All posts by Darren

Murder at the Prancing Pony

LCG, lcg/ccg/tcg game night, Lord of the Rings, LoTR, LotR lcg GenCon Scenarios

Finally it was time to get The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game to the table.

But what scenario were we going to play?

I did finally cave and pay eBay prices for the Murder at the Prancing Pony standalone scenario for the LotR lcg.

I thought just like the other standalone scenarios I’ve purchased (some more expensive than others) I thought this would make a good “one shot” to play with others.

Heck they were designed to be played at conventions.

“There are some folk in Bree who are not to be trusted.”
–Strider, The Fellowship of the Ring

Released in 2015 as part of The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game Fellowship Event, Murder at the Prancing Pony is a standalone scenario that has you solve a mysterious murder.

The premise of this scenario is the following:

“You have arrived in Bree to find the village abuzz over a recent crime.”

“Someone has broken into The Prancing Pony, murdered a guest and made off with the victim’s belongings. Barliman Butterbur begs you to find the killer before the trail goes cold.”

Yep the Murder at the Prancing Pony scenario turns this lcg into a card based Cluedo or for any American readers Clue.

Dave and I used starter decks, whilst Marcin used a deck (I think) he got off the internet.

  • Dwarves of Duri deck – Me
  • A custom dwarf deck – Marcin
  • Elves of Lorién deck – Dave

“..there was trouble right here in Bree, bad trouble. Why, we had a real set-to, and there were some folk killed, killed dead!”
Barliman, The Return of the King

The usual suspects!

Our starting staging area had two Chetwood Outlaws. We were not going to take them on anytime soon in our investigation. But at some point we would have to. It was inevitable.

Our investigation into the recent death wasn’t going that fast (thanks to those Chetwood Outlaws). Too few locations were appearing for us to dig around in for clues. The hand full of times we were able to find any clues enabled us to narrow the suspects down to two possibilities.

Dun dun

We were just not getting anywhere on finding the hideout. Eventually we got a breakthrough and were able to eliminate Bill Ferney’s House.

The big issue we found was controlling our threat levels. Each round while the quest card 1B was showing saw our threat going up by two or an extra encounter card drawn. Our choice.

It’s not as if we could blitz through the quest card. We were restricted to putting a maximum of four questing points on it a turn. Those Chetwood Outlaws made it so we had to commit a lot of heroes to do anything.

There was an eventual reckoning with those Chetwood Outlaws that did involve Gandalf making an appearance to defeat them.

It then became a bit easier in making progress.

“Just one more thing…”

The clock was against us. I really needed to be heading home and getting some sleep with work the next morning.

With only one hideout eliminated from our investigation and two suspects left, we made a wild guess.

Our deduction skills told us it was Todd the Troll at the Staddle Hiding Hole.

Amazingly we got the hideout correct, whilst sadly getting the wrong suspect. Susie the Spider had successfully point the finger of suspension onto an “innocent” sap.

We didn’t have any time to play through the fallout of our wrong decision.

This really was a fun scenario to play. It’s just a shame that it’s not easier and cheaper for people to get.

Holkham Beach April 2025

#backtothehills, hiking/backpacking/camping, outdoors, rambling, Walking

Yesterday the weather was perfect for me.

Not too hot, not too cold.

A perfect spring day in fact.

Made more so with the fact it was my day off.

So after what can best be described as a relaxed start to the day, Dolly and I made off for destinations unknown.

Well I had possibilities. A return to Roydon Common? Maybe the coast? If the coast where? Heacham or Holkham?

Eventually as we drove round Kings Lynn a decision was made.

Apple Maps was instructed to guide us to Holkham beach.

The last time I was on Holkham beach it was with Strider, over a decade ago.

It was when Strider and I spent the night on the beach. The morning was magical. I took my favourite photo of Strider (see above) as the glow of the dawn sun began to start warming us up.

Since that magical time with Strider I have not been back.

But yesterday was about Dolly and introducing her to this beautiful piece of the Norfolk coast.

After leaving the car park and crossing into this national nature reserve Dolly was off the lead.

We followed the path that put the woodland between us and the beach.

Dolly was amazing off the lead. Even when there were other dogs.

It’s rude not to share
Dolly discovers ice cream
Signs of eco vandalism aka bushcrafting
Why we can’t have nice things
Decision time
ZZTop mode

We walked about a mile, which took us to the second hide, and the farthest edge of the woods, before we followed the path to the beach.

It was rather windy on the beach. A complete contrast to the sheltered path we had just come from.

We walked towards the sea. Which was out. Way way out.

We didn’t make it to the sea, maybe three quarters of the way before heading back.

But Dolly did really enjoy being on the sand.

There was no way we were going to walk along the beach into a head wind back to the car.

Instead we used the woodland to give us shelter from the wind a provide a rest spot.

While Dolly topped up on water and beef jerky. I too had water (no fires – Kelly kettle out, or camping stoves allowed to protect the nature reserve), and cheese and biscuits.

After that brief stop we followed the some of the many paths that cut through the woodland. The majority spanning the width of the woodland connecting the beach and dunes with the path on the opposite side.

Back at the car park we dropped our stuff off at the car and made our way the very short distance back to the ice cream van. Where I bought Dolly and myself an ice cream.

Dolly was unsure about her ice cream to start with. But she soon over came that uncertainty and decided she really liked it.

On our drive home on the road boarding the Holkham hall estate I saw a massive red kite. Such a beautiful buzzard.

I think Dolly enjoyed her afternoon at the beach.

Pathfinder Canteen Trail Kit

Camping/hiking gear

I recently bought the Pathfinder Canteen Trail Kit. Which is basically the Pathfinder 39oz or 1.153 litre wide mouth stainless steel canteen, and 25oz or 739 ml stainless steel nesting cup (with bat wing handles).

This is primarily something to take on the longer walks with Dolly.

The just over a litre capacity is better for Dolly and me than the nato/osprey canteen. Which is a litre. That 153ml is massive! Ok maybe not. But having that little bit more water is handy. I am finding a litre tight for the two of us.

I could have bought it with the canteen stove and canteen cup lid.

To be totally honest I forgot about the lid which would have been handy to have. So I have ordered one separately.

However I’m not a big fan of the canteen stove. The Boundless Voyage Titanium Cookware Set has a similar stove, which is fine as a pot stand and windshield for a stove like a Trangia. But I’ve seen YouTubers use twig fires with this. Which it’s clearly designed for. But not a way I’d want to use it. There is nothing to stop the fire damaging the ground and leaving a scar.

Now this trail set does fit nicely in the BCB Mk2 Crusader cooker which I just so happen to have.

The Mk2 Crusader cooker obviously has one or two advantages over the Mk1 (which I do like, a lot).

The main one being it’s better suited for use with a Trangia.

I think it’s also a better option for use with this trail set than its intended stove.

The options for fuel to cook with are greater.

I actually used just the canteen during a two day training course. I can’t believe how much I drank. Nearly three litres in total. Which is very unusual for me. Naturally it was not plain ol’ water I was drinking. I need a bit of flavour so I was using Crystal Light on the go packets. Which are basically powdered squash. I’ve used them a lot in the past on backpacking trips.

Look I’m not a bushcrafter. So this single walled canteen being able to use boil water on a heat source of some description is not a major selling point for me. A “useful” feature. But for sure not something I think I’ll be doing.

The wide mouth is more important to me. It makes filling the canteen from a water source much easier.

Yes it’s heavier than a Nalgene bottle, or a plastic water bottle. But it’s robust, and for me the weight is not an issue.

Awesome Metal Mechs

Game day, Scythe

Earlier in the year I caved and finally bought a play set of the metal mechs for my all time favourite board game Scythe.

Saturday we got to play Scythe with those mechs.

They look flipping awesome.

Sadly I can’t tell you who played what exactly and the mat combinations. I forgot to take a note of them.

As you can see from the gallery below our end game change was Mission Possible.

I was playing Fenris with the industrial board. Marcin was getting his filthy hands on my beloved Rusviet. Anthony had Polania, and Dave Clan Albion.

We were using the modular board. My preferred map. Stops that “I play x, if I do xyz I win in 12 turns” play by numbers. That sucks the fun out of the game.

The modular board means the map and starting positions are different each game.

There is the risk as Anthony and Dave found that your starting resources may not be favourable to your faction.

The unfavourable starting positions slowed Anthony and Dave down. But Anthony was throwing out those completed objective stars. I think at the end game the rest of us had got four or five stars out. But Marcin had that all important sixth out.

I managed to get an encounter card that I could add to my player board as an extra action I could take. Plus I got a factory card.

I still find it hard I let Marcin hold the factory space.

My last turn from the end game condition allowed me to put out two more objective stars.

In the end Marcin got the victory. A victory with hindsight I could have avoided and grabbed for myself. If only I had attacked him on the factory space on my last turn before the end of the game.

It was great getting Scythe to the table again.

And then there were three

Fenland Gamers, game night

It would seem the golden age of club nights is well and truly over.

Last night we were down to just three attendees, myself (naturally), Marcin, and Anthony.

I don’t know what’s changed.

Still the three of us had fun playing some great games.

We started off playing probably the most chilled game I own or have ever played, Tokaido.

I love the art style of the game. So much so I have the art book for it. If we don’t count the MtG art books I have for the handful of settings they did them for. I have only one other board game based art book, and that is the one for Scythe. Thinking about Stonemaier have a track record of printing art books (ok just the one) maybe they will reprint the Tokaido book at some point.

I’m glad Stonemaier picked up Tokaido. They are a great home for the game. In all the excitement around them announcing their edition I don’t remember any details where the app version stands. I quickly fired up the app (by Acram games) and its splash screen shows the Stonemaier logo. So I’m guessing as far as players there is no change and the app is still supported.

Despite being the first to complete a couple of paintings, meeting more interesting people, bathing in hot springs with mountain monkeys, I didn’t make any charitable donations at the temples. That decision cost me the win leaving the door open for Marcin to steal the win.

Our second game of the evening was Biblios.

I’d never played Biblios before. I own Biblios the dice game. Which I had played once.

It’s strange to think these two share the same dna!

I like Biblios but boy it’s so different from the dice game.

Sadly Marcin won’t this game too.

Our final game of the evening was Rebirth. Which I had pimped out with third party bags for the tiles, and 3D printed score trackers from Duncan.

I really do like rebirth.

Next time this gets to the table I’ll have to play the Ireland map. Which is meant to be more “gamer”.

Despite the lead constantly leap frogging between Anthony and myself during the game. Anthony won. But I did beat Marcin by a point. His streak for the night was at an end.

A great evening with great friends.

Star Wars Unlimited Spotlight Decks

Star Wars Unlimited

I know this is a day or two after I played Star Wars Unlimited with Marcin. However I have been on a two day health and safety course the very next morning. This is the first chance I’ve had to say anything about it.

So Tuesday evening saw Marcin and I playing a few two player games of Star Wars Unlimited using the new spotlight decks from the latest set Jump to Lightspeed.

Jump to Lightspeed is the fourth set since Star Wars Unlimited was released to the world.

In the previous three sets there were 2 player starter decks released along side the booster boxes.

But now FFG have jettisoned (for the time being, never say never etc) these 2 player starter decks, and replaced them with spotlight decks.

“Spotlight Decks are pre-built decks that contain a mixture of cards from multiple sets, with cards from the new set making up the majority of the deck. Each Spotlight Deck contains five Special-rarity cards that are unique to that product, one of which is the leader card.”

I bought both the Boba Fett and Han Solo spotlight decks for this new set. These two decks basically demonstrate new mechanics introduced in this set.

One surprise in these decks was the inclusion of a booster pack. A nice addition.

Boba Fett is all about delivering indirect damage. Whilst Han is showcasing the pilot mechanic, and does something based on revealing cards from your deck.

Broken combo?

For our first three games Marcin played Boba, leaving me with Han.

During our first game I got the Falcon out with Han on it. It was a threat but not as big a threat as it could be I was going to discover.

I won that first game commenting it was a shame I didn’t get Chewie on the Falcon. Not knowing what Chewie’s ability was.

Game two I got the Falcon and Chewie in my hand. Wait Chewie does what? With Chewie as a pilot the Falcon can’t be bounced back to hand or defeated by a card! Add Han as a pilot and the Falcon hits for 11 points and can take 11 damage. That’s huge and disgusting. Draw the cards and you have this monster out and attacking on round 5!

Marcin didn’t like being on the end of this combo. Which I got out in games two and three. Obviously I won.

Marcin challenged me to play the Boba deck. See if I had more luck with it.

And I did.

The two games we played were much closer. But I won them.

I was able to make more use of Boba’s indirect damage.

Both decks were great fun to play. I definitely enjoyed the two new mechanics. I really liked pilots and the duel use they have.

A great evening of beating Marcin at Star Wars Unlimited.

A couple of fav LotR quotes

life, the universe, and everything, still alive

It’s been a hectic last few days. Changes to shifts have thrown things out.

There has been some gaming but not much.

I was particularly too knackered Friday and needed an early night. So no get it to the table night for me.

A friend on Facebook did remind me of a great quote from Lord of the Rings that I thought speaks volumes for our current times.

I thought I’d also share almost a cliche quote these days, especially for the outdoors. But still a favourite of mine.

In the meantime I’m looking forward to next weekend when I get to play Scythe with the metal mechs.

Chillin’ in the woods

hiking/backpacking/camping, outdoors, rambling, Walking

As I was throwing stuff together for todays walk a shower hit. This was the turn for the worse I was expecting for the week.

It was definitely feeling a bit chillier.

But the cold and rain were not going to put me (or Dolly) off going on our walk.

By the time we hit the A47 I’d decided our destination would be back to the woodlands at Roydon Common.

Dolly was off lead for the majority of this walk, and she was really well behaved.

We explored a couple of side paths.

Which gave me a better picture of the woods. I collected a little birch bark to use as tinder.

Some of which I used to start the fire in today’s stove. Oh the stove I was using was the Kelly Kettle Trekker.

Part of these brew stops is getting Dolly used to being off lead, not wandering off, and chilling out.

I enjoyed using the Kelly Kettle. Well playing with fire (responsibly) is fun.

I didn’t mess around I used my bic lighter to start the fire. The wood I was using was some kindling I bought recently from a petrol station. Plus some twigs I’d gathered over 10 years ago!

Dolly is really sure now that she likes beef jerky! As if there was any doubt. But the jerky does make a nice treat for her during our brew stop. Plus I can have a bit too.

We had been very lucky with the weather because our walk and brew stops had no sign of rain. In fact there was some hint of the sun breaking through and blue skies!

In our wandering some of the paths we followed were definitely deer paths. I even saw a Muntjac ahead of us at one point. One such path revealed what was a “pond” that was obviously a source of water for the local wildlife. Surprisingly it was close to the actual main path, but not visible from that path.

Yeah we had a fun chill walk in the woods again.

The Fellowship of the Ring Saga Plans

LCG, Lord of the Rings, LoTR, LoTR LCG Saga

Over a year ago I had plans to start playing the LoTR lcg with Nathan.

But like a lot of things those plans never happened.

Since then though I have got the final part of the revised saga The Return of the King. Plus the three revised campaigns Angmar Awakened, Dream-chaser, and Ered Mithrin including the matching hero boxes.

Another expensive spin off is I have bought some of the GenCon stand alone scenarios to play. I’m not getting all of them. That’d be some serious cash splashed out. I’ve gone for the ones that interested me.

So which ones did I get?

  • The Massing at Osgiliath – GenCon 2011 Scenario
  • The Battle of Lake-Town (Hobbit) Scenario GenCon 2012
  • The Mines of Moria – Gen Con 2019 Scenario Pack
  • Escape from Khazad-Dum Custom Scenario Kit
  • The Siege of Annuminas – Fellowship 2016 Scenario

Yes it’d be nice to get them all. Even better it’d have been nice for FFG to have done a box set containing them all. But that’s just a wild dream. It’s not going to happen.

There is one more I’d like Murder at the Prancing Pony, which basically makes the game into a Cluedo inspired murder mystery who done it. I’m curious as to how it plays. Does it work considering the theme?

So what of the plans hinted at in the posts title?

Well discussions have started with Marcin and Dave to gauge interest in playing through the three book sagas on a Saturday. They seem to like the idea, and interested.

So I need to select a Saturday to start the journey.

I’ll talk deck specifics in another post nearer to the start of the campaign.

In the meantime the hunt for play mats starts!