@RogerBW The pragamatic answer, as in do the least to correct the problem, is to simply say each hex is now X meters across, and calculate a new amount of time for the turn.
The obvious choices would be either 10x to create 300 meter hexes, or if one wanted machine guns to be the measure of effective range, then 500 meters per hex.
Pretty much deals with the range issue without having to jigger the game mechanics. Obviously, we would need some hand wave justification for close combat between mechs, but that’s relatively trivial because after all it’s friggin’ giant robots.
And @dscheidt I agree, but people would say why are we using a ‘woogitydoo’ when an archaic machine gun can reach out to x meters?
In the spirit of the season, I decided to start reading some horror stuff! Definitely not a genre I’m experienced with,so my initial foray was something of a mixed bag.
The Cabinet—still got some sci-fi in the early parts of the month, but this had some quite creepy moments! Think the SCP Foundation if it had a few drinks and learned to relax. Pretty good and very quick, but not something I would strongly recommend. Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet–No creepiness here, just a delightful sci-fi romp. My only criticism would be it’s a bit insubstantial, but that actually plays to its strengths. It doesn’t overreach or ask questions it isn’t equipped to answer; the whole story is a handful of interesting, well-developed characters, coming together in a fun and low-stress adventure. Strongly recommend for a breath of fresh air. Wakenhyrst–the first book in my horror foray, and it was fine. Read more like a coming-of-age story than genuine horror, but it was well-written enough. Wylding Hall–some extremely creepy moments, but it all kind of fizzled out into nothing at the end. It was extremely short (maybe 150 pages?), and for a little bit I thought my ebook might have been converted wrong or something, because it didn’t really seem to end. Not bad, but not what I was looking for. Lock Every Door–finally, a front-to-back creepy tale! I didn’t love the ending, but the rest was a great bit of modern urban horror. My general interest is in more Lovecraftian horror (unspeakable monstrosities, the impotence of human understanding, etc.), but this helped me break out of that.
Horror is not a genre I’m experienced with, so any recommendations would be welcome! I already have a list of Stephen King works, but not sure what the other “great” works of modern horror are.
I used to work on the old Royal Airship Works site where the R101 was built (there’s a Met Office research station there now). The hangars are truly enormous:
I just finished Memories of Ice, Book 3 of Malazan. Before that I read Deadhouse Gates obviously. I had forgot that the ending of Memories of Ice is just as brutal as Deadhouse Gates. And yet there is always that glimmer of something beyond, some hope.
I had remembered the death‘s of Deadhouse Gates but I had forgotten who was going to go in Memories of Ice. I had a vague idea and misremembered making the finale with Kallor‘s (announced) betrayal and the stupid leg breakingof Whiskyjack (also very much announced) still a shock. I do remember that the Bridgeburners ascend at some point. And some of course survive and seeing Duiker at the end… is good, too.I like very much how the Mhybe‘s new realm will eventually be a home for the T‘Lan Imass and the secret realm for the 2 Jaghut children that Quick Ben and Paran fashion is unexpected as ever.
And then there are the various tales of all the characters: one of the most fascinating is definitely Itkovian despite the initial appearance of the Grey Swords feeling somewhat „boring“—just another mercenary company? Anaster and Toc though I have a hard time following the latter parts of the tale of the wolf gods. Evenl the 3rdd time around. It is interwoven with that of the Bridgeburners dying at a crucial point where I am paying far more attention to them…
As alwasy there is some comic relief with the Mott Irregulars and obviously Kruppe. Some weird stuff like the necromancers. Something elder with Lady Envy and something blue…
I like the tales of friendships in this book. Between Whiskyjack and others. Between O’nos Toolan and Toc.
In the rush of the finale, I must have missed again how Onos returned to flesh and blood and I fail to grasp the significance of him throwing down is sword. But I very much enjoy that scene with him and Kilava (and Hetan) at the end.
First was blitzing through four Kristine Kathryn Rusch Retrieval Artist series. The first three books in the series were a bit meh. I mean they were well written, but the story in each didn’t really grab me.
However, I had bought the following five in the series, partially because I enjoy her writing and my partner loved them. So, long story short they went on my TBR pile for ages (like several years).
And then I picked up the fourth book, Buried Deep… and I was hooked. This and the next four just sucked me in, and I read them one after the other. So guess what? Yep just order the next three in the series.
In the mean time…
I’m reading Stephen Baxter’s Xeelee omnibus collecting: Raft; Timelike Infinity; Flux; and Ring. Read the first story and now on the second and while he might not be a great stylist his stories are compelling with OTT sense of wonder. So, I’ve been bookmarking more Xeelee books for later.
If you like mysteries then the Rusch books deliver the thrills. If you like your SF harder, with big ideas then the Baxter books are excellent.
I finished House of Chains also known as Malazan 4 last night. Another nerve-wracking finale. So many dead. So much drama. My colleague remembers the ending to this one as anticlimactic. But it wasn’t to me.
I remember my first reading of this book though and being very very confused about two thirds of the plot neither Karsa Orlong nor Trull Sengar made any sense whatsoever. Knowing more this reads so much better… also knowing about the song of the Bridgeburners made it all so much better.
Like so often with Erikson it is all in the subtext. And that one is difficult to see especially in the final rush I often missed it too…
You know they got their own set of novellas? Basically just an introduction in MoI.
I often hear the complaint about the “anticlimactic finale” in this book and it is not wrong but it is done on purpose, the 14th army feels exactly the same about the final events and it is a big part of the Bonehunters to never be sure about themselves and their strength. Their first big battle is done by ghosts in HoC, their next big battle is Ygathan in BH which is a total disaster. The final battle in BH is not really much better fighting against Malazan soldiers and citizens. The campaign in RG is also not a clear win, doesn’t help that most Bonehunters know as much as the reader why they are there. So it is a big chip on their shoulders for a long time till the end.
Thanks for the clue regarding Onos. I had read that passage but failed to grasp that THAT was the moment.
I really enjoyed the finale. Probably missed a few details again, as there is just too much going on. But that last night with everyone in the camp basically trying to murder everyone else… and Karsa just cleaving his way through and taking the 2 Deragoth along. And then the ghosts…
One of my favorite moments in Memories of Ice (I think) is Anomander Rake going out by himself to scare the opposing army… and it is credible that he can do this in his dragon form. But Anomander Rake is a figure from legend… even for most this series which is overflowing with legends (and I love it). And here seeing Karsa’s legend being made in this book… epic
More than once these books reminded me of our Exalted campaign. The one and only time I played a fighter character…
Anyway, I’ve started book 5. This is getting into territory I have in the past always have difficulty with. In fact on my previous re-read I stumbled during reading this one and quit.
Forgot to say that I really liked the ending. I love how Erikson manages to add Greek tragedy to his stories and this finale was 100% old Greek stuff. And there is a ton of action. Not just the ones readers expected.
That’s an apt description regarding Karsa and his comparison with Anomander Rake.
This was the only book I struggled with in the beginning on my first read. The whole new setting made it hard but after a while I got into it.
It is still further down in my ranking I think though I love the humor between Bugg and Tehol (except some sex jokes) and stories of both sets of brothers is great. Especially the Edur brothers. It has a lot of good stuff in it
On my first read, I was screaming (in my head) at the book to not
put the helmet on.
Just don’t! No helmet!
Of course this bit I will always remember.
And then Pearl and Lostara saying they know she is dead. But not telling. And Pearl vanishing the body.
By book 4 however, I knew even that first time that there would be no reprieve.
Another note: Karsa is the worst person at the start of the book. He has earned the whole literal baggage dragging behind him. And yet by the end I am somehow rooting for him. That’s a piece of genius character development. Well … maybe I am just rooting against the Crippled God more than for Karsa… who knows.
But the Crippled God also changed a lot. The relationship between gods and their followers is a complicated one, a lot of the series is about how they can influence each other (Mael, Errant, the Dying God, the Redeemer,…). And the culmination of that is the relationship between the Bonehunters and the Crippled God. This is a good discussion on that, not very extensive but it got the important parts: Reddit - Dive into anything
In the end they freed him and he decided to write the Malazan Book of the Fallen which is a very interesting twist from a narrative and rereading perspective .
I often missed it too…