It's not your familiar, comfortable Cold Wars, Historicon or local HMGS con, that's for sure. One glance at the two Star Wars storm troopers escorting Darth Vader past your gaming table convinces you of that. It IS fertile recruiting fields for the Historical Miniatures Gaming Society (HMGS), though. Just think of the kid in the vampire makeup and the guy whose briefcase bulges with Magic cards as the latent cornfields of Ohio. Garners already, they are just waiting for the historical miniatures seed to be sown in their minds.

For the third consecutive year, members of various HMGS chapters are staging a panorama of events at Origins in Columbus, OH. They hope to harvest another crop of historical miniatures recruits at the Columbus Convention Center, July 1-4.

Started by military historian and rules author Pete Panzed in 1996, the HMGS effort at Origins has grown steadily each year. In 1998, game masters from across the country ran more than 150 events as part of the HMGS Origins Team (HOT'98). Great Lakes, the local HMGS chapter, was only one of the many beneficiaries from this bumper crop, signing up quite a few new members. Origins draws a national crowd, though, so its effects aren't just local.

Recruiting "alternative gamers" has always been one of the main goals of the project that Panzeri has stressed. This year, he is in the process of handing it off to HMGS Great Lakes. Panzeri remained on board, though, to negotiate another great deal with Andon Unlimited, who runs Origins. Game masters who pre-register to host two (minimum six player, four hour) events and work two hours at the HOT '99 Information Booth receive free admission to the four-day convention. Those who run one event as above getinfreethatclay. A final option for game masters-- hosting three events (at least one on Thursday or Sunday) -- nets a "HOT'99 Ribbon" along with the free admission. The ribbon, which will also be available to attendees for purchase, grants unlimited gaming in HOT events at no additional, per event cost.

Also, Andon Unlimited will feature HMGS in its advertising, on-site booklet and give priority space to HOT events in the convention center. This includes a feature game in the high-profile Main Exhibit area all four days of the con. Doubtless, one or more of Panzeri's spectacular, 20-player games (Alamo, Little Big Horn, etc.) will appear there for countless, potential historical miniatures recruits to feast their eyes upon.

Entertaining, inspiring events are the heart of the HMGS presence at Origins. For HOT'99 to equal its previous successes, game masters are currently needed to run events. HMGS members who can make it to Columbus this summer are encouraged to join in this multi-chapter event. Attend for a day and run an event (meanwhile getting in free, taking a look at the impressive dealer area and getting caught up in the pageantry of gorgeous miniatures on the tabletop). Better yet, run a second event, work the booth, and stay for the weekend!

There are many reasons people join HMGS -- a love of history, the challenge of commanding troops against a wily opponent, or the joy of painting an army and watching the past spring to life before your eyes. However, there is only one main reason for the Society's existence (to steal a phrase from science fiction -- its "Prime Directive"). That reason is to promote historical miniatures gaming. What better place to do this than at a convention of gamers who are perhaps not yet historical miniature gamers? HOT'99 and HMGS Great Lakes asks you to stage for them some of the drama of History, and watch your hobby reap the benefits.

To run an event for HOT '99, contact event coordinator Guy Flora at 3818 Sunbury Rd., Columbus, Ohio 43219. (614) 4 71-9812, or e-mail: flora. 1 Oosu. edu or guyflora Photmail. com. For any other questions about HOT'99, contact Mike Demana at 4685 Lodgelane Drive Columbus, OH 43229. (614) 785- 0969, or e-mail: mdemana 9freenet. columbus. oh. us.

Gamemasters can complete the following form and mail it to: Gwen, HOT'99 Events Director at HMGS - Origins HOT'99, PO Box 13500, Columbus, OH 43213.