The Bulwark

Lace up your cleats, put on your helmet and poison your knife, Blood Bowl is just around the corner. Bylliam Toofgobbla is your host again as 16 teams struggle for the most points at the end of 16 turns. Players you choose will gain skills, as they become star players adored by fans. Humans, Elves, Orks, and more face off against each other in this parody of American Football where the only way to achieve greatness is by creating a grand ascent of the dead and defeated. Your players will die, become injured, and develop horrible mutations all in pursuit of glory!

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?

Saturday witnessed the return of a Bulwark tradition, lying to your friends and enjoying a few beers while they suffer.  Diplomacy is the international game of politics and intrigue, each player makes alliances and breaks them in order the further the ends of his country. For more information on Diplomacy, check out some of our previous articles.

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.

Tomorrow morning history shall be made! The local knights and scions the powerful lords of Westeros will gather on the field of honor. Alliances will be made and broken, young warriors will clash with the old while power and intrigue takes place in the shadows of our great stadium. This is the Tournament of the Hand, and this day will decide the fate of the great Battle for the North.

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

May the God Emperor bless our members. So often I am asked “How can I help the club”, or “What does the organization need”, people are ready and eager to donate tangible items. Things like fans, or chairs, or what have you. The fact is we get those things off of Craigslist, or purchase them using the dues our members pay.

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.

Monday night John “JD” Deatrick made a boast. During A Game of Thrones league play he said he would purchase a chapter pack for the player who started on the lowbie table and rose the highest. Phillip “Pip” Sexton has had a wretched time, he is able to hold his own in casual games, but unable to see any sort of victory during league play. He went into the evening with not a single win under his belt. Well that all changed. After a first place win on a table of four and a second place on a table of three, Pip soared up in the rankings and as promised JD has penciled in a special order with the Bulwark’s special order desk.

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

A couple of exciting announcements coming from the Bulwark! Starting in July we will have membership cards which will be used to record the payment of monthly dues.  This will offer a sure fire way of telling who has, and who has not paid their club dues, and make sure club organizers don’t accidentally double charge members. The last thing the Bulwark wants to do is divert any more of your hard earned money than we need to. Besides, an extra $10 is a new chapter pack and can be put towards a lot of gaming fun!

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)

Thank you for participating in the Bulwark Scavenger Hunt. Participation is fairly straight forward, but there are some basic ground rules. First and foremost this is supposed to be fun for you as well as the people who aren’t playing, don’t bring down your table, or hog up all the Storyteller’s time, and if the goal is an out of character one, make sure the people involved are okay with it. Bulwark members, & friends of the organization cannot sign off on achievements or participate in them (yes Karen is from the Midwest, but she doesn’t count).

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.
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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.

The Bulwark is proud to welcome the players of the “Strange Aeons – 12 Months to 1500 Points” Warhammer Fantasy Campaign! This campaign is being ran by Ben Blythe. Right now the campaign is full, but as slots open up the group would love to welcome new players!  The group will meet every other Friday, opposite of New Haven by Night to host open painting nights, and meet on Sundays for campaign turns.  The current list of players and their armies are below, with a description of the campaign setting.

(View the image for high res.)

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This year there will be several tournaments and organized play events that members of your FLGS will be participating in. Collectively members of the Bulwark often call themselves “Team Chico” when playing in these events to represent a solidarity and consistency of butt whoopin’ us Chicoans deliver;  this also helps organizers either separate us or keep us together to ensure a fair seeding, go with whatever story you want.

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.