BHP Erol Otus Box

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Sir Ironside
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BHP Erol Otus Box

Post by Sir Ironside »

I received my Erol Otus box from BHP (As well as the Pete Mullen version.) As you all know the Erol Otus painting is filled with so much awesomeness but, its usefulness is its greatest attribute. These boxes are not only strong but are able to fit more than I thought. The box can fit every Amazing Engine book- I own them all- that is all 8 books plus the System Guide. It does, however, stick up about a 8th of an inch (Alternating the spines when loading the books.) but, that is my own stubbornness for wanting all the books stay together. I could easily just take one out for a perfect fit. I currently have the Amazing Engine books underneath the C&C books and maybe the weight will flatten out the Amazing Engine books so the box fits as it should.

On the C&C side, I currently have the Players Handbook, Monsters & Treasures, Monsters and Treasures of Airdhe, Of Gods an Monsters and will also fit any of the three versions of the CK screens.

If you don't like my mix, you can create your own by swapping out books. You can fit your CKG, but you'd have to remove 2 books to get it to fit properly, or one thicker supplement (Not thin like the Players Handbook but more like the Monsters and Treasures of Airdhe) and it will stick up between 1/8 or 1/4 depending on the book removed. So if you don't care if it sticks up a little then the CKG will fit sans one book. If you put two books that are about the same thickness as the Monsters and Treasures of Airdhe, there wouldn't be enough room for the screens. But, again, if you don't mind the lid of the box sticking up slightly then this isn't a problem.

There is enough room, on the upper/lower ( Depending where you want to put your dice ;) ) inside, to put dice in, but they'd have to be placed side-by-side or stacked, depending on how many dice you want, without a dice bag. Unless your willing to take the time to use a dice bag and place the dice as need be, or some other way. (Felt to separate the dice from the books?) I'd be hesitant to just place the dice without some kind of barrier between the books and dice as I don't know what the dice would do to the books as you carry the box around.

Edit: I just fit 2 sets of dice, stacked, (Both do not have 3d6 just 1d6) in the box using my Crown Royal dice bag. (Happy to say the same Crown Royal bag from the mid 1980's. Still the best dice bag of all time.) Using the bag, it was easy to line them up on top of the books and move them into the place. It also makes it pretty easy to stack the dice so you can fit more dice. (I can fit 3 sets of dice, but it takes more effort. So it is possible to either add another set of dice or add those 4d6 that are missing.) An unexpected bonus is adding the Crown Royal dice bag it fills the space so now any books you have in there do not shift around, making the whole package very stable. I might also add that I have the landscape screens. The top of the Crown Royal dice bag folds nicely into the space that the screens don't cover. This leaves me to believe that it wouldn't work with the other two CK screens. Though if you have small individual dice bags you could fit all 3 in the space, then there would be room for any of the screens as there is nothing you need to fold to get it to fit. There is also no "bowing" of the box if done properly. It stays true to form.

As cool as the Erol Otus picture is the Pete Mullen version is still nice, but is darker than what is shown on the BHP webpage. I guess it could be interpreted as showing a dark evil dungeon atmosphere, but I hope that subsequent printings lighten up the tone a bit.

All in all, if you were on the fence about these boxes I hope my little review pushes you to the side of, "wanting to get." :)
"Paranoia is just another word for ignorance." - Hunter S. Thompson

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Omote
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Re: BHP Erol Otus Box

Post by Omote »

I love this box and have put my Mentzer D&D materials (including the D&D box set) INTO BHP's box! All of my DM notes, pencils, dice and paperwork all fit into this gaming box. It's rad.

~O
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>> Omote's Advanced C&C stuff <<

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Omote
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Re: BHP Erol Otus Box

Post by Omote »

I kinda wish C&C would have their own branded version of this. That way I could put my White Box C&C in one, and my ADVANCED C&C stuff in the other. Booyah. That would be cool.

~O
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Tadhg
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Re: BHP Erol Otus Box

Post by Tadhg »

Excellent this!!

John is a great guy and great fan/contributor/writer/producer of our hobby.

He is also a Crusader extraordinaire!

~ Hey John, I can't find the module with the selkie . . . a la Roan Inish!! I want to order it!

Anyway, I just ordered the Otus Box!!

Linkage for anyone interested:

http://bravehalfling.com/page15.html

:D
Count Rhuveinus - Lejendary Keeper of Castle Franqueforte

"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax

"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth

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moriarty777
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Re: BHP Erol Otus Box

Post by moriarty777 »

Sir Ironside wrote:I received my Erol Otus box from BHP (As well as the Pete Mullen version.) As you all know the Erol Otus painting is filled with so much awesomeness but, its usefulness is its greatest attribute. These boxes are not only strong but are able to fit more than I thought.
I'm glad these got to you! Now I'm just scratching my head and wondering where *my* package is off to. It's been quite a feat to get it to me though the first attempt (to me) got lost in the shuffle and eventually found it's way back to John. A second one (this time sent Priority Post) is in transit though by all accounts should have been here by now. If we assume 10 business days (which is what priority mail international promises) and I give an extra day from the confirmation email (and picture of the packed box), yesterday was 'day 10'. ;)

I'll be displeased (with the postal service) if it is delayed much further. ;)

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moriarty777
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Re: BHP Erol Otus Box

Post by moriarty777 »

Rhuvein wrote:Excellent this!!

John is a great guy and great fan/contributor/writer/producer of our hobby.

He is also a Crusader extraordinaire!

~ Hey John, I can't find the module with the selkie . . . a la Roan Inish!! I want to order it!

Anyway, I just ordered the Otus Box!!

Linkage for anyone interested:

http://bravehalfling.com/page15.html

:D
Hey Rhu, this title (the Secret of Ronan Skerry) is technically out of print but PM me and I can see about hooking you up!

M
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Sir Ironside
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Re: BHP Erol Otus Box

Post by Sir Ironside »

moriarty777 wrote:I'm glad these got to you! Now I'm just scratching my head and wondering where *my* package is off to. It's been quite a feat to get it to me though the first attempt (to me) got lost in the shuffle and eventually found it's way back to John. A second one (this time sent Priority Post) is in transit though by all accounts should have been here by now. If we assume 10 business days (which is what priority mail international promises) and I give an extra day from the confirmation email (and picture of the packed box), yesterday was 'day 10'. ;)

I'll be displeased (with the postal service) if it is delayed much further. ;)
Shouldn't Priority Post have a tracking number? John should be able to track the parcel from his side.

Maybe this could help in seeing just what the problem is.

I should mention that I tried to order X-Plorers boxed set. The first attempt the package was sent (I assume) to limbo, and is awaiting if it will go to heaven or hell. John was nice enough to send a second boxed set and that to disappeared into the ether. It wasn't sent back to John (Both times.) so we have no idea what the hell the American/Canadian Postal service did with them. I've always assumed that the Canadian postal service was evil and I'm sure they occasionally sacrifice parcels to whatever evil god they follow.

I should mention that along with the two boxes (I only ordered one, but John sent both. I guess to cancel out these evil doings. And, because he is a nice guy.) but, also sent me the book version of X-Plorers. I offered to pay for X-Plorers (As it is the right thing to do and I am familiar with John's current situation) but, he'd have nothing to do with it and said it was, "On me." Class act.
"Paranoia is just another word for ignorance." - Hunter S. Thompson

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Breakdaddy
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Re: BHP Erol Otus Box

Post by Breakdaddy »

Do I need to get this box?
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Re: BHP Erol Otus Box

Post by Harlock »

Breakdaddy wrote:Do I need to get this box?
The question you should be asking is, "What do I have that needs this box?"
~~~~~R.I.P~~~~~
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Nov. 5, 1948 – March 9, 2007
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moriarty777
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Re: BHP Erol Otus Box

Post by moriarty777 »

Breakdaddy wrote:Do I need to get this box?
It's a box. It's a cool and sturdy box. I think it's worth getting the box to put other cool stuff in the box. ;)

In all seriousness: Ask yourself this question -- Do I put gaming stuff in the box sets I already own if there's extra room for it (other modules or softcover books)? If the answer is yes, then the box won't go to waste. On the other hand, if you already have a good storage system and use such things as magazine holders and what-not, maybe you don't need the box.

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moriarty777
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Re: BHP Erol Otus Box

Post by moriarty777 »

Sir Ironside wrote:Shouldn't Priority Post have a tracking number? John should be able to track the parcel from his side.

Maybe this could help in seeing just what the problem is.

I should mention that I tried to order X-Plorers boxed set. The first attempt the package was sent (I assume) to limbo, and is awaiting if it will go to heaven or hell. John was nice enough to send a second boxed set and that to disappeared into the ether. It wasn't sent back to John (Both times.) so we have no idea what the hell the American/Canadian Postal service did with them. I've always assumed that the Canadian postal service was evil and I'm sure they occasionally sacrifice parcels to whatever evil god they follow.

I should mention that along with the two boxes (I only ordered one, but John sent both. I guess to cancel out these evil doings. And, because he is a nice guy.) but, also sent me the book version of X-Plorers. I offered to pay for X-Plorers (As it is the right thing to do and I am familiar with John's current situation) but, he'd have nothing to do with it and said it was, "On me." Class act.
Yeah, John is good for that. I'm not in panic mode yet and it may just take a few extra days, particularly if I am 'blessed' with customs. It's only a couple days overdue at this point. As for a tracking number, he might have something but I won't bother him just yet since he's in the middle of a move right now. I expect that, by the time he's sorted out and back online in a more 'functional' manner, I'll probably have received it. At worse, this is additional data that he and I are collecting. Because of your particular experience, we're looking at possibly getting product to me to have on hand for shipping purposes as well (plus I'm looking at doing some re-selling as well).

More information as it happens. :)

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Sir Ironside
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Re: BHP Erol Otus Box

Post by Sir Ironside »

Breakdaddy wrote:Do I need to get this box?
Need? Probably not as things have already been stated. But for function and having either Erol Otus or Pete Mullen paintings when you lug things around is pretty cool.

It's funny, I never really considered getting the box for storage. I guess that is what most people get it for, I was actually getting it for transportation. It fits everything I need to run a campaign and when I have to get up and go somewhere it offers good protection for my books and stuff, even if you usually just stuff your books and accessories in a back pack or the like, it would still be of good use.

If you read my mini-review you can kind of see that was what I was reviewing as far as what I found it useful. That is why I had that extensive summery about dice. :D
"Paranoia is just another word for ignorance." - Hunter S. Thompson

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Breakdaddy
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Re: BHP Erol Otus Box

Post by Breakdaddy »

I'm going to pretend I didnt read all of the well thought out responses to my question and assume that I REQUIRE THIS BOX! :D
"If you had not committed great sins, God would not have sent a punishment like me upon you."
-Genghis Khan

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Tadhg
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Re: BHP Erol Otus Box

Post by Tadhg »

Breakdaddy wrote:Do I need to get this box?
Hellz yes you do!
Count Rhuveinus - Lejendary Keeper of Castle Franqueforte

"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax

"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth

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Tadhg
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Re: BHP Erol Otus Box

Post by Tadhg »

Breakdaddy wrote:I'm going to pretend I didnt read all of the well thought out responses to my question and assume that I REQUIRE THIS BOX! :D
Not at all . . . unless you're really not a real gamer, collector and Crusader! ;)

[Just kidding BD - I know that we can't buy/collect everything. Sometimes I wish these excellent producers would stop creating fantastic stuff, so my poor beat up wallet can get a break!]
Count Rhuveinus - Lejendary Keeper of Castle Franqueforte

"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax

"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth

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Breakdaddy
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Re: BHP Erol Otus Box

Post by Breakdaddy »

Im gonna end up getting it... soonish...

;)
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Tadhg
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Re: BHP Erol Otus Box

Post by Tadhg »

Anyone get their box yet? :P
Count Rhuveinus - Lejendary Keeper of Castle Franqueforte

"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax

"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth

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