A Homage to Heresy

A Homage to Heresy

I can't say I've always been much of a bookworm.

In fact I feel I'm very fickle with my fiction in that I always opt for the "wait for the film" attitude whenever I'm given the chance. Often, people will purchase books for me as gifts based on a series I'm currently watching, which I religiously shelf with the honest intention of reading before the next series is due to be televised. I feel for each and every one of these forgotten tomes, as I casually glance at them from across the room thinking about the "rainy day" when I'll finally get round to starting them, fully aware that the first teaser trailer of its terrestrial adaptation has already begun lurking in the background.

I am again about to draw on my necessity to reference my warmongering of all things miniature, as it was solely due to one aspect of its rich & extensive narrative that has birthed a new found love for literary fiction in my life.

( Excusing the unintentional pun, ) the concept of science fiction has long been an alien genre to me. With the exception of a childhood enriched by the Star Wars universe, I have never expressed any real interest in ventures into the cosmic. Swords & sorcery, and all things fantastic have always been my preferred brand of make-believe, especially of the motion picture variety. As much as I have an affinity for the medieval make-believe, I could count the amount of fantasy novels I've read on one hand, and had also never previously sourced a single science fiction novel that captured my interest.

During the previous year's wash-out entitled "the British summer", I ventured into my local hobby store following the release of the 6th edition of their hugely successful futuristic war game. Despite involvement in the hobby for many years, I had previously avoided this particular game's earlier editions, as it often appeared to attract a much younger audience despite its dark setting, as well as a Coven of participants who play to win, and only win, by any means necessary. The main encouragement for delving into its latest incarnation was the way the rules had been adapted to coincide with the medieval fantasy version of the game I am so fond and enthralled with, making the transition smoother for noobs such as I to join.

While simultaneously purchasing the obligatory starter set currently being thrust into the faces of every store visitor, I decided to further my knowledge of this new universe by acquiring the genesis volume of a fictional series based ten millennia before the events of the tabletop game in which you participate.

God am I glad I did.

I'm not going to review the book here in this post, or impose any type of pseudo sales opportunity to influence you to run out & grab it. I feel compelled, and am equally delighted however, to share in how much it has engulfed me into the genre through its captivating storyline.

As well as consistently packed full of action & intense dialogue, the works of the series' multiple authors have created a wondrously dark take on our future as mankind. It denounces religion in our future, plotting a story in which mankind has travelled the stars finding no evidence of gods or devils, and embracing the ideal that life simply is, and that there is no hereafter. There is an element of Nazism within them, as alien races and long lost planetary colonies are encountered, followed with the Godfather famed "offer they can't refuse" of accepting their earth-born revelation as truth, or be destroyed. Humanities own leader, having brought this Atheist lesson to earth, is paradoxically worshipped by the very people united by his message, causing further factions of conflict among our race.

Add to that a malevolent force in space, grown out of human emotion and ambition, tainting mankind and setting them upon each other from within their very souls. Born through their doubts & fears despite the "truth" imparted onto them by their visionary. leader.

The series not only plumbs the depths of thoughts on mortality and of our quest to uncover the mysteries of the afterlife, but on the corruption that the human race is susceptible to through simply thought provoking ideals. At times, even the lurking evil has a point to its intentions, and their honeyed manipulation can easily be seen as logic and reason when presented so temptingly to its victims, of which the reader begins to count themselves amongst.

Did I post to tell you about this wondrous new grimoire I have uncovered? No. My post was designed to deliver my realisation that when endeavouring into Science related fiction, the situational & evolutionary possibilities are endless. The map of our universe, a potential truth to one of our many religions ( or not in the example at hand ), as well as the endless opportunities to encounter 'others' upon our journeys through space, make engaging the mind into the the genre a truly epic experience. I have never encounter a fiction so vast and as engulfing as this.

I personally, am at this moment awaiting the arrival of book 8 in the series, which currently stands at 25 separate novels with no sign of slowing.

I cannot wait to read on and find yet more on this enriching story of betrayal & retribution, discovered simply because I attempted to give something out of my comfort zone the acid test.

If I have scried anything more thrilling than my anticipation of uncovering the next instalment of this particular series, it is simply the feeling that I tried something NEW, with a fantastic & equally rewarding return. It will certainly teach me to be more adventurous in all aspects of my interests in future.......

The 'Tourney Scene.'

The 'Tourney Scene'

     A month ago this very weekend, I was making preparations for the journey north to hobby HQ to participate in a weekend of gaming known as the 'Throne of skulls'.

     One aspect of my chosen hobby is the opportunity to compete with those "like-minded" individuals over tournament events held throughout the annum. Having not ventured into the 'tourney scene' for a number of years, a recent decision to participate at Nottingham's Throne of skulls weekend with friends seemed like the perfect way to rekindle my love for competitive play amongst my fellow hobbyists.

     Already, I can see your rolling eyes & sniggering at the prospect of fully grown men making war over tiny incarnations of our mis-spent youth and blah, blah blah. Indulge me a little ok?

     There is always a perception. One that is often cruel even amongst the inner circles of this most indoor of activities. An expectation of costumes, thick norse beards & accents, as well as other visual extremities associated with participation typical of the personalities presumed to frequent the tournament.

     What I expected to come across on arrival was a weekend of contesting an inch of distance here, a typo in a rule there, or hushed declaration of a last minute tactical change or forgotten manoeuvre, continually manipulated by the power gamer peacocking at my gaming table's polar opposite.

     I couldn't have been more wrong.

      Of the five opponents I faced over the varying scenarios arrayed before us during the weekend, none fitted the stereotype of my imaginations. It was a genuine pleasure to indulge my hobby for the entirety of the weekend without feeling trapped in a high pressure 'math-hammer' environment, nor was there any sign of fancy dress. ( Ok, there was one! )

     It was great to meet bands of brothers bragging about their victories & contemplating the 'what if's' during defeats along with our own experiences from the weekend. I even managed a few wins myself! I can honestly say that even amongst the 150+ gamers involved I failed to encounter a single 'Power-Gamer' or rules Nazi, and was delighted at the absence of my pre-conceptive myths.

     The only element that put me to shame throughout was the sheer patience & love other gamers had poured into their models, making my collection pale in comparison. The thought & design as well as colour schemes and techniques displayed was truly inspiring, and not only did I feel the urge to investigate the next event dates available instantly on my return, I began go reassess every shade and detail of my own collection.

     Blends of light & dark, virtue & evil, portrayed in third dimension can often be over-shadowed by the basic stigma of "toys" on a board. The artistry & vision of the painter completely engulfed by criticism of their chosen method of canvas. I felt reassuringly inspired to revisit my own works and challenge myself to improve upon them. I urge anyone who mocks the pastime to truly look in detail at the fruits of our kaleidoscopic labour & consider the painstaking eye for detail & unwavering patience endured by the hobbyists, and their ability to make these designs a reality.
    So as I sit surrounded by tiny paint pots and fine trimmed brushes at my favourite table,   I feel rejuvenated to begin a new painting project worthy of the array of armies seen during my venture northward. If only I could create an entry rich in theme and artistic techniques, if only........

     Watch this space...

Why Wargames?

     Having recently celebrated my 28th, I started the week as I do every "post birthday", assessing my life, possessions as well as my many interests. There is always a brief scan of the wardrobe, looking for any worn or unloved items of clothing, followed by the "spring cleaning" of anything remotely digital including my inbox and music purchases. All this scrutinising is ended ritualistically with a gaze at my ever extending collection of wargames miniatures, and the mass of surface area in my home they have acquired.

     I am lucky enough that my list of friends is long, and that I share a unique interest with almost each and every one of them. This ensures Im always actively involved in something, albeit with a different crowd dependant on What. Unless joined by my fellow "toy" enthusiasts, the inevitable question is always the same on entering my home, as my guest is faced with the dauntingly obvious display that is my miniatures cabinet. What they are is never asked, always why?

      The simple "why" is often followed by various jibes about additional necessary props or ceremonial head-gear required to play games of war, as well as references to my age and affinity with pretending I am a hobbit or some other fantastical creature. My response is always the same. It is brief but positive, expertly culling the questioning with well-rehearsed mantras about the relaxing properties painting can imbue, and some lie of how the game simply varies on the notion of chess, ( for the more avid of inquisitors.) And yet, somewhere within these quick defences is the statement to others that despite their views on my activity,  those models will remain, displayed for all to direct their quizzical looks upon.

     Around the time of ascending up the age ladder, I will often take time to ponder the "why" and make genuine effort to answer the question to myself. Whether it was my engrossment into the works of Tolkien's middle-earth as a boy, or the expertly painted, lead caste Dwarven lords my Aunty kept in her bungalow loft, I've always had an interest in the fantastic. It was certainly the latter of the two that encouraged my collective side, by introducing me to the particulars of the hobby and a universe created by a company with the same healthy obsession for the fictional as I.

       In my early teens, the recruitment of school friends to share in my new found fascination was compulsory, and regular visits to the hobby stores themselves were often looked forward to at the weekends. This was short-lived however, as when I entered my mid-teens there were suddenly other interests occupying my attentions. Regardless of when, I began to revisit the latest sculpts of wargames models in my early twenties & rediscovered my long lost interest in the mythical world I had become so well acquainted with. I convinced myself to begin collecting particular models of a "nocturnal" variety solely for the purposes of painting and collecting a small batch to satisfy my nostalgia. Infrequent trips to the hobby store grew into regular attendances as I began to meet like-minded individuals that to my surprise & delight were also of similar age.

      This discovery has since developed into a rekindled love for the game's systems with friends who use our time shared not only to escape the stresses of the real world, but expose their competitive & creative natures assured that their present company share in its embrace. Reconstructions of gaming tables & scenery purchased in abundance at the local hobby store litters my home creating the added joy of being able to host table-top matches with a group of friends without the addition of the young hobbyists. ( Found in-store frequently interrogating players as to who has won before the game has begun! )

      To simply say "because its fun" would simultaneously be the greatest & poorest response during my social grilling as simply playing games with friends is just that & need be nothing more. Imagine the joy of playing your favourite board game with the added investment of designing the board, the pieces and the situation before inviting a friend to determine the outcome. What if your gaming piece could have a background? A reason for emerging on the board you have created, or even a back-story that determines their behaviour or decision making? What If your game piece produced significant results repeatedly on the roll of a dice when involved in a specific situation, lending more to their character on how they regularly react in a given situation? Perhaps you would like to gloat & goad your opponents into a rematch against an undefeated or luck-riddled piece? All these variables decided on the roll of a few dice make resolving your imaginary scenario a spontaneous and unpredictable source of entertainment to share & remember, often resulting in pieces getting better paint jobs or additional pieces added as reward for their efforts.

    Glancing back at the various models in my collection, I use my birthday musing to assess the online worth of the unused models & unopened "future products" strewn across my living space, or the painting & resurrection of projects that I had saved for a rainy day. It is then I begin to pick-out individual miniatures, remembering their particular poor luck during battle, or compliments for the paint scheme from my fellow hobbyists, or the times when that singular dice roll they influenced won me the game. It is then I realise that I couldn't possibly part with them, despite the puzzled looks and exhaustive assessments of my house guests. So until next year, as I repeat the endless cycle of challenging my choice of hobby, my collection of toy soldiers will continue to grow along with the details of their adventures, created & continually loved simply because its fun.