Colin Paul Ridgers is a notable musician in England. Born in Dormansland, England on August 8 1936, his first musical experiences were as a choir boy with the Choir of St John's Church, Dormansland then as a military musician,primarily on bass trombone, with the 10th Royal Hussars, the 8th Kings Royal Irish Hussars (Queen's Royal Irish Hussars on amalgamation) and, subsequently, the REME Staff Band.
Over the years, Colin has drawn critical acclaim for his many musical projects, especially his work with the Royal Air Force Brize Norton Singers, with whom he directed and produced the album 'Here, There, & Everywhere'.
He has played for various concert bands and competitive brass bands in and around Oxfordshire and Wiltshire. He currently serves as the Musical Director for Thame Concert Band, Bisham Concert Band and the Sound Force Big Band. He has also performed live collaborations with Chris Leslie of Fairport Convention.
Over the years, Colin has drawn critical acclaim for his many musical projects, especially his work with the Royal Air Force Brize Norton Singers, with whom he directed and produced the album 'Here, There, & Everywhere'.
He has played for various concert bands and competitive brass bands in and around Oxfordshire and Wiltshire. He currently serves as the Musical Director for Thame Concert Band, Bisham Concert Band and the Sound Force Big Band. He has also performed live collaborations with Chris Leslie of Fairport Convention.
Extreme Snap is an more complex version of the popular children's card game Snap. Extreme snap is very quick to play, with rounds typically lasting less than 5 minutes, although then can occasionally last much longer, especially when players are of roughly equal ability. Technically the minumum number of players is 2, but 4 players is the practical minimum for an enjoyable game. The maximum number is literally how many people you can fit within arms reach of the pile.
Deck
Extreme snap is played with a standard 52-card pack of playing cards. However, multiple packs could be used if there are many players, or an extended game is desired.
Gameplay
The objective in Extreme Snap is to get rid of your cards.
Players are dealt equal numbers of cards from the deck, with the remaining cards being placed facing upwards in a pile at the centre of the playing surface. For example, if there are 5 players, each would recieve 10 cards, and 2 cards would be placed in the pile. Players are not to look at their cards, but hold them in a downwards facing stack.
Play proceeds clockwise, starting left of the dealer, with players taking it in turns to place a card from the top of their stack on to a central pile. Cards must be flipped outwards, so that the player may not see their card before it is played. As players place their cards on the pile, they must say the next number in the following sequence: Ace, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, Jack, Queen, King, Ace,... For example, Alfie dealt, so Beth plays a card and says 'Ace', Carl plays a card and says 'two', Diane plays a card and says 'three', Alfie plays a card and says 'four', and so on, until Bertie plays a card and says 'King', and then Alfie plays a card and starts over with 'Ace'. Some versions of the game state that only 'Ace', 'two' and 'three' should be said aloud, whilst counting continues as usual in the players heads.
If at any point a card matches the previous card (as in normal snap), or matches the number said by the person who played that card, all players must slam their hands onto the central pile. The last person to slam takes the central pile and places it at the bottom of their deck. Play begins again with the first to slam, who plays their card and says 'Ace'.
To get out, a player must first get rid of all his cards. Then, he must place his slamming hand on his opposite shoulder, and not lose the next slam. If he achieves this, he is now out. If he loses the slam, he must take the cards.
The winner is the first person to get out. If multiple players get out in the same slam, the player who slammed first out of those going out wins. When there are just two players left, the game switches to sudden death, or next-slam-wins. The loser is the player who loses the next slam, or makes a mistake.
If there is a dispute as to which player was last to slam, there should be a 'slam-off' - a player who is not involved in the dispute must take the central pile, turn it so that the cards are facing down, and begin dealing the cards onto the centre of the playing surface. Players must assume the hand-on-shoulder pose, and the last to slam collects the cards. Play restarts with the player who won the original slam (not the player who won the slam-off).
As Extreme Snap is a highly informal game, there are a number of different variations on the basic rules. Some versions do not include 'slam-offs', while others say that the person to lead is the first person to place a card and say 'Ace'. Another variation involves starting with basic rules, but after each hand a new rule is added to the game - for instance, standing up and spinning on the spot if a three-card run occurs. As there is no limit to these rules may be and they will stack as the game continues longer, this can lead to extremely complex and unconventional games, especially depending upon players states of sobriety.
Mistakes
If a player makes a mistake, they must take the central pile, and play begins with the player to their left. Mistakes include:
*Missing the pile (i.e. playing a card such that no part of it is directly above the last card played)
*Playing out of turn
*Saying the wrong number
*Playing multiple cards or cheating by some other means
*Slamming when inappropriate
Strategy
Although the rules are simple, and it seems reactions are the only skill, there are some techniques which can be used in Extreme Snap to shorten your odds.
Card Watching
The most effective technique is to look at an opponents card as he is playing it, rather than once it is already on the pile. Inexperienced players will give you enough time to see their card before they (or other inexperienced players) do. Card watching is less effective with players not directly in front of you, although it can still be utilised. However, Card watching can distract you from cards already on the pile, and thus slow your reaction to snaps.
Pile Migration
Normally you would play your card roughly in the middle of the top card of the pile. Pile migration involves playing your card so that it is as close to you as possible, whilst still being on top of the top card. Over multiple turns the pile will migrate closer to you.
Advantages:
*You will have a shorter distance to slam, whilst your opponents will have further to slam.
Disadvantages:
*You are much more likely to miss the pile
*Your opponents will have longer to look at your card before you see it if you spend too much time positioning it
To overcome these disadvantages is it important to play your card as quickly as possible, whilst making sure it land on the pile. Pile migration is outlawed by many players.
Pre-Slamming
When you play a card, don't withdraw your hand immediately. Instead, hold it there momentarily, in the hope that if there is a slam, your hand will be slammed onto the pile. This works best if your reactions aren't quite up to scratch. This technique is, however, vulnerable to players accidentally (or perhaps purposefully) slamming your hand onto the pile when there is no snap, meaning you must pick up the cards.
Shielding
When playing your card, try to position your hand so that the player(s) to your right (if you're right handed) cannot see the card. By blinding one player, you are almost guaranteeing that you won't lose if a slam does occur.
Jargon
Clean Sheet
Not losing a slam during a hand.
Hand or Game
A hand or game of Extreme Snap consists of several rounds.
Perfect Game
Playing a hand in which one wins every slam in which they participate.
Round
A round ends with a slam.
Deck
Extreme snap is played with a standard 52-card pack of playing cards. However, multiple packs could be used if there are many players, or an extended game is desired.
Gameplay
The objective in Extreme Snap is to get rid of your cards.
Players are dealt equal numbers of cards from the deck, with the remaining cards being placed facing upwards in a pile at the centre of the playing surface. For example, if there are 5 players, each would recieve 10 cards, and 2 cards would be placed in the pile. Players are not to look at their cards, but hold them in a downwards facing stack.
Play proceeds clockwise, starting left of the dealer, with players taking it in turns to place a card from the top of their stack on to a central pile. Cards must be flipped outwards, so that the player may not see their card before it is played. As players place their cards on the pile, they must say the next number in the following sequence: Ace, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, Jack, Queen, King, Ace,... For example, Alfie dealt, so Beth plays a card and says 'Ace', Carl plays a card and says 'two', Diane plays a card and says 'three', Alfie plays a card and says 'four', and so on, until Bertie plays a card and says 'King', and then Alfie plays a card and starts over with 'Ace'. Some versions of the game state that only 'Ace', 'two' and 'three' should be said aloud, whilst counting continues as usual in the players heads.
If at any point a card matches the previous card (as in normal snap), or matches the number said by the person who played that card, all players must slam their hands onto the central pile. The last person to slam takes the central pile and places it at the bottom of their deck. Play begins again with the first to slam, who plays their card and says 'Ace'.
To get out, a player must first get rid of all his cards. Then, he must place his slamming hand on his opposite shoulder, and not lose the next slam. If he achieves this, he is now out. If he loses the slam, he must take the cards.
The winner is the first person to get out. If multiple players get out in the same slam, the player who slammed first out of those going out wins. When there are just two players left, the game switches to sudden death, or next-slam-wins. The loser is the player who loses the next slam, or makes a mistake.
If there is a dispute as to which player was last to slam, there should be a 'slam-off' - a player who is not involved in the dispute must take the central pile, turn it so that the cards are facing down, and begin dealing the cards onto the centre of the playing surface. Players must assume the hand-on-shoulder pose, and the last to slam collects the cards. Play restarts with the player who won the original slam (not the player who won the slam-off).
As Extreme Snap is a highly informal game, there are a number of different variations on the basic rules. Some versions do not include 'slam-offs', while others say that the person to lead is the first person to place a card and say 'Ace'. Another variation involves starting with basic rules, but after each hand a new rule is added to the game - for instance, standing up and spinning on the spot if a three-card run occurs. As there is no limit to these rules may be and they will stack as the game continues longer, this can lead to extremely complex and unconventional games, especially depending upon players states of sobriety.
Mistakes
If a player makes a mistake, they must take the central pile, and play begins with the player to their left. Mistakes include:
*Missing the pile (i.e. playing a card such that no part of it is directly above the last card played)
*Playing out of turn
*Saying the wrong number
*Playing multiple cards or cheating by some other means
*Slamming when inappropriate
Strategy
Although the rules are simple, and it seems reactions are the only skill, there are some techniques which can be used in Extreme Snap to shorten your odds.
Card Watching
The most effective technique is to look at an opponents card as he is playing it, rather than once it is already on the pile. Inexperienced players will give you enough time to see their card before they (or other inexperienced players) do. Card watching is less effective with players not directly in front of you, although it can still be utilised. However, Card watching can distract you from cards already on the pile, and thus slow your reaction to snaps.
Pile Migration
Normally you would play your card roughly in the middle of the top card of the pile. Pile migration involves playing your card so that it is as close to you as possible, whilst still being on top of the top card. Over multiple turns the pile will migrate closer to you.
Advantages:
*You will have a shorter distance to slam, whilst your opponents will have further to slam.
Disadvantages:
*You are much more likely to miss the pile
*Your opponents will have longer to look at your card before you see it if you spend too much time positioning it
To overcome these disadvantages is it important to play your card as quickly as possible, whilst making sure it land on the pile. Pile migration is outlawed by many players.
Pre-Slamming
When you play a card, don't withdraw your hand immediately. Instead, hold it there momentarily, in the hope that if there is a slam, your hand will be slammed onto the pile. This works best if your reactions aren't quite up to scratch. This technique is, however, vulnerable to players accidentally (or perhaps purposefully) slamming your hand onto the pile when there is no snap, meaning you must pick up the cards.
Shielding
When playing your card, try to position your hand so that the player(s) to your right (if you're right handed) cannot see the card. By blinding one player, you are almost guaranteeing that you won't lose if a slam does occur.
Jargon
Clean Sheet
Not losing a slam during a hand.
Hand or Game
A hand or game of Extreme Snap consists of several rounds.
Perfect Game
Playing a hand in which one wins every slam in which they participate.
Round
A round ends with a slam.
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, The Glutton is the gnomish deity of disaster and greed. He was introduced in the Races of Stone supplement book.
In many campaign settings, the gnome pantheon of gods consists of the leader Garl Glittergold, as well as Baervan Wildwanderer, Baravar Cloakshadow, Flandal Steelskin, Gaerdal Ironhand, Nebelun, Segojan Earthcaller, and Urdlen (others might be present in specific settings). The Glutton, along with Gelf Darkhearth, Ril Cleverthrush and Sheyanna Flaxenstrand, being introduced in a supplemental book, are not considered canon to the pantheon.
Description
The Glutton is usually depicted as a massive, ravenous badger or wolverine. The Glutton figures prominently in the bedtime stories gnomes tell naughty children -- "Go to sleep or The Glutton will get you!" The Glutton is blamed whenever a burrow collapses or another misfortune befalls the gnomes. It is said that The Glutton was once a gnome who was cursed with a hideous form and a desire to consume the gnomes and all they hold dear (why is not known). His holy symbol is a gaping, fanged mouth surrounded by what looks like a golden band, and what appears to be a smear of pink blood behind it. His favored weapon is the heavy mace.
Worship
Clerics
The Glutton's few clerics are all secretive cult leaders, for no gnomes would willingly allow worshipers of The Glutton into their burrows. New clerics are recruited from among the mad and the hopeless.
Prayer
Cultists of The Glutton take his name literally when they pray, stuffing themselves with food as they make profane utterances to their evil deity.
Temples
The Glutton has no temples. His cultists meet wherever they can find a measure of secrecy.
Rites
Rites require a level of organization that The Glutton is uninterested in. If his cultists want a ceremony to perform, they have to create it themselves.
Quests
The Glutton's goals are straightforward enough that he doesn't send followers on quests. But the cults that act in his name might send adventurers on quests to acquire more evil power
Herald and Allies
The herald of The Glutton is a mighty balor. Allies are howlers, greater barghests, and nalfeshnee demons.
In many campaign settings, the gnome pantheon of gods consists of the leader Garl Glittergold, as well as Baervan Wildwanderer, Baravar Cloakshadow, Flandal Steelskin, Gaerdal Ironhand, Nebelun, Segojan Earthcaller, and Urdlen (others might be present in specific settings). The Glutton, along with Gelf Darkhearth, Ril Cleverthrush and Sheyanna Flaxenstrand, being introduced in a supplemental book, are not considered canon to the pantheon.
Description
The Glutton is usually depicted as a massive, ravenous badger or wolverine. The Glutton figures prominently in the bedtime stories gnomes tell naughty children -- "Go to sleep or The Glutton will get you!" The Glutton is blamed whenever a burrow collapses or another misfortune befalls the gnomes. It is said that The Glutton was once a gnome who was cursed with a hideous form and a desire to consume the gnomes and all they hold dear (why is not known). His holy symbol is a gaping, fanged mouth surrounded by what looks like a golden band, and what appears to be a smear of pink blood behind it. His favored weapon is the heavy mace.
Worship
Clerics
The Glutton's few clerics are all secretive cult leaders, for no gnomes would willingly allow worshipers of The Glutton into their burrows. New clerics are recruited from among the mad and the hopeless.
Prayer
Cultists of The Glutton take his name literally when they pray, stuffing themselves with food as they make profane utterances to their evil deity.
Temples
The Glutton has no temples. His cultists meet wherever they can find a measure of secrecy.
Rites
Rites require a level of organization that The Glutton is uninterested in. If his cultists want a ceremony to perform, they have to create it themselves.
Quests
The Glutton's goals are straightforward enough that he doesn't send followers on quests. But the cults that act in his name might send adventurers on quests to acquire more evil power
Herald and Allies
The herald of The Glutton is a mighty balor. Allies are howlers, greater barghests, and nalfeshnee demons.
In the game Dungeons & Dragons dromites are small monstrous humanoids with natural psionic ability. They stand about 3 feet tall and usually weigh slightly more than 30 pounds. They have iridescent compound eyes. Dromites typically wear heavy boots and light clothing, and are sometimes content with just a sturdy harness. Most dromites encountered outside their homes are warriors.
The race comes from the D&D source book Expanded Psionics, a 3.5 edition book. This is one of the first races outlined in the book, and has various racial abilities. One being the chitin that it creates, giving it a natural armor bonus, as well as a minor resistance to certain energy attacks. As a naturally race, the Dromite gets a bonus to it's Power Points. The dromite actually has antenae on it's head, that allow it the scent and blind fight feats. For more information, look for an SRD, or look through the Expanded Psionics book.
The race comes from the D&D source book Expanded Psionics, a 3.5 edition book. This is one of the first races outlined in the book, and has various racial abilities. One being the chitin that it creates, giving it a natural armor bonus, as well as a minor resistance to certain energy attacks. As a naturally race, the Dromite gets a bonus to it's Power Points. The dromite actually has antenae on it's head, that allow it the scent and blind fight feats. For more information, look for an SRD, or look through the Expanded Psionics book.