Wodin bless all Craftsmen. And especially those with a knowledge of Carpentry. You see, I was given oath by a friend of my father's, who is in the process of becoming a friend of mine, that I would be in reciept of a quantity of 1/2" Oak planks, sufficient to produce a disc of timber some 36" in diameter. Without cost. Offcuts from a project he'd been doing, I believe. That wood has finally been delivered. And my father has arranged, at the cost of my agreement to do a spot of digging for another friend, for said friend to lend me aid turning this timber into a shield. A Norse pattern Round Shield. The original plan had been for a Gokstad pattern shield, but those were of Alder or Fir. Or possibly Linden. And were some 37" in Diameter. I lack the timber for that.
However, precise diameter has yet to be determined. We will start with a diameter of 36". And then, if that proves unwieldy, we will cut it down further. I hope to go no smaller than 32". So far we have planed the sides of the boards level with a tool called a jointer, paired them off, and glued the pairs together. Tomorrow, the plan calls for gluing the resultant boards together, giving me a board some almost 38" by anything ranging from 18" at the sides, to almost 48" for the center boards. We are using an outdoor wood glue which is water resistant, and creates a bond stronger than the boards themselves are.
Tomorrow night, I will detail out how we completed the next stages and what is planned as the next the project. This will continue until it is done, and I have a shield. Then I will simply require shoes and steel, and then I will have the kit of a peasant. Some form of polearm, I think, a spear or a daneax. Maybe a billhook. Or even simply a handaxe, if I can find a head. Hafting it will be easy enough, living as I do surrounded by a few hundred square kilometers of forest. And a knife. Dirk or Saex, much as I would prefer a Poniard.
Monday, 16 May 2011
Saturday, 7 May 2011
Time for Reviews
Well, I promised reviews however brief, of the sort of stuff I was reading last week. Now, I know tis a shade later than I had planned, but things came up. So here it is.
To start with, my review of Bad Prince Charlie, a satirical fantasy kingdom.
Basically, there is a kingdom whose name I cannot remember. It was settled by people fleeing an oppressive regime, who discovered too late that the lovely kingdom they settled is... well, not as nice as it looked. It is on the far side of a mountain range from their oppressors. On the other hand, it is also on the far side of the mountain range from any rainfall. The king has recently died. Cue plotting. By the nobility, to sell the place out to the oppressors for gold and position. By the oppressor as a spring-board for world-domination. By the premier noblewoman of both kingdoms, to get herself married to whomever ends up ruling both. By the court wizard for a number of different reasons. And the only thing all these plots have in common? No one knows about any bar the ones they are involved in, and they all center round the newly chosen king, formerly called Bad Prince Charlie. Who has been dragged back from university, and only wants the best for his kingdom. Hilarity ensues.
Next we shall consider Rolling Thunder, by John Varley.
Science Fiction. Meet Lieutenant Podkayne, Martian Navy. I wish to point out that Mars was settled by the descendants of folks who developed a form of technology that makes brilliant weapons/drives. And refuses to distribute them. Especially after the debacle where they turned asteroids into generational ships for minorities. One such minority used its ship as a KEW. So. Earth is recovering from a rather impressive asteroid strike, and doing badly. Mars is busy colonizing the rest of the solar system. Podkayne gets ordered to return to Mars from the Martian Consulate in one of the three states that grew up out of the old U.S., as her terminally ill granny is going into stasis. Whilst there she gets transferred to the branch of the Martian navy that is responsible for Morale. Cue travel, disaster, fame, coping with fame, more disaster, coping with disaster and other fun times.
Tis very well done, and rather enjoyable. Especially where it mentions how Canada had to build a wall along the US border...
Third. Elric, by Michael Moorcock. Elric of Malniborne is the true heir to the throne of Malniborne, an albino sorceror given strength by a combination of drugs and an enchanted soul-drinking sword. Unfortunately A) Malniborneans are a dying race. B) His sword favours the souls of his friends. C) In an attempt to punish the usurper of his throne he sees to the destruction of the last great Malnibornean citadel. Whilst his sword 'accidentally' claims the soul of the woman he loves. (It does that sort of thing a lot.) Cue wide travels, adventures, swords and sorcery. Sort of like the adventures of Conan, had Conan been a weakling who gained strength by doping himself up and wielding 'Ye Great And Mighty Magic Sword Of Evil!'. And Emo, and a Sorceror of not inconsiderable strength. Oh, and assuming Conan had started with a Crown, given it up to a regent, had the regent claim the crown, returned to take it back, left again, and then repeated the same process only sacking his own capital as he left the second time round. The Omnibus I read dealt with some of Elrics travels, and with the war against the Lords of Chaos that terminated with Elrics death. I would heartily recommend this one on accounts of it being fun.
Fourth. Patricia Briggs series'. There are two of them I have been reading, both set in the same 'universe.'
The premise of said universe is simple. All those things that go bump in the night? They exist. A decade or so ago, the Fey came out to humanity. They are now required to be registered with the government (Not that that registration works, cause not even the Fey could accurately categorise themselves even if they wanted to.) Many of the Fey now (semi-voluntarily) Live on Reservations. They basically function much like modern-day Native Americans, to be fair. On the reservations, Fey law, such as it is, holds sway. Outside them, the Fey come under Human Law. More recently (over the course of the series', actually) The Werewolves have also come out to Humanity. But they haven't bothered to accept the offer of reservations. Possibly cause it be easier for them to fit in...
Anyway. Of the two series I've been reading, the first, The Alpha and the Omega series, deals with the adventures of Anna and Charles Cornick, son of Bran Cornick, called The Marrock, high honcho of the North American Werewolves. Charles, were he not part of The Marrock's Pack would be an Alpha, a pack leader. As it is, he is the Marrock's enforcer. Anna is his mate, an Omega, that is to say a Dominant Werewolf without the 'To Defend. Must Kill.' instinct most Dominant's have. It is rather interesting and well thought out. Especially seeing as, whilst both the lead characters are epic, they have some rather major weakness and scars...
The second series is the Mercy Thompson novels. Mercedes 'Mercy' Thompson is a Walker, a Native American shamany type who can turn into a Coyote, and see and speak to Ghosts. She has a friend who is a Vampire. Her old boss (and one of her better friends) Is registered as a Gremlin, and is in fact an old, germanic Faerie Smith. The Dark Smith of Drottenheim, I think. Her lodger, Samuel, is the elder brother of Charles Cornick, and a dominant Werewolf. Her boyfriend is the local Werewolf Alpha (and isn't that a barrel of laughs, cause Samuel is a lone wolf.). As a consequence, however much she would like to be left to deal with her day job as a mechanic, she keeps getting roped into dealing with Supernatural issues... fun fun...
To start with, my review of Bad Prince Charlie, a satirical fantasy kingdom.
Basically, there is a kingdom whose name I cannot remember. It was settled by people fleeing an oppressive regime, who discovered too late that the lovely kingdom they settled is... well, not as nice as it looked. It is on the far side of a mountain range from their oppressors. On the other hand, it is also on the far side of the mountain range from any rainfall. The king has recently died. Cue plotting. By the nobility, to sell the place out to the oppressors for gold and position. By the oppressor as a spring-board for world-domination. By the premier noblewoman of both kingdoms, to get herself married to whomever ends up ruling both. By the court wizard for a number of different reasons. And the only thing all these plots have in common? No one knows about any bar the ones they are involved in, and they all center round the newly chosen king, formerly called Bad Prince Charlie. Who has been dragged back from university, and only wants the best for his kingdom. Hilarity ensues.
Next we shall consider Rolling Thunder, by John Varley.
Science Fiction. Meet Lieutenant Podkayne, Martian Navy. I wish to point out that Mars was settled by the descendants of folks who developed a form of technology that makes brilliant weapons/drives. And refuses to distribute them. Especially after the debacle where they turned asteroids into generational ships for minorities. One such minority used its ship as a KEW. So. Earth is recovering from a rather impressive asteroid strike, and doing badly. Mars is busy colonizing the rest of the solar system. Podkayne gets ordered to return to Mars from the Martian Consulate in one of the three states that grew up out of the old U.S., as her terminally ill granny is going into stasis. Whilst there she gets transferred to the branch of the Martian navy that is responsible for Morale. Cue travel, disaster, fame, coping with fame, more disaster, coping with disaster and other fun times.
Tis very well done, and rather enjoyable. Especially where it mentions how Canada had to build a wall along the US border...
Third. Elric, by Michael Moorcock. Elric of Malniborne is the true heir to the throne of Malniborne, an albino sorceror given strength by a combination of drugs and an enchanted soul-drinking sword. Unfortunately A) Malniborneans are a dying race. B) His sword favours the souls of his friends. C) In an attempt to punish the usurper of his throne he sees to the destruction of the last great Malnibornean citadel. Whilst his sword 'accidentally' claims the soul of the woman he loves. (It does that sort of thing a lot.) Cue wide travels, adventures, swords and sorcery. Sort of like the adventures of Conan, had Conan been a weakling who gained strength by doping himself up and wielding 'Ye Great And Mighty Magic Sword Of Evil!'. And Emo, and a Sorceror of not inconsiderable strength. Oh, and assuming Conan had started with a Crown, given it up to a regent, had the regent claim the crown, returned to take it back, left again, and then repeated the same process only sacking his own capital as he left the second time round. The Omnibus I read dealt with some of Elrics travels, and with the war against the Lords of Chaos that terminated with Elrics death. I would heartily recommend this one on accounts of it being fun.
Fourth. Patricia Briggs series'. There are two of them I have been reading, both set in the same 'universe.'
The premise of said universe is simple. All those things that go bump in the night? They exist. A decade or so ago, the Fey came out to humanity. They are now required to be registered with the government (Not that that registration works, cause not even the Fey could accurately categorise themselves even if they wanted to.) Many of the Fey now (semi-voluntarily) Live on Reservations. They basically function much like modern-day Native Americans, to be fair. On the reservations, Fey law, such as it is, holds sway. Outside them, the Fey come under Human Law. More recently (over the course of the series', actually) The Werewolves have also come out to Humanity. But they haven't bothered to accept the offer of reservations. Possibly cause it be easier for them to fit in...
Anyway. Of the two series I've been reading, the first, The Alpha and the Omega series, deals with the adventures of Anna and Charles Cornick, son of Bran Cornick, called The Marrock, high honcho of the North American Werewolves. Charles, were he not part of The Marrock's Pack would be an Alpha, a pack leader. As it is, he is the Marrock's enforcer. Anna is his mate, an Omega, that is to say a Dominant Werewolf without the 'To Defend. Must Kill.' instinct most Dominant's have. It is rather interesting and well thought out. Especially seeing as, whilst both the lead characters are epic, they have some rather major weakness and scars...
The second series is the Mercy Thompson novels. Mercedes 'Mercy' Thompson is a Walker, a Native American shamany type who can turn into a Coyote, and see and speak to Ghosts. She has a friend who is a Vampire. Her old boss (and one of her better friends) Is registered as a Gremlin, and is in fact an old, germanic Faerie Smith. The Dark Smith of Drottenheim, I think. Her lodger, Samuel, is the elder brother of Charles Cornick, and a dominant Werewolf. Her boyfriend is the local Werewolf Alpha (and isn't that a barrel of laughs, cause Samuel is a lone wolf.). As a consequence, however much she would like to be left to deal with her day job as a mechanic, she keeps getting roped into dealing with Supernatural issues... fun fun...
Tuesday, 3 May 2011
To Vvardenfell!
Well. Tomorrow (or Thorsday) I intend to do a review of a few of the books I've been reading lately, ranging from Urban Fantasy (Patricia Briggs, Werewolves and Wampyr and Fey, Oh My![Not an actual title. It should be though]), Through Sword and Sorcery (Michael Moorcock, Elric.), through Fantasy Satire (one entitled Bad Prince Charlie), right the way to Science Fiction (Something-or-other Varley, Rolling Thunder).
For now however, I figured I'd give some advice to those who choose to visit the Island of Vvardenfell. And by that I mean those who play the Elder Scrolls games, particularly number III, Morrowind. On the grounds that when I get a games system that'll run it, I intend to get Oblivion. And Skyrim, what will make me very happy.
Now. A bit of the backstory. There is a prophecy. Something about the child born on a certain day to uncertain parents, a little bit about saving the world, et cetera et cetera. Well, as luck would have it, said child happens to end up in Imperial Prison. And the Emperor proceeds to have prisoner pardoned, sent to Vvardenfell, which is a large volcanic island to the east, and put to work for his spymaster there.
Oh. Identity of said child? You. You also pick Race, Career, and astrological sign. All of which have game-play effects. I'm not going to discuss builds, on the grounds that that be a matter of personal preference. I tend to favour Nords and hitty sorts. But then again, I am, well, me.
Anyway. Advice.
First off. Never kill anyone unless you have to. That is, unless A) they swing for you first, B) They be a criminal, or C) You be getting paid for it... (I have yet to find an assassination mission where you don't get pardoned for it)
Second off. Concerning Theft. Never take anything people can see you taking. I liked how oblivion showed you if taking something was classed as theft. Also, never try to sell stolen goods back to the person you stole them from (Very doable. especially if you wait a while before pawning the loot. also ends badly)
Third. Potions. Very important. Always carry multiple cure disease (common and blight) and restore health. At least up until you contract Sanies Lupus, Porphyritic Hemophilia, or Corpus disease, all of which confer disease resistance. (what, you mean to tell me you picked up a fantasy RPG without intending to become a Werewolf, a Vampire, or a hideous Mutant? And you are A) A gamer?, and B) Human? I don't believe you) Anyway, after that stage just the Restore health. And possibly Magicka, Fatigue and Strength.
Fourth. Cheaper to mantain your Armour yourself. Especially if you have the Bloodmoon expansion and travel about Solstheim. 'Tis rare to not find a chest with at least one repair hammer in any Barrow, Ice Cave, or Shipwreck.
Fifth. Cliff Racers and Tusked Bristlebacks. You will learn to hate these, especially at lower levels. Which makes the point where you be one-shotting them even more brilliant. Seriously, there is no sight more glorious than that of ripping out a Cliff Racers throat with a furred and taloned claw.
Sixth. Scrib, Kwama Workers and Queens, Bull Netch. Ignore. Generally not worth the effort.
Seventh, and for now final, The Money. There's none in armour or weapons, unless they be rare things like Glass, Ebony, Daedric, or certain (Normally Named) Magic Ones. Also shockingly little money in magic items. The money is in Gems, rarer Alchemical ingredients, especially Glass, Ebony, Salts (From Atronach's), and Daedra Hearts, as well as in Scrolls, and Potions.
Sorry, Eighth and final. Security and Lockpicks. Or Alteration and lots of Magicka. A must. Scrolls of Ondusi's Unhinging and Ekash's Locksplitter can only do so much.
And on that note, Fare Thee Well. I'm off to dream of my next Morrowind Session, entitled 'A Nordic Werewolf In Vivec.'
For now however, I figured I'd give some advice to those who choose to visit the Island of Vvardenfell. And by that I mean those who play the Elder Scrolls games, particularly number III, Morrowind. On the grounds that when I get a games system that'll run it, I intend to get Oblivion. And Skyrim, what will make me very happy.
Now. A bit of the backstory. There is a prophecy. Something about the child born on a certain day to uncertain parents, a little bit about saving the world, et cetera et cetera. Well, as luck would have it, said child happens to end up in Imperial Prison. And the Emperor proceeds to have prisoner pardoned, sent to Vvardenfell, which is a large volcanic island to the east, and put to work for his spymaster there.
Oh. Identity of said child? You. You also pick Race, Career, and astrological sign. All of which have game-play effects. I'm not going to discuss builds, on the grounds that that be a matter of personal preference. I tend to favour Nords and hitty sorts. But then again, I am, well, me.
Anyway. Advice.
First off. Never kill anyone unless you have to. That is, unless A) they swing for you first, B) They be a criminal, or C) You be getting paid for it... (I have yet to find an assassination mission where you don't get pardoned for it)
Second off. Concerning Theft. Never take anything people can see you taking. I liked how oblivion showed you if taking something was classed as theft. Also, never try to sell stolen goods back to the person you stole them from (Very doable. especially if you wait a while before pawning the loot. also ends badly)
Third. Potions. Very important. Always carry multiple cure disease (common and blight) and restore health. At least up until you contract Sanies Lupus, Porphyritic Hemophilia, or Corpus disease, all of which confer disease resistance. (what, you mean to tell me you picked up a fantasy RPG without intending to become a Werewolf, a Vampire, or a hideous Mutant? And you are A) A gamer?, and B) Human? I don't believe you) Anyway, after that stage just the Restore health. And possibly Magicka, Fatigue and Strength.
Fourth. Cheaper to mantain your Armour yourself. Especially if you have the Bloodmoon expansion and travel about Solstheim. 'Tis rare to not find a chest with at least one repair hammer in any Barrow, Ice Cave, or Shipwreck.
Fifth. Cliff Racers and Tusked Bristlebacks. You will learn to hate these, especially at lower levels. Which makes the point where you be one-shotting them even more brilliant. Seriously, there is no sight more glorious than that of ripping out a Cliff Racers throat with a furred and taloned claw.
Sixth. Scrib, Kwama Workers and Queens, Bull Netch. Ignore. Generally not worth the effort.
Seventh, and for now final, The Money. There's none in armour or weapons, unless they be rare things like Glass, Ebony, Daedric, or certain (Normally Named) Magic Ones. Also shockingly little money in magic items. The money is in Gems, rarer Alchemical ingredients, especially Glass, Ebony, Salts (From Atronach's), and Daedra Hearts, as well as in Scrolls, and Potions.
Sorry, Eighth and final. Security and Lockpicks. Or Alteration and lots of Magicka. A must. Scrolls of Ondusi's Unhinging and Ekash's Locksplitter can only do so much.
And on that note, Fare Thee Well. I'm off to dream of my next Morrowind Session, entitled 'A Nordic Werewolf In Vivec.'
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