The Unstored

Thanks to everyone who played in last week’s tournament. We had eight players and raised $151 at the tournament for the ARC JRF. We’ve also raised an additional $60 in funds from outside of the tournament from people who just wanted to give. Thank you all!

I’ve taken the donation button down as I only have a limited time to gather donations and turn them in to my employer, but I ask that everyone to continue to send aid and prayers to the people of Japan. They continue to be wracked with large earthquakes even now (April 7th).

The big winner of the $50 roku-mart credit is Patrik “FuLange” Lange for donating $40. Thanks Pat!

© 2011, Joe Little. All rights reserved.

I had this idea a little under two weeks ago and I’ve shared it with our L5R Facebook group and reached out to our fellow enthusiasts in Biloxi, MS and Lafayette, LA. Basically my employer will double almost anything I donate to the American Red Cross Japan Relief fund. I thought, what better way to raise some money for a worthy cause than play my favorite game? So I’ve taken basically what I would have been able to give and purchased a box of Empire at War for the L5R collectible card game. I should have gotten the latest set, but had a total brain fart when I placed my order and couldn’t afford the time or money to change it. My apologies. I will give the entire box of cards away at the tournament and all I ask in return is a donation of at least $5. Anyone wishing to donate more will be greatly thanked, but it won’t increase your chances to win I WOULD like to at least raise enough money to pay for the box. I’d hate to think I was going to donate $100 and quickly turn that into $50 plus spending even more on gas and food. That would be sad.

Our venue finally solidified Tuesday. Unfortunately I’ve worked extremely late every day this week and have only just now gotten the time to post. When it rains it pours. Sorry for the short notice. We will be playing at Jak’s in Biloxi (see map below) on Saturday April 2, 2011. We will start at 11AM. Registration will begin at 10AM. We’ll be confined to probably a total of 6 or 7 rounds total including 2 rounds for top 4. Time will have to be strictly monitored and enforced. Top 4 will split the box I’ve purchased. I hope to have some additional goodies, but no promises.

I expect this to be a complete train wreck. Come and join the horror or come and watch. Sometimes both are equally fun … or not. Mostly just come and help a good cause and maybe practice up for the next Kotei you plan on attending.

Finally if you cannot make it to our tournament, I HIGHLY suggest that you do something on your own to help the Japanese people. I expect each Kotei will also do something in a similar vein, but don’t let that keep you from going the extra mile on your own too. Give at home and at the Kotei.

Thanks everyone!

© 2011, Joe Little. All rights reserved.

Before the Dawn is AEG’s next L5R CCG release. Expected to ship in May, this 156 card set will feature starters for Crab, Lion & Phoenix. Storyline will feature the final chapter of the Empire’s war against the forces of Kali-Ma. Cards in this set will be dual bugged for Celestial and Emperor arcs. Like the first dual bugged set for Celestial, I expect there will be a few cards that are only legal in the current arc, but the number should be small. If you haven’t gotten serious about L5R but would like to start, Before the Dawn is an excellent place to enter or re-enter the game. Costs will be $3 a pack for local club members.

© 2011, Joe Little. All rights reserved.

The Dead of Winter previews page is up with the titles of the previews they plan already showing. The cards do not start to appear until Dec. 6th. Clan specific previews will appear on their forums according to the following schedule:

• Crane – 12/6
• Mantis – 12/9
• Spider – 12/13
• Crab – 12/16
• Lion – 12/20
• Phoenix – 12/23
• Scorpion – 12/27 (My Birthday yay!)
• Unicorn – 12/30
• Dragon – 1/3

Also of note is that AEG announces there will be no token cards with DoW as they work to get the distribution errors corrected, but they plan to return to adding tokens to packs later. Personally I will miss the tokens, but I’d rather skip a set or two than get packs either filled with nothing but tokens or buy three boxes and get a total of 4 or 5 tokens.

© 2010, Joe Little. All rights reserved.