Death Comes to Crime Boss in Meyer's Bar

Today, the New Hope City Gazette learned that crime boss "Big Bad" Leroy Brown was killed along with another in Meyer's Bar.  Interviews with both Lilac, no other known name, self-styled fiance of Brown, and Caesar, who works for Blackwater Corporation, and was Brown's bodyguard, yielded the following retelling of the events.  Both were wounded in the attack, and are under police protective cover in St Julien's Hospital.

According to the two survivors, this attack was without provocation.  They were having a drink after attending a game (what type was not mentioned) at Meyer's.  Caesar was watching the door.  All legally carry concealed firearms for self-protection, and all firearms were holstered, hands on the table nursing their drinks, while discussing the game.

Suddenly, a woman in black appeared at the door with machine pistols in both hands, yelled "Brown, you *************, you killed my mama, and now I'me going to kill your ***"!  The first rounds hit Caesar, knocking him out, and seriously wounding his left leg.  The next hit Brown, killing him.  And she yelled at Lilac, as she shot her in the stomach, "You'll never marry him, bi***!"

The rest of the story is confused.  One survivor claims that the bartender begged for her life, but that the woman in black mercilessly gunned her down.  However, an empty shotgun and many pellets embedded in the walls belie this story.

Because all surveillance devices were deactivated before the entrance of the unknown woman, there are no electronic records of the events.  There are only two eyewitness accounts to go by, and their stories are somewhat conflictory.  Police have released the following description of the suspect:  Tall, athletically built.  Dark hair about chin length.  Very beautiful.  Moves very quickly.  When last seen, dressed in a black catsuit covered by a black overcoat, both unremarkable.

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED!
Apparently an unknown Cyndee had a beef with Big Bad Leroy Brown, and decided that his execution was the only choice.  Here is the setup at the beginning of the game.

In turn one, the Cyndee got first activation (surprise! with her Rep 6).  She moves into the bar, and the In Sights all go in her favor.

With two large calibre auto pistols, she is able to take down all her opponents in one go, wounding Caesar in the leg, knocking him down, killing Big Bad Leroy Brown with a head shot, and wounding Lilac in the gut.  Both Caesar and Lilac go out of the fight.  The bartender does not enter in, as she doesn't get activated in the first turn.

In turn two, the Cyndee goes first, and attempts to spare the bartender.

The bartender fires, emptying her shotgun, and hits the Cyndee in the head, a killing blow to any other being on New Beginnings, but she is blessed with the attribute, Impervious, which turns any OOF or OD into Knock Down instead.  And she uses 3d6 on the Knock Down test, getting a Carry On.  For dramatic purposes, she fires from the floor, riddling the bar, and striking the bartender in the head and left arm, killing her.

The Cyndee walks out the back door of the bar.  Big Bad Leroy Brown wasn't the only crime boss in New Hope City, so his death insures more bloodshed as other crime bosses try to take over his territory.  As for who killed him...?  Perhaps someone will be interested enough to attempt to find out!

The map is a laminated map from the Crimson Skies game box.  Games with Cyndees don't last very long.  Turns out the bar was owned by an off-world compendium, and they don't want the death of one of their employees to go unpunished.  Will they send in a gunslinger or hire a private dick in New Hope City, or both?

OH, no Bayou Wars is around the corner!

Yep, Bayou Wars is just around the corner (June 7 - 9) so I'll be working on goodies for my 3 games.  This will leave me no time for solo wargaming.  So, I'm putting up a few more pictures of mostly recently painted figures.

First off are 3 Chronoscope figures, Eden, Farrah, and whatever his name is.  Eden will be called Fuschia for obvious reasons.  A very simple paint job.  There is an interesting flaw in the figure.  Both semi-auto pistols have their ejection ports on the left side of the gun.  All auto-pistols have their ejection ports on the right side.  She will be Big Bad Leroy Brown's main squeeze, and will be a Poser in Two Hour Wargames rules.
Farrah is so 70's with her big hair and sunglasses, that I painted her in 70's high fashion, with all accessories in shiny white.  And Big Bad Leroy Brown will be a gang leader in 5150 New Beginnings.  I never could warm to the figure, so his paint job is a bit uninspired.

And here's a Hasselfree and two more Chronoscopes.  I painted the Hasselfree in work-a-day clothes, so she's pretty plain.  Note her gigantic eyes!  Next is the Smuggler girl from Chronoscope.  I had just rewatched A Boy And His Dog, so her pants were inspired by Vic's shirt, one of thos late 60's multi-stripes (I had several).  She has had a bit too much callogen in her lips.  And finally Decker Detective from Chronoscope.  He has a gaudy tie, like the best film noire detectives.  My stepson really likes this figure because "nothing matches, because he's too poor to use anything but what he's already got."  Hey, how come no one has made a Vic figure?

The first two figures are old GW figures.  The alien is proof that some figures can't be improved with a paint job.  The center figure is probably Talisman, and an Indiana Jones rip-off.  Nice figure though.  The last was given to me, and I have no idea who the manufacturer is.  I call him Officer Unfriendly, with his sideburns and cigaret in his mouth.  I intend him to be a Freddy Kruger figure in my zombie games.  You can kill him, but he'll keep coming back in another episode.  I found a Chevy Tahoe diecast police vehicle for him, from Maquette.  I have a friend who is a Louisiana  State Trooper who wants me to paint another in their dark blue with yellow piping.  If another shows up, I'll do it.

And finally, this is a Reaper figure that my stepson gave me for Christmas.  I tried to do a little more exacting painting on him before washing him with my brown wash.  The staff was painted a medium grey and then washed with Windsor Newton Nut Brown followed by Windsor Newton Peat Brown.  I find it gives a good worn wood finish.

This will probably be my last post until sometime after Bayou Wars, so I hope you enjoy it.

Fantasy, Science Fiction and Bond!

My job has not left me freedom to run another game, although it is set up.  But I have been painting, so I'll show you what I have been up to.
First of all, the rangers from Mega Miniatures, who will be closing by the end of the year, and whose inventory is lessening by the minute.

These figures are extremely well sculpted.  When I ordered them, I expected average figures.  They are well above average.  I suspect that they are old Metal Magic molds, from the round bases.  Each of the eight figures is different, and has a different quiver, so I'm going to Vampifan them and show front and rear, 4 at a time.  You cannot go wrong with these guys.  The faces have full eyes, so that I was able to put upper lashes (as a solid line) on some.  The cloaks are not blue, but Alpine Green from Ceramcoat.  The girl to the left above is one of my favorites.

I'm also quite fond of the shooter on the left in these pictures.  The girl second from the right doesn't really seem to fit with the others, yet it is obvious, to me at least, that the sculpture is the same

Now we have a not-Bond bad guy that my stepson gave me for Christmas.  A very nice, simple figure from Reaper.

And now to Celtos.  I never bought Celtos because their weapons were too large for my taste.  But these were given to me by long-time friend Paul Harruff, who realized that he had no interest in painting.

The figures are well sculpted, clean, and with good anatomy.  The one with the axe in the center is my favorite in this group.  They are all painted in plaids because they are all in kilts, and I am obviously a masochist.  They are early plaids though, so easier to paint.

Here are the rest.  You will note that the girls have all naughty bits covered.  sigh.

And here are a bunch of figures from the lead pile, manufacturers uncertain.

I'm pretty sure that most of these are old Citadel figures, mostly from the huge bosses intended to go through their shields and hold them on.  They were all also intended for slotta bases. I had to sand them down, or drill holes in the shields to attach them.  The two girls were painted long ago, but revitalized recently.  They were litterally in the lead pile, and had become chipped.

Now we go to Alternative Armies.  I got these recently trying to get my nude girls with sword and shield up to 10, but was unable to do so, since Alternative Armies substituted another figure in 2 pack.

The two figures in the center also came from the lead pile, and I am uncertain whether they are still available. The second figure from the right has a helmet 3 or 4 sizes too small for his head, so I wouldn't give him a very high Rep.  I rather like the left hand figure.

And here are the rest.  I hate fantasy standard bearers.  They never fit in the box.  Hence the fact that he so far has no banner, but the finial at the top was too interesting to ignore.  The second figure from the left could fit in any Dark Ages army as an earl, though all the shield are incredibly ornate.

I have no idea who made the following figure.  He was also in the lead pile, but I like him so much he gets his own front and rear shots.

The rear picture is from a little too low angle, I think.

And finally, Bronze Age Miniatures not-Rogue Trooper.

The figures are typical of the sculptor; extreme poses but beautifully executed.  You either like his stuff, or you don't.  I do.

Really nice.  Really extreme.  And now for the not-Nords.

Kinda goofed with the two left figures.  The sergeant in the center has his antenna added from a piece of  brass wire and brass tube, with a  dollop of super glue to round the top.

These were painted a good while back, but I never got around to taking pictures.  I do plan to get the snipers at some time, but BAM doesn't have a shop.  You have to email him what you want, and upon his reply, send him a Paypal, and I am spoiled by shops.

Well that's it.

And more pointless painting!

First up is a minotaur that I didn't paint.  I believe that Thomas Huber painted it, but it could have been Mike White.  Both gave hoards of stuff when they left the city after Katrina.  I found him painted but in pieces.  All I did was glue him back together and rebase him, and now he doesn't stand very well on soft surfaces.  For use in Red Sand Black Moon.

The dark elf-ess(?) is an OOP Grenadier I just picked up on eBay.  Her blade is painted in OOP Reaper Pro Paint Red Steel.  For use in Red Sand Black Moon.

Here we have an Archive Miniatures (OOP, of course) not-Greedo that I found in the lead pile!  5150.

And here's an OOP Archive Miniatures not-Han Solo I found a while back.  Now if I could just run across the bunny stormtroopers!  5150.

This is a mobster, his moll, and his bodyguard for an upcoming 5150 New Beginnings game.

Left to right: Caesar, bodyguard, Chronoscope; Xantha, disguised Razor, click figure, and Charlie "the hatchet" Salvagio, mob boss, Chronoscope, all recently painted.

Chronoscope Nova Corporation security team.  I have 2 more to paint.  5150.

This is an old Grendle or Scotia figure, resin, that came 6 identical figures to the pack, for Red Sand Black Moon

These are figures for my old Scavvy gang for Necromunda.  I've been re-arranging things from plastic office drawers to Really Useful Boxes, and these reared their ugly heads.  The middle figure was my scavvy king, and is wearing a McDonalds crown.

A selection of greys from Brigade Games.  I have 10 or 12 painted.  5150.

Hishen, originally from Two Hour Wargames, now available from Acheson, as imagined in 5150.  I have a dozen painted.

And Grath, also former Two Hour Wargames, now from Acheson, straight out of 5150!

Thanks for looking.  No rhyme or reason, just stuff I enjoyed painting!

Kurgen Fail In Contract: PDF Commander Survives Attack!

Rebel Minis (http://www.rebelminis.com/15kuin.html) has a little gem I had overlooked.  These are the Kurgen (not-Mangalores from "Fifth Element").  I had finished painting some a while back, and was looking for a use for them.  They're not in 5150, so I made up my own stats and used the Star Army QRS. I decided that they would ignore any "retrieve wounded" results until they had successfully completed their mission.  I gave them the attributes Hard As Nails, Combat Artist, and Subject To Fear. Based on the movie that they're not in, when all of the original leaders are down, they will cease fire and walk away, unless attacked.

I decided to use the scenario, #1 Round Up The Rebels, from 5150 First Contact with modifications.  All re-inforcements would be PDF, not rebels, and, for simplicity, would be Rep 4.  I used the Floor Plan table, and the Clear table, with the result of Rebel Ambush meaning that the commander had been found, included in how ever many PDF were rolled up.

I used the reaction table for Star Army and PDF in 5150 Star Army, with the In Sight table from 5150 New Beginnings.

So we begin by listing the Kurgen:
Commander, Rep 5, Assault Rifle (hereafter AR)
(Fire Teams of 4)
Team 12, leader, Rep 3, AR, , 2 Rep 5 with AR, 1 Rep 4 with Multi-weapon (always used as a machine in this game.)
Team 13, leader, Rep 5, AR, 2 Rep 5 with AR, 1 Rep 4 with Multi-weapon.
Team 14, leader Rep 3, AR, 2 Rep 3 with AR, 1 Rep 5 with Multi-weapon
Team 15, leader %ep 5, AR, 2 REp 3 with AR, 1 Rep 5 with Multi-weapon.
1 truck with LMG, 2 crew, Rep 4.

The PDF would appear with the Clear table.  If the commander was found with a sufficient number of troops he would be accompanied by an LMG and a rocket launcher.

The Kurgen deploy alongside the truck.

Turn 1: Kurgen 4, PDF 5

The Kurgen move towards the buildings to search them as the truck moves up the middle of the road.

Turn 2:  Kurgen 4, PDF 5

The left building has 5 areas, and the first is clear.

The right building has 5 areas, and the first is clear.

Turn 3: Kurgen 5, PDF 1

The Kurgen move into the 2nd left and right buildings, both are 3 areas, and the 1st area of each are clear.

The Kurgen in the first left and right buildings move into the 2nd area, and both are clear.

Turn 4: Kurgen 3, PDF 5

2 Kurgen enter area 3 of the 1st left and right buildings, and both are clear.

(I forgot to move the Kurgen in the 2nd left and right buildings.)

Turn 5: Kurgen 2, PDF 5

On a roll of seven, if the PDF die is higher, they get reinforcements.  The quantity is determined by their die.  I made a mistake, and 6 appeared on the right flank, between buildings 1 and 2, as determined by a die roll on the map in 5150FC.

The 1st right and left buildings are clear in area 3.

The 2nd right and left buildings are clear in area 2

2 Kurgen move to cover the gap where the PDF have appeared.

(I don't have a lot of  15mm terrain, so I used 20mm walls, and forgot that I intended them to give cover, but not block line of sight on this turn)

Here are the dice behind each figure after the 5150NB In Sight mechanism was used.

And the results:

The PDF loses 2 Out Of the Fight, seriously wounded.  The stunned Kurgen is a Rep 3, which will keep him stunned for a number of turns.  The PDF pass their Man Down tests.

Turn 6: Kurgen 6, PDF 3

The PDF advance to the wall.  Two attempt to take out the stunned Kurgen, to no effect, except 1 runs Out Of Ammo.  2 more fire and 1 misses, the other Knocks Down another Kurgen who goes Out Of the Fight.

Turn 7:  Kurgen 6, PDF 1

The PDF continues to fire at the stunned Kurgen, with no effect.  (There is another hit with a Knock Down that beconmes Stunned).

Turn 8:  Kurgen 1, PDF 2

The PDF has no targets.  They are reloaded and ready.

Area 5 of both the 1st left and right buildings are clear.

The truck moves forward, and fires it LMG at the PDF.  1 is knocked Out OF the Fight, and the others Duck Back, because they are Outgunned, carrying as many of their wounded with them as possible.

The 3rd areas of the 2nd left and right building are determined to be clear by the Kurgen.

Turn 9:  Kurgen 6, PDF 3

The left two PDF move to the left and can see the backs of the 2 Kurgen covering the door of the 1st left building, and fire, killing one and rendering the other OOF on his Recover from Knock Down roll.

Turn 10: Kurgen 5, PDF 6

The Kurgen inside the 1st left building return to the door, and both get 3 passes on their In Sight, while both PDF get 2.  Both PDF, go down, OOF. 

The Kurgen at the 2nd buildings both go to the sheds behind and find them to be clear.

Turn 11:  Kurgen 3, PDF 2.

The stunned Rep 3 Kurgen finally arises, but the only PDF left has moved to the right side behind the shed behind the 2nd right building asnd so is out of sight.

The Kurgen at the 1st left and right buildings move to the sheds behind them.

The last PDF moves to the fence and is In Sight of the 2 Kurgen who have come to the rear, although only 1 can test, since the other is directly behind him.

Turn 12:  Kurgen 2, PDF 5  Turn 13: Kurgen 3, PDF 4.

5 PDF appear in the gap between the 2nd and 3rd buildings on the right flank, and see, and are seen by 2 untouched Kurgen fire teams.

And here is the result of all the firing.





All  of the PDF are down, and half of the Kurgen.

In another section of the board, 2 Kurgen move to the shed behind the 1st right building and find 2 PDF.

Turn 14:  Kurgen 5, PDF 3

The 2 PDF move to the left of the building they are behind, and the Kurgen ponder their next move.  2 Kurgen who were in the rear shed take out the 2 PDF, but at the cost of one of their lives. 

Turn 15:  Kurgen 2, PDF 1

A Kurgen goes to the 3rd left building, and finds the PDF commander with 8 other PDF, 1 with an LMG and 1 with a rocket launcher.

The truck moves up between the 3rd left and right buildings.

2 other Kurgen go into the 3 Right building and find it has 3 areas, and the first is clear.

Here is the result of the In Sight.



   The Kurgen is put OOF and the truck destroyed.  Fighting becomes wholesale as the Kurgen in the other building and the Kurgen commander join in.

The PDF on the side of the building are forced to Duck Back by the Kurgen commander, with 1 out of ammo.

Turn 16: Kurgen 5, PDF 5

Reload.

Turn 17 Kurgen 5, PDF 1

The two Kurgen left on the board are both Rep 5, so they advance to the wall.

The PDF out side the building go around the back and are In Sight.







 

The result is the PDF rifleman down, as is the Kurgen commander.  Having no leader remaining, the last Kurgen shoulders his arms and marches off.

So, I think this combo worked pretty well,  The Kurgen don't Duck Back too often.  I think I got caught up in the game a couple of times, and didn't write everything down.

The Kurgen lost 16 out of 17 figures, and the PDF lost 13 out of 20.  However, they will be able to retreive any OOF figures, giving them a chance to survive.

It's harder to get really great pictures with 15mm, and I obviously need to make some 15mm walls, but I've got 2 more 12" by 12" sheets of cork, so no problem!  I also need more OOF markers.

As you can tell, the buildings are all paper, scaled to 15mm.  Some (the tapered ones and the sheds) I designed in Model Builder.  The rest are scaled down from Microtatix and free web ones.