The Grumpy Gnome‘s Fantasy Projects Blog (latest update on page 61)

[CookAndrewB]

The format is fine, Rick. Plenty easy to navigate around in.

It does feel a bit "empty" with the background being white though. What color was the background previously?

[mirjeki]

This conversation may be of interest to you mate.

https://www.dwarvenforge.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=12164

Ah, exactly what I was thinking of! Useful thread, thanks.

[Grumpy Gnome]

The format is fine, Rick. Plenty easy to navigate around in.

It does feel a bit "empty" with the background being white though. What color was the background previously?

It was tan.

What I spent the most time doing was figuring out how to add various types of search functions to the blog. Now it should be much easier to navigate and find older posts relevant to the specific interests of various readers as the scope of the blog has grown beyond Middle Earth Gaming.

[CookAndrewB]

I did see that you split things up a bit. I suppose that isn't overly useful for me as I tend to just check out the newest posts on a blog rather than really dive in. The first time I visit a blog I do tend to really browse the depths of the entire thing, but having once caught up I just read the latest and greatest. That tends to mean I don't search for much, though if I can carve out "just terrain" I often go that route. I particularly avoid hobby stuff revolving around WH40k, Napoleonic, and micro armor as none of that really interests me, but on a first browse I'll usually skim it anyway.

[Grumpy Gnome]

Well hopefully now you can use the terrain search to keep it focused for you mate.

Latest blog has some reviews and a WIP shot of some Halfling to Gnome conversions.

https://thegrumpygnome.home.blog/2021/05/21/some-reviews-wargames-atlantic-and-miniaturicum/

[Sven Ironhand]

Out of curiosity, how'd you do the hats for your first gnomes? I like the look of them, but not for Gnomes. I was thinking I'd ask you to use it for WHFB Hobbos.

My Chaos Dwarfs need someone to kick in the tuckus, after all.

[Grumpy Gnome]

Do you mean these?

https://thegrumpygnome.home.blog/2019/08/02/the-first-of-the-gnomes/

Those are GW Goblin heads, maybe Night Goblins. I had planned on doing a bunch more like that but in the end decided to put all my GW goblin bits on eBay.

[CookAndrewB]

That was a ton of plastic you reviewed! Can't wait to see them get built.

[Grumpy Gnome]

So much work to do, Never enough free time. And my allergies have been going crazy making it difficult to paint. So I have spent a lot of time online!

https://thegrumpygnome.home.blog/2021/05/24/some-more-reviews-dwarven-forge-burrows-and-monster-fight-club/

At the request of a couple people I have tried to make the blog less bright but have failed to figure out how to get the parchment background I want. So far anyway. I will keep trying.

[CookAndrewB]

Those burrows are cool. I do like the natural feel of them. Do they make any wider tunnel sections or larger rooms? I know your blog said that this was part of a larger set, so maybe there are some other pieces found in the other set which would give more space for your troll? How a la carte is DF? I've browsed the website from time to time, but can't remember if they just sell sets or if you could just go in and order another 4-5 straight tunnel sections, or another room.

The addition of the trap doors is an interesting one. That could lend itself to all kinds of interesting mechanics in a game. Particularly needing to step lightly over them or risk falling through to the level below. That makes me think of the Mandalorian episode with the ice spider things.

As for the Monster Fight Club stuff. I think it looks ok. I have looked at their trees before because I liked the idea of being able to have a tree with/without foliage as my particular game required. I was very tempted by early kickstarters, but ultimately decided not to go that route.

[Grumpy Gnome]

Unfortunately there are no larger rooms or tunnels. There has been talk from DF to one day do more, larger burrows but no timeline on that.

There is a new website, easier to navigate and DF is bringing out new sets… and sets is how DF works. You can not order bits piecemeal unfortunately.

Stock issues is one of the difficulties with DF. Yesterday’s restock felt like the Hunger Games. Our order was in 15 minutes after restock and all the trees in the restock we’re gone before we could complete checkout. More trees are due in next month though and that is a bigger restock according to DF.

As to the trapdoors, yeah, I totally see that. Cool stuff. Mrs. GG is not so sure so I will have to convince her with a game at some point.

[CookAndrewB]

Rick,

I just saw that DF bundled some "hell" terrain. Feels relevant for your Middle Earth gaming.

[Grumpy Gnome]

The Hellscape terrain is cool, particularly if you use it with the light panels but we intend to avoid going into that biome for budget reasons.

This month’s build of the month is pretty neat and all discounts are appreciated but we are giving it a pass to focus on other purchases… like more Dreadhollow trees when thy come back into stock.

[CookAndrewB]

Do they do a different build monthly?

[Grumpy Gnome]

Yup. You can see them on YouTube. Comes with a gift voucher usually about 10% of the bundle cost. Each build of the month has an adventure story tied to it, the videos are entertaining in that regard if nothing else.