Hello and welcome to my June newsletter! If you would rather not see these any more there is an unsubscribe link at the bottom, but I hope you will stay around!

I’ve not been working on Born to the Purple for a couple of years. But I felt it was time to bring it off the back burner and back onto the front burner for a bit. It is my Forged in the Dark game of science fiction ambassadors for competing empires who are trying to keep their heads above water and improve their position while the empires grind against one another. Strongly inspired by Babylon 5 for those that know and appreciate it.

I decided that the best way of forcing myself to do some work on it would be to offer it at a convention in June, and I have two tables so I’m working on the one-shot adventure for that at the moment. I know what the general structure is going to be and I’m currently working on the pre-gen characters - four ambassadors and their aides.

Along the way I’ve been re-reading the rules as I last left them in order to familiarise myself again. This kind of thing is interesting in that it allows you to look with fresh(er) eyes and have a good think about what you like in the rules so far and what you might like to change.

One of the big ideas that I’m thinking about is what drives nations to war, so I’ve been doing some light research into that. The most common ones seem to be:

There is a lot here that I can work with to provide reasons for conflict on a grand scale.

In addition, I’ve been thinking about internal turmoil within empires. What causes governments to become weak, and to fall into totalitarianism, civil war, or even anarchy? It has been interesting looking into this and seeing the kind of steps that happen in civil discourse, law, policing, media, education and others as an empire starts to fail.

In Born to the Purple these are not scripted responses for each of the empires. Rather, I want to provide guidance about how each empire might change its internal and external postures. In conjunction with that, how do the PC diplomats place a finger on the scales of power, whether within their own regime or in wider conflicts? If the players are to find their characters in the role of a Londo, Delenn, G’Kar, or Sheridan, what challenges and opportunities might they face?

I’ve also reviewed the actions, and one of the Resolve actions that I wasn’t entirely happy with was ‘Lead’. I wanted something that could be used to more actively pursue a cause and while I was wrestling with the best word to use Jen Adkins suggested ‘Scheme’ which is perfect.

Fewer playtests this month, although I’ve enjoyed the one I’ve been in very much.

We continued our playtest from last month with the same characters attending another event - in this case an art exhibition. They developed relationships between each other, and started weighing up some of the other people that they were meeting, making friends and occasionally enemies along the way. (notes courtesy of Camilla Zamboni)

The invitation is to Mrs Drake and companions. She is eager to attend this exhibition sponsored by Lady Margaret Emmerson (who has an eye for upcoming artists) In this case a Mr Henry Oakes.

Emmeline got dressed really quickly and efficiently. She likes clear rules about what to wear for formal events. When she is finished she sees Julia standing looking worried, as she doesn’t know what to wear. Emmeline says “I can’t tell you, but I could make suggestions” and she quickly bursts into action and is getting Julia all done up. Julia secretly smiles. (Retrospectively Emmeline spends a token to illustrate friendship developing with Julia)

Margaret comes in dressed with a couple of faux pas. She is wearing some daytime clothes, and her hair is down, which is definitely not on. Plus she has her writing bag…

Emmeline can quickly correct her. Margaret wants to keep the writing gear though! She agrees in the end that she will just take some sheets of paper.

A classic building with a domed roof. This exhibition is in one wing. There are some other people milling around. This is going to be a more exclusive event.

Two people receiving us at the entrance. We are introduced to the elderly Lady Emmerson in here seventies. Classically dressed and full of energy. She introduces the artist, Henry Oakes. Attractive and well put together. mid to late twenties. Julia blushes heavily when introduced to him. Emmeline wants to know what is his best work and he said “Kindred Spirits”. Julia compliments Margaret, saying that she is really good at art.

We see some familiar faces.  Lady Delores Patterson and her ward Isabelle Porter, Julia’s friend.

Margaret leads us over to that group after debating romanticism a little with Emmeline. Lady Patterson asks what we think of the event but Julia asks how one should observe. Lady Patterson says ‘like with friends, first observe from a distance but then draw closer”. Julia takes a glove token.

Margaret monologues about her art appreciation, and Emmeline scans the room and looks at other conversations (including one between two gentlemen in their early twenties by a sculpture). One argues that there is technical skill but it isn’t saying anything. the other less well dressed one says that it is commercial drek! Emmy mosies in and joins the conversation. She thinks that was a strong opinion considering the detail in the cloth and the navel of the sculpture.

The well dressed one is Mr Alexander Delaney, the son of a baron. The other one is mr Percy Quinn. He feels it is for the best that the artist has given up on sculpture… Emmy gasps. She wants to defend the art she likes.

Emmy brings Mr Delaney over to meet the others. Julia expresses her love for romanticism. Margaret asks whether he is an artist and upon hearing he is an applicant to the royal academy her expression completely changes.

Julia (spends violet token) and can see that Delany might be a good match for Margaret. When Delany has a vision of art married with poetry, Julia says how good it would be to have someone else write poetry married to his art. He thinks that would be delightful and (spending a rose token) Julia plants the idea in his mind that Margaret might be such a person.

Margaret really appreciates Juliet’s help, and it deepens their friendship (spends a token). She is able to recite some poetry in the gallery and is delighted to be able to do so.

Julia links arms with isobella to take a tour of the gallery. Margaret and Emmy head off together. Margaret apologises for being forward with Delaney but Emmy cuts her off, and says that it isn’t a problem, there are many men around, and she isn’t worried. Margaret wants to see the art more than the men.

Julia introduces herself and Miss Porter, to Mr. Quinn who mentions that he knows Miss Porter already. Julia observes that Miss Porter hangs from his every word, and she understands that this might be Isobella’s secret beau! She acts as a wingwoman, drawing them closer together then leaving them to spend time together. She is keen to foster their relationship (it has become one of her goals).

Near the “kindred spirits” painting we see William Drake. Julia makes a beeline for him and flirts within societies constraints, which seems to please him.

The other two girls wonder whether Julia is getting too close to a man who is not of impeccable character, and move over to talk to Sir August Emerson and Miss Josephine Emerson, grandchildren of the host, who are looking bored

Emmeline finds out that Mr. August Emerson is kind of blah about art in general. Miss Josephine seems more serious than her brother: but Emmeline quickly finds out that she is a huge snob and starts skewering her. Emmeline takes it to heart and decides that Miss Josephine’s must be her nemesis.

Emmeline asks Josephine about seeking recommendations for Margaret’s art contacts, and Josephine responds by saying that marrying an artist is probably not a good idea. Well, Margaret replies that what makes life worth it is actually all forms of art. They go back and forth  a bit, with Emmeline and Margaret realising that Josephine is really unpleasant. They wander off.

Julia realizes that Emmeline is feeling out of place, and that is new for her: she doesn’t like Josephine, a snob and bully, and Margaret is absorbed by the painting. 

Julia joins Emmeline and grabs her by the arm, taking her around and asking her how she feels. Emmeline starts talking and rants angrily at Julia. Julia cries, and Emmeline storms off the building. 

Seeing all of this, Mrs. Drake draws her own (wrong) conclusions and goes to scold Mr. Drake, the rake! 

Margaret wants to find info on Mr. Oakes and Mr. Delaney, so she goes to find Lady Patterson, who shares some gossip about:

Then Margaret gives Lady Patterson the sketch of her beautiful smelling salts vial. Lady Patterson is moved and her opinion of Margaret is really fond. Then Lady Patterson tells the story of some of her travels to India, where her brother was stationed. She is a rich woman who has never married and has always pursued her passions. Margaret is mesmerised and says she is always available to help Lady Patterson with anything.

Emmeline is outside, and Mrs. Drake goes to find her. Emmeline tells Mrs. Drake to check on Julia, and Mrs. Drake asks if this is about William Drake. Emmeline is shocked and says no, that it was her fault. Mrs. Drake then gives her some advice on how to patch things up with Julia, and then considers apologising to her nephew…

Julia comes out of the powder room, and Mr. Drake notices she looks shaken. He asks what’s happened, takes her hand and pats it, and she leans into him. She says she feels worn and he proposes to go get some air. Mr. Drake escorts her out…. And Julia considers pursuing her interest with Mr. Drake.

Julia goes to chat with Mrs. Drake. She asks about how to be there for friends and be comforting without being a burden. Mrs. Drake gives her advice, and also says there is chocolate at home, which makes Julia happy. 

The event comes to an end and they leave.

They get into the carriage and chat after the event: Julia and Margaret chat about the info they acquired, and their approaches on love and whether to make a strong connection earlier on in the Season, and whether to be interested in someone for their stability or their passion and artistry.

Emmeline looks down and says that we all need to think about how we live our life and how we are perceived by others. Julia grabs her chin and tells her that nothing will come between them, and they’ll read love poems together tonight. They cry and hug. 

Margaret is really unsure of what’s happening, but leans back and lets the other two chat, then asks what has happened at the party. Emmeline and Julia start laughing and explain.

Mrs. Drake hears the girls giggling and smiles, content.

Looking forward to the next part of the Season next month!

Although it is a three day event, I just went along on the Saturday. I’ve not got a table, nor have I booked into any games. I just wanted to visit, see the lie of the land, maybe spend a bit of money, maybe try some small demo games.

What actually happened was:

10:30 arrived at the hall (90 minute drive, 15 minute queuing to get to parking, 20 minute walk from car park to halls). Badge queue was relatively short at that time, so I then wandered around to try to get a sense of place, and to find out where two stalls where that I was going to help on a little. First I tracked down Compose Dream, the Canadian and UK distributor who carry some of my games and wanted a little extra stock. I dropped off some additional copies of The Long Road Home, Love & Barbed Wire, Tail-End Charlie and new to them A Cool and Lonely Courage. Then I said hello to folks at the UK TIN stand on my way to find Patchwork Fez. The convention is huge, and even with a map and their helpful ‘street labelling’ it was still extraordinarily difficult to find people!

11:30 met up with some old friends who had been touring the halls in the morning before gaming in the afternoon. Really nice to see them again, was surprised when this guy said “Hi Alex” who looked like a film star and I drew a total blank. Turns out I hadn’t seen him since he was 15 or so, and a lot can change in another 15 years!

12 noon I went to Patchwork Fez and helped out on their stand for a couple of hours. Sarah Cole (the writer of Terminus and other fine system-neutral horror adventures) had kindly agreed to host some other publishers, and she was carrying Expect Three Visitors and The Long Road Home for me.

2pm I wandered the halls again and had some chats with Gar at Pelgrane Press, Nick Bate at the Black Armada stand, and many others.

3pm joined the Compose Dream team and helped on their stand for over an hour,

4.30pm went to visit Big Table and had an interesting time listening to James Wallis talk to a number of people about the plans for Big Table (as a UK and Ireland industry body), the difficulty of businesses jumping from micro-business to the next tier and so on. Also great talking to Colm Lundberg, director of the Museum of Games Ireland.

Then it was 6pm and the halls closed. There probably would have been an opportunity for socialising at the Hilton later, but I didn’t know where that was and it was going to take me over 2 hours to get home so I called it a day.

I also didn’t play any games, and my time ended up quite fragmented so I didn’t spend as much time perusing games as I might have done.

Turns out I didn’t buy any new games. There were some that caught my eye, but I’ve got too many unread games on my desk at the moment. I couldn’t in good conscience add to that pile!

Next year I’ll plan my time better, get signed up to join some games (or run some games) and make sure I meet all the people I hope to see, rather than rely on chance!

Thanks for reading, that’s all for this month.