Blackmore 4(04)

Blackmore 4(04)

	Historical Event
	This historical event is no longer active. However, its wiki page is preserved to reflect the event's significance in Urban Dead history. Please do not edit this page or the corresponding talk page without good reason.

The Battle of Blackmore 4
Date:	August 19th, 2010 - August 31st, 2010
Place:	Ridleybank, in and around the Blackmore Building
Result:	Zombies overwhelmed survivors after 13 days of fighting
Combatants
Survivor x Zombies
Groups
- Survivor :	404: Barhah not found, The 4-H, 82nd Airborne Division, Axes High, The Big Prick, Blackmore Bastard Brigade, Channel 4 News Team, CORAM, Creedy Defense Force, Cult of the Stuffed Crocodile, Damn Yankees, Dr. schwan’s Research and Development Team, Earletown Rangers, ~EVIL~, The Fortress, Glitch, Holy Order of the Pint, Judgewood Vector Control, The Kilt Store, Malton College of Medicine, Malton Civil Defense Unit, Malton Forensics Unit, The Malton Zookeepers, Order of the Black Rose, POLNGOAK, Quartly Study Group, RCDC, Soldiers of Crossman, The Spanish Inquisition, The Umbrella Corp, More and More Dual Natured people, and Various other survivor groups.
- Zombies :	RRF (specifically the DOHS), Ferals, Feral Undead
Commanders
- Survivor :	404: Commanders not found
- Zombies :	Globule13 (Papa of the RRF, Irishmen (leader of the Constables strike team), TexasXDork (leader of the Team America strike team) and the War Council of the RRF
Strength
- Survivor :	Twister, Christmas Decor
- Zombies :	Parachutes, History
Casualties
- Survivor :	Initially almost nonexistent; began picking up with the arrival of the Gore Corp. Ended in major casualties.
- Zombies :	Approx. -90 deaths

The generator is already running perfectly.
-The rallying cry of many a 404'er.

We won't be signing off until the world ends. We'll be on, and we will cover the end of the world, live, and that will be our last event... and when the end of the world comes, we'll play 'Nearer, My God, to Thee' before we sign off.
-Ted Turner, on the events in Blackmore

I am going to eat you all but I must say that it's nice to have well mannered guests on occasion. What the hell!? Did I just get healed by a guy from Fortress?
-globule13, RRF

Blackmore 4(04) was a siege that took place from August 19, 2010 to August 31, 2010, almost four years to the day after the original Battle of Blackmore. It began with an alleged "failed Piñata" by the group 404: Barhah not found, and quickly spiraled into a suburb-wide conflict between various survivor groups, the Ridleybank Resistance Front, and the Feral Undead. It ended after thirteen days on August 31 when a joint strike by RRF strike teams established a foothold and overpowered survivor resistance inside the building.

Overview

Prologue

You people are all insane.
-tyl112, CORAM member, after a mass combat revive.

We're not insane, we're 404.
-Rolfe Steiner, 404 member, in response to the above.

On the 9th of August, 2010, the survivor group 404: Barhah not found wandered into Ridleybank, with plans to test a "new tactic". Survivor activity quietly increased as 404 enacted suicide-repairs in an effort to reclaim the suburb. Initially, zombie-resistance was low, and by the 18th, most of the southern half of the suburb was either repaired or ruined with single figure repair costs.

At the same time, JustinBronze began publicizing 'Project Operation Let's Not Get Our Asses Kicked," an impromptu attempt to invade Ridleybank and retake the Blackmore building. Fearing the increased publicity that this event would draw, 404 decided to abandon reclamation efforts, and move on after one last shenanigan: Piñata'ing Blackmore. However, an accidental FAK spoiled the plans to piñata the building, and rather than try again, 404 vowed to stick it out and see how long they could last. This was the 19th of August.

The Early Days

I reckon we'll last one day.
-Little Chris, 404, every single day from the 19th onwards.

By the 20th, local ferals and members of the RRF homeguard began to react to the increased survivor presence in Ridleybank. On the 21st, Constables showed up to evict the unwelcome visitors and were promptly revived. Both sides traded a few curt words before the Constables swan dived onto the pavement. The survivors, who now included a few members of The Order of the Black Rose, Soldiers of Crossman, and The Big Prick, began to wonder if something was brewing, and started looking for backup.

On the 22nd, the Constables tightened their attack, and breached the barricades several times. They were repelled after several close calls.

The survivors celebrated their 100th hour in Blackmore with a game of traditional 404 "Naked Twister".

The Celebration

This is the oddest siege I can recall being at.
-Alyson Jenkins

Even the youngest of the Blackmore survivors understood the uses of a well-placed combat revive.

Over the coming week, survivor and zombie numbers steadily increased inside and outside Blackmore, and starting on the 24th, survivors outnumbered zombies for the first time since the beginning of August. As word began to spread, survivor numbers continued to grow, reaching 50 on the 25th, and over 100 by the end of the 26th. This news was overshadowed, however, by the appearance of the Feral Undead, and the announcement of the return of the RRF to Ridleybank.

As survivor numbers swelled, many inside began celebrating what they viewed as a giant four year anniversary celebration for the original Battle of Blackmore. Through the waves of break-ins and combat revives, the merry din of singing, twister, and rowdy toasts to Ron Burgundy and his compatriots could be clearly discerned.

Surrounded by this aura of mirth, the initial hostility between the survivors and zombies seemed to disappear. Many revived Ridleys (including their leader, globule13) took some time to join in the fun before executing the regulation death threat and window dive.

The tide turns

Artist conception of what REALLY happens when a zombie bellows. Scientists are currently unsure if it's the singing or neon-orange outfit that attracts the zombies.

All right you sons of mothers, it's time. Prepare to LIVE!
-Alan Corvus, right before a spree of 13 combat revives.

At first, survivors were very optimistic, even as members of the DoHS slowly returned to the suburb. Constant pressure on the barricades by the growing horde outside Blackmore was countered by constant monitoring of the barricades by dedicated 404 members, Daily break-ins, however, continued to increase, forcing survivors to use combat-revive tactics to keep the horde at bay. The building nearly fell on the 26th after a particularly large 18-zombie break prevented survivors from re-barricading. Only a timely, mass-combat revive spearheaded by 404 prevented the loss of Blackmore, increasing survivor morale greatly.

As zombies continued to stream in, RRF and Feral Undead leaders began to focus their attention on the surrounding infrastructure. St George's Hospital was ransacked by the Constables on the 24th, and St. Eugene's and St. Simon's Hospitals fell on the 29th. Although many buildings were reclaimed by survivors, no overall reclamation plan was enacted. As more zombies flowed into the area salt the land tactics meant that several key buildings were either impossible to reclaim by the disparate survivor factions, or pinated. By the 30th, many of the factories, hospital and generator-supply points were either ransacked or under siege. While survivors were not greatly affected by the loss of an individual hospital (there are four hospitals in the immediate area, and seven in Ridleybank), the sudden loss of a generator source was a major blow to survivor efforts, who depended on power to maintain their strategy of combat revival.

Sensing the looming danger, Maverick Farrant went out on a recruiting tour through Malton's malls. However, only two of the six malls he visited were repaired, and between the two, only ~60 survivors were present. What was meant as a powerful rallying cry for Blackmore turned into a week-long effort to bring perhaps a dozen or so more survivors to the battle.

Despite the lack of mallrats, both sides continued to swell, with the Human:Zombie numbers at Blackmore reaching 125:114 by the 30th, and eventually peaking on the 31st at 140:125. In addition to the central Blackmore groups, a large but indeterminate network of survivors and zombies fought for control of the surrounding area.

Coda

Gentlemen, Playing with you has been the greatest honor of my life.
-Red Hawk One, August 31

Lord Moloch takes out a survivor before destroying the generator... (and again)... (and again)

With the full RRF in Ridleybank, the last few days were difficult for the defenders. Around the clock attacks drained survivor AP, and the rapid exchange of TRPs placed the generator supply at a critical low.

On the 31st, this strain finally broke the survivor defense. Survivors, both AP and generator-less, were unable to withstand a joint strike by the RRF Constables and Team America around 1:30GMT. A few survivors tried to scrounge generators from a nearby factory, but were met with failure (and pipes. Lots of pipes). With the zombie numbers steadily rising inside Blackmore and survivors unable to recade, the fall of Blackmore seemed imminent.

By 8:00GMT, the zombies outnumbered the survivors roughly 70:50. However, even as the RRF began to pour in, the more confident of the defenders adamantly continued with one "final hurrah"- reviving, killing, and taunting zombies in a final real-time free-for-all.

Aftermath

When it takes the entire RRF to take you down, you know you've done well.
-ADK, a 404'er, on the event

The range of a bellow from the Blackmore Building. About 4.4% of the city heard the siege firsthand, including parts of nine suburbs, two malls, and five Necrotechs (purple squares).

Even as the defense was being overrun, the siege was able to provide some valuable insights into the game. Primarily, it proved that, given a core base of coordinated individuals, survivors are still capable of withstanding a large attack in the current Barricade Blocking era. These 13 days in the heart of Ridleybank -one of the longest runs since the introduction of cade blocking- make a sharp contrast against the prior, embarrassing status quo of having a mall ruined by a small group of semi-coordinated ferals.

One of the more surprising insights of the siege was the power of a bellow. Players on both sides of the barricades were unsure what to make of the new skill, which had never really been used before Blackmore. To be perfectly frank, when the first zombie broke in, it didn’t seem to have much of an effect. But as the number and intensity of the bellows increased, so did the number of ferals that gathered outside the Blackmore. Aided by the addition of a new in-game tracker (which homed in on the most recent groan), what seemed to be the majority of zombies in the surrounding suburbs began shambling towards the siege.

However, with most of the local ferals outside Blackmore, they weren't out keeping the region in ruins. Industrious survivors seized this opportunity to repair patches of the surrounding area where possible. However, few of these survivors stayed in the repaired buildings, and as the siege drew to a close, local zombies quickly reclaimed their home suburbs. This unexpected twist presents an entirely new dilemma on bellow- instead of asking if the skill is too weak to matter, one must ask if, in a less dangerous region, a bellow is worth the risk of depopulating the area. Only time will tell how this skill is used, but the initial experience here at Blackmore suggests there may be more to the skill than it appears.

Epilogue

Red Hawk One plays "Nearer my God to Thee" to the overrun building. He survives, and is later sued by James Cameron over copyrights.

"Gentlemen, playing with you has been the greatest honor of my life.
Tonight dies a moment that was never supposed to happen, a pinata went, as the designer says, 'horribly wrong'.
Godspeed, my friends, and let the spirit here at Blackmore spread throughout your lives.
For the survivors have proven it is possible, for a time, to fight the horde despite all odds...
And we have all proven that, even as the game ages, it can still be fun. Godspeed, my friends, and let the spirit here at Blackmore spread throughout your lives.
*Pulls out a violin and plays a few bars of ‘Nearer my God to Thee’*

Frontline: Blackmore

Shortly after the siege ended, Red Hawk One interviewed several of the major players on their opinions of the event. These are their stories.

Rolfe Steiner

Rolfe was the main instigator of the event. He was the one to commission the ill-fated piñata of Blackmore, who acted as a sort of leader to his fellow 404, and who helped bring order to the survivor side.

<Red> So who's idea was it to 'pinata' Blackmore?
<Rolfe> It was mine. I rounded up Mike Hutley and Dante Bosch to help.
<Red> Care to comment on what gave you that idea?
<Rolfe> We were going to pull out of Ridleybank that night, expecting imminent arrival of POLNGOAK and DEM, and I told the guys, "There's 1 zed in Blackmore, lets pinata it to fuck with POLNGOAK." Since we viewed their entire movement as fucking up our project in Ridleybank, it was pretty much the perfect time to practice what we had in mind, what with the RRF all spread out.
<Red> yet you ended up staying. Why?
<Rolfe> The pinata failed, Blackmore was up. We figured reinforcements were coming any day, so why not stay and fight? Why let POLNGOAK take the glory and the credit for something they didn't do?
<Red> When did you realize that this was going to be more than a one or two day thing?
<Rolfe> Day three, definitely. Why? We had almost 20-30 zombies outside, 20+ survivors inside, and we kept pushing out the Constables
<Red> What would you say the survivor's biggest strength was during the fight?
<Rolfe> Our around the clock coordination. Without that we wouldn't have lasted more than a couple days.
<Red> And their biggest weakness?
<Rolfe> Not enough people coordinating with us. Out of the almost 150 survivors in Blackmore, maybe about 20-25 made an effort to actually work with us.
<Red> I understand AP shortages were also a problem. Without the AP problems, how long do you think you could have held?
<Rolfe> Possibly indefinitely. We had a very dedicated band of caders here watching around the clock. If there was a dip in cade levels we usually got on that instantly and patched them.
<Red> I see. On a more positive note, what was your favorite experience during this fight?
<Rolfe> That's a difficult one. I'd say its a tie between killing the TKer, making Justinbronze shit his pants, and combat reviving some of the RRF top brass.
<Red> Such as?
<Rolfe> Irishmen, the leader of the Constables, Michael Barnaby, one of the leaders of Team America, and the big cheese himself Globule
<Red> What was your impression of the RRF as opponents?
<Rolfe> I thought the RRF were extremely worthy opponents. They're the oldest horde still active, and the biggest. They didn't let up for a second.
<Red> What was your overall impression of the event? Do you see anything like it, or better, happening in the near future?
<Rolfe> The event was pure accident and happenstance, we had no real intention of it turning into an entire epic siege situation. It just snowballed into one. I had a lot of fun during it, met some great people like the guys from SoC and MCM, and thought it was very well fought on both ends. Do I see anything like it happening in the near future? Not likely but anything is possible. We've showed that after the failure of Escape, survivors DO still have what it takes to make an effective stand against the zombies.
<Red> Well, Rolfe, thank you for your time.
<Rolfe> No problem. It will be nice to see my words immortalized in the event history I suppose, as one of the guys who made it happen.

Irishmen

Irishmen is the leader of the Constables- a major home-guard RRF squad that was the first to face the survivors in Blackmore.

<Red> So, you are the leader of the Constables, correct?
<Irishmen> Oh yes. :3
<Red> After hearing that survivors were in the Blackmore, how long did it take you to realize that it wasn't just a bunch of trenchies?
<Irishmen> Well, about a day.
<Red> What were your thoughts when you found out you'd be squaring off with 404?
<Irishmen> Well, the immediate need was to bring the horde to Blackmore, at least in my mind. I've dealt with zergs and trenchies since 2005. A group of 30 of them is nothing; a group of intelligent players is very different. I knew that a group of 5-7 zombies wouldn't bring it down and started to advise we move in a bunch of zombies now before humans start to bandwagon. That didn't happen, but I think it actually worked out better it didn't in terms of fun.
<Red> I think we can all agree on that. During the siege, the survivors relied heavily on combat revives to maintain control. What is your opinion on that tactic?
<Irishmen> It’s valid. I'm not against combat revives. I think it’s a useful tactic. That being said, it still can be confounding to counter at times, at least if you don't take a step back and exploit the inherit flaws in the tactic.
<Red> Such as the need for generators?
<Irishmen> Well that and AP dripping.
<Red> Anyways, what was your favorite part about the siege?
<Irishmen> Oh, breaking in to ruin those damn Christmas lights!
<Red> And your least favorite?
<Irishmen> Eh. Well, one of the 404 members accidentally idled in the RRF channel during a strike. It got me pretty pissed when I saw them combat revive someone and then exit the channel. It was an accident but really bothered me at the time. It was a minor thing really, any other time I was having fun.
<Red> I see. Overall, what was your impression of the opposition, specifically 404?
<Irishmen> Actually intelligent. And fun. A rare combination for survivors.
<Red> And your impression of the siege in general?
<Irishmen> A hilarious battle of attrition. And naked twister. And Christmas light destruction.
<Red> Do you see anything of this scale happening in the near future?
<Irishmen> Never can say. It’s a distinct possibility. After all, we didn't see this coming until it happened.
<Red> Well, thank you for your time, Irish.
<Irishmen> No problem. :3

Diana Warren

To many of the survivors in both the Blackmore and 404 war room, Diana's whimsical shenanigans were a welcome relief from the stress of the siege.

<Red> So, tell me, Ms. Warren, what role did you play in the siege?
<DianaWarren> I think combat bartender
<Red> Bartender?
<DianaWarren> Well, everybody does everything better drunk, it seems. Including 'cading and combat revives. And play Naked Twister
<Red> Ah yes. the infamous Naked Twister. I was going to ask what your favorite part was next, but I think I already know.
<DianaWarren> What happens in Blackmore stays in Blackmore
<Red> Right. Ummm... So, what was your LEAST favorite part?
<DianaWarren> Least favorite part? Not nearly enough time to ruin Blackmore with a rock star party. Humanphagia and Globule were the only two zombies who got their dance on.... And hell yeah there was not nearly enough naked twister! I think the zombies needed to party more.
<Red> Yes, they do seem a little... Stiff at times. *ba-dum cha!* What was your impression on the other participants, Diana?
<DianaWarren> um, everybody was great and did plenty of drinking, so I was busy. Rolfe is six sheets to the wind, Fiffy is wanted by everyone, And Red is my kind of crazy.
<Red> *Blush* Would you like to see something like this happen again in the future?
<DianaWarren> Would I like to see something like this in the future? How would you top this? Hmm… Hell if I know, but you can bet I'll be there if it’s big.
<Red> Thanks for your time, Ms. Warren.
* DianaWarren pours Red a Dark N Stormy, winks at him, and heads out.

Dante Bosch

Another major combatant with 404, Dante had the honor of being with Rolfe Steiner from the very beginning.

<Red> Alright, Mr. Bosch . Your turn.
<Bosch|rest> We can try, but I'm tired and high <.<
<Red> All the better, my friend.
<Rolfe> Haha

<Red> So, you were there with Rolfe when he decided to piñata the Blackmore, correct?
<Bosch|rest> Yes, there was Rolfe Steiner, Mark Hutley and myself
<Red> What did you think of the idea?
<Bosch|rest> The idea wasn't perfect - I felt it a shame that POLNGOAK was bringing too much attention to the suburb and that we were cutting and running after resetting many of the repair costs. But, of course I understood and wanted part in playfully building a piñata in Blackmore to keep the likes of justinrbronze out
<Red> It sounds like you may have been a it relieved when the piñata fell through and you ended up staying.
<Bosch|rest> I was up for a siege.
<Red> Well, when the siege started, how long did you think you would last?
<Bosch|rest> Five days? A week if we played it intelligently? That was the expection with the numbers we had early on. My expection anyway, maybe I'm an optimist... or deluded.
<Red> How do you feel about lasting just under two weeks in the heart of Ridleybank?
<Bosch|rest> It's tiring but satisfying, chance, characters and circumstance have conspired to make this both highly entertaining and hopefully re-energising for survivors who haven't had more to cheer about and/or still have their heads up their arses regarding appropriate tactics in this interference era, and could do with being shown how it's done.
<Red> So, what was your favorite part of the event?
<Bosch|rest> Live fights involving dropping, fuelling and fixing generators, combat reviving rotters and clearing them out - done well, it's a beautiful sight, all that new life <3 And break-ins that make your heart beat like fucking crazy when you're caught off-guard
<Red> And what was your least favorite?
<Bosch|rest> Dealing with zergs, and griefers with little or no class.
<Red> Alright. What would you say the survivors strongest point was (Not including the IRC)?
<Bosch|rest> Inhibition.
<Red> Inhibition?
<Bosch|rest> Inhibition to combat revive like crazy. To stay up all night. To play the game how it's supposed to be played and not run like the game would like you to.
<Red> I see. And what would you say the survivor's greatest weakness was?
<Bosch|rest> Lack of strong, purposeful resource management? That you can't get everyone to coordinate through the same channel? The need to stay awake on watch for hours and hours also is a massive weakness of survivors under siege.
<Red> I see; that's a pretty good point. Well, final questions; what were your overall impression of the event? Do you see something like this happening again in the near future?
<Bosch|rest> The siege was fantastic, but circumstantial of its time and probably won't be bettered for a while. And engaging events like this are inevitable so long as there are creative players feeding each others imaginations with exciting ideas about what is possible within Malton's parameters
<Red> Thanks for your time, Dante.
<Bosch|rest> >.>

Agent Sandman

Agent Sandman is the leader of Team America, the strike team that, along with the Constables, finally established a beachhead in the Blackmore.

<Red>What role did you play in the siege? (include group and profile link)
<Sandman>Leader of the Team America strike team of RRF. Also helped lead the final attack on Blackmore. http://urbandead.com/profile.cgi?id=1330430
<Red>How did you hear about it? What were your expectations?
<Sandman>I was in the RRF IRC channel listening to Irish report the difficulties the Constables were having. I was expecting glorious, glorious feasting!
<Red>What was your favorite part of the event?
<Sandman>I had SEVERAL favorite parts of the siege. First of all, TA pulled what I compared to Patton at the Battle of the Bulge from coming from the far western edge of Malton and running strikes in the Greater Ridleybonk area in under 24 hours. Then of course the final attack, which as I predicted to TA and the Constables prior, was to be one of the RRF's finest hours, so I channeled Winston Churchill and totally ripped off the end of his "Never Surrender" speech as we prepared for our final push into Blackmore. Oh, and eating the RRFers who had forsaken the BARHAH and were on the harmanz side was pretty fun too.
<Red> What was your least favorite part of the event?
<Sandman> I didn't really have a least favorite part after TA arrived, but I'd have to say the same as Irish when the 404ers with RRF alts were accidentally in the RRF channel while the Constables were attacking.
<Red> What did you think of the opposition?
<Sandman> They tasted like beef. Mmmm..... beef.......
<Red> What was your overall impression of the event?
<Sandman> What Escape was hyped to be, instead of the Epic Fail it turned out to be.
<Red> Do you see anything of this scale happening in the future?
<Sandman> Yes. There will be future sieges of Blackmore and we shall eat their brains again!
<Red> Any closing thoughts?
<Sandman> BRAAAAIIIINNNNNZZZ

Harv117

Having never seen a major siege before, Harv117 was unsure what to expect when the Soldiers of Crossman announced plans to visit Blackmore. As he reveals, there is still a chance for relatively newer players to experience the glory days of old.

<Red> So, Harv, what role did you play in the siege?
<Harv117> well towards the end there I was a fueler and then sacrificed myself to get some key revives in
<Red> And which group where you with?
<Harv117> Soldiers of Crossman
<Red> Around when did the Soldiers show up?
<Harv117> a few days into the siege Aichon posted on the forum that a top secret operation was underway and that we should all stage is the barrville area. a day later, he gave us the objective.
<Red> What was your impression when you heard you'd be in Blackmore?
<Harv117> I was pretty excited, this was the first big thing I've been a part of
<Red> What were your expectations?
<Harv117> I really wasn’t sure, I've never experienced anything like it before
<Red> Well, as your first time in a major siege, what did you think of your fellow survivors?
<Harv117> well I thought that it was amazing how well coordinated we were. We had people on irc 24/7 and for a while could repel major attacks. I was disappointed that more of the people didn't join irc, and just more or less sat there
<Red> And what did you think of the zombies?
<Harv117> they were as coordinated as we were, they played very well and made this siege so much fun
<Red> What was your favorite part of the battle?
<Harv117> hm honestly that last battle was pretty damn fun we all had such little AP left we had to super coordinate and be extremely active
<Red> And what was your least favorite part?
<Harv117> my least favorite part? Well I am kinda of sad its over because it was so much fun but really, there wasn't a terrible part. I love how we all played with good character, like beyond the game were all friends and mess with each other
<Red> Now that you've experienced a siege, would you like to see something like this happen again in the near future?
<Harv117> absolutely, it was so much fun
<Red> Thanks Harv.
<Harv117> you’re very welcome

Justinbronze

Completely unaware of 404's plans, Justinbronze organized Project Operation Let's Not Get Our Asses Kicked, which called on survivors "to come and gather in the most pathetic attempt to do something epic ever displayed by anyone anywhere." Here are his thoughts on the event:
<Red> What role did you play in the siege?
<justinbronze> I brought in a the medium to large POLNGOAK force. Some have told me that without POLNGOAK this couldn't have happened.
<Red>How did you hear about it? What were your expectations?
<justinbronze> I actually didn't know about it. I found out later when POLNGOAK came around. If I had know something was going down I would have probably held POLNGOAK somewhere else.
<Red>What was your favorite part of the event?
<justinbronze> Well.....all of it. It was fun for me to see my event work and also fun to see survivors making a stand in Ridleybank. Sure we didn't break any records but we did pretty good.
<Red>What was your least favorite part of the event?
<justinbronze> When the zombies finally won. Yes it was inevitable, but I think we could have held out longer. Damn zombies ruined our festivities!
<Red>What did you think of the opposition?
<justinbronze> Well I don't like zombies at all..period. And now I hate em more for interrupting my game of naked twister.
<Red>What was your overall impression of the event?
<justinbronze> I was like: Wow, people are actually doing something. And when I realized my event was also working I thought: Wow, I actually did something.
<Red>Do you see anything of this scale happening in the future?
<justinbronze> Next year I see something bigger: POLNGOAK Take 2. Larger scale POLNGOAK. History gonna be made dammit!
<Red>Any other thoughts?
<justinbronze>Well played on both sides and on behalf of the survivors I say: Same time, same place next year?

Globule13

The leader of the RRF, globule13 has seen it all. But the fighting at Blackmore gave him something he hadn't seen in quite a while: a decent fight on his own ground.

<Red> As the leader of the RRF, how did you react when you heard 404 decided to crash in the Blackmore?
<globule> I was happy you were coming. It's been ages since our compatriots who patrol the bonk day and night managed to get a decent meal delivered. There was a little confusion as to why you guys were working with that organization that wanted to take back Ridleybank. You guys strike me as being a little too clever to work with DEM. :p
<Red> Technically, we were never with DEM. All coincidence.
<globule> I kid. What was the name of that failtrain again?
<Rolfe> Project Operation Let’s Not Get Our Asses Kicked
<globule> That's the one. Poor bastards.
<Red> In my interview with Irishmen, he said he asked for help relatively early but it took time to arrive. Do you have anything to say on that?
<globule> I wanted to see what the Praets could do against an organized group of survivors. They're tougher than they realize and I thought this would be a fun trial by fire. Unfortunately, I underestimated the sheer volume of harmanz who were coming and their coordination. It's rare to find a group that can actually cade a building keep it caded. I am quite pleased that the Praets got that big break in though.
<Red> Overall, what was your impression of the survivor opposition? Were you surprised?
<globule> Yes and no. I'm always pleasantly surprised when harmanz fight back because it's not as common as it used to be. Most burbs just roll over or run away screaming. Then again, I know a few of your members and have had many opportunities to work with them in the past. I know they're smart and capable of running a tight crew.
<Red> In your opinion, why did the final attack succeed, while all of the ones before it failed?
<globule> I like to think there were a few factors that worked in our favor in that last attack. We had strike teams working to cut off your supply lines, especially those damn generators. I'm not sure how much of an impact it had but we were gearing up for a protracted siege and wanted our bases covered. We also had the entire horde there instead of just one or two teams. The Praets, Gray Guard, and scattered DoHS members fought hard, but small break-ins just weren't cutting it. Our members started thinking and talking through plans instead of mindlessly bashing the cades, which is always nice for a Papa to see. The major factor was simple beachhead tactics though. We had a sizable force hovering and waiting for a chance to pile in when the opportunity presented itself.
<Red> What would you say the survivor's best strength was?
<globule> Well you guys were needle fiends and never slept. It's tough to get a foothold when you guys CRed us at every opportunity and watched the cades 24 hours a day. I recall one night when the horde was just starting trickle in to Ridleybank and Murray and I decided to pop into Blackmore and take a look around. The cades were at VSB so we were pretty sure we could take them out with little trouble. Turns out we couldn't. Not only did we fail to break in, but the cades were at EHB within 30 seconds of us bashing. That kind of coordination and vigilance is the best weapon you guys had.
<Red> And what would you say the survivor's greatest flaw or weakness was?
<globule> Setting up shop in Ridleybank is usually not the greatest move for any survivor group looking to actually survive. :p Aside from that, you were pretty solid. You did start slacking on the gennies toward the end and I noticed that a lot of you were low on HP when we broke in.
<Red> You kinda beat us on the AP war, my friend. So, what Part of the siege did you enjoy the most?
<globule> I actually had the most fun when we were still just in the skirmish stage.
<Red> And which part, if any, did you least enjoy?
<globule> You guys revived me and I spent a night babbling nonsense with you guys. I even handed out the last of my Halloween candy to one of your members. Well, bashing away 50 AP and not accomplishing anything is a pretty lousy way to spend a night.
<Red> Overall, what was your impression of the event? Would you enjoy seeing something like this occur again in the future?
<globule> I would be happy to fight you guys again. Let's have the next party at your house though, all of the cleanup here is going to take ages.
<Red> Alright, thanks for your time, Glob.
<globule> Anytime.

(55,47) (bic) (statuses) (update) The Blackmore Building Day 10 11 of the Infestation. Several more groups have joined in with 404's folly, most notably the MCM with several members arriving in the last 24 hours. Also representatives of many of Malton's oldest groups are now present. The new survivors represent amongst others; MCM The Malton Zookeepers The 4-H Quartly Study Group Cult of the Stuffed Crocodile Blackmore Bastard Brigade The Umbrella Corp More and More Dual Natured people. The other groups still present; 404: Barhah not found Soldiers of Crossman The Kilt Store Holy Order of the Pint Creedy Defense Force CORAM The Fortress Damn Yankees Ridleybank Resistance Front Malton Civil Defense Unit Dr. schwan’s Research and Development Team Feral Undead Order of the Black Rose Axes High The Big Prick Channel 4 News Team Earletown Rangers Judgewood Vector Control RCDC Malton Forensics Unit POLNGOAK 82nd Airborne Division Glitch They aren't all friendly, but they are all welcome. 95 standing zombies outside, it appears the RRF has been recalled to Ridley, a similar number of survivors face them from behind the barricades. Hopefully an enjoyable siege is being had by all. Christmas lights have now been installed again. --RosslessnessWant a Location Image? 11:45, 29 August 2010 (BST)

(55,47) (bic) (statuses) (update) The Blackmore Building Blackmore is returned to its normal state, with almost 100 zombies inside. 404 would like to thank both the RRF and its survivor allies for their songs, dating tips, drinks and truly classy attitudes throughout. Ron would be proud. --RosslessnessWant a Location Image? 10:40, 31 August 2010 (BST)

Credits:
Red Hawk One- Chief Correspondent
TripleU- Chief Proofreader, Zombie Correspondent
Rosslessness- Chief 404 Correspondent
Rolfe Steiner- Photography
404: Barhah not found- Proofreaders
Interviewees- themselves
Everyone who posted ideas on the talkpage

aaagh! not the christmas lights!
-KendoKen, MCDU