
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Run is always a good tactical choice when the odds aren't to your liking.
Another cracking tale, scenery as always looks good. I see you've gone back to the photoshopped background, it makes a real difference, well done. I only have a rudimentary knowledge of photoshop, you mentioned a black background in the past, are you erasing this and adding a second picture layer with the countryside scenery on it?
The bugs look good I'm surprised you eat them though. ;)
Cheers
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Doug - I'm using a 3 ft x 3 ft mat on a kitchen table.
Vagabond - pretty much as you described it. I'm setting up black foam-core sheets along 3 sides of the mat, leaving 1 side to shoot the pictures from. I then remove the black "walls" from the picture and place the result on top of a countryside scene. I didn't use it for the "night" game on purpose. I may have increased the big bugs armour rating a bit too much, but you don't think it's wise to eat giant bugs from an unearthly paranormal environment? hmmmm ...
============================================
We got back to camp with enough loot to make the trip worth while (once we sold the artifact) or so we thought. The next day we discovered that some department of the government had investigated our bank account and decided we owed more taxes. Dalila & I argued about which of our two rivals had enough pull with the government to get them to harass us. (actually it was a campaign random event but fit with events nicely)
Our encounter with the bugs demonstrated a failing in our mix of weapons. While we had plenty of mid-power rifles, we were lacking in any really powerful ones. We'd need to fix this soon. The Kid replaced his damaged rifle with a slightly less powerful one from our collection. As soon as we had the time we would repair his regular one.
The Kid, and to some extent Max, were scratched and bitten enough to need a couple days of rest. So we decided to take it easy for a bit. A quick trip into town and then we'd be off on the track of that strange vegetation and find out where it led. King had improved and was ready for the next mission. That doc had been right, the stims had worked wonders. So it will be "all hands on deck".
New Campaign, Week Six - Oh! It Figures
Dalila and I went into town to try and find out who we were dealing with. Neither of us had any luck. King, the Kid and Max were resting and Artur visited our friend the unemployed farmer and came back excited. He had found some new gossip about a new anomaly in the yellow zone near, but north of, the twin cabins. In his opinion this was what we were looking for.
We discussed it and voted. Our three resting members all said they were fine and ready to go. We collected what we thought we'd need and set out.
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Game on :o
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Thanks for your patience everyone.
I have made a couple minor changes to the rules that came up in the current game. Instead of giving saving throws for passive defensive gear such as vests, I instead just increase the toughness of whoever is wearing them. Saving throws are saved for more advanced defenses.
New Campaign, Week six - Ambushed
Notes from a Stalker's diary
We decided to swing north of the twin cabins instead of going straight towards them, and try to cross the path of the mobile anomaly. Then we would simply follow the trail to see were it led. Hopefully it would lead us directly to the rest of the artifacts. We felt prepared, Dalila and I had the corp armour, Max had the vest and Dalila, Artur and I each had 1 med kit (the friendly Doc had left 2 new ones with us when he checked out King). Everyone had their favourite weapons, except the Kid. We still hadn't had time to fix his. We were also carrying plenty of food and water so we were in no rush.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C06_01.jpg)
We spent the morning moving at a steady pace, along an old walking trail without any problems. In fact Artur commended that it seemed unusually quiet.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C06_02.jpg)
At about noon we came upon a old shack with a pile of crates out front. They'd been out in the rain for some time and looked completely wrecked, anything they contained was long ago ruined. But I was thinking of calling a rest and this was as good a place as any.
King and Max starting searching the crates and I was wondering what might be in the shack when Artur suddenly shouted "Movement" and jumped over the fence towards cover. I never realized just how fast he could move. I looked where he had pointed.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C06_03.jpg)
They were deployed in the rocks and looked like Enforcers. That was bad. Usually this meant government involvement but corp interests used them as well. Dalila and I exchanged nods. Perhaps we'd finally find out just who was after us. If Artur hadn't spotted them we'd have walked right into their trap. They opened fire.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C06_04.jpg)
We scattered and grabbed whatever cover we could. Max ran towards some thick bushes in an attempt to get closer with his shotgun. We fired back but without hitting any of them.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C06_05.jpg)
They began to advance but one of them didn't realize that Artur had moved up and flanked them. Artur fired, staggering him but he remained upright. They were wearing vests.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C06_06.jpg)
Artur continued to move up in an attempt to get a better shot.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C06_07.jpg)
And he found one. He fired. The Enforcer went down. The rest spread out and advanced towards Max.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C06_08.jpg)
Their fire kept Max pinned down but they made the mistake of only focusing on him. Dalila nailed a second one. Artur shouted "watch out, more of them". I looked and thought - Oh! It figures.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C06_09.jpg)
The mystery was solved. We didn't have two rival groups hunting us, we had THREE. They must have been chasing us since we met at the inspection station. This must be their idea of payback. Only, who was paying them? Not the government surely?
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C06_10.jpg)
While we were distracted, the Kid was hit and went down. I quickly used my med kit to patch him up.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C06_11.jpg)
Max took this opportunity to step out from behind the bush and gave one of the Enforcers both barrels. He went down hard. At this point the lieutenant retreated from the field. (a mistake on my part, lieutenants are immune to panic tests - I should have retreated the shotgun armed man instead).
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C06_12.jpg)
The other Enforcer, the only one with a shotgun, also stepped out and quickly fired. But he had rushed his shot, and in spite of the close range, completely missed Max. Now it was a race to see who could reload quickest.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C06_13.jpg)
A race that Max won.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C06_14.jpg)
Agents Grey and Black advanced, and catching Artur out of position, easily took him down. Dalila's return fire struck the lead agent twice, staggering him. Dalila was becoming quite a marksman. However the agent didn't go down, he was amazingly tough.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C06_15.jpg)
They stopped advancing and checked out the odds against them.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C06_16.jpg)
The rest of us were sweeping around to flank them and would soon be in range.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/C06_17.jpg)
They took a final shot at Dalila, hitting her dead center, but her armour protected her. Then they turned and melted back into the trees and rocks.
After they had gone, Dalila limped over to Artur and applied our second to last med kit. It would be nice to just visit the local black market and stock up on these things, but they are reserved for official usage only and very hard to find.
We decided to call it a day.
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Looks like things just got a little tougher... :o
Nice battle report! Good change to see the enemies initiating the engagement...
Mike Demana
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Good one. I’m impressed how you make what are, after all, quite simple scenarios, so interesting. The background story brings the game to life. Also nice to see someone else using those corporate guard figures. In my games they are the "good" guys but they’re perfect for hostiles as well.
Doug
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Cool BATREP and great scenery.
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The plot thickens. Good batrep and as usual amazing scenery. 👍
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Thanks again for the nice comments everyone.
Doug - decades ago I used to play scifi in 15mm. I had a rather large unit of Planetary Militia from RAFM Canada, dressed in security gear. I painted them grey (like yours) and played many many games with them.
(http://hardpointgames.netfirms.com/pics/PlanetaryMilitia.jpg)
sample
A couple of years ago I discovered these new bigger figures. It was as if someone had sculptured my earlier forces into 28mm just so I could play with them again.
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Notes from a Stalker's diary
Well, that was an unexpected encounter. We set off, back to base, with some of us moving a bit slower than we had on the way here. Max in particular seemed to be having a difficult time. That's when I noticed he was juggling two shotguns and a submachine gun. He grinned when he saw me staring and said "I found them" (actually random battlefield finds). Since we hadn't traveled too far into the zone it didn't take us long to get back to base.
We were all disappointed at failing to even reach the expected artifacts, and were determined to try again after just a brief rest. Artur asked if someone else could be tasked with the overwatch position, since he felt it didn't match his talents. I agreed to ask for volunteers. Max went into town and came back with disturbing rumours about military trucks being spotted in the vicinity.
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Great reports :)
The scenery is scattered around and varied really well, believably, looks like a fun table to play on!
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Really enjoyed catching up with this thread, great AAR and some lovely scenery and models.
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Well, that could have been worse. Things are certainly heating up. Were all the enforcers dead, or could you extract some info from any of them? It'd be nice to know who Mr. Grey and Mr. Black are....
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I'm a bit late to the party and sorry to say it, but I drank the bottle of wine I was bringing ;)
Another great story line as the Cptn said "who are Mr Grey and Mr Black. It's all getting quite intriguing. As always the game table looks good and the figure bases blend in very nicely.
Cheers
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Excellent report and nice looking game. Your team needs more of everything - med-kits, armour and men!