Liber Animus VI: Domination
Well, it’s been run and done and won for another year and here’s what WE thought of it…
Liber Animus: Domination came off pretty well. As with the best laid plans of mice and men, there were a couple of unexpected surprises. The most disappointing was probably the turn out. We had a number of dropouts, and you expect it, but there were a number who disappeared in the last six weeks.
We learnt some lessons about communication, social engineering and email and the internet are tools we need to better employ!
There was a good atmosphere on the day and we attribute it to setting expectations before the tournament. Both historically with repeat players and via the player pack. Players had clear ideas about time frames of games, reinforcing it on the day and (when requiring it) allowing games to play to a conclusion.
Leigh did a brilliant job of managing the event and the quality of players helped keep the atmosphere relaxed and friendly even to the sixth round when things were turning tense.
Burden Park Bowls Club is isolated for some of our interstate and international guests. That aside, the venue is spacious, comfortable and the beer is at 1972 prices!! The staff also do their utmost to accommodate us with catering and VERY liberal bar opening times.
Warhammer 40000 has recently(ish) gone through a version change and the missions reflected, in their simplicity, the accommodation of people still figuring out all the intricacies of the new rules. In fact, there was little need for Judges to mediate disputes!
As ever, people bring their A games to Liber Animus, and few more so than guys like Charlie St.Clair, Caine Marhall, Hagen Kerr, Michael Boles, Ben Llewelyn and Matt Eaton. Not only did they play a hard game, but they put in some amazing efforts on their armies. The quality of the armies was on par with previous years and the marking of both painting and composition was well executed and thorough.
The beauty pageant on Sunday is one of my favourite parts of the tournament; regardless of the steaming pile of cheddar the army may be, brilliantly painted models well displayed make up for some of the cheese!
The finishing ceremony is always an …. interesting affair. This year we planned a lot better. Using Mark Morrison as MC and covering upcoming events helped us finalise results and gave other TOs the ability to hawk their wares. We managed to keep the closing ceremony on track, barring heckling from the peanut gallery.
So, it looks like we managed to pull it off!
We’d like to offer some props as well.
The photos were taken (about four or five HUNDRED of them), by the lovely and talented Rebecca McGavin and comic relief was provided by her son Declan who LOVED Mark Buttle’s daemons drenched in blood!!
Games Workshop for their prize support and their awesome toy soldiers that keep us all so entertained!
Realm of Legends are brilliant. Ross and Marie are really going all out to support the local tourney scene and it was with their assistance we were able to better reward you guys for your efforts.
And our players. Thanks! All the organisation and stress were made worthwhile as forty odd of you rolled dice and enjoyed the two days of camaraderie. We would also like to thank those who travel, especially internationally. Hopefully we made your efforts worthwhile.
Now on to planning for next year!
Tags: 2009, organisers report