Pontoon crews nearing completion.

I find myself with a 'bonus' paint day!

Other items that were planned have been cancelled and I have taken the time to put in major finishing works on the Engineers.



Only flesh finishing and highlights are left to be done!

I may even have all the items done with time to spare?!?

Working on the pontoon gang!

More paint was put on the engineers for the Friedland battlefield (and beyond).



I have tried to set-up the units as having uses will all sorts of different armies, in such a way that I can tell which crews are working with which officers.

Also I did a short little playtest with my son and one of his friends. The friend had to leave early and my son lost some interest, but I did get to refresh my memory about the Napoleons' Battles game system.




I've also gotten to field test the new tags on the units and I really like the speed that it adds in not having to re-check movement or basic combat stats.

It was a large project to re-engineer all the charts and tables to match the 25mm scale (as the game was designed at 15mm scale and multiplying everything by 1.5 in your head in the heat of action is a non-starter).

Only a few more days to go and this last batch of crewers will complete a three year odyssey from Austerlitz to Friedland.

Looking ahead:

In the near-term there are the engineers and pontoons to finish for Friedland.

Then to game out FRIEDLAND, June 3 and June 10.

The next project on the horizon is in connection with the Wars for Arcadian Glory, initially this will probably have some games in connection with the Emperor vs. Elector materials that are building now.

Part of this project will be the building of more tricorne troops, many of which have been drafted, but await 'training' with flash cleaning, base coats etc.

The long-range goal will be to put together something active in the Seven Years War era of action.

The only difficulty I have is that I yearn for a more 'open' campaign. One that will allow the players to experiment and take off (eh!) in directions other than the strict 'historical' battles...

To that end, in the past, I had put together a map for use in a Sport of Kings game for use with Age of Reason, and borrowed from that material. Only I put it on a much nicer tableau.



The recent Emperor v. Elector posts have been about developing a map for use in the game and it made me recall my earlier works on this map.

I am hoping to be able to use a larger game concept for the future Wars for Arcadian Glory with my fellow gamers in Duchy of the North and Saxe-Bearstien.

More pontoon works.



The bridge decks and supply sets are finished.



Now only the engineering crews need to be painted in time for Friedland.

One week to go!

Bridging the rivers:

A large part of the battle of Friedland was the pontoon briges over the Rivers Alle and Muhlenfluss.

To complement my growing 25mm armies and permit them to have the needed engineering efforts, I have been working on three pontoon bridging sets. Along with some sappers and miners to 'represent' the working engineering crews.


So far the efforts have worked out quite well, considering I have only had about 5 hours to work on all of it.


Today was a big day, since a fellow gamer was out to do some work on his tricorne troops for the Duchy of the North. He did a lot of flash cleaning and prep work along with some fantasy figs that should all be finished tomorrow night!



For my part the pontoons all got three layers of browns and an inking so that tomorrow I can finish them all and get a major work done on the engineers.

Camera! MIA

Arrgh!

I had a great time planning out and preparing a number of new items for use at the 1813 meeting engagement.

The players thought that they were of use in getting off to a fast start, including having the table cloth to cover the hills (after taping them down).

The French were defeated, HUZZAH! Although the Russians were very close to a collapse in having a cavalry force that was badly crunched on their left.

Sadly I do not have the pics to show from the table right now as I forgot to bring my camera!

I know that two other players were snapping pics and I will post some once the dust from Friedland has settled...

Boundaries.

I think what is needed for the Emperor vs. Elector game is to establish a time period (fix a 'year' for the start date at least) and to decide the troops mustered for the observation armies (for each side) and then what 'muster' can be added.

Also it would be good to know the maximum limits of troop deployments the various tables (on three continents) can handle; if they wish to host battles.

The main job of getting a player for the Emperor (or Empress) and for the Elector is vital to setting all other parts in motion...

EMPEROR vs. ELECTOR

During conversations this weekend, since the Hordes game was overcome by a Hallmark holiday and others having a variety of difficulties the numbers were 'gone' for the continuation of the game, that Blubear Jeff and I had (mostly about Tricorne Wars rules changes // ideas and the WAG that he has been planning) we came to a point where the "Emperor vs. Elector" game was the topic of discussion.

After some peripheral ideas about force compositions were made I hit on the idea of having the 18th C bloggosphere commentators taking an active role in our little idea.

The concept sees at least two willing players take on the central roles of the Emperor and the Elector. Others can then 'join-in' on either side as the War Council or the Ordinance Committee or some such designations so that collections of players can get involved. The location would be a 'team' blog site that would allow each side to taunt or cat-call or offer threats back and forth. Also it would be a central spot to clear all the information relating to the campaign.

Our first vision saw the play being operated on a 'number line' approach with a 'no mans land' in the center and 3 or 4 'contest zones' where battle will be given. The winner of the 'battle' controls the 'zone' and can the attack into the next zone.



Many details still need to be 'worked out', since I thought we could access such a wide variety to informed and lively opinion about the subjects regarding supply, morale, support services and sundry with the others here in the bloggosphere it would make for a fun group kreigspeil, interactive discussion space and a place for those whom may not have too many local players to participate 'virtually' with other tabletop gamers (and at least read the after action reports, troops musters, see table photos, etc.)

Ultimately if we run into a snag that cannot be solved thru discussion, heated argument, logical analysis or other written means then we can resort to the various online dice rollers to 'randomize' the possibility.

This will allow for fast start to tabletop actions and still permit online players to 'take part', even if only in a 'virtual' sense.

Loads more to do, chat etc about all this, however the first most important question is:

"Are there any weBlog 18th Century game players out there whom would want to take part in such a net based game?"

"Are there 2 players willing to take on the central roles of Emperor or Elector?"

...


...


...


Well are there?

Attraction to the table?

What does it for you:

When you first saw or became connected to the hobby?

When you had some of your own troops?

Now that you have many troops and are looking to game with them more often?

I ask as I am working with at least 2 others to develop something that will help to attract as many new players as possible.

For me, the answers look something like:

I was first attracted to the color and with a few games the size of the battles represented. I really enjoyed a number of 15mm Nappy's batts games that I played and a few of the Age of Reason ones in 25mm. I needed to move away from close proximity to all these players whom had fantastic 25mm collections, and so have had to start building my own.

When I finnaly had some troops, back when there were many others gaming, all I wanted was to get my guys into battle on the tabletop (thus the reason why I chose Saxons, since they faught on many sides during the 7 years war period). It was always frustrating to know that a game was coming up and to be told that no, the Saxons were not needed...sigh.

Now I find that I am looking to revive the actions of the past with the games run with the others whom had the large number of minis, but rather than a one-shot game (even though I am enjoying the bicentennial Napoleonics I have been doing over the past few years) I have been wanting to have the tabletop actions connect into a greater whole.
Somehow...


What are the views and thought of others on this topic?

Forces Planning for FRIEDLAND:

I have had a closer look into the troops needed for the FRIEDLAND game and decided that I do have enough, just, to do the early (short) FRIEDLAND game as presented by the Avalon Hill game scenario book for Napoleon's Battles.

On table at the start for France:
Lannes CIC
near Heinrichdorf:
Grouchy
(Grouchy's 2ic most likely and I am trying to find out whom this was in 1807) with 12 FrLC, 12 FrLC and Fr4#
Nansouty with 20 FrHC, 16 FrHC and Fr4#

near Posthenen: (probably Lannes starting location)
Oudinot with 20 FrGN, 20 FrGN, 20 FrGN, 20 FrLT and Fr4#

Arriving (in A4):
0730 Frescia with 12 HdLC
0800 Dupas with 16 FrLN, 16 FrLN, Hd4#, Marshal Mortier
0900 Dombrowski with 16 PdLN and Fr12#
0930 Beaumont 16 FrLC
Colbert 12 FrLC
1030 Sokolnicki 12PdLC

Arriving (in C1):
0800 Polenz 16 SxLN, 12 SxHC
0930 Verdier 24 FrLT, 24 FrLN and Fr12#
1100 Espange 16 FrHC, 12 FrHC

The Russians are all (on table) in the original Napoleons' Battles tabletop, however the planned table I have for the game is smaller (see the map layout below).

On Table available:
Bennigsen
Bagration
Gortchakov

Left Wing:
Markov with 20 RsJG, 16 RsJG, 16 RsJG, 16 RsLC, and 2 Rs6#
Constantine with 20 RsGJG, 28 RsGD, 24 RsLN, and 2 RsG12#
Mazovski with 20 RsLN, 16 RsLN, 2 Rs12#, and Rs6#
Gallitzin with 12RsLC, 12 RsLC, 12 RsLC, and Rs6#

Right Wing:
Lambert with 16 RsLN, 16 RsLN, 16 RsLN and 2 Rs12#
Uvarov with 12 RsHC, 12 RsLC, 12 RsLC, 20 RsCLC, and Rs6#
Kollogrivov with 12 RsGHC and RsG6#

Nearby and able to enter the game table top on short notice (one or two turns):
Left Wing:
Somorov with 20RsLN, 20 RsLN and Rs12#
Platov with 20 RsCLC, 20 RsCLC, 20 RsCLC and 2 Rs6#

Right Wing:
Sacken I 16 RsGN, 20 RsLN, 16 RsLN, Rs6# and 2 Rs12#
Lavrov 20 RsLN, 16 RsLN, 2 Rs6# and 2 Rs12#
Doctorov 20 RsLN, 16 RsLN and Rs12#

FRIEDLAND

After some considerations I have dusted off my copy of Napoleon's Battles and are reviewing elements. It was ostensibly designed for 'new' players, with loads of rules, all laid out in Avalon Hill numbered format. A sample set of diagrams and some support counters.

Napoleon's Battles
Napoleon's Battles
Napoleon's Battles


I've found a map that covers the ground fairly well, though I'll still likely search for some other historical maps to confirm the details.



I am starting to confirm my troops, and it looks like I will be needing to build 3-4 pontoon bridges...the makings are in the works.

Another little problem has cropped up, the other table that worked so well at the Eylau game will not be available, so I have scrounged around what I have access to and found a desk that is only 3/4" lower than the main table [seen in orange in the map diagram] in height (but has a rounded leather top making the 'edge' dangerous to the minis with risk of falling off higher) [seen in red in the map diagram] and an old tabletop, that is plenty large but has no legs on it right now (the legs are crummy), so I must consider buying another set of folding legs to put it into use. Along with the tabletop space, the 'game' space has been more closely measured, I have a space 10' by 14' (though the 14' can be a bit longer, but I need to have some room to store away things).

Strange as it seems I am planning to have the table set up with the 8' width in the 10' dimention, simply because the other dimention (when the two largest tables are combined) is also 8' and the troops are mostly accessed from the sides of the smaller table and the long 8' edge.

I had the thought to ask readers here what they thought of the Nappy's Batts rules set, if they used other rules sets (for Grand Tactical battles of the period) and what sort of map / troops / historical researches they may do when planning a re-fight like I am?

an 1813 'meeting engagement'

This time round the French will need to use their craft, skill and have some luck!

Here are the planned forces:

FRANCE Napoleon I ~ Emperor of France CIC 2 Aides de Camp 4 Battalions of Imperial Guard Infantry (Guard Class 6) 2 Battalions of Line Infantry 4 Squadrons of Chasseurs a Cheval (Elite Class 5) 2 Batteries of Horse Artillery Cavalry Reserve: Marshal Murat 6 Squadrons of Dragoons One Battery of Horse Artillery III Corps: Marshal Davout 2 Aides de Camp One Foot Battery 2 Batteries of Horse Artillery Second Division: General Friant 3 Battalions of Line Infantry 2 Battalions of Line Infantry 2 Battalions of Line Infantry Third Division: General Gudin 3 Battalions of Line Infantry 3 Battalions of Line Infantry 2 Battalions of Line Infantry VI Corps: Marshal Ney One Battery of Horse Artillery First Division: General Marchand 3 Battalions of Line Infantry 2 Battalions of Line Infantry Second Division: General Gardanne 3 Battalions of Line Infantry Independant Cavalry formations: Beauharnais ~ Viceroy of Italy 4 Squadrons of Chasseurs a Cheval General Grouchy 4 Squadrons of Dragoons

RUSSIA Baron Levin Bennigsen ~ CIC 2 Aides de Camp 3 Batteries of Horse Artillery 4 Squadrons of Cuirassier (Elite Class 5) Artillery Reserve: Baron Lowenstern 4 Foot Batteries The Left Wing: Count Tolstoi One Aide de Camp 3 Battalions of Pavlov Grenadiers (Elite Class 5) 2 Battalions of Line Infantry 3 Foot Batteries Left Wing Cavalry: Count Pahlen III 6 Squadrons of Dragoons 6 Squadrons of Cossacks 6 Squadrons of Cossacks 4 Squadrons of Dragoons 2 Squadrons of Hussars 2 Squadrons of Hussars 2 Squadrons of Uhulans The Center: Baron Sacken One Aide de Camp 3 Battalions of Line Infantry 2 Battalions of Line Infantry 2 Battalions of Line Infantry Count Essen Division: 3 Battalions of Line Infantry 2 Battalions of Line Infantry 2 Battalions of Line Infantry General Zapolski Division: 3 Battalions of Line Infantry The Center Cavalry Brigade: General Galitzen 4 Squadrons of Cuirassier 6 Squadrons of Dragoons 3 Batteries of Horse Artillery The Right Wing: Count Tutchkov One Battery of Horse Artillery 4 Battalions of Jager Infantry 3 Battalions of Line Infantry 2 Battalions of Line Infantry General Kamenskoi Division: 3 Battalions of Line Infantry 3 Battalions of Line Infantry Detachment General Bagvout: 4 Squadrons of Hussars One Battery of Horse Artillery 2 Battalions of Line Infantry 2 Battalions of Line Infantry

I am looking forward to seeing these forces in action!

Discussion of scales:

One of the other blogging sites was chatting about the various scales that thier minis were in (as the writer appeared to have different manufacturers).

The Miniatures Page has a very good discussion about all of this:

All About Scales

For my own part I like the more traditional 25mm scale for painting, I had gotten into much 15mm stuff, but found that the bigger 25mm's were easier to paint (even in quantity), they stand-up better to rougher handling (as the crashed box of minis, just enroute to a convention, did not have any damage to any minis!), and have moulds available so that I can produce what I want in the Napoleonic range.

What are your views?

Learning all the time...

I had seen images of Russian infantry, supposedly from the 1701 period, about 14 years ago in a art gallery in Santa Maria, on the Azores part of Portugal.

I did not recall the artist or the exact depiction but did recall the year (due mostly to my 'trek' fascination most likely).

The Russian troops were fighting against Swedish cavalry, the Swedes were in tans, browns and blue (light blue). The Russians were wearing primarily red, including long jackets or overcoats that had no lapels at all...I had thought them similar to the Cossack coats of the Napoleonic period.

The red uniforms for regular Russian infantry was a point of discussion between myself and one or two other gamers, both of whom insist that the Russians only ever wore GREEN as thier primary infantry coat colors, from the 1650's onwards according to one.

I have found the written account that I have been looking for:

Russian Regiments 1700

In this document, a translation from a Russian text, the writer says:

These new regiments received coats of the so-called Hungarian pattern, which was introduced in Preobrazenski and Semenovski regiments in 1699. The Ordinance of January 20, 1700 made this pattern obligatory for the whole army. Today, only two such coats exists and both are now in Stockholm Military Museum. One coat is red and evidently belonged to officer or NCO, the second is a blue soldier's coat. The coat was about 1 meter long with Polish-styled cuffs and small stand-up collar. The officer's coat was decorated with horizontal tab made of metal cord or lace.

and

Regiments raised in Moscow received coats of five colors: red, blue, brown, green and dark green. We know regimental coats of seven regiments: Gordon - dark green, Gulitc/Mevs - blue, N Balk - red, Ungorn and I v Verden - green, Fliverk - dark green, Polman - brown. Coat colors of the other regiments are unknown. Both dragoon regiments received green coats.

The red coat was mentioned twice, as an 'officer coat' (something that carried on into the Napoleonic period as guards officers had red overcoats - usually blurred to a dull brick or even pink like color by the time the troops reached Paris) and as the first color of the infantry regiments.

Red is an easier color to make in quantity, since the Russians would have had little time to get the uniforms ready to face Charles XII it seems very plausible that RED was the color of choice, at least until 1704, when more 'western' european style uniforms would have become available in quantity.

Because of this find I am sticking with my plans to do the 'russian flavored' opponents to the Duchy of Mieczyslaw in RED.

Some fantasy fun.

One thing about Hordes of the Things that I like is how fast the games play.

It allows for a tournament to actually be played out in one day, with everyone getting in some action.

It can also allow for a campaign to have some forward progress in only a single day.

Today we played out three years of a campaign of four players, with most of the players having painted minis!

It was a bit of fun to see the machiavelli in everyone come out...

I was able to sack one players capitol, with a lucky seige in a fall turn after beating off one of the other players whom had come to break the seige!

Then, in retaliation for seeing my forces in the lead, the other two players declared wars on me and in one year I was reduced to only 2 cities and lost a major field battle at my own capitol. So now I am another players underling...sigh.

Some tense moments and I was able to participate in a few battles.

Instead of the usual "center" city being a freebee, we decided to make it belong to a dragon, that must be driven off each season or finally defeated to capture the space. I liked this idea as it made the combat actions more focussed and allowed for quick games.

Here are a couple of shots:

The Dragon facing the game's current leader (in the one year he went to go and try is luck against the beast).


My Kelmyn host against a cobble-together army of David D's 'from the woodlands'.

I look forward to another few years of the game and then some real Napoleonic action at the Candle Dragon Inn later on the 13th of May.

More linkages!

It seems that the MarauderS and Mieczyslaw is getting around in Grimsby.

While setting up my new computer system (using it now to enter this information), I came across an entry in MiniatureWars.Com for not only MarauderS and Mieczyslaw, but also many other of the 18th Century circle.

I was poking around the MiniatureWars.Com entries and came across this link:

Commanders

For generating fictional army commanders.

Not only is it entertaining and humerous, I can see a way that it could be put to good use in a tabletop setting ... now if only I could get Bluebear on side.

I will also be adding a link to the MiniatureWars.Com location.

Lonely vigil ~ or opportunity to 'catch-up'?

My last game sunday, which I had planned for about a month, was to be a SHAKO meeting engagement and discuss plans for a 'north poland' 1807 campaign plan.


sigh


no players came.


I busied myself with final cleanup of the 'snow' from Eylau (while a real snowsquall kicked up outside the window!) and then I decided to get the force mix prepared for an 'on the road' game I have planned in May. Once that was done I re-designed the tricorne blue coated Prussians I have as the forces of Mieczyslaw (see the Duchy of Mieczyslaw page for details).

It was a useful exercise and prepared the way for a faster start to future games.

I am still doing the repairs to the damaged units (pinning needs drill work time and focus, not going to do that when tired as I will only end up hurting myself).

Later I got a note from one of the possible players saying that he did not come to the game as setup takes so long and the 'rules' are complicated and that game play is slow and since the rules are not well known he thinks that he is being 'hosed' (tricked for those readers not familiar with Great White North slang). Nuts I say, I have fully painted minis and all the fixins for the same experience as one can get at the best of most game conventions. I admit that it is Napoleonics and that 25mm scale takes some time to get the minis on the table...this allows for players to make their own decisions, otherwise the complaints would be all about not having any choices!

I dunno, I feel that I shall have to bend with the prevailing winds for a while and play some 'fantasy' games...sigh.

I was hoping to find at least one other player that wanted the tabletop events to be more than just 'filling time'.

Any thoughts from others out there?

Connections are good!

Sorry to have not posted so much here recently, but since the convention I have had precious little time to collect my thoughts and present them here.

I was swamped with three work situations coming to an end all at the same time, thus needing video work to be processed as fast as possible (eating all my processor time and making sitting at the computer typing in more words less appealing).

The next week was spring break and we had 4 extra young people around all the time, though it was fun connecting with them and challenging some new minds.

Finally this week started with surgery for my wife and I was left doing double-parenting for a few days while she recovered, adding to that was a need to do a book display with her that was not noted to me earlier and so we were rather rushed in getting it all together and hauled out on the morning in question.

Enough excuses, that is now done.

I have been contacted by Dennis, whom did the A.C.W. game at Salute (see pics below) and since he may have time to get away this summer we may finally have him guest host at my game table! YAYYY!

I shall have an opportunity to showcase another keen miniature gamer to the other gamers here and perhaps challenge their contention that I am just a lone nutcase!

Anyway the snowfields are all cleaned now (and I have a pile that looks like a zamboni just tossed it out from the arena) and the troops are all re-flocked for summer pattern. From all that action only 4 mounted troops are damaged, 3 of them commanders (one was damaged during painting so came as no surprise when the join gave way). There were no infantry units damaged! 4 of the 'disorder' markers are also in need of repair and are sitting now on the painting table awaiting my attentions.

Sadly they will need to wait at least another week...sigh.

I still have company taxes to process and then a new computer system to get organized along with re-designing my offices so that my eldest son gets to share the desktop.

Wheee!

In two weeks I will be SOOOO ready to get back to casting and painting projects!

SALUTE Convention 2007

I was at the sunday games that were part of the 2007 incarnation of the Trumpeter Gaming Society convention known as SALUTE.

Saturday is normally the 'big day' at these events, but as I understand Friday had a very active and well done PRIATES game that managed to win the best of show award and will 'represent' SALUTE at ENFILADE in Washington State coming in June(? = not sure of the dates).



Anyway I was pleased to be able to game with Dennis Chin, an avid Civil War buff and keen gamer. We teamed up to emote the actions of the Confederates during the battle of MacPhereson's Ridge; a part of the opening moves from Gettysburg.



We did not loose the battle, as was the historic case, we also did not outright win.

At best it was a draw, with the the Union Iron Brigade coming away unbloodied and holding a vital forested area on the important ridgeline.



The rest of the days' games included another Pirate run; hosted by Gord Colter.



A Lord of the Rings "Legends of the West" game in 25mm, hosted by the best of show winners the North Shore Gamers.



A gigantic seige game of Warmaster (10mm minis) that started on Friday of the Convention and only ended about 20 minutes before the Civil War game I was in ended...the castle defenders managed to hold on, with two breaches in the wall! Hosted by Adrian.

A aerial Dragon combat game, with clouds and gold nuggets; hosted by Lisa Smedman.

There were also a number of commercial sellers and another room that was filled with 25mm Warhammer (not sure if 40K or Fantasy, but 20+ gamers busy in three rows of tables.

All-in-all a good day of game!

Just some more bravado.

I promise to not put more of this on the blog (other than the special effects methods).



The award for BEST PRESENTATION at Dak-Kon XII : BADLANDS 2007

I want to thank all the players that have come to the table in the past 6 months in preparation for this game. Most notably Jeff, Pete and Alex!