A return of faces started this meet, although Andy couldn’t make it meaning we had seven players. Good to see a couple of players who had been away for a while with Richard and Steve both making appearances.
With such numbers the only option was to play one big game, which as we will see was a game of two halves.

Geoff Malk Old Skool > Stevan New Ventrue > Paul Reckless Assamites > Steve !Tor Vote > Richard !Brujah Toolbox > Sam Ahrimanes > Kieran Harbingers Toolbox

With seven players there was a slow build up, some of which came from the reduced number of turns. Also there seemed to be a large number of vote decks, or decks with at least some votes in. At various stages of the game we had a Justicar, three Princes, three Priscus, a Bishop and numerous vote modifying cards on the table such as Powerbase:Madrid. Anyway as the game progressed Geoff put quite a lot of pressure on Stevan with Dominate bleeds, although they were occassionally bounced as far as Richard. Stevan bought out three voters, and stabilised with Minion Taps. Paul tried to call some Reckless Agitations, but the majority were voted down, or had the damage spread thinly. Steve also had votes, such as Conservative Agitation, but also needed to negotiate his votes, not least because he shared the Priscus block with Kieran. Richard struggled, stuck with big cap vampires, indeed he only managed to bring on into play, and being on the end of a bounce chain. I pulled out the main Ahrimanes, and slowly applied pressure on Kieran, mostly preventing him from getting his actions out. Kieran cycled his deck and ashheap, and used The Slaughterhouse on Geoff, along with Maabara. As the game came to time there were a few surges, with the final one being a vote from Steve that would have ousted Richard, which saw all of the votes come into play from every source possible and ended up being voted down 16:16 - yes 32 votes on the table!
When time was called everyone was still in, as predicted and as such it has little effect on the League Table, but here are the updated standings.

Draw all players 0.5vps.

Results 2008

Paul 6 GWs 3 Draws 21.5 vps 14 Total Games 0.43

Graham 2 GWs 2 Draws 11.0 vps 13 Total Games 0.15

Steve 2 GWs 2 Draws 10.0 vps 5 Total Games 0.40

Sam 1 GWs 2 Draws 8.0 vps 13 Total Games 0.08

Kieran 0 GWs 3 Draws 3.0 vps 5 Total Games 0.00

Stevan 0 GWs 2 Draws 3.0 vps 10 Total Games 0.00

Geoff 0 GWs 1 Draws 0.5 vps 3 Total Games 0.00

Richard 0 GWs 1 Draws 0.5 vps 1 Total Games 0.00

Nick 0 GWs 0 Draws 0.0 vps 3 Total Games 0.00

Andy 0 GWs 0 Draws 0.0 vps 0 Total Games 0.00

Total: 14 Games (11 GW, 3 Draw)

However we then realised that we only had 70 minutes until Richard had to leave to get his train, which would not be enough for a second game. So we just continued with the first one, planning to play without a time limit - however time became a factor as we will see.

Richard at this stage was looking vulnerable, so the table tried to keep him in, with him getting the Powerbase:Montreal, and calling a couple of Consanguineous Boons on !Brujah. However Steve kept applying pressure, helped by Jost Werner and his +1 stealth. I also pushed forward, working on the cracks in Kierans defence, the rest of the table also moved forward but more cautiously. Richard was finally ousted, and the next turn Kieran followed. Steve then stabilised for a turn or two, getting Matteus armed with Eternal Vigilance, Bowl of Convergance and finally a Sniper Rifle. Fortunately Paul had stealth, although it was not always enough. Geoff still pushed forward, with Majesties preventing his Sawn Off Shotgun from getting much use. Stevan now had considerable voting power, as he had the Palace of Versailles to give him more votes. However the table was cracking under the pressure and in a couple of swift turns I ousted Geoff and Stevan in succession, and then I pushed through Paul as well. The time was now approaching three and a half hours, and I had said to Paula via phone that I would be home soon half an hour ago. Both Steve and I had four minions, with Steve having lost the Sniper Rifle but gaining the Ivory Bow. He also had the bloating cards, with The Rack and Powerbase Montreal on his side. However his deck was running out, while I still had around 20 cards left. However I couldn’t play on so self ousted, with Vessels, Smiling Jack and then transferring out. It would have been interesting to play on, but it could have easily gone on for another half hour and maybe longer. My next few cards were Giants Blood and Fame, which would have helped me considerably. Oh well.

Sam GW 4vps, Steve 3vps, Geoff 0vps, Kieran 0vps, Paul 0vps, Richard 0vps, Stevan 0vps.

We all then got to go home, after having another successful meet at The Huntsman. I am sure I will try and organise another one soon, perhaps for the first Wednesday of May, which would be the 7th. They have updated their menus, although four of us still went for the House Special Burger, currently christened the Vtes Special.

Next week (9th April) Nick should be back, although Steve will be off to France and Kieran is busy. The plan will be to play at 18 QC Gardens, although might need to check the buses for Nick as the A36 is currently closed, so it might take even longer than usual.

The week after (16th April) Steve will be back for a week, while Kieran is still busy. Again plan for 18 QC Gardens, we will have to see how many players we get.

Upcoming Events.

7th May Vtes at The Huntsman - really should chase up Phil about this, also no excuses this time Andy!

14th June, ECQ in Swansea, I know that Richard and Graham are unavailable, I have to check myself.

12th July, Constructed Tournament in Swansea.

9th August, pencilled in date for BloodBATH 2008: Sixth Tradition.

I would also like to pencil in some other tournaments, but for the numbers of players we currently have it would need commitment for two consecutive Wednesday nights - would be rounds 1&2 first week, and round 3 and final the second week. I have a good prize available, which is the game Prince of the City - almost a Vtes boardgame for 2-5 players. I would also hope to have a set of Blood Shadowed Court and still available is a signed Saulot and the Werewolf Puppet.

Sam