"We could always do DRAGONLORDS"

The gamers’ lust for gaming is not yet slaked.

As they stand around, engaging in debate over what will be next on the table, eyeing piles of games freshly mined from closets deep and arrayed like treasures laid forth for presentation as indecision begins to set in.

But hark! A clarion call, a rallying cry is sent forth to these gamesters-

“We could always do DRAGONLORDS.”

Robert Martin stands by his proclamation as the gamers furrow their brows and shift nervously, desperately trying to shift the conversation toward other, more mutually agreeable games. He shrugs, nervously fingering the black linen box embossed with a diabolical red foil emblem, looking for all the world like a box set of some obscure Finnish metal band.

“I’ve got the Advanced Game Expansion and CRYSTAL OF POWER too.”

The gamers agree, with great trepidation, and sit around the garish board as Robert produces beautifully painted metal miniatures- some painted completely one shade of red, other painted head-to-toe in spray paint green. The blobby plastic bits of the first edition, defiant in their failure to take the shape of orcs and elves, are still there to supplement these elite warriors.

“I’m really proud of these- I keep them on the mantle at home in a glass case.”

Robert reveals his piece de resistance- metal dragonlord miniatures painted with at least 3 different colors of paint. One green, black, and red. One white, black, and red. Blood seems to seep from one Dragonlord’s face, making his entire face appear stained with vermillion. We’re stunned, but silent. Only laughter can break the aura of fear and madness these lords of dragons have inspired within us.

“OK, it’s basically RISK mixed with TALISMAN…on your turn…”

3 hours pass by. Many, many dice are rolled. Blobby pieces scurry about the board, spraypainted gold rocks are exchanged for more blobby pieces and occasionally a boat. I go into the wastelands, get a Dragonlord, and then enact a holocaust of little blobby guys.

“Well, you pretty much won so we can quit unless you just want to finish.”

Robert Martin begins to pack up the board, lovingly wrapping his beautiful miniatures in toilet paper to preserve their custom finishes. In his heart, a deep sadness begins to swell as he realizes that his prized Dragonlords Krodark Bloodhammer and Crallagh the Unsavory will likely not see action again, at least for another year. It is an autumnal sadness, as he packs away the game. He must know that his satisfaction in finally bringing his favorite game to the table must carry him through an unknowable number of seasons. But still, he’ll bring the game every session…just in case some unknowing gamer can be lured into play. And hoping against hope, when game selection time dawns again, Robert will say:

“We could always do DRAGONLORDS.”