MurdocK's MarauderS

2012-01-20T20:09:00.000-08:00

Speedy Conversion

This is one part of the minis system that I devised that I had hoped to take more advantage of sooner.

Now, though, I have found a new game system that I will take some time to examine closely.

I have switched over my 25mm Napoleonic minis onto bases for Fast Play Grand Armee.

It only took a few minutes to change them over once I had sorted out the commands and what numbers needed to be on what sized base.

Just as I did with Jeff's Tricorne Wars rules this conversion was fast and painless.

I am continuing to like the whole idea of *NOT* fixing the men onto the movement bases by gluing them on. The flexibility of the sheet steel, magnets and grass paper shows through again.

Now I must make the labels for the units in a Battle of Gorodetchna tabletop game I have planned for sometime in the next two weeks.

I have also been examining the painting plans for 2012:

Napoleonics:
Russians 100 more infantry in 25mm to permit me to have two full Divisions in Shako
Austrians (yes I am replacing the ones I sold last year) 68 Infantry and 12 Cavalry for a small command in Shako
French 68 Infantry to be done in the 1810-12 "White" uniforms - Yes there were French Troops in white, Bonaparte liked the Austrian uniforms, thought the looked smart on parade, then learned why their morale had so many problems during some combats in Russia. Blood really stands out on a white uniform, you can see it for 1000's of yards...

I am also in the process o acquiring some 400 minis that I will be painting for commercial sale at a local collector store in the Comox Valley, they will be from various science fiction genres like Dr. Who, Star Trek and Star Wars.

2012-01-14T16:32:00.000-08:00

Plans de SIO AAR

A battle by Proxy for Defiant Principality.

I was to set up a battle between two evenly matched cavalry forces across mostly open ground. The time was October 14, 1715 in Spain.

While I did not have use of my tricornes, either having recently been sold or 'gone missing' I still have plenty of 25mm minis to do this job.

We settled on the "Warfare in the Age of Reason" rule set to play out the game.

The map I was given was thus.

Here is what the interpretation on the game table looked like.

The commanders then laid out their respective commands.

The first turn was one of minor maneuver, in order to get the two lines of cavalry facing one another ...

Full of jitters "La Fe" Dragoons and their untried Colonel Dalmau squared off against battle tested Numancia and wounded Torquemada of Spain.

Once the two lines of horsemen were lined up, the Spanish commander had decided the only way to achieve his orders and drive off the Catalans was to charge.

Command of the Catalan forces was Colonel Dalmau, likewise he had decided that the only way he could keep the ground today was to charge, he attached himself to one half of his force that would have an open flank and bellowed the order to charge just as his opposite the Spanish General Bracomonte did the same.

CHARGE!

Both sides barely made contact as only the flank supported half of Dalmau's Dragoons actually managed to advance.

Caught up in the fleeing horsemen Dalmau was very nearly run down by the 1st Squadron of the La Fe Dragoons as they fled the field.

Similarly General Bracomonte was obliged to fall back and rally the 1st of the Numancia Dragoons. While not swept away by the swirling horsemen, the General was unable to halt them from fleeing the area.

Neither of the remaining forces decided to engage as their respective commanders were gone. While only on very tired horses the 2nd La Fe Dragoons did not want to test the mettle of the battle tested mix of Numancia and wounded Torquemada Dragoons who were only in a bit of a disorganized state and ready to fight with fresh horses.

In only two turns, perhaps 20 minutes of time, with the charge taking only two or three minutes the battle was over, the Catalans had fled the field.

Spain did not hold the field, yet they could report back that the way was clear.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

This was a good re-engagement for me in the Age of Reason rules and reminded me of why I wanted 12 man cavalry units along with the design of my units with 2-man cavalry stands.

I may have to re-form some more tricornes to give the rules a good run.

2012-01-12T17:07:00.000-08:00

The DUELLISTS

Many thanks to Jeff for his lending me to see this very artful film.

Anyone wanting to come to an understanding of this element of warrior society would do well to see this film.

2012-01-12T11:20:00.000-08:00

Battle by Proxy

A new proxy fight is going to be gamed out on my amended tabletop this Saturday.

Lluis of Defiant Principality has this little scenario for his "Imagi-Nation".

I shall game it out using the Warfare in the Age of Reason rules set, one that I have not used in some time.

Expect the After Action Report here following the battle.

2012-01-04T19:10:00.000-08:00

De Bellis Day

I did a morning of historical game demonstration at my son's classroom this morning.

Eight boys including my son took their turn at moving some miniatures, most of them for the first time ever.

We used four of my Roman Republic era miniature armies in 15mm and the set of terrain boards that I made 17 years ago.

2012-01-01T12:51:00.000-08:00

Planning for 2012

The bicentennial of the Imperial French invasion of Russia is a singular even in Napoleonic History.

While I cannot yet say what it is I shall be gaming of this event, I do plan to run many games featuring my reasonably sized French and Russian forces.

2011-12-31T12:51:00.001-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2011-12-30T17:13:00.000-08:00

Some Troops Exercise

My Middle son wanted to get in a tabletop game before new years.

We did this little tussle between some French and Brits using Star Wars Miniatures Battles rules.

Very fast paced and done in just over 90 mins.

2011-12-30T16:53:00.000-08:00

Tradition continues

We have made a gingerbread TRAIN for this year's confection concoction.

So far that makes 5 years in a row for making a gingerbread house ... how long does it take to make a tradition?

2011-12-24T09:06:00.000-08:00

SPIRIT of SANTA

Four years ago I had put some of my painted toy soldiers for consignment sale at ABC Books in Courtenay. Imperial Guard Chasseurs a Cheval from 2007 Best Presentation Award Dak-Kon Convention Courtenay

Many were sold to a single gentleman for his grandson, then 8 years old. I was unaware of this at the time.

This past autumn I collected the few remaining, unsold, toys and found a faded post it note with Norman's phone number and the note:

"lead soldiers - different"

on one of the boxes.

Three weeks ago, I decided to call Norman.

He told me that only two days before he had been speaking with his grandson about what he wanted this year, they had discussed some new electronic gadgets or computing game software.

Later, when grandpa was gone, the boy asked his mother very quietly if grandpa could get Santa to bring some different solders for him to use with the red (British 1800's uniform) ones that he already had. Norman's daughter had told him about this that night, he had no idea how to find me or contact me in any way and he knew that there were no others toy soldiers similar in the shopping area of town.

Now here I was calling to him, the very next day.

Norman then asked if I had some that could be the 'other side' from the red uniforms, and he also said that his grandson was very well read on the period that the soldiers came from, so could these opponents be accurate as possible.

I had 60 French Imperial toy soldiers that had not been selling on eBay for months, not even anyone looking.

Grandpa took them straight away and I dropped off the package in person, one little 12 year old will be having a happy Christmas.

The spirit of Santa is alive and well, connecting little workshops like mine to the boys and girls that ask.

I hope that your spirit is lifted by this little tale and you remember to ask for what you want in your new year.

2011-12-23T12:51:00.001-08:00

Tricornes missing ...

Many of the remaining tricornes from my collection are missing ... they appear to have been removed from their storage case, now I cannot use the remaining few to do the games planned over the holiday season.

There is a suspect, sadly they have not come forward, conscience is taking a long time to work on them I suppose...

I will substitute something for a game with my boys over the season, making do and moving forward the game, it will just not have the correct tricorned look.

2011-12-09T23:20:00.000-08:00

New Custom Game Tools

Experimenting with Cyberboard, for Paul of the Napoleonic Wargaming blog, I have come up with some new ideas that I will have to play around with for my other campaign game ideas.

For Paul, I have a basic set of game tools and this image was from the first test of them done tonight.

2011-12-05T23:22:00.000-08:00

New Map and Napoleonic Campaigning combination.

A piece of the map I have to work with.

Paul, of Napoleonic Wargaming and I have connected and I am going to put together some Cyberboard tools for his campaign.

Something Napoleonic for me to work on at least!

2011-11-20T16:02:00.000-08:00

STRATEGIC ACTIONS

More moves done in my 7 years Wars Cyberboard system:

General Situation in central Urope

British fleets took out at 4:1 odds Dutch Shipping off the norther coast of Holland.

Big Battle in Pilsner had:
+3 King Fredrich
+2 Seydliz
+2 Henry
and Prussian (called Altmorania in my fictional "Urope") troops 4*3, 4*3, 2*1

vs

Austrian +1 General Daun
troops 3*2
Saxe-Bearstein troops: 3*2 and 1*1

For at total of 1.4 advantage to Prussia. Not enough to get any strategic bonuses.

The Plan die rolls were dismal for the Austrians and fair-good for Prussians, which eliminated the defensive bonus for the Austrian/Saxon positions.

3 Major rounds of Battle ensued (each about one hour in length)

Round one went to the Prussians who gained a position bonus of +2 and took only 10% casualties while inflicting 25% on the Austrians.
Round two was the reverse of round one save that it was slightly less damage to the Prussians (only 20% casualties)
Round three was the clincher, essentially the same as round one, for the math, the problem was that the Austrian side could not take any more of such casualties and now the odds were tipping heavily in the Prussians favor.

The Saxons were abandoned as a rear guard and Daun commenced the withdrawal. A lucky shot into a nearby artillery battery nearly killed Daun, he was lucky also with his saving throw. The Prussian Prince Henry suffered a lot of damage (almost dead) from a fall during a cavalry charge.

Other actions were at:

Miastokrol, Russians kept the fortress after a 2 hour attempt at siege, 20% casualties to the Prussians caused them to break the siege and retreat.

Vienna! I decided that the "vile" Stagonians, would do a mad action to grab territory, in Linz and Saxe-Bearstein while the Prussians were busy with the main Saxon and Austrian armies (even though this would likely piss off their nominal French 'ally'). Well in this round the Austrian capitol Vienna was only covered by one force, and a shot at the nearby troops would keep them from helping the capitol ... taking it would make Stagonia a major player! HA fat chance!

Both the flank column and the force attacking Vienna were defeated. The one into Vienna was killed to 55%, then the rest were caught in a pursuit 100% loss as the rest are now prisoners.

The other force had to retreat into the mountains, near the area of Tipplebruder ...

2011-11-12T17:04:00.000-08:00

Expanding the removal of fantasy minis

check out this Ral Partha Dragon on eBay here

or enter:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/300623140420?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649
in your browser

I am doing a blowout on eBay of many of the non-historical and some of the historical periods that I do not game any more ... basically if I have not used these in games in the past 10 years I am selling it off.

Must make space for what is to come.

2011-11-09T12:13:00.000-08:00

Shedding continues.

On eBay click here

or enter this link:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/15mm-Pirate-Pirates-ship-ships-sails-sailors-guns-marines-minis-miniatures-/300621290715?pt=Toy_Soldiers&hash=item45fe6cdcdb

in your browser.

You will find this great 15mm Pirates set along with loads of other 15mm historical and 25mm fantasy miniatures.

With the reduction in the space available right now I am clearing out the game elements that do not serve me directly right now ... that way I can focus more on the ones that do!

2011-11-08T23:41:00.000-08:00

Digital Game tools

I have been playing around with some of the photos that I took for selling some minis recently.

I used them as parts in a Cyberboard Game box based on SHAKO, as seen top-down.

Here are the two 'views' of the map ... one showing the minis the other with some 'transparent game aids' shown.

2011-11-06T21:16:00.000-08:00

Clearing Space

With the game table space gone and the need to downsize heavily upon me I have started the process of selling painted and unpainted minis.

These French are due to join many others on the eBay auction site this week.

Hence my dropped off postings about games topics.

2011-10-07T21:36:00.000-07:00

Nafziger Collection

In February 2010, George Nafziger donated his collection of Orders of Battle, etc to the U.S. Army to place online.

His letter as reproduced is:

Gentlemen (and ladies),

I have donated the notorious Nafziger Collection of orders of battle to the U.S. Army's Combined Arms Research Library (CARL). It is online and free to the world. I'm afraid I do not have the URL and I understand that it is still in a "teething" process, but it is there.

You may be wondering why. There are several reasons. First, technology was killing me. The collection was in WordStar, a DOS-based program, and Windows XP and Vista would not allow me to print the documents, so I found myself having to maintain a Windows 98 machine (and a spare, just in case). Sooner or later, I would no longer be able to get to the data. Technological changes would lose it to me (and you).

Second, I'm 60. Sadly, I'm not going to live forever. I imagined, not unrealistically, that since my wife and kids know nothing about the collection, could care less about it, would see a Windows 98 machine and think "junk" and place the computer, its hard drive and all the collection on the curb for the garbage collector, that my death would result in the disappearance of something that meant a lot to me as a hobby and a labor of love. Soooo, when approached by a friend two to three years ago, I realized this was the best solution. Besides, there is some sweet irony about a Navy Captain having his stuff figure so prominently on a U.S. Army website. :-) And, in some sense, maybe I will achieve a modicum of immortality, leaving a legacy that will haunt you all long after I've shed this mortal shell.

And with that, if any of you are silly enough to want to order something on the old website (which is still functional), I will take your money, but pretty soon I'm going to take it down and leave a link to the army's website.

Enjoy, make use of it, and consider it my gift to the wargaming community.

A fabulous set of wargaming tools!

You can now find them organized by era in .zip files HERE!

I will also be posting this to my sidebar of resources.

2011-10-01T21:28:00.000-07:00

Table's End ...

It has been a few weeks coming, I did check in with a few other gamers to see if they could use my big gaming table.

Since the space has been sold now and I cannot store the 4'x8' foot table anywhere else, I decided to recover the wood for use in heating.

Here is seen the saw cutting up the table after the legs and supports had been removed.

This is a shift I shall have to work through, it will mean a few more weeks at least before I can do any tabletop games as the boxes get sorted out.

2011-09-18T19:45:00.000-07:00

Paint Day @ Jeff's

We, Peter, Jeff and I, did a paint day in support of Jeff's Colonial Campaign.

I worked on these Bengal Lancer troopers and officer (seen in the first image), while Peter did another troop of cavalry and Jeff put the finishing touches onto some of the 'British' forces for his own colonials command.

Much quiet time in contemplative brushworks, then some discussions about colonial forces, in seeking to change the ambiance I found "Charge of the Light Brigade" and we put that on in the background and some military issues from the film were discussed while painting continued.

Finally it was inspection time ...

Jeff was relieved of the need to paint some 30 minis for 'cavalry' forces.

My efforts on the day 12 Bengal Lancers that Alex will get to command.

In all a comfortable afternoon.

2011-08-19T21:26:00.000-07:00

Some Colonial Campaigning

Faced with some really messy jungle areas I put the Ghurka troops on the left front and split the Highlanders with the officer leading the larger group on the left while the sergeant performed recovery duty with the ponies (you can see some wounded still on them at the start of the action).

All of the Pioneers are massed together to back stop the Ghurka, while the remaining Brits (in Khaki) are to be first cover force and be ready to form firing line immediately.

Somewhere around these jungles are some Zulu like spear forces with my objective to put the village to the torch.

The Ghurka got into action much faster than anticipated, they did well however they were forced to flee with casualties that ~ in this territory ~ are not easily accepted.

One thing I will say about card systems that include any sort of 'end of turn' card in them. They take away very much of any players freedom to plan or act. What they do create is a sense of 'what is most important to move' as you may only get ONE unit to move (or maybe NONE! ~ something that really BITES and I take umbrage at such a rule as one bad luck with the cards and you end up standing around getting whomped ~ not much fun nor is it any sort of 'recreation'). Thankfully I had moved most of what I wanted to when the dreaded HALT! card came up TWICE! in as many turns with less than 1/2 of my force moved.

The Zulu guys came at my flank after the poke at the vanguard. This time there were two major forces that could fire as they came out into the open. Only three of them made the first charge home, the total of 8 got into hand 2 hand. Then they ran away, only 2 from the charge. Combined with the remaining 6 was less than 1/2 survivors ... they started to flee.

Then the crazy move cards created a rear attack potential, something that my recce had indicated was not possible.

At least the cards gave me the ability to get the leading two units to "ABOUT TURN!".

Once again withering fire, fleeing Zulus. This time only 1 of 20 even got away.

We prepared to engage the village, still not certain that I had dealt with all the opposition...

That was when the one British officer got wounded. Lucky shot from the one rifle armed Zulu.

All in all a good start to the campaign action ... we shall have to see what develops for the others now.

2011-08-13T12:50:00.000-07:00

...A Near run thing!

Last Wednesday my youngest son and I had game time together.

He said that he wanted to play a game on the table with the 'red men', meaning my British Napoleonic forces.

So I asked him did he want to attack or defend? He said attack.

Then I set up a 13 unit vs 9 unit British attack on a French force, I took the French.

My youngest son then wanted to write out his own plan and get it all going his own way...this took some time to write up, then we put our minis out on the table and started what turned out to be the closest match of SHAKO I have yet played to date!

We ended up setting up asymmetrical to each other with my Dragoons on my far left more or less centered on his main line infantry battalions.

Since the British had all of the movement arrows, they moved first every turn.

My son chose to push his light infantry forward first, to see if he could get into the town sector I held. My move was to drive at his infantry line with my Dragoons before they could move out of the way of the light batteries on the hilltop.

The counter move-was with his cavalry, to smash them into my light infantry holding the edge of the farmers fields...

The rest of the British forces simply moved up along their attack arrows.

This was the major test of the early game, the British chose to fire, and failed, the French chose to form emergency square, and failed!

From this the British Light Dragoons drove across the fields, while the French Dragoons shattered the British line and then half of the attached light artillery!

This put my young son into a panic, he was down 1-0 (needing 5 to win and I needing 7) and felt that his situation was not recoverable ... I warned him that in another two turns he could be in a position to win the game with some luck. He chose to continue after some time away from the table.

On our return to action, my Dragoons got to smash into the other half of his light Cavalry force, while his light Dragoons took out my light Infantry battalion. This caused a Division roll for me and him. He got a "2" and had to fall back to the board edge with his light Dragoons, I got a "5" which meant carry on.

Every turn so far when my artillery got to fire I would roll "1"'s on turn three this changed ... with devastating effect. Three "6"'s caused mayhem in the line Infantry advancing. Then the French Dragoons had to attack (or just be shot to bits), this they did, and failed utterly. The Highlanders fired getting 2 hits and then the charge was a 6-1 result destroying half of the Dragoon division, now another morale roll ... a "1" = rout! The French Cavalry and 1/3 of its artillery were in flight from the field...suddenly my young son was ahead 3-1!

Now the pressure to get the win for the British side was on!

The British Lines poured forward to musket range and hammered out shots, trading with French units at the river, the difference was that the French had artillery. Now the tide began to turn as the British units steadily lost men, while the French were only temporarily disordered.

By turn 5 there were too many casualties in the British lines, they had lost 75% of the division, this meant immediate rout for the Highlanders were the only unit left.

As the French commander I was relieved as the British Grenadier forces had crossed the stream and were now BEHIND by left flank! If I did not get rid of the infantry facing my Grenadiers then they would be either fired on the rear or most likely charged from the rear!

Thankfully for the French this did not happen, meanwhile more French losses had happened outside the town, now a Division morale roll was needed, this time a "2" and I only had to fall back to the board edge... Score at this point 5-3 each of us needed only 2 more units to break and run to get a win.

The French had re-set the guns to face on the former left flank and my Grenadiers turned about in time to fire on and disorder the British Grenadiers, they did not rally! This meant that the Royal artillery battery was going to be vulnerable.

In order to give the advancing columns time to get up and to press the attack my young son committed his Grenadiers to a wild column attack against a steady French Grenadier battalion in line. What a reversal!

Over in the town sector the French were being forced out of everywhere, except for the corner of the fields, where a greatcoat wearing battalion charged and routed off the field the British unit that was holding them down.

Again it was time for morale rolls, this time the British did not fare so well ... a "1" sent the 1st Brigade of the light Division off the battlefield, combined with the other losses, this brought the action to a close at the end of turn 6.

Final score France 7, Anglo 4.

Without a doubt this was the closest fought action using the SHAKO rules that I have ever played and was pushed to the limit by a five year old!

Bravo to my young son!

Enjoy the eye candy (click to see them larger) and please leave your comments or discussion items.

Update October 6, 2011:
This game turned out to be the last on my gaming table at home.
The space has been sold now.

2011-07-20T14:51:00.000-07:00

KITES of the Garden ...

My sons got a little note from Jeff about making little wooden toy planes.

Well my eldest took off on the project and made 18 of them!

They got painted red yellow and green.

The boys then tumbled into a little simulated 'dog fight'. With a bit of help from dad a fast play tabletop game got going.

It lasted a few afternoons, now the yellow squadrons are a bit worse for wear and a few of the red planes are in disrepair. Fast tough fun for little boys.

2011-07-16T15:50:00.000-07:00

GARDEN WARS JULY 2011 part 2

So the battle that was interrupted when the French were advancing towards the Russian lines was finished a few days later.

The command of Murat continued a steady coordinated advance (I know breakneck was more his style ... and I was really the one in command).

The foot now took on the great job of winning the field of battle, here we see what was to become the leading division (mostly garbed in greatcoats).

Meanwhile the Dragoons were given new orders ... race round the left flank and push forward towards the Russian center.

The remaining lines held fast and another column of infantry started pushing forward up behind the Dragoons.

The Russians were not standing still, two formations of Infantry were rushing forward to plug the gap in the space between the Russian Dragoons and the HQ.

Here we see the lines of French Allied Infantry looking towards the Russian Dragoons and forming lines of Russian Infantry.

The whole battle zone now seen looking reverse angle (up sun). The reclining player took over the Russian Dragoons and Cossacks.

The forward French line had formed square alongside the now captured Russian Grenadier Horse gun!

The new French forward positions were a threat that the Russians could no longer permit to form, orders were given to drive the Dragoons into the French lines. Unfortunately for the Russians the French Chasseurs were close enough to counter their charge and engage them, this protected the advancing Infantry columns and permitted them time to set up their gun lines.

These Chassuers a Cheval drove back the Russian Dragoons and held fast while taking shot after shot from the Horse battery on the other side of the lake.

The French Dragoons had reached their deployment zone, just in time to break up the Russian Infantry advance...now they were forcing Russians into squares and standing still while the horse artillery chopped the squares into pieces!

While the Russian Infantry was holding ground the French columns were pressing forward, particularly on the French left wing, where now they had passed the line of the river and lake.

The French Allied force was now the distant second line.

While the forward line manned the captured Russian guns and delivered even more damage to the Russian squares. In the distance of this image you can see the tall grass that was let 'grow' to simulate forested areas.

The Cossacks charged, they were cut to pieces by successive counter charges from the Chasseurs and Hussars.

The Russian Dragoon force pushed ahead and charged again, this time only leaving behind their horse artillery that quickly fled the field after the fleeing horsemen.

The Russian lines were now cut off from their HQ and even their rear was blocked by marauding French Dragoons (seen here behind the French lines). The French Dragoons target was the last of the Cossacks still in shaken morale after the punishment meted out by the Chasseurs a Cheval.

Even after all this carnage my eldest son was still happy to have played the afternoon out with me.

His massed gun line was not brought into use, though he was certain that the 'big gun' power would have repulsed all comers.

The final scene of the field was the Russians in total retreat before a victorious French with plenty of strength to maintain a vigorous pursuit!

2011-07-11T12:08:00.000-07:00

Sword and Flame

A little bit of fun at Jeff's on last Sunday.

A reverse from the last game, last time my son and his friend put in an appearance as the red coats facing myself and Jeff as the Pushtu warriors. So now I was commanding a relief column and the young boys did the job as the Pushtu.

Things did not go well from he start for the boys. Their first locations were just out of Jezail or rifle range, then worse, my fast moving column (I rolled 1 pip under maximum for movement three times in the first two turns) had caught one Jezail force flat footed and was (seen in the image here) first blasting them then charged from both sides at once. It was a massacre until 25% of the force was left with no officers and they surrendered.

Meanwhile back at the fort, Pete our other campaign player now able to take part, was holding off the hand weapon armed mobs pretty well, then all three of them came at once, it was a bloodbath. With the Indian Sepoy troops taking the worst of it, the 78th held their ground till the very end when they ran out to scatter the last of the attackers.

End of the day the relief column lost 1 dead, 7 wounded including one officer.

Victory for the old men this time again...

2011-07-09T20:21:00.000-07:00

GARDEN WARS - Deux

My eldest had so much fun as the attacking French force last time that he decided to have a go at the slower defensive battle from the Russian side.

We re-set all the troops to the same organizations as last time. The difference this time was the use of an idea I saw from Too Fat Lardies in their Le Feu Sacre rules. The formations of troops would be 'represented' by boards that I have, with an ID tag on them that only the player controlling knows what is really standing in the location. Then once the forces get within 1.5 times the artillery range then the minis get put out in the correct formation.

So now neither of us had this data when we started, you, dear reader will get the info about what troops started where...

This time round I commanded the French from Murat's Headquarters the plan looked great ... now if only the Russians would go slowly as they usually did.

The French led with Dragoons that raced ahead of the infantry columns and setup their horse battery just in range of the Russian lead formation that turned out to be composed of the Grenadiers!

Out gunned at 2-1 the French horse battery was soon losing gunners ...

A short advance by the French dragoons showed that there were more Russian dragoons and cossacks in a line behind the town and covering the lake area.

Thankfully, for the French, there were heavy formations of Infantry with foot batteries coming with them.

The next period was marked by artillery exchanges with the French gunners coming out on the bad end of the deal, while some damage was delivered to the Russian Grenadier Horsemen, then into the foot.

Still more French infantry formed into line with the allied formations.

The Russians continued to deliver damage and drew forward the French Hussars who prevailed over the Russian Horse Grenadiers, admittedly they had been badly shot up by the now active French batteries.

Those Hussars that had strayed too close to the lake now were targets of the Russian dragoons horse batteries.

Thunder from the flank came in the form of French chasseur squadrons. Now the Russian Grenadier formation was under pressure on three sides.

The French poured fire into the Russian grenadiers with two horse and two foot batteries, now in good range with the infantry to support the gun line.

Waiting behind these French lines were dragoons looking for an opening to exploit.

Similarly the Russian dragoons and Cossack formations waited for the opening to charge home ...

It was at this moment that the Russian grenadiers could no longer hold against the pounding they were taking from the French gunners. One battery was out of action from lack of crew when they lost both a Horse and foot formation, leaving only 25% of the division remaining. Those foot grenadiers fled the field abandoning the remaining horse battery...

Thus at 'halftime' (we had to pack up for the day so that dinner could be made in time to go out to a show) the forces were arranged thus ... with the French leading 4 to the Russian score of 0.

My eldest son still thought he could overcome the positions so we recorded everything and prepared to go again when weather and time permitted.

2011-07-07T19:49:00.000-07:00

Garden Wars rematch

Round one of a rematch of the French and Russian Corps engagement has been done.

Alex liked it so much that he wanted to finish the match, even though the French were leading 4-0 in battalion/squadron kills and the ones that were killed or chased away were the Russian grenadier foo and horse units.

So I can only report a Tactical French lead from the engagement so far and leave you with the little detail of the abandoned Russian Grenadier artillery ... well within range of the French Dragoons or even a horse gun crew to rush in and bring the battery into action!

2011-07-03T18:13:00.000-07:00

GARDEN WARS

On 17 June, my eldest and I set out a match between a Russian and French force.

Both were of considerable size and composition.

The Russians included Cossacks and Siege Artillery, while the French boasted large Dragoon and Hussar forces. Both had a grenadier contingent.

This time round we decided to use the entire back yard, the French deployment area included a forward moving pursuit force on the road leading to the Russian center left. My youngest boy was going to 'help' me with the Russian command.

The French, run by my eldest son, chose to place some of their allied infantry in their left flank to press into an opening between two wooded areas.

Russian Grenadiers (simulated by these Pavlov Grenadiers) were placed well back from the main Russian lines ready to take advantage of the road to plunge into the left center should the French choose to press hard.

More towards the center rear of the Russian position were some Hussars, ready again to respond where needed.

Giving an overview of the Russian positions as seen from the left wing here:

a view of the some of the Russian Light Dragoons, looking towards my young opponent commander...

Once into action the French send forward their elite Dragoons formations, racing down the road into the Russian center left and the church steeple town.

Meanwhile on the French left columns of infantry pushed up the low rise and towards to opening between two forest sections seeking to penetrate the Russian line.

The gap was close to the Russian lines and the move was not unanticipated, the number of French troops was a concern as to whether the single Russian division could hold back two French ones. So orders were dispatched to the light Dragoons to fill in the extreme left of the woods gap.

French allied Infantry pressed on to face down the advancing Russians, making three infantry columns moving into the French side of the woods gap.

The Light Dragoons were faster and used a first charge to halt and rout one column of French Infantry.

Meanwhile along the road into the Russian town, the Cavalry melee had begun. First some of the French Grenadier Horse was pounded by the Russian guns, they ended up seeking the shelter of the buildings to get their horses re-organized. Then the second column of French Dragoons arrived and were met by Russian Dragoons, it was a huge tangle brawl of charges and counter-charges that followed...

Russian command chose to send in Russian Hussars to ensure that the French did not break through the town sector.

This was because the Russian Grenadiers had been ordered to move forward and they were vulnerable, should the French horse break out...

Still solid in the center of the Russian positions were the siege and foot batteries of the artillery park, seen here with covering foot battalions.

The confused cavalry melees in the town sector sorted out, the French simply did not have enough reserves to maintain their early momentum. The Russian Hussars arrived to find that the opponents were gone...

French High Command moved forward to maintain contact with the forward deployed columns. No reserves were left to throw into the action now as the light cavalry Chasseurs a Cheval were now committed to the woods gap, a breakthrough there could yet win the day.

Now the battle for victory could be tested. The French had lost a lot of cavalry, while the Russians did loose some, they were not as taxed. The French needed to gain the woods gap to secure the ground before nightfall. Else the next day could see their flank turned and no where for the Grenadiers to go but back ...

With the Hussars, Chasseurs and light cavalry division going into the forest gap, this was the moment of truth!

As the light of the day was fading the Russian line infantry was up to the task!

They fired on the bloodied Chasseur a Cheval, then on more Hussars that had just scattered the light Dragoons ...

Over on the Russian left center the Russian cavalry was now consolidating their gains while staying out of French artillery range.

The French Grenadier Division had set up formations and was pouring out artillery fire ... enough to keep the Russians back.

The light from the day was fading as the Russian Grenadiers were pushing forward from the town along the road. With the French light cavalry division routed back to the start lines there was no doubt that this day of battle was a tactical Russian victory!

2011-06-22T11:02:00.000-07:00

Garden Wars Game

The game was played last Friday, there are loads of pictures and I have not yet been able to make time in my work to get a full posting done.

Here is my opponent with his HQ at the end of the game.

He has been after me since then to do a rematch or another game ... I have some ideas on how to speed things up taken from Le Feu Sacre.

I must be away now until next week and since that would delay more I thought to leave you with this image of the happy fella.

2011-06-17T12:35:00.000-07:00

Napoleonic Pick up Game

Seeking to get in some tabletop time with dad my eldest son requested a fast game.

So we did a rear-guard action of the Russians vs. French from 1805.

The Russians had a line of hills and some defensive works. Had to hold for 8 turns.

The French were attacking at 2-1 odds.

Here is some eye candy.

Essentially I only managed to get the Russians to hold for 7 turns before being forced to retreat.

2011-06-16T16:23:00.000-07:00

Garden Wars returns!

My son Alex was so keen to play another garden wars, now that the weather has turned, that he was willing to mow the lawn out for the forest sections.

Other work activities have taken over and pushed the game a day however I thought it worthwhile to prepare the blog ground as well as my son prepared the 'garden' battlefield...

2011-06-08T20:52:00.001-07:00

Carniola, the skirmish battle
a proxy game for Emperor vs. Elector

You can read of the full scenario plans here.

The tabletop layout looked like this:

Herein follows the account of Elmar Wilhelms, a member of the household of Lady Elisenda Folc de Cardona whom was riding on the tailboard and baggage of the Lady's carriage at the moment of the start of these events.

To our left was a great woods, a bare hilltop could be seen in the distance beyond. We were approaching a couple of farm buildings first one to our left, then further along one to the right. I had just agreed to prepare to watch the right when a call 'to arms' was raised by the Dragoon officer. I felt the coach shudder from some commotion inside the cabin and heard the report of a long arm musket. From the building to the left ... one of the draft team pulling the carriage was dead and now the coach drover was having to apply the brake and reign in the horses. My fellow on the top of the carriage now, Harman had taken a shot at the approaching riders and he vanished in a puff of the powder smoke from his pistol, I saw the Dragoon Officer fall from his saddle. Then I saw the wild riders approaching and fired my own pistol at them.

When my smoke had cleared, Miss Fiona was demanding a pistol from the baggage that we had been loading afresh each morning on her orders. She then fired her own shot at the mercenary riders now fully engaged with the dragoons.

From ahead I heard some strange shouting, the Dragoons had realized their officer was dead and they were attempting to setup a plan of action, one of them shouted a warning and I heard volley of shots come out from the building to the left, three of the forward dragoons were wounded and one was dropped from his horse, trapped.

Miss Fiona then grabbed another pistol and ran to the rear of the coach. I readied my second pistol and fired again into the mass of riders, there were fewer Dragoons and less of the strange red cloaked riders, but there were still more of them than Dragoons... Lady Elisenda then came out from the coach and she drew a pistol from our collection on the tailboard. She herself then fired into the red mercenary riders, hitting one square in the chest and felling him. Another loud volley from muskets came from ahead and more Dragoons fell, there were another group of mercenaries that had taken cover next to a tall rock wall and were firing from behind it into the ranks of the Dragoons.

I heard a wild shout and a tall man with a long coat and huge beard came charging out from the door of the house ... he swung the sword with all his might against the harnesses, seeking to separate the lead good horses from the dead and wounded ones near the coach, one coachman had jumped down to break the dead horse free from the harness and was now hiding behind the animals carcass as this wild madman rushed at him.

I jumped from the tailboard with my sword and a final pistol as Harman and our leader of the household staff Markus shouted for me to join him in a line between the Lady Elisenda and the backs of the hard pressed Dragoons. Miss Fiona had run to the deadly side of the coach to catch the Dragoon officers' horse, while the Marquis of Rubi had dashed some paces away to catch another of the Dragoon Horses. He mounted it while we watched the Dragoons now holding their own against these red devils...

The madman from the house now charged at the helpless drover and cut him down, just as the Count of Erill moved to his defense, now the Count was facing this madman! Markus rushed to the old man's aid and shouted for us to continue to cover the Lady.

Miss Fiona then rode into view on the Dragoon officers Horse while the Madman and the Count were fencing. Clearly the big man with the beard was not paying as much attention to the Count as he was the two ladies...

One of the red devils broke free from his attack on the Dragoons and rode into the river crossing it and making for the open ground beyond. The madman shouted something like,

"LUIJI! I will find you in hell!"

The big man then broke free from his attack on the Count and rushed to Miss Fiona, holding out his sword as though to cut her and pointing his pistol.

"Off your horse l'il lady!" he commanded. Miss Fiona glanced at Lady Elisenda, who was moving to mount the same horse, she smirked and nodded to the Marquis of Rubí, then she winked.

She made her horse gallop away from the great madman who instantly shot at her ... and missed! Now he was full of mad rage and rushed towards Lady Elisenda, who mounted the horse as the Marquis dismounted. I heard another volley from the rock wall musket men and watched the last of the Dragoons in the van of our party fall from his saddle.

Now I rushed to the aid of Markus and the Count of Erill, Harman was lagging behind me as we managed to parry one of the thrusts and swings towards this old Count. The Marquis seemed to be looking further down the road behind our battle, shouting something about more riders!

Now I was fully engaged against this great big bearded madman! His huge sword cut and thrust with a ferocity I have never before seen! Twice it seemed as though the Count was done for and each time either I or Markus managed to deflect the blade enough to keep the Count alive, though he was moving his own sword in some defense, we were certainly not able to make any advances against this skilled madman. Then from behind him a pistol shot rang out. Harman had shot him in the back, Markus thrust home and I joined him in ensuring that the big man would not rise again.

I looked about, in horror seeing another troop of mercenary riders chasing Miss Fiona who was well past any help we could possibly offer. Then I spied Lady Elisenda riding into the wooded orchard near this column of riders, they split and the front group moved to surround Miss Fiona, while Lady Elisenda changed direction and left the four horsemen chasing her on the wrong side of the orchard ... by the time the got around she was five lengths ahead and gaining ground.

The other riders turned out to be Hussars from Syldavia and after a tense few seconds while the red riders flew from the scene our wounded Dragoons stood back to let their troop officer come forward.

The other mercenaries began to flee into the woods now from the back of the building and behind the stone wall.

More shouts were heard from the distant riders, then they all seemed to dissipate.

It was a minute later that we discovered that Miss Fiona had been killed by the riders, her horse was cut down and without any weapon of her own to use she was likewise cut down.

Before we could catch up with Lady Elisenda we searched the houses and the area where the gunmen had come from. Within the hut there was a strange musket, such as I had never seen before, most certainly it was the weapon of that bearded madman. Scratched into the butt of the weapon in crude letters was "MARIO". Other than some scraps of food little else was found.

Lady Elisenda was last seen riding to the border post, she was to learn of the death of Miss Fiona sometime later ....

Your Gaming Crew:

2011-06-05T22:55:00.001-07:00

Carniola done!

The battle for Carniola has been played out.

Now I need to get some sleep and process the pictures to tell the story of these great events!

More by Wednesday.

2011-06-04T18:38:00.000-07:00

CARNIOLA PREP

The Emperor vs. Elector blog has proxy battles come up from time to time.

This time its a little scenario called Carniola, all designed for a skirmish situation.

Above is an overview of all the troops for the game planned, below is the critical 'cargo'.

I have one confirmed player for tomorrow, with a second very likely.

Should be a fun little game, look for AAR here by Wednesday.

2011-05-29T21:45:00.000-07:00

The Sword and the Flame

A game at Jeff's was a setup skirmish meeting between a 'trapped' British / Sepoy force and a relief column of British and Sikhs and two tribes of Pashtun.

Set in a hilly, rocky, lightly wooded area there were plenty of places for the Pashtun to get set up and keep cover.

The British column was to come to the aid of the 'fort' / town ... they were told that hundreds of natives were in the hills ...

So we start:

The British column chose to take the most direct path, past a large hill ... this was the critical choice.

Meanwhile the men in the town were to awake to the sound of Jezail firing, the first volleys being able to clear the men out from any sort of visible locations.

Then there was a group of rifle armed Pashtun that charged into a copse of tall grasses and palms just outside the wall and building entrance, for the Sepoy troops this proved to be too much and they were gunned down quickly.

The relief column continued to advance, carefully first checking the rocky areas on both flanks, then when their scouts had slowed the column pressed on blindly coming across a wave of Pashtun sword waving warriors madly rushing the stretched out column.

Then the Red Coats fired, these warriors backed off, though for the lone scout in the hill region, this was not good as it left him surrounded...

The town battle had dropped off, as the British forces had fallen back into a covered corner behind buildings and a low wall ... not going well at all as the Pashtun Riflemen simply moved in to the open spaces over the many Sepoy dead.

The Pashtun warriors on the hill were not done yet, they rushed the British again, meanwhile the Ghurka had broken out of the rough terrain and made their own charge against some Jezail armed Pashtun.

The British Regulars were driven back by the renewed charge of the Pashtun hill tribesmen, they lost their leader in the process and chose to withdraw back into the hilly region satisfied with chasing the red coats away.

The Ghurka did not fare so well in their charge, they were killed or wounded down to two men that fled the field.

Back in the town the British and Sepoy forces had withdrawn from the walls and were now in a copse of palms and tall grasses. Two forces of sword and spear armed Pashtuns were bearing down on them from outside the town.

That copse of palms and tall grasses was a killing zone where the British and Sepoy officers were first wounded then outright killed when overrun by Pashtun tribesmen.

Now the Pashtun Hill became a scene of utter chaos, as the Sikhs were charged by another tribe of Pastuns.

This tribe, first scared the Sikhs yet again they did not charge home and this time they became pinned at the base of the hill and remained that way. However now another force of Jezails had arrived and began a merciless barrage from beyond any range that the Sikhs could return fire, the mules that had been brought to carry out the wounded from the town were now filling fast with the bodies of Sikh riflemen.

The game end came as the British relief column commander realized he was never going to reach the town. He turned off from this destination and fled the field.

The only troops left from the town were now holed up in a small outer building from the town, under fire from Jezails and soon to face further rifle attack...

All in all a good game day and Alex and his friend want to play MORE!

2011-05-20T22:49:00.000-07:00

Age of Reason

It has been a long while since I had dealt with all the aspects of the Age of Reason rules and I wanted to run through them again before going into more troops actions or more complicated terrains.

So my eldest son had been asking me to get into a game ... today was an opportunity.

The new matchstick armies got their first field test and Alex got to learn all about using cavalry in the center of a Horse & Musket battlefield.

He started with them in the center of his formation, unhappy that he could not deploy the infantry even further to the flanks...

I chose to concentrate on my right and give a refused left wing.

The Cavalry choices got worse as he split them into columns just as my guns got into range. BOOM down went 1/3 of a squadron.

Further advances with the same cavalry came with a snap decision to charge at the same time as my right wing got close to his infantry.

My wing went into charge, then his infantry made it into square with a good roll. Sadly his cavalry was even further away than mine was and the charge fell short, leaving the horsemen disordered and within musket range...

It was at this point that Alex chose to depart the game, having an offer to go play outside in the sunshine. I think he also understands SHAKO better now and the rules shift caused some confusion. I pressed on to see what final results could be got.

The red forces (simulating France in the 7 Years War period), did not fare so well. A musket exchange went equal, except that the Red Army command was attached and suffered a wound, not critical but he did have to retire from the engagement. Then the charge failed to go, leaving the men disordered in the face of my ordered regulars. Not a total turning point for certain and the outcome was really no longer in doubt as the blue (simulating Prussia during 7 Years War) cavalry was now round the red flank and ready to pounce on the routed militia and disordered and wounded square on the far left of the Red lines.

Certainly a good first outing for these tiny troops.

2011-05-14T13:41:00.000-07:00

Matchstick ARMIES

After a couple of weeks, part of the time searching out my painting materials again, I have put in a whole 4 hours painting.

$2 worth of matchsticks and maybe $2 worth of glue, left over base coat and cut up cereal boxes, micro amounts of paint (less than might go on one 12 man unit of 25mm guys). Some left over craft paper flags finishes them off.

One of the neatest parts of such little troops, three armies will fit into ONE box!

Now I shall get into the 'nitty gritty' of Age of Reason and see what results...

See all about these troops and other exploits on The Duchy of Mieczyslaw

2011-05-09T21:56:00.000-07:00

Return to the tabletop

A planned return to the tabletop gets into gear this week.

First to recover the table and gear (stored away for a while ... yes you may have noticed the lack of postings here), that process starts tomorrow.

With my renewed interest in things 6mm, I have taken a page from The Old Dessauer and spent a whopping $2 for a box of long matches for fireplace lighting, cleaned them up and glued them into the shapes required.

I have now only a bit of quick painting to do then I can start on the game table process to see what that focus and flow brings.

Plans are to expand the tales from The Duchy of Mieczyslaw to bring them into the 18th Century ...

Within another few weeks I may also have out the rest of the minis to get back into action on the Tricorne front (much to Jeff's delight I am sure).

2011-05-08T23:19:00.000-07:00

Rules Study

Been away from the tabletop for some time now, looking at gathering back up some of my games materials and putting in some tabletop games.

While waiting I have been exploring the world of 6mm Napoleonic and Horse & Musket eras and rules sets for those games.

So far I have found at least 6 free sets and some reviews of the Polemos system.

Question for readers, have any of you used any good systems that you would recommend?

2011-05-02T18:18:00.000-07:00

Colonial Game Plan

Jeff has setup some Colonial fun with his own metal.

I have agreed to take on a command in the campaign plan, seen above.

Check out more at Colonel Hud's blog.

2011-04-20T15:06:00.000-07:00

Nothing Small

While not as impressive an article as may have been printed of Featherstone et al. I have my own moment in the press of my day.

This image, and others from the recent Trumpeter Salute 2011 convention are on the Burnaby Now website.

2011-04-11T15:13:00.000-07:00

Matchstick Armies

The Old Dessauer has done a great job again of expanding on the posting regarding his matchstick troops.

I go into this subject as I have played in a fun re-fight of Minden, where some 12mm? 10mm? and 15mm miniatures were used to great effect.

It got me again thinking of the mass battles effect that can be had with such forces.

Moreover the cost factor is really good.

What are your thoughts about such quick use armies?

2011-04-06T15:03:00.000-07:00

TRUMPETER SALUTE 2011
Convention in Review

A review from my attendance at the April 1-2-3 event.

Overall I'd rate the event a 7/10 on my games convention scale.

I spent most of the Friday night, April 1 doing a lot of 'catch-up' with the lower mainland of BC tabletop game players. Many of whom had also not come to a Salute event for a few years also. I even managed to connect with a few Vancouver Island players, including a new one that lives not far south of me here.

I was with my sons in the event, so I was careful to monitor them as they got into games and made connections with the adults in the game play atmosphere.

Now some visuals:

On Friday there was a best of session game run by Colin Upton, using a modified Sword and the Flame and his own 'flavor'.

I counted 6 players and at one point there must have been 20 crowded around the table.

My boys were attracted to the LEGO and Canvas Eagles WWI aerial combats.

Also going on during the Friday were WWII games (there were a lot of these at the event - much more than I have ever seen before), including a Squad Leader looking one...sadly the GM was not to be found.

John Westra was also doing his WWII fighters in "Check you Six".

Saturday brought a new set of tabletop opportunities.

The boys got into Star Wars minis battles (using the plastic ones) and more Lego.

I did a skirmish game with Doug Hamm, of Larry Leadhead fame, and his innovative approach to using cards as part of the movement system brought a new set of ideas for me in skirmish action games.

Then came the 'main event' Battle of the Piave River using SHAKO II rules with Chris Leach in attendance to give some rules clarifications.

Having been a player in Shako before (not version 2) I was tasked at Eugene de Beauharnais, commanding the Army of Italy. The combination of great painted minis, well done terrain and really good sportsmanship on the part of everyone involved led to a "BEST of SESSION" award for the game. The added bonus of commanding a French Victory helped my spirits.

Here is the Austrian final position as seen from Macdonald's HQ

Here is the Italian-French position as seen from Eugene's HQ

Part of the bonus I did get in a game with Colin Upton for the first time!

As a team on a winning side!

Saturday wrapped up for me with an Age of Reason rule re-fight of Minden. Amazingly enough I got tasked to the French side again teamed up with Colin Upton.

It took me a bit of review to get the rules clear again on AoR, once I had it clear we saw the best way to setup and got another victory as the British player chose to come forward with only 1/3 of his cavalry and I sent ALL of the French Cavalry after it. The British horse was routed, then the close combats got bogged down with infantry. No action on the part of the Prussians could change the result... their right flank was gone and French horse was ready to unleash behind the main Prussian lines.

Sunday brought a lighter crowd and I had my SHAKO game, a small action decided by the players as neither had ever played before. I had them roll for terrain and layed out the tabletop accordingly.

Some British and Spanish vs French in the peninsula.

With a very aggressive plan the French Player essentially RAN straight at the British lines. Their cavalry appeared on the flank as planned and cut down the British Light Dragoons, sadly the French chose to approach in columns and this cost dearly as the Royal Foot Artillery blew away one battalion and one more collapsed under the combined weight of fire from British Foot and a bayonet charge into the fresh British lines. The French cause was lost and they would soon be in retreat.

The game was excellent for demonstrating how fast from set up to conclusion of action a simple game could be. We were done in 2 hrs 15 mins.

Just as we completed a reporter from the Burnaby Now arrived and did a series of photos ... I plan to show links to them once I find out where they are.

I then did a Shako discussion with a curious gamer to show how simple the overall system was, took about 20 mins to do that in the process of saying the farewells.

Colin Upton won the best of session with this Ticonderoga, using Age of Reason, game. Followed swiftly by the announcement of Colin Upton winning the BEST OF SHOW for his two session winning games! Well done Colin!

The cap off to the day was winning a draw prize and a table host draw prize!

A few vendors were present, most notable was Imperial Hobbies.

The canteen crew were fabulous.

Much fun had by all!

2011-03-26T20:20:00.000-07:00

Convention Game decided.

I shall take my SHAKO troops to the tabletop at Salute this year.

I am prepared to bring the Action of Sabugal to the event on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of this battle, which led to the final expulsion from Portugal of the invading Imperial French armies.

I am certain that I have the troops needed and plan to bring extras so as to, potentially, layout a meeting engagement also.

I go to gather these troops this coming Monday and may be able to put a photo or two of them on here before traveling to Vancouver and joining with the other Historical and tabletop miniatures fans at the Trumpeter Salute Convention.

2011-03-05T19:55:00.000-08:00

Convention consternation.

I find myself torn between a local games event and a more distant larger *miniatures* focused games event.

For the local one, I could easily attend, take my children and count on having a few good conversations. There would be no historical miniatures games to play unless I set them up. Were I to do that I could not count on any players unless I convinced them to come to the event.

For the more distant one, I have now learned I can get the transportation, I have the accommodation for the many days of the event ~ I am even likely to be able to bring all my boys to it. I have now seen the games listed for the event ... not much to draw my interest at the moment.

My torn position is I could be interested in doing a game at the more distant event, yet this event has no incentive beyond the personal pleasure of putting on a game. While the more local one has *free* entrance for those game masters who put on events that other players can take part in - thus increasing the attendance *fun factor*. The game master scheduler for the larger more distant event has even made a recent email appeal to get more games put on ... yet still no incentive.

My question to you, the interested Convention Game Master and or Player:

Would you like MORE game event options, or at least a full slate of them, at a game Convention and would you be willing to pay to play ~knowing~ that the game host that brought all the minis and terrain and essentially put on the game got into the event *free*?

Do you think that all attendees, either players or GM's must all pay to be present in a Convention setting?

2011-01-31T14:52:00.000-08:00

Back to the Tabletop

There has been some time since I have put any effort into setting up a tabletop game.

Now I find I am itching to move into a set of them at the coming Salute Convention in April 2011.

I am looking at a Naval action, the Battle of Lissa and a Campaign setup with the principle ending of the Battle of Albuera. Luckily I can also go for a straight up tabletop game using a scenario by Rafael Pardo.

Have any of the readers done Napoleonic Battles in the Peninsula?

How about smaller sail actions from the Adriatic?

What are the experiences?

2010-12-27T21:47:00.000-08:00

BIG IRON

Bluebear Jeff agreed to my request to get something going on a tabletop.

I has simply expressed a desire to push lead, maybe something naval as I knew that Jeff had been reading much on things 'wet'.

So the Japanese-Russian engagement from the turn of the last century was proposed.
The Battle of the Yellow Sea

This time my eldest son got to choose where he wanted to start off, then whether he wanted me as a team mate or not.

He chose the Japanese, and set me up as the leading element.

Not knowing much of the early iron behemoth tactics, I went with a line from Nelson, "forget about all the tactics and maneuver, just go straight at em."

Then I discovered that I had better gun range than their lead ship.

Time to do a little maneuver, at least to get my better guns into range and keep their others limited.

Next time, I go slower and let them come to me ... the Russians had to get out on the one end where the Japanese already were.

Nothing like the historical, of course we did not get the zany luck of killing the lead Russian Admiral right after he gave a change course order...

2010-09-21T13:58:00.000-07:00

TRULY VILE
Battle at Jeff's

Last Sunday saw a contest at Bluebear Jeff's table.

This time round was a second encounter with Victory Without Quarter rules.

The differences this time were, a storyline, complicated battlefield terrain and a time limit (of sorts as my eldest son and I could not stay on and on till a final ending).

The setup saw Vile Stagonia opposite a river (with fords) and Duchy of the North, marching in parallel lines, Jeff has the battle that this is based upon.

Essentially the Stagonians must overcome working on exterior lines of communication while the Norden troops have the advantage of interior lines of communication.

Another problem with the Stagonia situation was totally dependent on early luck, as the river fords could only be crossed at 1/2 speed, something that the movement rules run by random cards make even harder since on many turns NO ONE may get to move at times.

The Victory Without Quarter rules are a 'game' as opposed to a simulation, something that must be taken into account and I would certainly never run a tournament with them nor use them with any historical simulation players.

Here is the situation at the end of turn one, not much change from setup other than the one bit of luck for Stagonia was the entire left wing got to move (sadly only 2 units on the right - the ones that have to cross the river fords - got to move).

Turn two and more movement on the Stagonian Left Wing, so was the Norden Left Wing busy, again only 1 unit crossing a river even got to move.

The big VILE STAGONIAN MOMENT came when my son decided to first charge at (not allowed by the rules) then SHOOT AT the Duke of the North, who was just inside charge range and definitely in pistol range of his Vile Stagonian Trotters. IT was a resounding success with many hits and a failed save. BANG the Duke of the North was dead!

Needless to say the player handling him was not impressed, actually figuring the battle was over ~ not so said I and I was ready to trade him my crummy situation in a heartbeat ... he did not take me up on it. (darn)

Turn three, plenty of movement on the whole Norden line, only the Stagonian Left was moving, nothing at all from the Right wing, no cards = no move. Now the one unit that had got to move was totally out of position, alone and being shot to pieces, with no return fire allowed, in this GAME no card = no action - nothing, zip, zilch Nada.

Now at turn four I was seeing shades of Austerlitz in this battle.

And I was on the 'allied' side.

Stuck behind a river and forced to sit still for three turns while my opponent got his shooting lines set up...the battle was really over here ~ we just did not fully accept it.

I got a hit in with some great dice rolling, then it all went downhill for the Black Foote veterans I had, they wisely fell back across the river and then I decided to move the Right Wing Horse to the Left, sadly with this GAME rules what I decided means nothing since unless I get the cards to take action my units can do NOTHING, which they did for the next few turns.

The other ford was similarly totally blocked up, now with masses of infantry catching my foot working valiantly to push across. A foolish order to attack at all in my view as only 2:1 odds is useful in any attack situation, and with this GAME rules even a force at 3 or 4:1 will have trouble if their cards do not come up.

Then four turns of maneuver and finally the cannon showed up (cards not drawn means no action remember?)

My son did yeoman work alone on the Left Wing, taking and holding a hill that I told him to after Killing the Duke of the North, certainly the winner of this game. This formation that he used to move forward made me think of some proposed changes, especially in light of what masses of infantry can do to horsemen, I really think that such a double block when facing ANY horsemen should get HUGE bonuses in close combat, for the block of pikes would be everywhere here and NO CAVALRYMAN would ever charge into such a mass of men with no clear way past them. Yet in these rules only the lead unit must or gets to fight with NO bonus for the MASS of so many more men RIGHT THERE!

Once again I remind myself, this is a GAME and not a simulation.

Over at the river ford, the death toll mounted, again all I could do was watch as none of my cards came up here.

Turn ten, game si essentially over as the VILE STAGONIANS have managed to get at least half of their army killed at this point.

Odd dice rolls make our host shake his head, though the contest was not in any more doubt since turn 4.

Turn 12, too little too late.

At long last I get some cavalry move cards (the others are gone from the deck now), it was a futile move, mostly to permit my son to finish enjoying the day.

I'll wrap it up here with some more minis eye candy.

Next time a simulation, if the demand is for a cards game, I'll choose poker.

2010-06-14T12:36:00.000-07:00

PROXY BATTLE
After Action Report

My son Victor and I filled out the troops and laid out a map on the tabletop

Our instructions were: one collision will be Rudelheim militia and dragoons running into Highlander mercs and fusiliers and Hussars (Frankszonia under Broderick Woad) in open but rolling terrain.

Here we see the first major action on the tabletop, the mercenary Highlanders and fusiliers have advanced while the Dragoons have moved to engage their opposing Hussars.

Here we see a closer image of the lines of Infantry set-up in opposition...the Militia men have spread out their ranks to cover the larger numbers of mercenaries.

A close-up of the first cavalry tangles that would erupt on the Militia right wing.

This cavalry tangle-brawl carried on for three rounds. Then the Dragoons overrun the Hussars, pressing on into the flank of some Fusiliers (shattering them and taking their colors) and carrying on into the flank of the Highlanders (who did not make it into square!); who kept their cool and drove off the Dragoons.

Here we see the foot lines exchanging fire, with the Highlanders now in Square.

Meanwhile the Dragoons were triumphant over yet another formation of Hussars, Victor looks on with interest.

With Turn 7 (perhaps 2 hours & 20 minutes simulated) the tipping point was fast approaching. Half of the Dragoons and 1/3rd of the Militia were either destroyed or fled the battle. On the Mercenary side the Hussars were all badly mauled, one fusilier unit was utterly shattered the others were all suffering casualties in the continued musketry exchange with the militia. Only the Highlanders were relatively unscathed, though forced to maintain their square due to the presence of the greater half of the Dragoons.

The tip came with a blast from one of the wounded militia formations, shattering the morale of the remaining fusiliers ~ the retreat was on, the Highlander Mercenary infantry brigadier was unable to stem the tide.

Proudly showing their captured fusilier colors taken as a prize the triumphant Dragoons began cheering as they watched the mercenary lines dissolve...

Facing defeat, the mercenary commander must now recoil without becoming enveloped by the Dragoons, with all his Hussars fleeing the field the Highlanders may have to walk out in square until dark...

As can be seen here at the end of the day's battle, the mercenary infantry could easily be pinned and forced to surrender utterly.

Thus is the pain of fighting in the open when your cavalry cover is gone.

2010-05-31T10:58:00.000-07:00

PAINT DAY

A wonderful evening of brushwork's was shared with Bluebear Jeff.

I worked on some Napoleonic Austrian foot and four 1/900 scale Portsmouth Miniature sailing ships.

They were all primed and dark undercoated, the evening was spent in quiet conversation on topics ranging from Emperor vs. Elector Blog items of interest ~ the Frankzonia proxy battle ~ to historical tidbits, such as the pre-dreadnought ships and plans of Jeff.

Jeff's work concentrated on some tricorne foot for Bearstein and conversion of some more xmas buildings for tabletop use.

All in all both an entertaining and productive evening.

The ship finished product looks great with all the sails!

2010-05-04T20:37:00.000-07:00

Little Table Top

My youngest son, Marcus, was excited to learn that on May 2 we were to play out a game that he could control the troops for.

I set up a simple little skirmish on the kitchen table.

Some red coats and some blue coats.

Marcus liked the blue ones.

After a few musket exchanges, where Marcus got to roll lots and lots of dices, we came to an encounter with the cavalry and a 'square' of red coats.

The blue riders did not fare so well, the red coats did loose one unit also.

After sneaking around the trees (and having the house move?!?) the 'green jackets' sent off one more of the blue coat men. Marcus turned his final unit and blasted the 'green jackets' out from the trees and won the game!

2010-05-04T20:20:00.000-07:00

Fast Tabletop Action

My son Alexander really wanted me to run a game on the first afternoon I got back after a biz trip away for 4 days.

So I decided to set my time to the boys (his younger brothers wanted to watch) for the afternoon after getting home like that.

So a fast SHAKO game got put on the tabletop.

Alex wanted the redcoats vs French.

We set it in Spain in 1813.

Rolling for terrain we got lots of 'rough ground'

The troops were simple, one foot gun with a light and heavy foot for the British and a force of light cavalry. For the French some hussars a pair of horse guns and a light and heavy foot force.

Alex set his men into a mass on his left and Horse to his right, with the Gun on the tall hill in the center ~ set to dominate the field!

I had set the French into defensive formation, with the horse on the left (the only open ground) and the light infantry to support them.

The action took a couple of turns to get into the main thrust, Alex's guns were not able to get any hits and he chose to move the Horse forward, putting them into the range of the French horse gun on the flank. Then the horse formations together clashed, here we see that the French Hussars have withdrawn from the first encounter and were rallying to come back again.

Here we see the field at the moment the British commander chose to fall back ... their horse were defeated, first a salvo of artillery broke their morale, then the French Hussars charged into them ... sowing great confusion and sending the unit from the field.

2010-03-07T20:37:00.000-08:00

Shootout in Grizzlyville AAR

With Jeff down with a flu, I stepped into the spurs and took on the challenge of hosting a tabletop game at the Courtenay area game event Dak-Kon XV.

Grizzlyville is a wild crazy-horse town where you never know when the next throw-down gun-slinging gang fight might break out.

We started with a really simple 1-1 gunfight in the middle of this one-horse town to demonstrate the simplicity of the "Fistfull of Lead" rules and let a few folks hear the "ace" - "king!" - "queen!?!" calls (which brought in some more players). The players were also feasting their eyes on the Whitewash City buildings by Eric Hotz.

With the quick & the dead cleared up we were able to get into a fast 3-way gunfight.

One gang setup tight together and on the roof of one of the buildings.

Storming around Patterson and Brothers GUNS was another gang, carefully avoiding contact with ROY (we'll see more of him later).

Fighting broke out fast around the Grand Hotel, here we see one man pinned behind the privvy.

Out in front of the Grand Hotel, life was carrying on...

The street in front of the Saloons had been cleared (mostly) now was filled with whizzing lead. The first gunfight ended when the Corn hat gang rushed the brown hats pinning their last man behind a corner, then storming him to gun him down.

So a new group of three players had assembled, this time each controlled two gangs...

Roy had crossed the street and appeared ready to bring the news to the Sheriff about the gang activity.

The gunmen had shot at Roy as he ran into the Sheriffs office. Roy came out AS the SHERIFF now and demanded that they throw down their guns. The gunmen that he first saw did this, the rest ran for cover and continued their gang war in the back streets...

Roy was not amused.

A gunslinger, gang leader was dropped at his feet...pinned and wounded (you can tell from the PIN on top of him!). This picture also shows off the great detail in the Hotzworks Whitewash City buildings.

... meanwhile down the backstreets more of the townfolk were having to take cover from the battle raging between two of the rival gangs.

The gallows were ignored for now as the gangs battle out behind the sheriff's post and the Saloons.

Sheriff Roy had been forced to retreat for a time into his post early in the fight, not coming out from pinning for two rounds. Now the reason comes clear...he had called for the mounties to come clear out this bunch of rowdies!

Actually I had run into the next 'time period' and wanted to clear off the table so as to have enough time to run a bigger game with some of the registered players.

The mounties rushing onto the table brought another rush of interested players and now I had one that wanted to run the NWMP ... why you ask? He was a real-life (off duty) Mountie! After some discussion with the other players it was agreed to let him run the NWMP, though this time the 'attacking' gangs would be bigger...and better armed.

Random luck permitted the gangs to start at one end of town and the Mounties at the other. One group of police riders were in the livery stables, the other at the Hotel across the one horse town (mat) road. The gangs decided to throw away any cautious meeting or pretext of camouflage and shot Sheriff Roy with a rifle right away!

This brought all the combatants into the street and a fire fight ensued, with the pistol armed cowboy gangs coming off the worse for wear. Roy was NOT dead and came out shooting!

The Mounties were definitely doing well early in the fight, they were now dashing down the boardwalks, led by their officer, to catch those cowboys that had taken cover or were staying out of range.

CHARGE! was the command from the Sergeant to urge the Mounties across the last open street towards the gunmen.

The Corn hat gang leader had holedup in the Orient Saloon, it was then that he started to pick off Mounties ... starting with an incredible long-shot at the officer in charge!

The mounties put up a great cross-fire, but could not manage to kill off this man in the Orient Saloon. Meanwhile Sheriff Roy had gunned down four of the rifle armed cowboys and sent the rest running for cover behind the Grand Hotel.

The streets of Grizzlyville were silent and empty for a time as both NWMP and gunmen maneuvered.

Both groups then suddenly decided to occupy the Grand Hotel, gunmen ran in the back, Mounties in the front door. The close-quarter battles began.

There are rules to cover some 'interior' actions in Fistful of Lead, we did not have full interiors filled out for all buildings ... so I improvised. Along the way I think I have hit upon the simplest CQB fast result skirmish "cinematic" system I have yet seen.

Works like this, both the gunman and the mountie rush the building in the same round, one was already in there 'somewhere'. So the rushing in player draws from a standard deck of cards (not the whole deck as there are already cards dealt as part of the rules, these are the ones left), the 'defending player' in the building draws next.

If the suit (hearts, diamonds, club or spades) is the same they will have a hand to hand battle - no option. The one with the higher card will get to 'shoot first', however the result of the 'shot' will not count until AFTER the hand to hand.

If the suit does not match, then the high card gets to shoot, the lower card then may take action after that has been resolved.

This system was so good that it was used four more times in the Grand Hotel until the main staircase was soaked in blood.

One Mountie was now on the balcony of the Grand Hotel, with two dead NWMP inside and three dead cowboys with them. Across the street the Oriental Saloon had no windows left as Mounties and the corn had Gang leader had exchanged multiple rounds of fire, leaving the leader pinned and wounded inside.

Up on a balcony a young Mountie keeps cover fire on the Oriental Saloon, while in the distance a nearly dead Sheriff Roy has run out of luck.

The Sergeant rushed the smashed front of the Orient Saloon, while in the back another Mountie rushed that door. Both had shots at the Corn Hat Gang leader, both only managed to keep him pinned, as he had run out of ammo and was not shooting back they felt confident that the situation was under control.

Going for broke having a "6" card, the Corn Hat Gang leader instantly reloaded his guns and managed to kill the Mountie in the back and badly wound the Sergeant in the front.

A round later, having failed to recover from pinning, the Sergeant was shot by the leader of the Corn Hat Gang.

The Mountie on the balcony of the Grand Hotel was rushed by another gang and shot down off the balcony, finally succumbing to his wounds in the street.

Grizzlyville was quiet, now in the hands of the Corn Hat Gang of desperadoes...

2010-03-04T19:51:00.000-08:00

Preparing AAR for Grizzlyville.

Challenge of working and three active boys aged 4-10 makes for interesting nights to say the least.

I leave you with the promise of weekend AAR and this offering from Tombstone ... I must go to put children to be (again).

2010-02-28T20:50:00.000-08:00

Shootout in Grizzlyville

Jeff, of Saxe-Bearstein, was a bit under the weather.
As I was able to attend this year's Dak-Kon and I had been part of the playtest and preparations Jeff had done for the tabletop game of Shootout in Grizzlyville I agreed to fill in his stead and moderate the games and do the support.

In all four games were played over an 8 hour period, with a lunch break and a break for an SCA fighting demonstration.

I have plans to summarize the battles over the coming week with some more eye-candy, readers will have to enjoy the offering above, from the third game where the good sheriff Roy had come out spitting bullets and demanding the gunfighters 'throw down their guns'.

Jeff's efforts and my putting on the game were crowned with success ~ BEST PRESENTATION AWARD for 2010!

2009-12-30T20:36:00.000-08:00

PULTUSK

A game played on December 26 & 27 2009.

Rules used: Shako version 1

Alexander (my eldest son) set out the Russians and I commanded the French (his choice as he wanted to command all the Russian Cavalry).

Once the troops were laid out and the plans set, we began movement.

The Russian plan consisted of a general hold of the line, actually very typical.
atypical was the deployment that left fully 1/2 of the infantry and 2/3rds of the move able guns isolated on the right wing.

The French plan was a refused left, using cavalry (all that there was to start with) to screen any Russian plans to strike across the open ground. Then press into Pultusk using the arriving 3rd Div of III Corps to push thru the town and strike into the Russian line.

Early on, things went very badly for the Russian Heavy Cavalry, they were exposed to murderous French artillery fire and forced back from the French Squares that they faced on the reverse slope with no way to back away from them...

The results were disastrous, losing fully one unit of Cavalry and having the others wounded either by charging into squares or having the French cannon pound them to the breaking point...

The next four turns consisted of either Russian or French Cavalry charges in Pultusk, while in the center a murderous cannonade was exchanged with Russian and French Infantry coming away the worse for wear.

With turn 6 the III Corps had made its presence felt, pushing back the Russian Light Cavalry...

Messengers had been dispatched from Russian HQ to get the right wing into motion, partly to break the deadlock in the center and partly to make room for the heavy cavalry to deploy.

The silent Russian Right wing suddenly became the scene of the battle, with the Infantry moving forward and heavy cavalry coming into view from beyond the woods.

Just as a French horse battery moved to bring fire into the moving column, the heavy horse was totally exposed ... and obliterated.

Turn Nine brought the tipping point.

Near Pultusk the Russian light cavalry was bloodied but resolute in holding off the French III Corps from advancing through the town. Undaunted d'Aultanne took them across the river Narew and through the buildings on the other side, bringing fire into the flanks of the Horse Battery attached to the Russian light cavalry formation.

In the center a formation of Russians had charged the gun, driving off the gunners.

French Infantry (seen here in greatcoats) then raced up over the hill to crush the Russians in a flank attack.

Over on the French left, Russian right, the horse battery was now bringing fire into the columns of advancing infntry, having dispatched the horse...

Alex got to use the HEAVY BATTERY measuring stick as his big Russian guns finally got to pound the French that had strayed over the hill...

Now though the Russian left along the River Narew was coming under increasing fire. as even more French battalions were storming over the river to press on the flank...

While over on the Russian right wing the coup de grace was delivered by Hussars (just out ov view here having recalled from the successful charge) who broke a Russian regiment, this then caused a morale failure of the division, having suffered 50% losses, which took the whole Right wing away with it...

Victorious this time were the French, by a score of 5 units to 10 lost by the Russians.

Unlike the historical battle, Lannes was able to push the Russians out of the way while keeping some Chasseurs available to keep up the pursuit...would an ugly Eylau been necessary had the French been able to do this in 1806?

2009-12-27T22:16:00.000-08:00

Battle of PULTUSK

Glancing through my collection of Napoleonic books I found the Dec 26, 1806 battle, ok ACTION, of PULTUSK as the destruction of Prussia was winding down and the Russians were continuing to retreat, one commander General Bennigsen, chose to turn and fight one last time. Marshal Lannes commanded the infamous V Corps of the Grand Armee and was to receive support from the 3rd Division of the equally famous III Corps.

I have compiled the photos and an AAR will be coming later this week.

2009-10-18T22:34:00.000-07:00

Battle of Anheuser

Tabletop battlefield map

A proxy battle for Beerstein and Frankzonia.

The Frankzonian militia had gone brigand and fled from the pursuing forces of Baron von Ballpark. Certain that these 'militia' were not going to be able to form a credible force, Baron von Ballpark decided to continue to round them up after a leisurely breakfast in the woods gap.

M. Gen. Ziegfeldt von Phaulie, commander of the foot brigade, decided to allow the Sultan of Swat to lead the pursuit with his dragoons the Magellicas.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

The morning orders were clear from Major General Adolph von Coors, and rumor was that the Prince was in HQ, the second brigade was to press on past the town of Anheuser and seek out the brigands or the marauding force of cavalry that was suspected of being in the area. Since this was Brigadier General Barley Anheuser's own provincial territory he had great stock in making sure that the status quo returned quickly.

Upon reaching the area the Olendenberg Grenzers reported spotting actual columns of men moving out from the norther wald regions.

Not one to put up with such open defiance of his territory Anheuser ordered the Grenz to investigate and personally led the musketeers of the second brigade, Isenbeck and the Pabst Musketeers to investigate.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

"Zo, what again is ze zignal?" the wretched looking man asked Vizegraf von Dumbkoff of Hesse-Holstadt. Tired of repeating this, yet willing to see the plan through to the end.

"When you see me throw this yellow kerchief." For added emphasis the Vizegraf threw his silk kerchief on the ground.

Grinning a nearly toothless grin the Holstadt agent/veteran nodded and tramped off into the woods to the north. Somewhere in those woods the rest of these grizzled veterans had infiltrated part of the nearby garrisons of Frankzonia, now these troops had managed to stir up some of the Frankzonian regulars. These troops were even now moving towards this part of Beerstein, provided the other agents information was correct, there would be a meeting engagement here today. With luck Hesse-Holstadt would catch the flank of an exposed Beerstein brigade and rout it.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Olendenberg Grenzers had reached the ridge line, they were looking at a curious sight. Two lines of irregular troops had formed, there was a column marching behind them in the distance. They appeared to be making ready to fight and at the same time looking all over the place as though seeking a place for shelter ... or pursuit.

Only a minute after the runner was sent off to inform Anheuser there was a rapid movement at the edge of the distant woods, emerging from the trees were lines of well mounted dragoons. In a uniform pattern that none of the Grenzers had seen before, nor could they positively identify as being from Hesse-Holstadt. More than that they saw the rear column of men start to form a 'square' that more resembled an egg shaped mob.

The nearest lines of men continued to advance on the Grenzers, who followed discipline and began skirmish fire on them. These strange troops then 'attempted' to return fire with pistols, musketoons and old matchlocks. Their effect was to bring chuckles of pity from the Grenzers.

A second volley was preparing to come from the main line of Grenzers when half of these odd-ball troops suddenly began pulling muskets and carbines out from packs and coat rolls, tossing aside their pistols and useless matchlocks they began to pour out a suddenly lethal and effective fire. The hidden Holstadt veterans appeared!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

It was here that the real battle began, my son Alex was playing the young and impressionable Anheuser who very quickly picked up on the strange movements of these 'militia' lines. He was then really shocked to see the Hesse-Holstadt advance guard show up on his left flank.

Not wasting a moment, Peter in command of the Hesse-Holstadt forces, rushed the dragoons into the action in an attempt to pin Anheuser in place long enough to get the rest of the Hesse-Holstadt army up to catch this one brigade alone.

Reacting quickly Anheuser pushed his forces to the ridge line, to gain the high ground in the area and ordered the rear unit Isenbeck Musketeers to form square to face the oncoming horsemen.

Hesse-Holstadt troopers did not oblige and tracked their charges into the Grenzers and the Pabst Musketeers in an attempt to catch them in the flank in line!

Meanwhile the Frankzonians had continued to press on these naughty militia. The dragoons scattered one unit, then formed up into line with the Hussars. The militia force Graubenbauer was clearly not behaving like any militia they had seen ever before. More than that they appeared to have a mix of muskets and carbines!

Artillery was brought up to break the resolve of these units before any cavalry would test them.

The first rush of dragoons did not work.

Brigadier Anheuser himself studied this strange force of militia and distant cavalry. Certainly these were not Hesse-Holstadt soldiers. Who were they and which side were they on?

Hesse-Holstadt troops were certainly on the field and now they were closing on the Grenzers with Jagers!

At last Anheuser had a name for the Hesse-Holstadt brigadier he was facing, von Dumbkoff!

The Hesse-Holstadt dragoon charges had left them disordered and not able to directly support each other. It was this moment that Major General Adolph von Coors arrived with the rest of the Beerstein forces. The Holsein Lieb Hussars have a vulnerable and juicy target for the start of the day ~ the 1st Pferdendung Dragoons of Hesse-Holstadt!

Shocked at what came next the Frankzonian artillery blasted grapeshot into the red capped militiamen, the went wild into a frenzy and charged up the hill into the Pabst Musketeers. Upon arrival at the Musketeers these poor men were found to be very nearly unarmed, swinging virtually useless broken musketoons and matchlocks without bayonets or even pikes! They were sent back with extreme losses, driven towards the guns that had sent them into such a frenzy!

Meanwhile the rest of the Beerstein forces had arrived and the gun batteries had started a furious pounding of the nearest Hesse-Holstadt dragoons.

Baron von Ballpark was really confused now. The militia had been more or less contained or dispatched into the woods areas before them ... now he could hear a major artillery duel taking place beyond the ridgeline in front of him! The lead elements were coming back with dispatches to him about a battle with troops in Prussian looking uniforms and others in Austrian looking uniforms. A messenger also came back with a Grenzer that insisted they were in the Reich Duchy of Beerstein!?!

The Hesse-Holstadt cavalry was taking a pounding and any more losses might force the whole army to retire from the field. The commander in chief Flugelheim was not going to let that happen. Immediately he recalled all the cavalry into a reserve position and re-organized his forward lines to support the two remaining batteries of artillery.

They had lost one entire battery to the charge of Beerstein's Holstein Leib Hussar!

Seeing the re-organization going on opposite him, von Coors ordered similar linear preparations, seen here are the Grenadiers being sent to the far right flank of the forming line ... to anchor it against a Hesse-Holstadt flank move.

The critical moment had come for von Coors...now was the moment to strike for a victory!

Anheuser is directed to hit at the Jagers which had broken through the Grenzers and tip the scales in Beerstein's favor.

Meanwhile the no-mans-land was filled with the smoke and shell of four batteries exchanging fire between the two lines.

The grand overview of the battlefield showing Frankzonian troops to the far right, Hesse-Holstadt to the center and left, and Beerstein in the center and lower left.

Further overview, Frankzonia to the top, Beerstein to the right and Hesse-Holstadt to the left.

Carnage in the no-mans-land continued during the artillery duel, with both Hesse-Holstadt and Beerstein troops being lost. Beerstein was coming out on the loosing end of the duel, taking losses at a rate of 2:1, huge gaps were forming in the lines of musketeers and grenadiers.

Frankzonian view of the battle continued to be one of monitoring the fleeing militia and coming to grips with where they were, Beerstein?!?

The final gambit of Anheuser had failed, the Pabst Musketeers failed to inflict any casualties on the advancing Hesse-Holstadt Jagers who just missed taking the colors of Pabst and Anheuser himself! The brigadier had stayed with the men providing a final morale push and saber slashing his way out from the melee once the lines had broken.

Nightfall came, finding the Hesse-Holstadt commander Flugelheim in no mind to continue any pursuit as he was not at all sure what the Frankzonians were going to do and his cavalry was in no shape to match up with the remaining Beerstein horse.

von Coors retired from the field by nightfall and set upon making sure that the Alesgarden bridges over the river Amstal would be well guarded.

2009-10-17T18:23:00.000-07:00

Proxy Battle in Beerstein

The situation is set, the troops are lined up and I will have Peter of Duchy of the North fame to command one side of the battle.

A German noble from the 18th Century

I do not wish to give away too much about the battle and here are some of the highlights building up to it:

Frankzonian militia have taken up arms with the help of townsmen and other brigands against the better wishes of Frankszonia.
A force has been dispatched to corral these brigands and wayward militia in order to restore civility. This force has decided to pursue the brigand group into the wald south of Frankszonian territory before they can establish a stronghold and the situation becomes more unstable.

Meanwhile in the Reich Duchy of Beerstein Hesse-Holstadt agents have been active in the Barony of Alesgarden, not wanting to let them disrupt the northern part of his territory, Prinz Wilhelm II von Beerstein has dispatched an observer force and cavalry to maintain the border integrity.

Thus the basics of the meeting engagement for tomorrow are set.

2009-10-11T14:24:00.000-07:00

Proxy Battle forming:

The Reich Duchy of Beerstein

The Reich Duchy of Beerstein and Frankzonia appear to be on a crash course for battle...

Watch the aforementioned blogs over the next few days to see what is developing and learn about the machinations of the world of 'imagi-nations'.

2009-10-05T20:34:00.000-07:00

BATTLE TECH MURDOCK"S MARAUDERS

While cleaning out a section of my office I came across an old listing of my Battle Tech Murdock'S MarauderS, something we used for gaming via post, telephone and eventually eMail. The last games were about 8 years ago, so it pre-dates the start of this blog.

Fun to zap it all together for a view to put in here...I still have a few of the mechs, helicopters and elementals for this battleforce, though it has been a long time since I have even been near a Battle Tech game.

2009-10-05T17:40:00.000-07:00

Proxy Battle Search

Once again I am itchy to get some lead moving on the tabletop.

Campaign plans for this year have been shattered due to work issues and I am seeking an escape.

I am seeking a game setup for the Horse, Foot and Guns era ~ Tricorne or Napoleonic.

A story line is nice and characters are good for color.

6 to 10 Battalions Infantry with a few Cavalry Squadrons and a collection of guns per side is a great size for my table and crew to work with.

Target game day is Sunday October 18.

2009-09-16T16:46:00.000-07:00

STAR TREK CREWERS

Did some eBay listings today for these Trek guys.

Probably do some more in the coming week.

2009-09-13T21:23:00.000-07:00

Vauban Fortifications

Amazing photos at this site, many thanks to Frankfurter of Frankzonia for bringing this to our attention!

2009-09-06T13:11:00.000-07:00

New Painting Finished & Project Started

I have finished another 30+ Star Fleet Crewmen, likely for the eBay marketplace.

Also in preparation are some cowboy forces for Jeff's coming game at the Next Dak-Kon.

This is a finished one of the 'wild west' cowboys that I am preparing for Jeff.

2009-08-08T10:50:00.000-07:00

Garden Wars : Hausen ~ Teugn

My eldest son, Peter Duchy of the North, and I did a recreation of the 1809 Campaign Battle of Hausen - Teugn.

I mowed the lawn back that morning so that the woods that were the key feature would be prominent in view for the players.

Then laid out the two towns, river and roads.

My son did the Austrian deployment and Peter handled the French.

For a long time it was a waiting game for the French as the Austrians slogged through the woods. Sadly my son chose to halt the two immense Austrian infantry columns for about 5 turns. This choice sealed their fate.

When contact was finally initialized between Austrian Grenzers and French Voltigeurs the Grenzers were coming out ahead, however there were no massed formations anywhere near to be able to exploit the openings.

Then the gun duels began and again the Austrians were doing well, again there were no troops close enough to the FEBA (Forward Edge of the Battle Area) to make any effect or to take any advantage.

In the end one great flanking action by the only cavalry force, Austrian, took a shot. After disordering a square with artillery, then breaking it with a charge, then crashing through another square into a disordered line ~ the charge had faltered at last, horses blown, troopers tired after having shattered two squares they were just not able to overcome the third formation in hasty square.

Thus the battle ended, with a scare for the French from a good action on the flank with horse and having columns of Grenadiers charge at them. The Grenadiers were alone, unsupported and torn apart by the artillery.

Davout was not trapped and this time the Austrians were forced to fall back with cavalry and artillery losses ... even worse than was in the historical battle. Ultimately the French Voltigeurs were also decimated by the battle action.

As with the last big Garden War battle, there was a casualty ... this time a horse gun team.

2009-06-24T22:49:00.000-07:00

Iskanderkul

An image by an artist Slava :

"In 1985, I went to Pamir mountains with a group of mountain-climbers. When we reached 1,200 yards above the sea-level, we saw this beautiful lake. It's called Iskanderkul. In Asian - "Iskander" means Alexander, and "kul" stands for lake. Iskanderkul got its name because the army of Alexander the Great reached this point centuries ago. The water in this lake is so pure that the bottom could be seen clearly at the depth of 4-5 yards. Around this lake, there are walnut groves, and the quiet. After the noise of the cities, the quiet was scary until we got used to it. And the moment came when I was hypnotized by nature, when I was looking and couldn't get enough. Remembering that feeling, I painted this piece."

I post this image to highlight this couple's works and I was inspired by the imagery of his words ... reminding me of the many ancients battles that I have done from the Alexandrian period. Time to get out those elephants again I think.

To see more art work from this couple see Maestro Art Services.

2009-06-18T15:21:00.000-07:00

Napoleonic Rules Set

Column, Line & Square

Check it out!

2009-06-18T15:06:00.000-07:00

Great Napoleonic Battle Slideshow

Click Here to see the show.

EYE CANDY for the Napoleonic Fans!

2009-04-20T20:47:00.000-07:00

BATTLE OF NEU ISENBERG : AAR

The defenders of Neu Isenberg, Frankzonians under the command of Francios l'Marquise de Hottatrot had some advance notice of the coming forces from the Kingdom of Saint Maurice. They made use of the time to erect some improvised defenses along the Frankfurter Strasse before the town of Neu Isenberg. Constructing these defenses on one side of the high road were the militia of Neu Isenberg, never before tested in any battle regimen.

These defences were still under some construction when the troops of St. Maurice came out into the open from the light woods in the area.

Arranged in front of the St. Maurice lines were two battalions of militia forces.

Hidden in a thicker part of the eastern woods were the elite Jay's Jagers, waiting totally concealed.

The battle opened with a cannonade from the St. Maurice battery, which tore a great swath through the exposed ranks of the Hottatrot regiment 1st battalion.

Meanwhile in the woods the Jagers now had the flank company of one of St Maurice's militia regiments totally exposed and in some disorder directly in front of their concealed position. Rising almost as one these marksmen then cut their own deadly swath through the officer and senior NCO's leading these new soldiers. The general response was panic and they turned to flee...only to find the fixed bayonets of the regular line troops directly behind them. They turned to flee away from the continued Jager enfilade fire towards the other battalion of militia.

The response from the other militia force was also to start to panic and flee...only to be cut down almost instantly from the rear by the leveled muskets in volley fire at point blank into their backs! (it was a critical success for the fire shot!)

These totally frightened men then threw down their arms and fled in all directions! (including towards the Frankzonian lines!)

So ended turn 1.

The St. Maurice force was not slowed at all by the chaos in the woods, the main line was advancing on the improvised defenses that still appeared to have men working on them. Upon firing at the troops the Frankfurter Buns took off in all directions away from the battle area, their 'leaders' vainly showing attempts at rally, while running at full speed along the high road after passing into the town. A company of regulars that were completing the works on the other side of the road also ran off in the confusion started by the Buns militia loosing their composure so quickly (it was a critical failure of morale on the militia and a normal fail on the line troops).

Meanwhile in the woods the St. Maurice militia that was running in mobs came close to the edge of the woods and surrendered en-masse to the Frankzonian IR Black Kilts. A detachment of a dozen men was made to form a 'guard' for these surrendering troops and they were mustered to the eastern outskirts of Neu Isenberg.

so ended turn 2

With the advancing line at the high road and the defenses only half-manned there was little opposition to the St. Maurice line troops scrambling over the wooden barricades.

Confusion in the woods had died down and now the St. Maurice lines started to move forward to press on the Jagers.

so ended turn 3

The next action started from the artillery which had been firing all along but only had good effect on the first volley, now this cannonade again struck home, with the Hottatrot 1st again taking more casulaties, this time enough to halt their tentative advance in the woods, as they readied themselves to face St. Maurice foot coming at them through the woods.

The first cavalry clash comes now on the west edge of the defenses. The Gendarmes of St. Maurice clashed with the Frangipani Hussars, who were driven off by the heavier and more skilled Gendarmes.

so ended turn 4

A small rain shower came across the battlefield at this point (I have a 'wonky' light ballast in my gamespace and it went out at this point...also the radio station started playing "Raindrops"), the St. Maurice commander, having decided that the battle was all going in his favor, ordered his two ADC's to return to camp and prepare his tent for the rain. Then when the rain got worse, left his command post, with an orderly remaining behind to simply report back the final effect of the battle. (this was decided after a critical failure in the initiative rolls for the turn).

Overall the battle did not move much at this stage, the Gendarmes drove off Arthur's Hussars and got into good supporting position for the western defenses. The other troops traded musket fire, with one force of the St. Maurice line troops expending their powder (presumably the rain caused more powder problems leaving that battalion without fire capability until they moved to the rear of the battle area ~ for resupply) [they rolled a critical failure on firing, then a normal failure for 'no powder' effect].

so ended turn 5

The tipping point was upon the battle, for the wiley St. Maurice commander had managed to convince a small force of independent dragoons to simply 'make a show' in the woods to the east of Neu Isenberg. It was at this point that their crashing mounts, whistles and shouts could be heard by the Jagers. Frankzonian commander l'Marquise de Hottatrot was also informed and decided that it was time for his "Devil my care" reputation to not be outdone! He ordered an immediate cavalry attack followed by having his personal entourage of Highlander garbed sycophants sweep into the melee.

The first cavalry attacks are badly co-ordinated and the St. Maurice commander on the spot drove his lancers into the flank of the returning Frangipani Hussars, shattering them utterly and sending all of them into a running battle to the west of the town, the Lancers took off in pursuit of prizes.

The Sultan of Swat with the Delft Blues then struck at the ready Gendarmes, the encounter did not go off well. The Blues were obliged to let the St. Maurice line troops fire onto their flank as they advanced, taking down many, then they trotted into contact with the Gendarmes in some disorder. The Sultan was not killed, but dismounted during the engagement and managed to catch on with one of his retreating troopers following the hot engagement.

thus ended turn 6

Now the Highlanders were going in without any support.

First the Gendarmes laughed at their small numbers approach, after a few troopers dropped from the accurate small-arms fire and they saw the claymores come out...all of them drew pistols and sent the kilt clad brave men off into the buildings for cover.

With the unknown dragoon force pressing in from the west and the St. Maurice Kings troops holding the edge of the town, running out of any troops to actually take action with, Francios l'Marquise de Hottatrot ordered the general retreat and left the area to the north. Leaving Neu Isenberg in the hands of St. Maurice, yet not without cost as the prisoners were also herded along with the main body.

End result:

Neu Isenberg now in the hands of St. Maurice.
Losses:
St. Maurice: 2bn militia
Some cavalry in the Gendarmes and Lancers (who will be at least a day before they can even form up again [with lots of loot!])
Some line infantry, perhaps a company KIA, with 2 companies wounded. No forces are fresh and no pursuit is possible.
Frankzonia: 1bn Line troops KIA
1bn Militia scattered over the area to the north
Frangipani Hussars were really badly mauled by both the Gendarmes and Lancers (they were broken morale and hit in the back!) ~ I suspect they did not get away at all.
Arthur's Hussars were wounded, but not mauled.
The Blues were decimated by musket and sabre, 50% casualties and wounds to nearly everyone else.
No troops came away without casualty, they were not in good order as a body of men on retreat, only two battalions of Line were in any sort of order.

No effective defensive line would be available for 2 days from these troops.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The commands were split between two players on each side and I did "Kreigspeil" using a rough set of notes and my own 'hybrid' system based on Envoy and GURPS ~ so as to allow some of the very colorful character elements that Frankzonian commanders have to perhaps shine through, sorry if not much made it to the tabletop = there is just soooo much to work with!

Interesting note regarding the players, twin sisters took opposing sides during the battle and I am interested in hearing from them about their game-play experience.

so ends this AAR.

Comments are encouraged!

2009-04-18T17:43:00.000-07:00

AAR report to come.

Sadly this afternoon was filled with medical visits and x-rays for my son's fractured clavicle in stead of a fun filled picture report from the battle of Neu Isenberg.

For now I go to feed the family, perhaps once they are all in bed I can get this finished.

2009-04-08T19:55:00.000-07:00

Battle of Neu-Isenburg AAR

The after action report or the Battle of Neu-Isenburg has been unavoidably delayed.

My work has reared its head just enough to fill all the days in the field and nights are crammed with escorting children into bed.

The AAR will come, likely on the 13th or 14th.

2009-03-29T20:53:00.001-07:00

YOUR PRINTER IS A BRAT!

2009-03-29T20:34:00.000-07:00

Napoleonic Wargaming

A new blog that I have come across is Napoleonic Wargaming, the author is currently working out campaign mapping issues.

I find it interesting as this is exactly the issues that I am struggling with for the 1809 Campaign Game that I am still working on putting into action in the not too distant future.

2009-03-25T21:26:00.000-07:00

Battle of Neu-Isenburg

The contest betwixt Louis-Philippe of St. Maurice and Frankzonia is about ready to start.

See the attached map of the expected battlefield, essentially dominated by light woods...

as can be seen from this satellite image of the area.

All that remains now are the battle plans of the contestants.

The forces are:
St. Maurice:
Cavalry Brigade of Lancers and Hussars
Detached Cavalry force of Gendarmes
Infantry Brigade of two regiments with Battalions each and a light artillery battery with an attached "Zombie" militia unit of 2 Battalions for a total of 6 Battalions of foot.

Frankzonia:
Cavalry brigade of Hussars and attached Cuirass
Infantry of 4 Battalions of line, 1 Battalion of Jagers and a Battalion of Militia, along with an impressive array of command characters!

I expect to see the battle plans in the next day or so then the troops take to the tabletop this weekend!

2009-03-20T10:15:00.000-07:00

Computer Problems solved?

I have had a few weeks of connectivity challenges, brought on by a worm that kept on shutting down my system.

Yesterday I had to purge the whole system and clean it all off. ~sigh~

Unfortunately this also means that much of the work I had done towards the 1809 game has been wiped clean also. ~sigh~

Time for work and other higher priorities has come on and I cannot see a hole big enough for running the whole game -alone-.

I am still seeking helper players and keen tabletop gamers for the project, control systems will be more humble (in the end that may be a good thing).

It also means that many of my email addresses are lost, so if you have communicated with me in the past and have not heard from me in a while please do send me a new message (so that I can recover all those missing email contacts).

I am also still going to do the Kingdom of St. Maurice and Frankszonia battle ~ going into next week. I need the OOB for BOTH sides sooner rather than later though!

2009-03-19T14:06:00.000-07:00

Understanding the bailout:

Once upon a time a man appeared in a village and announced to the villagers that he would buy monkeys for $10 each.
The villagers, knowing there were many monkeys, went to the forest and started catching them. The man bought thousands at $10 and, as supply started to diminish, the villagers stopped their effort.
He then announced that he would buy monkeys at $20 each. This renewed the villager's efforts and they started catching monkeys again.
Soon the supply diminished and people started going back to their farms. The offer increased to $25 each and the supply of monkeys became so scarce it was an effort to even find a monkey, let alone catch it!
The man now announced that he would buy monkeys at $50 each! However, since he had to go to the city on some business, his assistant would buy on his behalf.
The assistant told the villagers, "Look at all these monkeys in the big cage that my boss has already collected. I will sell them to you at $35 and when my boss returns, you can sell them to him for $50."
The villagers rounded up all their savings and bought all the monkeys for 700 billion dollars.
They never saw the man or his assistant again, only lots and lots of monkeys!

Now you have a better understanding of how the Wall Street Bailout Plan works.

Courtesy of Joel Wissing!

2009-02-19T18:00:00.000-08:00

WWII inspired imagery.

With Grimsby Mariner doing some WWII troop engagements, I was suddenly struck with the imagery used by "the Saturdays" in this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfGzWntCbxY

Lots of little 'pinup' fun!

2009-02-11T10:53:00.000-08:00

Ca Ira!

Definately a different interpretation of the Versailles moment...

Ahh the distance of history takes us so far away from the passion and reality of what a mob can do!

2009-02-11T07:00:00.001-08:00

With such an innocent start...

The French Revolution marks the start to the age of the nation states.

Songs such as this one were used to create a spirit of nationalism that continues to this day.

Is two centuries long enough to dim our collective memory of the time before the 'national' enterprise?

2009-02-08T11:59:00.000-08:00

Long Live the King

I am hip deep in the preparations for a Long Live the King game planned for the coming Dak-Kon convention in Courtenay, BC.

In two weeks I will get a last chance at a playtest then go live on February 28 at the event.

Following the playtest I will have some comments for all of you here.

If you know of any play aids from the web please enter a comment regarding them and I will try to bring them into use. I have a word document one that I am working with right now.

Cheers

2009-02-03T13:25:00.000-08:00

Reality Check:

I have been rather busy with business and learning about business opportunities recently and have not posted here much.

Nor have I finished many painted minis, the need to have funds outweighs the need to move a brush right now.

Along the way in my learning I have come across a significant observation and feel that I must share it with anyone willing to listen.

"The financial tide is moving. It will not float any boats."

Please view the following two videos and take the information in...see where it might apply in your life.

I share it only because I understand that not knowing will be the greatest mistake.

Thanks all.

2009-01-27T15:30:00.000-08:00

Some more musical inspiration.

Alan Parsons Project became a bit of a 10 minute focus after a successful business call today.

So I am celebrating by sharing the music an images in this little sampler:

2009-01-27T15:11:00.000-08:00

A Literary bicentennial.

Edgar Alan Poe was born in 1809, I have always been amazed with his writings and Rafa of Project Leipzig has found a great video of the poem the raven, set to the music of Alan Parsons Project.

Stay well everyone.

2009-01-27T14:49:00.000-08:00

Words of Wisdom

I have been rather busy learning and expanding my horizons recently.

I also came across these very sage words written by George Carlin, I repeat them here with the intent to spread the wisdom.

A Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have

taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower

viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less

time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less

judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less

wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly,

laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up to o late, get

up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our

values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life.

We’ve added years to life not life to years. We’ve been all the way to

the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new

neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We’ve done

larger things, but not better things.

We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We’ve

conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn

less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We’ve learne d to rush, but not

to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce

more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion,

big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships.

These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but

broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers,

throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that

do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is

much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when

technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose

either to share this insight, or to just hit delete…

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because

they are not going to be around forever.

And please say a kind word to someone who looks up to you

in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you,

because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it

doesn’t cost a cent.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for

someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to

share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND DEFINITELY REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,

but by the moments that take our breath away.

2009-01-15T22:40:00.000-08:00

CORUNNA

Rafa Pardo of Project Leipzig (1813) has posted an excellent piece regarding the famous fighting retreat of Sir John Moore at Corunna.

Yet another of the bi-centennials of the Napoleonic era that is passing.

2009-01-13T16:54:00.001-08:00

Massive armies at very little cost!

The Old Dessauer has posted a fantastic little article about constructing 6mm armies for next to 0 cost in figures.

2009-01-06T15:35:00.000-08:00

1809 Campaign continues to dominate my planning and thoughts.

I have plenty of Austrians in helmets to paint and many Frenchmen that should serve as a variety of forces in any campaign game.

Currently I have been assembling a map and control system for use across the internet so that the massive moving armies can be properly accounted for in their movements.

This way great encounters should be able to be organized...from the single piquet actions to the company assaults at bridges over the Danube like Regensberg...to field actions such as Sacile and Raab.

I do not have the forces needed to do such massive things as Aspern-Essling or Wagram...though I could do smaller 'parts' of these great battles, I think it would be great to connect with some other gamers to run a massive series of battles over the summer months ... possibly connecting with some gamers that can simulate something like Essling or Wagram.

Drop me an email if you think you might like to take part.

2008-12-27T20:09:00.000-08:00

A Star Wars'ish Encounter

Another tabletop battle with my boys leading the way.

This time it was space game that the middle-son wanted and we did a battle.

The attackers were a bunch of misfits from an Imperial dominated world that were given an AT-ST to support their attack on some bunkers held by Space Pirates who had hired Ugnaughts as 'heavy hands' that were terrorizing the good 'tax-paying consumers' of the Imperial goods and services.

Just for good measure the Imperial high command had sent along a representative to ensure that everything went correctly. His escort was a Dark Trooper Phase-1.

The situation for the defenders was poor to start with and went bad quickly as the AT-ST's guns tore a hole in the electric fence, then disabled the power supply for the rest of the fence.

Not wanting to be outdone the Dark Trooper used his jump-jets to decend into the trench that a bunch of Pirates had dug for support between two of their bunkers.

On landing he took out the squad leader then kept four Ugnaughts at bay while taking them down one at a time.

Meanwhile the local militia had advanced into the breach in the electric fence while the AT-ST's rapid fire cannon was keeping a squad pinned in a bunker.

The Dark Trooper was strong, but not strong enough as one of the Ugnaughts got a lucky shot at him and broke through his armor.

The Imperial Rep., not wanting to loose the situation as well as his bodyguard ordered the STAR DESTROYER in orbit to commence a bombardment on the nearby bunkers.

The end of the situation for the Pirates consisted of their fleeing into the last bunker as the Imperial Star Destroyer completed the ORBITAL BOMBARDMENT taking them out as the local militia and AT-ST fled the area!

2008-12-27T20:06:00.001-08:00

Continuing a tradition

The annual gingerbread house was built this year.

My eldest dubbed it the "Candy Cane Inn".

With three young boys ready to consume it, I am frankly amazed that it has survived until today.

By then end of next week it will be eaten I am sure.

2008-12-23T16:06:00.000-08:00

In a duelist mood...

I was surfing about looking for a way to see more of Sluga Gosudarev, or The Sovereign's Servant , as I was very impressed with the sword duel that was done in that film.

Along the way I was re-introduced to a great series of duels in a 1977 film: The Duelst.

Keep your sword sharp, your powder dry and may your die always roll triumphant!

2008-12-23T15:48:00.000-08:00

Battle at the Wall

My middle son requested a Hordes 'like' game with the 25mm skeletons and Bretonians that I have.

We combined them with a couple of foam wall sections I have and came up with a bit of evening fun.

He setup behind the wall with some knights to charge out into the advancing skeletons.

After a horse engagement, the Skeleton men reached the wall and began battering on it.

The Bretonnian archers wore down the attacking skeletons then withdrew from the wall before the collapse.

Falling back from the wall section the defenders took up positions in a deadly arc...so that when the wall fell they were ready to shoot down the attackers.

My middle son was cheering his victory all night long!

2008-12-22T14:17:00.000-08:00

BEWARE OF THE DOG HOUSE!

Do try and stay away from this place!!!

2008-12-21T13:27:00.000-08:00

A Piece of the Funcken Collection online...

At long last there appears to be an online resource of the wonderful artworks of L & F Funcken.

The images from thier texts have served as inspiration for my troops and I am certain the troops of many table-top war gamers the world over.