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revford blog

Yellow Valkyrie needs food badly!


      End of Stargate, The Return of The Son of The Mummy next week

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:01:49 GMT

Our end of season cliff hanger for Stargate in the books and we left the team stuck on a Wraith ship installing the Nuke while Atlantis comes under air and ground assault.

Next week it's The Return of The Son of The Mummy. Monster silliness before we begin Addam's Carrion Crown.

    Traveller Stargate ending soon, to be replaced by Carrion Crown

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:37:19 GMT

Halloween is fast approaching and so with it comes the start of Carrion Crown, the spooky adventure path for Pathfinder to be GM'ed by Addam.

Meanwhile on Atlantis things are looking grim for the Tau'ri Expedition. Food, medical supplies, power and security all stretched too thin. Civil unrest and the constant treat of Wraith attack. All this with only two sessions remaining in the season!

The current plan is for Stargate to run on the 11th and 18th, then another round of Return of The Son of The Mummy on the 25th. With Carrion Crown to begin 1st of November.

Addam is after character background so he can prep the game. If you've not written any then try and get something to him soon. The theme is Hammer/Lovecraftian Horror.

Stargate should return for a new season next year.

    Kingmaker on Hold, Stargate Tomorrow

Mon, 16 May 2011 22:51:15 GMT

Addam is busy with exams for the next few weeks, so we're holding off Kingmaker until he returns. Without him it's just Maker and sounds less exciting.

In it's place is part one of an exciting (hopefully) new Traveller game based in the Stargate Universe. I'm desperately bashing together the players guide for this at the moment but we should be ready to roll by game time.

   Long Time No Update, New Game Idea

Mon, 16 May 2011 13:40:14 GMT

I've been very slack and lost track of the internet for a few months. I'm more or less back with it now, I'll get this updated with our current games soon.

Meanwhile after talking to Harvey the other night, I've been inspired to start working on a new game for Tuesdays once we've reached the first checkpoint in Kingmaker.


Traveller

 Stargate Universe Cancelled

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 13:50:16 GMT

Syfy cancels Stargate Universe after two seasons

Bastards.

Double Bastards as from the sound of things it all ends on a cliffhanger.

Bastards.

     BLAM in Wargames Illustrated

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 09:55:53 GMT

There is a write up with photos of BLAM 2009 in the latest issue (268) of Wargames Illustrated.

A few photos of my stuff made it into the magazine, my TARDIS console, The Doctor, Katie, Vic and K9 from our Doctor Who game, as well as my Goa'uld and a few Jaffa and from the Stargate 1895 game.

The 8th Doctor The Goa'uld Atum

More photos of the minis are available here:

I'll try and get some shots of the full TARDIS interior up soon.

Also I wanted to make sure and credit Rattrap Productions for the rules we used for Doctor Who, The Brokers of Death used the .45 Adventure rules with the Amazing War Stories supplement.

One last note on the Stargate credits, that Goa'uld is a Priest model from the Crocodile Games Wargods range.

    UNIT Sniper

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 12:35:01 GMT

Sniper Spotter

A Sniper team for the Modern Paras, UNIT and Stargate Recce. Minis from the TAG SAS range.


The Paras

    UNIT Hazmat Man

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 14:24:26 GMT

Hazmat Man

A man to deal with all the dangerous alien gunk. From the TAG SWAT range.


The Paras

    UNIT MP5s

Sun, 08 Mar 2009 18:43:24 GMT

MP5 MP5 MP5

Lightly armed explorers, carrying suppressed MP5 submachineguns.


The Paras

    UNIT GPMGs

Sat, 07 Mar 2009 13:57:41 GMT

GPMG GPMG GPMG GPMG

More serious firepower for UNIT and Stargate Recce, a Manoeuvre Support Section of a pair of GPMGs.


The Paras

     More SGR/UNIT Characters

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:05:27 GMT

A few new characters for Stargate Recce/UNIT.


Cpt Charlie Jessop

The Sneaky Cpt Jessop, from Warm Acre with weapons from TAG and Hasslefree, with the supressor swapped from the MP5K to the Pistol.

Cpt "Charlie" Jessop

Allied Officer (Grade 3, 10)
Pistol with Silencer (1), SMG (2), Killer Instinct (1), Quick +2 (2), Genius +1 (1), Language (1), Fearless (1) and Sprinter +1 (1).

Location Base DR Wound Level
Head (1) BR=3 4 BR=4BR=3Unconscious
Torso (2-4) BW=3
GT=8
4 BW=3
GT=8
BW=2
GT=8
BW=2
GT=8
BW=1
GT=7
Unconscious
Arms (5-7) HT=4
SH=3
4 HT=4
SH=3
HT=4
SH=3
HT=3
SH=2
HT=2
SH=1
HT=1
SH=1
No attacks
Cannot carry
Legs (8-10) DG=3
SP=5
4 DG=5
SP=5
DG=5
SP=4
DG=4
SP=3
DG=4
SP=2
DG=3
SP=1
Crawl only

Charlie is the alien fighting expert, trained in exotic languages and in locating the strengths and weaknesses of her foes.

Skills

Killer Instinct: Spend an Action Point to double the WS of an attack, must be spent before rolling for hit location.
Language: Make a BR check to understand other languages.
Fearless: Immune to the effects of Fear and Battle Cry.


3 Section GPMG

As everyone enjoyed using the GPMG so much last session, here is another one done up in SGR7 colours, don't have a character for him yet, just the model.

The Machine Gunner is from TAG.


Stargate Recce 7

    BBC Man

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:22:49 GMT

Geoff Snaps

Geoff of the BBC, an embedded documentary film maker recording programs about new worlds for BBC One, once the Stargate is declassified.

Geoff Snaps

Reporter (Grade 2, 7pts)
Armour Torso 1 (1), Deception (1), Genius +1 (1), Hunter (1), Language (1) and Sprint +2 (2).

Location Base DR Wound Level
Head (1) BR=4 4 BR=5BR=3Unconscious
Torso (2-4) BW=3
GT=6
5 BW=3
GT=6
BW=1
GT=5
BW=1
GT=5
Unconscious
Arms (5-7) HT=4
SH=3
4 HT=4
SH=3
HT=3
SH=2
HT=2
SH=2
HT=1
SH=1
No attacks
Cannot carry
Legs (8-10) DG=3
SP=5
4 DG=3
SP=7
DG=2
SP=5
DG=2
SP=4
DG=1
SP=3
Crawl only

Geoff of the BBC, an embedded documentary film maker recording programs about new worlds for BBC One, once the Stargate is declassified. While unarmed, Geoff is quick, smart and a capable explorer.

Skills

Deception: BR Challenge with a target within 3", if successful any attacks aimed at this model strike the deceived one instead.

Hunter: +2 to avoid traps outdoors and +1 to friends with 6". Also +1 to shoot at Camouflaged targets outdoors.

Language: Make a BR check to understand other languages.


Miniature from EM4.


Stargate Recce 7

  Stargate Recce 7 Game Shots

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 20:49:13 GMT

Contact in the Jungle The Lieutenant finds a clue A Jaffa becomes a smoking crater

A few shots of this week's SGR7 game in progress.


Stargate Recce 7

    SGR5

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 15:02:30 GMT

SGR5 Rifleman SGR5 GPMG

The brave survivors of SGR5, from last night's SGR7 game.

Sgt "Wanger" Wilson

NCO (Grade 2, 6pts)
SMG (2), Quick +1 (1), Sharpshooter +2 (2) and Nimble (1).

Location Base DR Wound Level
Head (1) BR=3 6 BR=3BR=2Unconscious
Torso (2-4) BW=3
GT=7
4 BW=3
GT=7
BW=1
GT=6
BW=1
GT=6
Unconscious
Arms (5-7) HT=3
SH=3
4 HT=5
SH=3
HT=5
SH=2
HT=4
SH=2
HT=3
SH=1
No attacks
Cannot carry
Legs (8-10) DG=3
SP=5
4 DG=4
SP=5
DG=3
SP=3
DG=3
SP=2
DG=2
SP=1
Crawl only

Wanger is the NCO in Command of SGR5. An reknowned marksman and veteran explorer.

Skills

Nimble: Reroll failed DG Checks.

L/Cpl "Pound" Livingstone

Veteran Soldier (Grade 1, 3pts)
GPMG [MMG] (3).

Location Base DR Wound Level
Head (1) BR=2 6 BR=2Killed
Torso (2-4) BW=3
GT=6
4 BW=3
GT=6
BW=2
GT=3
Unconscious
Arms (5-7) HT=3
SH=3
4 HT=3
SH=3
HT=2
SH=2
HT=1
SH=1
No attacks
Cannot carry
Legs (8-10) DG=3
SP=5
4 DG=3
SP=5
DG=2
SP=3
DG=1
SP=2
Crawl only

Pound carries the heavyweight General Purpose Machine Gun for serious supporting fire.


Miniatures are modern British from The Assault Group.


Stargate Recce NPCs

   The Goa'uld Atum

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:09:01 GMT

Atum

Goa'uld [based on Secret Police] (Grade 3, 10+1pts)
Short Blade (1), Expert Fighter (1), Killer Instinct (1), Poison (1), Genius +2 (2), Iron Will (1), Language (1), Fearful Presence (1), Intimidate (1) and Meet My Minions (1).

Flaw: Arrogance

Location Base DR Wound Level
Head (1) BR=4 4 BR=6BR=5Unconscious
Torso (2-4) BW=3
GT=7
4 BW=3
GT=7
BW=2
GT=7
BW=1
GT=6
BW=1
GT=6
Unconscious
Arms (5-7) HT=3
SH=3
4 HT=3
SH=3
HT=3
SH=3
HT=2
SH=2
HT=1
SH=1
HT=1
SH=1
No attacks
Cannot carry
Legs (8-10) DG=3
SP=5
4 DG=3
SP=5
DG=2
SP=4
DG=2
SP=3
DG=1
SP=2
DG=1
SP=1
Crawl only

The Lesser Avatar of Atum is a dangerous foe, an expert torturer and wears too much gold.

Skills

Expert Fighter: Spend a Action Point to change the Hit Location in melee.

Killer Instinct: Spend an Action Point to double the WS of an attack, must be spent before rolling for hit location.
Poison: Models wounded by a Poison attack take a BW check or cross off the next box in that location each turn. Can be healed by a Medical Expert.
Deception: BR Challenge with a target within 3", if successful any attacks aimed at this model strike the deceived one instead.
Language: Make a BR check to understand other languages.
Fearful Presence: Any friends within 6" need not take Panic tests.
Intimidate: Foes within 6" must make GT to act against this model.
Meet My Minions: Keep low grade allies in reserve. When a foe comes within 3", BR check. Pass = all Grade 1 or 1/2 placed within 3" or model or foe, Fail = enemy places models at least 12" away and not in traps, objectives or in danger.


From last night's SGR7 game, Atum of the Goa'uld.


The Goa'uld

  New Character Added to SGR7

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 11:03:22 GMT

I've added a new character to the SGR7 roster, Cpl "Pop" Archer, a LAW man.

This balances things out so everyone can have 3 Grades and characters to play, either the Grade 3 Lt Kestrel, or a Grade 2 and a Grade 1.

I'm planning to add some "mission specialists" to the unit as well, so people can choose which characters to take on a mission by mission basis.

Rules Clarification, everyone starts with 3 clips, that is two reloads, for each weapon, not two clips, one reload.


Stargate Recce 7

  Stargate for .45 Adventure and Amazing War Stories

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:17:37 GMT

With a view to running some Stargate .45 Adventure games in the late slot, here are some stats for SGR7, an explorer team and their foes The Jaffa.

I should be able to pull something together for tomorrow, unless someone has a better plan. :-).


The Jaffa
Jaffa Warriors, servants of the Goa'uld Atum.

Stargate Recce 7
British Explorers though the Gate, Stargate Recce 7 (SGR7).

  Transferring Movies to the eeepc

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 11:37:45 GMT

Recently Max picked up an eeepc, it's a great little linux based laptop with an 800x480 7" screen and a 4GB solid state drive that goes about 3 1/2 hours to a charge.

A tiny little machine, perfect for catching a movie or TV show while on the bus.

So, I've been looking for a way to format shift TV shows and movies I have on DVD onto the eeepc, it ships with MPlayer, but with it's reduced space I need to make the movies quite small.

Step one is to rip the DVD, for this I use a quick, single pass rip using mencoder, crunching down the movie into an XviD/mp3 file.

As OGG is, hopefully, heading towards being the standard format for web multimedia, it's well supported on the eeepc and good compression, step two is to convert the rip into Theora and Vorbis.

#!/bin/sh # rip # by Gav Ford # revford@blueyonder.co.uk # http://revford.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk # 2008-09-26 # rip a DVD into XviD/mp3 into an .avi # then convert that to Theora/Vorbis .ogg # usage rip tracknumber filename # -aspect 16:9 -vf scale=480:270 \ # -aspect 4:3 -vf scale=360:270 \ # -aspect 1.85:1 -vf scale=500:270 \ mencoder dvd://$1 \ -ovc xvid -xvidencopts bitrate=384 \ -aspect 16:9 -vf scale=480:270 \ -oac mp3lame -lameopts br=96 \ -af volume=15:sc \ -o $2.avi ffmpeg2theora $2.avi -o $2.ogg

On my machine, the whole process of converting a movie takes a couple of hours and results in a file of about 5MB/min as .avi and 4MB/min as .ogg.

Commented out in the code are alternate aspect ratios and scales for different movie formats, you can swap in the details based on what the DVD you're looking at says the aspect ratio is.

Here is an example of the results, a shot from the pilot episode of Stargate SG-1. Click the image for the full sized version.

encoding example, a shot from Stargate

While this produces good quality, quite watchable shows and movies. I'd going to try a two pass rip with just the scaling done by mencoder. Then compress that result directly to ogg, using ffmpeg2theora to reduce the file size down, skipping the XviD encoding.

    Extra Riflemen for UNIT/SGR

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 01:16:20 GMT

Riflemen

A few spare riflemen for UNIT and Stargate Recce, these are leftovers from the modern Light Role Infantry platoon I've put together.

A set of rules we've picked up, Battlefield Evolution: Modern Combat (aka ModCom), lists many of the standard weapons as exclusive options. For example, a fire team can't have both a Minimi and a LAW. So I'm going to have to paint up a few of the spare rifles I've got to shuffle things about to fit.

It seems that the British Infantry have too much fancy kit, so they've cut down the amount of gear the British Army have in ModCom for the sake of game balance.


The Paras

  New Goa'uld and updated Jaffa

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 01:46:00 GMT

Goa'uld Serpent Jaffa First Prime

Finally finished the Goa'uld for my Stargate games. From there I updated the Jaffa I'd already painted to match his colour scheme.

Finished group on the Jaffa page.


The Jaffa

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2011-12-06