Day 550. The one called “Cap’n Jack” hasn’t been seen for some time now. I hope he didn’t share the fate of the one called “Biggie”, who at last report, was hauled away by some big yellow electric rodent. That was many, many months ago, nearly a year after I was pressed into service aboard this vessel.
The goings on aren’t terrible. We bring aboard new recruits, and they serve us breakfast. Sometimes, for a change of pace, someone will have tacos instead of the normal breakfast fare. This “Press Gang” seems to be made up of some decent lads and lasses who enjoy good food, good drink, and good times.
Now they tell me I’m the Quartermaster, and that the Press Gangers aboard this ship report to me. What a strange turn of events. The days of painting these little metal figures and playing games seem a distant memory. It feels like just last night I was chained to the painting desk, adding colors to Pirate Queen Skarre.
So maybe my entry into the Press Gang didn’t quite happen like that. I must have confused it with a movie I saw or something. But I am fairly certain that my name is Jen Ikuta and that I’m the Volunteer Coordinator – a.k.a., Quartermaster – for the Press Gang. Until recently, I was a PG in Boise, Idaho and part of a good-sized gaming group we call River City Warmachine. Dan “Biggie” Brandt was indeed my first QM and Jack “Cap’n Jack” Coleman was my most recent QM.
My introduction to Warmachine came in June 2005 at All About Games in Boise. I picked up the Cygnar Battle Box and bought a Cygnar army from one of the veteran players that same day. Then came Protectorate, Circle, Trollbloods, Legion, Mercs, Retribution (aka Angry Elves!) and Khador. Now that I’m here at the “mothership” and can see the new shiny models we’re producing, it looks like I’ll be expanding Legion and Circle beyond the battle boxes.
When I have free time (what’s that?), I paint for fun and profit, although I have much less time for my commission clients than I’d like. I barely have time to paint for myself. As Dangerfish, one of my locals likes to say, I have the most half-painted models of anyone he knows.
As Quartermaster, one of my primary duties is to add new volunteers to our ranks. We’re looking for good people who will be good ambassadors for our games – people who are passionate and understand that being a Press Ganger is more than having two painted battle boxes and a note from their LGS owner. For more about joining the Gang, click here: http://privateerpress.com/community/press-gangers
What’s all that racket above decks? Ah, it sounds like the latest batch of recruits. A noisy bunch. We’ll get those scallywags whipped into shape in no time! I guess it’s time to head up there and see what all the fuss is about.
Don’t forget: You bring the bodies, we’ll bring the game.