Notes from Hades

ot much to report this time around. Things are busy, but going well around the Hassler household. The wine making continues, and I have bottled four batches so far – three batches of blackberry wine and one batch of blackberry port. I'll let you know in a few months how it turns out.

Last month, I mentioned that I had been contacted by the editor of Flagship magazine. Well, she was kind enough to send me a copy of the magazine, and I have to say that I was impressed. It is very professional looking; glossy pages and some color pages. It covers the gamut of games – computer, online, board, and every combination in between. They are actively looking for reviewers, so if you are at all interested, please contact Carol Mulholland at carol@flagshipmagazine.com. A one or two page review will get you a free copy of this impressive and informative zine.

No games ended this turn, although a couple are getting close. Pavlov is just one or two turns away, and Retriever is potentially one turn away.

The next deadline is Tuesday, January 3 at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Please do not call or fax orders after 10:00 p.m. Pacific time. My wife and I tend to retire early. Also, if you want to fax in orders, call first. We hang up on unannounced faxes.

Game Openings

Doberman. Industrial Waste. This game will start after Junk Yard Dog ends. Have Eric Brosius, Dave Partridge, Richard Weiss, and Michael Longdin. This game is closed, but Dave and Eric are willing to defer to anyone who is not in Junk Yard Dog.

Outlaw Dogs. Gunslinger. A game of shootouts in the old West. The exact scenario to be determined. Have Chris Geggus, Paul Bolduc, Dave Partridge, Andy Lewis, and Mike Scott, need up to 2 more.

Jackal. New World. A game of colonization in the Americas. Have Dave Partridge, Andy Lewis, Bob Robles, Andy York, and Brendan Whyte, will take up to 1 more.

Sled Dog. Kremlin. Have Chris Geggus, Bill Scharf, Dennis Cain, Bob Robles, Mike Scott, and Michael Longdin. Starts this issue!

Sirius. Merchant of Venus. We will use the Fast Setup, Lost ? Box, Own Species Bonus, Customized Spaceships, and the Agents, Bases, and Second Ships optional rules. Victory will be $4000. Have Chris Geggus, Dave Partridge, Andy Lewis, Dennis Cain, Bob Robles, and Paul Bolduc. This game is closed.

Terrier. Silverton. We will play the advanced game with the Hiring and Advancement optional rule. Have Dave Partridge, Bill Scharf, Andy Lewis, and Paul Bolduc, will take up to 2 more.

Hound. Outpost. Dave Partridge, Bill Scharf, Kevin Wilson, Andy Lewis, Michael Lowrey, Andy York, and Eric Brosius, will take up to 3 more.

Flea Collar. Kremlin. This game will start when Sled Dog ends. Have Bob Robles, Brendan Whyte, Pasquale Giovine, and Chris Geggus, need up to 2 more.

Wish List

Dune. We will use the optional Lansraad, Ixians, and Bene Tleilaxu powers. Have Kevin Wilson, Bob Robles, and Paul Bolduc, will take up to 3 more (4 if one player plays the Bene Tleilaxu).

History of the World. Have Andy Lewis and Kevin Wilson, will take up to 5 more.

Seafarers of Catan. We will be playing the Oceans scenario. Have Mike Scott and Dave Partridge, need up to 4 more.

Machiavelli. Rules determined by player vote as usual. Have Kevin Wilson, Dave Partridge, Bob Robles, and Dale Horsley, will take up to 4 more.

Age of Renaissance. This game will start when Dog Chow finishes. Have Michael Longdin and Bob Robles, need up to 4 more.

In general, game ownership is recommended, but not required.

Note that a subscription to S.O.B. is not required to play in a game run by flier, but that a game fee will be charged to non-subbers.