Mark Chaplin

(Yugblad)

"NO BLADES, NO BOWS. LEAVE YOUR WEAPONS HERE."

Thank you, goblin-friend, for bothering to click on my avatar. You're very welcome to browse through my gaming comments, look up what I gave a "ten" to, and see what I've contributed to this site. If you're feeling extra friendly, drop me a message.
If, however, you arrived through the front gate by mistake, my kobold assistant Moblug has a dank oubliette in which to deposit you.

MOST RECENT GAMING OBSESSIONS:







Here's the deal. If you like what you've read or seen on my profile - or want to add yourself as a gratefully-recieved Geekbuddy - then please thumb a picture. It's kind of like a guestbook, letting me know who's been; also spiritually rewarding my humble labours.

GAMING PROJECTS 2009:

Reduce number of gaming projects...
Gather/build miniatures for a Rorke's Drift skirmish scenario.

GAMING PROJECTS 2008:

Convert Doom into a Star Wars Clone War game.
Convert Starship Troopers into a hex-based game.
Convert Gutshot into a hex-based game, and build a Wild West town.
Convert Clash of the Gladiators into a miniatures game.
Construct 3D hex scenery for BattleLore and Memoir'44.
Build a dice tower.
Assemble terrain for Battlefield Evolution.
Gather/paint miniatures for "Lost World" Gaslight scenarios.

GAMING PROJECTS 2007:

Convert Space Hulk into an ALIENS-themed game.
Convert Star Trek Red Alert into a 3D miniatures game.
Create workable House Rules for Zombies!! and Starship Battles.
Replace plastic models in Knizia's LOTR game with painted lead miniatures.
Create Gollum variant for Knizia's LOTR game.


MUTTERINGS FROM THE SPIDER-RULED LANDS:

Once, in a land called Nanglangka, there were three Spider-Kings. Now this is a place that you wouldn't have heard of unless you listened to the grisly whispers of goblins under midnight trees, or read the forbidden leather-bound chronicles of wizards. This choatic land was ancient and degraded and had had many rulers, though none were as spiteful as the three spiders that ruled in the days of this tale.
Each sat in squalid courts, fat, wicked and brooding; plotting foul plots and spinning dark spells. Always seething, never sleeping, deep inside their mountainous lairs. Never daring to raise so much as a mandible in the direction of another king. Diabolic ambition was kept under tight lock and key. Until now: The Night of the Twisted Moon...

WHAT CAN I SAY ABOUT MYSELF?

Firstly, why do I submit so many photographs when writing is my first love?

“When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.”

Ansel Adams (American Photographer, 1902-1984)

I have been an avid player of games since I could walk and talk, encouraged by my Dad.
We had Risk, Go, Escape from Colditz, Chess, and Monopoly. These were the only treasures in our iron-bound games chest. Skilfully, my father used these blunt tools to craft a geek.
And there my geek-story might have ended, had he not then turned his hand to writing Tunnel & Trolls dungeons for me to explore, skillet of dice in hand...

My life currently revolves around the playing of card/boardgames, and the construction and painting of miniatures. I also have a unhealthy interest in videogames - though the time to play them is shrinking, especially with my understanding girlfriend Kate, 2 cats, and 3 rabbits, to maintain. And a beautiful daughter: Charlotte.
I love movies. I read when time permits.

I have written two books: The Spider's Eye, and The Strange & Perilous Adventures of Octopus Pickle: A Curious Happening at the Stroke of Midnight; and I'm in need of a switched-on agent! Please contact if you can help in this regard...

Selected illustrations from The Spider's Eye, by talented artist Matthew Kavanagh:

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/image/233569

My collection of games is probably too big - though not when compared to some of the geeks found hereabouts! I also possess an extensive selection of RPGs: Cthulhu, Delta Green D20, Hollow Earth Expedition, James Bond, Tunnels&Trolls, AD&D, Ghostbusters, Seventh Sea, Star Wars, Ringworld, Megatraveller, Toon, Runequest, Werewolf, Doctor Who, Vampire, Castle Falkenstein, Judge Dredd, Star Trek - it saddens me that I get to play these the least.

I have a pretty good set of gameboooks too: Fabled Lands, Sorcery!, Grailquest, Sagard, Endless Quest, Fighting Fantasy, Golden Dragon, Cretan Chronicles, Lone Wolf, Falcon.

I still love fantasy gamebooks - it must be said that in 1982, The Warlock of Firetop Mountain steered my life in a different direction to where it was headed. Picking up that book; well, that moment was the gem-encrusted poniard that pierced my soul, letting the sorcerous energies of gaming wash, like raging floodwaters, over every fibre of my being. Warlock then led me by the crooked nose down dungeons deep and caverns old to T&T, and then onto D&D, then AD&D, and then, before I realised, I had become a fully ordained brother, with silver-trimmed robes, of the geek brotherhood! I worship respectfully at the altar of Professor Steve Jackson, author of the truly magnificent Sorcery! books, and, of course, Russ Nicholson; who is the world's greatest fantasy artist - why he hasn't released an artbook is a huge mystery - standing just ahead of Dorian Cleavenger, Martin McKenna, and Keith Parkinson, IMO.

BTW, I stumbled across BGG while looking for a review of Dread Pirate. I thought that the components looked great and I wondered about the gameplay. A quick scan with Google brought me here. After lurking for many moons, I have never looked back.
I've always altered, bettered, streamlined the boardgames that I've owned, always to positive response. My best friend, and I, have even designed a few Doctor Who games, usually around a Dalek Invasion of Earth theme. Geek!

PS. I did NOT buy Dread Pirate.


With regard to my top 10:

Battlelore also doubles for Memoir '44.
D&D can be swapped for the boardgame - I play using both.
I rate Magic highest, purely on the amazing game system (I have not played in 5+ years). I am a recovering Magicaholic!

If YOU live in Nottingham, you may:

draw your sword and charge - turn to p112.
form an assertive posture, hands on hips - turn to p345.
look in your knapsack for a useful item - turn to p190.
drop me an e-mail and let's get gaming - turn to p400.

FANCY A VISIT TO THE TWISTED SPIRES OF YUGBLAD'S EMPORIUM, HIDDEN IN THE ICE-CLOAKED FROZEN-TEAR MOUNTAINS OF MONDAVIA?



If YOU are a battle-hardened adventurer, or a seasoned traveller with your wits about you, purse heavy with coin and a hankering for knick-knacks, pay a visit to Nanglangka's most famous merchant, in his ice-choked tower.

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Yugblads-Mountaintop-Emporium

Upon entering, mind that you knock the snow from your boots, take off your beak-nosed helm, and put your axe in the elephant's foot by the door!

Mark Chaplin
EST. 1971

Honorary President
TWELVE ANGRY RABBITS SOCIETY