The FUMBBL NAF table top tounrey: Light and Dark, organised by Throweck with support from Purplechest and Christer himself, was held in Southwell yesterday. It's an odd little town in the middle of rural Nottinghamshire with 6 houses, 19 pubs and a bloody great cathedral. Getting there on public transport on time was impossible for me so was late but made it in time for the first game. Apologies to the Dave Langford school of convention reports for that last sentence.
I listened to the latest FUMBBL podcast on my walkman on the train (I have to tape it off spotify) and only realised when this tourney was mentioned that I was supposed send a roster to Throweck in advance...

I took Orcs with 2RR, troll, thrower, lino, chainsaw, 4 blitzers and 4 BOBs w/block.

You can tell it was my first time playing TT in about 20 years. My apprehension melted away after the first couple of turns vs nice guy Jim (not sure of his FUMBBL handle). His wood elves were crippled on turn 1 when I KO'd his tree with a chainsaw foul. His one attempt with a dancer at the ball backfired and I was able to score in turn 8. He narrowly failed a one turn attempt, then I held him out long enough in the 2nd half that he had to stall for a draw. I was a 4+ dodge away from stopping even that. So a great start, and fair result with even dice.

I felt like playing so many games on FUMMBL has given me such a good feel for the game, and knowledge of odds, rules, player statlines, etc. that the only disadvantage of not having played TT for ages was having to look up results on the weather and KO tables. My next opponent, jdmickleburgh, had the same problem, but he at least knew which order to make the rolls in. When the computer does it for you it's so much easier, but I had forgot how much fun actually just rolling a bunch of dice can be.

jd bought along Ogres. Well, he borrowed them off Christer (the guy can paint as well as programme!). This was a slugging bashfest in which we each managed to score but couldn't quite pull off the miracle both of us needed to win. Blitzing with the chainsaw was fun. jd was very good in letting me take my time, occasionally change my mind and reminding me when I had forgot something. He would of got my vote for the Sportsmanship award for sure if there was one.

Everyone was super friendly, particularly Araznaroth (who ended up giving me a lift to the train station) and two chaps from Lincoln who don't play much on FUMBBL, but go to a lot of TT tournaments. Although most people played both, I could tell who the hardcore FUMMBLers were. Like my round 3 opponent, neilwat. He had bought built-to-foul Orcs (38 fouls in 3 games!). It's definately the most fun 0-0 draw I've ever had.

In the poker world 'bad beat stories' are when someone takes you through how unlucky they have been. I only had one of these related to me, and I only heard one instance of dice moaning, and I suspect both coaches were TT players. FUMBBLers - I think - understand variance better because they play more games.
Like the poker world, blood bowl has it's own jargon and it was a delight to be able to speak it fluently with fellow players, wherever they play usually.

Well done and thank you Throweck, Purplechest, Christer. Holding it in a pub was a masterstroke. Book me in for next year. I'll stay the weekend 'cos I'm not getting up at 5.20am again!