Defenders of the Realm: One year later

In a few days I’ll be heading up to Origins just like I did a year ago. Richard Launius talked me into going with him last year and Origins delivered everything he promised. There were interesting people, some excellent merchandise on sale, lots to see and do, and some really excellent gaming.

But one of the things I enjoyed the most was playing his prototype Defenders of the Realm. We had played it constantly for the previous year and hashed and rehashed ideas. It was his baby and he was pretty proud of it. By Origins, the game had been refined to a well oiled machine. The real payoff though was seeing the expression on the people who tried it.

Most everyone that happened by did a double take and wanted to know more about it. Many people stopped by more than once to try to get a game and I don’t think it left the table once. Then our last night very very late, Richard and I sat down with Keith and Sean from FRED Games. Keith was garrulous and lively while Sean concentrated intently. The game was typical game of Defenders in that we became hard pressed early on. A couple of good rolls by Keith turned the tide. Sean was pretty quiet while he sized up the game. I thought perhaps that he wasn’t enjoying himself but after the game he admitted that he was looking for ways to break the game. Richard smiled and said something like “give it your best shot.”

The rest of the evening ran late into the evening just BSing. They talked about Defenders and gaming in general. Sean recounted some humorous stories about meeting Knizia and about the problems of producing games, and about the misconceptions about FRED and Eagle games. I put my foot in my mouth- typical Avery but everyone laughed it off. At some point they started talking business (And I decided I was overdue for a cocktail.) When I got back, we BS’d even more. All in all in was a memorable and illuminating evening.

Over the course of the year I’ve followed the progress of the games production: Rule editing and re -editing, bringing Elmore on board, production woes, timetables, the big outcry against the layout and design, Changes both subtle and broad.

Now it has all come to fruition. The board looks great, and the figures rock (I’m spoiled- I saw it right after Launius painted his figs up.) Though Richard is downplaying the whole deal, I can tell he is really excited. There’s a Defenders’ contest with some giveaways, coverage of it on the Dicetower, and the box cover on the Origins’ bulletin. He’s helping work the booth with the guys from FRED and I know he’ll be signing boxes and running games. The whole trip this year has a weird energy and a sense of expectation.

I played it several times in the past few days.Sometimes you play something and when you revisit it, the game is not as exciting or fun as you remember.That is not the case with Defenders though. I’m looking forward to getting my copy and breaking it out on the tables at Origins!

Very soon I’ll be posting some quick info on the classes, and some news on what to expect in the way of expansions. Richard already has the sculpt for the black Dragon expansion and I’ve been playtesting new characters and batting around ideas that change the games dynamics. I’m thrilled to be part of the process. The only thing that would make it better is having my F:ATties come join me.

Steve"ShillPimpFanboyTanktopWearingChaosLord"Avery