Pieces on the game table move six to twelve inches at a time and dice clatter across the green felted surface, determining which of the painstakingly crafted soldiers lives or dies. It's a futuristic setting; armies clash in an imagined fire storm of lasers, plasma and solid shot that rips away at each players army, leaving the ruined crater of a make believe landscape in its wake. Marines hold the line against legions of traitors and on a two or better on a six sided die, victory can be measured in how many ones fate decides to throw at you.
Just as in life, this pretend war has it's champions. Each figure meticulously chosen, sculpted, and painted to fit the players image of greatness. They weather the storm of incoming fire as they take the field, the (un)fortunate members of the squad they are attached too soaking up incoming fire and dropping away like flies as each side's champion draws nearer to the other. It's a contest of chance as much as skill as a fist full of six siders tumbles across the table again, each bounce of the die holds the fate of a model, the game itself, within its outcome.
The final moment arrives and the chosen figure's finally meet. Their honor guard depleted yet their own painted finish remains unscathed. Close quarter weapons of enormous power flash in the minds eye as each player rolls the dice around in the palm of their hands.
The dice strike the table and spin as each player eagerly awaits the outcome.
This reminds me of your other week 14--they both have a curious static quality, as if they were still life paintings. Everything seems frozen, waiting for a signal to start up again. That's an interesting and unusual effect.
ReplyDelete