"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 marvellous site. If you're feeling extra friendly, drop me a message - especially if you're on the wrong side of thirty and still playing with toy soldiers, while making dakka-dakka-dakka sound effects as you cast dice like you're at a Vegas craps table, surrounded by alluring, heavy-chested ladies.

If, however, you arrived through the front gate by mistake, my kobold assistant Moblug will help you with your cloak, and escort you to my special guest chamber.



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 2010:

Reduce number of gaming projects...
Build a scale, hex-flagstoned Second Hall and Bridge at Khazad-Dum for LoTR Tradeable Miniatures game.
Build a scale model of Amon Hen and Partha Galen for LoTR Tradeable Miniatures game.
Build a scale model of Moria's West-gate for LoTR Tradeable Miniatures game.
Build a model battlefield, including forest and cityscape, for Mechwarrior.
Build a miniature gothic church and graveyard for Vampire Wars.

GAMING PROJECTS 2009:

Gather/build miniatures for a Rorke's Drift 28mm skirmish scenario.
Give Star Wars Original Trilogy Risk a little spit and polish.
Finish my Doctor Who wargaming project.
Finish painting my BattleLore armies.
Finish playtesting my Doctor Who: The Twelve Doctors cardgame.
Revisit my Zombies!! house rules and custom cards.
Paint, flock and scatter GW's Realms of Battle Gameboard.
Paint GW's Mighty Empires expansion set.
Build a 3D 15mm version of Victoria Cross.
Create custom advantage deck for Jack the Ripper.
Build a scale, hex-flagstoned Chamber of Mazarbul for LoTR Tradeable Miniatures game.

GAMING PROJECTS 2008:

Convert Doom into a Star Wars Clone War game.
Make stat-cards for Starship Troopers.
Build a Wild West town for Gutshot..
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 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, Frustration, 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 2 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.

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

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

*The first 15 chapters of Octopus Pickle:

http://www.authonomy.com/ViewBook.aspx?bookid=8367

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, Grimm, 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, FASA's 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.

How did I get to this Geek-waypoint?
Well, I started with the aforementioned selection of games, and then slipped into gamebooks and RPGs. I played these to death between playing Blood Royale, Talisman, and Axis & Allies. Then came a chance encounter with a Factory Deck of Magic: The Gathering. That ended all life as we know it. Darkness. Silence.
Many years passed, until I moved cities due to career progression; I took this opportunity to sever all ties with the game and most of the people who played it.

What happened next?
Ebay. I sold all my cards. Every one. And all my Star Trek cards, BattleTech, and anything else CCG flavoured. All purged. Then I bought Knizia's Lord of the Rings game. Liked it. Bought the Knizia's Confrontation game too. Loved that.

How did this lead to BGG?
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.

Why have you got a Game Designer badge?
No, I'm not a pretentious twat - when you submit a game you designed, they bolt the badge on to your avatar. There is no decision in this by the individual; it's automatic.

What game was it?
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/56995

Game hacking?
I've always altered, bettered, streamlined the boardgames that I've owned, almost 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!

Why the Q&A?
I'm a lazy SOB.

Miniatures?
I have unearthed, through BGG, my old passion for miniatures, painting, and building scenery, etc. I found to my surprise that I was a little bit better at it all than I remembered - which was nice. And, no, I haven't painted every single model that I've photographed. I simply do not have the time, or in some cases, the composite skill. It's a blessing, sometimes, to discover a wonderful game that has pre-painted figures, ready to go straight from the box; I'm talking about AT-43, here, and it's smashing.

You know that you have an obsession with models when you can safely brag to anyone who'll listen, that you have the world's largest collection of painted 28mm Zulus - well, in the top 10%, surely!

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 of all, purely on the amazing game system (I have not played in 10+ 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.

*I'm always looking for new friends and opponents, so if you fancy gaming with my friends and I, please feel free to contact.

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