I began my training as a mech builder for Mechaton yesterday, and the preliminary results are not bad. The little back-and-grey guy on the right is closely modeled on the basic naked mech sample that Vincent provides in the game’s field guide. The larger red & white model is my own attempt to build something cool in the spirit of the game. And on the left is a basic station, which I think is pretty obviously being defended by Big Red, who is prepared to quash the measley little black and grey dude with a shot from his chest cannon.

I haven’t even tricked these guys out yet, but I’m already forming a narrative in my head about the political and cultural mores of the two factions represented here, along with a few other possible factions (each with their own distinct style and color palette) and working up of a huge campaign to put them in.

What, you didn’t expect me not to mix some narrative oomph into this thing just because it’s a tactical game played with LEGO pieces, did you? C’mon.

Of course I’ll be teaching Cartographer to play, but I must admit I’m also hungry to play this game with some – dare I say it? – adults. I suspect there might be a couple of former Rolemonkeys who might be interested.