It’s My Birthday!

Today’s my 32nd Birthday! 

I know I’ve not been doing too much in the way of actual miniature work lately, and I apologize for that. Work’s been rather crazy in the last month. I hope to turn my attentions to miniatures again soo...and some of my birthday gifts will help to reignite the spark. 

My wife gave me a copy of Risk: Star Wars Edition after seeing how much fun I had with it last weekend while we were in Chicago. She apparently had to pay for expedited shipping in order to get it here on time. She’s even told me that she’s willing to play with me sometime!

My mom gave me a copy of the Stars Wars: Legion Core Set as well! Not to mention a copy of an awesome book on the Battle of the Bulge filled with toy soldier dioramas (more on that in a different post). And my sister also got me a Milton Funko figure from “Office Space.” And indulging the cartoonist part of me, I also received a Peanuts coffee cup and Sarah’s Scribbles daily planner. 

As I said, in think these will all help me reconnect with my artistic side and get me to sit down and paint again. 

Throwback Thursday: The Second Battle of Minster West

This battle report was first posted on the Imperial Guard Boot Camp forum back in February 2009. The Praetorian-Valhallan War continued with another game at the Games Workshop Battle Bunker in Westminster, CA. 

Unfortunately, no photos exist of this game. Other photos will have to suffice, but these unfortunately aren't always of the best quality. Yay late-2000s camera phones!


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After Action Report
Submitted by Lord Whitlow
32nd Praetorian Regiment of Foot

On the evening of the 22nd, orders came through to intercept a Valhallan invasion force on the old battleground of Minster West. The "Weasel” was once again in command. Our orders were to halt the invasion and capture the enemy commander if possible. Three squads were deployed, as was my HQ staff and platoon command squad. Joining us were a conscript force of Praetorian sailors, Tallarn, and former Armored Fist troops. A Leman Russ was also made available to us.

We arrived on the field to find that the enemy was waiting for us. Their conscript horde moved forward towards a small fort located in the center of the battlefield. A barrage of rockets and lascannons engulfed our troops, and only two men were killed in this initial burst. Spotting his Medusa tank on the edge of the battlefield, our Leman Russ – commanded by Lt. Waters – destroyed the enemy vehicle in one blast. 

Outraged by this loss, the Valhallan commander seized the fort and concentrated all fire into our conscript force. Of the 30 man force, only about 15 survived this ordeal. Additionally, the platoon command squad under Lt. Jenkins was decimated. The lieutenant himself was executed on the spot by Commissar Quint for showing cowardice when he tried to order a retreat. Reeling from these losses, our troops were momentarily ineffective in engaging the enemy. The mortar squad did, however, manage to take out a few more of the conscripts who were now moving outside of the fort. I personally climbed to the top of a nearby hill to survey the scene. 

It was then that our conscripts were decimated, save for one. The brave fellow – Petty Officer Styles – stayed in the face of danger and began to lay into the enemy. We now laid the full fury of the 32nd Regiment into the enemy’s conscripts. The withered and died under our crippling fire, ultimately retreating from the bloodshed. 

By this point, however, it was too dark to further engage the enemy. We could hear his troops withdrawing, however, and their ships taking off. Thus, we had successfully held Minster West once again.

Special mention goes to Lt. Waters, the tank commander who knocked out the Valhallan Medusa in the first minutes of the fight. Petty Officer Styles, also, deserves mention. His stubborn resistance in the face of overwhelming enemy numbers is a credit to the steadfastness of the Praetorian Navy.

The World’s Largest Dice Roll?

On Friday, September 13, 2019 the biggest dice roll accidentally took place on I-75 in Atlanta, Georgia. About 216,000 were rolled and, using statistics, rolled a 756,000!

Trivium Studios posted the following video:

Risk: Star Wars Edition

My wife and I are in Chicago for a wedding and we’re sharing an Airbnb with our friends Helen and Eric. Risk: Star Wars Edition was brought and so yesterday, Eric and I decided to give it a go. 

The setup is quite a quite a bit different than than the usual version of Risk, as you can see in the photos. It represents the three different aspects of the Battle of Endor: the space battle around Death Star II, the ground battle on the forest moon, and the duel between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader. The Rebel objectives: destroy the shield generator, destroy the Death Star, and destroy/redeem Darth Vader. The Imperial objectives: keep all that from happening and destroy everything. 

Eric played as the Rebel Alliance and I fought for the glory of the Galactic Empire.

As in Return of the Jedi, the Rebel Alliance starts with their entire fleet on the board. Additional squadrons are located on auxiliary fleet ships. Half of the TIE Fighters were deployed at the game’s start, with reinforcements aboard the Super Star Destroyer Executor. 

The side panels represent the additional fights going on simultaneously. The Rebel assault towards the shield generator is on the far side, and one nearest the camera has health charts for the Millenium Falcon, Executor, Luke Skywalker, and Darth Vader. 

The Falcon moves in to lead the Rebel assault!

The Executor takes damage! Admiral Piett orders more TIE squadrons deployed and takes evasive measures.

Suddenly, a bright green flash momentarily illuminates the area! A Rebel frigate, with a full complement of fighters, is gone. The Death Star II is fully operational! 

At almost the same instant, Luke Skywalker is struck down by his father. Emperor Palpatine laughs with sadistic glee.

The Rebel strike team breaches the bunker manages to destroy the shield generator! Rebel ships above begin the main assault. Only one D6 roll of six will destroy the space station. In an attempt to slow down the enemy, Executor sacrifices itself by serving as a distraction. The Rebels take the bait!

Meanwhile, all the fleet ships having been destroyed, the Death Star II targets the Millenium Falcon. It is destroyed instantly. 

Although the vast majority of Rebel ships have been destroyed, there’s still a great danger. Remember, the Rebels only need one roll of a six to win.

But in the end, the Empire wins and destroys the Rebel Alliance. The Galactic Civil War is all but over! 

All in all, this was a super fun game! It was neck and neck right until the end, and Eric could very well have won at several times if the dice had favored it. This is a game that I would definitely recommend and would play again in a heartbeat.

Throwback Thursday: The Battle of Minster West

This battle report first appeared on the Imperial Guard Boot Camp forum back in December 2007. Ben and I had decided to meet up at the Games Workshop Battle Bunker in Westminster, CA and match wits once again! 

Hope you enjoy reading this report! I'm starting to remember just how much I have writing these sorts of things up.

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Report
Submitted by Lord Colonel Z.E. Whitlow
32nd Praetorian Regiment of Foot

On the morning of the 14th, a communiqué was intercepted by Lord General Flagg of the Praetorian Intelligence Service. It detailed a Valhallan plan to seize the vital city of Minster West, important to our army’s supply of pith helmets, boots, and accouterments. Most importantly, this enemy force was commanded their greatest – and most brutal – field commander; his true name is unknown to us. Given his adept ability of finding a way out of any tough situation facing his command, our men have begun to call him “the Weasel.” Lord Flagg believed that we may finally be able to rid ourselves of this menace once and for all.

One full company of men were deployed, its heavy weapons consisting of a mortar, a heavy bolter, and a lascannon. Special weapons included a plasma rifle and two grenade launchers. The remainders of the squads were armed with lasguns. In addition, a command squad led by Lt. Cargill included a commissar, a sapper from the 77th Praetorian Engineers, two grenade launchers and a flamer. Major M.B. Fletcher-Jones commanded the central command squad. Serving with him were Lt. Durfee from the Praetorian Mounted Police, a commissar, a bugler, and a flag bearer. Three lascannon crews were attached to his command. In support of these troops were a squad of stormtroopers with a meltagun and an Armored Fist squad with a flamer, commanded by Sgt. Vickers. A Leman Russ provided the backbone of our force. All told, 64 men, officers, and other ranks went into the field.

Our men arrived to Minster West first. The city was in ruins, having been bombarded prior to our arrival: the ruins of the buildings were still smoldering. Only an Imperial fortress in the heart of the city stood unscathed. Sgt. Neil, with his squad and mortar took up position in the tallest building still standing, so that it could have a clear view of the approaching enemy. Sgt. Geoff and his heavy bolter took a post in the center of our lines. Sgt. Brandt, with lascannon, took up position to the right of Lt. Cargill’s command squad. The stormtroopers were to their left. Major Fletcher-Jones was stationed behind another building. The Leman Russ and Chimera containing our Armored Fist squad were also to the rear.

No sooner had our men established themselves than the Valhallan menace appeared. We tried to get a counting, but they were far too numerous. We could see, however, a horde of conscripts coming directly towards our mortar. Sgt. Neil immediately ordered a barrage, automatically putting enormous holes into the approaching foe. Shortly after this, unfortunately, a well-placed missile strike killed Neil and half of the men in the squad. The remaining men panicked and fled the field. 

On the other end of the battlefield, our Leman Russ rolled forth and intended to take out a Valhallan command squad. It was met with strong resistance, forcing it to drive into a building to seek shelter. As this happened, however, a tread broke. To the horror of both Major Fletcher-Jones and myself, the tank was disabled and unable to continue the fight. Thankfully Sgt. Geoff and his squad were there to halt their advance, just as they had at the Battle of the Grasshopper. This side of the battlefield was secured and safely in our hands.

The conscripts, however, were the greatest threat to our lines. Despite massive casualties, they drove onwards. It soon became clear that they driving towards the fortress. If they were allowed to take it, then they would be in a nearly impregnable position. Immediately I ordered Sgt. Brandt, the stormtroopers, and the Armored Fist to take it. The Chimera containing our light company was subjected to intense rocket fire, breaking down only for a moment. This delay, however, cost us dearly. As Brandt as his men were climbing over the barbed wire, the Valhallan horde came up and shot them in the backs – killing them all. They were then able to enter into the fortress and take it. The sergeant of the stormtroopers, bent on vengeance, charged into the structure and fought bravely till the end. Before they died, they were successful in tying down enemy forces there and killing a good number of them.

It was at this moment that the Valhallan central command squad – with Weasel himself – attempted to enter the fortress. Much to his surprise, however, our Armored Fist squad finally came through! Our men deployed but a few meters from the enemy and immediately laid into them. The flamer was able to burn them all…except Weasel. Once again he was able to escape death. Without their commanders, the Valhallan force fell into disorder. Before the battle could be decided, however, a severe lightning storm sprung up and put an end to it. Men from both armies sought shelter from the elements. Thus, the battle ended in a tactical draw.

Distinction must once again go to Sgt. Geoff and his squad. Without his able leadership, the Valhallans may have been able to take us from the rear and destroy us. Sgt. Vickers and the Armored Fist must be commended as well. Because of their valiant actions, the head of the Valhallan serpent was crushed under the foot of the Praetorian lion. 

Yet again, a combat photographer was able to capture the events of the battle.

Our noble Praetorian force.

The enemy, as seen from a captured photograph.

The ruined city of Minster West.

Sgt. Neil and his men take their positions.

Our Leman Russ prepares for battle.

The noble Sgt. Geoff and his men wait for the enemy.

The Valhallan conscript horde approaches.

Enemy troops seize a building.

An enemy tank peering around a corner.

The late Sgt. Brandt and his men, meeting their deaths on the barbed wire of the fortress.

A captured enemy photo of the battlefield.

Our own tank breaks down in a building.

The heavy bolter under Sgt. Geoff's command laying into the enemy.

The Armored Fist squad, finally into the fight, were able to turn the tide.

Throwback Thursday: The Battle of the Grasshopper

The following first appeared on the old Imperial Guard Boot Camp forum back in December 2008. Ben was in my neck of the woods and we decided to have a rematch at my FLGS, the since-closed Geeks in Whittier, CA. We decided to eschew any sort of points balance and threw everything we had onto the table in a scenario very much inspired by the Battle of Rorke's Drift on January 22, 1879.

Hope you enjoy reading this report! I had a lot of fun writing it up. 


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Report
Submitted by Lord Colonel Z.E. Whitlow
32nd Praetorian Regiment of Foot

On the morning of the 10th, Major M.B. Fletcher-Jones, his staff, one full company of the 32nd Regiment, and a squad of Space Marines from the Ultramarines chapter, and myself boarded the transport ship Grasshopper; bound to reinforce a fort besieged by Valhallans. While en route, enemy missile teams were able to strike the ship and send it crashing down into the planet’s surface. Miraculously, only three Space Marines were killed in the impact, and the survivors clamored out of the smoldering wreckage. However, the ship had crashed in the middle of the Valhallan lines and was now surrounded by a battalion of conscripts and heavy weapons teams.

Our brave men prepared for the ensuing fight. Four lascannons, one heavy bolter, and one mortar made up our heavy weapons teams. Three flamers, three grenade launchers, a meltagun, and a plasmagun made up our special weapons. The rest were armed with lasguns. All told, we had 45 men, officers, and other ranks who were holding our position. The Valhallan menace came into sight and skirmishers opened up the exchange. The Valhallans took three casualties, but ultimately overwhelmed the five man team. They charged our lines slowly, taking heavy casualties. The bulk of these came from a large conscript force charging our flank. Few of our men were killed in this exchange. It was at this time that the Space Marines emerged from the wreckage and charged the enemy. They took massive casualties, with two ultimately surviving the battle.

The regular Valhallan squads who advanced us headlong melted away and were soon routed. The conscripts, though poorly disciplined, hit our flank. Vicious hand-to-hand combat ensued, though the enemy ultimately ran away from the fight. The majority of our casualties came from this encounter. Ultimately one Valhallan squad and heavy support squad remained of an original force of eight. They retreated from the field, leaving our battered survivors to care for the wounded until help could arrive. We were ultimately picked up by the transport Chamberlain some hours later, and taken to a depot for rest and re-supply. 

Much distinction goes to Major M.B. Fletcher-Jones, who showed immense bravery though the rest of his headquarters staff was killed. Sergeant Geoff of the 2nd Squad, 1st Company is to be commended for guiding his men in wiping out a full squad of Valhallans in three volleys. Every man distinguished himself in the course of this action and turned a possible disaster into an astounding victory.

Here attached are photos of the action, as captured by a combat photographer serving with us.

Our men before they boarded the Grasshopper.

The survivors emerge from the wreck, relatively unscathed.

The Valhallans approach.

Sgt. Geoff's men prepare for action.

Sgt. Geoff and his hold against the first enemy assault.

On our flank, however, the line commanded by the late Sgt. Smyth encountered brutal hand-to-hand combat.

Halfway through the battle, the Ultramarines appear from the wreckage and take the fight to the enemy.

After several more hours of combat, the Valhallans flee from the field!