While we can certainly take the time to paint the models, and get a board together, we let Blood Bowl do the work for us. Two hosts will hold league nights at their house and run two copies of the Blood Bowl game by Cyanide Studios. Using hotseat mode you and your opponent will be able to sit face to face and do everything they can to remove each other’s blockers.

We look forward to starting a great season, and if you are interested join us at the Round Table on Pilsbury on August 29^th.

If computer games aren’t your thing and turn based strategy only makes you want to scream, perhaps the recently announced Blood Bowl LCG by Fantasy Flight Games may be up your ally?

Arch-Duke Jared Gilmore gathered some new faces and some old as Russian swept West with the aid of Turkey. A special nod goes out to Blake Morillas who was sportsman of the evening. Playing as Austria he was first eliminated when the Germans, lead by the Arch-Duke himself, betrayed the nation and allowed Italy to sack the country.

We are looking forward to more Diplomacy games in the future. Some video was taken during the night and posted to our Facebook group, swing by and check it out.

For the last 5 weeks our players have been vying for position as leader of our Monday Night A Game of Thrones League. As the League closes a winner will be decided. Tomorrow will culminate in the day’s champions vying for total power at the final table. The schedule is below.

We will be seeding first round tables in a group format based on league performance.

10:00 Open
11:00 First Round
1:00 Lunch Break
2:00 Second Round
4:00 Third Round
6:00 Final Table

Also the current standings of the league are below as well.

1^st Sir John Deatrick the Bountiful
2^nd Sir Andrew Flicker, Scion of the Exiled
3^rd Sir Ben Blythe Scion of Lannister
4^th Sir James Stremel, Scion of Winterfell
5^th Dame Margo Franks the Hound Mistress
6^th Sir Andy Able the Furious
7^th Sir Ian Allen the Fruity
8^th Sir Don Boucher, Scion of the Rock
9^th Sir Ryan Huber, Scion of King Robert the Drunk
10^th Dame Jess Thomas the Fierce
11^th Sir Phillip Sexton the Victorious
12^th Sir Dirk Walls, the Upstart
13^th Sir Joel Snow, of the Wall
14^th Sir Chris Patzner, Keeper of the Tolls
15^th Dame Malinda Miller the Mild

What we really need is people to coordinate and run games. This doesn’t have to be anything huge, just you, a few friends having a good night. Have an old table top RPG you have been wanting to play for a while? Run it! We have members chomping at the bit to play in some home brew games.  Right now we have Call of Cthulhu, World of Darkness, and Scion being ran at The Bulwark, and we have plenty of people asking about other games too!

Do you love a board game and want to get some players together?  Let me know, and I will create an event. If you are interested in playing a game the club can order a copy for you at a huge discount!

So when people ask me, “how do I give back” I tell them just have fun, and bring people along for the ride.

Congratulations to Pip, and congratulations to JD for maintaining the honor of his house.

Speaking of chapter packs, the second week of the Game of Thrones Living Card Game league is roaring along, JD is currently sitting at first, with Drew and James sitting next to him at the leaders table Monday night. A full list of our league standings appear below.

The players of the Strange Aeons Warhammer Escalation Campaign (say that five times fast) have had their first round this month. Right now Karen Hechel is on the top of the stack commanding her Tomb Kings army, with Drew and Betsy trailing closely behind. Each of them also has an extra Empire point which they carry into the campaign proper.

Coming up in June and July the Bulwark will be hosting the Dungeon Bowl! Members are encouraged to create 4 man teams with the goal of getting their party through a dungeon to the finish line faster than other PC opponents. The event will run in an Eberron setting and will run like a league as well. If you and your friends think you are the best adventurers this side of Karrnath stay tuned for details!

As always, the Bulwark tries to bring you the best in Chico gamin. We have a lot of private games that are hosted at the Bulwark which aren’t mentioned. If you would like to take advantage of our large tables, library or gaming aids and host a game at the Bulwark simply send an email to Blythe@thebulwark.org or post a comment on our Facebook group. We are open 7 days a week as events come up, and we can pencil your group in anywhere.

A Game of Thrones – The Battle For the North
1st – JD
2nd – Drew
3rd – James
4th – Ben
5th – Ryan
6th – Andy
7th – Joelz
8th – Margo
9th – Don
10th – Pip

Strange Aeons – Warhammer Fantasy Escalation
1st – Karen (Tomb Kings)
2nd – Drew (Dwarves)
3rd – Betsy (Lizardmen)
4th – Ben (Dark Elves)
5th – Damon (Skaven)
6th – Spencer (Gobbos)
7th – Andy (Empire)
8th – Ryan (Orcs)

Each category will tell you whether or not it is an “In-Character” goal (IC) or an “Out-of-Character” goal (OoC). IC goals should be completed IC, OoC goals should be completed by actual people with tangible items. Each category will also tell you what is required to prove you completed the deed. If a judge, DM, opponent or person doesn’t want to participate, don’t hold it against them. Again this is supposed to be fun. Finally, if you have to cheat at a convention scavenger hunt, you have more problems than cheating at a convention scavenger hunt.  You will need to email any photos you have, these are due Friday 6/4 to blythe@thebulwark.org.

Walkin’ Around (OoC, Item or photo required)
Get a business card form Geek Chic.
Get a photo(s) hugging 3 con staff in vests.
Get a photo with someone in a kilt.
Donate a pint of blood. (triple points)
Get a photo with a LARPer.
Get a photo with an RPGA judge.
Get a photo with O’Shaserra.
Buy a d6 from the Chessex booth.
Drink a beer (or soda if under 21).
Get a photo w/ someone from the Midwest.
(OoC)Play in a non vampire LARP, have ST initial.
Get photo of something from 2^nd ed D&D.
Paint a mini in speed painting. Get photo of that mini.
Stick a kick-me sign on Bulwark member get photo.
Eat at Knuckle’s, keep bill.
Get photo in the hospitality room on top floors
Take a photo at the Polycon booth.
Take a hotel pen.
Tell someone about the Bulwark, have them sign their name on the fourth word on the second paragraph.

ACE & LUX10 V:TM LARP (IC, Player ST or Item Card Required)
Win 3 chops in a row, have player initial.
Loose 3 chops in a row, have player initial.
Acquire a piece of Toreador art, get item card.
Acquire a business from a Ventrue, get item card.
Earn a major boon, have player initial.
Earn a minor boon, have player initial.
Buy a small gun, get item card.
Buy a large gun, get item card.
Acquire a Malkavian’s shoe, get item card.
Acquire Boreal Wine, get item card.
Obtain an occult trinket from a Tremere, get item card.
Get a compass from a Gangrel, get item card.
Pick a fight with a Brujah, have player initial.
Buy a katana from an Assamite, get item card.
Gain a derangement, have ST initial.
Gamble on something petty, player initial.
Loose a humanity, ST initial.
Gain a humanity, ST initial.
Win a poker hand against Shanghai Kelly, get his signature.
Tell a Nosferatu something he doesn’t know, get his signature.

A Game of Thrones (OoC, Signature of opponent required, photo if specified)
Make a humorous comment about incest.
Sit by houses in alphabetical order, get photo.
Earn 7 power in one round.
Get a photo with a Lannister player.
Remove Bear Island from play.
Get a photo of Robert Baratheon stinking drunk.
Take the Hand of the King title, take picture.
Make a funny “Bro”atheon joke.
End a game with 15 power.
Give a player one of your characters during a game.
Defend a Bulwark member who you support.
Cut off Lord Eddard’s head for treason.
Share a mug of wildling mead with someone.
Spend 10 gold in one turn.
Witness an opponent reaching 0 cards in his house deck.
Play in a game where no one has an agenda.

RPGA (IC, GM signature)
Get TPK’d.
See a man about a horse.
Put out an ever burning torch.
Purchase eye of newt.
Drink 5 healing potions.
Stick your head in a bag of holding.
Kill a non-minion in one hit.
(OoC) Have a table-mate draw your PC.
Tell a story about Admiral Melvin Tottlebottom.
Win a skill challenge by 20 or more points.
Run out of healing surges.
Roll a twenty on a death save.
End a module with all your dailies left.
Hug an ogre.
(OoC) Collect three of the same Reward Card.
Roll a critical attack.
Praise Aybar, peace be unto him.
Find a Guzzling Griffin inn.
Buy a torch from a Halfling.
Start a recycling program.
Order a sandwich from a Kenku.
Have an elf wash your clothing.
Ride a creature two size categories larger than you for three rounds.

Warhammer (OoC, Judge or opponent signature required, photo if specified)
Make a 6+ armour save.
Win the sportsmanship award in a tournament.
Beat a Blood Angels list.
Take down a fully kitted out Falcon.
Get a bit from a stranger.
Lend someone your glue, take picture.
Loose all three matches.
Play, and beat another member of the Bulwark.
Take a photo of one of your units being especially badass.

Steal the initiative.
Get a photo of you shaking hands with your 1^st opponent.
Purge the unclean!
Get a photo of you shaking hands with your 2^nd opponent.
Win all three matches.
Get a photo of you shaking hands with your 3^rd opponent.
Win the Golden Gargant Award.
Table your opponent.
Get tabled by your opponent.

Miscellaneous (IC, OoC, Signature of opponents required, photo if specified)
Trade sheep for wood, take picture.
Play a game of Munchkin w/ 3 other people.
Destroy an agent of Horus.
Worship the Elder Gods.
Make a blasphemous statement while playing Blasphemy.
Deal 10 or more damage in M:TG.
Play a game which has not been released publicly yet.
Play as Alexander the Great.
Defend Gettysburg.
Discover a new location.
Call DOCWagon.
Take first in a game of Carabonde
Purchase a number at the auction.
Save the fleet from a Cylon raid.
Get a picture with Eddi Birsan
Capture Piedmont
Win a tournament.
Take the Longest Road award
Take the Largest Army award.
Play a mono-color deck.
Try a game you have never played before, and did not score any scavenger points with, take a picture.
Play 7 different games and get one opponent’s signature on the first period of each of the first 7 lines of text.

Bonus points: My Awesome Achievement
List one major achievement you had during this convention. Whoever has the most awesome achievement will gain a point.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Last night The Bulwark hosted a newbie night for A Game of Thrones the Living Card Game. This fantastic game pits players against the other great houses of Westeros in a dangerous game of politics, power, and displays of military might. Each house has their own unique feel, and the game thrives on group mechanics and chains of victories instead of hoary combos that win the game in a few turns.

The local community is happy to welcome several new players into the hobby, who each assumed one of the core houses of Westeros. Margo Franks as house Stark emerged victorious after house Lannister over extended themselves and allowed Stark to press the advantage.  In the adjacent room, on the Jared Gilmore Memorial Table the Bulwark Vets had a dragout two and a half hour game end in a Targaryen victory (lead by Drew Flicker) with Martell one challenge from victory (played by Karen Hechel). “If Drew would have made me loose that stupid challenge I would have won,” Karen lamented. Oh well Martell, maybe next time.

We are happy to welcome all the new players to Chico’s premier A Game of Thrones Living Card Game league as we start up our second season.

(View the image for high res.)

Andy     Hordes of Chaos

Ben        Dark Elves

Betsy     Lizardmen

Damon Skaven

Drew     Dwarves

Karen    Tomb Kings

Ryan      Daemons of Chaos

It is the year 2523 by the Imperial Calendar. Karl Franz reigns as Emperor, and the deft politician is currently engaged in a holy war against Archaon the Everchosen of Chaos.  Valten, the Spiritual Successor of Sigmar along with Grand Theogonist Luthar Huss have marched north with the bulk of the Empire’s might to meet the threat, while Karl Franz convenes the Conclave of Light calling together all higher races to seek counsel. The Dwarves, and the Elves respond sending their best and their brightest to renew alliances older than man, despite hoarier grudges. As the Storm of Chaos washes over the Old World, all eyes look northward.

The Border Princes are a low valley of blood, cruel demagogues, and freedom which lies south of the Empire, east of Brettonia, and north of the Badlands. In former times the Border Princes were largely inhabited by savage tribes of Greenskins but now the land is fiercely disputed by human colonists and many Orc and Goblin tribes. The human colonists are tentatively organized in tiny kingdoms, small principalities, and independent city-states, but most of them are not better than fortified villages.  These lands are rife with opportunity; it’s people are stubborn, cruel, and superstitious.

These are strange times though, so one cannot fault another for coping with his world through juju, prayer, and stories during dark nights. There are rumors of strange ships sailing south of Tilea and skirting the Black Bay by night and strange howls to strange gods can be heard in the morning mist as the sun kisses the bay. A queer plague has over taken many farmers and a rugged three sided symbols are etched into their crops. The Princes who rule the small city-states of the Principalities are notoriously hedonistic, their bright flame of rule often burns quickly, and rumors of pleasure cults crop up from time to time, farmers daughters being stolen or paid for by lords with strange marks on them.

A fortnight ago the earth trembled, and since then hammers are heard ringing on Blood Peak, the peasants say they are the hammers of Sigmar beating against his anvil, judging the souls of the dammed. Since the quake there are rumors of settlements have been destroyed by silent warriors, the small folk say the dead have risen, but the Von Carsteins were destroyed hundreds of years ago.

What is behind this talk? Why now? Is any of it true? While some of these may be the tales of scared serfs there is some gravity to these tales. The Border Princes are desolate though, there is nothing here worth fighting over, and no man has ever been able to hold the Princes.  With all the eyes of the Old World looking North, why would anyone come to the Princes?

That being said one of the worst experiences imaginable is to roll up to a tournament only to find out you cannot participate because of banned cards or an incomplete knowledge of the rules.  A lot of these tournaments take time to prepare for.  Painting, planning, and playing dummy games are all fun but really just whet the appetite for a more hard core and competitive gaming moment.

Fear not, below is your hyper linked salvation!  The Bulwark has compiled the tournament rules for some of the most anticipated Kublacon events.  There are major changes in some, smaller tweaks in others, and some just point out the audacity that is needed sometimes to ensure gamers play a fair match.  The Bulwark’s unofficial motto of “If you have to cheat at [insert game here], then you have more problems in life than cheating at [insert game here]” is all well and good when playing with locals, but while it remains true even in the strangest lands, miscommunications can sometimes lead to people becoming frustrated.  The rules below sort out what happens when pride, ego, and Kublabucks are on the  line to make sure everyone has a great weekend; especially the winners.

A Game of Thrones - Apparently there is a banned list! The format each game at Kublacon is in LCG Constructed. Also, note the tweaks in supporting with titles.

Common/Uncommon Grab Bag - This event uses the Magic: the Gathering Comprehensive Rules as revised February 1st 2010, which is a mere 171 page document.  On top of that, when you approach the grab bag bin, you must dip your hand in and remove a grips worth of cards.  You will be expected to hold on to these cards from anywhere between 5 – 15 seconds, and/or to turn your grip up and down.   All players will abide by a consistent set of rules.

One World By Night, Always Comes Evening LARP - While the game’s own house rules can be found here, One World By Night has their own set of rules by it’s representative player council. Those rules can be found here.

RPGA – Even the RPGA, a fan club and cooperative player body, has its own set of rules to abide by.  While most of the rules are common courtesy and can be summed up with “Don’t be a dick” and “if you have been a dick about it, please don’t play with us”, there are a few points that are interesting.  Mostly Wizards of the Coast is just covering all it’s bases with this one.

Warhammer 40K - Warhammer has a set of rules for tournament play that not only rewards savvy generals, but also well rounded hobbyists and people who are just fun to play with.  The Rogue Trader system judges wins versus losses, sportsmanship, and craftsmanship of an individual’s army.  Along with the almost Biblical tome known as the Warhammer 40K Fifth Edition Core Rulebook, the Rogue Trader system has its own set of rules here. Unlike other games Warhammer is very modular, keep this in mind when building your army. Points totals, special rules, and special events may all be included in the specific tournament you are playing in.

With all of these events going on, it’s very likely some where missed.  Many of Team Chico’s Diplomacy players “the Beer and Blades Club” will be trying to get into pick up Diplomacy rounds early on, and remember Catan regionals are held at Kublacon. If you would like to see something posted, comment  below!  The entire program for the convention can be found at Kublacon’s website or behind this link.