Battle of Valorwood 1976

    I was lucky to be a part of the "Toad Hall Fantasy Horde" in Rockford, Illinois. Where a Monday night D&D session was expanded to a following Saturday event.  Numerous 25mm armies were available for loan or painting and a Star Fort designed, built and painted in several days. High School students were always ready to join the event. Above is a picture from 1976, the Battle of Valorwood.

                  The battle map and key as it appeared in the Phanta Carta 

                          

The Phanta Carta was a fanzine that I published and edited which covered the Toad Hall Fantasy Horde's fantasy campaigns and included charts, ideas and concepts that later became part of the AD&D Dungeon Master's Guide. Needless to say, it had a pretty impressive list of subscribers in Lake Geneva, Rockford and Decatur, Illinois.

Back to Iltor dungeon (3)

 Yes, Winks took 4 lightning bolts, nearly back to back, from the Troll Magi Chieftain and had one very badly singed beard 8-) And, not one, but 2 Troll Magi (thanks Michael Shorten for the idea)  

                                  

 

Return to Iltor dungeon during a Hurricane

 

OMG, a Troll Magi ...... Run away !!!

                                             to fight another day !!!!

Solo D&D ?

 What ? Solo D&D (tm) are words I never thought I would utter. But, then I never imagined using the word COVID, either.  So here's a look at my solo effort at a fantasy role playing game. For now, let's call it, "1 4 adventure".  

Disclaimer: Nothing compares to a great fantasy role playing game being played around a full table of players !!

Here is an outcome of a recent solo adventure:

Always beware of free loot, even after you have safely disarmed and opened the chest !

  

Remembrance of things past, vol. 3

I was a member of the Toad Hall Fantasy Horde at its original location at 7th and Broadway in Rockford, IL. Learned a lot about "sword and sorcery" fiction from "Mad Ruthie".

Something's Brewing... trouble, Trouble Brewing

Something's Brewing... trouble, Trouble Brewing...

                                   

                                                     Sorry, I couldn't resist the segue.  

What happened ?!? It began when the leader of the Red Bearded Dwarves imposed a tariff on White Beard Ale and then the White Beard leader reciprocated with a tariff on Red Beard Ale, and the pubs and brewing houses erupted. After 680 years of peace, the Red and White Bearded Dwarves, with their gnome allies, were at war, again.  It's "the Battle of the Boots of Malark", part 2.  

                                    
                                                            Old school tape measure 8-)

                                    
                    Remembering Gary (sorry it's not a sand table) and the "big guy" from Rockford

The figures are 25mm Minifig Dungeon & Dragons (tm) Dwarves painted with Humbrol paints 40 years ago for The first Battle of the Boots of Malark. This month, 50 years ago, I began gaming with Frank. It started with playing Bridge, Chess and Go. I have been blessed to have such a great friend, who shared my interest in gaming . And, this night's battle was as much fun and as dramatic as any throughout the decades. Thanks Frank ! 

 Red bearded dwarves (top) quickly seize the high ground around "the Boots"

 RB Dwarves take heavy casualties from WBD's crossbow fire

 The struggle for the high ground

                                              The gnomes are the first to engage in the center.

 Bolt, arrow and stone fire continues on the slopes 

 The bloody main battle is joined

 The WB dwarves armed with Battle Axes turn the tide in the center

                                     

 WB Dwarves reform and the reserves are committed

 Despite heavy losses the RB Dwarves continue to fight inflicting heavy damage.

                      Down to their last stand, the Red Bearded Dwarves finally concede defeat.

                                    "Nothing except a battle lost can be half as melancholy as a battle won."

                                                        A night to revisit old friends.

Something's brewing

Still looking for the rest 8-)

The Phanta Carta

Photos of page ones from the first and second issues of my fanzine "Phanta Carta". Learned a lot from the experience and am proud that among our subscribers were Gary Gygax at TSR and Bob Bledsaw at Judges Guild.

Map of the "One Kingdom"

A rainy day, some free time and a discovery in an old file cabinet. A map of my original and only campaign called the "One Kingdom".  And yes I was an original member of Judges Guild.  Thanks to Bob and Bill at JG I became a better fanzine publisher.  Such pleasant memories on a rainy day. Happy to share.