New arrival and another new experience

Field Commander Napoleon arrived today which is extremely quick service from sender (wee plug for Boardgame Guru site that I used at http://www.boardgameguru.co.uk/index.asp) especially to the remote colony of Ulster !!
Only had quick delve through contents but very nice they are.

A SYW miniatures game planned for tomorrow which I need table for but hope to get a go at FCN later on.

Also yesterday evening I had a game with 'RPG' mates of a boardgame called 'Mansions of Madness' (often a description given to my own abode I fear) which is a fantasy/horror game (sort of Cluedo/murder mystery/gothic horror mix) under the Call Of Cthulhu banner. Like RPGs this is not a genre I have ever had any interest in. The subject matter was definitely not my cup of char at all although the early 20th Century setting was interesting. But the game system itself was very enjoyable with a great interaction of cards, events, 'monsters', puzzles and characters with 3 of us as investigators and the games owner playing as the 'Mansion' as such setting up the story line and controlling the horror events and encounters. The game components were also nice with great 'gothic' artwork.
We just failed to solve the mystery by running out of time in the game (a count-down system in game goads players to not faff about too much) which led to the Mansion and ourselves being 'consumed' by something below the Mansion. A fun game to play despite the off kilter (for me) subject genre.

iPhone pics of board etc which really do not do the components justice at all.


Numerous cards and counters used in system

The Mansion laid out (very nice double sided tiles) with clues, equipment and obstacles thereon

An interesting departure............first ever RPG !!

Played my first ever role playing game at Stephens tonight with 3 other 'adventurers'. Using Middle Earth role play system (good for me as at least I had a recognizable frame of reference) Continuation of an adventure the others had been playing earlier in the year. I was a Rider of Rohan named Frealof riding his war horse Skallagrim armed with a Spear, Short Sword and a Crossbow (I pictured him as a lesser Eomer). My role play had me as a direct straight talking if somewhat tactless individual (this role was written with me in mind perhaps and requiring minimal roleplay), also a stoic and fearless warrior. A very enjoyable night (not least for social aspect) with an interesting scenario.....sorry adventure...... and some action against a couple of marauding Trolls.
Fantasy type stuff not my forte or preferred option but definitely a fun game and a nice diversion from 'proper' wargaming plus who doesn't like Lord Of Rings universe. System quite intuitive to play but lots of table cross referencing involved to generate actions, monsters etc. Glad to see we used miniatures to represent our alter egos especially helpful when it came to combat as aid to visualizing relative positions of characters and actions. Since I like wargames to have a narrative type structure or background it was easy to enjoy a game based primarily on this aspect. I guess I essentially role play to an extent in most wargames anyhow whether consciously or unconsciously (I really must stop shouting out loud during games !) so again easy slip into the required 'mode'. Different feel to a game where you represent a single character as part of a team and without massed ranks or units. Bit like a very low level skirmish game.
Hopefully the rest of the chaps enjoyed (endured ?) my participation and look forward to continuing the saga. Not so sure I would continue to blog about as not a big visual feast but maybe key incidents might inspire me  to.