The Mandarin™'s Tomb was this years all night offering from Judge Drew. Due to my homage to the Mandarin™ in the Astral Plane Event on Friday I was offered the role of the Mandarin™ and his minions for the night and as this gave me the opportunity to reuse my Mandarin™ Astral Projection figure (now the ghost of the Mandarin™ so I duly obliged.

The game was split into two sections, the first with players attempting to gain access to the Mandarin™'s Tomb and the second seeing the remaining players try to traverse the labyrinth of catacombs in an attempt to locate the Inner Sanctum, destroy the Mandarin and seize his rings of power.

The view from the tower of the Mandarin™'s Tomb!

Players were allowed 300 points teams with no more than 3 figures and were set up at the far side of the table. The Mandarin™'s Tomb entrance was at the far side of the map and his guardians guarded the doorway. As the map had no squares, inches were used for movement and range which was different. Other than three different versions of Wolverine™ there were a good mix of figures on the board with next to no duplicates.

I used the opportunity to do some role play with the booming voice of the Mandarin™ and to take a few liberties with the rules in order to have some fun. At random intervals I would throw opportunities for the protagonists to gain favour with the Mandarin™, but most often this was a double edged sword with an equal opportunity to lose favour. My favourite 'addition' was the impromptu Mandarin™ Game Shows in which the contestants could gain great prizes or suffer hideous pain (it reminded me very much of Family Fortunes that way). I also decided that whilst he was waiting for his tomb to be invaded Mandarin™ was watching shopping channels on his cable TV and cracked jokes accordingly - it seemed to go down well.

Some heros were slain and others got to the gate of the tomb fairly unmolested having avoided the shadow of the sun and its burining rays. At around 1.30pm the tomb was desecrated and stage two of the game began. Some players had to drop out prior to this so there clix were blasted with the Mandarin™'s infinite range death ray. More worryingly, several of the 'younger' players were still there - including the Mindarin who was appointed as Mandarin™'s nephew at about 9.30. Parent's - you really shouldn't let your children play Heroclix© with drunken gamers in the early hours of the morning!

As time passed and Ben and Craig consumed yet another jug of lager (each that is, not between them and direct from the jug too) the catacombs of the Mandarin™ were explored and Fing Fan Foom was discovered. After a few turns of deliberation and with some assistance Mike (Blue Hair) dispatched most of it adding to his already massive haul of LE's.

The Mandarin™'s sleep was diturbed (or in my case refused) and the three version on Mandarin™ were elliminated in turn with an LE prize for the killer of each. If my memory serves me correctly Ben (USA) slayed the Veteran version, Ben (UK drink lots and amaze spectators that you dont fall over) smited the Experienced version and for definate Ste Date (can I go to bed now) ended the game with the demolition of the Rookie version.

It was a great game full of great ideas. Turns went a little slowly (ok very slowly) due to the number of players so this meant I had to roleplay even more to try to keep them entertained. Did it work or did I just make a complete idiot of myself for no reason? Please let me know by signing my guestbook. CONGRATULATIONS must go to Drew for conjuring the idea and great execution. My only regret was that I didn't know what I should do half the time so had to make it up as I went along. I think the professionals call this improvisation - in my world it was winging it. The prizes were cool too for the playersand even an LE for the little old Mandarin™. Can't wait to see what Drew has cooked up for next year - maybe this time I could read it in advance if I am to take on a leading role?

The Manarin™'s Astral Projection beautifully doubles as his ghost for the Mandarin™'s Tomb scenario. Another Drew all-nighter.

The assault on the Mandarin's Tomb begins.

©2003 WizKids, Inc. All rights reserved. MechWarrior, BattleTech, BattleMech, ’Mech, MW, Mage Knight, MK, Shadowrun, HeroClix, SportsClix, Creepy Freaks, Freak Out, and WizKids are trademarks of WizKids, Inc.