Palaeo Diet – The Interlopers and DevLAM the Meeting

The year was growing older and the climate was getting colder so the Shell Clan were making their annual journey south to follow the sun, a ritual we still follow today. I guess if they had learned to sew, they could have made a better fist of clothing themselves to keep warm and saved on the leg miles.

The previous two stories showing the exploits of the Shell Clan are Here Game 1 and Here Game 2

It was late in the day and they were searching for somewhere safe to stay the night, when they came upon another group of upright bipeds, similar to themselves, but also quite different.

In game terms I treated the pygmies as pack predators so that the A.I. system would work.

The Shell Clan has adopted what was becoming their usual formation when facing danger, the females with the slings on the outside of the line and the men with the brawn and better close quarters weapons in the centre. The one thing they seem to have learned from the 1st encounter with the Grazers is to stick together when faced with danger.

Luana fails an activation but the Pygmies remain calm, watching to see what these strangely coloured people will do. She lopes forward and this also elicits no aggressive response. She then did what most peoples do when faced with an unknown race or culture. She tried to kill it.

Her sling shot was deadly accurate and she caused 2 wounds on Agume, he promptly dropped down dead.

The little guys were obviously not expecting this and two of them took to their heels and ran away. One is made of sterner stuff and moves forward to attack Luana.

Zanga the brave has moved close to Luana but could not make contact and then when Ayah makes her move towards him he responds by running away to join the rest of his tribe. Tohana and Kee’Ak move up along side the females.

A quick shot showing the poor Pygmies all in flight from these aggressive incomers.

The Pygmies have reacted to the hunters with Zanga going back onto the attack and you can see here he has been shot dead, again by Luana. To do this she rolls a 6 to hit and then a further 5 to hit again, causing 2 wounds which is a kill. Twice in 2 turns she has rolled a 6 followed by a 5, what a woman.

Tohana now runs forward and in a ferocious fight bashes the little fellows brains out with that dam big axe of his. He didn’t have it all his own way and took a blow to the head wounding him sorely.

The last man standing decides to leave before something nasty happens to him. Maybe he has friends nearby?

Another successful encounter for the Shell Clan.

Ayah’s leg has now healed and she can move normally.

Tohana suffered a blow to the head this leaves him slightly deaf and he ceases to be alert.

Kee’Ak no change and is still Alert.

Luana with her accurate shooting gains a trait and with a good die roll becomes a Hunter.

They also gain 6 bulk of food. Although I’m not too sure of the ethics of this decision on my part, but hey ho - it's only a game ;-)

DevLAM

You may have noticed the post on my Blog list from The Mad Lord Snapcase entitled Much-Piddling Naval Visitors and relating to Devlam 18.

Well - a year ago I was enjoying the late summer down in the south of France, staying with the Rothschild’s in their villa on Cap Ferrat when I received this telegram.

What ho Vagabond, what are you doing on the Bonfire night weekend, burning that bounder Fawkes or are you still enjoying the gaming tables on the Cote D’Azure STOP I am thinking of having a couple of chums around to the old pile and conducting a refined weekend of Wargaming STOP What do you think STOP The old Gal, Lady Snapcase is visiting relatives and we will have the place to ourselves STOP Sir Douglas is coming with something called Luke Warm Grave, doesn’t have a snowy table he says, well which of us do at this time of year STOP I shall be doing Pulp Alley, Gothic Horror don’t you know STOP You can bring that Mabel Street Mob lot down if they can get exit visas from the States STOP Reply soonest STOP

When I told the Rothschild’s that I would be leaving on the next boat train to London and then driving down to deepest darkest Devon the following day they were bitterly disappointed, as you would expect but they quite understood that the chance to wargame in the sanctity of Snapcase Hall was an offer no insane sane man would refuse.

The weekend went well, Lord Snapcase was a most attentive host and even had the local Constable stop the traffic in the main street outside the Hall, just so I could more easily get my Austin 7 between the gate pillars and up the long tree lined drive, to park in the stable yard round the back of the main house.

Sir Douglas and I arrived promptly at the designated time, his racing green Bentley cut quite a dash in the village, it’s a shame the aged braking system couldn't cope with the nasty turn by the duck pond, but we had him out of there in two shakes of a lambs tail. What’s a bit of water to a man on his calibre.

We had a quick tour of the ancestral home, the oldest, central section 1650’s I believe and both the east and west wings, it only took a couple of hours, obviously avoiding the servants quarters, kitchens and other less interesting rooms.

Of note was the 2nd Library, the one with all the historical and military books, 1st editions most of them, smaller than the main Library but indubitably more interesting.

The gun room collection has more Brown Bess muskets than the Royal Armouries, and the best selection of 17C German Sporting guns I have ever seen, including the Baron Munchausen’s collection in Bavaria. There were antique firearms through to light machine guns from the 2nd WW, as well as a nice collection of American revolvers and Carbines from the 19C. The shooting range took up the length of the 2nd floor of the West wing, probably only 100yds long but impressive all the same.

The heavy machine guns and artillery were apparently in storage a few miles away on the estate and we did not have the time to visit, mores the pity.

The painting and modelling room was a picture of efficiency and industry, indeed the three fellows and one young gal were painting a hard and as fast as they could, quality control was excellent although his Lordship gave them quite a wigging over the eyes, they looked good to me but to a perfectionist like Snappy they were just not up to snuff. Figures were going on to a conveyer belt down to the far end of the room where the bases were attended to, then straight onto the racks in the purpose built computer controlled storage facility which took up most of one floor in the East Wing.

This man does not have a lead mountain, it’s more like the Himalayas.

The games were played out in the main Dining Room of Snapcase Hall, where there was more space than in the Games Room or the rather cramped 30’ x 30’ Billiard Room. The dining table probably seats 40 but I could never count all the chairs, there was so much else going on. Royalty has eaten there, although I believe they were aghast at the size of the Bill the 3rd Lord presented them with and I don't believe they ever returned.

Old Scrotum - Snappy’s aged but wrinkly retainer plied us with food and alcohol at regular intervals during the two and a half days we were ensconced there, games started promptly at when ever we could get ourselves up and went on to the early hours of the morning.

There are some scurrilous rumours about the amount of alcohol drunk and a photograph appeared in the local paper purporting to show one nights consumption, if I can get a copy I will post it here so you can see for yourselves how they exaggerated. No three men could possibly drink that amount, although to be fair the under maid did reveal to me that the staff had to commandeer the local undertaker and his hearse to keep up with the flow of bottles from the room.

On Saturday night the uniformed Chauffeur drove us down to the local hostelry in the lime green Roller, the local peasantry doffed their caps as we drove by. The whole Restaurant had been taken over by Lord Snapcase and all the riff raff, who were standing outside in the pouring rain, could do was gaze longingly through the window at their local Lord and Master. The menu had been prepared especially for us, the suckling pig was excellent, although the quails eggs I thought were a little over done, but all in all, a splendid meal, Missis Miggins deserves her 3 stars.

As we were leaving there was some discussion about Manorial rights with the local peasants. Apparently it is still customary in this part of Devon that prior to their wedding night … virgins…. marriage… Lord of the Manor…. It all got a bit complicated but Lord Snapcase seemed happy with the way the discussions went.

Well the reason for all this reminiscing is that I have been invited down to deepest darkest Devon again this coming November. An invitation I am a little surprised at, he obviously hasn't missed the family silver yet, nor the lime green Rolls Royce, although there were a lot of cars in the stable block 3 or 4 Rollers, a couple of Bentley's and too many of those fancy foreign cars to shake a big stick at, so I've probably got away with it.

I want to post up some of the games we played last year before this coming crop make me forget them, or maybe the alcohol will do that, there were some reports circulated at the time but they were written by unreliable sources and I believe I should make sure that the truthful accounts are reported here, sooner rather than later.

Well if you are still here - thanks for reading and your thoughts and comments "make my day"

"Punk" :)

Cheers

A Becky Adventure - Escape in to Danger!

Rebecca Salerno is missing. After the excitement on the drive to the airport every thing had gone smoothly except that one of the girls Rebecca Salerno, had not arrived at Heathrow, phone calls were unanswered and rather than miss the plane they had sent a telegram to her giving details of the hotel they would stay at in Calcutta and after that in Changoon. All they could hope was that she was Ok and would catch up later. (She is being repainted as we speak, but there might be other more sinister reasons for her none arrival)

They had a short stop over in Calcutta and hired a couple of cars to drive to the coast to catch the first of two sea planes, this was none stop to Changoon, a commercial flight and they weren’t expecting any problems, after all – who knew they were there.

The previous chapter is Here and that contains all the links to the rest of the story, 6 chapters all told, it will become a novel before I'm done. ;)

Text relates to the photo above it, I know everyone else is out of step with me, it just makes everyone else wrong:) :).

The Ferry dock to transport passengers to the Seaplane, it’s a rough and ready place, no Starbucks, Costco or MacDonalds either.

The girls have to drive down the road, straight to the dock, check through customs, board ferry boats then motor out to the seaplane and take off.

Simple.

The seaplane uses this rather dilapidated dock for its commercial flights, after all they are on a very tight budget and the passengers going to Changoong are not usually the fussy kind.

Looks like quite a crowd to get on the plane. I hope they can all make it, sometimes the flight is overbooked.

Over by passport control the Police woman in the red beret and the sinister looking chap by her side don’t look like the rest of the passengers, maybe officials, could be trouble.
I noticed that all the passengers are on the other side of the road from them, obviously they don’t want to be too close to these two.

Obviously there is an oriental contingent flying east but there’s nothing unusual in that.

Is there?

You can see some of the other passengers, could that be Professor Augustus Dingle with his trademark umbrella and pigskin briefcase and by his side Miss Sally Brun his assistant. Rumour has it that she had changed her name from Brunn to Brown and now to a less controversial Brun, neither German nor British!!

A better photo reveals that it is actually them, last heard of in the Soviet city of Archangel, but that’s another and very long story. One you wont hear from Dingle and Brun.

Put the damn map away hisses Arne Poulsen, do you want every one to know why we are here!!!! Josef Rasmussen just shrugs his shoulders and gives a sideways glance to Virginia Lacy as if to say the man’s mad and completely paranoid, but he pays the wages so what else can we do with such a buffoon.

She gives him a secret smile in return, but her eyes remain cold, frosty and vaguely frightening.

A better shot of the woman in the red beret, behind her is someone who looks like Col Nicolai Grigoriev from the KGB in his hallmark maroon coat and fur hat. In India – the man sure stands out, but by her side is Meinhard Wencke, a far more dangerous person than the volatile Colonel.

The Customs compound is surrounded by high concrete walls and the Customs Chief is deciding if coiled barb wire along the top would be out of place. He likes to sleep safe in his bed at night, well who doesn’t.

No one is quite sure what this building is, - well those who know will not tell, either they work there and know what’s good for them or they are unnaturally quiet, and very still and don’t talk much, or at all.

Turn 1 – The girls arrive driving down the road and the 2 activation dice are doubles, after 6 doubles the really bad guys will appear.

Turn 2 – The 2 cars park up and the girls get out, another double thrown. This is not looking so good for them.

Sorry – This has nothing to do with the story but I was just so pleased with how the dry brush work turned out on this shed that I had to show the photo. :)

Turn 3 – The girls make their way towards the custom, office (on the left) but are immediately accosted by Meinhard Wencke, a German national with strong contacts in the military intelligence community. He usually plays a lone game, sometimes connected to others but is not a very savoury character. He has paid out some bribe money and been ‘given’ Corporal Sarah Brown from the local military police (MP) to help him appear to be in an official capacity.

I need to see your papers he demands harshly, Cpl Brown MP looks a bit taken aback, her orders are to accompany Wencke and help where she can but is not aware he has any official capacity. Becky seeing the MP is unsure what is going on, “Are you the customs” she asks.

Turn 4 – “No I am” says Primo Agosti who appears from out of the Customs Office to see what all the noise is about.

You may be thinking “what is an Italian in a Spanish Civil War uniform doing in India running a Customs post, this must be a mistake", but as usual you would be wrong.

Primo came here from Italy a few years ago he was able to buy cheap Spanish uniforms to kit out his men and just wants a quiet life, well of course with a little wine, women and song but he is Italian after all and needs some of the good things in life. He’s in charge here, this is his station and he is not happy with anyone else interfering in his domain.

Turn 5 – Becky tells Primo that she is here to catch the plane and he asks for her papers. With a winning smile and a toss of her long blonde hair she hands them over, he almost simpers with delight, well that’s one customs officer on her side, surprisingly Becky has a high Charisma level and easily charmed Primo.

He starts to examine the papers.

Becky looks at Wencke who seems to be having second thoughts about all this. (He failed to activate)

Turn 6 – Wencke still inactive and just watches Primo examine the papers.

Turn 7 – These are all in order you may board the flight.

“You must examine her luggage” shouts Wencke, he finally activated. Primo looks at Cpl Brown the MP and decides that he had better go through the full procedure as there is obviously some official backing for this rude man.

Turn 8 – The girls baggage – 2 cases and 3 bags needs to be searched, this is going to take some time. (5 turns actually) Primo’s men start to search.

Turn 9 – The baggage search continues and Thorvald the ferry boat’s Captain goes to fetch Gasper the porter. He’s seen it all before and knows what happens next.

Turn 10 – What are these, - our guns is the reply and here are the papers and permits for them. Primo examines them and approves.

Turn 11 – What are these, - our underwear is the reply. Primo examines them and approves.

Turn 12 – This baggage is approved Primo announces loudly.

Thank goodness for that mutter the rest of the passengers and everyone starts to move towards the boats. Dice roll to see how long to load everyone and all the baggage, humm too long. Becky doesn’t know it but I do and trouble is on its way.

Herr Wencke decides he must act decisively but Cpl Brown argues with him and surprisingly so does Col Nicolai, but the guns we must stop them taking the guns, says Wencke. Primo starts shouting at him that he has inspected all the paper work and he is satisfied everything is in order. The row continues for a few periods, before Primo goes back into his office slamming the door.

A few turns later some of the passengers are loaded onto 2 ferries (sorry about the state of them, they’re on the ‘to do’ list) they start to set off for the seaplane. Beckie’s luggage is almost loaded onto the other.

When ….

Turn 18 – A black car appears, coming down the road, coming fast.

My mistake two black cars.

Turn 19 – Last case going on to the boat. Wencke is shouting and pushing Becky around, he can see the car coming and knows what it means. Good news for him but bad for the girls, if he can hold things up for a couple of minutes the tide will turn in his favour.

The first boats are leaving the dock.

Turn 20 - The cars getting closer but there’s only Becky and Roxanne to get on the ferry, it’s going to be tight.

Lights shinning and flying down to the dock the black cars are getting still closer. Are you getting excited, humm, didn’t think so.

The other boat’s are well on their way. Just the final one to cast off.

All aboard. Henke is shouting for them to wait. - Fat chance.

The boat has cast off and starts to make its way to the seaplane just as the black cars screech to a halt and some very mean looking men in uniform jump out.

Where the hell have you been shouts Wenke. They’re getting away, shoot them.

The Customs men all come out of their office to see what the hell is going on and there is another almighty row going on between Wencke and Primo.

There’s something of a Mexican standoff.

The guys in grey uniforms start to make their way to the dock but it is too late. Primo is having a fit and there is no way these men are going to get him to back down and recall the boat or plane.

Wenke watches impotently as the boats motor out to the seaplane.

Final shot of the boats on the water, Becky and the girls just made it, I couldn’t believe how tight it all turned out, but they are away off to South East Asia and who knows what lies ahead of them.

Certainly not me, I have a rough idea of them landing in a very shady town full of drunks, gangsters, con men and other ner do wells, where they have to try and find a guide to take them up country – then the journey via a jungle river to the Monastery where the jade Buddha was stolen, meeting wild animals, wild natives, rapids and river crossings on the way.

The journey from the Monastery to some cave complex, I have the mouth of the cave but nothing else, on the way I envisage a rope bridge, pygmies in front and other bad guys behind. The final scene in the cave complex like something out of the opening scene in the 1st Indiana Jones Movie, traps, guards, maybe even snakes.

Well that was the Directors idea, the Producer’s couldn’t raise the finance, the Set Designer is drunk, the Writer is on strike for a better pay deal (well getting paid would be good) The Musical Director has joined Primo’s Customs men for the wine women and song in the reverse order and the actors …. well the actors!

Of course they could just go to the pub and forget it all because I have nothing presentable for the rest of the story. We’re just going to have to wing it a little.

Final, final shot of a dispirited Wenke and his associate the Colonel.

These were a couple of shots that I quite liked but didn’t make it into the story, well I said the Script Writer didn’t get paid so what more can you ask for.

Hopefully to be continued ……..

I've not done this before because it seems so pretentious on my part, but it's so long since I had any new guy's sign up to follow my blog that I figure I must be doing something wrong. Mind you I notice that they are remaining incognito with no identifying pictures, and who can blame them for that.
So rather than welcome you to my blog, I will just say hello to Bacon Fat! and Peter L, I just hope you like long winded games reports, usually with some slightly out of focus photos. ;)

Yet again I'm away for a couple of weeks, this retirement has it's advantages, no money but lots of time, I'm hoping the mobile internet works in Wales although no more game posts until I get home again.
No cheering at the back, I can hear you. :)

Well if you're still here - thanks for reading and your thoughts and comments enliven the proceedings immensely, if not for me than for everyone else. :)
Cheers

Palaeo Diet – The Predator

The Shell Clan are on the Prowl in the Stone Age and on the blog normal service has been resumed with pictures in the posts :)

Following the successful hunt almost a month ago when the clan took on more than they could chew A link for the hard of memory They are recovered from their wounds although 1 or 2 of them are still moving a little slowly and have decided to sacrifice a goat to the All Mother who looks over them and guides their fortunes in this dangerous world.
The goat had been trapped and was alive and well, fit to be sacrificed but don’t worry they will eat it after the sacrifice. Waste not - want not.

Here the Clan is gathered round prior to making the sacrifice, the sacrifice scene has been cut for the squeamish.

The 2 females are recovering from previous wounds and are both unable to run but ok at a more sedate walk.

There is a blood curdling roar of a Sabre Tooth Cat, obviously drawn by the smell of blood.

The Clan form a line with the 2 sling carrying females on the outside and the men in the centre in front of the goat.

They plan to draw the big Feline to them, hoping to wound and slow it down with sling stones before the men rush in and finish it off.

The Clan fail a number of activations and the great beast advances in fits and starts. The A.I. system for animal control worked really well here. Sometimes it would attack quickly and sometimes it slowed, but always moved towards the hunters.

At this point Ayah slung a stone at the big Cat and missed. It reacted with a loud roar.

You may think nothing has happened but when a creature roars all the hunters react and they all failed 1 die roll so stepped back 3” maintaining their respective positions to each other but leaving the goat in front.

It was a bit like the film when the Officer called for 1 volunteer to step forward and the whole line stepped back except the patsy who remained in place.

On the far side Luana slings a stone at the beast misses but it retreats a little, unnerved by the attack.

Ayah then hits and wounds him and this causes him to flee away and now out of missile range. Go Shell Clan Go, they all start laughing and grinning as the tension leaves them and the big cat is defeated.

Oh no they didn’t think it was going to be that easy – did they.

He soon recovers and returns to the attack. Luana sends another sling shot his way and the big cat takes his 2nd wound, one more and he is done for.

His reaction to being hit is to charge forwards and attack Ayah, covering the last few yards quickly he inflicts a wound, but she is still on her feet. As she had already activated she does not fight back.

However Kee’Ak attacks the beast, although in moving into range the beast reacts and attacks him 1st it fails to do any damage. Tohana looks to be guarding the goat, I can’t remember why he didn’t attack as he was nearest but goat guard is an important role in the clan hierarchy.

With a massive spear thrust Kee’Ak causes the final wound and the beast dies providing a further 3 food units and a very fine pelt, maybe Ayah can wrap up warm she does look a bit chill to me.

A very successful episode in the on going story of the Shell Clan.

Ayah recovered from her wound but still has a gammy leg.

Luana has fully recovered and can skip and run with the best of them.

Kee’Ak killed the beast and becomes Alert.

Tohana did very little but still remains Alert.


So if you are still here - thanks for reading and your thoughts and comments enliven the proceedings immensely.
Cheers