Wednesday, 27 May 2015

UK Games Expo 2015

Tomorrow we hit the road Birmingham bound for this year's UK Games Expo.

Its a bigger event for us this time around, not only is there THREE days of trading there is also a Frozen Skies game being run. During trading hours I should easily be spotted since I'll be in costume (pilot style leather jacket and side cap), after hours I'll be wearing an Utherwald Press t-shirt. Feel free to stop me for a chat.

Just to confirm;

Trade Stand:- P22 in the Palace Suite on all three days of trading.

Frozen Skies Game:- Saturday 8pm-Midnight, Lancaster Suite (FULLY BOOKED!!!)

Hope to see some of you there!

And as an extra treat, stumbled upon this;

http://www.messynessychic.com/2015/05/26/the-real-no-go-zone-of-france-a-forbidden-no-mans-land-poisoned-by-war/

Article about an area in France still haunted by the scars of the World Wars, should prove useful as research material for the aftermath of the Great Darmonican War.

Wednesday, 20 May 2015

Creature Feature: Bodarks

Often described as "foul tempered balls of fur with tusks" Bodarks are large cattle like beasts with thick woolly coats native to the Continent of Alyeska. They have proved to be much more hardy in Alyeska's harsh climate than actual cattle, plus their woolly coats have proved to be excellent for clothing material even though their meat is tougher than most would like. Regardless a dual industry producing Bodark meat and wool has gradually grown, though their temperament leaves something to be desired.

Typically Bodarks are left to roam round vast ranches with a minimum of supervision, most predators steer well clear of Bodarks and even Dragonhawks think twice about whether its worth taking on a Bodark. They are very much herd animals and can be dangerous in large numbers, often ranchers will use Mule tracked carriers or light aircraft to keep an eye on their herds from a relatively safe distance. Being stubborn creatures Bodarks are quite difficult to steer, ranchers will often have to lay food much like a trail of breadcrumbs in order to get the herd to go in remotely the right direction and the beasts object to being stuffed on the back of a truck or a plane.

If something does pose a threat to the heard then the sole male will stand his ground to protect the rest of the heard, backed up by some of the bigger females. Bodarks encountered alone are typically males who've grown old enough to leave their herds, but have yet to establish one of their own which they have to do by luring away young females from other herds.

Attributes: Agility d6, Smarts d4(A), Spirit d6, Strength d10, Vigor d8
Skills: Fighting d6, Notice d4
Pace: 6; Parry: 5; Toughness: 12 (2)
Special Abilities:
*Armour +2: Thick hide and fur.
*Berserk: When a bodark is Shaken, it goes berserk. It gains +2 to all Fighting and Strength rolls and its Toughness, but Parry is reduced by 2.
*Immunity (Cold): Bodarks take no damage from cold, including magical attacks.
*Large: Characters add +2 when attacking these beasts due to their size.
*Size +4: Bodarks are large beasts.
*Tusks: Str+d6.

Wednesday, 6 May 2015

State of the Press May 2015: DICENI!

This last Sunday Utherwald was in attendance at Diceni in Norwich.

This was the third year in a row that Utherwald has been at Diceni, its a local show thats steadily been growing but not without minor issues along the way. The show's mascot, Boundi (based on the local lass and Iceni Queen Boudica), in her original version caused a degree of outrage. Whereas on a more personal level my stall at last year's show was in a much less than ideal spot being off to one side from the main area of the show. This I was in a better spot, right next to the main entrance of the forum and so had plenty of foot traffic. Sales weren't as great as I hoped, but I made the money back on the cost of the stall and had plenty of interest from people, including speaking to a chap who's signed up for the Frozen Skies game I'm running at UK Games Expo.

All-in-all it was a fun day, had a few thoughts about things I could possibly do for UKGE at the end of May. Least for the later show I should have a few copies of the Savage Worlds Deluxe Explorer's Edition rulebook on hand to sell.

Though a quick heads up, no post next week as I'm taking a well earned holiday and will without internet access.