A Collection of Redwall Resources

Here a few random Redwall resources I recently found online. I already mentioned two of these in previous posts, but I thought it might be nice to mention them again in this list.

The OO Cities site offers among other things maps from the Redwal l series. It seems that each book offers a different map of the Redwall and its vicinity.

RPG Redwall offers information boards on many different aspects of Redwall and on how you can get started playing this online RPG.

Redwall Net offers links to forums, an extensive collection of recipes based on the series, a library where you can read descriptions and summaries of all of the Redwall books.

The Redwall Wiki offers information about all things Redwall, like characters, locations mentioned in the book and images of the characters as they were depicted in the animated series.

The Official Redwall site features the work of Brain Jacques the creator of Redwall. The site offers the visitor the chance to download e-pubs, read up on upcoming works by Brain, and purchase copies of the Redwall series that you might have missed.

More Mega Packs on the Way

Pirates on Oceans Edge mega packs have become extremely rare and I have just order two additional packs. As of this writing the supplier only had one mega pack left in stock when I made my order.

I am looking forward to seeing whether I can add another monster to my collection. I already have two sea serpents and I am hoping for a giant crab or fire-breathing dragon. These creatures will add some complexity to the game.

These monsters could be used in conjunction with some special situation cards or be controlled by an additional player. Think of it, a player whose job it is to either protect the treasure on some wild island or harass the other players. Alliances may have to be made in order to fight and kill the monsters before the players are able to fight and collect gold amongst themselves.

Finding a purpose for my Splintered Light Miniatures-Redwall

I have finished reading Redwall and I feel that this book would make a very good resource for a war game or RPG. In fact there is a Redwall RPG already. The text contains three books, The Wall, The Quest, and The Warrior. Although I feel that the second and third parts of this story are better suited for a war game, I suppose that part one could be worked into a game.

Splintered Light Miniatures offers many fine miniatures of mice and rats, the two main character types in the text, but also offers a host of other animals that were mentioned in the text.

Although a bit smaller than I envision the abbey, the Mini-Art offers a 1/72 Medieval Fortress could be used to complete a scene. Many of the scenes of the siege of the abbey could be set up using this model and Splintered Light Miniatures.

Pirates at Ocean's Edge-First Impressions

As I have previously mentioned in an earlier post about Pirates at Ocean's Edge mega packs they come bundled with two complete packs of pirate game materials. Not only that but they also include one large card with a ship or some type of creature.
The packs are normally 2.5 x 3.5 inches, about the size of a credit card. The mega packs include one 3.5 x 5 inch card. The packing mentions the larger pack size and cards will allow for Whizkids to supply larger ships and larger monsters. There are six of these over-sized cards in all.

I was hoping to receive one of these monsters, like a monster crab or a winged fire breathing dragon, but instead my pack included a catamaran. A pirate at Ocean’s Edge brings some new abilities to the table and the catamaran also brings some abilities that might be an asset to player who controls this ship.

I will be uploading the specifications and images of my new fleet of ships and sea monster soon.

Redwall-The Third and Final Riddle

And from where the shield had hung were written these words:

" 'By the moonlight, on the hour,
In my threshold space lay me.
Watch the beam reflect my power,
Unite once more my sword with me.
I - am that is, stand true for all.
O Warrior Mouse, protect Redwall. ' "

Redwall, page 142

Fantastic Fantasy War Game Maps

Fantastic Maps is a recommend site for the fantasy war-gamer and for those who like interesting maps. The site offers maps of real and fantasy worlds; many of them are free. You will also find tutorials and instructions on how to create your own maps.

Redwall-The Second Riddle

Down the steps the two mice went. Down into the depths of the earth and to Martin the Warriors’ interment site... Upon a lintel of the door it was written:

" ‘The same as the steps 'twixt the Hall,
Remember and look to the center.
My password again is Redwall,
Am that is, you alone are to enter' "

Redwall, page 142

Redwall-Sela the Fox and the Double Cross

Cluny and his compatriots had tried to use a tree to get into the Abbey, but were discovered and thwarted. The board in which Cluny and his crew hoped to use to walk across to gain access the Abbey’s wall went crashing down and with it Cluny and many of his followers.

Although Cluny’s life was held in the balance; he was luckier than many of the others. He lay in his bed raked in pain. A creature with healing arts was sent for. Sela the fox arrived and administered healing herbs and said incantations over the battle worn rat.

The fox was promised treasure once the abbey was sacked, but she thought of playing a dangerous game and play on both sides. She intended on sending the folks of the abbey news of Cluny’s plans, for a price.

“I’ve sold hens their own eggs back and stolen the whiskers from farmyard dogs.”

Redwall, page 139

Redwall Character Wiki

There are many wonderful characters represented within pages of Redwall. Each character in Redwall has its own unique character. The Redwall Wiki identifies all of Brian Jacques' Redwalls characters, their personalities, and provides biographies for each character.

Redwall-Riddle #1

This is the first riddle that the ancient and learned one and Matthias are confronted with. The inscription was found where the image of Martin the Warrior used to be. This likeness in a form on a tapestry was recently stolen by one of Cluny’s emissaries the Shadow.

The poem and riddle, once unraveled, will open a secret entrance under the steps of the Abbey that will lead to the internment site of the warrior and other riddles.

‘Who says that I am dead
Knows naught at all.
I – am that is,
Two mice within Redwall.
The Warrior sleeps
“Twixt Hall and Cavern Hole.
I – am that is,
Take on my mighty role.
Look for the sword
In moonlight streaming forth,
At night, when day’s first hour
Reflects the North.
From o’er the threshold
Seek and you will see;
I – am that is,
My sword will wield for me.’”

Redwall, page 128

Redwall- Cluny the Scourge

Cluny the Scourge was the leader of a horde of rats that are bent on murder and destruction and was said to be heading toward Redwall, but Cluny was part of folk legend and was a warning used by mothers when their youngsters were disobedient:

“Go to sleep or Cluny will get you!”
“Eat up your dinner or Cluny will come!”
“Come in this instant, or I’ll tell Cluny!”

“Most creatures didn’t even know what Cluny was. He was some sort of boogeyman that lived in bad dreams and in the dark corners of the imagination.”

Redwall, page 35

Redwall-The Feast

I remember reading a western where the characters in the book were eating burro jerky that had been roasted on the coals of their fire, or where they feasted on freshly prepared corn tortillas and beans, or in another novel the character mentions what we had for breakfast each morning while he was in town conducting business. The mention of food in a novel has an away to draw the reader in. Who hasn’t eaten a meal?

In the third chapter of Redwall the author mentions a feast that the occupants are about to partake. The menu is as follows:

Tender fresh water shrimp garnished with cream and rose leaves. Devilled barley pearls in acorn puree
Apple and carrot chews
Marinated cabbage stalks steeped in white turnip with nutmeg
“Greyling a la Redwall”

This is not to mention the nuts, cheeses, and other delicacies that were consumed. There was so much food that even after everyone ate their fill there was still so much left over.

Before they all sat down to eat Abbot Mortimer rose, spread his paws over the festive board and said grace over the meal.

“Fur and whisker, tooth and claw,
All who enter by our door.
Nuts and herbs, leaves and fruits,
Berries, tubers, plants, and roots,
Silver fish whose life we take
Only for a meal to make.”

Redwall, page 22.

Maps of Redwall

Back in my Maps of Fictional Places post I mentioned the maps that I have encountered in my readings. There is a map in the beginning of the book entitled Redwall Abbey and Surrounding Countryside. Since this map takes up the first couple of pages I could come up with a method of taking a picture of the map and not get may finger in the picture I went online to find an image of this map. The Redwall Map site offers the Redwall Abbey and Surrounding Countryside map and the maps found in other texts in this series.

An Introduction to Redwall

I have started to reading Brian Jacques' Redwall. This is the first in a long series of fantasy novels by this prolific fantasy writer. Redwall is a reference to the Redwall Abbey. The abbey is populated by mice and their meadow and woodland friends. The story has been very spirited and is very imaginative. The story depicts a conflict with Cluny the Scourge. Cluny was the God or War. The story is about the forces of good against the forces of evil.

Philip Jose Farmer

As far I know “The Other Log of Phileas Fogg” is my first novel I have read by Philip Jose Farmer. The Other Log of Phileas Fogg is from Farmers Wold Newton series. I would like to give Farmer another try and am thinking about his Tales of the Wold Newton Universe, a collection of short stories.

The Other Log of Phileas Fogg

I have just finished reading Philip Jose Farmers, The Other Log of Phileas Fogg. The novel gives us another look at Phileas Fogg. The Other Log of Phileas Fogg recounts Phileas Fogg’s journey around the world except with a catch.

Two alien cultures are warring for the control of the earth. Fogg is of the Eridanean race and in addition to trying to keep his bet with his fellows at the Reform club he and his servant Passpartout must battle the Capelleans for the control of earth. Captain Nemo, a Capellean is a sworn enemy of Foggs and Fogg must outwit Nemo.

Special Rules for Pirates of Mysterious Islands

I am still working on adding the new rules that each edition adds to this constructible pirate’s strategy game. Each game we play, we add few more of these rules into play. Recently we added the two mysterious islands from the two packs that contained these mysterious islands. The mysterious islands are indicated by the addition of two small yellow palm trees and you will find outcomes for your dice rolls on the back of these islands.

The outcomes for the two islands are, as follows:

Mysterious Island 1:

Roll a 1 or 2 you get to eliminate one mast from your ship. Isn’t that just quaint?
Roll a 3 or a 4 and you get no effect (How dreary!).
Roll 5 or 6 and you get to move an opposing ship its base move. I take it; you might want to turn the ship away from the island.

Mysterious Island 2:

Roll a 1 or 2 and on your next Move action you must roll a die. If you roll a 1 through a 5 you don’t move. Jolly ho!
Roll a 3 or a 4 and you get no effect (How dreary!).
Roll 5 or 6 and you get to write your own event. Now you are talking.

Perhaps you see why I haven’t used these mysterious islands. I don’t see the point and I wouldn’t shoot myself in the foot willingly, either, if you catch my meaning. Perhaps I can come up with some other ideas for these islands.

Perhaps I could add some monsters or some events to make it a bit more interesting…We will revisit this topic a bit later.

Dystopian Wars Gaming Table and Island Scenery

Recently I came upon the following videos that describe how to create a game table for Dystopian Wars miniatures and then how to add scenery to the game board. Although the videos are geared toward Dystopian War minis these techniques could be used for the Whizkids Pirates game. Having a game board this size and with this much detail would definitely add to the fun.

• Making a Dystopian Wars Ocean War Gaming Table
• Making Islands Scenery for Dystopian Wars, Part1
• Making Islands Scenery for Dystopian Wars, Part2

Odds and Ends 3-Compass

This is another installment of Odds and Ends. This is where I mention several links on various topics. In this case they are all related to a compass.

Jack Sparrow's Compass

Jack Sparrow, the captain of the Black Pearl, compass never really seems to point at anything. “Although it appears to be useless (the needle never points north) Jack's compass has supernatural qualities thereby giving him a special edge.” The Disney Wiki gives us this information about Captain’s Jacks compass and more. His compass is one very singular compass, as it will point at whatever Jack wants.

Paper Craft Compass

A very fine replica of Captains Jacks compass made of paper can be downloaded from the Disney Experience site. The compass is a very fine looking model and measures High: 1.8, Wide: 3.5, and has a Depth of: 4.75".

Binnacle

Included in a set alternate rules (PDF) for the Pirates of Spanish Main game is a compass that can be printed, assembled, and used to monitor current wind speed and direction when working these factors into the game.

Pirates at Ocean's Edge Mega Packs

Over the past few months I have order several Pirates game packs. All the packs come packed individually with two constructible ships, eight or nine gold pieces, two to three crew pieces, one island or terrain piece and instructions on how to build your ships and play the game. There are the simple rules and a set of expanded rules. The packs have been running me about $5.00 US per pack; that is with shipping.

Recently while browsing Amazon’s site I found Pirates at Ocean's Edge Mega Packs, which contain two packs of this rendition of Whizkids pirate’s game. That means double the ships, gold, island, ETC. The cost? That is $6.00 with shipping. Not a bad way to bulk up you collection of ships and add some new sea monsters.

I am looking forward to exploring this new edition of the Pirates game, with its new ships, terrain pieces, sea monsters, and embellishments to the rules.

I Have Been Seduced

I have been planning on purchasing a set miniature’s from Elhiem Figures. I have wanted to obtain miniatures for Experimental Playground’s Mutants and Machine-Guns’ RPG. However, recently I was seduced and I have lost all sense of propriety.

While visiting a page from a fellow blogger I came in contact with Bombshell Miniatures and it was love at first sight. For one who is always looking for something unique I found more than a few pieces here that are calling out to be purchased.

I recently made a post on my having received my first order from Splintered Light. These miniatures are in 20mm. I mentioned that I would probably not try to paint anything smaller than 20mm, but now I find myself ready to order a few pieces that are smaller than 20mm. It is their uniqueness that has me throwing restraint to the wind.

More to follow…

The Most Incredible Fantasy Maps You've Ever Seen

I am making another post on maps. I believe that I have referenced this site once before. io9 features many interesting articles. “The Most Incredible Fantasy Maps You've Ever Seen” page features some of the most incredible fantasy maps from popular culture, games, books (including another map of middle earth.), and the cinema.

Some of the maps listed here are:

• The Land of Oz
• Map of The Lands Beyond from The Phantom Tollbooth
• World of Greyhawk from Dungeons and Dragons
• Myst
• Alternate Europe and Middle East, from the Kushiel series by Jaqueline Carey

There are many other maps listed here.

Two Sources for Captain Nemo Miniatures

There may other sources for Captain Nemo miniatures, and I would sure appreciate a mention of these. Please feel free to leave a comment.

Extraordinary Personages (captain Nemo (Prince Dekker) and Mr. Griffin)

Brigade games offers set of miniatures that include a Captain Nemo character. The characterization and impetus seems to come from The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, a graphic novel, by Alan Moore and illustrated by Kevin O'Neill. I believe these are 28mm miniatures.

Reaper Miniatures also offers a Captain Nemo miniature. The inspiration for this 25mm miniature seems to be the British actor James Mason, which played Captain Nemo in Disney’s Twenty Thousand League’s under the Sea.

Rockets and Rocket Men

This is a rather new topic. I had formally combined Sky Pirates with Rocket Men, but thought that I could provide better coverage if the two were separated. So now I have Sky Pirates and Rockets and Rocket Men as seperate labels.

I am planning on obtaining a few rocket men miniatures this year. Elhiem Figures has a set of 3- 1/72 rocket men that are armed with broom handle Mauser pistols and Drum magazines. Elhiem also has a retro rocket man with a ray gun.

Pulp Figures offers several sets of U.S. Rocket Corps in 28mm. The sets include five individual miniatures. However I am leaning toward the Elhiem Figures because they also have several other miniatures I need for the Mutants and Machine-Guns’ RPG and a miniature that I will use with my Pirates of Mysterious Islands game.

Fire Breathing Dragons

Are dragons real or just stuff of legends? Well according to the experts legends all have a bit of truth in them, otherwise where did the legend originate in the first place? However, you know how stories go; they have a tendency to become more elaborate as they are passed along. Whether dragons breathed fire or not, I cannot say, but I do believe that dragons did exist.

The first documentary,” Dragons or Dinosaurs - Real Truth”, through the use historical evidence alludes to their existence. Dinosaurs might have been called dragons at one point in time. The second documentary dramatizes the discovery of an intact, of what is thought to be, a fire breathing dragon and her hatchling. The Last Dragon gives some insight into their possible daily habits and their eventual demise.

• Dragons or Dinosaurs - Real Truth (Paranormal Documentary)
• The Last Dragon | A Fantasy Made Real

As far as dragon miniatures Reaper Miniatures has a nice collection of dragon miniatures. Are there any dragon lovers out there? Do you know of other sources for dragons? If you have watched the first video you can make mention of the traditional dragon as depicted by Reaper or the dinosaur, which might have been considered by the ancients as dragons.