Courier Dispatch

Free Trade Wars
Ancient Competition Results

by Jamie Fish

The dust has settled and the first FREE TRADE WARS (FTW) is over. My thanks to the many sponsors for their support. My special thanks to Gallia and Geo-Hex who supplied terrain for use during FTW. Phil Barker umpired and commented on the agreeable nature of the FTW entrants and the diverse selection of theirarmies. Only two players used the same army list (Free Company).

Highlights of FTW included Mike Butler's Anglo-Irish's absolute devastation of a Samurai army. If you know Mike, ask him whythere is an element of Samurai troops in my display case.

Tom Foller (Arab Conquest) remained true to form and in the four games he played, rolled up only once and then only plus one. An aside occurred when I tried "blessing" his dice in his game against Walt Leach. After the attempt, Tom immediately rolled down three prompting me to roll the dice and lo! a plus 4! Obviously not the fault of the dice. Rumor has it that Peter Gilder, renowned for his blessing and as a sculptor, may send Tom special dice.

AWARD GIFT RECIPIENT ARMY
Best Painted Army Alliance Gregory Croyle Free Company
Winner 15mm Geo-Hex Mike 'the surrogate' Butler Anglo-Irish
Winner 25mm Modelers Mart Keith Wilkes Romans
Coldest Dice Simtac Tom Foller Arab Conquest
Most helpful opponent Armory Paul Serio Teutonics
Most graceful opponent Alliance Mark Chilanskas Palmyran
Best Sportsman award The Courier Mike Zajchowski Later Polish
Frustration Award Armory Dan Promutico Syracuse
It seemed like a good idea I Armory Jevon Garrett Samurai
It seemed like a good idea II Warriors Etc. Bruce Taylor Later Macedonians
The "take hearts" award Ral Partha Rich Gonzales Aztecs
It's time for a change Greenfield Hobbies Dave Ray Babylonians
The "glue" award RAFM Dave Ottney Free Company
Purdiest army shame it can't fight Minifigs Mark Chilanskas Palmyran
Luck of the die award Rose Walt Leach Sicilians
Most unusual army Armory Dave Tucker Medianite Arabs

Jevon Garrett got the first "it seemed like a good idea" award for tempting the fates and not acknowledging the special status of the Normans.

Bruce Taylor earned the "it seemed like a good idea II award by believing his general's proper place was in front of his troops leading them to victory. Richard Gonzales with his Aztecs too home the "Take Hearts" award by completely surrounding enemy units in two different games and then convincing his opponent to surrender instead of being slaughtered. They did and were introduced to a charming Aztec ceremony. It may be worth a look at Rich's command stand/altar next time he plays them.

Dan Promutico truly deserved the "Frustration" award. His opponents were always the last man to appear and the person announcing the pairings (me) tried and succeeded in pronouncing his last name at least 79 different ways. Finally Dan in his matches crossed the center line to engage his opponent. However, when his games were over, they resembled rugby scrums as the troops were disordered and exhausted but all willing to outwait their equally disordered and exhausted opponents. -

Courier Dispatch News About the Hobby.

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