'That Guy': a tale of WTF?

Tonight, for the very first time ever, I walked away from a game. I'm not happy that I did so, but to do otherwise may have resulted in actions I know I would regret later.

Let's start with the day: I had woken up after a bad night's rest, but had decided to go to a World of Warcraft TCG tourney at Pano's store, after the insistence of Remi. I had been being having a not-so-good week, and thought that this could help me get my head back in the right. Having completed the bare minimum of tasks I needed to do for the day, I headed out to the store, with a grey cloud over my head. I knew that I wasn't in the best of moods, and tried to cheer myself up by doing some 'trash talking' with Remi via text on my way in. I haven't won a tourney, only coming in second twice, and haven't played the game in months. I was looking forward to just hanging out and having fun, win or lose. Games are a social activity and I knew I should try to be social, in hopes of bring myself out of the doldrums. If I had but known what was going to happen, I would have barred myself inside my home, watched some Venture Brothers (always a good way for me to have a good time) and had a beer or two...

When I arrived, there was no one else there for the tourney, so I paid my way in, bought a booster and some soda, and settled in to tweak a deck I was working on. I thought I might trade with some people, as we used to have a very good, fun group at the store. I found out that the group had left the store while I had been out of the loop and a new group had moved in to fill the void. When the first people who were joining the tourney showed up, I knew that my night had just been shot to shit. There were three of them, two men and a woman. All of them overweight, abrasive and uncouth. I try not to judge people by their appearances, but in this case, in was their behavior that tipped me off. The woman settled into a comfy chair in the back of the store and began playing some very loud and annoying game on her iPad. The men had taken up a spot on a table and began talking about how powerful this card was and how great their decks were. I had my stuff sitting out and they made no attempt to engage me. I know I didn't exactly look like the friendliest person at this point, but whenever I show up from things like this, I think there's nothing wrong with walking up to people that aren't clearly busy in a game or a conversation and try to say 'hi' or something. As I continued to watch, I heard them going on and on about the 'best' cards and decks. I couldn't bring myself to even try to talk to them. Other people came in and began to talk with these three people, but I had made my choice to distance myself from everyone.

With a truckload of reservations, I decided to stick it out and got ready to pair up. My partner, whom I shall call 'Jay' (I've changed his name because I don't want to deal with anything that may result in my naming names). He was over six and a half feet tall and probably weighed over four hundred pounds, all of it fat. Now, I will be the first to admit that I'm overweight, but not morbidly so. I was working on losing weight last summer, until I suffered an accident that has left me with almost daily pain, after almost a year later.
As we sit down, Jay discovers that I am playing a Murloc deck. I freely admit that Murloc decks can be very broken and are abused by 'asshole players.' However, I am not an asshole, and I was playing my second-string Murloc Hunter Hero deck, which isn't all that great. I had just fooled around with the deck the night before and I had tried to make the deck more about Murloc synergy, rather than Murloc spam. I have another deck for that, which I had chosen not to play, to avoid being 'That Guy.'

As soon as Jay finds out that I am playing Murlocs, he gets up, puts his deck back, and gets another; because the deck that he had 'wasn't designed with Murlocs in mind.' I felt my heart and hopes sink at that moment. I had come looking for a fun time, to talk and meet new people. Now, the game had become Serious Business. I gave up. I didn't want to play anymore, and I didn't want to start a fight by calling this guy on being 'That Guy.' To continue the discomfort, instead of cutting my deck, Jay would shuffle it. I suppose I'm a very trusting person, as I do a cursory half-deck cut of the other player's deck. It's just a game. If you're really willing to cheat at a card game based around imaginary monsters and magical bullshit, you shouldn't be allowed to play. I went through the motions, playing the two games, but my heart wasn't in the game anymore. I wanted to just get up and leave, but I didn't want to look like I was the one being the  asshole. Perhaps, if I had had more sleep or was in a better frame of mind, I would have called him on the bullshit. Instead, I got beaten two times in maybe 20 minutes. During the game, Jay would talk to his girlfriend, (who was also playing) during my turns, forcing me to wait until he was paying attention as I feared he would do something that would make the situation worse. During the course of these little talks, I found out that Jay had been a 'Level 3 Judge' for Cryptozotic until they 'pulled their bullshit.' Mind you, Jay didn't speak a word to me unless it was in reference to the game, and even then, it was as short as possible. I don't think I have ever had so little fun during a game than I did in that one. I could feel myself losing fun from happy memories, it was that un-enjoyable.

As the last damage was dealt and he got up, Jay said that 'Murlocs are overpowered and broken. I don't think people should play them' or something to that effect. I told him that I rarely play in tourneys, haven't done so in many months and play for fun. At that point, we parted ways. I went to talk with Pano, and mentioned that Jay had switched decks when he found out what I was playing. Pano told me that decks weren't registered. I didn't want to push the issue, even though I was upset, but I needed a smoke. Before I continue, please let me say that I do not blame Pano at all for his reaction. He had a valid point, and as a the store owner, he must remain impartial. Personally, I view changing decks after finding out what someone else is playing, after sitting down with another deck, is borderline cheating, and would have forced the games to be played again, with the original deck selected. I would like to think that is an objective way of settling the situation, but I freely admit that my objectivity in this case is extremely compromised. Honestly, I wanted Jay to be booted from the tourney and perhaps excluded from the store, but I'm not exactly this... "Gentleman's" biggest fan.

After speaking with Pano, I went out for a smoke. Then another. As I was smoking the second cigarette, the shakes started. I only get the shakes when I am having a massive surge of adrenaline, or directly afterwards. I debated with myself, did I want to publicly call Jay out on his asshole-ness, or did I want to take it to the next level, with yelling and maybe even physical violence. I realized I was taking this too seriously. I needed to get my head clear. I went back inside, to see if the round ended. I told Remi want happened, and still couldn't calm down. So, I quietly picked up my stuff, after telling Remi I was bailing, said goodbye to Pano and left the store. I knew that I wasn't going to calm down right away. I felt that I was wronged, perhaps incorrectly, but I didn't want to make a scene. It's a card game, for god's sake! I clearly wasn't thinking right, getting bent out of shape because one guy wanted to be a jerk. I wasn't having fun, so it was clearly time for me to leave.

Did I do the right thing in leaving? I know that I did. Did I handle the situation in the best way I could have? No, I didn't. I wasn't in the best mood, and should have bowed out when there was an odd number of players, before the tourney started. I could have converted my entrance fee to credit or just said 'fuck it' and left. I could have also said something went Jay switched decks. I should have. But, as there is no use crying over spilled bovine lactose, I'm going to get on with my life. I'm not going to sell my WoW cards (although I would be lying if I didn't think about that as I was leaving, or for that matter, just giving them to Pano. Okay, I also thought about throwing them in a trash can, but as I have said, I wasn't at my best). However, I doubt I'll be returning to play in a tourney before the end of the year. I have better ways to spend my money and use my time. Oh, and also, I heard that Jay and his 'crew' might have been booted from another store, but I can't confirm that. However, I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if that was the case.

I've learned my lesson. Next time I'm having a bad day, I'm walking away. If someone pulls something that seems out of line to me, I'm going to call them on it. And, I will never ever play a game of any kind with Jay or the other people he hangs with. It's just not worth it.

Painted minis: Round Two

 Well, if you've been paying attention to my "Project List" page, you'd have seen that I've been making a lot of progress in my painting backlog. It's taken a while, but I'm almost done with my SpineSpur backlog and I'm getting ready to start back up on my Warhammer minis again. Let's start off the list with some Bones!

The Black Mist:
Cloak and Jacket: P3 Ironhull Grey > Reaper Dragon Black
Neck Scarf: GW Mephiston Red
Skin: Reaper Oiled Leather > Reaper Ruddy Flesh
Guns: P3 Cold Steel
Base: P3 Ironhull Grey > GW Badab Black wash

Rosie, Chronotechnician
Gun: Reaper Dragon Black > GW Leadbelcher
Hair: GW Genestealer Purple
Skin: "The Usual"
Gloves and Belt: GW Mournfang Brown
Pants: GW Zandri Dust
Shoes: Reaper Dragon Black and P3 Cold Steel
Shirt: GW Caliban Green
Base: GW Ushabti Bone
(The whole model was washed with GW Agrax Earthshade, except the flesh)

From left to right: (bases are Dark Faith standard)
Cardinal Anhelitus
Robes: GW Caliban Green > Reaper Kilt Green > GW Drakenhof Nightshade
Flames: GW Mephiston Red > GW Jokero Orange > P3 Sulferic Yellow > GW Seraphim Sepia
Skulls: GW Balathazar Gold > GW Agrax Earthshade
Chain (not shown): P3 Brass Balls

Cardinal Falcifer
Robes: GW Mephiston Red > P3 Beaten Purple > GW Drakenhof Nightshade
Scythe (handle): GW Mournfang Brown > GW Ushabti Bone > GW Agrax Earthshade
Scythe (blade): GW Leadbelcher
Skull: Reaper Linen White

Cardinal Inferni
Robes: GW Jokero Orange > P3 Sulfuric Yellow > GW Seraphim Sepia
Book: (pages) GW Ushabti Bone, (cover): GW Mephiston Red
Smoke: Black primer > P3 Ironhull Grey
Skull: P3 Ironhull Grey > Reaper Linen White

Thug (Adam)
 Helmet: GW Balthazar Gold
Jacket: GW Ulthuan Grey
Shirt: GW Mephiston Red
Hatchet: primer black, P3 Ironhull Grey, GW Leadbelcher

Amy Brighteyes
Jacket: GW Kantor Blue
Skirt: P3 Beaten Purple > GW Genestealer Purple
Shirt and socks: GW Ulthuan Grey
Shoes: GW Mephiston Red
Eyes: P3 Meredius Blue

Greygun
Pants: GW Zandri Dust
Knee pads: GW Mournfang Brown
Flesh: 'The Usual'
Guns and armor: primer black
(You can't see it in this picture, but I put "FBI" on the back of his armor)

Billy Burns
Hair: GW Jokero Orange
Shirt and eyes: GW Mephiston Red
Pants: GW Kantor Blue

Thug (Bill)
Helmet: GW Leadbelcher
Jacket: P3 Gnarls Green
Pants: GW Zandri Dust

Sex Star Six
Skin: P3 Ironhull Grey > Reaper Linen White
Eyes: GW Mephiston Red
Guitar and cap: P3 Ironhull Grey > GW Leadbelcher
(unlike every model thus far, this model has no washes applied)

Thugi
Flesh: GW Mornfang Brown > GW Agrax Earthshade
Sash: GW Jokero > P3 Sulfiric Yellow
Pants: P3 Beaten Purple
Boots: GW Mournfang Brown > Reaper Oiled Leather
Sword: P3 Ironhull Grey > P3 Cold Steel, P3 Sulfiric Yellow > P3 Brass Balls

Devil Girl
Skin: GW Mephiston Red
Flame: P3 Ironhull Grey > Reaper Linen White > P3 Meredius Blue > GW Drakenhof Nightshade
Trident: P3 Brass Balls
Base: GW Zandri Dust > GW Agrax Earthshade
(Unlike every other model, this model only has washes applied as noted)

Now, I hear you asking, "Why the hell did you put a Thugee cultist in your SpineSpur line-up?" Well, maybe you should read up on where the word 'Thug' comes from...

That's all for now, folks.

Let's be Bad Guys: Part One

On Friday, our intrepid heroes villains began their new adventure. Like all good cliches, the adventure started in a tavern. The Tavern of Many Delights (or as the locals call it 'The Tavern of Many Bar Fights), which caters to the adventures in this land was were the party was making their next plot. They were approached by a mysterious stranger (when I go play a troupe, I play it to the hilt), who offered them two thousand gold in exchange for recovering a scepter from a as of yet un-raided tomb some journey to the north. The party, with thoughts of gold glittering in their greedy little minds, agreed.

Of course, they didn't except the stranger's word at face value and tried to figure out exactly what was so special about the scepter. Well, except the monk, who tried to drink a trio of dwarves under the table. He got two down for the count, but the third was the last man standing. He punched the fair elven monk in the face several times (as per the agreement) and took his leave. One of the passed out dwarves' was taken away by others, as he was about to die from drinking too much. The last dwarf ended up being the monk's servant (again, as agreed). The cleric, meanwhile, tried to sermonize a man at the bar. All he got was a cold shoulder and the loss of all of his gold. All four gold coins he had. Hmm, no wonder he agreed so readily to the stranger's offer.

The following morning, the journey began. They encountered no one on the trail and camped for the night, and set a watch. The person on watch, the monk and his dwarf 'companion' were alerted to a half dozen thugs getting ready to murder and pillage the party. The dwarf, seeing his chance, took off while the monk was fighting the brigands armed with swords. The rest of the party woke up and started shooting at the enemies armed with crossbows, while the monk started putting his foes down. The battle ended with the last two surviving bandits fleeing into the night.

The next day, the party saw a wagon coming towards them. The driver was a friendly halfling who turned the wagon into a shop. The party, in a moment of what can only called 'murderhobo-ness,' attacked the halfing. What they didn't know was the halfing was in fact a multi-dimentional, epic level trader and rogue. For some reason, fate smiled on the fools and the little man flubbed his roll while trying to use a wand of disintegrate. A round later, he snapped his fingers and vanished. Little does the party know just how badly they cursed themselves. They'll find out, sooner or later.

That night, the party found a young run away slave, Helaina. She was a young pretty thing, a few months past her 17th birthday. She told her sob story while the party lent a friendly ear (or at least it looked that way). No, I don't understand their logic either.

In the afternoon, the party finally arrived at the tomb. With only a quick bit of exploring, they found the way into the tomb and started to explore. Inside, they found stone caskets with the remains of nobles inside. For reasons known only to him, the cleric began to smash every old musty corpse he found find... After the caskets had been thoroughly search, of course. The rogue lead the way, and missed his check to find the fall away floor that lead to a 60' spike-filled hole. Thankfully, he was able to avoid falling in and hopped over the gap, taking a rope with him. The party was able to move forward and onward. The rogue, smart fellow that he is, said he was going to the right at the junction, while the rest of the party said left. The rest of his fellows scrambled after him and together they found the way to the next level of the tomb.

As the approached the stairs, they saw a shadow detach itself from the wall and begin moving towards them...

To be continued.