Sunday 7 October 2018

Zomtober 2018, Week 1

Introduction

It's the first Sunday in October and that means it's Zomtober time!  I admit that I look forward to this event for much of the year.  Judging by the number of comments I get for my posts during this time I imagine that my audience also enjoy them more than my average output.

I've been putting up a duel between a zombie and a survivor every Sunday in Zomtober since 2013.  I can hardly believe it's been that long, but the evidence is here if you'd like to check for yourself: all posts labelled 'Zomtober'.  OK, enough rambling; on with this week's duel...


Luke vs The Baron


Today's survivor is a young thug called "Luke" (aka "Luke the looter").  He has decided that the most important thing to do in the apocalypse is to go out and steal a flat-screen TV.  I think that the education system has failed this lad somewhat...



On his return from his "shopping" trip, Luke has come face to face with a zombie that I'll call "the Baron".  Why "the Baron"?  Well, he's dressed in very formal clothes, though this doesn't in itself mean that he is/was a member of the aristocracy.  He would appear to be very polite (for a zombie); he's lifting his hat as a gesture of recognition or friendship (!).  Again, this doesn't mean that he is upper class.  No, I call him "The Baron" because this zombie bears at least a passing resemblance to Baron Samedi, the supernatural Haitian voodoo master of death!



The model of The Baron was a giveaway at some wargames show a while ago - I think the tag said "Newark".  I didn't acquire it there, but rather it was a welcome extra in some eBay job lot that I bought some time.  I haven't modified the figure at all, other than to mount him on an Escenorama resin base.




Luke comes from Offensive Miniatures' "Street Kids" pack.  I've made one tiny conversion here; I added an outstretched finger to his left hand.  Whilst it's a slightly crude modification, I think it does add an extra air of disrespect to the already uncouth youth.  Or maybe he's just picking his nose?

Conclusion


As always, the question is "what happens next?"  On the face of it, a young, fit man should be able to evade and outrun a somewhat damaged zombie, especially if he ditches his encumberance (the TV).  But what if this zombie really is Baron Samedi, or if it believes itself to be?  That might give it unusually strong powers, even if only for a short while.  And what happens if Luke isn't prepared to drop his acquisition?




One thing's for certain: Luke is going to be disappointed when he realises that the mains electricity doesn't work any more.  Even if he is smart enough to find and hook up a generator, I imagine that not many TV stations will continue to broadcast once the apocalypse is in full swing, so the TV is essentially useless.  Luke would have been better off if he'd looted food, tools or weapons...

Week 2 is here ==>


22 comments:

  1. Excellent characters, both quite appropriate for their particular genres.

    I'd imagine Luke might have approached the Baron thinking "Here's an old dandy, it'll be a piece of cake to relieve him of his diamond studded cufflinks". When the "dandy" tips his hat, revealing the decomposing face Luke might opt for a quick exit.

    Hey GM - what are the missile stats for a LCD television?

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    1. Hmm, I don't think that a household appliance such as a TV would make a very good missile. Indeed, I imagine it would be terrible as either a melee or missile weapon!

      I suspect that Luke has indeed underestimated the peril of this situation :-) .

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  2. Excellent job on them both they both turned out great. The Zombie gentlemen makes a great Baron Samedi. I am pretty sure he is quite sought after by zombie collectors.

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    1. Thanks, Simon. I can't find any reference to this zombie model online, but since he is somewhat unusual you may well be right and he may indeed be a minor collector's item. I'm happy enough whether he is or not...

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  3. You have been FAR busier than me. (Well done). Nice to see Zombtober up and on the way! a tremendous start!

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    1. Well, two zombie apocalypse figures isn't really *that* productive, is it? Though I confess that I have also been working on Saxons, Samurai and Saracens as well...

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  4. I always look forward to your pairings at this time of year. My money on Luke. He looks like he's well versed in avoiding unwanted attention. Failing that, he can just smack him with the telly.

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    1. Thanks, Kieron. You may be right, though I imagine that a television isn't the easiest thing to wield in a brawl.

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  5. Brilliant! A model carrying a flat screen tv??!! How cool is that! I think I'll be stopping by the Offensive Miniatures site 🙂

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    1. The Offensive Miniatures "near future rioters" section has a lot of wonderful figures. Whilst I have no interest in gaming "realistic" modern day riots, many of the models make excellent early-day survivors for apocalypse games :-) .

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  6. Nice start to Zomtober Colgar, I am going to give the tip of the hat to the Zombie Baron on this one. No doubt Luke's sports pants are halfway down his backside, thus preventing the full extent of a stride, as well, the 'in your face' attitude of punks, often leads them down the path of no return! Add to the fact he is lugging, albiet a flat screen, a burdening item which I am sure he is loath to 'damage' by using as a weapon.

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    1. Hah, that's very well argued! It did cross my mind that Luke may be loathe to relinquish his loot and that this might be the cause of his downfall :-) .

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  7. Cracking start, and my money is on the Baron winning this one!

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    1. Luke has youth and fitness on his side, but has he read the dangers of the situation correctly? That's the question, isn't it?

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  8. I like Terry’s thinking behind the matchup and agree - The Baron for the win!

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    1. Of course we'll never know for certain - but I think this duel is a close call. I don't think that Luke's surly attitude is enough; giving the Baron "the finger" won't work against a zombie in the way that it might have intimidated a living older gent.

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  9. I doubt heroism is in the kid's mind and he'll show a clean pair of heels to the baron whilst hiding his face under his hoodie.

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    1. Oh, I'm sure you're right about this kid's lack of heroism. I'm concerned about his lack of danger sense, though...

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  10. lovely start to zombtober...I love your basing. Did you make that coke bottle yourself?

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    1. Thanks, Rob. No, I didn't make the coke bottle; it's part of the Escenorama resin base. Personally I think that it's a bit oversized, but it works well enough.

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  11. I love Luke. His priorities are a bit skewed, but he'll probably make it through the apocalypse on sheer luck. Dumb people do surprisingly well at times.

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    1. I like your generosity towards Luke, but I have a bit of difficulty believing that being dumb will add to his chances of survival :-) . Thanks for the though!

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