Variable Pig The Iron Age Pig Issue
The Zine Poll issue, featuring the 170th issue of “Polar Pig”, “The Universe Is A Pink Blancmange Called Simon” 88 and on-the-shelf vol. XVI, issue 39.
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VARIABLE PIG (IRON AGE PIG)
POLAR PIG 170
Welcome to another edition of Variable Pig. This will almost certainly be our last issue from 2018 so may I begin by wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.
Alex Richardson recently resurrected the Zine Poll and the results were as follows
THE 2018 UK GAMES ZINE POLL RESULTS
Pref. Matrix Avge. ------Votes TOTAL W D L Pts Score Score SCORE ------1. VARIABLE PIG 12 2 0 38 10.000 8.982 18.982 2. Ode 11 1 2 34 9.408 8.673 18.081 3. Where Is My Mind? 10 2 3 32 8.820 8.343 17.163 4. Hopscotch 9 1 0 28 8.232 8.500 16.732 5. Fury of the Northmen 6 5 3 23 7.644 7.619 15.263 6. Obsidian 6 2 7 20 7.056 8.055 15.111 7. ...mais n’est-ce pas la gare? 5 0 2 15 5.880 8.500 14.380 8. Minstrel 4 3 5 15 6.468 7.300 13.768 9. Outbreak of Heresy 4 2 3 14 4.116 9.000 13.116 10. The Cunning Plan 4 2 8 14 5.292 7.711 13.003 11. Dane’s Games 4 2 5 14 4.704 8.086 12.790 12. Devolution 3 1 7 10 3.528 7.100 10.628 13. To Win Just Once 2 2 7 8 2.352 7.667 10.019 14. Gesundheit 3 1 4 10 2.940 6.750 9.690 15. Save Your XXs For Me 0 0 2 0 0.588 8.000 8.588 16. Quartz 2 0 13 6 1.764 6.641 8.405 17. The Tangerine Terror 0 0 14 0 1.176 5.011 6.187
I am, naturally, overjoyed with the results as this is the first time that the Pig has won the poll. My thanks to everyone that took the time to vote, and especially to Richard for printing and publishing Variable Pig and creating our fabulous website. Thanks also to Tom for his sub-zine and to Bob and all the others that have run games or contributed in other ways. It’s great to see that there are still seventeen zines still going, especially as Brendan’s “Damn the Consequences” and Brad’s “Western Front” weren’t eligible, I receive about half the zines listed above and all offer great places to play games postally. Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 4
It’s been a very hectic couple of months for me with business travel. It began with a 2.5 week trip to Shanghai and Japan for a business team meeting and multiple customer visits. I spent nine days in Shanghai staying in the Xujiahui district on the Puxi side of the city (west side of the Huangpo river), which I had not visited before. It was a very busy trip for week, but we did have time for some sightseeing and tourism. I met with an old friend and colleague on the first Saturday and spent a lovely afternoon walking around the old French concession near Xujiahui. It’s always surprising and enjoyable to find these quiet, older districts with low rise mansions and gardens, surrounded by the modern city. We met up with some more old friends for an enjoyable dinner that evening.
Sunday was a more relaxed day, but we still found time to visit the Tianzifang market in Dapuqiao. This is an old market area, full of tiny shops and bars, narrow streets and alleys. It was quite crowded with both tourists and locals and, as many of the shops produce their own goods, lots of interesting things to see. Bags loaded, we braved the Shanghai subway (very clean and efficient) back to our hotel.
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Our last sightseeing was a team building event, exploring an old temple and gardens near the Bund before having dinner on a river cruise along the Huangpo at night. Shanghai by night is spectacular, and even if you’re not a fan of big cities, it’s hard not to enjoy the beautiful way all the buildings are lit up at night. It’s still amazing to me that when I first took a cruise along this river in 1995, there was almost nothing built up on the Pudong (East side) of the river, other than the Radio tower and a few docks. The change over the last 20 years is really impressive.
Of course, this was a work trip and we were busy all week, but it was also really nice to meet some new colleagues plus catch up with lots of old friends from Asia and Europe. We left Shanghai on the Friday and flew to Osaka, a for the weekend before a few more days visiting customers in Japan. I didn’t know Osaka that well, but as my Boss was also interested in sightseeing, we bought some 5 day Kansai region JR passes which were a bargain at 14000 JPY, less than the return Shinkansen trip from Osaka to Hiroshima. Japan seems to have a lot more of these special regional train passes available for tourists now, and these now include the Nozomi trains which are the fastest.
We took an early Nozomi from Osaka to Hiroshima Saturday morning and then picked up the Sangyo line to Miyajima-guchi to visit the Itsukushima shrine and the famous torii. This is one of the three most famous views in Japan. I had visited this before with Jacqueline and the children when we lived in Japan, but Maria, my boss had not and I was happy to play tour guide. The tide was out, so it was possible to walk right up to the torii, but we missed the classic views of the torii rising from the sea. Maria and I also visited the shrine, which we missed previously, before enjoying soba and a local beer for lunch.
Most of the tourists heading back from Itsukushima island took the train back to Osaka, which I thought a little sad, given our second destination. We continued to head west on the Sangyo line to Iwakuni, to see the beautiful Kintaikyo bridge. This is a stunning, five arched wooden bridge across a wide, shallow river, overlooked by wooded mountains and a white castle. I had hoped that the leaves would be turning to red, which would have been even more beautiful, but we were a little early. Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 6
Sunday, we visited Nara. Jacqueline had been to Nara before when my Aunts and Uncle visited, but I had not. Nara is famous for it’s overly friendly deer and many Buddhist temples, including one that houses the World’s largest indoor, wooden statue of the Buddha. This was very impressive, but I most enjoyed two delightful Japanese gardens close by. These were both beautifully laid out and oases of calm amidst the nearby crowds of tourists.
After a busy day in Osaka, my boss flew back to America and we decamped to Tokyo for the final days visits. We arrived late on the Monday night, but I had Tuesday evening free to return to Yokohama and revisit some old haunts, including my favorite Ramen restaurant where I met the family who now live in our old house. It was only a short visit (sadly no time to go to the Onsen), but it was fun to enjoy the nostalgia of walking along Motomachi again and taking the Minatomirai subway. As US flights depart Japan in the late afternoon and early evening, I was also able to spend the final morning visiting the KSP lab where I worked for 3.5 years.
I was able to enjoy a week back in the US before my next trip to Cartagena, Colombia for our Latin American distributor meeting. I had not been to Cartagena before and was very impressed. The city is situated on the Caribbean coast of Colombia and was heavily fortified by the Spanish in the past to defend against pirates and the British. The brightly colored, walled old town and fortifications have been preserved and the city is now a UNESCO world heritage site. We spend a lovely, but very hot, afternoon touring the old city and also enjoyed three great dinners in the City.
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Away from work, we had a very enjoyable Thanksgiving weekend. We had dinner with friends on Thanksgiving and the Thomas, Kelsey, Hannah and Tyler all came round on Friday for more food and quite a few games. I think Thomas was the only one that went shopping on Black Friday. Jacqueline went out with friends on Saturday afternoon, but Saturday evening we went to see “I Hate Hamlet” at the Bucks County playhouse, a charming little theatre on theatre on the banks of the Delaware. The play was about a modern TV actor whose main series had just ended, who had signed up to play Hamlet at New York’s theatre in the park. The play was set in the apartment of the deceased actor John Barrymore (known for playing Hamlet), whose ghost was summoned by the actor’s agent. The play was very well done and had some very funny moments. The drive home was quite nasty though, as it was raining very heavily. We had a gaming afternoon with some friends from EPGS on the Sunday to complete an excellent long weekend, before my latest trip to Mexico.
This coming Saturday sees the beginning of the Bethlehem Emergency Shelter season, and once more we shall be volunteering every other Thursday night to provide somewhere for the local homeless to stay and rest out of the cold. I think this will be the 6th or 7th year we have been helping and the demand isn’t going away. For many years, shelter was provided by different churches in Bethlehem each night, but the program moved to a permanent location last year. However, there were quite a few problems with some of the neighbors who have been trying to get the shelter closed down. I’m glad to say that they have not been successful but the shelter is looking for a new location for the future.
This issue sees the end of the long running RoboRally game and a couple of other games are drawing near to a close. To balance this, I’m happy to say that there has been quite a lot of movement on the waiting lists, so there are a few games ready to start. I will kick these off next issue as I have not had time this time, to prepare the gamestarts. With that, I shall bid you all adieu until next time….
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LETTERS
Conrad von Metzke Congratulations on a well-deserved win in the 'Zine Poll. And no I am not the least bit jealous; the amount of work you two put into that thing, time after time, rain or blizzard, really deserves not merely a win, but some form of "super-win." For whatever its value, you have my super-win vote now and for as long as you do such a fine job. Kev Lee Many congratulations on winning the zine poll - well deserved. Thanks very much and congratulations to you too for your strong showing in the poll.
Conrad von Metzke Thank you. I voted Pig - the 'zine with grunt. I gave you a 9. Now what are you planning to do for me and WIMM? If I get less than an average average (sic) I'm quitting on the spot. If I win the poll I'm cancelling my retirement. (And also asking that all voters be sent to hospital for analysis.) Anything in between, well, we'll see.... I think I gave WIMM an 8 or 9, but certainly ranked it very highly. Please don’t quit…
Dane Maslen Quite how one would then cope with a zine called "Now what are you planning to do for me and WIMM??" is beyond me. I suggest you file the name away for use when you burst back onto the zine scene a few months after your forthcoming retirement. NWAYPTDFMAWIMM – that’s even worse than TUIAPBCS! Richard might get new ideas.
Conrad von Metzke And while we're at it - is the question mark in WIMM? above part of the title, or is it the end of a sentence, which would therefore require two consecutive such marks in my third sentence? I believe this should be discussed in depth and at length, with especial breadth. Tho there. May I refer you to the honorable Mr. Maslen, whose letter column ioves grammar discussions. I’m too scared to go there as my ears ring every time Jacqueline checks the zine for such errors.
Conrad von Metzke Thintherely, Conrad von Metthke, Important Perthonage. Copy to Dane Mathlen who may with to weigh in on the quethtion mark quethtion (or may have retained his thanity) When did the lithp creep in?
Dane Maslen That presupposes that I have a sanity to retain, a pretty unsound supposition really. I think that may apply to most of us who have read this far.
Tom Howell Attached is oysterMushroom.jpg half of which I had for dinner tonight.
Looks delicious. How did you cook it?
Tom Howell I just sliced it up and threw it into the pot along with the noodles. I'm suspecting so also; although I've prodded him a couple of times, Conrad has been quiet lately. But, that's the usual.
Richard Smith ... and was it hallucinogenic? Made me think of Ken Russell's classic movie Altered States from 1980, which I think I may have watched at Warwick Uni but not so sure. We definitely had The Great Rock'n'Roll Swindle, The Wild Women of Wongo and Flesh Gordon which was picketed by radical feminists :-0
Tom Howell Nah. We stay away from those things. There are lots of amanitas around; which, I hear, in small doses - VERY small doses - are hallucinogenic. But, in not much larger doses are usually fatal.
Tom Howell Oyster mushrooms are common here. They grow on dead trees, mostly hardwoods: alder, but I think we got a bunch off a downed dogwood a few years back. These, I think were on a hemlock. An interesting specimen, actually. The tree had fallen over, but part of the root system was still anchored and fed the tree. One of the lower branches took over the 'main stem' role and is growing straight up. The original stem 'above' that branch-turned-stem has died, and that's the part of the tree now sprouting oyster mushrooms. Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 9
We've gotten more than that one I showed you. Hmm. No, there is a 'shroom grows hereabouts that is usually edible, but not if it grows under the Western hemlocks. Don't remember the name, but I know it when i see it. These things grow on the roots of the conifers and destroy the root systems. So, the fruiting bodies come up out of the ground, and are a pale tan colour. No, mine was a nice white oyster mushroom growing out of the tree trunk itself. At any rate, I ate the entire thing myself, and no bad effects. Excellent. My Dad still picks wild mushrooms although not as often as he once did, as well as blackberries, hazelnuts, pig nuts and other good things that grow wild. I’m not so familiar with wild mushrooms to do so safely.
Tom Howell We just ran into some folks who have a pig in the back of their ... Car? Station Wagon? (they don't make the latter any more, do they?), van? (can't tell what it is, we're parked directly behind them on the ferry dock.) The pig's breed is: "Kunekune". They also mentioned "American Guinea". Thought you might not have used the former breed for the "Pig", so here's another if you can use it. Thanks Tom – always appreciated as I have worked my way through a good number of breeds. I’m sure I’ve used Kunekune in the past, although it may be quite a few issues back. Not sure about American Guinea though.
Richard Smith I have been playtesting Kubb today resulting in some changes to the rules but mainly tuning the "invisible" data, this being the all-important effects of the drinks. If the effects are too easy to counter, the game would only last 3 rounds. Too difficult and the game ends in a draw with everyone flaked out on the grass. Anyway, I'm now happy with the mechanics so it will go on the waiting list. Of course, it is rather silly and team games are rare in zines. It can’t be sillier that the two Guano Archery games we developed some time back, surely?
Michael Pargman Nowadays it seems that when it comes to games, I mostly play 18xx games. We are a group who play regularly in Stockholm. But this year we've started to get in contact with players all over the country. In September I went for a game weekend in Vaxjo, some 4 hours driving south. All in all we were 14 players. I had a great time and managed to learn 5 new 18xx games .-) I was never that keen on the 18xx games as I’m usually not good at games involving shares, but I know they’re very popular. It sounds like you’ve found a good way to meet new people and explore more of Sweden (I only know Vaxjo from the BB and RR maps of your country). Talking of RR maps….
Richard Smith Crets 2018 was at Kilmory, nr. Lochilpead. So if this were added to the V2 Crets Map (approx. square B1) Kildonan could move south one hex (more accurate geographically) and the Isle of Arran could revert to being an island with Androssan (E3) ferries to Arran and Campbletown (A5) added. Brough and Barnard Castle are actually closer than shown on the map so could perhaps close up and become half-towns (16).
Bob Gingell The idea of a ferry to Arran from E3 is appealing as at present Kildonan is far out of the way for ease of play. However, Campbeltown seems too remote to be worthwhile and the existing strait crossing B2/C3 (or a ferry replacement which is the actual situation) would be simpler. Lochgilphead and Kildonan could be half towns although geographically B1 should be links to Lochgilphead (as could be C1?) and D1 should be water since that is where the Clyde estuary runs although for playability I can understand the drying up of the Clyde. Since Kildonan is already remote and difficult for more than one player to build to, I doubt the value of a second destination nearby. Moving Barnard Castle to Q11 will not make much difference although you would need a fresh 15 if it and Brough became half-towns. The real issue over locations seems to me to be Dibden Purlieu and Seaview. Dibden needs to be a full destination but Seaview is too close to both it and the 2-special Portsmouth. Can you justify dumping Seaview or (if not) making it a half-town? There seem to be areas empty of track in Essex, Sussex and the Welsh coastline by Cardiff, but I accept that this may be appropriate for this map. Did you plan to revise L1 to be forest/hills? I think that Bob has a good point about the remoteness of Kildonan, although as the map represents Crets holiday locations, it is consistent (also the reason why Sussex, Essex and the S. Wales Coastline aren’t represented). The ferry option to Kildonan seems a good idea, especially if it is made into a half town with Lochgilphead. I think Bob’s suggestion about Seaview is also valid – maybe make this a half town along with Patchacott as this is in a similar area and close to Nick’s hometown start.
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If you are planning a v2 map, I would also suggest a change to the start towns, so as to have at least one other further north.My suggestion would be Stalybridge (East side of Manchester) or Macclesfield to replace either Farnham (for me) or Taunton (for Nick). I would also consider to drop the ferries overseas and just use the ferry sites as connections (like Granton) so they are more competitive with the airports. You might also want to factor in next year’s holiday if you’re going to make an updated map. This would of course, also use airports.
Conrad von Metzke Have a lovely safe trip. Going to see what they've done to your old home in Japan? Andy York And, all is well here. Enjoy the Asian trip! Allan Stagg I hope the business trip to Asia went well. Is there a lot of down time on these trips? I had a great time in Asia, thanks. I had two weekends there – the first in Shanghai when I met with some old colleague and friends. The second was spent sightseeing in the Kansai region of Japan.
Murray Egan Excellent to see your China pictures popping up on Facebook. I'm guessing you had a blast being back and seeing old friends/familiar faces in Japan? I’m glad you liked them. Of course, facebook is blocked in China so I couldn’t post anything until I reached Japan. I did get quite a few pictures with colleagues and friends, but decided not to post these in case they caused problems.
Murray Egan My week was good in Japan, and I had my first 'customer drinks' after work session. Got very hammered at the table with beers and 6 bottles of sake consumed. When my hand was so unstable with the chopsticks and couldn't manage to eat anymore, I realized I was in the danger zone. Fortunately my two work colleagues came to the same conclusion and we called it a night.... The hangover the next day was world class. Sorry we couldn’t arrange to meet up in Japan but I’m glad you had a good trip. I can definitely remember business nights like that, although more often in Korea. We did have a good time in Japan (and China) but it was also very busy – my facebook posts didn’t show that aspect of the trip.
Brad Martin I was listening to a radio programme about megacities and Tokyo comes in #1 with a pop. > 38 million. Hard to imagine. But according to the Statistical Office the population of Japan will decline steeply so that there will be barely 50 million in the country by 2110 (compared to 127m today). Anyway, I hope you enjoy your travels and get in a bit of sightseeing. Greater Tokyo is huge and very densely packed, so it doesn’t surprise me that it’s the World’s most populated city – I suspect others may have a larger footprint. I wonder what will happen to it when the population starts to drop. I did enjoy going back though.
Michael Pargman It seems you had a great summer. So did I. For most of the time I stayed in Sweden which kept warm and dry. In August I visited a cousin of mine who has moved out into the countryside of Oregon. It was really out in nowhere, but she and her husband seemed to have put down their roots. After that, I continued to San José for the World Science Fiction Convention. It was nice, but I was a bit lonely staying in an airbnb at walking distance since the friend I usually travel with didn't go. Glad you had a good trip to the US. Oregon is a very beautiful state – hopefully they have been getting better weather on the West Coast than over here on the East.
Allan Stagg Good to hear that your trip back to the UK was generally okay. We have just come back from a trip to the Cotswolds - a visit to the Pudding Club at the Three Ways Hotel in Mickleford, as part of my 65th birthday celebrations. We stopped off at Broadway on the way there and had planned to visit Hidcote Gardens after checking in at the hotel, but we arrived there too late to be admitted. The Pudding Club itself was good - seven different puddings to get through, some familiar, some slightly strange (Sussex Pond - whole lemons cooked in suet). We managed to meet the challenge of all seven, but wisely decided not to go for any bonus points! The pudding club sounds like a lot of fun – I’ll have to check it out for next year. We certainly enjoyed our brief sojourn in the Cotswolds before Cropredy this year.
Allan Stagg On the actual day of my birthday, we picked up James and drove to Sheffield to meet up with Sam for a meal. It didn't quite go to plan, as there was an accident on the M1 and we were stationary for an hour in Leicestershire. Still, the meal was good when we eventually got to Sheffield. Congratulations on your birthday and I’m glad you had a good time. Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 11
Bob Gingell Yes all is OK with me, although I had the rubber soles of an old pair of walking boots come off during a hike on Saturday. Luckily it was not raining and I only got one foot slightly wet from one muddy patch, but the bottoms of my boots without rubber soles looked like carpet slippers and sharp stones were very painful. As this rambling group is from the Salvation Army I was able to inform them that I had lost my soul on a Salvation Army ramble (which was probably reinforced by my pint of beer at lunchtime). The response was that I should learn to walk on water so as not to get my feet wet... Very amusing – sounds like you had a good time. Our old hostelling group has finally called it a day, although they may still meet informally. We did manage a few walks with them in recent years. I do miss the ease of rambling / walking in England.
Richard Smith Orders done, now for a nice walk in the autumn sunshine. I recently bought a book of South Downs walk routes, which include some in the Meon Valley region near me. It used to be such an attractive area before those railway companies moved in :-) Sounds lovely. One of those railway companies is yours, remember….
Martin Walker Halloween next week hell's bells it'll soon be you know what. Halloween was a little disappointing again as many of the children on our development have grown up so there aren’t so many trick or treaters (or costumes).
Murray Egan Good luck with the coming winter, Farmer's almanac reports it will be a cold one, We had our first snow the week before Thanksgiving and it was awful. The Lehigh Valley was only expecting a light snow and seemed unusually unprepared. I made the very wise decision to leave work soon after lunch, when I saw the snow was settling, but it still took over an hour to get home. A small bridge near our house was closed after heavy rain damage during the summer and this means a major diversion over hills to get home, and many cars were struggling in the slush. Hannah was working in New Jersey that day and planned to stop for dinner. She also left early but got caught in the traffic chaos as the I78 got blocked. It took her 8 hours to get home! The only light relief was the strange appearance of the Lehigh Snow Camel in nearby Sellersville, that made the national news.
Mike Townsend We just had the annual fireworks bash featuring all the usual suspects and activities. Highlights would include the older folk thrashing the younger generation at Singstar (well it did help that they had not heard of most of the music - makes you realise how old some of the songs are though), and two very chaotic "real time" games of Captain Sonar (not recommended after copious quantities of alcohol in my opinion!). Fireworks seemed to go down pretty well too. I am just trying to remember how long ago the first firework bash was? Glad to hear that the fireworks are still going strong – maybe one day we might make a return. I think the first firework event was in November 86 or 87 when we were both at the Mount in Cheylesmore. Jacqueline has some pictures somewhere. The event became more regular after we moved to Stalybridge in 1990. I don’t think I know either Singstar although it sounds suspiciously like karaoke at some of the KTV bars we used to frequent. We’d probably enjoy it although I doubt any listeners would.
Brad Martin I visited WA’s Maritime Museum today and saw an excellent exhibition about the French explorers of Australia. The Dutch explorers are well-known in Western Australia, particularly because the Batavia wreck had such a dramatic aftermath, but the French are far less evident (even though they have left their names on our cartography). The focus is on the Baudin expedition 1800-1804 and also on Louis de Freycinet’s (and his wife, Rose) circumnavigation from 1817-20. http://museum.wa.gov.au/museums/wa- maritime-museum/french-explorers-western-australia Yet more history sadly unknown to me – glad you had an interesting visit.
Jonathan Amery While searching my spam folder for something else, I discovered Richard's deadline reminder email (and presumably the announcement that the pig was out has gone the same way but been auto- deleted. Thanks Gmail). . Sorry to hear that J. My reminders were also very late, due to all the business travel. Thanks for checking and sending in your orders, even though they were late.
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David Cowie You might remember that my main email account had stopped working on my iPad, but was still working on my phone. Yesterday, I finally stirred myself to sort it out. I do remember that from Cropredy.
David Cowie The iPad was giving an error message similar to "The server pop.my-email is not responding." A bit of searching on my ISP's help pages showed their email settings, and that they preferred the imap mail format, and that if your iPad is giving you trouble, they recommend deleting your email account and re-installing it. So I deleted my email account and re-installed it, and the system automatically used the imap format, and my mail was working again. Hooray. Sounds like the old reboot principle to me – better than reprogramming with an axe.
David Cowie I've had my iPad for longer than my phone, so I assumed that the phone had automatically picked the now preferred imap format, and that my ISP had turned off the older pop server without telling me. My ISP has a bad reputation for customer service, so this seemed likely. Then I checked the settings on my phone, and found that it is still using the older pop email format. I am puzzled. Still, at least if the email stops working on my phone, then I will know what to check first. It’s amazing how things that you might expect and want to link together easily, usually don’t, but they do so immediately when the suppliers can use and sell the data.
Andy York Well, the Express are back with the Astros. They had a press event a couple weeks ago and invited many of the season ticket holders. The Ryan family (Nolan and Reese) were there, along with Reid Ryan, Orbit (mascot) and a couple of the Shooting Stars were there. Unveiled new uniforms and logo for the 20th season next year - can't wait! My baseball loving, Texan colleague (a Houston girl, now living in Richmond) mentioned that the Express were back with the Astros when I was in Richmond last week, so they have gained at least one more fan.
Andy York My final baseball outing last month was fun, though the Astros lost as did the Sugarland Skeeters in their last two regular season games. As each team won when we weren't there, we must have been a curse. On the plus side, Houston just one their ADLS match-up with a sweep and the Skeeters won their League Championship. I think it was a pretty good season for the Astros, even if they did fall at the last hurdle.
Murray Egan I hope the Crets holiday was a blast?? ...And provided for a good sampling of local beers, and story telling?? No doubt an Englishman living in the land of Trump is full of wonderful tales ;-) It seems a long time ago now and we’re already starting next year’s event, but yes, we did have a great time.
Mike Townsend We are closing our Mini Plant for a month in April in case of "Disruption to the Supply Chain" due to Brexit. That seems like an increasing impossible problem to solve - I guess by the next issue we will know much more (hopefully). Hopefully the plant shutdown for Mini is only a temporary supply chain issue but we shall see. I’ve certainly started to see a few business messages related to Brexit recently, and they’re not positive.
Andy York Couple quick follow-ups, there are Toyota plants in San Antonio, so you never know. And, speaking of San Antonio, the Brewers AAA team is landing there. Rangers are instead going to Nashville. Unfortunately, I deal with the companies that supply paint to the paint shops at car plants, rather than the car makers themselves. I would love to visit one sometime though. The Pigs have already started offering tickets for next season, but I will probably wait until the New Year before I choose next season’s ticket package, so I can make sure we can make the most of it.
Mike Townsend Rachel has a weekend job at M&S which she seems to be enjoying (especially the spending all the earnings bit!). Adam seems to be settling in ok at Reading Uni; although he is back now for 1 week - I don't remmber us getting "half terms"? Glad to hear everything else is going well and that Rachel and Adam are enjoying their recent lifestyle changes,
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Chris Dziedzic I was reading through "Variable Pig" issue #167 on line. I saw a letter from Andy Lischett, who is looking for new players for his Diplomacy 'zine, "Cheesecake." You mentioned in your response that John Marsden’s "ODE", Brad Martin's “Western Front” and Brendan Whyte's “Damn the Consequences” also run Diplomacy games. I live in the United States, and I'm interested in learning more about those 'zines, and possible game openings for Diplomacy. Would you be willing to provide an email address where I can contact Andy Lischett, John Marsden, Brad Martin's and/or Brendan Whyte to learn more about their zine's and game openings? Thanks in advance for your help,
Richard Smith The letter from Ant Lischett in VP167 was answered by VP's main GM Jim Reader not me (subzine editor), and he can supply you with the email address (because the zine goes on the internet we avoid including emails or postal addresses in the content). I've cc'd this to John, Brad, and Brendan using what I think are the appropriate emails for Ode, Western Front and Damn the Consequences respectively (like Jim I'm not a Dip fan). Thanks for taking care of this Richard and best of luck Chris – I hope you find some games to play and enjoy our little hobby.
Andy York Glad things are looking up for Jacqueline. Steve Ham I'm sorry that once again I have left this to (just after) the final moment to send to you, so no time for chit chat - but I do hope you and Jacqueline are well and not too fatigued with the nausea and other ailments. I hope you have a wonderful November. Thanks guys and hope you’re both doing well too. Jacqueline is still doing well and we have been able to relax quite a few of her dietary restrictions over the last month or so.
Conrad von Metzke All will be well with me in about three hours, when the last day of this air show ends. (Note comment, last page of my part of WIMM?) My poor dog is a frazzle. I'm not much better. (Jean on the other hand takes it all in stride.) Hopefully, all has calmed down now.
Arthur Owen Sending both Cian and mine (orders) by return of post this time as I am going to hospital tomorrow for (examination and treatment) and don’t know how long I’ll have to stay. Thanks for the getting your orders in early Arthur and hope that everything went well and that you’re now back at home.
Andy York I've mentioned Rebecca Loebe in the past. Last weekend had the chance to attend a CD release party for a trio she's in called "Nobody's Girl" - CD is "Waterline". Pretty good! A recording of one song from the Townsend concert mentioned in the last Pig was just released on a streaming site. Look for it. I still haven’t checked out Rebecca Loebe, but will try to check her out on Youtube sometime soon. My plans of checking in China fell afoul of youtube censorship and I had completely forgotten by the time I reached Japan.
Martin Walker Do you play video games Jim? probably the biggest game of the year came out today Red Dead Redemption 2 so I'll give that a good go this weekend. I’m not a video gamer but our son Thomas is – I think he has been playing Red Dead Redemption recently. I hope you enjoy it. And with that, it’s another wrap.
* * * * * Fringe 2018 Part One "Working at the Jobcentre has to be a tense job - knowing that if you get fired, you still have to come in the next day." - Adam Rowe "I had a job drilling holes for water - it was well boring" - Leo Kearse "I took out a loan to pay for an exorcism. If I don't pay it back, I'm going to get repossessed" - Olaf Falafel "In my last relationship, I hated being treated like a piece of meat. She was a vegan and refused to touch me" - Daniel Audritt "What do colour blind people do when they are told to eat their greens?" - Flo and Joan "I've got a new job collecting all the jumpers left in the park at the weekends, but it's not easy. They keep moving the goalposts" - Darren Walsh Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 14
BY FAIRLY POPULAR DEMAND
Round 6 – Definite Answers
Player Famous Rainbow Halogen S. American VP Game Steve Five Book Colour Capital McQueen Roger Down to the Orange Bromine Asuncion Grand Towering 12 Trethewey Sea National Inferno (53) Michael Adventuring Green Iodine Bogota Robo Rally Bulitt 8 Pargman Again (51) Allan Stagg Treasure Blue Bromine La Paz Breaking Bulitt 18 Island Away (48) John Walker Get Into Green Bromine Caracas Hare and Papillon 12 Trouble Tortoise (45) Martin Down to the Blue Chlorine Caracas Breaking Papillon 16 Walker Sea Away (41) Steve Guest Kirrin Island Indigo Bromine La Paz Lyric Quiz Cincinnati 11 Again Kid (41) Chris Hibbert Run Away Yellow Iodine Cayenne Breaking The Great 6 Together Away Escape (40) Richard Smugglers Violet Tennessine Quito Fragments The Blob 4 Smith Top (35) Andrew York Run Away Yellow Iodine Quito Robo Rally The Great 4 Together Escape (35) Bob Gingell Billycock Hill Green Iodine Santiago Bus Boss Magnificent 5 Seven (35) Brad Martin Get Into A Green Iodine Lima Railway The Sand 4 Fix Rivals Pebbles (32) Steve Ham Smugglers Red Iodine Buenos Lyric Quiz Bulitt 7 Top Aires (33) Dane Maslen Run Away Indigo Bromine Quito Grand Papillon 12 Together National (31) Jacqueline Adventuring Red Chlorine Santiago Puerto Rico The Great 9 Reader Again Escape (31) Harv Barker ------2 (25) Brendan Smugglers Blue Sodium (0) Sucre Lyric Quiz The Great 5 Whyte Top Escape (23) Murray Egan Go Off to Green Fluorine Pretoria (0) Lyric Quiz The Great 2 Camp Escape (21) MY Finiston Blue Astatine Buenos BFPD The Great 9 CHOICES Farm AIres Escape (34)
1. The Famous Five Book by Enid Blyton: Five Run Away Together and Five Go to Smugglers Top (both 3 and score 0), Five Go Adventuring Again (2), Five Go Down to the Sea (2), Five on Finiston Farm, Five Get Into A Fix, Five Get Into Trouble, Five on a Treasure Island, Five Go to Billycock Hill, Five on Kirrin Island Again, Five Go Off to Camp all score 1. I used to love these as a boy and read all 21 many times. I can’t remember many of the stories now, but I always think of them whenever I see a high wall alongside a country road. 2. One of the seven colours of the rainbow: Green (5 scores 0), Blue (4), Red (2), Yellow (2), Indigo (2), Violet and Orange all score 1 I had three questions today about blue pigments for paint, so this was the first that came to mind. I probably should answer yellow as it’s my usual game colour. 3. A Halogen: Iodine (6 scores 0), Bromine (5), Chlorine (2): Fluorine, Astatine and Tennessine all score 1. Sodium is not a halogen, but an alkali metal so scores 0. Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 15
Astatine – why not? It and Fluorine are the only ones I haven’t physically seen. OK, I can now add Tennessine to that list 4. A Capital City of a South American Country: Quito (Ecuador, 3 scores 0), Caracas (Venezuela, 2), La Paz (Bolivia, 2), Santiago de Chile (2), Buenos Aires (Argentina, 2), Bogota (Colombia), Asuncion (Paraguay), Cayenne (French Guiana), Lima (Peru) and Sucre (Bolivia) all score 1. Pretoria is in South Africa (not America) so scores 0. Buenos Aires is the one I have visited most recently. I think we managed to include nearly all of them. Sucre is the Constitutional Capital of Bolivia and La Paz is the seat of the Government of Bolivia so I have allowed both, although it’s a little confusing. 5. A Game Running in Variable Pig: Lyric Quiz (4 scores 0), Breaking Away (3), RoboRally (2), Grand National (2), By Fairly Popular Demand, Hare and Tortoise, Fragments, Bus Boss, Puerto Rico and Railway Rivals all score 1 BFPD might have been a risky choice, but not this time. 6. A film starring Steve McQueen: The Great Escape (6 scores 0), Bulitt (3), Papillon (3): The Blob, The Magnificent Seven, Towering Inferno, The Cincinnati Kid and The Sand Pebbles all score 1. The traditional Christmas afternoon movie in England is a comfortable winner, despite the recent Blobfest.
In this round, the top scorers this round was Allan Stagg who scored 18 from a maximum of 19.
And now, the players comments section
Andy York 6) The Great Escape (expecting Papillion to be #1)
Allan Stagg Not much thought going into those answers, which may help to improve my position.
Brendan Whyte 1. Five go to smugglers top (though five go mad on mescalin is pretty good too) 3. Sodium (this is an alkali metal) 6. The Great Escape (only one I know)
Steve Ham Re your discussion with Bob regarding the awarding of points for obviously wrong answers, you might remember there is also the possibility in this game of awarding zero for answers that aren't obviously wrong - such as "Chess" being a sport - as included in the Association of the IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_international_sports_federations - alongside such obvious sports as Cheerleading, and Life-Saving - but not Golf (strangely enough). It's a difficult one.
Bob Gingell 1. Five go to Billycock Hill [on past experience this could well be the most popular, but I cannot bring myself to ignore it. I assume that Five On Brexit Island is not an acceptable answer as it is not written by Enid Blyton, but given your earlier answer about no zero points someone might try it.] 4. Santiago {Finished Pandemic Legacy Season 1 earlier this month so Santiago sticks out. Starting Season 2 January next week.]
Dane Maslen 3) Bromine (I can reasons for avoiding all three of Fluorine, Chlorine and Iodine) 5) Grand National (It's so obviously the wrong one to pick that it must be right to pick it!)
The Asian questions for round 7 are
1) A tourist attraction in China 2) A tourist attraction in Japan 3) A tourist attraction in Australia 4) A popular place in Asia for a beach vacation 5) A mountain in Asia 6) A film set in Asia
Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 16
Lyric Quiz
Game Fourteen – Round Three
1) “Letters for the rich, letters for the poor, the shop at the corner and the girl next door” (2010s) “Night Mail” by Public Srevice Broadcasting
2) “We just haven't got a clue what to do!” (1970s) “Blockbuster” by The Sweet Jim Reader, John Hopkins, David Cowie, Martin Walker, John Walker, Dane Maslen, Murray Egan, Steve Guest, Jacqueline Reader
3) “Betty, is that Jimmy's ring you're wearing?” (1960s) “Leader of the Pack” by The Shangri-Las (80s cover by Twisted Sister) Jim Reader, John Hopkins, Andy York (song only), Brendan Whyte (song only), Murray Egan, David Cowie, John Walker, Dane Maslen, Steve Guest
4) “But what I really want to know is..” (1990s) “Are You Gonna Go My Way” by Lenny Kravitz Jim Reader, Martin Walker, John Walker
5) “Techno techno techno techno!" (1990s) “No Limits” by Two Unlimited Jim Reader, Murray Egan, John Walker, Murray Egan, Steve Guest
6) “Cancer, and my name's Larry” (1970s) “Float On” by The Floaters David Cowie, John Walker, Steve Guest
7) “He didn't have nothin' on but a smile!” (1970s) “The Streak” by Ray Stevens Jim Reader (song only), Andy York, Brendan Whyte (song only), Martin Walker (song only), John Walker (song only), Steve Guest (song only), Jacqueline Reader
8) “Pig Pen, this here's the Rubber Duck, we just ain't a-gonna pay no toll. So we crashed the gate doing ninety-eight” (1970s) “Convoy” by C. W. McCall or Paul Brandt Jim Reader (song only), John Hopkins, Andy York, Murray Egan, David Cowie, Martin Walker (song only), John Walker (song only), Dane Maslen, Murray Egan, Steve Guest (song only), Jacqueline Reader
9) “I thought the old lady dropped it into the ocean at the end” (2000s) “Oops I Did It Again” by Britney Spears Andy York, David Cowie (singer only), Martin Walker
10) “Be quiet, big boys don't cry” (1970s) “I’m Not in Love” by 10cc Jim Reader, John Hopkins, Andy York, David Cowie, Michael Pargman, Martin Walker, Dane Maslen (band only), Steve Guest, Jacqueline Reader
Comments
John Hopkins 3. “Leader of the Pack” by the Shangri-Las (I saw them perform this live in the late 60s at a Beach Boys concert in Birmingham (UK); the motorcycle accompaniment noise was a Honda 50 engine – as well as I could see from the tenth row – mounted in a stand-up frame and “revved” live, using a twist grip, by one of the group) 7. I’m sure I know this, but what is it called and whodunnit? 10. “I’m not in love” by 10cc (and do you know what this group and The Lovin’ Spoonful have in common?) I suspect that their names comes from a claimed amount of liquid produced in a certain manner.
Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 17
Andy York Theme: Spoken Lines rather than sung Correct.
Brendan Whyte 2 admiral halsey/uncle albert (paul mcartney/wings) 7 the streak (boogedy boogedy) All have spoken sections. Correct.
Richard Smith The Lenny Kravitz track is used for the latest VW T-Roc advert, but it is perhaps inappropriate for such a materialistic thing, as it's about Jesus. Speaking of which the most famous line from Convoy is probably "An' eleven long-haired friends o' Jesus in a chartreuse microbus"
Michael Pargman I'm not entering this game, but I did look at the list and one song just popped out since 10cc was my favourite band in the mid-70's. So I just want to tell that I recognize #10 as "I'm not in love" by 10cc :-) Hi Michael – noted, but I have included your entry this round as it would count to Richard’s score.
Martin Walker 3. Da Do Run Run 8. Red Sovine - Convoy Link - talky bits Correct. I could not find any reference to a cover of “Convoy” by Red Sovine, so you only scored the song for this answer.
John Walker Connection - Their only UK number 1s Unfortunately, that’s not the connection that Richard gave, though it is true for quite a lot of the songs.
Dane Maslen 6) My first thought was that I didn't recognise this at all, but I realise now that it's from a song that I disliked. No idea what it was called or by whom though. 8) "Convoy UK" by Dave Lee Travis and another DJ (Mike Read??), I think. 10) Something by 10 CC?
There doesn't seem to be any obvious connection between the few answers I've come up with, so maybe they're mostly wrong.
Steve Guest Theme: lines spoken not sung Correct.
Jacqueline Reader 4 I wanna know what love is foreigner 7 The Streaker Ray Stevens (having Sirius finally paid off!)
Tom Howell Oh, cool! Lyric Quiz answers. Not only did I not recognize any of the lyrics, but I don't even recognize any of the song titles listed and only a few artists.
Richard Smith Here's the answers. The video for the Twisted Sister cover is quite a laugh. Quite a few from the 70s which tends to suit VP's mostly over-50 readership.
My thinking was 1,9 hard; 4,5,6,7 medium; 2,3,8,10 easy
The Public Service Broadcasting single is based on a poem by WH Auden and the reading dubbed onto the track is from a 1936 short film. Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 18
Scores
Andy York 11 (43) John Hopkins 8 (30) David Cowie 11 (29) Jacqueline Reader 8 (28) John Walker 12 (27) Steve Guest 13 (25) Martin Walker 11 (24) Harv Barker (NMR) (24) Richard Smith 9 (22) Brendan Whyte 4 (21) Murray Egan 6 (20) Dane Maslen 7 (15) Jim Reader 12 (12) Chris Hibbert (2) Tom Howell (1) Michael Pargman 1 (1)
Richard scores the average of 9 points for this round. Thanks for the collection. Anyone can play – score 1 point for the song and 1 point for the artist. The lyrics for next round are –
1) " Don’t you ever say I just walked away, I will always want you " (2010s) 2) " The image is gone, only you and I, This means nothing to me " (1980s) 3) " Girl, you know I want your love, Your love was handmade for somebody like me, Come on now, follow my lead " (2010s) 4) " What's it gonna be 'cause I can't pretend? Don't you wanna be more than friends? " (1990s) 5) " Baby, you're all that I want, When you're lyin' here in my arms, I'm findin' it hard to believe” (1980s) 6) "Happy times together we’ve been spending, I wish that every kiss was never-ending" (1960s) 7) " Young hearts be free tonight. Time is on your side, Don't let them put you down, don't let 'em push you around, " (1980s) 8) " There's nothing left, all gone and run away, Maybe you'll tarry for a while." (1970s) 9) " t took all the strength I had not to fall apart, Kept trying' hard to mend the pieces of my broken heart, " (1970s) 10) "The black man's playing his tune, An old salt's sleeping his watch away, He'll be drunk again before noon" (1960s) * * * * *
Work Rest and Play
Game 12 – Round One
Arthur forgot the rules (Work must always be larger than rest which must always be larger than play) so his first round orders were adjusted to reflect this. However, even had his orders remained in the original format, the results (honours even) would have been the same.
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Arthur 37-33-30 Roger 50-49-1 Steve 54-45-1
Arthur: 0 x 0 x 1 = 0 Roger: 0 x 1 x 0 = 0 Steve: 1 x 0 x 0 = 0
Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 19
Teadance
Game 7 – Round One
The Conservatives and Liberals seem to be in coalition, playing the same bids and the outcome is decided by the gender bias built into the Conservative vote, as Labour bids low.
Bids Bids for 2 Bids for 3 Total Men Total Grand Remaining Men Woman Women Total Labour Party 0,1,4,5,6,7,8,9 2 - 1 3 + 1 0 0 0 Arthur Owen Conservative Party 0,1,3,4,5,7,8,9 2 + 1 6 - 1 2 0 0 Kev Lee Liberal Party 0,1,3,4,5,7,8,9 2 6 0 3 0 Roger Trethewey
The next group of potential voters are 1 man and 4 women. There are groups of 3, 4 and 5 men and 1, 2 and 5 women to come.
* * * * * 6 Nimmt!
Game Thirteen – Game End Statements
John Walker WOWIE, normally do okay in these games, but don't normally win. Thanks
GM Not too much to add as always, although a four player game can be a little more strategic than larger multiplayer games where the Insto-Doom play (5 people play to the same row guaranteeing someone takes a row) is in effect.
Game Twelve – Turn Ten
Steve and Kev swap places but the leader holds on unscathed to secure a comfortable win.
HAND 1 HAND 2 HAND 3 HAND 4 29 104 33 50 88 37 25 103 103 22 52 49 85 33 33 23 100 86 101 100 17 44 48 42 73 25 32 30 82 19 98 84 93 99 12 34 45 41 71 19 27 24! 76# 1 96 81^ 15* 76 82 11 31 35 40 67@ 68 16$ 24 9 2 6 7 3 2 3 10 17 7 6 9 10 1 4 9
Dane Maslen plays 33 in Hand 1, 86 in Hand 2, 33 in Hand 3 and 25 in Hand 4. Score = 12 Steve Ham plays 76 in Hand 1, 84 in Hand 2, 17 in Hand 3 and 68 in Hand 4. Score = 48 Kev Lee plays 30 in Hand 1, 15 to row 2 in Hand 2, 50 in Hand 3 and 19 in Hand 4. Score = 33 Brad Martin plays 24 to row 1 in Hand 1, 75 in Hand 2, 44 in Hand 3 and 37 in Hand 4. Score = 63 Tom Howell plays 82 in Hand 1, 81 in Hand 2, 22 in Hand 3 and 16 to column 3 in Hand 4. Score = 79
! Brad takes column 1 of hand 1 for 6 points. # Steve takes column 2 of hand 1 for 8 points. * Kev takes column 2 of hand 2 for 2 points. ^ Tom takes column 1 of hand 2 for 11 points. $ Tom takes column 1 of hand 4 for 1 point. @ Steve takes column 2 of hand 4 for 9 points. Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 20
The final card in hand 2 is then played.
HAND 1 HAND 2 HAND 3 HAND 4 29 104 33 50 88 37 25 103 103 22 52 49 85 33 33 23 100 83 101 100 17 44 48 42 73 25 32 30 82 19 98 33 93 99 12 34 45 41 71 19 27 24! 76# 1 96 93 15* 76 82 11 31 35 40 67@ 68 16$ 24 9 2 6 7 1 8 3 10 17 7 6 9 10 1 4 9
Dane Maslen plays 33. Score = 12 Kev Lee plays 98 scoring another 9 from column 1. Score = 42 Steve Ham plays 83. Score = 48 Brad Martin plays 87 Score = 63 Tom Howell plays 90. Score = 79
Congratulations to Dane Maslen Game End Statements welcome
* * * * * Breaking Away 9
Turn Nine
I forgot to change Dawkins and ABAB replacement card last time – they both should have had a 14. This affected Chris’ orders so I changed his move to the closest card. The final two places in the second sprint still have to be awarded, but the riders are already known. Meanwhile, the pack closes back together.
Square Replacement Riders 88 3 Dennett 87 - 86 3 Galadriel 85 - 84 3 Foxy Woxy (5th) 83 4 Turkey Lurkey (3rd) 82 5 Elrond (6th), 81 6 ABBA (4th) 80 7 Hitchens 79 8 Donald J Trump, Harris, 78 10 Dawkins, Arwen 77 12 Celeborn, Michael Gove, 76 - 75 3 ABAB, AABB 74 5 Vladimir Putin, 73 6 Ermintrude, Nigel Farage, AABBA, 72 9 Zebedee, 71 10 Florence, Dougal 70 12 Chicken Licken, Lucky Ducky
ROYAL ELVES (Allan Stagg) 20 points THE FOUR HORSEMEN (Richard Smith) 19 points A. Galadriel (15) 3, 6, 2, 3 A. Dawkins (8) 4, 10, 14, 4 B. Celeborn (2) 4, 12, 3 B. Dennett (11) 3, 2, 3 C. Elrond (3) 4, 5, 8 C. Harris 13, 8, 4 D. Arwen 4, 10, 3 D. Hitchens 8, 7, 3
Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 21
ALTERNATVE FACT PEDALLERS (Bob Pitman) pts RHYME SCHEMES (Chris Hibbert) 12 points A. Donald J Trump 3, 8, 14, 4 A. ABAB 4, 3, 14 B. Michael Gove 12, 6, 6 B. ABBA (6) 6, 3, 3 C. Vladimir Putin 8, 5, 3 C. AABB 3, 3, 7 D. Nigel Farage 8, 14, 6 D. AABBA (6) 3, 4, 6
THE MAGIC ROUNDABOUT (Jonathan Amery) pts FARMYARD FOLK (Steve Ham) 24 points A. Zebedee 3, 7, 3, 9 A. Chicken Licken 4, 7, 12, 5 B. Ermintrude 6, 6, 3 B. Turkey Lurkey (10) 3, 4, 7 C. Florence 3, 10, 3 C. Foxy Woxy (4) 3, 12, 3 D. Dougal 10, 3, 3 D. Lucky Ducky (10) 9, 5, 12
Breaking Away 10
Game Start
Nothing from John Walker, so we’ll go back to a 6 player game and I’ll add John back to the waiting lists. Lets get the race started.
NO RUSSIAN MEDDLING (Allan Stagg) 0 points SOFTWARE ENGINEERS (Richard Smith) points A. President Putin 15, 11, 3, 1 A. Ada 14, 13, 2, 1 B. President Trump 15, 8, 2 B. Ruby 15, 6, 4 C. Brexit 14, 5, 1 C. Pascal 13, 4, 3 D. Boaty McBoatface 12, 3, 1 D. Haskell 9, 5, 2
NOT THE WILL(Steve Ham) pts SPEEDY TEAM (Chris Hibbert) points A. Canada Plus Plus 15, 7, 5, 3 A. Zippy 15, 7, 5, 3 B. Norway 13, 8, 4 B. Dash 13, 7, 5 C. Checkers 14, 5, 1 C. Speedy 7, 7, 6 D. No Deal WTO 8, 6, 2 D. Flash 7, 5, 4
THE TIME LORDS (Kev Lee) pts WOLVES (Arthur Owen) points A. Tom Baker 13, 12, 3, 2 A. Boly 13, 11, 6 B. David Tennant 15, 8, 2 B. Jota 9, 8, 8 C. Jon Pertwee 10, 6, 4 C. Neves 6, 7, 7 D. Jodie Whitaker 9, 4, 3 D. Coady 7, 5, 4
The rules for this game can be found at https://variablepig.org/rules/breaking.html
* * * * *
Bus Boss (Cyprus) BB375CYP
Round Two
Green Dhali – Nicosia – Kyrenia Roger Trethewey (Green) BANK: 109 – 11 = 98
MED Paleokhoro – Morphou Brad Martin (Blue) BANK: 108 – 9 = 99 MED = Mightily Efficient Drivers
MARS Lefka-Pedhoulas-Platres; Lefka-Kalakhorio John Marsden (Yellow) BANK: 96 MARS = Mainland Attracts Railway Services Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 22
Normal Bus Boss rules will apply, except there will be 6 races each round in the racing phase featuring two towns from each sector. Players can enter four races in each round of the racing phase. The round three build order is Brad, John and Roger.
Bus Boss (Galicia) BB362GAL
Round Eleven
43 SLAG HOLA REAR ? Conrad Richard Brad Kev Arthur Purple Blue Brown Red Green 36) Malpica de 20 10 Burgantinos (AC) – Tui - 2 - 1 + 2 + 1 (7H) 37) Portugal (7S) – 16 5 9 Pontadeume / Cabanas - 2 - 1 + 1 + 2 (8D) 38) O Grove (AH) – 9 5 16 Vilalba (5D) - 1 - 3 + 1 + 2 + 3 - 2 39) Portugal (8S) – 5 11 10 4 Vilanova (8C) - 3 - 7 + 3 + 7 40) A Coruna (JD) – 30 Muxia (2C) - 1 + 1 41) Pedrafito do Cebreiro 15 15 (4S) – Ourense (KH) 42) A Gudina (AS) – Lalin 20 10 (9H) + 3 - 3 43) Castile and Leon 6 7 4 13 (10S) – Santiago de + 4 - 6 + 6 - 4 Compostela (KC) 44) Santago de 5 16 9 Compostela (JC) – Viveiro - 4 + 4 (4D)
Total from Last Turn 234 211 273 248 138 Points from Races 48 33 70 65 54 Builds - 10 - 9 Total 282 234 343 313 183
? Betanzos - Santiago SLAG: A Coruna - Malpica de Burgantionos - Muxia 43: None REAR: None HOLA: None
The sixth set of races is 45) Pontevedra (3H) – Monforte de Lemos (3S): 46) Ribeiro (7C) – Betanzos (9D) 47) Pontevedra (2H) – Guitiriz (10D): 48) Asturias (9S) – Melide (9C) 49) Foz (2D) – A Coruna (KD): 50) Santiago de Compostela (QC) – Silleda (10C) 51) A Garda (6H) – Cerdedo (8H): 52) Ancient Site (KS) – A Rua (2S)
Enter up to 5 races. The build order for next round is Arthur, Richard, Conrad, Kev and Brad.
Note that some of the numbers on the map for track length may be wrong. The track itself is clear, but the number below is wrong (or partly deleted). The final set (round 13) will be the special Pilgrimage races, following the known pilgrimage routes to Santiago. The races will be
Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 23
Camiño Primitivo: Asturias Connection, Lugo, Melide, Guitiriz to Santiago de Compostela Camiño Francés: Pedrafito do Cebreiro, Melide to Santiago de Compostela Camiño do Sueste: Verin, Ourense, Silleda to Santiago de Compostela Camiño Portugués: Tui, Pontevedra to Santiago de Compostela Ruta do Mar de Arousa: O Grove, Vilanova de Arousa to Santiago de Compostela Camiño del Norte: Ribadao, Lourenzá, Vilalba, Guitiriz to Santiago de Compostela Camiño Inglés: A Coruña or Ferrol, Betanzos to Santiago de Compostela Camiño de Fisterra – Muxia: Santiago de Compostela, Santa Comba, Muxia to Fisterra Note that all entries must pass through each of the towns listed.
* * * * * CAFÉ INTERNATIONAL 9
Round Eleven
Kev plays to fESP to ESP1 and mJOK to TUR1 scoring 12 points Brad plays to fDEU to DEU2 and fAFR to AFR1.2 scoring 6 points Steve swaps mESP for the mJOK at ESP1.2 scoring 0 points John plays fRUS at RUS2 scoring 4 points
fCH mES AFR1 ITA1 ITA2 CHI1 mCH CHI2 fES ESP1 fES fAF mGB mES AFR2 GB1 mGB GB2 fES ESP2 fES mAF fGB mES CUB1 fRU RUS1 mRU fCU Bar fRU - 4 mCU CUB2 fRU RUS2 mRU mCU mFR mFR mIN mJO TUR1 fFR FRA1 mFR fFRA FRA2 fIN IND1 fIN fJO fDE fDE fUS mFR mIN fTU TUR2 mTU DEU1 fDE DEU2 mUS USA1 fUS USA2 fIN IND2 fJO mTU mDE mDE mUS mUS mIN
Bar: mITA, mITA, mRUS, fAFR, mAFR, fCHI, fITA, fUSA
Steve Ham female: male: AFR, CHI, CUB, JOK score 44 John Walker female: ITA, CHI male: AFR score 31 Kev Lee female: TUR male: JOK, CHI, CHI score 46 Brad Martin female: FRA male: IND, TUR, DEU score 56
The turn order for next round is Brad, Steve, John and Kev. There are 27 customers remaining.
* * * * *
The Golden Strider 4
Turn Six
Correction – Fartlek Pain’s round 4 replacement card was a 10 (not 9) as he banked 5 that round.
Creepy Crawler retains his lead as the pack largely moves in unison behind him, with only Tom McLazy not getting the memo.
Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 24
P S Runner Cards P D M B R O 1 26 Creepy Crawler 4/0, 5/0, 6/0, 8/4, 6/5, 0/6 4/0 0 4 0 0 0 Roger Trethewey 2 22 Fartlek Pain 2/0, 10/2, 8/3, 10/4, 7/5, 9/6 10/2 0 6 4 9 0 Bob Pitman 3 19 Tom McLazy 10/1, 10/2, 10/3, 10/4, 2/5, 10/1 0 6 4 9 1 Richard Smith 9/6 4 18 Pheidippides 3/0, 10/1, 9/3, 8/4, 9/5, 10/6 9/3 1 4 4 10 0 Chris Hibbert 5 17 Xavier Vincent 4/0, 10/2, 8/3, 10/4, 10/5, 8/3 0 4 4 10 0 CIV John Walker 10/6 6 15 Hugo Larst 6/1, 2/2, 9/3, 10/4, 10/5, 8/6 6/1 0 3 3 8 0 Bob Gingell 6 15 Les Pharaoh 6/1, 10/2, 10/3, 8/4, 8/5, 10/6 8/4 0 4 4 10 0 Arthur Owen 8 10 Spenda Penny 10/0, 10/1, 0/3, 4/4, 10/5, 0/3 0 0 0 0 0 Steve Ham 0/56
* * * * *
Grand National 2 Round Five
A few more horses go down and stumble and the lead changes hands once again.
Questions
Bob Gingell I looked at the online version of the Pig and noticed that in Grand National you have deducted 22 from Aquarius's score but at Fence 6 playing 36 should have caused him to fall instead of Fade Away. It is unlikely to make a big difference in the long run as both horses are unlikely to finish well, but Fade Away would have continued to fences 7 and 8. However, looking back at the rules in an old copy of the zine I think I see that Aquarius should only play 36 "at Water Jump" (capital letters are used) and Fence 16 is called "The Water Jump", so it looks as if it is only that one fence that is affected: best way of dealing with Aquarius at Bechers Brook is probably to have treated it as a normal fence for Aquarius after all (so reinstate the 22!). Sorry - I was wrong to raise it last round! This could also affect Fence 9 Valentines Brook (and how people play their cards this next round).
Steve Ham At the risk of being a pedant, with regard to the clarification of what Aquarius would have played at Beechers Brook, your rules state that he (I assume he is a he) would play 36 at Water Jump, not 36 at a water jump, so I thought the rule was referring to the specific fence the Water Jump, thinking that the use of capital letters denoted its name? I have decided to continue the game as is, although I will play Aquarius correctly from now on. My thinking is that it is only a NPC that is affected, so players can still predict how the NPC will play if they wish, whether this is Aquarius or Fade Away, so it’s easier to continue as is with the error acknowledged.
Bob Gingell It looks like there is not a problem with the Canal Turn (Fence 8) although initially I wondered if 8s and 9s had been treated separately rather than together - five horses on 8 and 9 but only 1 rolls 6/7/8... Certainly lucky for the survivors. Regarding the number of horses that only stumbled and fell, I did roll a lot of low numbers on that fence.
Steve Ham Also, could you clarify rule - a number of the horses played the same numbers for fences 7 and 8 (Crazy Frog 11, Rigel 8 etc.) is this allowable in rules as I thought that the two cards played for each horse had to be different and different to those played by the other horse in your team? Regarding your question about horses playing the same number for each fence, this is allowed according to the rules (http://variablepig.org/rules/grandnational.html) but players must use different numbers for each horse. Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 25
JP at Fence Nine JP at Fence Ten (Valentine's Brook: JP after Fence Player Horse (Plain Fence. TN is Comments Penalties Starting JP TN is lowest and Ten lowest JP ) highest JP)
Mike Townsend Crazy Frog 10 11 422 401 Michael Pargman Rigel 9 9 418 400 Steve Guest Spiced Rum 10 10 416 396 Steve Ham Norfolk Enchants 12 13 418 393 Chris Hibbert Freedom Fighter 11 8 Stumbles fence 10 10 421 392 NPC Slow Riser 13 13 416 390 Tom Howell Oh No 9 9 406 388 Jonathan Amery Prince of Wales 9 9 400 382 Kev Lee Humble Plum 12 13 407 382 John Walker Individualization 12 13 406 381 John Walker Horse 13 14 408 381 Richard Smith Jay Trump 14 14 409 381 Jon Carter All in a Whirl 8 8 Stumbes fence 9 and 10 20 416 380 Steve Guest Overproof Rum 11 11 402 380 Tom Howell Not Again 10 8 Stumbles fence 10 10 406 378 Roger Trethewey Sleepyhead 14 9 398 375 Roger Trethewey Lazy Susan 9 14 398 375 Steve Ham Norwich Porridge 14 15 401 372 Richard Smith Gay Trip 13 12 396 371 Cian Owen CO 1 11 15 397 371 Arthur Owen Amazing Queen 10 16 397 371 Cian Owen CO 2 12 14 396 370 Dane Maslen Red Bum 15 15 400 370 Mike Townsend Hopping Mad 12 13 394 369 Arthur Owen Another Oddity 12 14 393 367 NPC Middle Man (Median) 12 14 392 366 Kev Lee Custard Tart 11 12 388 365 Dane Maslen Ankle 16 16 396 364 Bob Gingell Eeyore 14 15 390 361 Brad Martin Alacrity 18 18 397 361 Bob Gingell Donkey 15 14 387 358 NPC Mediator (3d8) 13 15 378 350 Conrad von Metzke Egbert 12 12 369 345 NPC Mr Consistent 16 16 372 340 Brad Martin Alert 13 19 372 340 NPC Chaos Theory (5d6-1) 17 16 370 337 NPC Lounge Lizard (12+d6) 18 14 367 335 Brendan Whyte Black Boy 17 16 368 335 Brendan Whyte White Night 16 17 368 335 NPC Aquarius (2d6+9) 17 17 340 306 Jonathan Amery Queen Elizabeth 11 7 Falls fence 10 NPC Metro Gnome 19 Falls Fence 9 Jon Carter Lady Gs Nag 7 Falls Fence 9 John Marsden The Red Planet Pulls Up at Fence 9 Chris Hibbert Man O Peace Falls fence 8 John Marsden The Next Ode Falls fence 7 Jacqueline Reader Sauron's Summit Falls fence 6 NPC Fade Away Falls fence 6 Jacqueline Reader Cyclips Cyclops Falls fence 5 Conrad von Metzke Ethelred Falls fence 4 Michael Pargman Rapid Falls fence 2
The following horses, played by the GM, will also start the race and move as described below.
MISTER CONSISTENT (16 at each fence) MEDIATOR (3D8) LOUNGE LIZARD (21 at the Chair, 12 + D6 at each other fence) SLOW RISER (9 at the start then increasing by 1 at each odd numbered fence thereafter) AQUARIUS (36 at Water Jump, 2D6 + 9 at all other fences) CHAOS THEORY (5D6 – 1) MIDDLE MAN (20 at first fence, then median of JPs used by other horses at previous fence)
Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 26
The next fences are 11, Open Ditch (TNs generated by d8 and d12) and 12 Plain Fence (TN is lowest JP played). Hare and Tortoise 5
Round Four
Arthur wants to start the round by moving to the adjacent Hare space, but it is still occupied by John and his second choice is also blocked, so he moves ahead to square 51 for 36 carrots. Big Bunny eats his second lettuce and receives 10 carrots, John collects 40 carrots and leaps forward to 53 for 15 carrots. Big Bertie moves forward to 48 paying 10 carrots, before Arthur gets to his lettuce square at 58.
Player Start Square Finish Square Carrots Lettuces Next Turn Big Bunny 43 Eats lettuce 38 1 1 and 5 Brad Martin 58 53 85 2 2 John Walker Big Bertie 52 48 88 3 3 Kev Lee 59 51 to 59 16 3 4 Arthur Owen 58
64 Hare 63 Carrot 62 Hare 61 3 60 Carrot 59 Hare 58 Lettuce 57 Tortoise 49 1 50 Tortoise 51 Hare 52 Carrot 53 3 54 Tortoise 55 2 56 4 48 2 47 4 46 Tortoise 45 3 44 Carrot 43 Lettuce 42 2 41 Tortoise 33 1 34 Hare 35 Tortoise 36 2 37 3 38 4 39 Carrot 40 Hare 32 Carrot 31 Hare 30 2 29 3 28 Tortoise 27 Carrot 26 Hare 25 Carrot 17 1 18 2 19 Hare 20 4 21 3 22 Tortoise 23 Lettuce 24 2 16 Carrot 15 Tortoise 14 Hare 13 3 12 2 11 4 10 Carrot 9 Tortoise 1 Finish 2 Hare 3 Lettuce 4 Hare 5 2 6 Carrot 7 Hare 8 Lettuce
The rules for jugging the hare are also different. A six sided die is rolled and the results depend on the players position in the race – see table below.
Die Roll Position in Race 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 1 Miss a turn Miss a turn Miss a turn Chew a carrot
2 Move back to carrot Move back to carrot Move back to carrot Move back to carrot square square square square 3 Drop back one Drop back one Move up one position Move up one position position position 4 Chew a carrot Chew a lettuce Chew a lettuce Chew a lettuce
5 Your last turn is free Your last turn is free Your last turn is free Your last turn is free
6 Take another move Take another move Take another move Take another move
All other rules are the same, other than a player cannot reach the finish line unless he has less than 20 carrots and has eaten all his lettuces.
* * * * * Fringe 2018 Part Two "Trump said he'd build a wall but he hasn't even picked up a brick. He's just another middle-aged man failing on a DIY project" - Justin Moorhouse "I lost a friend after we had an argument about the Tardis. I thought it was a little thing, but it seemed much bigger once we got into it" - Adele Cliff Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 27
Maneater 4
Round Nine
Game One: Roger Blue crawls up on to him beach, hearing the ghastly sounds of Arthur Yellow being swallowed whole by Richard’s giant shark.
Game Two: Safety is in sight for both Richard Green and Roger Yellow, but their fellow swimmers are still a long way from home.
Game Three: Arthur Blue was another to safely reach shore, but his incapacitated friend Richard Yellow was another to fall victim to the aquatic predators.
Game 1 Game 2 Game 3 SHARK Richard 160 to 157 Arthur 34 to 84 Roger 129 to 172
RED SWIMMER Arthur 63 to 50 Roger 60 to 35 Richard Home
GREEN SWIMMER Roger Home Richard 68 to 80 Arthur 47 to 45 0 legs 1 leg BLUE SWIMMER Roger 170 to home Richard 151 to 151 Arthur 157 to 1 leg home YELLOW SWIMMER Arthur 183 to 157 Roger 171 to 137 Richard 173 to 172 DEAD 0 legs DEAD
Scores
Richard 8 Roger 8 Arthur 3
* * * * *
MISSION: RED PLANET
Game End Statements
Roger Trethewey (4th) Congratulations to Chris
Chris Hibbert (1st) I got lucky about the Meteorite Field. I didn't expect that 5 point bonus. I'm going to say it's beginner's luck.
Jim Reader (GM) Not too many comments, so I hope that you at least enjoyed the game. Like many games, this is quite tricky to understand, but after the first scoring round, Chris and Tom both seemed to develop a strategy and quickly caught up with Arthur. Thanks to everyone for playing and congratulations once more to Chris for a clear victory.
* * * * *
Fringe 2018 Part Three "Why are they calling it Brexit and not The Great British Break Off?" - Alex Edelman "I think love is like central heating. You turn it on before guests arrive and pretend it's like this all the time" - Laura Lexx Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 28
Puerto Rico
Game Eight – Round Fifteen
I forgot to move Chris’ settler from San Juan to his second quarry in last round’s Mayor phase, although Chris did order this. I corrected this at the start of the round without notifying the other players as Chris already had 10+ doubloons for any builds.
Brad takes the Builder (+1 doubloon) and buys a Coffee Roaster for 2 doubloons. Kev passes and Chris builds the Fortress for 8 doubloons. Kev takes the Captain and loads his one indigo to the 6 ship for 3 VP and Chris loads his Coffee to the 4 ship for 1 VP. Chris takes the Craftsman (+1 doubloon) and produces 2 corn.1 indigo and a coffee, receiving 2 doubloons from his factory. Brad produces 2 corn and 1 indigo, then Kev produces 3 corn, 1 indigo, 1 sugar and 1 tobacco. Chris then takes another coffee as his privilege.
Player Doubloons VP Goods Buildings Plantations Brad Martin 2 17 2 corn Small Indigo Plant (√) Indigo (√), 1 indigo Large Indigo Plant (√,√, x) Quarry (√, √, √) Harbour (√) Corn (√,√) Wharf (√) Tobacco (x) Guild Hall (√) Coffee (x) Tobacco Storage (√, x, x) Small Sugar Mill (x) Coffee Roaster (x, x) Kev Lee 2 23 3 corn Small Market (√) Indigo (√), 1 indigo Tobacco Storage (√, x, x) Corn (√, √, √) 1 sugar Small Indigo Plant (√) Tobacco (√, x, x) 1 tobacco Small Sugar Mill (√) Sugar (√) Harbour (√) Customs House (√) Chris Hibbert 5 12 2 corn Construction Hut (√) Corn (√,√) 1 indigo Small Market (√) Coffee (√) 1 coffee Coffee Roaster (√,√) Indigo (√) Factory (√) Quarry (√,√) Small Indigo Plant (√) Office (√) City Hall (x) Fortress (x)
The play order for the sixteenth turn is Kev, Chris then Brad. There are 7 colonists on the colony ship. The 4 ship holds 1 coffee, the 5 ship holds 1 sugar and the 6 ship holds 1 indigo. The trading house holds one coffee. The plantations available this turn are indigo, indigo, indigo and sugar. There are + 1 doubloon bonuses on the Settler and Mayor roles and + 2 doubloon bonus on the Trader.
Game Nine – Round Two
John takes the Settler and takes a Quarry. Richard also takes a Quarry using his construction hut. Jonathan takes an Indigo Plantation and Allan takes a Coffee plantation. Richard takes the Mayor and mans a quarry and corn plantation. Jonathan mans his Construction Hut, Allan mans his indigo plantation and John mans his quarry. Four more settlers board the colony ship. Jonathan takes the Captain (+ 1 doubloon) and ships his 2 corn to the 7 ship scoring 3 VP, Allan ships his corn to the 7 ship for 1 VP and John ships his indigo to the 6 ship. Allan takes the Prospector (+ 1 doubloon).
The play order for the third turn is Richard, Jonathan, Allan and John. There are 4 colonists on the colony ship. The 7 ship holds 3 corn, the 6 ship holds 1 indigo and the 5 ship isl empty. The trading house is also empty.
Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 29
The plantations available this turn are corn, tobacco, coffee, coffee and corn. There are +1 doubloon bonuses on the Craftsman and Builder roles and a +2 doubloon bonus on the Trader.
Player Doubloons VP Goods Buildings Plantations Allan Stagg 2 1 - Hospice (√) Indigo (√) Corn (√) Coffee (x) John Walker 2 1 - Small Indigo Plant (√) Indigo (√) Sugar (x) Quarry (√) Richard Smith 1 0 - Construction Hut (√) Corn (√) Quarry (√, x) Jonathan Amery 1 3 - Construction Hut (√) Corn (√) Tobacco (x) Indigo (x)
Building Cost Victory Points Game 8 Game 9 Small Indigo Plant 1 1 1 3 Small Sugar Mill 2 1 3 4 Small Market 1 1 1 2 Hacienda 2 1 2 2 Construction Hut 2 1 2 0 Small Warehouse 3 1 2 2 Large Indigo Plant 3 2 2 3 Large Sugar Mill 4 2 3 3 Hospice 4 2 2 1 Office 5 2 1 2 Large Market 5 2 2 2 Large Warehouse 6 2 2 2 Tobacco Storage 5 3 1 3 Coffee Roaster 6 3 2 3 Factory 7 3 1 2 University 8 3 2 2 Harbour 8 3 0 2 Wharf 9 3 1 2 Guild Hall 10 4 0 1 Residence 10 4 1 1 Fortress 10 4 0 1 Customs House 10 4 1 1 City Hall 10 4 0 1 Tiles and Goods Quarry 4 5 Corn Tiles 2 (3) 6 (1) Indigo Tiles 0 (5) 8 (2) Sugar Tiles 6 (3) 10 (1) Tobacco Tiles 2 (1) 7 Coffee Tiles 5 (2) 4 (1) Corn Goods 3 7 Indigo Goods 7 10 Sugar Goods 9 11 Tobacco Goods 8 9 Coffee Goods 5 9 Colonists 10 63 Victory Points 27 100
* * * * * Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 30
Rail Baron 6
Round Seven
Jon bounces around the North East picking up railways as he goes, while Cian does the same in the mid-West only without the purchases. Brad completes another cross-country journey and Arthur remembers to extend his network.
Jon Carter Cash 36.0K Home City: St. Louis (North Central)
28. 1E Chicago - Cincinnati (C&O) 1K to bank, + 25.5K Buy B&O for 24K 29. Cincinnati - Pittsburgh (B&O) 1K to bank, + 3.0K Buy ACL for 14K 30. Pittsburgh - Charlotte (B&O, SOU) 1K to bank, + 6.0K Buy RF&P for 4K 30 bonus. Charlotte – 2W Charlotte (SOU) 31. 2W Charlotte – 1N Knoxville (SOU, L&N) 1K to bank 32. 1N Knoxville - Cleveland (L&N, NYC) 1K to bank, + 5.5K
Cian Owen Cash 16.5K Home City: Reno (Southwest)
28. 1N Chicago – 1E Pittsburgh (CMSTP&P, B&O) 1K to bank 29. 1E Pittsburgh - Philadelphia (B&O) 1K to Jon, + 29.5K No bonus move as you don’t have a Superchief. Pay only 1 to Jon as already established on line 30. Philadelphia – 1E Kansas City (PA, MP) 5K to Brad, 1K to bank 31. 1E Kansas City – Kansas City (MP) 1K to bank, + 12.0K 32. Kansas City – St. Louis (MP) 1K to bank, + 3.0K
Brad Martin Cash 20.0K Home City: Los Angeles (South West)
28. New York - Columbus (PA) 1K to bank 29. Columbus – 1NE Kansas City (AT&SF) 1K to bank 30. Kansas City – 9E Los Angeles (AT&SF) 1K to bank 31. 9E Los Angeles – 3E Los Angeles (AT&SF) 1K to bank 32. 3E Los Angeles – San Diego (AT&SF) 1K to bank, + 30.5K Buy GM&O for 12.0K
Arthur Owen Cash 32.0K Home City: Columbus (North Central)
28. Portland – 4E Spokane (GN) 1K to bank 29. 4E Spokane – 3W Fargo (GN) 1K to bank 30. 3W Fargo – 2SE Chicago (GN, CMStP&P, C&O) 1K to bank, 5K to Cian 31. 2SE Chicago – 3SW Washington (C&O) 1K to bank 32. 3SW Washington - Washington (C&O) 1K to bank, + 30.0K Buy SOU for 20.0K
Please remember to specify which railway lines you intend to use with your orders. This was not a problem this turn, but this will be important next round.
Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 31
PLAYER ARRIVALS TRAIN RAILROADS CASH Jon 11 E C&NW, NYNH&H, NYC, L&N, B&O, ACL, RF&P 29.0K Cian 8 N D&RGW, CRI&P, CMSTP&P 57.5K Brad 6 E PA, B&M, AT&SF, SAL, GM&O 38.5K Arthur 8 N GN, IC, SOU 32.0K
PLAYER FIRST DESTINATION PAYOUT SECOND DESTINATION PAYOUT Jon Kansas City (Plains) 5.0K Atlanta (South East) 9.0K Cian Phoenix (South West) 25.0K St. Louis (North Central) 25.0K Brad Philadelphia (North East) 29.5K Shreveport (South Central) 13.5K Arthur Atlanta (South East) 6.5K Portland (North East) 12.0K
Jon’s third destination is San Diego (South West) for 22.5K
Turn Die Roll Bonus Priority 33 3 + 2 1 Jon 34 6 + 4 1 Cian 35 5 + 1 1 Brad 36 6 + 4 2 Arthur 37 5 + 4 1 Jon
* * * * *
Railway Rivals
RR Game LXXI – RR2308AH - RR Austria-Hungary (1912) – Round Nine
MARS POOR GLARE TRAIN TEAR Orange Red Brown Black Green John Dane Bob Roger Kev 10) Czernowitz (32) – 10 JR1 5 JR2 5 JR2 10 JR1 Innsbruck (52) - 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 1 - 1 15) Praha (13) – Zagreb 20 5 JR 5 JR (43): + 1 + 1 - 3 - 1 - 1 + 3 16) Pressburg / Kremnica Race not possible (23) – Feldkirch (53) 17) Bistrita (33) – 20 Banjaluka (63) 18) Linz (14) – Trient (54) Race not possible
19) Krakow (24) – 5 JR 5 JR 20 Novisad (64) + 1 + 8 - 1 - 8 20) Cluj-Napoca (34) – 20 10 Serbia / Montenegro (Sp5) + 1 - 1 21) Graz (44) – 10 20 Deutschland (Sp2)
Last Turn 115 96 103 89 104 Points from Races 45 61 28 16 20 Builds - 10 - 10 - 8 - 5 + 3 + 1 + 3 + 1 - 1 - 1 Points Total 154 157 125 96 118
Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 32
Corrections
1. Race 16 should have read Pressburg / Kremnica (23) – Feldkirch as 23 covers two towns.
MARS: (Innsbruck) – Q5 – Q4 - - - Q3 - - - Q2 – FELDKIRCH: (Q2) - P1 / Schweiz. POOR: None GLARE: (Innsbruck) - Q5 - Q4 - - - Q3 - - - Q2 – FELDKIRCH: (S6) - A55. TRAIN: (R17) – Q17 - - - P16 - - - O16 - N15. TEAR: (Linz) – M13 - M12 – N11 – Salzburg: (E29) – E30
The fourth set of races are: 16) Pressburg / Kremnica (23) – Feldkirch (53): 18) Linz (14) – Trient (54): 22) Wien (16) – Trieste (46) 23) Kassa (26) – Ragusa (56): 24) Szeged (36) – Brasov (66) 25) Carlsbad (11) – Salzburg (51): 26) Brno (21) – Mostar (61) 27) Lemburg (31) – Rumania (Sp4): 28) Budapest (41) – Adriatic Sea Port (Sp6) Enter up to 4 races, plus races 16 and 18, and build up to 8 points of track, not including payments to others
Note that due to some of the hex numbering errors, the locations for the special numbers listed do not match the red spot locations on the map. These are 2. Italia / Scweiz: The red dots are in E53, E61 and P1 (incorrectly labelled of course), not E53, F61 and Q1. 3. Deutschland: Q8 should be P8. 4. Ruszland: The red dots are in D28, D44 and F46, not D29, D44 and F46. 5. Rumania: There are five red dot (O48, B98, F95, F92 and K87) not just the four (P48, F95, F92 and K87) listed.
RR Game LXXI – RR2309AH - RR Austria-Hungary (1912) – Round Nine
DMR WINNER TAKE ME OUT HAPPY FFR Blue Purple Orange Green Black Brad Jonathan Steve Michael Arthur 5) Ragusa (56) – Brasov 20 (66) + 3 - 3 - 3 + 3 15) Praha (13) – Zagreb 10 20 (43) - 8 + 8 - 1 + 1 16) Pressburg / Kremnica Race not possible (23) – Feldkirch (53) 17) Bistrita (33) – 20 10 Banjaluka (63) + 7 - 7 18) Linz (14) – Trient (54) 20 - 3 - 3 + 3 + 3 19) Krakow (24) – 10 20 Novisad (64) - 10 - 2 + 10 + 2 20) Cluj-Napoca (34) – 10 20 Serbia / Montenegro (Sp5) + 6 - 3 - 6 + 3 21) Graz (44) – 15 15 Deutschland (Sp2) - 5 + 7 + 5 - 7
Last Turn 109 63 74 129 83 Corrections - 1 - 1 + 1 + 20 + 1 Points from Races 33 32 30 77 18 Builds - 11 - 12 0 - 11 - 6 + 6 – 1 + 3 + + 1 – 1 - 1 + 1 – 3 + 1 - 4 4 Points Total 141 83 125 193 92
Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 33
Corrections
1. TAKE ME OUT scored 54 points last round, not 34 as reported. TAKE ME OUT + 20. 2. Race 16 should have read Pressburg / Kremnica (23) – Feldkirch as 23 covers two towns. 3. DMR should have paid 1 each to WINNER and TAKE ME OUT for the connection at D63 in last rounds building phase.
DMR: (R12) – Q12 – P11 - Salzburg: (Q4) - - - Q3 - - - Q2 - FELDKIRCH: (Q2) – P1 / Schweiz WINNER: (E77) - F78 - G78 - G79 - G80 - - - H81 - - I81 - - J82 / Serbia: (D91) - E91. TAKE ME OUT: No builds HAPPY: (E28) - E29 - F29 – F30 – F31 – F32 – F33 – F34 – F35 – F36 - F37: (F31) - E32. FFR: (S22) – R21 – Q21 – P20 – O20 – N19 – Wien.
The fourth set of races are 16) Pressburg / Kremnica (23) – Feldkirch (53): 22) Wien (16) – Trieste (46) 23) Kassa (26) – Ragusa (56): 24) Szeged (36) – Brasov (66) 25) Carlsbad (11) – Salzburg (51): 26) Brno (21) – Mostar (61) 27) Lemburg (31) – Rumania (Sp4): 28) Budapest (41) – Adriatic Sea Port (Sp6) Enter up to 4 races, plus race 10, and build up to 8 points of track, not including payments to others
RR Game LXXIII - RR2307CRE – Crets Holiday Map – Round Six
Corrections
1. AUNT’s phase b build should have read (V25) – W25 – X25 (not X26) – Y26.
Race Notes
* BRE&K could not run race 2 using the line specified as he does not connect at N29.
? CRAP EYUP LUV FETA BRE&K AUNT Jon Arthur Steve Bob Jonathan Mike Purple Green Orange Red Dark Blue Black 1) Brough (15) – 0 20 10 Bulls Head Lane (43) - 3 - 1 + 3 + 1 2) Barnsley (23) – Offer JR tp 20 0 * 10 Taunton (55) EYUP LUV + 4 - 4 + 4 - 4 3) Mereworth (36) – 10 20 Farnham (66): 4) Grantown on Spey Race not possible (11) – Market Lavington (56) 5) Gwastadnant / 10 0 20 0 Rowen (24) – - 1 - 1 + 1 + 3 - 3 - 3 – 7 - 6 + 7 + 1 + 6 + 3 California Cross (63) 6) Wrangle (31) – 15 15 France (Sp3) + 1 + 6 + 2 + 4 – 6 - 4 -1 –2 –4 + 4 7) Melyn y Grogue 10 0 20 (41) – Yarmouth - 4 + 4 (Sp4)
Last Turn 51 - 17 56 68.5 41.5 52 Points from Races 11 20 46 9 67 27 Builds - 12 - 11 - 12 - 12 - 12 - 12 - 28 + 1 + 4 - 1 - 1 + 15* + 1+ 1 -4 –1–1 - - 1 + 1 - 6+ 1 - 1 - 1+1 +1+1 1 Points Total 23 - 4 107 59.5 98.5 60
Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 34
? (N10) - N9 - M9 - L8 - K8 - K7 - J6 - J5 - J4 - I4 - H3 - G3 - G2. (* 15 maximum paid to EYUP) CRAP (U15) – T14 – T13 – T12 – T11 – S11 - Barnard Castle: (M23) – M22 – M21 - - - Liverpool EYUP LUV (Aikton) - L8 - K8 - K7 - J6 - J5 - J4 - I4 - H3 - G3 - F2. (G3) - G2 - G1. FETA (T20) – T19 – T18 – T17 - T16 – T15 – T14 – T13 – S13 – R12. (L36) – K37 – J37 - I38 BRE&K (S10) - S9 - R8 - Q8 - Q7 - Q6 - Q5 - - Q4 - - EMBLETON: (Q4) - - Q3. AUNT (O19) - N18 - M19 – Liverpool *buy Belfast ferry*: (A69) - - - B68 - C69 - D68 – Wroxham - F69 - F68 – Loddon.
The second set of races are 4) Grantown on Spey (11) – Market Lavington (56): 8) Kildonan (12) – Lindale (21) 9) Allerston (22) – Kings Lynn (32): 10) Romford (35) – Chipping Camden (45) 11) Leamington Spa (44) – Patchacott (54): 12) Skenfrith (53) – Perranporth (62) 13) Embleton (13) – Newtown (Sp 5): 14) Lands End (61) – Manhay (Sp 2)
Enter up to 4 races and build up to 10 points
RR Game LXXII - RR 2306CRE – Crets Holiday Map – Round Nine
GM: Bob Gingell A big boost for GOB this round, helped by two wins over equal route lengths. JIM narrows the gap at the top while YETMAN continues to struggle. A lot of ties, and CREATIVE stays ahead. One of the Round 10 races is similar to a Round 9 race, but that is how the die rolls…
GM note: The second race to Kildonan has not come out and it still remains unconnected. Richard is thinking about adding Lochgilphead in B1 (to represent another place dear to the Crets) and a ferry to Arran plus some more half-towns when he revises this map.
Races for Round 9 (max 4, ties = *): 6R. (61–11): JR [58] 20-6y = 14: WEAR 7+9 = 16, CREATIVE 7; YETMAN [66] 10-9w+6 = 7. 8R. 12 (Kildonan) – 43 (Bull’s Head Lane): [still not possible] Reoffer. 15. (16–#2): JIM (to Hull) 20. 16. (26–51): JIMBO 20-6jm = 14; JIM +6. 17. (34–25): JIM [22] 20-9jb+1 = 12; WEAR [23] 10-1g = 9; JIMBO [31] 0-1jm+9 = 8; GOB +1. 18. (42–36): GOB [14] 20-1jm+1 = 20; JIMBO [14] 5*-5c-1y = -1; CREATIVE [14] 5*-1y+5 = 9; YETMAN [17] 0-1w+2 = 1; JIM [18] 0-1g+1 = 0; WEAR +1. 19. (52–15): GOB [23 from Llangrannog] 20-5c = 15; CREATIVE [31 from Llanpumsaint] 10-2jm+5 = 13; JIM +2. 20. (65–41): GOB [20] 20-3y+7 = 24; JIM [20] 5*-1y+2 = 6; JIMBO [23] 5*-2g = 3; YETMAN [21] 0-3g+5 = 2; WEAR [25] 0-1y-2jm-2g = -5. 21. (#5 most via Liverpool –64): YETMAN [44] 15*-7g-1jb+2 = 9; WEAR [45] 15*-5g-2jm = 8; GOB [45] 0-2y+12 = 10; CREATIVE [52 via Stranraer] 0-2jb = -2; JIMBO +3; JIM +2.
Builds for Round 9 (max 8 points): CREATIVE (green): (H3) - G3 - G2 - G1 (for Grantown on Spey); (G3) - F2 - E2 - D1 - C1 - B1. [-8+3 = -5] WEAR (red): (V29) - W30 - X30 - Y31 - Z31 - A76 - B76 [-1g-1jb-1jm]; (Y31) - Y32 - Y33 [-1g-1jb]. [-8-5 = -13+3 = -10] JIM (brown): (Barnard Castle) - Q11 [-1c]; (S9) --- S8 - S7 - R6 [-1c]. [-6-2+5 = -3] JIMBO (yellow): (X25) - Y25 - Y24 - Z23 - Wrangle [-1jm]; (Barnsley) - T16 - U16 - V15 - W15 [-1w-1y-2jm]. [-8-5+3 = -10] GOB (black): (W21) - W20 - W19 - X18 --- Hull; (W21) - X21 - Y22 [-1w]. [-8-1+2 = -7] YETMAN (blue): (V26) - W27 - X26 - Y26 - Z25 [-1c-1jm]; (M22) - N21 - O21 - O20 - P19 [-1w-1jb]. [-8-4+1 = -11] Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 35
Scores: CREATIVE (Michael Pargman, green): 124 +27 -5 = 146 JIM (Brad Martin, brown): 81 +48 -3 = 126 WEAR (Kevin Lee, red): 103 +29 -10 = 122 GOB (Roger Trethewey, black): 47 +70 -7 = 110 JIMBO (Jim Reader, yellow): 69 +27 -10 = 86 YETMAN (Richard Smith, blue): 36 +19 -11 = 44
Clarification of tracks built between adjacent towns [with note of Round built]: Dibden Purlieu – Seaview: YETMAN (blue) [R2a] Warwick University – Bulls Head Lane: JIM (brown) [R1b] Bulls Head Lane – Leamington Spa: JIM (brown) [R1b] Leamington Spa – Warwick University: JIMBO (yellow) [R1c] + WEAR (red) [R6c] It may be just me that needed to double-check earlier reports for who had built where.
Races for Round 10 (enter any 4): 8R. 12 (Kildonan) – 43 (Bull’s Head Lane) [still not possible yet] 22. 11 (Grantown on Spey) – 23 (Barnsley) 23. 21 (Lindale) – #5 (Belfast, NI) 24. 34 (Loddon) – 16 (Barnard Castle) 25. 45 (Chipping Campden) – 36 (Mereworth) 26. 53 (Skenfrith) – 64 (Dibden Pirlieu) 27. 61 (Land’s End) – 44 (Leamington Spa) 28. #1 (Dublin, ROI) – 55 (Taunton)
Build allowance for Round 10: 6 points (excluding payments to other players).
RR Game LXXIV – RR2325DM – Denmark Map – Round Four
TENC 4a) 6. (N69) – O70 – P70 – Q71- R71 - LEMVIG - T72, Chris Hibbert 4b) 4. (T72) – T73 - U74 – U75 - U76, Yellow 4c) 6. (U76) – THYBORON: (O60) – P60 - Q61: (Q59) – R58 – VARDE. BANK: 56 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 3 (R) = 77
Red 4a) 6. (M74) – N73 – O73 – P72 – Q72 - R71 – Lemvig, Roger Trethewey 4b) 4. (M75) - M76 - - - NYKSBING MORS, Red 4c) 6. (Nyksbing Mors) – O77 - P77 - - - P78 – THISTED. BANK: 36 + 6 + 6 – 3 (TENC) = 45
NNA 4a) 6. (L13) - K14 - J14 - I15 - H15 - G16 - F16, Jon Carter 4b) 4. (F16) - E17 - D17 - D18 - E19, Black 4c) 6. (E19) - HILLEROD; (D18) - D19 – HELSINGOR: (D16) - C17 – Kobenhavn B16: (J12) - I12. BANK: 48 + 6 + 6 – 1 (VR) + 2 (LEGO) = 61
Loki 4a) 6. (Nyborg) - Y11 - Y10 - Z9 - A54 – SVENDBORG: (J6) - I7, Judy Ferguson 4b) 4. (I7) - H7 - - - G7, Purple 4c) 6. (J6) - - - J5 - K5 – NYKEBING: (Kobenhaven C17) – Kobenhavn B15. BANK: 44 + 6 + 6 = 56
VR 4a) 6. (K50) - - - L49 – M49 – N48 – N47, Arthur Owen 4b) 4. (N47) – FLENSBURG: (L49) – L50 – L51 – L52, Green 4c) 6. (L52) – ABENRA – J53 – I54 – H54 – HADERSLEV – H56, BANK: 62 + 6 + 6 + 6 = 80 Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 36
LEGO 4a) 6. (D65) - C65 (buy ferries to Somso and Kalundborg) - T18 - S19 - R18 - Q18 - P17, Richard Smith 4b) 4. (P17) - N17 - N16 - M16 - L15, Blue 4c) 6. (L15) - K15 - J14 - H13 – Koge: (D64) - E64 BANK: 43 – 6 – 6 – 2 (NNA) = 29
The fifth turn build rolls are 5a) 5, 5b) 5 and c) 3.
RR Game LXXIV – RR2348AG – Argentina Map – Round One
AB 1a) 6. (Santa Fe) - - - Q17 - Q16 – R15 - S15, Brendan Whyte 1b) 3. (S15) – T14 – U14 - V13, Blue 1c) 4. (V13) – W13 – X12 – Y12 – LA BANDA BANK: 20 + 3 = 23
CASTR 1a) 6. (Rosario) – N17 - N16 - N15 – N14 – VILLA MARIA - P13, Bob Pitman 1b) 3. (P13) – Q13 – CORDOBA: (Rosario) - M18, Red 1c) 4. (M18) – L18 – K19 – J19 - J20. BANK: 20 + 3 + 6 – 4 (TOP GEAR) = 25 Note slight correction to company name: CASTRO (Carreteras de Acero Sudamericanas el Tren Rápido Oeste [South American Steel Highways – Express Trains West]
TOP GEAR 1a) 6. (Buenos Aires) – J20 – J19 – J18 – J17 – J16 – J15, John Walker 1b) 3. (J15) – J14 – J13 – J12, Black 1c) 4. (J12) – J11 – I11 – I10 – I9, BANK: 20 + 4 (CASTRO) + 1 (EVITA) = 25
EVITA 1a) 6. (Rosario) – M19 – L19 – K20 – J19 – I19 – H18, Jonathan Amery 1b) 3. (H18) – G18 – BOLIVAR – E17, Green 1c) 4. (E17) – D16 – CORONEL PRINGLES (E17) – E16 – E15, BANK: 20 + 3 + 3 – 1 = 25 Orders adjusted for Rosario start.
The second set of die rolls is 2a) 5, 2b) 3 and 2c) 3.
RR Game LXXV – RR2347SDW – South Downs Map – Game Start
Richard Smith Company Name: Happy Meon Meanderers (HMM) Colour: Green Start: Eastbourne (South)
Roger Trethewey Company Name: Black (B) Colour: Black Start: Winchester (North) 1st
Brad Martin Company Name: Brad’s Organic Railway (BOG) Colour: Blue Start: Eastbourne (North) 1st
Kev Lee Company Name: Findon Expressways Are Rampant (FEAR) Colour: Red Start: Winchester (South) 1st
The first set of die rolls is 2a) 3, 2b) 4 and 2c) 4.
* * * * * Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 37
Robo Rally 4
Round Twenty Two
Two more flags are registered this round – Python registers his fourth flag, but Skaffen-Amtiskaw manages to register the finish flag to win the game.
Question
Robbie Please tell me again, what's happening in L4? This is a crusher that will crush robots in that place in Phases 2 (B) and 4 (D). The crusher is also placed on a double speed conveyor.
R. Daneel Olivaw: I just noticed that there are gears with yellow arrows and gears with blue arrows. I don't think you've made a distinction. It was fun dancing with Python, but I'm just going to win this now. You’re correct – I hadn’t spotted that so didn’t make a distinction.
Press
Skaffen-Amtiskaw: An 2F an 3F, my Kingdom for a 2F/3! But alas an 1F is all I get so its a trip up the conveyor with a very dodgy manoeuvre at the end… if Robbie has the cards to get round the bends quickly this could be a nudge with a one way pit trip for me.
Phase A Robot Card Played Start End Actions Python 740 2F E17N E15N Register flag 2 Robbie 720 2F N10N N9N Blocked by wall R. Daneel Olivaw 310 LT I7S I7E Rotated to I7N Dalekbot 080 RT A5W A5N Skaffen-Amtiskaw 050 UT J10E J10W Shootme - C1N C1N Power Down. Shot by board laser
Phase B Robot Card Played Start End Actions R. Daneel Olivaw 710 2F I7N I5N Reaches finish flag. Shot by Dalekbot Python 700 2F E15N E13N Conveyed to F13N Skaffen-Amtiskaw 460 BU J10W K10W Conveyed to K8W Dalekbot 340 RT A5N A5E Shoots R. Daneel Olivaw Robbie 330 LT N9N N9W Shootme - C1N C1N Power Down
Phase C Robot Card Played Start End Actions Robbie 760 2F N9W L9W Python 620 1F F13N F12N Dalekbot 470 BU A5E A5E Blocked by wall. Shoots R. Daneel Olivaw Skaffen-Amtiskaw 430 BU K8W L8W R. Daneel Olivaw 300 RT I5N I5E Shot by Dalekbot Shootme - C1N Power Down
Phase D Robot Card Played Start End Actions Dalekbot 570 1F A5E B5E Conveyed to B6SN Robbie 280 RT L9W L9N Shoots and shot by Skaffen-Antiskaw Skaffen-Amtiskaw 270 LT L8W L8S Shoots and shot by Robbie R. Daneel Olivaw 190 LT I5E I5N Python 040 UT F12N F12S Shootme - C1N Power Down Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 38
Phase E Robot Card Played Start End Actions Robbie 840 3F L9N L6N Pushes Skaffen-Amtiskaw to L5S. Pushed by Skaffen- Antiskaw to L7N and conveyed into pit! Dalekbot 820 3F B6SN B6N Conveyed to B7N Skaffen-Amtiskaw 530 1F L58S L6S Pushed by Robbie to L5S. Pushes Robbie to L7N. Shot 2x by board lasers Python 450 BU F12S F11S R. Daneel Olivaw 090 LT I5N I5W WINS ! Shootme - C1N Power Down
Status Report
Player Robot Location Damage Lives Specials Flags Lost Registered Chris Hibbert R. Daneel Olivaw I7S 4 0 Gyroscopic Stabilizer 1, 4, 3, 2 Brakes WINNER Reverse Gears Superior Archive Tom Howell Python E17N 0 1 Gyroscopic Stabilizer 1, 4, 3, 2 Michael Robbie N10N 2 3 - 3 (A12), 2, 1 Pargman Bob Pitman Skaffen- J10E 1 2 - 3, 2 Amtiskaw Andy York Dalekbot A5W 0 3 - 1, (J4), 3 Steve Ham Shootme C1N 5 3 Gyroscopic Stabilizer 1 (L9), 4 Rear Laser Roger Trethewey Dropkick DEAD - 4 - 3 Harv Barker CAT-5 DEAD - 4 -
Congratulations to Chris Hibbert (R. Daneel Olivaw) Game End statements welcome
* * * * *
Sopwith T-365VP
Round Nine
1st Move: Avey Ate Her turned towards the Gossamer Heron who powered forward to escape his foe’s burst of fire. Cameltoe had his opponent in line of fire, but mysteriously fired the other way. The Ode- ace-ious One, meanwhile set off in search of the Mystery Pilot.
2nd Move: The gunfire ceased as all the pilots tried to make sense of the changing positions.
3rd Move: The Ode-ace-ious One started the close in on the Mystery Pilot, but his opponent was still out of range from the speculative shot. Cameltoe was another firing into this air as The Gossamer Heron managed yet again to escape trouble.
Press
Gossamer Heron Cameltoe and Ode-ace-ious One have an awesome pinch going. How does this turn out? Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 39
Pilot Starts Moves Ends A:D:P 1 Avey Ate Her 6) H7NE 6) A – RT – A 6) G9E 11:4:6 Brendan Whyte 7) G9E 7) A – RT – A fR 7) I12SE Start: J1 8) I12SE 8) RT – A – RT fA 8) J15SE 9) J15SE 9) RT fA – RS - A 9) L14SW 2 Gossamer Heron 6) L10E 6) LS – RS – LS 6) K11E 9:8:4 Chris Hibbert 7) K11E 7) A fA – LS fA – LT 7) I12NE Start: A1 8) I12NE 8) A fL,A – A – LT 8) K15E 9) K15E 9) A – A - LT 9) J17NE 3 Cameltoe (ACE) 6) I14SW 6) LS – RT – LS, fA 6) K14W 10:12:7 John Walker 7) K14W 7) RT – A – RS 7) H12NW Start: A10 8) H12NW 8) I fA,R – RS – A 8) I12SE 9) I12SE 9) LT fL – A – A fL 9) I15E 4 The Mystery Pilot (ACE) 6) J9E 6) RT fA – RT - RT fL 6) L9W 10:6:3 Brad Martin 7) L9W 7) LT – IfL – LS 7) M8NE Start: J19 8) M8NE 8) A – I – A 8) L8SW 9) L8SW 9) A – I - A 9) M8NW 5 The Ode-ace-ious One 6) O8NE 6) RS – A fR – RS fR 6) N10NE 10:12:0 John Marsden 7) N10NE 7) RT, A, RS 7) O13E Start: S19 8) O13E 8) A – LT – AfA 8) M14NE 9) M14NE 9) LT – LT - AfA 9) L11W 6 Red Baron Shot down turn 4 Arthur Owen Start: S10 Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 40
#88 The Universe is a Pink Blancmange Called Simon A subzine by Richard Smith – [email protected]
1st December 2018
This issue’s picture shows a *cough* finely honed Kubb athlete shooting for the King! The through-the-legs shot is one of many house rules for the final bung (using your “bad” hand is what seems to be the norm). As you can see my attempt looks like it won’t hit the King and it did indeed miss, costing my team the game!
I have playtested the Kubb rules and tweaked the numbers on the effect of each drink consumed, and the game mechanics are fine so we are go on this one. Updated rules at https://variablepig.org/rules/kubb.html - these will also be printed in the zine depending on pagecount needs. Note that when signing up for the game I assume you are OK for your email address to be shared with your team mates (won’t be printed in the zine).
Only one person so far has sent in an algorithm for the Golden Strider Robot Variant, rules available at https://variablepig.org/rules/golden.html#robot - I will run the race when I get at least 6 on file.
In issue 85 I bemoaned the cumbersome nature of my subzine’s name. I’m now wondering, could I actually change it in situ and retain the issue count, or would I have to go back to issue 1? Is there some kind of etiquette or precedent for this? Anyway, here’s some ideas for a new name:
"The Dusty Old Gamebox" (The DoG in the Pig) "The Persistence of Memory" (pretentious, moi?) "Trollocks" (silly and sounds slightly rude) "Quincunx" (nerdy and sounds slightly rude)
You may or may not be pleased to know that I have done a second helping of best of 2018 music tracks on Mixcloud https://www.mixcloud.com/terminallimpet/
And finally, scientists think they now know why wombat poo is cubic (see https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world- australia-46258616). Alternatively, could it be proof of (un)intelligent design ...?
Richard
The Bluetooth symbol is a bind-rune representing the initials of the Viking King for whom it was named. Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 41
Crystal Ball
2018 – The End Is Nigh
Sport Event Date Richard Martin Jim Brendan Steve John Arthur Bob Smith Walker Reader Whyte Ham Walker Owen Pitman Tennis Australian Open Jan Garbine Garbine Johana Venus Serena Serena Serena Serena - Ladies Singles Muguruza Mugaraza Konta Williams Williams Williams Williams Williams (1st Wozniacki 2nd Halep) Winter Winter Olympics Feb 25 21 19 24 37 33 23 28 Sports - USA medals* (1) (1) (1) (2) (23) Cycling UCI World Mar 5 3 6 5 4 5 6 5 Track - GB total (1) (2) (1) (1) (2) (1) medals** (6) Golf US Masters (1st April Jordan Jason Day Henrik Jason Day Dustin Jordan Tiger Dustin Patrick Reed 2nd Spieth Stenson Johnson Spieth Woods Johnson Rickie Fowler) Ice IIHF World May Canada Canada United USA Canada Canada Canada Russia Hockey Championships States Sweden (1st Sweden, 2nd (-1)(2) Switzerland) Basket NBA - winner June Golden Boston Cleveland Boston Warriors Golden Golden Cleveland ball (1st Golden State Celtics Cavaliers Celtics Houston State State Cavaliers State 2nd Warriors (1) Rockets Warriors Warriors (1) Cleveland) (2) (-1) (2) (2) Football World Cup - July England Spain France France Belgium Germany France Germany Winner (1st (2) (2) (2) France 2nd Croatia) Athletics Euro Champs - Aug 14 10 12 10 12 20 12 17 GB total medals (1) (1) *** (18) Aussie AFL Final Sept Great Sydney Geelong Carlton Sydney Great Great Adelaide Rules winner (1st Western Swans Cats Swans Western Western Crows West Coast 2nd Sydney Sydney Sydney Collingwood) Baseball World Series Oct LA NY Cleveland USA New York LA LA Houston winner (1st Dodgers Yankees Indians Yankees Dodgers Dodgers Astros Boston Red Sox (1) (1) (1) 2nd LA Dodgers) F1 Winning Nov Ferrari Mercedes Ferrari Red Bull Mercedes Mercedes Ferrari Red Bull constructor (1st (1) (2) (1) (2) (2) (1) Mercedes 2nd Ferrari) Field Men’s World Dec Australia Germany Pakistan India Argentina Australia Australia Australia Hockey Cup winner Score 6 3 6 4 1 7 10 4 Tie Average house Dec £244,001 £235,000 £238,000 £249,000 £232,001 £251,001 £230,009 £252,000 Breaker price in UK, +11,447 +2,446 +5,446 +16,446 -553 +18,447 -2,545 +19,446 September 2018 (232,554) No points scored for the Aussie Rules and nobody backed Boston for the baseball. Mercedes clinched their 5th constructors win in a row in the F1, despite Ferrari allegedly having the best car. So it’s congratulations to Arthur for his crushing victory regardless of the hockey (locked) result. The house price tiebreaker was not needed, though Steve can gain a small solace from being closest. Gameend comments welcome. Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 42
Richard Smith’s House of Games - Gameend Comments
Chris Hibbert: Hmmm. I've been doing OOP since 1984, but I had no glimmer that those clues were related to what I do. Congratulations to John for a much more subtle mind than I have.
John Walker: Loved it, although I do like you idea for future games.
GM: Interestingly, the game would have been a draw between Bob and John were it not for double points on “Friday”, this being a gimmick used in the show (which returned to our screens on 12th November - yay!) for added suspense over who will win the crappy trophy. I might run another game using the “community edition” variant. Expressions of interest will swing me :-)
Fragments - Round 6
Rules at https://variablepig.org/rules/fragments.html
This is an all-reader game, anyone can join in anytime, and it’s the categories variant: You have to guess the thing rather than the year. Remember you can ask for the category OR a word analysis for ONE fragment. For the rest (or all the fragments if you choose not to ask for a category or analysis) it has to be a guess or request to reveal a letter.
There will be 8 rounds in total and no new fragments to come. So your orders this time are the last chance for analyses, categories or letter revelations, the final round being guessing only. I think 6 and 8 look gettable but 7, 9 and 10 are not at all obvious. Oh and I’ve belatedly done a proper scoreboard.
Guesses: Once correct for Fragment 3 (Bob G scores 6 points). Three correct for Fragment 5 (Brendan, John and Bob P score 7 points). One correct for Fragment 6 (John scores 7 points). One correct for Fragment 8 (Bob G scores 8 points). No wrong guesses this time. Analysis requests: Brendan #6, Bob P and Bob G #7, John #9, Chris #10 Category requests: none Revealed letters: Players’ requests revealed first, then 10% of the remaining unknown letters. Scoreboard: F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 F7 F8 F9 F10 Total A/C Bob Gingell 7 6 6 8 8 8 8 51 6 John Walker 7 6 7 8 7 7 42 6 Bob Pitman 7 8 7 7 7 36 6 Chris Hibbert 6 8 7 21 6 Brendan Whyte 6 6 7 19 3
Bob G is the first to decipher fragment 8 to stay in the lead, whilst John nudges ahead of Bob P into second.
1) Sol*a tChr* **ies **r*v *rt** m**li **pou *dsi* f***u *esc* *doms *n*s* *l**u nd**w e*r (73) 4 points
2) Shag* yi**i *mast *ra** heh** *fear o*gh* s*s (38) 4 points
3) Au*t* al**n w**su *gSu* c**eB lon** **dd* *e*af *m**s b**nd **ef* **c*m *it** *g*u* *ide (74) 5 points
4) Di*c* *e**d **fa* m**si *C*i* a***s *c*ay s***i e**w* r*m*d e***h **hi* *c**t u*y*C E (71) 5 points
Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 43
5) **me* *ft** t**Ro *ango **fw* r**dc **led B*rs* o**nf i***o * (51) 6 points
6) *e*a* et*e* *ll** t*t*u **u** *n*he wo**d *he** oppe* o**te *ye** s**o (59) 6 points
7) Wr*t* P*i** so*h* *e**t *r**i **r** c***a Mat** *a*** aa*d* *sh*t ***h* *e*d* y***p pl* (73) 7 points
8) O*a** e*o*g e*h*r g**dr *v*** y**a* dL*** D*ke* *TV (43) 7 points
9) U**n* *ei** **i** n***d ***t* s*i** *L*** *l*** o**o* *ev** **a** *o**N ia**r a (66) 8 points
10) S**i* lc*** *i*gw **h*u **s** *s*** y***n *l*a* **a** c**r* **es (54) 8 points
Seven Wonders with Babel, Leaders and Cities – Turn 10
RULES: The rules (postal and F2F) are available here https://variablepig.org/rules/wonders.html For details of the wonders see issue 160 (also included in email handouts to players).
THIS TURN: Age 3 continues with no more Babel tiles constructed and two Great Project participation tokens still for sale (yellow building required, there are some left). Lots of blue cards built for quick VPs despite Babel tile 8. Everyone still has a construct for free token available except Mike.
SEATING:
LEFT (WEST) NEIGHBOUR PLAYER RIGHT (EAST) NEIGHBOUR Mike Townsend: Antiocheia TONY BAYELY OLYMPUS Brad Martin: Rhodes Tony Bayley: Olympus BRAD MARTIN: RHODES Kevin Lee: Stonehenge Brad Martin: Rhodes KEVIN LEE: STONEHENGE Chris Hibbert Nenue Kevin Lee: Stonehenge CHRIS HIBBERT: NENUE Mike Townsend: Antiocheia Chris Hibbert Nenue MIKE TOWNSEND: ANTIOCHEIA Tony Bayley: Olympus
BABEL TILES: Up to four tiles active (fifth one placed covers the first, and so on). We now have three tiles extant:
8: The construction of civil buildings via resources is forbidden.
Their construction requires a number of coins equal to the number of resources present in their construction cost. These coins are paid to the bank.
Note: construction of civil cards via chains remains possible and free.
Example: The Pantheon costs 6 coins or requires the Temple to be built via a chain.
12. The purchase of basic commodities from neighbours costs 1 coin more.
The extra coin is added to the fee after any other adjustments are applied, such as rebates from the Marketplace, the Trading Posts, and the Clandestine Docks.
Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 44
24. After building a Guild (purple card), a player gains a 5 coins bonus.
Coins are taken from the bank.
CARDS PLAYED:
TONY: Age 3 R2: Burn undisclosed random card for 3 coins Age 3 R3: Burn undisclosed random card for 3 coins Money: 9 + 3 + 3 = 15
BRAD: Age 3 R2: Build Senate (chain from Library) +6VP; Orders to buy participation token (cost 1 ore, 4 coins) not possible as card built was blue not yellow. Age 3 R2: Build Pantheon (chain from Senate) +7VP Money: 22
KEVIN: Age 3 R2: Build Town Hall (cost 4 coins) +6VP Age 3 R3: Build Gardens (cost 3 coins) + 5VP Money: 14 - 4 - 3 = 7
CHRIS: Age 3 R2: Build the Academy (chain from School) +1C Age 3 R3: Build the Lighthouse (chain from Caravansary) +3 coins +3VP Money: 1 + 3 = 4
MIKE: Age 3 R2: Build Diplomats Guild (free thanks to Ramses) +1VP per leader in neighbours cities + 5 coins Age 3 R3: Build Gardens (cost 3 coins) +5VP Money: 17 - 3 + 5 = 19
GREAT PROJECT (AGE 3): When constructing a yellow building, a player may opt to also purchase one participation token for the Grand Bazaar. This costs four coins and one ore and must be paid in addition to the cost of the yellow building (so if the yellow buiding required one ore and the player has an income of two ore he can use one for each).
At the end of the age, if all four tokens are sold each is worth 12 coins. If the project is a failure (not all tokens sold) then those without a token lose one military building (or 3VP if no reds).
Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 45
Tony and Brad have one token each and there are two unsold tokens remaining. If more than two are sold on the same round all players receive a token.
SCOREBOARD: Player Wonders Leaders Military Babel Cards Science Guilds Gold** Total Tony 8 2 -2 0 12 1 0 5 26 Brad 7 0 3 5 17 1 0 7 40 Kevin 3 + ? 0 -1 0 23 1 0 2 28 + ? Chris 0 0 -2 0 16 34 0 0 48 Mike 0 3 8 2 17 0 10 12 52 ** Including boosts from Leaders / Wonders / Guilds I will recalculate all the scores from scratch as the end of the game, the current scores may not be bang on.
STATUS TABLE: Player Wonder Leaders G M P Cards Production* (Stages) (T) Tony Olympus B Bilkis (buy 1 15 1 1 Tavern Clay Pit 1 stone 1 wood Ares = +1MIL resource from bank (-1 Residence Lumber 1 clay / ore (1CFF) +3VP for 1 gold) -1) Yard Ore Vein Loom 1 ore 1 cloth Athena = Sappho (+2VP) Forum Caravansery 1 cloth / glass / +5VP Laboratory (G) Lair papyrus Tabularium Press *1 wood / stone / Quarry Arena ore / clay 1 papyrus 2 stone Brad Rhodes B Leonidas (red 22 2 2 Stone Pit Lumber Yard 1 ore 1) +1MIL buildings 1 (+1 Tavern Timber Yard 1 stone (1CFF) +3VP resource off) -1 Altar Library (T) 1 wood 2) +1MIL Xenophon (+2 +3) Gambling House 1 stone / wood +4VP coins for building Foundry Temple 2 ore yellow) Brickyard Arena 2 clay Senate Pantheon Kevin Stonehenge B Hatshepsut (1 coin 7 2 0 East Trading Post 1 wood 1 cloth 1) +1 VP per from bank when (-1) Forest Cave Excavation 1 wood / ore (1CFF) stone on buying from Ore Vein Glassworks 1 stone / clay brown (=3) neighbour) Press Dispensary (C) 1 ore 1 glass 2) + 1VP per Tomyris (send back Courthouse Brickyard 1 papyrus ? of neighbour defeat tokens) Stables Quarry Loom 2 clay Capitol Town Hall 2 stone Gardens Chris Nenue B Caligula (build 1 1 2 0 Marketplace Gambling 1 cloth 1) Free black black card per age (-1 Den Clay Pool Gates Of 1 clay (1CFF) card (taken) with no cost) -1) The City Theatre *1 wood / stone / 2) Free black Croesus (+6 coins) PT Apothecary (C) School ore / clay card (taken) (T) Dispensary (C) 3) Free black Laboratory (G) Lodge card (taken) (C) Spy Ring Statue Stables Caravansery Embassy Academy (C) Lighthouse Mike Antiocheia B Midas (+1 VP per 3 19 3 0 West Trading Post 1 stone 1) yellow coins at end) (+1 Militia Baths Guard 1 glass cards x2 coins Nebuchadnezzar +1 Tower Aqueduct (+1 VP per blue) +3 Vineyard Courthouse Ramses (guilds +3) Glassworks Bazar free) Builder’s Guild Gardens Diplomat’s Guild * production that cannot be purchased (e.g. from yellow cards or wonders) is marked with an asterisk. Science symbols C = Compass; G = Gears; T = Tablet; Spy Ring = copies neighbour’s symbol Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 46
ORDERS REQUIRED: The Great Project for Age 3 is in progress and two tokens are available. The Babel board (4 wedges) has three wedges filled. Each player receives (by email) two sets of Age 3 cards, one for round 4 (choose one card) one for round 5 (choose a first choice and second choice card).
Card passing order: Tony -> Brad; Brad -> Kevin; Kevin -> Chris; Chris -> Mike; Mike -> Tony.
Golden Strider - Tarnished Variant - Round 9
Rules for the game are here https://variablepig.org/rules/golden.html#tarnished. This includes the main game and the Tarnished rules which are slightly different from those published in VP160 (I won’t reveal the owners of the runners, nor will I show move cards or overtakes in the turn report). Please note that this is a 68- square race.
The rules are experimental and there is some game theory element.
P S Runner 1 41 Tess T'Osterone 2 36 Roy D. Rage 3= 35 Auld Fahrt 3= 35 Cheaty McCheatface 5 34 Druggy McDrugface 6 28 Dopey Dappy 7 23 Di Leyted
Tess stretches away further into the lead, pursued by a tight bunch of four runners, Dopey dropping back from this into the sights of backmarker Di, who is till cruising around, for now. Is anyone cheating? You can have suspicions now but can’t accuse until after the race. Note that anyone who has a 2 card left must now play it.
Postal Three Handed Chicago Bridge 2 - Round 2
The game is for three players. Three hands are played simultaneously. https://variablepig.org/rules/threehandbridge.html
Hand 1: Nobody vulnerable, player 1 = Brendan Whyte is dealer (S). Hand 2: Anyone who made a contract in hand 1 is vulnerable, player 2 = John Marsden is dealer (S). Hand 3: Everyone vulnerable, player 3 = Roger Trethewey is dealer (S).
Player numbers have been determined randomly, hands have been dealt (using a real pack of cards) and emailed out to the players.
First Bidding Round (reminder)
HAND 1: Brendan (S) bids 1D; John (W) bids 1S; Roger (N) passes Dummy responds to 1D -> 2D (shows 4+ diamonds and 6-9 HCP) Dummy responds to 1S -> 2S (shows 3+ spades and 6-9 HCP)
HAND 2: John (S) bids 1S; Roger (W) bids 3H; Brendan passes Dummy responds to 1S -> 1NT (shows 2- spades and 6-9 HCP) Dummy responds to 3H -> 4H (shows 3+ hearts and 6-9 HCP) Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 47
HAND 3: Roger (S) bids 1C; Brendan (W) passes; John (N) passes Dummy responds to 1C -> 1S (shows 4+ spades, 3- clubs and 6+ HCP)
Second Bidding Round
Mostly cautious bidding with John having a pop at game and Roger settling for part scores. There were some conditional double orders but they were not triggered.
HAND 1: John raises to 4S, no other bids or doubles HAND 2: No further bids or doubles, Roger’s 3H is the contract HAND 3: No further bids or doubles, Roger’s 1C is the contract
First Play Round
Now it’s opening leads time, Roger to choose on hand 1, Brendan on hands 2 and 3 ...
HAND 1: John is declarer in 4S, HAND 2: Roger is declarer in 3H, HAND 3: Roger is declarer in 1C, Roger to lead. Brendan to lead. Brendan.
Dummy Dummy Dummy ? ? ? ROGER BRENDAN BRENDAN JOHN BRENDAN JOHN to lead to lead to lead JOHN ROGER ROGER
After seeing the all-important opening lead, declarer and defenders must plan the play (next time). If anyone needs a reminder of their hands, please let me know.
Spacefiller Quiz - Answers
Dane Maslen got some right, Roger Trethewey had a look, but nobody else attempted this one. I realise I didn’t say “no research” (there isn’t usually any reason to ban it on my puzzles) so I guess you could have Googled the answers once you’ve twigged what’s going on....
Across: 2. Religion is the opium of the masses (4,4) - Karl Marx 4. The problem with socialism is eventually you run out of other people's money (8,8) - Margaret Thatcher 5. If aliens visit us, the outcome would be much as when Columbus landed in America, which didn't turn out too well for the Native Americans (7,7) - Stephen Hawking 7. The idea of an afterlife where you can be reunited with loved ones can be immensely consoling - though not to me (7,7) - Richard Dawkins 8. Love makes time pass, time makes love pass (9) - Euripides 10. I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered (6,4) - George Best 11. Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world (6,7) - Nelson Mandela 12. What we think we become (6) - Buddha 13. My chances of being PM are about as good as the chances of finding Elvis on Mars, or my being reincarnated as an olive (5,7) - Boris Johnson 14. Don't find fault, find a remedy (5,4) - Henry Ford
Down: 1. My only fault is that I don't realize how great I really am (8,3) - Muhammed Ali 2. Oh bugger Bognor (4,6,1) - King George V 3. You guys are so unhip it’s a wonder your bums don’t fall off (6,10) - Zaphod Beeblebrox 6. I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member (7,4) - Groucho Marx 9. Intellectual property has the shelf life of a banana (4,5) - Bill Gates Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 48
Postal Kubb - Rules
Kubb, also known as Viking Chess is a popular lawn game that originated in Sweden. The postal game is for two teams of 2 or 3 players (2 vs. 2 or 3 vs. 3) There are several variations on the rules. For the postal game the following are used: 1. The GM tosses a coin to determine which team goes first. The throwing order of players within each team is also determined randomly. This throwing order rotates throughout the game. The first thrower also has the job of placing the field kubbs if any. 2. The team going first gets to throw 6 batons at the opponents' kubbs. Two per player on a team of 3, three per player on a team of 2. 3. The team going second must then throw any of the knocked down kubbs to the opponents' half of the field as field kubbs. To be legal the kubb must land in the white or yellow area of the board (except for G10 or G11). In the event of a failed throw, a second attempt is allowed. If this too is not on a legal square, the GM places the kubb in an unfavourable position, but this must be at least one clear square away from the King (i.e. not in the yellow area) 4. Players must throw at the field kubbs first. Field kubbs that are knocked over are replaced on the baseline. Alternatively, for a shorter game, when they are knocked over they are removed from the field of play (this option will be used in the first game in Variable Pig). Any baseline kubbs knocked over at this stage are put back up. 5. Once the field kubbs are cleared players may throw at enemy kubbs on the baseline. 6. However, if the team fails to clear the field kubbs, in the standard game this allows the opponents to throw from the nearest field kubb to the centre line, instead of the baseline. In the postal game this is rule is not applied (so there is no effect on the hit probability). 7. Play then switches back to the first team and the throwing order rotates. 8. This process continues until one team knocks over all the opponents' kubbs, at which point players may throw at the King. Players must throw with their bad hand. The king piece straddles the two squares G10 and G11. A hit on either of these squares has a 50% chance of knocking over the King. 9. If the King is accidentally toppled prematurely the game is forfeit. Drinking In the F2F game, some players like to consume alcoholic beverages. In the postal game this is compulsory. At the start of every round each player MUST consume one of the following drinks. No player is allowed to choose the same drink more than twice during the game. Note that where the first player in a team has to place one or more field kubbs, he may do so before or after consuming his drink.
1. Bilbo Baggins Lava Smoked Imperial Stout (stout) 2. Bombay Potato (gin) 3. Dadd (Champagne) 4. Einsturzende Neubauten (German Lager) 5. Jim's Cup (punch) 6. Old Grumblebelly (real ale) 7. Petey McPeaty (Scottish single malt whiskey) 8. Shepton Ratlet (scrumpy cider) 9. Slow Comfortable Screw Against The Wall (cocktail) 10. Smith Slammer (Tequila) 11. Tom's Hard Lemonade (alcopop) 12. Vino Collapso (cheap Italian wine) Each drink unsurprisingly causes a player to become more intoxicated (see below). There is also an additional effect which is known to the GM but not the players, though they may be able to deduce this from the results of subsequent throws. Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 49
Each player at the start of the game is allocated a number of booze points. This number is rolled secretly by the GM using 3D6 + 2 (5-20). Each drink removes a number of points known to the GM but not the players. Players are informed of their reduced total after each drink (so after the first round the number is the starting points less the value of the first tipple), and anyone whose total falls to 0 or lower becomes drunk, and this occurrence is reported in the zine. Should a player's total fall to minus the original booze points (e.g. -15 if started with 15) then he passes out and can no longer have any throws. These throws are lost by the team, they cannot be taken by other members. Should an entire team become comatose they forfeit the game unless the same fate also befalls their rivals in which case it's a draw. Hit Probablities When throwing a baton or a kubb the player nominates a target square. Sober / Good Hand: Roll D6 for length: 1 = short; 2,3,4,5 = on target; 6 = long Roll D6 for lateral accuracy: 1 = left; 2,3,4,5 = on target; 6 = right Drunk / Bad Hand Roll D6 for length: 1,2 = short; 3,4 = on target; 5,6 = long Roll D6 for lateral accuracy: 1,2 = left; 3,4 = on target; 5,6 = right The effects of every drink consumed are then applied to the throw to determine the square where the baton lands. Orders Each player should choose a drink that might be beneficial (?). Next if he has to place field kubbs (first player only), specify if he will do this before or after consuming his drink, then name the target square for each, plus optionally a "safer" square if the first throw lands out of bounds. Thereafter for each baton throw, a player may specify any legal kubb to aim at (remember field kubbs must be cleared before baseline kubbs), and give a preference order to cater for not knowing how previous throwers (if any) will fare. For each throw, the player may deliberately aim short, long, left or right simply by specifying the target square, or if the kubb's location is unknown (which might be the case with field kubbs) use orders such as "aim one square short of the first field kubb on the left". NMR Rules: By default, a player chooses a random drink (D12 or D6,D6[4-6 add 6] reroll if drink already taken twice), then throws any field kubbs (if required) aiming at a random legal square (not in yellow zone). Next he throws a baton at any field kubbs from left to right aiming at the exact square (repeat if required). With one or more batons left to throw and no field kubbs remaining, throw at the baseline kubbs from left to right, again aiming at the exact square. Finally if no kubbs remain, throw at the King. Example: Brian the Bunger is going second for Team Thor. His team is throwing down the board, so "long" is a higher number and "left" is a higher letter. From the turn report he knows that player 1 in his team, Sue the Slinger, will have to add two field kubbs (previously none). Brian has information about the effects of the different drinks, some from personal experience, some from collusion with team members, and he must consume one that he has not already had two of. Drink a pint of Old Grumblebelly For each baton, if there is a field kubb left, throw at the one furthest from the King and aim one square short and one square right. If the field kubbs are cleared and still have batons left, aim at the rightmost remaining kubb and aim one square short and one square right. Default orders for the King Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 50
A B C D E F G H I J K L M
1
2
3 Kubb Kubb Kubb Kubb Kubb
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 King
11 King
12
13
14
15
16
17
18 Kubb Kubb Kubb Kubb Kubb
19
20
Notes Team members may collude with each other. Press is encouraged. Variable Pig magazine supports responsible drinking.
Golden Strider Robot Variant - Rules
This is a one-turn game for 6-10 robots, each programmed with a different algorithm. Eight is probably best. Players send in algorithms over time and the GM runs the game when enough have been supplied.
Algorithms can be completely automatic or conditional. Conditional orders can only be based on information that, in a normal game of Golden Strider, would be in the turn report from the previous round.
Each algorithm must include the starting cards, and a rule or rules that determines which card to play on each round with breakdown of movement and banking. It should also state which number(s) will be reduced in the event of an overtaking penalty.
The race length will be known in advance before algorithms are written. 60 squares is the default. The GM plays out the whole game using a computer program or a pencil and paper. The entire race is then reported in the zine and the winning robot crowned.
Example Algorithm Start with 5 * 6/0 cards. For the first 5 rounds play 2 movement, 4 bank (deduct overtakes from move). For round 6 play the oldest card, 4 bank, rest movement. For subsequent rounds play the oldest card, all for movement.
Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 51
on-the-shelf vol. XVI, no. 39 1 December 2018 Brought to you by Tom Howell: off-the-shelf at olympus.net. Welcome to on-the-shelf, volume XVI, number 39. Thish brings you the game start announcement for the Snakes and Ladders. The WitWiKN has seen two players drop out and a shift in focus by most of the remaining players. Without the shift, I was going to shut it down, but there now seems some chance that our Mystery Man will be identified and located. I give y’all to round 15 to finish this up, and find out: Where in the World is Kendo Nagasaki? New players welcome anytime. And the drop-outs are welcome to jump back in. Round 1: Jim Burgess Kurt Vonnegut in Jerusalem Jim Reader Jengishbek Nazaraliev in Piddle Trenthide Bob Gingell Winston Churchill in Zurich Richard Smith Theresa May in Intercourse, Pennsylvania Steve Guest Carmen Muñoz in Corozal, Belize Brendan Whyte Plutarch in Plutarchusstraat, Amsterdam Chris Hibbert Joan Miró in McMurdo Station Andy York John Calvin in Stuttgart Dane Maslen The Dalai Lama in Lhasa Public response to player with closest guess: You were born less than a decade after me. Round 2: Jim Burgess Woodrow Wilson in New Delhi, India Jim Reader Jimmy Lusibaea in Yaren District of Nauru Bob Gingell Rudyard Kipling in Marrakesh Richard Smith HP Lovecraft in Kingston, Norfolk Island Steve Guest Queen Elizabeth II in Asdas, Yemen Brendan Whyte Peter O'Toole in Thule, Greenland Chris Hibbert Karch Kiraly in Antikythera, Greece Andy York Fidel Castro in Tehran Dane Maslen Tsar Nicholas II in Yekaterinburg Public response to player with closest guess: We missed each other by nearly five years. Round 3: Bob Gingell Andy Warhol in Mumbai Jim Reader Óscar Nicanor Duarte Frutos in Dushanbe Steve Guest Roger Daltrey in Tommi, Chad Richard Smith Albert Einstein in Ulm, Germany Chris Hibbert Phineas Gage in Barcelona Brendan Whyte Lee Harvey Oswald in Capetown Dane Maslen Ageng Tirtayasa of Banten in Banten Andy York Burgess Meredith in Beirut Public response to player with closest guess: Some might not call it that, but we've both known some controversy. Round 4: Bob Gingell Che Guevara in Kabul Jim Reader Daisaku Ikeda in Rawalpindi, Pakistan Steve Guest Mohammed Ali in Hit, Iraq Richard Smith Albert Einstein in Nice, France Chris Hibbert Rudyard Kipling in Tamale, Ghana Brendan Whyte Alexander Selkirk in Robinson Crusoe Is. Dane Maslen A. Y. Abdul Gayoom in Kulhudhuffushi Andy York Heisenburg in Vienna Public response to player with closest guess: We have the same number of children. Round 5: Bob Gingell Noam Chomsky in Amritsar Jim Reader FM-2030 in Kargil, Ladakh Province, India Steve Guest Dwayne Johnson in Kashgar, China Richard Smith Shirley Temple in Bikaner, India Chris Hibbert Archduke Karl Ludwig in Sochi Brendan Whyte Sitting Bull in Istanbull Dane Maslen Han Youwen in Xining Andy York Robert Oppenheimer in Tyre, Lebanon Public response to player with closest guess: Despite our lifetimes overlapping by multiple decades, we have essentially nothing in common. Round 6: Bob Gingell Philip Levine in Gilgit Jim Reader Margaret Thatcher in Muzaffarabad Steve Guest John Forbes Nash Jr. in Kolkata, India Richard Smith Shirley Temple in Kathmandu Chris Hibbert Jaques Cousteau in Samarkand Brendan Whyte President Assad in Damascus Dane Maslen Mel Ferrer in Taiyuan Andy York Vyacheslav Molotov in Kathmandu Public response to player with closest guess: Your parents had twice as many children as mine. Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 52
Round 7: Bob Gingell Patrick McGoohan in Abbottabad Jim Reader Ravi Shankar in Everest Base Camp, Nepal Steve Guest Frank Borman in Chaklala, Rawalpindi Richard Smith George Peppard in Srinagar, India Chris Hibbert Edward Elmer Smith in Lahore Brendan Whyte Ayatollah Khomeni in Khiva Dane Maslen Kevin Reynolds in Incheon, South Korea Andy York Vladimir Putin in Lucknow, India Public response to player with closest guess: My fame is based on intellectual pursuits; not physical, nor a combination of the two. Round 8: Bob Gingell Carlos Fuentes in Peshawar, Pakistan Jim Reader Robert Maynard Pirsig in Murree, Pakistan Steve Guest Anne Sexton in Garuda, Nepal Richard Smith James Dewey Watson in New Mirpur City Chris Hibbert Sergio Leone in Moradabad Brendan Whyte Angry Anderson in Agra, India Dane Maslen Liz Claiborne in Beijing Andy York Trotsky in Colombo, Sri Lanka Public response to player with closest guess: We have the same nationality, and have both been active in the world; but one might say, very different worlds. Round 9: Bob Gingell Philip K Dick in Jammu Jim Reader Ann McCaffrey in Ngari, Tibet Steve Guest John Forbes Nash Jr. in Hong Kong Richard Smith Philip K Dick in Bagh, Azad Kashmir Chris Hibbert Philip K. Dick in Chakswari Brendan Whyte Joanna Lumley in Thimphu, Bhutan Dane Maslen Kate Wilhelm in Tianjin Andy York Herman Van Rompuy in Chengdu Public response to player with closest guess: Wrong gender. And, my published work has always been less speculative than yours. Round 10: Bob Gingell Robert M. Pirsig in Demchok Jim Reader Arthur C Clarke in Karakol, Kyrgyzstan Steve Guest Mervyn Peake in Merv, Turkmenistan Richard Smith Philip K. Dick in Saidpur, Bangladesh Chris Hibbert Jules Feiffer in Chumathang Brendan Whyte Stephen Hawking in Lhasa Dane Maslen John Forbes Nash, Jr. in Beijing Andy York Philip K Dick in Gar, Tibet Public response to player with closest guess: I followed you into this world by nearly half a year; it is yet to be determined whether I follow you out by a few years or rather more. Round 11: Bob Gingell Noam Chomsky in Beijing Steve Guest Gordon Moore in Chengdu Chris Hibbert Harold Becker in Chita, Zabaykalsky Krai, Russia Dane Maslen Noam Chomsky in Seoul, South Korea Richard Smith Noam Chomsky in Wuwei, Gansu Brendan Whyte Orson Scott Card in Darjeeling, West Bengal, India Public response to player with closest guess: You won't find me by sifting through my C.V. Snakes and Ladders Roger Trethewey, Richard Smith, Judy Ferguson, John Walker, Steve Guest, Brendan Whyte, Chris Hibbert & Bob Gingell signed up and ready to explore. Everyone starts on space zero. The winner is the first player to or past space 100. Please send me your first move: any number from 1 through 6 will get you started. We will play rounds 5 & 6, 11 & 12, etc. as double turns, unless I receive requests to separate them. Remember to nominate a trap-door space if you don’t want your trap-door nomination to default to the space you move to. Since we only have eight players, per the rules on the Pig web site (which see), two nominations are sufficient to activate a trap door. If we get a ninth player ( Hint to the rest of you reading this: I’ll take additional players up until I adjudicate the first turn, which will be closer to actual publication of same than the printed deadline. ), the number of nominations required to activate trap doors will change to three. Trap doors, even if activated, will NOT operate on the lowest row, nor are they allowed above square 100. In the event of a die throw being used twice in a set of six turns, I will most likely request a ‘legal’ number from the player, but if not, rule 19 will be applied. The board is not the conventional square of ten rows of ten spaces. Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 53
There is a slight preponderance of snakes over ladders, and both are somewhat sparser towards the bottom of the board. Beyond that, you’ll have to figure it out on your own. If any of you do not have an e-address for any of the other players, ask me: I’ll provide it to you.
In My Neighborhood The wet has definitely set in. Monday last, it rained all day. Perhaps not the full 24 hours, but all the daylight hours and a fair number of the dark ones. I’m looking forward to the time, in less than a month, when the daylight hours start nibbling away at the dark ones, again. For the ‘stuff yourself’ holiday, we went over to my oldest sister’s place. (They’re all younger than me.) That’s the sister who bought the house our mum built on Whidbey Island at the beginning of the ‘80s. The middle sister joined us from Monroe. I brought salad, or maybe more accurately described as a ‘vegetable plate’. The refrain I heard, not only all the way over, but starting several days before, was, “Nobody will eat the green onions.” My grandmother, rest her dear departed soul, always had green onions on her vegetable plates, which were prominently displayed at the very center of her dinner table. Nowhere near all the green onions made it back into the kitchen after her dinners. Joan baked a teriyaki soaked, partially dismembered turkey, and provided rice and some kind of veggie – was it yams? – and an apple-quince pie. The latter was a bit on the tart side for my tastes, but the ice cream Cathie brought helped to compensate for that. We stayed overnight, had apple-quince pie and ice cream for breakfast, and a nice visit before heading up the island for the ferry. Washington State runs a ferry system which we all use to cross Puget’s Sound. The ferry crossing from Whidbey Island to Port Townsend is shorter than probably all the other crossings with the exception of the crossing from Mukilteo to the south end of Whidbey Island. (Mukilteo is west of Everett, both north of Seattle. I thought I’d throw this in ‘cause I thought Conrad would get a kick out of seeing one of our local Indian place names in print three times; once more: ‘Mukilteo’.) During the late fall, winter and early spring, only one ferry serves the Port Townsend run. The rest of the year there are two ‘boats’ serving the run. The Whidbey Island end of the run consists of a shallow ‘bay’ dredged out of the west side of the island; some pilings; a ramp which can be raised to enable ferry comings and goings and lowered to enable on-loading and off-loading of vehicles; a small building providing shelter to ferry staff and walk-on passengers; a couple of ticket booths; and a car park designated ‘vehicle waiting area’. The ‘bay’ is so shallow that several times each month, runs are canceled because the ferries would ground at the extreme low tides. Not only that, the current just off- shore across the front of the ‘bay’ is very fast and strong whilst the tides are ebbing and flowing. Only the best ferry captains get to run this route. You’ve probably picked up on the reason that this route is served by the smaller ferries in the system. Several years ago, a reservation system was put into place for this route. About 80% of the space on the ‘boat’ can be reserved, the remaining 20% left available for ‘standby’ or first-come-first-onboard. By the time we realized we should probably make a reservation, the only unfilled reservations were for a sailing that would have made us late for dinner. So we aimed for the sailing before the last one that would not have made us late. We arrived about 15 minutes before the sailing and got on, no problem; there was actually space for several more (small) cars. Same for the return trip. No reservation and only about a twenty minute wait in the carpark. On the house front, the door trim has all been hung except the two pieces where the ‘fridge impedes hammer swinging and the one I apparently forgot to cut for inside the pantry.
Off the Reference Shelf Books The Hidden Forest, by Jon Luoma CDs The Decameron, by Giovanni Boccaccio Endurance: A Year in Space, a Lifetime of Discovery, by Scott Kelly The Prague Sonata, by Bradford Morrow The Scottish Prisoner, by Diana Gabaldon
Variable Pig – (Iron Age Pig) 54
DVDs 65th Anniversary Edition: Pearl Harbor and the War in the Pacific, from Timeless Media Group I Live in Fear (Ikimono no kiroku), (more accurately translated as “Record of a Living Being”) directed by Akira Kurosawa, Eclipse from the Criterion Collection Ice Age Death Trap, from PBS/NOVA 首里城 Machi Koro Shuri Castle Round Eleven: Steve rakes in the money and builds a third Landmark. Kevin constructs a Stadium and Restaurant, whilst Richard adds to his fishing fleet and Roger expands his baking facilities to serve his diverse Restaurant chain. Player Turn Roll Results Builds Kevin Lee 12 *2 Richard, Kevin, and Steve each receive one coin Stadium from their Livestock Farms; Kevin receives one from his Bakery. Steve Ham 12 *8 Steve visits both Kevin’s Hamburger Stands; Amusement Park Steve and Kevin receive both receive 3 coins from their Mackerel Boats; Steve receives 12 coins from his Furniture Factory. Richard Smith 13 *6 Richard receives five coins from Steve. Tuna Boat Roger Trethewey 13 *9 Steve receives 5 coins from his mine. Roger Bakery receives one coin from his City Hall. Kevin Lee 13 *7 Kevin visits Roger’s Pizza Joint. Restaurant * Train Station used to roll 2 dice. Status Table Player Coins Buildings Landmarks Richard Smith 2 Wheat Field(3), Sushi Bar, Livestock Farm, Bakery, City Hall, Harbour, Train Café, Convenience Store, Flower Orchard, Forest, Station TV Station, Apple Orchard, Tuna Boat(2) Roger Trethewey 1 Wheat Field, Sushi Bar, Bakery(3), Corn Field(2), City Hall, Harbour, Train Flower Orchard, French Restaurant, Flower Shop, Station Stadium, TV Station, Pizza Joint Kevin Lee 4 Wheat Field, Livestock Farm, Bakery, Flower City Hall, Harbour, Train Orchard, French Restaurant, Flower Shop(2), Station Stadium, Hamburger Stand(2), Mackerel Boat, Restaurant, Soda Bottling Plant Steve Ham 10 Wheat Field, Livestock Farm, Bakery, Café, Corn City Hall, Harbour, Train Field, Forest, Business Complex, Mackerel Boat, Station, Amusement Park Furniture Factory(2), Mine The struck out Corn Fields show that you still own them, but they earn no income. In the market place, little changes: The Tuna Boat is replaced by another Tuna Boat and a second Café is added. Most notably, the Bakery is replaced by a Flower Orchard. For round twelve, player order will be Steve, Richard, Roger, Kevin, and Steve. Remember that your City Hall will produce one coin (from the bank) on your turn if you have no coins at your Construction step. All may now roll two dice; one die is the default if you do not specify how many die to roll. Please tell me which establishment to construct from the current market place (numbers in parentheses are the quantity on offer) [numbers in brackets are cost in coins]: Sushi Bar (2) [4] Wheat Field (2) [1] Convenience Store (1) [2] Flower Orchard Café (2) [2] (1) [2] Restaurant (1) [3] Winery (1) [3] Produce Market (1) [2] Tuna Boat (1) [5] Cheese Factory (1) [5] Stadium (1) [6] TV Station (1) [7]
VARIABLE PIG (IRON AGE PIG)
Polar Pig 170 on-the-shelf vol XVI, no 39 The Universe…88
JIM (CJ) READER, TOM HOWELL RICHARD SMITH, jim_reader”of”hotmail.com off-the-shelf”of”olympus.net richard530smith"of"btinternet.com
Jim Reader is the editor. Richard Smith does the printing and distribution from the UK. Back issues of the zine and most game rules are avalable from the website https://www.variablepig.org. Variable Pig also has a Mailing List primarily for announcements. Send a blank email to [email protected] to join (posting address [email protected]). Variable Pig is free but donations of British stamps or a PayPal transfer (to Richard's email) are welcomed.
PIG WAITING LISTS
TEA DANCE – 3 wanted (Polar Pig) WORK, REST AND PLAY –3 wanted (Polar Pig) DER FUHRER – John Walker, Howard Bishop, Jonathan Amery, Brad Martin, Cian Owen and Arthur Owen; Game will start next issue (Polar Pig) SNOWBALL FIGHTING – Arthur Owen, Bob Gingell, Bob Pitman, Richard Smith and Andy York. 1 more wanted (Polar Pig) FAIR MEANS OR FOUL – John Walker, Brendan Whyte, Brad Martin and Arthur Owen. 1 more wanted (Polar Pig) BREAKING AWAY – John Walker and Chris Hibbert. 4 more wanted (Polar Pig) RAILWAY RIVALS – New Pern Map. Bob Gingell. Jonathan Amery. 2 more wanted (Polar Pig) BACKPACKS AND BLISTERS – Steve Ham, Brendan Whyte, John Walker, Bob Gingell, Brad Martin and Arthur Owen. Game will start next issue (Polar Pig) ORIGINS OF WWI – Arthur Owen, Brendan Whyte, John Marsden (on-the shelf) 1830 – Brad Martin, Jonathan Amery 2 – 6 wanted (on-the shelf) WHERE IN THE WORLD IS KENDO NAGASAKI? – Game underway but more can join in (on-the-shelf) FRAGMENTS - All reader - anyone can join in (The Universe) RAILWAY RIVALS – South Downs Way (RR2346SDW) Jim Reader, Brad Martin, Roger Trethewey, Bob Gingell (gamestart next issue) (The Universe) SNAKES AND LADDERS – Roger Trethewey, Judy Ferguson, John Walker, Richard Smith, Brendan Whyte, Steve Guest, Chris Hibbert and Bob Gingell. Gamestart inside (o-t-s) GOLDEN STRIDER ROBOT VARIANT - Send your algorithms now (rules in this issue) 1 algorithm in from Steve Ham, 5-9 more wanted (The Universe) POSTAL KUBB - Jim Reader - 3 or 5 more wanted (best with 6 players see rules printed in this issue) (The Universe)
THE DEADLINE FOR VARIABLE PIG (TIBETAN) is Friday 28th December 2018
Tibetan Pigs have adapted to the high, cold climate of the Qinghai – Tibet plateau and being on pasture all year round. They are small and lightweight, with narrow heads and straight snouts and long black hair. They also have a relatively high fat content relative to other breeds http://afs.okstate.edu/breeds/swine/tibetan/index.html