99. Dungeons and Dragons custom dice.

Not quite the blog post I was planning to be first this year, however, it will suffice.

First of all;
I am sorry.

I have not kept up posting as I had wanted to do.
I have let myself down, and anyone who actually reads this.

Though at least I held true to the concept of not posting unless I have something to talk about.
(excluding my recent Twitch scheduling updates).

Second;

A lot of shit has happened over the last few months, and I guess I will come to them in due course, or not.
Processing this information is difficult, bewildering and sometimes rage inducing.
Brexit
Trump
Where do I even begin...

The world has gone to shit, but again, that is a topic for another post.

And finally;

Yes.
I am back.
I'm settled into a Twitch routine and a YouTube editing routine, so it is high time I set myself back on course with everything else.
Blogging and hobby blogging are two of the things I'd like to correct.

So, on that note, check out my most recent post on The Underhive Hero.
The Sisters of Battle are back!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Anyway, back on topic.

I've been back to playing Dungeons and Dragons recently.
(there are a lot of stories here too, but again, another time...)

I bought one of my friends a set of Green Black forest dice from Q workshop for Christmas.
(They play a Gnome Ranger in one of the campaigns we play in).

The dice are quite nice.



The only problem being that, in low light conditions, these numbers actually become quite hard to make out.
Especially on the D20.

So I offered to customise them a little, to
A ) Function better
and
B ) Suit her character a bit more (She is a rock gnome obsessed with gems and valuable metals).

So, here's what they look like with gold on them!



They are not 100% finished in this picture, but they are IRL.
All I used was 2/3 thin coats of Retributior Armour (a water based acrylic paint by Citadel).
Followed by a coat of spray satin varnish to seal them from wear and tear.

Done.

That's all for this post.
I'll endevour to do better blogging tin the future, so stay tuned.
You can check out my regular Twitch shows if you really want to see what I'm up to.

Until next time folks!

-DH-

42. 'Coin Age.' Un-'enveloping.' The Cardboard Cartographer issue 15.

Welcome to issue 15  of 'The Cardboard Cartographer' here on 'The science of selling yourself short.'

In this issue we'll be un-boxing (enveloping really, as it doesn't come in a box) a micro game called Coin Age.

Coin Age was a 'pay-what-you-want' game created by TMG that was funded via Kickstarter.
The original funding goal was $5,000, which they met on December 21st 2013, and proceeded to smash, reaching a total of $65,195.
You can check out their campaign material by clicking here > Coin Age

In Coin Age two players attempt to control the land of Agea using a single card map and a handful of pocket change. Players take turns placing their forces (coins) on the map to control spaces, outmanoeuvre their opponent, and score victory points.

As with my previous Kickstarter un-boxing I have yet to play this game. Which is silly really, as it is amazingly portable and can almost literally be played anywhere.

On to the un-boxing!

Like Elevenses, this game is really compact. This 'un-boxing will be over amazingly quickly, mainly because it came in an envelope with no box (hence the lack of packaging picture).

The rules are compact, clear and fairly simple.

 

 

The 'boards' are roughly the size of a credit/ debit card and are made out of thin card, with the exception of the glossy card which is hard plastic.
The two thin 'boards' are also double sided, as to fit in more variable 'maps'.

The coins are standard cardboard composite, but also also includes some stickers to be stuck to pocket change if you don't want to use the cardboard pieces/ lose them.

And that is it!

It is simple, compact and clean.
Considering its size I actually think they managed to fit a fair amount of detail without making it look too cluttered.
Also the colours are great!

My main concern would be with the two 'boards' made of card. 
They are very flimsy. I can honestly see them getting damaged quite easily. Admittedly, they include a more durable board, but I don't see one board having great replay ability, so using this Micro Game for consistent travel use may not be the best.

That said, it is kind of hard to criticise the game considering;
a) it is a micro-game,

b) it was 'pay-what-you-want,'

and

c) I'm yet to play it.


A very short issue this time round.
Blame Christmas and New years, and playing more games again.

Have you ever played Coin Age? What do you think about it?

Leave me a comment below, or tweet me @DarkHaZZl3 on Twitter.

Thanks for reading. Until next Time

-DH-