During the three-hour drive home from Cold Wars today I thought about the two days I spent at the event (Saturday and Sunday), and compared it to past HMGS conventions. I had a great time in Lancaster. The Host Resort is a very good location and the accommodations are more than adequate, if somewhat pricey. Consequently I stayed at the Ramada up the street for half the price.
One of the more pleasant aspects of conventions is renewing old acquaintances and "catching up" on what my friends are doing in the hobby. I saw a number of Virginia gamers there (Jamie, Bob, Tom, Frank, John, Steve, Craig, Rudy, Roger, Jay, Bob & Cleo) as well as many others I have come to know. Each of them added a small amount of enjoyment to my con experience, even if it was just to say "hello."
I enjoyed several games while attending CW. First, after a rapid run through registration, I wiggled my way into a WWI game using Crossfire rules and put on by Steve Johnson. As the allied commander, Col Blake, I managed to get 70% of our forces killed, including the tank, and never reached the barbed wire of the German position. Steve did a nice job moving the game along, and although we died horribly, the players kept up a good spirit throughout the game, especially our French player whose elan could never be doubted.
After that a bit of shopping. I picked up some beautiful 15mm Italian Renaissance building from the Architecture Connection, a Crusader army, some books, 25mm Napoleonic figures for skirmish, and other odds and ends.
Next came my sign-up game, The Meat Grinder, put on by Michael Panzer and some pals. I played a Roman Legion (1 of 6) fighting the Gauls (6-8 of them) to 1) keep our fort, 2) capture their village, and 3) capture their religious circle. The battle was fought using Chipco's Fantasy rules adapted for the historical contest, and it played extremely well--easy to learn, believable results, and fast. The Romans triumphed, with me and another Legion capturing the Sacred Grove, while our intrepid fort guards bloodily repulsed the attempt on the fort. Unfortunately at least one Legion was completely annihilated trying to attack the village, but we held 2 of 3 objectives. Great game.
More shopping followed by 8 games of DBA with a buddy from New Jersey, and finally crawling into bed at 3:00am! At 0915 I joined Fred Hubig, a.k.a. Gen Robert E. Lee for the upcoming Jodie Con featuring the battle of Gettysburg, and others so the Rebs could run a practice game and brush up on Fire & Fury rules. The Rebels split their forces, with half assaulting the Union position on a ridge to fix them in place, while the other half, (run by yours truly), turned the flank. The basic tactic worked, and although the union attempted to refuse the threatened flank, some well aimed shots followed by a lusty charge broke the Union position and captured the Corp commander. Huzzah. One last run through the dealer room and on the road for home.
Obviously I had a great time. But my impression was that attendance was down considerably from Historicon, and last year's Cold Wars. I don't know the reason--perhaps Fall In! and other cons are drawing off the participants. I did not query the staff about administrivia, but it seemed that there were fewer cancelled games this year, but few of the "extravaganza" type that draw large crowds ala Duke Siegfried. But I saw some great ideas, and there seemed to be plenty to do for everyone, and no one complained they couldn't get into a game as I've heard and experienced at the last two Historicons. I still think they need to run an auction on Sunday to give folks a reason to stick around, as the games are very sparse.
So to all who I saw there, great to see you. To all those who missed it, come join me next time. HMGS-East, keep up the good work.
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© Copyright 1999 Hal Thinglum
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