More Dreams of Valhalla- Rough Draft

As you know, a dream of ours is to build a private resort for wargamers.  Valhalla.  To live free on the land and bring the World to us.  Goodness multiplied by bringing more people in.



The following is just dreaming.  I want to be clear this isn't something we're actually doing right now.  But we will be doing it someday soon.  Now we are just laying the groundwork.  Dreaming is scary.  My mind is sometimes full of doubt.  Who am I to dream this big?  Or maybe this is even not enough.

As a joke, I sometimes say that we're going to take over Mitt Romney's Park City Cabin.  Take over = buy.  Anyway, while searching for that I came across some other little gems.  This is in Deer Valley Utah.  I'm showing this stuff because it's important to formulate a plot in your mind.  I make the jello mould in my brain, the Universe fills it with yummy jello.  I am showing in pictures what it is going to look like.

The place we are renting now is 6000 square feet.  We will need more like 15000 square feet.  If designed well that will give us enough room for a few dozen guests.  One incarnation of Valhalla is very private where we just entertain clients and industry leader-types.

I have said that there is probably somewhere out there a place that has already started to be built but for whatever reason the builders are unable to complete it, which is where we come in.  That looks like this as follows.  This property is actually for sale in Utah.  $10M.

 

Finished Valhalla is something more like this

Or this

Just add a scale forty foot space marine attack cruiser to play on and you've got it about right.

Rave Review for BTP Webstore

BTP,

WOW!!!!!!!  Amazing Business!!!

You only need to read further if you have the time to read a wall of text.

         I received my order today of 16 scarabs, 5 tomb spiders(OOP), and 3 wraiths(OOP).   I bought the models from the new web store, which is easy to use.  It felt like Christmas opening my package. I was in total shock with how well the shipment was securely packaged.  The model prices were comparable if not better then ebay.
       I want to stress how good the packaging was for the price of shipping to Alaska.  Most Ebay users don't have this quality of shipping.  I was a little concerned with the heavy spiders and delicate wraiths falling apart in shipping.  The only broken part was the third claw on a few spiders.  My experience with these claws is they will eventually break off unless they're welded. I'll continue to do business with you first before ebay just because of the quality of shipping.  Even the plastic one piece BTP ruler had it's own bubble wrap burrito to hide in during the journey to Alaska.
       I did the math numerous times to make sure these figure had the best price.  The necrons from BTP cost me $138 compared to Ebay's price of $210.  I would've had to do multiple transactions instead of one stop shopping at BTP if I used ebay.  BTP saved me $72.  This is a HUGE savings for a hobby that can be extremely expensive.  Your models had a decent paint job or primer.  I will only have to do a few hours of painting to blend them into my color scheme(black and yellow).  The Ebay price I quoted was for unpainted and unprimed models.  Needless to say GREAT prices on used models.  Now I have to pull out the math hammer to calculate if I can afford the new necron models on your web store at an even better price.
    I've watched numerous youtube videos explaining the many benefits of BTP.  I didn't fully understand the videos until I did business with BTP.  I'm guaranteed I'll be doing return business because of my first transaction of many.  Living in Alaska you do a lot of shopping online to have the best deals shipped to you directly.  Your Packaging was the best I've ever seen.  I could do an email on how much I appreciated the time and effort put into the packaging.    Your pricing on used models is great considering you have to make a profit off the sale.  I'm able to spend more money at BTP because of the amount I saved.   I'll use BTP web store first as a baseline price before shopping other websites.

Shawn, You have a great business and look forward to future purchases.   I've been painting around an hour a day for about a year and I watch every BTP YouTube video as I paint.

I Sincerely Appreciate Your Business,
Paul L.

Gnoblar Army Book

Hi Shawn & the BTP crew,

Me and a close friend have been working away on something a 'little' special over the last few months and we wanted to share it with you guys as we're both big fans of the work you do and your videos. It would be great to hear what you think about the list, and the idea of having a HORDE OF GNOBLARS!

Well let me collect myself back together again, here's what we've been putting on forums up and down the land:


Hi there,


Firstly let me introduce ourselves, I'm Mark and the other fellow who's been involved in this project is Mitch! We've been working on a independant Gnoblar Kingdoms army list over the last few months and we've finally decided to push it out into the real world so that all you lovely people can enjoy it.


The book is currently in a Beta stage, this is explained on the first page, bit simply the list is completely finished along with all the magic items, magic lore and Gnoblar crazy extras. However the background writing is still in progress and when it's complete the army book will be upgraded. So without any further waiting, here's the link for Warhammer Armies: Gnoblar Kingdoms:



https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B4vRTIacMCgOQTIyTzRUSFJxX00


So what does this book do? To start it can be used in two different ways, the first allowing you to field an army of Gnoblars independantly using all the elements within the book - secondly the other way to use this list is to use it as a contingent force with either the Ogre Kingdoms, Orcs & Goblins or Chaos Dwarfs. This is all detailed within the book.


How do the Gnoblars work as an army? Well Gnoblars aren't the bravest of creatures but the sheer number of them is their main strength, your enemies will find themselves overwhelmed by a tied of viscous little greenskins. However the Gnoblars don't, 'go it alone', as to speak and an army fighting against a horde of Gnoblars will often be surprised that they've got a huge hulking Rhinox chariots joining their ranks as well as the abominidable Yhetees or the destructive Burn Furnace... Whatever happens, playing against a horde of Gnoblars will be a random event, and most likely a lot of fun for both armies involved.


But that's not all, the Gnoblars have lots of tricks up their sleeves which they unleash on their enemies, the Cult of Scrap use their plethora of rusty weapons to enhance the Gnoblars around them. Spoonlickers summon spells to enhance the Gnoblar masses as well as annoying the enemies in an attempt to grind them down, and of course the Gnoblar Firecrackers who rocket Cathayian fireworks into enemy ranks blowing them to pieces! There is much chaos and hilarity to be had...


Thanks for reading,
Mitch W. & Mark H.

Forge World Order Needed

Need someone to make a $500-800 Forge World order.  That's in USD.  You get a credit for painting/assembly equal to that amount plus 30%.  Need the order done today or tomorrow.  You can use this credit for current orders.

Shawn

Panda in Paradise

Yesterday I headed down to the studio around 10am to start our regular 10-4 shift that we have on Saturdays now.

I am currently codifying the art director position which is now full time.  Formerly a principally quality control position, after the project was done, now doing rounds/patrol to double and quadruple check multiple times.  A person whose sole objective in life is to make sure that your project turns out just right.  It's about time.  It's the right time.

A member of our ward (Kirk W.) came by with some cookies so I gave him a tour.  What a kind soul.  Always checking in on me.  Got in the start of a Chaos Dwarf vs Ogres with Mason. 

There are four major fires burning all around Utah.  There is a fine ash slowly settling, tiny bits of dry foliage identifiable in the dust.  The sky is thick and dry; sunlight yellow and sullen.  I can't wait for this to be over.

Once home my wife immediately took off to some vegan cooking class which apparently takes five hours.  Hate to say it but I resent it a little when she's out that much.  Just a little.  Not a lot.  It goes both ways.  I realized recently that we two just don't like the same things.  For example: she loves to travel and I hate it (yes, hate).  So, I feel sorry for her, being married to this loves to stay in town/at home guy.  I like people, you all know I'm sociable.  Just not traffic.  Anyway, instead of letting her invent this or that trip/outing which I drag my feet about, I'm going to take the initiative (which she loves) and invent things for the family to do.  Plan and make them happen.  Working hard on the marital bliss.

I got Tara to run to the FLGS and pick up my sixth edition book.  I spent the entire afternoon and a good part of Sunday (today) looking it over with a giant stack of codexes nearby.  I am also studying online forums to get insights.  I have decided that I'm going to leartn 6th edition 40K but good and thorough.

I for one and very, very happy with 40K.  It's exciting and new.  Things have changed, they always do, but at least the power structure is shaken up which is what I was hoping for.

Sunday was church, just the usual thing, and then an afternoon of lounging around.  Repeat of giant stack of 40K books.  Next shot: Oceanic Eldar again.

I made an egg salad sandwich for dinner.

And now the week in pictures!

 Sarah and I went to scope out a local convention center in Provo which is awesome and we love it.  Shawn-con coming up!  Also ran into Linda Hamilton, the actress who played Sarah Connor in Terminator One.

I had the privilege and honor of voting for RON PAUL this week!  Sadly, Utahns seem to care little for civil liberties or massive over-spending as they voted Sen. Orrin Hatch back into office by a wide margin.  Sad panda.  Same for Mitt Romney who got like 93% of the vote.  A Federal-reserve-loving (or ignoring) Imperialist wish-washer who on key issues that matter to Shawn Gately (sound money, civil liberties, banking system, taxes, foreign intervention) is fundamentally the same as Obama.  Four more years of tinkering around the edges while not changing anything of note. Yes, this panda is quite displeased...

I shouldn't be overly hard on my fellow Utahns.  The vast majority are used to being led without question by a kindly old guy, so it's only natural to landslide in the status quo.  Children are indoctrinated from a young age to be obedient and not to question authority, to look up to their leaders and follow their counsel.  It's the culture.  It can be a great thing, like being in a hive of industry and sharing, but sometimes makes me scratch my head.

Thomas Jefferson was reincarnated in our day and the public sent him packing.  Won't even listen or read.  It's odd really, the power of media.  To make people parrot things back.

 Apparently Brittany Spears is doing some volunteer work at our church.  Here she is posing with Willow outside her primary class.

6th Ed 40k stuff pulled from Various Sources

A good article about Tau in sixth edition.  They got some huge boosts and much-needed.  Notably Fire Warrior shooting power and mobility (move and shoot, plus rapid fire at 15").

from dakkadakka's rattman

ok so pyschic powers
biomancy
primary power is a basic smite

caster gets D3 str and toughness
target unit get -1 str and toughness
target unit get FNP
assault 2 every unsaved would heals one off caster
pysker get +d3 init
target makes toughness test or take 1 wound no save, if slain jumps to model with in 2' and make save. continue till someone saves or no targets left


divination
primary target unit rerolls failed hits
psycher and unit gain counter attack and get full BS for overwatch
target unit gain 4++
target unit must reroll passed armor saves
psycher and unit ignore cover
psyker rerolls failed failed hits, wounds and armor saves
psyker roll 3 dicechoose the result you want when rolling for reserves, outflank and mysterious terrain

pyromancy
primary flame breath (flamer)
psyker gains 4+ invo
target unit gains 4+ cover save
flame attack assault 1, sould blaze (no idea) blast, ignore cover
target model takes 1 wound , no armor or cover save allowed, place small blast template anyone hit takes a str 4 ap 5 hit
assault 2d6, blind, ignore cover attack
str 8, ap 1 assault 1, melta

telekenisis
assault 1 str 6 . strikedown (halves init and target moves as if its dangerous terrain)
roll 2d6 target takes hit equal to strength (11 or 12 auto wound) ap is equal to seperate dice roll
remove models from table, deepstrike within 24 inchs of where they were
hostile unit must reroll hits and wounds of 6
assault D6 pinning attack
all friendlies with 12 inchs get 5++
str 10, heavy 1 blast

telepathy
primary 3d6 - target leadership wounds to target unit
target unit has to make leadership roll or do nothing
target freindly stops falling back and gets fearless
hostile model makes an attack as if it owned by psyker
target hostile losses fearless and treats all units as fear causing
invisibility gains shrouding and stealth, hostiles charged by this unit lose counter attack and fight at WS 1
roll on table 1-2 unit pinned, 3-4 cannot run, shoot or stirke blows 5-6 attack own unit


acute senses: lets you reroll outflank results determining where your unit comes from. NOTE: at least 1 member of the unit has to has this rule in order for the whole unit to gain the reroll. so a IC in a unit can let his unit he joined reroll if he got acute senses and the unit does not.
Adamantium Will: the unit gets a + 1 modifier for the deny the witch roll. NOTE: the same as with acute senses.. t least 1 member of the unit has to has this rule in order for the whole unit to gain the bonus.
And they shall know no Fear: it is exactly the same as in the fifth edition but with the addition of beeing immune to the fear rule.
Assault Vehicle: the unit may assault the turn it disembarks a transport. even on a turn the vehicle gets destroyed.
Armourbane: the modell rolls 2d6 for armour penetration.
Blind: a unit hit by a model with a blind attack must immmediatly do a initiative test. if they fail the check the unit is WS and BS 1 until the end of their next turn.
Brotherhood of psykers/sorcerors: the unit counts as beeing psyker mastery level 1. psychic tests are made with the LD of the character (justicar/seargent) if he is no longer in the unit, a random modell may do the test. perils of the warp work the same way.
Bulky: modells with this rule count as beeing 2 models in transports.
very bulky: modells with this rule count as beeing 3 models inside a transport
extremely bulky: models with this rule count as 5 models inside a transport.
concussive: a model suffering one or more wounds from a weapon with this special rule are reduced to initiative 1 until the next assault phase.
counter- attack: same as in 5th.
crusader: a unit with at least one model with this rule roll a extra dice forrun moves and take the highest result, in addition the rule adds d3 to the sweeping advance total.
daemon: models with this rule have a 5+ invulnerable save and cause fear.
eternal warrior: same as in 5th.
fear: at the start of each fight-sub phase units in base contact have to pass a LD test. if failed the enemy unit is WS1. as they shall know no fear and fearless auto passes the fear test. NOTE. fear causing units are not immune to fear themselves.
Fearless: auto pass pinning, fear, regroup test, auto morale checks. cannot go to ground. cannot select to fail morale check due to "our weapons are useless".
Feel no Pain: now a 5+ does not work against attacks that cause instant death.
Fleet: units with this special rule may reroll one or more dice for run and cahrge ranges. NOTE: every model in the unit has to have this rule in order for it to work.
Fleshbane: models with this special rule always wound on 2+ in close combat. ranged weapons with this special rule also always wound on a 2+
Force: basically force weapon activation. requires 1 warp charge.
Furious charge: +1 strength in assault. no longer initiative.
gets hot!: same as before but now also works on vehicles firing those weapons.a vehicle failing to hit with a 1. suffers a glancing hit on a further d6 roll of 1-3. on plasma cannons you roll a d6. if 1 you roll again and get glanced on a 1-3 aswell.
hammer of wrath: models with this rule do a single automatic hit against the enemy unit with the unmodified strength of the model and AP - with initiatve 10.
hatred: reroll to hits in the first round of combat.
haywire: as of codex DE. on a hit against a vehicle a d6 is rolled. if 1 nothing happens. 2-5 glancing hit, on a 6 a penetrate.
hit & run: same as in 5th. does not get slowed by difficult terrain.
ignores cover: cannot do saving throws against wounds caused by weapons/models with this rule.
infiltrate: same as 5th but you cannot assault in the first turn.
instnat death: same as in 5th.
interceptor: at the end of the enemys movement phase a weapon with this rule may be fired at a enemy unit arriving from reserves if it is within weapon range and line of sight. this also works together with the skyfire rule using its normal BS against the flyer.
it will not die: a chance for models to regain a life/hullpoint when rolling a 5+ with a d6. at the end of each friendly turn.
jink: a model with this special rule that moved gains a 5+ coversave until the next turn. if the model turbo boost the cover save will increase to a 4+.
Lance same as in 5th (every AV above 12 will be treated as if AV 12)
master-crafted: same as in 5th.
Melta: same as in 5th.
Missle lock: missles fired by a model with missle lock only scatter 1d6 instead of 2d6.
Monster Hunter: reroll all failed to hit rolls against monstrous creatures.
move through cover: roll a additional d6 when moving through cover. additionally auto passes dangerous terrain tests. move through cover has no effect on charge ranges.
night vision: ignores the night fighting rules.
outflank: same as in 5th.
pinning: same as in 5th.
poisoned: always wound on a set amount (4+ for example) unless you can get a better result with your strength. the reroll to wound when S is equal or higher to the T of the enemy remains.
power of the machine spirit: unless the vehicle has not moved flat out or used smoke launchers. the vehicle fire one more weapon than normal allowed with the normal BS instead of snap firing. can also target a different enemy unit if the player choses to do so.
preffered enemy: allows to reroll every roll to hit and to wound of a 1. works in both, close combat and shooting.
psychic pilot: for psychic tests the vehicle counts as beeing LD 10. if a perils of the warp happens the vehicle takes a glancing hit.
Rage: no longer moving to the closest target in range. it now grants +2 attacks instead of +1 when assaulting.
Rampage: in the fight sub phase. if outnumbered by the enemy. roll a d3 for every modell with the rule. gaining the result as extra attacks.
relentless: same as in 5th using BS with heavy weapons while moving and assaulting after shooting.
Rending: every to wound roll of a 6 counts as AP2. against vehicles its AP 2 and d3 additional armor pen.
scout: is now a redeploy as far as the model can move. cannot assault in turn 1 after scout move nor can you disembark or embark.
shred: reroll to wounds in close combat. a ranged weapon with this rule may reroll to wound while shooting.
shrouded: +2 to your cover save. in the open the unit has a 5+ coversave. shrouded and stealth are cumulative.
skilled rider: automatically passes danerous terrain tests. in addition the jink save gets increased by 1.
skyfire: may use its own BS when firirng against flyiers or flying mosntrous creatures.
slow and purposefull: cannot run, sweeping advance, turbo boost or overwatch. otherwise they are treated exactly like relentless.
smash: attacks made are AP2. may halve attacks made but double strength (max 10) and reroll for armor penetration.
sniper: same as 5th except you may allocate every to hit roll of 6 to a model of your desire.
soul blaze: units suffering one or more unsaved wounds by a attack with this rule are st ablaze. at the end of ech turn roll a d6. on a 3 or less the flames die out. on a 4+ the unit takes d3 s4 ap 5 hits with no coversaves allowed (allocated by the controlling player) a unit cannot have more than one set ablaze on it at a time.
specialist weapon: weapons with this rule do not gain +1 attack for an additional close combat weapon unless the other weapon is a specialist weapon aswell.
split fire: a model with this rule may not fire but instead lmake a leadership test. if failed the shooting happens as normal. if passed you can select one of your models to fire at a enemy. the rest of the unit may fire at another target.
stealth: +1 coversave a 6+ coversave in the open. cumulative with shrouded.
strafing run: when shooting, assault, heavy, rapid fire or salov weapons at artillery, beasts, bikes, cavalry, infantry, mounstrous creaturs and vehicles without the flyer or skimmer type, this vehicle has +1 ballistic skill. regardless of the target. the vehicles shot also have the pinning special rule.
Strikedown: any model that suffers one or more unsaved wounds or passes one or more saving throws against a attack with strikedown is knocked off its feet. it halves its initiative and moves af in difficult terrain until the end of the next turn. vehicles and monstrous creatures are immune to this.
stubborn: same as in 5th. if a unit is both fearless and stubborn it uses the rules for fearless instead.
[b]tank hunters: reroll failed armor penetration rolls against vehicles (both shooting and assault) and can choose to reroll glancing hits to do a penetrate instead.
torrent: basically the NDK heavy incinerator fire rule for flamers
twin linked: same as in 5th.
two handed: same as in 5th
unwieldly: a weapon with this rule always strikes at inititative 1. unless its a monstrous creature or walker.
vector dancer: a model with this rule may make a additional pivot on the spot up to 90° at the end of its move. cannot move flat out in the following shooting phase.
vector strike: select a enemy unit your unit has moved over. the unit takes d3+1 hits resolved at the models unmodified strength and ap 3 against vehicles the hits are resolved against the side armour.
zealot: a unit with at least one model with this rule has both the fearless and hatred special rules.

Note from 40K Nation Sam about Valhalla Interviews

All on frontpage Here: http://40kNation.com

These where put up on the 40k Nation youtube channel but it will also be put on my personal youtube channel which has more subscribers.

Valhalla: Pt1 BTP Brett Prusso

Valhalla: Pt1 BTP Shawn Gately

Valhalla: Pt2 BTP Shawn Gately

Valhalla: Pt3 BTP Shawn Gately

part 4 will appear the 29th. And there is a ton more but i try to release 1 video a day

Week in Pictures

Absolutely crazy week.  I should write every day like I used to.

We signed for the studio building this week.  It's now in our name.  How exciting is that.

The whole wargaming world is holding its breath for sixth edition which is not good for BTP.  So I can't wait.  Studio Necrons are well underway and we got in a ridiculously huge Ork army.

Valhalla was hugely successful, even more than any one we have ever done.  I played three games, all Warhammer Fantasy with my Chaos Dwarfs, but the staff schedule for playing other games was precision smooth, so we got in plenty, plenty of 40K as well as our planned demos of DUST and Operation Squad and Mordheim.  Also, got 40K nation out and it was great to meet them.  My whole "meeting of the minds"
has plenty of potential.  I'm currently making a comprehensive list of everyone and every company in the wargaming industry.  Then pick some of them as top choices for inviting out to Valhalla.

And we've got other plans, too.

What else?  I missed my kids.  I got home Saturday night and it was a delight to see them again.  The boys and I stayed up late and watched Thor on Netflix.  Tamie stayed up at Valhalla to help with cleanup.  So, I got the kids to church (super-late) this morning.  Always good, but kind of a pain to round up the church clothes since I don't know where anything is without my wife.

And now the pics:

 A ridiculously awesome omelet that my wife whipped up for me one morning.  Super healthy, too.

 Some staffers and I went out to McD's for a Sundae.

 Shannon gave me a world-class haircut on Wednesday morning.

Thomas was one of our guests for Valhalla.  He's from Sweden.  He's all right.

Monday is going to be a big day.  I got Robbie D. coming in and we're going to get Valhalla tickets up on the webstore and about a zillion more listings.

We're number one with Andy2d6

Some very kind words from a fan.

Waaagh! to end all Waaaaghs!

All right folks, I got an Ork army coming in.  It's a ridiculous size.


Purchasing Info here.

4 Stompas

1 Uber Tank (the massive one from Valhalla a few years back)

5 Battlewagons including one lifta

10 Nob Bikers

5 smaller vehicles

Grot mega tank plus 7 grot tanks

35 Grots

6 field pcs

120 Boyz sluggas and shootas

20 Nobz

15 Kommandos (FW)

10 Burnaz

25 Lootas

5 DeffKoptas

3 Deff Dreads

6 Killa Kans

10 Storm boyz

5 Meganobz

10 Assorted Characters

Forgeworld Hvy Truck Gun

Three Trucks including a scratch built big gun. 

2x Meka Dreds

Contents may vary, I have not received the army to inventory it.

http://www.bluetablepainting.com/view_gallery.php?galleryID=4302

http://www.bluetablepainting.com/view_gallery.php?galleryID=4238

http://www.bluetablepainting.com/view_gallery.php?galleryID=4180

http://www.bluetablepainting.com/view_gallery.php?galleryID=4091

http://www.bluetablepainting.com/view_gallery.php?galleryID=3803

http://www.bluetablepainting.com/view_gallery.php?galleryID=3621

Emperor's Tables

A fan had this done for us.  Thanks Adam!

Rewiring

What's really going on with Shawn?



[And I still had time to make a jerk out of myself up on stage.  They never should have left that sword untended.  Hold on a sec...]

This last weekend, starting Thursday evening, I went to a marriage-oriented seminar-thing.  Because I love my wife so much I put on a good face, determined to learn something new and not be a butthead about it.  My wife usually has as much cooperation for this sort of thing as you might putting a sweater and a leash on a cat and taking it for a walk.

Besides, I have work to do!  I don't like being away from the fields for too long.

And off we went on Thursday night, just to stay up in Sandy at a mid-range hotel.  I sleep horribly on a hard hotel bed and I got about two hours of sleep the first night and woke up in considerable physical discomfort.  When I walked into the conference room and saw the title was "Royalty and Romance" I about shed tears of blood.  By the time Friday's eight hours of sitting in a hard chair listening to marriage stuff, visualization and what-not I was in a pretty foul mood, and just in time to get another horrible night's sleep.

Oh, I tried.  I really tried to keep a good face on.

Notwithstanding all that, I did take notes, and I have to admit that as I gleaned some insights (expecting only to hear a few new things) I had accumulated quite a list of new ideas.  Just one new concept after another.  I have to admit I was learning something new about reprogramming my own brain.  I didn't like what I was hearing, but it certainly was a new way of looking at things.

Friday night was even worse.  When I took a shower late at night I felt nauseous.  I put both hands on the wall and my whole body was wracked with convulsions.  I was trying to puke but nothing came out.  I believe now that I was "mind-puking".  All my wretched programming and bad stuff was trying to crawl out of my brainpan.

By Saturday morning I said "take me home I've had it" and that's when we had a break-through.  We started working on some of the workbooks.  I have to admit that my lunchtime I had quite a stack of notes.  Mind you, I have a solid marriage, we've always gotten along famously, and we only went to this thing to improve, and in fact I didn't think it could get much better.  That said, I must say I learned a ton.

Won't go into detail here, but I'm definitely on the other side of a new door in my life.  And I do highly recommend.  Family life is notably better now.  I'd go into specifics, but it's too personal for this format.

After this (and I was exhausted after two days of solid meetings and three hours of sleep per night), we went to my nephew's pre-mission endowment at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple.  It was really magical.  A ton of Tamie's family was there.  But I had to take a piss something fierce through the whole thing and I have to say that the bathroom there was pretty fantastic.  Then off to eat pie at a local eatery.  Then the long drive home around midnight.

Oh, another magic moment: as we were leaving the temple I came across my twelve-year old daughter in the foyer (for she had come up to meet us), and I snapped this pic; serene as an angel.  I am ever so proud of my family and I just can't get enough of them.  I shuttle between twin paradises of work and home.  I often marvel at the goodness of my own life.  I don't feel deserving of all this, but I am willing to accept God's good grace, his un-merited good will.  Or if you prefer, an outstanding life-long run of apparent good fortune.

So, Sunday I was completely exhausted and I basically just sat around waiting for Monday and to hit the ground running.

I can't believe tomorrow is Thursday.   The week has flown by.  I've got some sweet Batreps lined up.  Oh, and only six days until Valhalla!

Ogres vs Lizardmen
Operation Squad
And we're going to squeak in War Machine

Blue Table Painting Fantasy Camp

Summary: You stay six days (Monday to Saturday).  You live in the BTP house with BTP staff, and come to work every day except that you are there to assemble, paint, and get lessons from staff on how to convert and paint your models.

We don't provide models for you.  You can bring your own or have us supply them at a cost.  Basically, you are a part of what we're doing.  The skill is what you'll get mostly, training.  You also go out to eat with the boss at least once.  We provide basic transportation

Cost $1500.

We can also pro-rate for a shorter three day visit = $750.

If interested, I will give you more details.  Right now there is one and only one golden ticket.  You can bring a friend if you want.  You share the room.  Cost is +$400.

We accommodate your schedule.  We're ready to move on it right away.  When is the soonest you can get here.
 _______________________

Had a fan contact me with questions here's my email back

Sure thing.  We are still firming up details ourselves.

You arrive at the airport or station and we pick you up.  You go out to get settled at the BTP house, a master bedroom with private bath, just average middle class US, nothing fancy.  Three other staffers live in the house and my understanding is they play quite a bit of Mordheim.  They are not loud, drinker, smokers nor slobs.  Just nice folk such as we like to hire.  They are not paid, though, to necessarily socialize.

You'll come to the studio to do your work, paint or assemble your own figures, basically just be here.  The big part is that you will get training from staff just as if you were a new painter here.  Professionals and seasoned veterans will teach you.   I would imagine at least 12-18 hours of direct instruction.  I imagine that you will get a super-concentrated dose.

We can provide materials but that is extra.

Other than that you can expect the same sort of experience and socialization that you see on our vids.  You're like our honored guest.  At least one batrep if you're game, and I'd like to take you out to dinner.

We do want to meet/interview (?) people before they are accepted out, just like a regular college.  I like Skype but phone works, too.

Shawn

GW Order Deal

Do you like this alternate BTP logo?

Make a GW order for us.  Here's how it works.  You make the order and have it sent directly to the studio.  You get a credit equal to the retail value of the figures plus 10%.

We need a retail value of about $2000.  But if you can do it, only less than that, just get in touch.

I'm sure I don't need to do the math for you on that.  The leverage here is that you are likely to find a discounted rate, and with the Retail Plus 10% as a credit... well you can do the math.

The credit can only be used for Assembly and Painting service.  However, you can use it for an existing project.

When the models arrive in the studio, we do the calculation and you get confirmed for your credit.

As a side note we also need a Privateer Press order as well.  And some misc. stuff.  You may or may not be able to do it depending on your sourcing.

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PS- your Ron Paul fix.  Current item that talks about Unions



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Stable Platform

Warhammer 8th Edition is at its zenith.  There are five published books out of fifteen.  There are at least two or three more good years of this rules set.  People know what to expect.

In my dream world here are the armies I would create and own:

Chaos Dwarfs
Already got this one and underway, need to make 4x Bull Centaurs, 1x Hellcannon, and 1x Homebrew K'Daii Destroyers.  When it's done it will top 4000 pts.

Beastmen
Mostly like the one I sold.  Need 80x Gors to form the core.  3000 pts.

Empire
Thinking Nuln like this one  at about 3000 pts.
6x heroes on foot
1x War Altar
80x various infantry
3x Demigryph Knights
1x Luminark
1x Hurricanum
1x Steam Tank
4x various War Machine

Lizardmen
Skaven
Wood Elves
Tomb Kings

Yup that's my wish list.  Those are the armies I'd like to play.  Just seven I guess!

New Trade Needed

A BTP Youtube vid gets around 4000 hits, while a Blogpost only gets like 300.  All these years I thought it was much more than that, like maybe 1200.  But anyway, I do the blog as much as a journal as anything.  I like to imagine that the people that read the blog are the die hards.

I've been putting some serious hours into the Trade Stock program.  There were bins upon bins on the floor, in rows.  It seemed like it would never end.  Thanks to Mike D. we will be completely sewed up Friday.  It was bone-crushing exertion.  But by the end of tomorrow every last item will be neatly stored and numbered, about 300 new lots.  We've sold maybe forty now.  It runs the gamut from slag to highly converted and BTP-painted whole armies.

My immediate goal is to get it to 600 lots.  I would consider 1300 listings as sufficiently stocked.  So, naturally I'm eager to get new trade-ins whatever they may be.  We normally credit 20-40% of retail.  Higher end of that spectrum for things from the list below.  For well-painted it goes higher.  Anything is awesome.  But there are some armies in particular I'd love to see:

War Machine, Hordes, Infinity, Malifaux  We have hardly anything for those games.  I would just adore some huge lots there.
For 40K I'd love to see more Grey Knights, yeah I know they're hot right now. 
For Warhammer Fantasy: Beastmen, Ogres, Lizardmen, Tomb Kings and Empire.  In fact I really need Empire and fast.



That doesn't mean that we're not looking at everything.  We even absorb equipment, paints, terrain (pre-moulded plastics etc.), and miniatures from other lines.

The trade-off is right.  You get something huge when you use our program: choice.  You get to pick what you want us to order for you while I am swung in the opposite direction-- I don't get to pick.  I will absorb whatever you have.  I also absorb all the labor and all the risk.  I do all the footwork and also if your models don't sell, or take a very long time, then that's too bad for me.  You get immediate gratification. 


I think of myself as qualified to evaluate models so you can expect the right spot on the scale for what you have.  I would just love to start dealing in more well-painted models and also in more whole armies.  For notable lots I'd be willing to work with a commission structure.  That means you say "I need to get $400 out of this army" and BTP keeps the remainder when it sells.  Note that you still need to expect a lower number than if you went to the secondary market yourself.  I could also just buy your army for the set amount if I wanted to.  I do the footwork and pay you when it sells.  That is a workable solution for higher-ticket things.

Systems

The last few weeks I've been playing D&D with my sons, about three times a week as I mentioned  in my last post.  We have converted a room in the house into our D&D room.  We've become a lot closer and I've learned a lot about them.  Jonah is more methodical and open to new ideas, but by the same token more likely to follow along.  Griffin is more outspoken, a man of action, and also a keen tactical mind.  They are both very mathematical and have no trouble doing the calculations needed right in their head.  I am so proud of them.

The pic above is older, when we were playing at the studio.

At the studio I am downstairs in a provisional office setting up the Trade Stock program.  For ten days I have been in the groove and I love it.  I get in this mode where eating and even sleeping are a burden.  When the hunger pangs start to really gnaw I run up and grab a sandwich, eat it with one hand while continuing to work with the other.  Workaholic?  I would take a bow for that.  My true expertise is setting up systems; organizing human and material resources.

I have currently set up the new webstore, created a system to put up new listings as well as safely store the models.   I cleared the main Inbox of the studio.  I put up over a hundred listings.  I think that at least 200 more are coming this week.  The plan is to funnel all items for sale into one location.  That means the Master Lot List is going away after this week.  Mike D. is coming in for the next two weeks and we are going to solidify the program on all levels and begin training someone to run it.  I will still stay on to supervise probably through the end of the year.

I am creating a system there where there may be as many as 50,000 listings.  I believe that GW price increases are going to spur on the secondary market and I want a part of that.  I find it quite stimulating and our main business (assembly/painting on commission) compliments that perfectly.  It allows me to refurbish select models/armies on the spot.  Next year I predict there will be a team of 3-4 people and soon thereafter full-time artists just for refurbishment.

Also this week we set up a business relationship with Secret Weapon Miniatures.  I like that company and the owner, Justin McCoy, is a delight.  Oh, and I also learned how to use the HD camera and software so that's coming.

I've also been watching Stargate Atlantis.  The production value on that show is tremendous.

My lovely wife picked up Indian food last night, quite a splurge but it really really hit the spot.  A little chicken vindaloo set the whole week right.  I heard about that dish from Red Dwarf, which incidentally I watched all eight seasons through the last week.  Now I just need someone to send me some Topic bars!  I do ever so love my family.  Being with them is a delight.  I just can't get enough.

Willow is at the magic age of imaginary pets.  She went around a whole day with her finger pointing out because there was an invisible bird on there.  As we were leaving an ice cream shop she gave a startled "whope" and ran back in because she left her (intangible) bird on the counter.  She gives here imaginary dog a bath when she takes one.

Some Music

A fan of our youtube channel is in a band, so against my normal policy you can see his vid here.  Well, listen really since it's audio only.  A lot of effort to learn an instrument and keep a band together.

Sounds a little like Rush.

Turtle Found

The other day we got a call from our neighbor asking if we had a lost pet turtle.  Yes, last summer our turtle went missing.  So, a year later "Milky Way" had chugged East exactly thirty feet, dug under the fence and somehow survived a harsh Utah winter in an old lady's yard, happily surviving on bugs and greens.

Good for him!

Now he's Willow's pet and she's whiling away the afternoon as he crawls around in the grass nearby.  The perfect pet for a three year old.  That animal exists for the entertainment of that girl.  And she is so kind and gentle and protective of the little creature.  He's an animated one, not just hiding whenever anyone is near.  He plows through high grass, bushes, towels, and bowls of water.

I've been playing D&D with my two boys, Jonah (10) and Griffin (7).  We made the toy room into our D&D room.  It is a sheer delight.  They are totally stoked about it, we've played every night for three nights.  This is the first time they seem to be actually getting it.  Griffin is actually just old enough to sit through a ninety minute session.  I can't tell you how proud I am to find them sneaking D&D books to bed so they can read them after supposed bed time.

On Saturday I came across a garage sale and picked up a washer and dryer for (what is now called) the BTP house.  And a microwave and toaster oven!  I love garage sales.  Apparently it's like two blocks from Renn's place and they were all up playing Mordheim the other night.

Me?  I'm not feeling well.  Something is terribly wrong with my left elbow.  I have to cradle it carefully.  It feels like a hot ice pick is in there and the stress of it has moved up my arm, to my shoulder, neck and now my head.  It's like my whole left side is crumbling.  I don't like to talk about it, but it seems dissimulous to not say the bad things, too.  My wife got back from a three day conference and tended to me, though, rubbing arnica gel on me which has made me feel a ton better, de-stressing the whole area.  Oh, how I love that woman.  There's nothing like a long marriage to a good woman.  She is more poised and regal than ever.  She's so mature and refined.  It's like being married to a queen; humble royalty.

In spite of that, I still consider my life to be like heaven.  It's really super.  I am myself.  My life is zen-like.

Stay on the beach or move inland, but you can't put up a "No Hurricanes" sign.  That's me.  I'm like a tempest.  I do what I do.   I am naturally doing the right thing.  I am clay in the Maker's hands.

One more HOTI is available

Last one.  See below for details.

Very limited time.  I'm hoping to get it set up tonight.

Surprise Lots

NOTE: I have completely suspended this program.
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Here's how it works.  You pay $6.00 per lot.  You choose a game and race for each lot that you purchased.  You will receive $15-30 retail of models from that race.  We pick.  They could be new on sprue, assembled, or painted (for better or worse!).  You don't pick what you get, that's the catch.

This is kind of like that thing where I was selling the bins full of 40K or Fantasy baggies, except you get to pick what army you get.

Contact Thomas at bluetablepainting@gmail.com if you want to purchase some lots. Or call 801 372 8545. We need money via CC (by phone or email) or Paypal. Paypal address is bluetablepainting@gmail.com

Buy direct from our website.

Here are the choices


40K
Any of the major published races
Exceptions: we are out of Tau, Daemons, Sisters of Battle,
Low on Necrons.

Warhammer Fantasy
Any of the major published races
We are still inventorying so check first.

War Machine
Limited to just the general game- can't pick a faction except War Machine or Hordes
For War Machine we just have Legion, Cryx, Menoth.

Shipping
$9 flat in US (for any number of lots)
$15 to Canada
$35 to Australia/NZ/Japan
$25 most other places (eg Europe)

We combine shipping so you pay only the one flat amount even if you get multiple lots.

Sigh of Relief... for now

.

.
"A complete inversion of law whereby you have no legal recourse for the abuse of authority."

In a rare move, a federal judge has struck down part of a controversial law signed by President Obama that gave the government the power to indefinitely detain anyone it considers a terrorism suspect anywhere in the world without charge or trial — including U.S. citizens. 

Mother's Whaaaaaa?

My eyes popped open this morning.  Holy Crud-mobile Batman!  It's Mother's Day!

Fortunately my wife had the foresight to buy herself a bunch of gifts which she placed by my bed, ready to be wrapped.  Actually, she was even wiser than that and provided gift bags.

I heard footsteps upstairs and thought Holy Crud! She's up already and making herself breakfast!  So I ran upstairs (as you may recall I'm sleeping in the guest room, more on that) to find McKenna already making Mother's day breakfast for her.  Hooray!  So, I piggybacked on that to make it "our" breakfast and all was well.

Or as Gately says: You snooze, you will probably get out of some work.

Anyway, it was off to church where my wife and I work in the Primary as teachers.  Giving parents a two hour a week break from their kids basically.  I view that as community service.

For fun?

Police beat a man to death while he begs for mercy, crying out to both God and his mortal father.  But was it really for fun?

Warning: this is graphic.  You will be sad afterwards.

Custom Terrain Sets

Custom terrain is $400-900 for a table's worth.  That's 16-24 pieces. As the budget goes up we increase complexity and/or quantity.  You pay half down and give rough instructions (two or three sentences usually) and we get started.

Turnaround is the same as standard 3-5 weeks with a 12 week outside limit (very odd to take that long, almost never happens).  We don't ship terrain outside the continental US except 1) you absolve us of any damage, 2) you pay actual shipping.

You can also buy approximate copies of sets that we have already done as follows.

Alien Spires = $350 (16 pieces, or 24 pieces at $450)

Eldar-esque Ruins with Alien Foliage = $450
Forest Ruins = $450
Water Temple = $850
Hellish Temple = $850

Add set of objective counters to a Temple set = $75
Burned out Village = $550
Elfin Ruins = $450

Elfin Ruins deluxe = $850

Runic Ruins = $400 (20 pieces), $600 (30 pieces), $800 (40 pieces)
Desert Spires = $650 (this was shown as "Jade Spires", and you can have regular trees instead of alien puffballs)

Steampunk Factory = $625


Ruined Imperial Outpost on Alien Planet = $550


Bombed Out City (you can get a burned out vehicle to match your game case-by-case) $850


Burned out Village Building = three for $120
Alien Kelp Tree Cluster = six for $120
 

Let's keep Elise employed!  She will be caught up in 10-14 days, so set up now so we can dovetail your terrain right into the schedule.

Getting the second and final part of the Chaos Dwarfs ordered.   Here is the final list:
1x Prophet Sorceror on foot
1x Prophet Sorceror on bale taurus
3x Daemonsmiths
40x Infernal Guard
20x Infernal Guard with fireglaives
3x Magma Cannon
2x Deathshrieker Rocket
1x Dreadquake Mortar
2x Hellcannon

Also working on 4x Bull Centaur conversions as well as possibly some Hobgoblins.

Comes in at more than 3500 pts.

Are Re-education Camps Coming?

Here's an interesting article.

I spent some time this morning actually reading this 326 page military document.  I wonder if soldiers will uphold the Constitution or follow orders?

Hero of the Imperium 2012

All right folks, here are the details.  Contact bluetablepainting@gmail.com if interested or if you have questions.

This is a limited offer; there is only two golden slots left. This is the absolute best special that BTP offers, and we don't do it very often. Indeed, it's possible that we may never offer them again.

You get a $3,000 credit to be used for painted/finished figures for $2150.

Once you pay, the credit becomes available by by degree each month, starting thirty days after you pay, at the rate of minimum 1/5 the total amount per month over the course of five months. I sometimes fulfill them at a faster rate.

This credit cannot be used to pay off current or past projects. It's only for new, future projects.
On a case-by-case basis you can also pick up second-hand armies we have for sale.

It's the ultimate bulk deal.  Please contact me via email at bluetablepainting@gmail.com if interested.

There are a few conditions. The credit can be used for materials (ie the models/kits) but those need to be assembled and painted by BTP as part of the deal (ie you can't just have us mail you kits). Some miniatures lines are not available through this deal (eg Forge World).

If you are dis-satisfied in any way, you agree to notify us and let us make reasonable amends. This deal is subject to our normal Terms of Service in our service guide.

You can also send your own models to be painted. You don't need to get them through BTP.

The credit can only be used for commonly available materials (for example: not Forge World).

This special is the best deal offered to date. It is not cumulative with other specials. Exceptions: L2, Tank Factory, and Artistic License (those specials are cumulative with this one). Other specials/deals or whatever work with this one only at BTP's discretion.

BTP can reasonably clarify or amend unclear areas of the deal. There are always little gremlins that get in works. We both agree to be reasonable.

Shawn Gately

About Ninety

About ninety new lots went up today.  Still working on vid.  Almost everything is going on the block for Spring Cleaning and to make way for new armies.

Terrain is still forthcoming, too.

Valhalla Rough Sketch

I spent some time tonight cruising around for pics that seemed to approximate what the final version of Valhalla will look like.  In short, we want to build a resort for wargamers (and other events) that can accommodate 100-400 visitors.  Or maybe a lot less.  Valhalla represents people from around the world getting together, families getting closer (on vacation!), and the freedom of owning the land and property free and clear.  I will probably move the studio up there, too.  I'm thinking two main large facilities, and then some peripheral buildings.

The goal is to break ground in 3-6 years.

So here's to dreaming big for the future...

Toxic Nids incoming

First off, we got a ton-load of miniatures going on the block tomorrow, spring cleaning style.  Stay tuned for that, it's all set up I just need to do the vids tomorrow.

I have a size-able Tyranids army coming in on trade.  It's got battlefoam trays with it (no case, but we can provide for an extra charge of $180).  Here's links to the pics

Tyranids 1:  http://bluetablepainting.com/view_gallery.php?galleryID=3669
Tyranids 3:  http://bluetablepainting.com/view_gallery.php?galleryID=3772
Tyranids 4:  http://bluetablepainting.com/view_gallery.php?galleryID=4041 
Tyranids 5:  http://bluetablepainting.com/view_gallery.php?galleryID=4253
Tyranids 6:  http://bluetablepainting.com/view_gallery.php?galleryID=4362

• Hive Tyrant
• Trygon
• 3 Zoanthropes
• Doom of Malan'tai
• 2 Lictors
• Deathleaper
• 8 Shrikes
• 31 Gaunts
• 8 Warriors
• Tyranid Prime
• 20 gargoyles
• 3 Tyrant Guard
• 4 Brood Lords
• 32 Genestealers

 If you want to pick it up sight unseen and lock it down the cost is $1290.  We can of course expand the project by adding new models and have them painted to match.

If it were me I would add:
1x new awesome Winged Hive Tyrant
3x Hive Guard
32x Termagants (maybe more, you will need 20x per Tervigon)
2x new awesome Tervigons
2x Alien Seed Pods



Also, got a Nurgle Warriors of Chaos army incoming.  Lock it down as-shown as-is for $750.

http://www.bluetablepainting.com/view_gallery.php?galleryID=3220
http://www.bluetablepainting.com/view_gallery.php?galleryID=3242

As usual, if interested contact me at bluetablepainting@gmail.com and I will help you through the process.