Dungeon Crawlers

Making a Stucco Wall

with HirstArts fieldstone and wood plank molds

This isn't "technically" a stucco wall. Its a variation on Wattle and Daub. Wattles were woven sticks or reeds inside a wooden framework and then covered with Daub (clay, dung, whatever was available locally.) This provided insulation and sealed the gaps against the weather. I'm sure that I've seen a similar technique applied to loose stone stacked between wood support beams but couldn't find anything. Since I live in a fantasy world anyway, I thought, "What the hell! Slap me in a dress and call me Alice." Err. I mean, "cover it in spackle and pretend its real". I also figured more people would know what I'm talking about if I called it stucco. I'm very pleased with the result and to heck with reality.

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Introduction to Harn and Harnmaster

In our neverending quest to find you information, weve come across Hârn, a very extensive game system by Columbia Games. Ive been in contact with the company and have permission to reprint the introduction from their site. They are also working on an Interactive Atlas based on the CC2 Pro technology from Profantasy (Who were also talking to). Hopefully this is just the tip of the iceberg and well be able to bring you more Hârn info with the help of our new friends at Columbia Games
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Intro Confrontation Battle Report #2

Wolfen vs Dirz: The Rematch
Aka CK's Confrontation Battle Report #2

Introduction

Welcome to the second of what hopefully becomes many battle reports for Confrontation that serve as a learning experience for us all, myself included. Last week, we saw my Dirz get pummeled by the Wolfen, and this week I have decided to attempt redeeming myself and the Wolfen were good enough to give me the chance.

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Idiots Guide to Making Terrain #1: The Basic Hill

The hill is a critical terrain feature. Not only does it break up the flat, featurless table, it is the building block upon which almost all other terrain skills are derived. Lack of these skills would push some so far as to stack books under a tablecloth¹. This is unacceptable, and many would be driven to violence if forced to play under such conditions. Much of your future terrain-related angst can be avoided altogether by simply following these directions.

Some general notes on terrain: Everyone wants to play on a gorgeous battlefield, replete with hills, trees, skulls, destroyed buildings, etc.; but there is a fine line between a functional tabletop battlefield and a delicate 28mm diorama unfit for those with fat fingers and a tendency to throw dice. The wise General chooses to build his terrain to the functional side of the house, with an eye on detail that does not hinder play or break easily. Todays lesson swings WAY to the functional side, but you should still be pleased with the overall outcome.Also, for every hobbyist there are different ways of doing things. This is how I make hills, but it is certianly not the only way or even the best way. This lesson was designed with simplicity and a minimal amount of supplies in mind.
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Introductory Confrontation Battle Report

We thought that a good way to introduce Confrontation to people was to run a battle report between small Dirz and Wolfen forces.

Dirz vs Wolfen 300pts

Basic Pitched Battle on a 3'x3' table.
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All-Purpose Miniatures Rules Review

All-Purpose Miniatures Rules
by Paul Arden Lidberg
Published by Team Frog Studios (formerly known as Crunchy Frog Enterprises)
1999, 2nd printing 2002

Like me, many miniature wargamers are mystified by the myriad of rules and unit values presented in most wargames. There is usually no way to design your own units outside of the options presented, and a new game would generally have to be purchased for each genre (historical, fantasy, modern, futuristic) you wanted to play. Team Frog has sought to simplify and streamline these rulesets with their "All-Purpose Miniatures Rules."
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Dungeon Crawlers Shameless Plug

I found a neat tool and checked out the company website. I wrote a testimonial and am getting some samples to review. Once I get them, youll get all the details. Cool and Cheap, what more can you ask for?

Microbrush site

Stay tuned… 🙂

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Spray Foam Terrain

While building a desert gaming table specifically for my Warhammer Skaven and Imperial Guard Tallarn units, I decided to try a new terrain making method: Spray Foam. Sold under a variety of different brand names, with Great Stuff being the most popular, the foam is commonly used as an insulator and all-purpose sealant in places such as where conduit or water pipes enter your home directly through a wall. I had seen it many times in my travels and noted how much the expanded foam resembled rock formations, so it was a natural leap to want to experiment with it o­n my gaming table.
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Fun with Sprues

This article looks at using sprues that accumulate in a seemingly endless supply. The obvious use is as a stick of some sort and I don't disappoint because that's what I did. I also made a plant out of sprue so that should be worth a read.
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Hidden Door in Hirst Blocks

Just a quick write-up on a test for a working hidden door using HirstArts block. I like functional or multipurpose dungeon pieces. Several parts of my dungeon sections have hidden passages and removeable sections. None of them are "working" bits though. I'm swamped with work, which is normal, so tend to take shortcuts. I wish I had time to try carving custom blocks. *sigh*

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