The Lost Battalion Dispatch #67A for the October 16, 2023

Special Littoral Edition

Land Ho!

Mankind has always had a tumultuous relationship with the sea. She had provided a bounty to feed his family with one hand, and taken the lives of all he loved with the other. The sea, vast and indifferent, has been both savior and destroyer.

In the quiet hours of dawn, when the world is painted in shades of gray, the fishermen set out, their sturdy boats slicing through the restless waters. They seek the bounty of the deep, the treasures hidden beneath the waves.

The sea, with her fickle moods, tests the resolve of those who dare to court her. The skies may be clear and the winds gentle, a deceptive calm that lulls the fishermen into a false sense of security. But then, without warning, the tempest roars to life. Waves rise like leviathans, hungry for flesh and bone.

Yet, despite her merciless ways, mankind persists in his courtship of the sea. He builds lighthouses to guide ships safely to shore, a beacon of hope in the darkness. He constructs mighty vessels that defy the wrath of Poseidon himself.

The sea, with all its allure and treachery, offers a peculiar form of security—a defense against the ravages of landborne invasion. Many a great port city was found unassailable because of a strong fleet and a protected harbor. Constantinople stood countless sieges. The Long Walls between Athens and Pireaus sustained the City-state against the ferocious Spartan infantry. And yet, without the protection of a strong navy and coastal defenses, the sea grants passage to those marauders of the waves, the sea-faring reavers. Pirates. Or their "legal" counterparts, privateers.

With the soul of a 19th-century Natural Historian, I ponder this intricate relationship between man and the sea. The dichotomy of security and vulnerability, of plenty and peril, unfolds like a story from the annals of the past. The sea, like the most enigmatic of muses, elicits both adoration and fear, a testament to the profound connection between humanity and the natural world.

In this narrative, the sea remains a mercurial entity, a double-edged sword that both protects and threatens. It is a testament to the enduring struggle of mankind to navigate the tempestuous waters of existence, drawing inspiration from the depths and learning to navigate the treacherous shoals of history.

In short, the sea and especially the littoral (Latin litus, "shore") regions make a whacking good place to tell a story!

Land Ho! Ready to Go in Seconds with A Place 2 Play' Integrated Terrain System.

And so, A Play 2 Play, one of our Lost Battalion Publishing family of companies, has chosen littoral regions as the first in our series of Integrated Terrain System (ITS) sets. This is just the beginning of a system that will get the completely customizable set for your story deployed in record time so that you can get on to the fun of gaming—the fun of telling a story together with your friends and family.

A Good Game Tells a Story

Looks Like those Scury Dogs Have a Copy of the Map Too!

One of the most glorious games I played told the story of a recalcitrant Russian official (me) who refused to execute the czar despite pressure from every other player. They purged my politburo ministers. They wiped out my White Russian armies. I was losing. Badly. And then, on the next to last turn, I spent the Czar's gold to buy the participation of the Japanese and Americans who raced unimpeded over the Siberian rail lines while the Red players were embroiled in their final struggle for supremacy. Meanwhile, the Czar made a perilous sortie with some loyal Cossaks through the Red Lines to rally the Poles and Germans. The Coalition assembled south of Moscow and faced off with the winner of the Reds battle royale. The Czar was outnumbered 100 to 1. But the dice were in his favor. The many details of the hours-long game of Russian Civil War are lost to all those involved. But the story of the Czar's heroic stand will live on. Maybe forever now they are on the internet.

Of course, back in the late 70s, the Tsar was just a cardboard counter and the battllefield was, well, unattractive. We can do better now.

Which X Marks the Spot?

Beautiful terrain and models bring a visual appeal to the story that encourages immersion. FEEL like a pirate for an hour! And NOT on a screen. Do it using tactical objects. Really PLAY a game. And, when you're done, have a story to share with the friends who were part of it...and those unfortunate souls who missed out but will have to hear about it over and over again.

Old Javry Was Never the Best Map Maker.

But This Riddles in the Margin! Once We Get Ashore I'll Figgur 'em Out!

As I've mentioned, this is the first step. We are moving forward with plans, in association with our other properties, to provide starting points (scenarios) for your stories and to allow you to share your stories with the community.

When I Read, "Fangs of Death" I Was Thinking Snakes

Prehistoric Carnivores Are MUCH Worse!

Stay tuned later this week for littoral stories from other eras including the historical content you've come to expect. And, if you'd like, email Cher Ami and let us know how you'd like to see this story end. We'll get the best ending in a future special edition.

And if you want to see our story continue while getting a great value on the first installment of the Integrated Terrain System...

Please back our Canvas Terrain Mat - Sea Series

on

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We're happy to provide you with the content you enjoy and want to expand that content, make it interactive, and give you the opportunity to share your ideas with the communty. Right now we need your support to help us realize that vision.