The Finals

Adventurer's Guild (1) vs Mongrel Maniacs (7)

The Guild started strong and amassed a 19 point lead by halftime. Dwight Minotaur scored 30 first half points and it looked like the Maniacs were going to get run out of the gym. The Maniacs kept plugging and Dwight Minotaur could not seem to put the ball in the basket and they were right back in it. The Goose Goblin three point miss at the buzzer sealed their fate as the Adventurer's Guild holds on to win the championship.

Adventurer's Guild				Mongrel Maniacs
Guard	2	3		Guard	2	1
Guard	4	3		Guard	6	4
Forward	6	1		Forward	2	6
Forward	6	2		Forward	4	6
Center	30	3		Center	2	6
Bench	3	4		Bench	5	5
Adjustments	0	0		Adjustments	11	5
Total	51	16	67	Total	32	33	65

Round 2 Results

Game 1

Adventurer's Guild (1) vs Secrets (3)

The Secrets jumped out to a huge lead in the first half but Dwight Minotaur was just too much in the second half for the Secrets. He scored 30 of his 33 points in the 2nd half as the Adventurer's Guild moves on to the finals.

Adventurer's Guild				Secrets
Guard	5	5		Guard	4	5
Guard	1	5		Guard	6	3
Forward	5	2		Forward	6	2
Forward	2	2		Forward	3	3
Center	3	30		Center	10	8
Bench	1	4		Bench	1	3
Adjustments	0	0		Adjustments	3	-2
Total	17	48	65	Total	33	22	55

Game 2

Chili's Cohorts (5) vs Mongrel Maniacs (7)

The Maniacs continue to surprise as they come from behind to beat the Cohorts. The relentless bombing from 3 point range once again proved to be the difference as they move into the finals against the Guild.

Chili's Cohorts				Mongrel Maniacs
Guard	16	6		Guard	4	2
Guard	3	2		Guard	4	4
Forward	6	5		Forward	5	6
Forward	1	2		Forward	3	1
Center	7	4		Center	4	4
Bench	4	5		Bench	2	3
Adjustments	0	0		Adjustments	10	12
Total	37	24	61	Total	32	32	64

Round 1 Results

Game 1

City Guards (4) vs Chili's Cohorts (5)

The Guards deploy two monstrous centers along with their star forward. The Guards love to score inside. The Cohorts will attempt to counter with their star guard and veteran center. 

City Guards				Chili's Cohorts
Guard	4	6		Guard	16	16
Guard	1	5		Guard	5	3
Forward	8	16		Forward	1	6
Center	8	7		Forward	6	6
Center	4	4		Center	2	6
Bench	1	6		Bench	2	4
Adjustments	0	0		Adjustments	0	0
Total	26	44	70	Total	32	41	73

We have a minor upset right at the start. The Cohorts ran out to a first half lead 32-26 lead by guard Rock Nash while star City Guard forward Twang McDowt  managed only 8 points. The Guards mounted a furious comeback in the second have that was matched by the Cohorts as they held on  for the victory and move on to the second round.The Cohorts await the victor of Game 3 between the Gold Coins and the Mongrel Maniacs.

Game 2

Adventurer's Guild (1) vs Pure Magic (8)

The Adventurer's Guild employ a stifling defense and a superstar center Dwight Minotaur. Pure Magic uses the combination of the star guard Linn the Gnome and a furious fast break.

Adventurer's Guild				Pure Magic
Guard	4	2		Guard	3	6
Guard	5	4		Guard	16	8
Forward	2	4		Forward	6	2
Forward	2	4		Forward	1	4
Center	9	27		Center	2	6
Bench	1	6		Bench	1	4
Adjustments	0	0		Adjustments	0	2
Total	23	47	70	Total	29	32	61

No Upset here. The Magic took a 6 point lead into halftime 29-23 but Dwight poured in 27 second half points and the defense continued to keep the fast break in check. The number one seed Guild move on into the next round. The Guild will face the winner of Game 4 between the Secrets and Open Hands.

Game 3

Gold Coins (2) vs Mongrel Maniacs (7)

The Gold Coins will pit their superstar guard Hank Glitters against the three point barrage of the Mongrel Maniacs.

Gold Coins				Mongrel Maniacs
Guard	9	21		Guard	3	1
Guard	1	1		Guard	3	4
Forward	2	4		Forward	6	2
Forward	2	4		Forward	5	6
Center	4	5		Center	3	3
Bench	1	1		Bench	5	6
Adjustments				Adjustments	12	12
Total	19	36	55	Total	37	34	71

The Maniacs were a team possessed today as they rained three pointers all afternoon. The game was never close despite the 30 points scored by Glitters. The Maniacs move on to face the Cohorts in the second round.

Game 4

Secrets (3) vs Open Hands (6)

Master coach Phil Juju and star ogre center Shack Shaker take on the solid bench and veteran guard Reggie Mueller from the Open Hands.

				Open Hands
Secrets
Guard	2	4		Guard	8	6
Guard	2	4		Guard	1	5
Forward	4	2		Forward	6	2
Forward	5	2		Forward	6	6
Center	12	16		Center	6	5
Bench	3	4		Bench	10	2
Adjustments	6	5		Adjustments	0	0
Total	34	37	71	Total	37	26	63

Reggie and the Bench lead the way in the first half and it appeared there might be another first round upset but Shack scored 28 and Phil had other ideas as the Secrets came from behind to win and advance.

Tournament Action

Its that time of year again. The Crossroads annual Guild Basketbrawl Tournament. The games are all played in a anti-magic shelled court so that speed, skill and strength cannot be influenced by spells and baubles. Eight teams were selected for this year's tournament. They are listed below:

Seed     Team

1           Adventurer's Guild 

2           Gold Coins (Merchant's Guild) 

3           Secrets (they could tell you...)

4           Guards   

5           Chili's Cohort 

6           Open Hands (Monastery) 

7           Mongrel Maniacs   

8           Pure Magic (Sorcerer's Guild) 

Not Much to Say

I have not had much to say recently hence the lack of  entries. I have spending the free time I get watching NCAA Basketball or catching up on my reading. Most of what I have been reading has been what I would call "popcorn" books. Short, crunchy and not too substantial. I am not saying they are bad books because I have thoroughly enjoyed everything I have read in the past week or so. Below is a list of what I have finished in the last nine days or so.

His Dark Materials, Phillip Pullman (Golden Compass Trilogy)

Lyra's Oxford, Phillip Pullman

Interworld, Neil Gaiman, Michael Reaves

The Silver Dream, Neil Gaiman, Michael Reaves, Mallory Reaves

Ansai Boys, Neil Gaiman

Steelheart, Brandon Sanderson

Artemis Begins, Eoin Colfer

Bones Miniature: Vampire's coffin.

It is the little things that can add a lot to your game. I think I need to add a vampire to my next game.....

Top 5 Editions of Dungeons and Dragons

1> Pathfinder

2> Dungeons and Dragons 3.5

3> Advanced Dungeons and Dragons

4> Advanced Dungeons and Dragons 2nd Edition

5> Dungeons and Dragons 3rd Edition

Controversial list right off the bat because I chose a non-Dungeons and Dragons title for number one. When Wizards of the Coast (WOTC from now on) released Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition Paizo bought the former DnD 3.5 rule base from WOTC. They reworked it, improved it and released it as Pathfinder. Many have called it Dungeons and Dragons 3.75.

Pathfinder tops the list because it is the evolution of the spirit of Dungeons and Dragons. It cleaned up issues that had been bugging me for decades and kept the original feel of Dungeons and Dragons. DnD 3.5 is number two because it refined the newer concepts of 3rd edition. Advanced DnD was the first edition of  DnD that tried to provide more structure to the rules started with the Original Dungeons and Dragons (aka White Box). ADnD 2nd Edition added new tweaks for characters and more ways to define them. DnD 3rd Edition introduced Feats, where characters could have abilities that altered the way other character features worked or enhanced skills.

Not on the list (no particular order)

Dungeons and Dragons Basic Rules (Red Box)

Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition

Dungeons and Dragons Next (5th Edition, not out yet)