Diceni 2016

Despite what I posted yesterday I did manage to pop into Norwich this morning for Diceni.  This event is now in its fourth* year - it seems settled into the first weekend in May.  The only other time I've made it was in 2014,** but if my own experience of the day is anything to go by, attendance seems to be growing.

*Or third?

** Checking my Loot Post I see several items that haven't been painted two years on...

The Venue:  The Forum, Norwich

The Pink Ladies were nothing to do with Diceni - just some loca; colour.
(Robert Audin would have made a wry comment about that I'm sure!)

Note that I don't describe Diceni as a Wargames Show*.  I suspect that the catchment area of people willing to travel to Norwich for a purely wargames show isn't large enough to reach critical mass.  It is dwarfed by even medium-sized Wargames Shows such as Peterborough.  Whether this is a factor or not - I have no knowledge of the origins or organisation of the event - Diceni is a "Tabletop Gaming and Cosplay Show"**.

* Or do I mean a 'Strategy Games" Show?

** Norwich also has a "Gaming Show" in the same venue earlier in the year.  That seems to be devoted to computer games.

LARPers from the Norwich Fools & Heroes

To avoid appearing to be a pervert I didn't take
photos of the children or women cosplayers, but
they were there.

Some readers might not like to hear this, but I think that this combined approach makes for a better atmosphere.  I'm sure there are grumpy old pedants involved in cosplay and boardgames just as in wargaming, but if  so they're not so at the fore!  Today they was a great, friendly and fun with a high proportion of families and passers-by looking around*.   

* The venue being slap-bang in the centre of Norwich and entry being free probably had a lot to do with that.

The stall of our local hobby shop - it's basically a toy shop, but hopefully
events like these help justify their decision to stock tabletop hobby and
LARP materials.  More strength to their elbows!

Oddly enough though I didn't see any mention that yesterday was International Tabletop Day 2016 - was this a missed opportunity to slipstream on their marketing?  However, there was apparently  something called the GreatGeekMeet was happening as well*.  In the past the Norwich Sci-Fi and Star Wars groups have been involved as well.


* Though as you'll see from my photos there weren't any geeks to be seen!

This may or may not have been the GreatGeekMeet

But to the tabletop activities...

Being shy by nature I didn't take many photos or talk to many people, but these might give a taste of what was there.  Those expecting the big tables one sees at wargames shows would have been disappointed - though I'm sure the organisers wouldn't turn one down if someone offered to put a big-table game on!

Warlord demo'ing Bolt Action and Beyond the Gates of Anatres.

The Aftermath Gaming Club playing SAGA

The New Buckenham Club had brought along Wings of War

This interesting-looking game from Fat Chance Games is shortly to
be subject of a KickStarter

And traders?  They included Warlord Games, Cymbeline games,  Langleys (the local toyshop), Counter Attack, MMM Games, Miniature Men, The Assault Group and Utherwald Press.  One trader told me that having a much smaller stall than usual meant gambling a little on what would sell, but he seemed confident enough.  Sadly, Fenris Games although advertised weren't there - possibly because of their temporary closure.  That's a shame, but probably good for my wallet.  Which brings me to...

The Loot

As always, I tried to be modest about the loot,  I resisted the blashisments of MMM's pre-owned figures, but I did bring some things home with me.

First the freebie

As I was looking at the TAG stall the guy told me the price of the six-figure and cavalry blister packs.  "And the individual figures?"  I asked.  It turns out that these were freebies that they'd brought along* in theory to give to people in costume** but had decided to hand out anyway.

*I see from their website that normally you get one of these when you spend £39 mail order.
** I'd come along as a fat, bearded, grumpy middle-aged man.

Giving me a freebie had the desired effect and I later went back and bought a pack of their Goons in President Masks - nicely painted up on their gallery page.

There was no special figure for this year's event, but I bought a d10 to mark the occasion.

And other than that there were just a couple of Bones figures that I thought might come in as Frostgrave spellcasters.

'Olivia'

'Bathalian D'khul'

I've not painted Bones before, but the Not-Illithid looks like it'll be fun (he'll also come in for interaction with Pulp cultists).

Diceni - This Sunday

Just a reminder to anyone who might be in the region that Diceni is taking place in Norwich this Sunday.

There will be games, cosplay, LARPers, re-enacters and of curse, trade stalls.  More details here.

Loki's Giveaway and My Diceni Loot

First the interesting bit, Loki is celebrating his third blogaversary, 400th post and 150,000 page view.  He's doing it in the style we've come to expect - with scantily-clad women!  But he's also doing a rather good giveaway.  It requires a little more work than usual, but then the prizes are worth it.  Details here.

Those of you who read the comments on this week's Painting Table post will remember that I promised Mr Awdrey that I'd spend some money at Diceni.  So, what did I scoop up?

First some cheap dice and a couple of Dicini dice from Cymbeline Games, alongside some MDF counters/bases from Bendy Boards.

Most of my purchases came from Fenris however.  Some in the form of a pre-order and some impulse buys point of sale purchases after due consideration on the day.

Everyone needs a TARDIS police box, some useful hatches and a pretty cool runestone, clearly influenced by the Stora Hammars stones.

Also from Fenris was a ruined Pharaoh, some smashed Egyptian masonry and some pots.

And to finish off the Egyptian theme, a couple of mummies from Dark Art Studios.

Diceni 2014

I had a pleasant morning at Diceni in Norwich today (if you're quick you can still get there - it's on till 4pm!).

It was held in The Forum, one of the more successful modern buildings in the heart of Norwich.  It host the BBC and the City Library (which, as they keep reminding us, has the largest foot-fall of any library in the country).

It's opposite the acceptable face of geekiness in Norwich

There were tell-tale signs that something was going on...

Doors opened at 10am.  I got there about 10:30 and found it nicely busy, but not crowded,

There were about a dozen games going on.

Warlord were there with a Black Powder game

JAG (with IHMN?)

Whatever they were playing, it interested the Saxons

A local wargaming club had a (static?) Agincourt table

Icenic Games playing Star Trek

There was also Bolt Action in the jungle, X-Wing, Bushido (which looked very nice) and several Sci-Fi games I didn't have a close look at.

This plus traders' stands.

Fenris not only had the best-looking stand (I forgot to take photos because I was eyeing the goods) in the best position, but they were also getting a fair bit of attention with their 'Hell and High Water' table, the building of which you can follow on their Facebook page (it was subtly different from at Salute, as it had been dropped when being put into storage)

Fenris getting you on the way in and the way out...

Hell and High Water looking very good (how many scenic items can be fitted onto a board?)

In addition there was cosplay (I know several of you have been waiting for this bit!).

The Norwich Star Wars Club and the Norwich Sci-Fi Club were both there (though there were no fisticuffs this time!).  The Star Wars Club were publicising the 5th Norwich Sci-Fi and Film Convention on 8 June.  Chewbacca and an Ewok were kept very busy having their photos taken.

Who knew R2-D2 was a Canary?

Her first event in costume

I'm not sure what Batwoman's club affiliation is...

Some of you will have been waiting to see Boudi, who appeared last year.  Although she is still the Diceni mascot, and there was a painting competition for painting Hasslefree's Boudi figures, the Cosplayer who dressed as her last year came in a different costume.

This is Tabitha Lyons from Artyfakes - she was there with her range of LARP and cosplay props and costumes.

This very helpful lady seemed to be one of the organisers

This year's Diceni charity was F.A.I.T.H. Animal Rescue.

Are You a Proper Wargamer?

Can't be bothered with all the questions (good God though, even Gary's had a go!).  The answer is

Apparently not.

You got a problem with how I'm doing things pal?

Meanwhile, the table layout is out for Diceni.  The organisers are very apologetic, but the free table they've given to Bloggers for Charity isn't in the main area, but 'the Cosplay Zone'

Not a problem for us...

...we'll be stuck in a side-room with these weirdos.

By Popular Demand...

Further to yesterday's post...

Diceni - 4 May 2014

Last year I was a little gutted to hear that we had had wargames show here in Norwich - gutted because I found out the day after it took place!

As you can see, the weather is so good in Norfolk in April

that you needn't worry too much about wrapping up

Apparently, even without me there, the event was a sufficient success to ensure that Diceni II will go ahead.

It will be on 4 May 2014 (yes, 'May the Fourth...') in The Forum, Norwich.

There is a website at http://diceni.co.uk/ (as yet without any information) and a Facebook Page.

I know at least two followers who will be pleased that Boudica is the mascot of the show - Loki, because the few clothes she is wearing are liberally checked, and Tamsin becaus she's a striking redhead.