tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999626045115273412024-03-18T05:20:50.126-07:00I Live with CatsThe occasional musing, rambling, and drivel of a man who lives with three cats and plays with toy soldiers.David Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229259148925201182noreply@blogger.comBlogger304125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99962604511527341.post-33283785661424225122024-03-03T21:43:00.000-08:002024-03-03T21:45:00.974-08:00One-hour Skirmish Wargames: Papa's got a brand new bag<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWW6rOAeYTXTsMmxHeyk9WIgc4aZj2RbVis-3W0RX_9Nsnldxe4nVniPejh3GIbQiwzzeLO8Mk6LVXt5A9ZQGeDV_xKv7Ov0B-nZBI7s4rFRxW9v_h2GctjbE0b25CJvr5x3wThTw1SbHPY_nmtDnxCg52yyTSeIy_7UNoXs7J90aGokYVerwZBwTssJ0/s550/banner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="263" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWW6rOAeYTXTsMmxHeyk9WIgc4aZj2RbVis-3W0RX_9Nsnldxe4nVniPejh3GIbQiwzzeLO8Mk6LVXt5A9ZQGeDV_xKv7Ov0B-nZBI7s4rFRxW9v_h2GctjbE0b25CJvr5x3wThTw1SbHPY_nmtDnxCg52yyTSeIy_7UNoXs7J90aGokYVerwZBwTssJ0/s16000/banner.jpg" /></a></div><p>Encased within my freakishly thick skull is a monkey brain <i>sans pareil</i>. It's inevitable that however well focused I may be on anything, everything else seems to crowd in as the monkey brain dances and plays until it latches onto something solid. Enter <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09GPXQW5D?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_dt_b_asin_image" target="_blank">One Hour Skirmish Wargames</a></i>—<i>et voilà</i>, papa's got a brand new bag.</p><p>The rules were written by John Lambshead back in 2018, but I only encountered them on Saturday, Feb 24 at our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/2078907419139679/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22surface%22%3A%22group%22%7D]%7D" target="_blank">Drumbeat</a> game day in Tacoma. Phil Williams ran a four-player game at the event using his French and Indian War minis. (That's Scott Appleby in the pic. For some reason, Phil's image does not reproduce on any media.)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjswdDs4vq4ANlPym_8edscLCyRkIvXVpQeL7T3Z_iMGtuNpUcmdY8t3XnyDFIbPcsf_GExuH651_Y8xQnbQH5qgj8PEaFbsV5XO2Ap7HclBC8JJP615dNiLbsSF6x1VdtbvZJqrG28VOWGJncTkaTK99pdfvqZf5arIF00zk-iYDemn6we7SfMdHpQCk/s550/IMG_2983.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjswdDs4vq4ANlPym_8edscLCyRkIvXVpQeL7T3Z_iMGtuNpUcmdY8t3XnyDFIbPcsf_GExuH651_Y8xQnbQH5qgj8PEaFbsV5XO2Ap7HclBC8JJP615dNiLbsSF6x1VdtbvZJqrG28VOWGJncTkaTK99pdfvqZf5arIF00zk-iYDemn6we7SfMdHpQCk/s16000/IMG_2983.jpg" /></a></div><p>Eric Donaldson played in a few games and was taken by the rules and sung their praises fulsomely. In the following week, there was much email exchanged about the rules and the potential for them. I bought a copy of the rules for Kindle (as well as a yet-to-arrive hard copy) and read them through. They're simple, elegant, and fun. There's a lot of room for homebrew modifications, plus a good <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/232318944493472" target="_blank">fan group on Facebook.</a> They are, according to the <a href="https://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2014/01/solitary-poor-nasty-brutish-and-short.html" target="_blank">categorization I outlined some time ago</a>, true(ish) skirmish rules. The slight exception is that the force checks morale as a whole and there is <i>almost</i> never a situation where less than the whole force checks. (The exception is armored vehicles, which check every time they suffer a penetrating hit to see if the crew bails out.)</p><p>Like <i>Tribal</i>, they're totally diceless. Everything is driven by a standard deck of playing cards.</p><p>My mind turned and turned, as it will through no effort of my own, and I imagined a lot of dead or moribund projects that I could restore to vibrant life for these rules. The investment in figures for a single force is roughly 12-15.</p><p>I prevailed on Eric for a game and he eagerly obliged by setting up a Napoleonic skirmish using figures that he'd had hidden in darkness for more than 20 years. Our latent skirmish enthusiasms with <i>Saga</i>, <i>Tribal</i>, and now <i>One Hour Skirmish Wargames</i> have brought a lot of forgotten figures into the light.</p><p>The game was a simple learning experience set up where Eric ran a British force and I ran a French force. We set up on opposite sides of a 3x3 board and had at it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMXTn6IY2bMT-sa8FCDcZvANF2iEMvd9-m4BN8uzFwfmuYbKzIwBBm8OxZn6PW6E-7pzwkBSh3V-RapMI1A5ioDoSM5FW0Km-e9JkLgE8gAE2acr4SaDz_XCcMqsh2ug-6JaYZ_NfdRjP4ulXgchri8zz8njtMkqW9xef_hovT-C63ZSDtMyeWVXku50/s550/overall.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMXTn6IY2bMT-sa8FCDcZvANF2iEMvd9-m4BN8uzFwfmuYbKzIwBBm8OxZn6PW6E-7pzwkBSh3V-RapMI1A5ioDoSM5FW0Km-e9JkLgE8gAE2acr4SaDz_XCcMqsh2ug-6JaYZ_NfdRjP4ulXgchri8zz8njtMkqW9xef_hovT-C63ZSDtMyeWVXku50/s16000/overall.jpg" /></a></div><p>The game flows smoothly. Our only glitch was with the turn-end mechanism. The rules stipulate that a turn ends immediately when either player draws a joker during game play. We played it that, in a ddition to other turn-end activities, we reshuffle the decks whenever that happens. We kept getting jokers pop up just a few cards into play. Finally, we pulled one joker out of each deck and things went more smoothly. I've since learned that the author's intention is that decks are only reshuffled when all the cards have been drawn. That's consistent with <i>Tribal</i> and <i>Pig Wars</i>, which use standard card decks.</p><p>In general, it drives me crazy to plop figures on their sides to indicate hits/losses. <i>1HSW</i> does this whenever a figure is hit by shooting. When a turn ends, players check morale for their force and then go through checking every downed figure. On a black card, they're back in the fight; on red, they're gone ("red is dead!"). In the end, it wasn't a big thing to drop the figured on their side and felt sort of natural. The rules do note, however, that a suitable marler is also an option.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WnHXVDqPgR4NyfNgo6Utgm62836SxIrwJrpQg4qpMoxyETIYKD3G_-D-O0rJbHrGtJMfEGmIzoSdYbmZGAHJALYONCwXICi4CqO_xiwU-_CKrZUPOt_sCecFur_SbTuMjyEx5NnXpF0kK63Yi2Pffs9XE4FbCv7HeKPfVM6m7qHQKGGIWO6fH-jSbiU/s550/downers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WnHXVDqPgR4NyfNgo6Utgm62836SxIrwJrpQg4qpMoxyETIYKD3G_-D-O0rJbHrGtJMfEGmIzoSdYbmZGAHJALYONCwXICi4CqO_xiwU-_CKrZUPOt_sCecFur_SbTuMjyEx5NnXpF0kK63Yi2Pffs9XE4FbCv7HeKPfVM6m7qHQKGGIWO6fH-jSbiU/s16000/downers.jpg" /></a></div><p>The rules are consciously uncomplicated. There's area terrain like trees, scrub, rocky places, etc. and linear terrain, like walls, hedges, ditches, streams, etc. Terrain gives cover for shooting, but not for hand-to-hand combat. Simple shooting is just a comparison of drawn cards; if the shooter's card is higher, the figure is down, but not dead—yet. If the target is in cover, the targeted player draws extra cards depending on the type of cover and uses the highest card in his defense. Similarly, if the shooter has extra skill or a weapon that can shoot promiscuously (think automatic weapon), he may draw multiple cards for his shot, keeping just the highest. Eric's two riflemen were the only skilled shooters.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuPIAq1ak79g8UYCIKMMCsJAnTyfK__K3tkJvwtu9h3VVmTVjesvdTF-r4sVP9qtXShQEH3ErGnR7gADioC5sUvggD1cYmsSaJqdvrqTfacjyQJV0jPGMFFKWxkJug92yOZd9cpr0IanLo6U53n1bUyaHR72aSgbMKy7gC1M5w-cUztsZq-J4l4mPAp0/s569/riflemen.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuPIAq1ak79g8UYCIKMMCsJAnTyfK__K3tkJvwtu9h3VVmTVjesvdTF-r4sVP9qtXShQEH3ErGnR7gADioC5sUvggD1cYmsSaJqdvrqTfacjyQJV0jPGMFFKWxkJug92yOZd9cpr0IanLo6U53n1bUyaHR72aSgbMKy7gC1M5w-cUztsZq-J4l4mPAp0/s16000/riflemen.jpg" /></a></div><p>Being in the open was generally not a good idea. Shooting can be nasty. Drawing extra cards for combat is an interesting dynamic. It's very different from a simpler +1, +2, etc. to the value of the card drawn. It's adds a whole different level of calculation. In out first game, I had several figures behind a stone wall, which provided heavy cover (+2 cards). Eric's skilled riflemen drew two cards, so my ability to draw three cards and keep the highest made shooting at them, even with skilled rifles, a bit more difficult.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hXi1QGuGfWVWIYmXKl3JoROvsEIVJOQTK6cLAYsW4UTL6wkrxBUXkK-002cSzfyJeLs1aSl0nsFnmfGKk8yPKPEcFguOLKQS3WZKg0PUBMIpkfeuuYsblOovSSGalW3uQXHM-0v7pzLzAtHfo_eo1NH8iEQYv2Cl36fDJbMwav7oZFwNVF1HtI1xoxM/s550/stonewall.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hXi1QGuGfWVWIYmXKl3JoROvsEIVJOQTK6cLAYsW4UTL6wkrxBUXkK-002cSzfyJeLs1aSl0nsFnmfGKk8yPKPEcFguOLKQS3WZKg0PUBMIpkfeuuYsblOovSSGalW3uQXHM-0v7pzLzAtHfo_eo1NH8iEQYv2Cl36fDJbMwav7oZFwNVF1HtI1xoxM/s16000/stonewall.jpg" /></a></div><p>If I shoot at something several times and it doesn't go down, I'm likely to fix bayonet and go in for close combat. It was kind of that way in our games. I had three grenadiers with the <i>Brawler (1)</i> ability, that gives me an extra card in hand-to-hand combat. When you attack someone hand-to-hand, you already draw two cards to the defender's one. The third card made the grenadiers pretty formidable close in. In the first game, I kept them together and managed to cut a swathe with them.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7zEO5JL5_1-oWtK43_CDqTRvQlLUKtgUKKwVeSqw46A-xBszn2Dqe2lnj9efSyXyKzuJpsUGwv37GcXqmLBXJbN7toRn5EDb2eDuMMTy9tIpH2neRqZlmknE2E0RzoTSuQ_HsFacdjLeQHKdst8SXuyb58-x5gRXLVfps9wSehr162CtgEEjg44oMUI/s550/grenadiers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7zEO5JL5_1-oWtK43_CDqTRvQlLUKtgUKKwVeSqw46A-xBszn2Dqe2lnj9efSyXyKzuJpsUGwv37GcXqmLBXJbN7toRn5EDb2eDuMMTy9tIpH2neRqZlmknE2E0RzoTSuQ_HsFacdjLeQHKdst8SXuyb58-x5gRXLVfps9wSehr162CtgEEjg44oMUI/s16000/grenadiers.jpg" /></a></div><p>Now, we kind of maybe did things wrong with hand-to-hand. Let me backtrack a bit. At the beginning of his phase, a player draws a card and its value is the number of actions he can can do. Most actions cost 1 point and figures can combine actions like move and shoot (1 point to move, 1 point to shoot). A figure pays extra points for multiple moves. For example, it can make a second move for 3 points and a third move for 5. Whatever you do with the figure, the rules clearly stipulate that when a figure shoots, all actions for it end. It doesn't say the same for hand-to-hand, so we figured that if a player had the points, he could keep going after a successful combat: Charge in for 1 point, fight hand-to-hand (no cost), if he wins, go on to another figure within move distance and fight for 3 points (second move), then on to another figure for 5 points (third move). For an expenditure of 9 points, a single figure could rampage through another player's troops taking out three times its number. Being a grenadier helps with that and I had a couple fun moments of rampage.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GMQQvK7YBb-1bVXSt1Wu-kRjNA9xqwzA05AoZZdCOdnbJsia7V8E_yfE7ebYYTbtZ0SrEjvifFfU8T03DnKBZjnXuDGQ_B_V-Gn0s_8Ekb2leHzGXt5eweYIiyvK-TwrA5Ptu9rXkY9T9PGdsjEXoCakBNSQ547Cjc0OwGCSDOegXKt3nXVFeEASOgg/s570/rampager.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GMQQvK7YBb-1bVXSt1Wu-kRjNA9xqwzA05AoZZdCOdnbJsia7V8E_yfE7ebYYTbtZ0SrEjvifFfU8T03DnKBZjnXuDGQ_B_V-Gn0s_8Ekb2leHzGXt5eweYIiyvK-TwrA5Ptu9rXkY9T9PGdsjEXoCakBNSQ547Cjc0OwGCSDOegXKt3nXVFeEASOgg/s16000/rampager.jpg" /></a></div><p>In subsequent chats on the Facebook group, we learned that the author's intention was that hand-to-hand also ends a figure's actions. <i>Valde erat Rambo, sed non licitum.</i> However, it's a nice thing to keep in mind for a special skill, like <i>Rampager (x)</i>, where (x) is the number of hand-to-hand combats the figure can extend past the first.</p><p>We managed to play two games in under three hours, which time takes in a lot of pre-game, inter-game, and post-game chatting. While not timed precisely, each game took about an hour. The title is not a lie.</p><p>I'm considering projects now for this as well as looking at what I have on hand. For the latter, what comes most to mind is sci-fi. All my <i><a href="https://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2022/12/2022-space-rampancy.html" target="_blank">Xenos Rampant</a></i> figures are on single bases and would make for a cracker-jack <i>1HSW</i> game. I can also count among my painted figures the 40mm ACW that I inherited from Phil Bardsley. We played a few games of <i><a href="https://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2012/03/smooth-rifled-playtest.html" target="_blank">Smooth & Rifled</a></i> with them (12 years ago!). There aren't a lot, but more than enough to make opposing sides for <i>1HSW</i>.</p><p>I have a lot of ECW, especially the excellent Bloody Miniatures range, that can be made into <i>1HSW</i> armies. ECW is one of those periods I deeply love, but there's not a huge enthusiasm for it in Western WA. I have enough painted for a <i><a href="https://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2017/01/the-pikmeans-lament-review.html" target="_blank">The Pikeman's Lament</a></i> army, several in some stage of being painted or painted but not yet based, then the great mass of figures that are still raw lead. I just keep acquiring them. Making 1HSW armies from my vast pool of figures won't put a dent in the number of available figures I have for a project. ECW is likely my next move with <i>1HSW</i>. I just ordered some 3D printed buildings that would be perfect for an ECW skirmish battlefield.<br /><br />I inherited a lot of painted Wild West cavalry and Indians from Dave Schueler, which would make for a good game. I could probably build two opposing forces for my Flint and Feather Indians and Dutchmen. I have many more that I can paint—or finish, since there's a lot more that I started a few years ago.</p><p>There's my warlord Chinese from Copplestone Castings and the two FT-17s that I bought from a company that's been out of business for decades. As I contemplate the contents of my Garage of Wonder, the possibilities are endless.</p>David Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229259148925201182noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99962604511527341.post-21962821727780883142023-11-20T17:02:00.000-08:002024-01-12T13:24:13.502-08:00Taking flight: 1,000,000 years B.T. (before the Tribaling)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KM9HsmokfjOXS2aLPaUYk4yQpRWIReg48tPqEKrUNqMqg-lo4gkqpTAnhB09Qu116bzsxwbq8H95lnNCQG8oo1aOUP7vSRRZCtbAcYJ3iKt_C5wnl8dhXG1UBEu6g2lrFsL5z14yfqSvj0apYrjNnRILdUUHWH_I_LApQcXS_Yj1WOML8rDl6iIxSEM/s550/banner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="199" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KM9HsmokfjOXS2aLPaUYk4yQpRWIReg48tPqEKrUNqMqg-lo4gkqpTAnhB09Qu116bzsxwbq8H95lnNCQG8oo1aOUP7vSRRZCtbAcYJ3iKt_C5wnl8dhXG1UBEu6g2lrFsL5z14yfqSvj0apYrjNnRILdUUHWH_I_LApQcXS_Yj1WOML8rDl6iIxSEM/s16000/banner.jpg" /></a></div><p>On November 18th, we held our annual game day at the Boeing Museum of Flight. I don't recall how long we've been doing this, but Kevin Smyth has been running it for years. I think the initial contact with museum staff was done by Dave Schueler. We gather in the Great Gallery around the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_A-12#M-21" target="_blank">Lockheed M-21</a> (which we always incorrectly call an SR-71). For the past several years, we've been sharing the space with a plastic modeling group.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3u7Mvwr0-KHEwAq60UYMNw6tSG7GKmAHGRidhoZoIJW4NwFGJBMrIP_-8PMSSp4mpQWdZ-6d1SX_M5NJ4liHyAbJmYBg8Q4jdglU4KKmX6J9c9XjApPOylxkg6O5vFlSJUjylDWoxay57Lfr3O1pRo1LuBC-hcnhHHw4pl30oo541BcofQIdl90UrSc/s550/IMG_2450.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3u7Mvwr0-KHEwAq60UYMNw6tSG7GKmAHGRidhoZoIJW4NwFGJBMrIP_-8PMSSp4mpQWdZ-6d1SX_M5NJ4liHyAbJmYBg8Q4jdglU4KKmX6J9c9XjApPOylxkg6O5vFlSJUjylDWoxay57Lfr3O1pRo1LuBC-hcnhHHw4pl30oo541BcofQIdl90UrSc/s16000/IMG_2450.jpg" /></a></div><p>I ran a <i>Tribal</i> game using my just fully completed <a href="https://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2023/09/tiny-tin-troglodytes-because-im-364.html" target="_blank">BoJack cavemen</a>. I got the figures from <a href="https://www.northstarfigures.com/list.php?man=255&page=1" target="_blank">North Star</a> in the UK on Sept 2 and a small number of Lucid Eye figures in a couple orders to Badger Games. I just finished 90 figures (75 North Star, 16 Lucid Eye), 3 mammoths, 2 cave lions, and 1 cave bear. I've also painted a lot of terrain pieces and a handful of loot markers. I still have 5 cave women to paint and I need to get three more loot tokens done, but the caveman project pretty much a wrap—unless I decide to buy/paint more figures so I can do a six-player game.</p><p>The cavemen got into their first combat in early October in a <i>Tribal</i> game between Eric Donaldson and me. </p><p>I only had enough minis painted to create two warbands and we used skills, which I avoid in multiplayer games involving people who are new to the game. Skills add a great dimension to the games and gives players the ability to customize their warbands a bit.</p><p>It was nice to host a four-player game the day after I finished the last of the new terrain pieces and the same day that I put the tufts on the bases for the last 11 minis. I don't imagine that I'll ever really have a game that doesn't wind up with me making or painting something for it the same morning that I play it.</p><p>I used one of my 6x4 <a href="https://tablewar.com/" target="_blank">Tablewar</a> mats and made a more open space than in previous <i>Tribal</i> games.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KYhQMpRxiBQ5dZo8EdZL61Tozqqcdo1QadaLNhjZQvzgJgoEfHUan8Bh59RZvehqhgFQztA0-hTta1wnsyInG9Qjj-wptoYtC0k47mhmnM8FZ5CNajlxUjrLEp5SK4eJtexO4qrv7WucHsNPuJpWHBYR1uogFTIKMQBIQnf8E5TEDFvn-FnboyF0D08/s550/gameSetup.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KYhQMpRxiBQ5dZo8EdZL61Tozqqcdo1QadaLNhjZQvzgJgoEfHUan8Bh59RZvehqhgFQztA0-hTta1wnsyInG9Qjj-wptoYtC0k47mhmnM8FZ5CNajlxUjrLEp5SK4eJtexO4qrv7WucHsNPuJpWHBYR1uogFTIKMQBIQnf8E5TEDFvn-FnboyF0D08/s16000/gameSetup.jpg" /></a></div><p>I modified the standard <i>Tribal</i> shooting rules to limit the range of missile fire to 3 long card lengths (10 1/2 inches). It seems like a needed change for multiplayer games on a larger table. I want to eliminate the ability of players to make a long diagonal shot from one end of the table to the other because they just happen to get the right line-up of a clear line of sight. The idea of unlimited shooting makes sense if you're playing a 1:1 game on a 3x3 mat with a lot of blocking terrain. Otherwise you get the long, long javelin throw or you have to cram the table with too much terrain just to ensure that you've limited every possible line of sight.</p><p>I was pretty happy with what I laid out and shooting didn't dominate the game.</p><p>The scenario was that two tribal groups, each divided into two bands, are competing for mammoth meat. There were three mammoth models on the table and the tribes had to either herd the animals off a part of their table edge or kill the mammoth on table and stand guard over its carcass until the end of the game to get 5 points. There were also some "goodies" tokens spread around that could yield points or a prehistoric predator in the form of a cave lion or cave bear. All other honor points were awarded per standard <i>Tribal</i> rules.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hggwB2mzlvoF_Uxdnc4HqIlBFo_MTu9ank2DpwmnG4WzbIVcIC35F1h4UE7pudM9kf6Ylp4hMewpt5T-wh5-u3ZIETJsP_T7R9ehtTxI_XfBso5_dq9NhtdAQ6bT3GKMkCGRYo_LyjCwawXx2izEIgJdrINg8pJq3RbBRKcUnLDFMPgBN1YGNiAghgs/s550/garysGroup01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hggwB2mzlvoF_Uxdnc4HqIlBFo_MTu9ank2DpwmnG4WzbIVcIC35F1h4UE7pudM9kf6Ylp4hMewpt5T-wh5-u3ZIETJsP_T7R9ehtTxI_XfBso5_dq9NhtdAQ6bT3GKMkCGRYo_LyjCwawXx2izEIgJdrINg8pJq3RbBRKcUnLDFMPgBN1YGNiAghgs/s16000/garysGroup01.jpg" /></a></div><p>The players were Bruce Meyer, Gary Griess, Chris Bauermeister, and someone we all called Devon (likely because that was his name), all new players. It's fun explaining the card interactions for combat to new players. At first, it sounds like the rules for Fizzbin.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUjBPanGORiHpOA_Hje58d76MYzrXUamBGUinRe1m611nQpm9dcNizJxGduuxlDDaWM5zNW8PJguuOahkrY35JmSn3ZBGi09tQoyukRD92el70uHh3ICxzdNnaWnc3ANjamy3QGXAHwiw7AlxeRDg-GEsb0vB8KTwdoY9F5X5TLVXIphRfuPdu8ZbGovI/s550/fizzbin2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUjBPanGORiHpOA_Hje58d76MYzrXUamBGUinRe1m611nQpm9dcNizJxGduuxlDDaWM5zNW8PJguuOahkrY35JmSn3ZBGi09tQoyukRD92el70uHh3ICxzdNnaWnc3ANjamy3QGXAHwiw7AlxeRDg-GEsb0vB8KTwdoY9F5X5TLVXIphRfuPdu8ZbGovI/s16000/fizzbin2.jpg" /></a></div><p>However, people pick it up quickly and in no time they know the ins and outs better than I do.</p><p>The trick with herding the mammoths is that they move away as you approach them. To herd them back to your side, you need to get around them—or hope that the other side obliges by chasing them your way.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGGsm8RRG2vPXeI6A65CvrF2efO1WS-pfpWaFt8-YGJnGGdcukQQhblY-fqlOSnjFjoDAGIfHcqUK8OVdVSonvw7Vg6hfB4WSoJmscfksjYgs9ih4xOw5EcwdmUEjXiT5fUDU16Z2P4UM_PvGKLMoyEoWgtsBJv0KZJ0S8j_JYtdjv3Mbwqu8LaJ35vA/s550/mammoth1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGGsm8RRG2vPXeI6A65CvrF2efO1WS-pfpWaFt8-YGJnGGdcukQQhblY-fqlOSnjFjoDAGIfHcqUK8OVdVSonvw7Vg6hfB4WSoJmscfksjYgs9ih4xOw5EcwdmUEjXiT5fUDU16Z2P4UM_PvGKLMoyEoWgtsBJv0KZJ0S8j_JYtdjv3Mbwqu8LaJ35vA/s16000/mammoth1.jpg" /></a></div><p>The latter is how the game started, with Chris and Devon moving two of the mammoths towards Bruce and Gary's side. All they had to do was step aside and let the mammoths go towards their board edge.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpO_lc5Bb-zDqtSx1Wb5yDEe6XxrIw7q-XRBKO-TarUOwJh68q5i-alAigs9jxJr9T6lN4-TKw-G22xD-PgvXWQB_voID5Z5bDFp02vrowr4PW_WjKACbO_Fyg9gBVUordTvu455H9lxwLoA_wmmWc5EUSJiZS4C76tPGM6gDhgUsA7kbR3jo0hYVXF0Q/s550/mammothsMove.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpO_lc5Bb-zDqtSx1Wb5yDEe6XxrIw7q-XRBKO-TarUOwJh68q5i-alAigs9jxJr9T6lN4-TKw-G22xD-PgvXWQB_voID5Z5bDFp02vrowr4PW_WjKACbO_Fyg9gBVUordTvu455H9lxwLoA_wmmWc5EUSJiZS4C76tPGM6gDhgUsA7kbR3jo0hYVXF0Q/s16000/mammothsMove.jpg" /></a></div><p>The "goodies" tokens yielded mostly goodies. I made the scenario so that when a player's unit came within 2 long card lengths of a token, they'd draw a card from their deck. If it was a black card, they got goodies. If it was a red card, it was a cave bear for face cards and cave lions for the others. Once revealed, the predator attacked the triggering unit. Ultimately, only one cave lion made an appearance.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJSrBWBrEI7ZETO6-7marGHUnKKGqFcBeILoQ_2GbRH-gvbUxi_rxzn1P0GBwuTBk3LyDUJtHfvh6COsXnf4BXyIBIYZSe8IJZ7WznJP_jyvQcy4kgs-I5upnONfvOOkzwx9RQVRMleVzgjgXiKwWpp37Skf9PRq8EDHyMHIYD-MSAg8xDV0QPXL8p_I/s550/caveLion.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJSrBWBrEI7ZETO6-7marGHUnKKGqFcBeILoQ_2GbRH-gvbUxi_rxzn1P0GBwuTBk3LyDUJtHfvh6COsXnf4BXyIBIYZSe8IJZ7WznJP_jyvQcy4kgs-I5upnONfvOOkzwx9RQVRMleVzgjgXiKwWpp37Skf9PRq8EDHyMHIYD-MSAg8xDV0QPXL8p_I/s16000/caveLion.jpg" /></a></div><p>The two sides didn't clash much until a few turns into the game.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmFt_Dvd_AgZoNqwn5lvSxRKHmi8Er9u0qtn9Wz0eJJ5hRXougOeaMo4DKE7__nBS4b-e0QlJT16pMFw2FzbwDuF_xSr1ixtBUeroKQSsMhrBfaNim-G8AzOP0Fmuk-ITUmv7f64tbu_Lgx8U_ctoWGQqgnhOLgoGcopNqtzqUbsRoMfdu4Rbm6Ai7cQ/s550/warGroup1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="482" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmFt_Dvd_AgZoNqwn5lvSxRKHmi8Er9u0qtn9Wz0eJJ5hRXougOeaMo4DKE7__nBS4b-e0QlJT16pMFw2FzbwDuF_xSr1ixtBUeroKQSsMhrBfaNim-G8AzOP0Fmuk-ITUmv7f64tbu_Lgx8U_ctoWGQqgnhOLgoGcopNqtzqUbsRoMfdu4Rbm6Ai7cQ/s16000/warGroup1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DaVVuPMsfmxwAIwL_uBezFqh-hvmY4i6-oyngCgJrQvBZQ-vXMkmstszflHWKkeYSF9n6TO0C23PoRX4wcOcb4FwVcgqlDVezGvREC3JWAmWMAV3VAJj6Uzn1XKWm0nCUHN1SNqt37i9OQ63Mqbs6iIkpmEQaDU4f3tgxdwGmKHvKehPLiArOKFt2FE/s550/clash01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DaVVuPMsfmxwAIwL_uBezFqh-hvmY4i6-oyngCgJrQvBZQ-vXMkmstszflHWKkeYSF9n6TO0C23PoRX4wcOcb4FwVcgqlDVezGvREC3JWAmWMAV3VAJj6Uzn1XKWm0nCUHN1SNqt37i9OQ63Mqbs6iIkpmEQaDU4f3tgxdwGmKHvKehPLiArOKFt2FE/s16000/clash01.jpg" /></a></div><p>Gary, whom the mammoths passed by, expended his energies attacking Chris' cavemen. Chris was still fending off the cave tiger he'd found (or who's found him).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6c4U9BasUomGuNb15GQYXjsAv5TXrTn7rJn0FNYg7gYfvGDHgolwRrNTuxUs4TPxQDEIRvU_LD9n0knfVF4oAY3I9OfXO7RhPXPGfI0niHVUk5pA4h7tEiR_MJGg4eg1MQRO7PLnyqT6hGo1-aBXxzugDDpE-YuFieWRDrDIqjQYNerTEyiLp8TxCR2A/s550/mammothRun.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6c4U9BasUomGuNb15GQYXjsAv5TXrTn7rJn0FNYg7gYfvGDHgolwRrNTuxUs4TPxQDEIRvU_LD9n0knfVF4oAY3I9OfXO7RhPXPGfI0niHVUk5pA4h7tEiR_MJGg4eg1MQRO7PLnyqT6hGo1-aBXxzugDDpE-YuFieWRDrDIqjQYNerTEyiLp8TxCR2A/s16000/mammothRun.jpg" /></a></div><p>There was only one man v. mammoth battle. Bruce, with some help from Gary, managed to heard two mammoths towards their table edge. The third mammoth seems to be running for its life towards one of the table edges—which wouldn't provide points for either side. Devon ran a lone hero to it from behind and managed to get into a fight with the behemoth.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEs73i8jqk4wOGWacvwkyjE01QZpMXFu37xgaX7K2iJVwz0oP5joIbMqxXLpYDV8fgelq2aqoRI1P59XnnE5o7RuP_zsyWklwH4V8kUciF3ljOtSC_w_tL51pTiTCe3PXu3w5fd7G990a_zj3_zxpcFwLgC9XBhq6aesRFSaw_SVDTFfsW4ZYAYVFYXMM/s550/loneHero.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="469" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEs73i8jqk4wOGWacvwkyjE01QZpMXFu37xgaX7K2iJVwz0oP5joIbMqxXLpYDV8fgelq2aqoRI1P59XnnE5o7RuP_zsyWklwH4V8kUciF3ljOtSC_w_tL51pTiTCe3PXu3w5fd7G990a_zj3_zxpcFwLgC9XBhq6aesRFSaw_SVDTFfsW4ZYAYVFYXMM/s16000/loneHero.jpg" /></a></div><p>Nothing much came of it. Mammoths can take eight wounds before they succumb to being a cave man's dinner. Devon inflicted a few wounds, but his hero suffered a few as well.</p><p>After Bruce and Gary herded their two mammoths off the table, we counted up points. Gary and Bruce won, but not by a lot. Getting 10 points for the mammoths helped, but Chris managed to score a number of points from winning near-bloodless combats with Gary that repeated over and over. The honor points from those wins boosted his team's honor points to a respectable level.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8AZiTzyUogGxMgkghVq4a7y_QEVkwz4axnUh-PkiRJv1MdTZGOK3NBhj6GjzDul42SDVMdbyO1fenhm5Kh5p-nUGU5xXYMYzmzy9eLT8ir5Hw8iq_cVif1wxlXFiKWMxCfDvke_HzJ-Ns53a_uDEUOH41HqXPcoR7_wgfYDxSP5A2WmOa4VYFTGY1vrg/s550/gameEnd.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8AZiTzyUogGxMgkghVq4a7y_QEVkwz4axnUh-PkiRJv1MdTZGOK3NBhj6GjzDul42SDVMdbyO1fenhm5Kh5p-nUGU5xXYMYzmzy9eLT8ir5Hw8iq_cVif1wxlXFiKWMxCfDvke_HzJ-Ns53a_uDEUOH41HqXPcoR7_wgfYDxSP5A2WmOa4VYFTGY1vrg/s16000/gameEnd.jpg" /></a></div><p><i>Tribal</i> has become my go-to game. Eric Donaldson has also become an enthusiast and has bought figures for 16th c. Portuguese in the Amazon as well as some Tupi for them to fight. While no one else is painting troops specifically for <i>Tribal</i>, there are plenty of ready-made warbands using existing <i>Saga</i> armies as well as various other bits. Kevin Smyth and I have our early Native Americans—which been we've been using with the <i>Song of Drums and Tomahawks</i> rules— that we can make respectable <i>Tribal</i> warbands from. We also have our collections (mine, modest; his, expansive) of Aztecs, Conquistadors, and Tlaxcalans that we painted for our <i>Lion Rampant</i> variant <i><a href="https://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2016/04/quetzalcoatl-rampant.html" target="_blank">Queztalcoatl Rampant</a></i>.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Aftermath</span></b></p><p>I wanted to play in another game for the second period, but after schlepping everything out to my car and back again, I was sweaty and wanted to get in my car with the AC on full blast. I also wanted to get to the vigil Mass at 5:00 pm, so I could sit around the house and do stuff all day on Sunday. I decided to give the second period a miss and scampered for home just after 1:00 pm.</p><p>I wound up ignoring GPS's recommendation to go via the east side (I-405) and took the straight route through Seattle. It was slower going, but it gave me the chance to stop off at the Pacific Inn for the planet's best fish and chips and a cold Manny's Pale Ale.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufckkRfYbEdXd1o8l6lioDo8dAXkFWpN1ZVs4bVx38SgSO-MCtA_vVpU7YwOKdfftQNHkMCEoxeA5S6M-XhRF9JuEvH5AGdCtmA6Ib6OuJaGraT4piuHNK7uRx8uJjF0iOsHXIZGdJXp16xcFhLLxiqcOUtEdRHy-CH_ylJTRgI_QRSuqPJ7Zibg6wg4/s550/fishChips.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufckkRfYbEdXd1o8l6lioDo8dAXkFWpN1ZVs4bVx38SgSO-MCtA_vVpU7YwOKdfftQNHkMCEoxeA5S6M-XhRF9JuEvH5AGdCtmA6Ib6OuJaGraT4piuHNK7uRx8uJjF0iOsHXIZGdJXp16xcFhLLxiqcOUtEdRHy-CH_ylJTRgI_QRSuqPJ7Zibg6wg4/s16000/fishChips.jpg" /></a></div><p>The PI is a treasure, but every time I go there my heart sinks as I see the gentrification going on all around it. It used to blend in perfectly with a section of the Fremont district in Seattle that was an old light industrial / working class neighborhood that had grown just delightfully shy of urban blight. I used to work around the corner from it in a consulting firm in what used to be a bookstore in what used to be a warehouse. My coworkers and I would go to the PI for fries and beer after work or I'd stop in for lunch a few days a month.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-KFb6h6R7NZLcXM6RSs7bHjSwv5Cm_Y7FiaouwMvQjBvRgD5tKCFQXNyiOQ3EAaG10iTegyYttaN_A5zUI1KIn8Rq38_L3Ymgr4mV6b_YtK5Y_4wwCryVB03aUV7xMt_FLQA0dioVWL2s_RLAuRLc6-KDgIvbKJ2BtW9sqZskesWRHhXehnn5rWlyQI/s550/pacificInn.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-KFb6h6R7NZLcXM6RSs7bHjSwv5Cm_Y7FiaouwMvQjBvRgD5tKCFQXNyiOQ3EAaG10iTegyYttaN_A5zUI1KIn8Rq38_L3Ymgr4mV6b_YtK5Y_4wwCryVB03aUV7xMt_FLQA0dioVWL2s_RLAuRLc6-KDgIvbKJ2BtW9sqZskesWRHhXehnn5rWlyQI/s16000/pacificInn.jpg" /></a></div><p>Just across Stone Way and up half a block is where three great used bookstores used to be: Sea Ocean Book Berth, B. Brown and Associates, and Seattle Book Center. I have several treasured volumes purchased from them and fond memories of leisurely browsing their stacks. Seattle Book Center was my favorite. They had a great stock that included a lot of rare books.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj920xPc7hEeyx3EAOuk3CSBReRNfbehst-Jvm8oF0cAYHXiYfdwK1IJt-Nb7wx4Fd2cvvahliANc7Ir7g_O-OSTX1GXXiUpFRA0U_U1KrUwue8M2RQanrVq6J7IxOHvQDwqjobryfCsNezaEoF4Y56dZeup22fThfQUh5BTVETVG2QtnCtQoLmME21IKE/s550/openBookStores.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj920xPc7hEeyx3EAOuk3CSBReRNfbehst-Jvm8oF0cAYHXiYfdwK1IJt-Nb7wx4Fd2cvvahliANc7Ir7g_O-OSTX1GXXiUpFRA0U_U1KrUwue8M2RQanrVq6J7IxOHvQDwqjobryfCsNezaEoF4Y56dZeup22fThfQUh5BTVETVG2QtnCtQoLmME21IKE/s16000/openBookStores.jpg" /></a></div><p>All gone now. As of 2019, the stores were boarded up and defaced by graffiti.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipf_qsVLmhIRCSc6qICTcmxtSYPlU64J5EwVyCOQj4MkT5dewD23A1No2OApA6yrhN9mEh36hHQ2TWz26FV7KaG5HD7adtrpKpABsY9qrlc1fHjkW1x_qk5TdtY-qBX5sfRLD64Z6_Fia2cQ-5hHpFxRU9swJkiRfqz7BRR5SV3E7VPddhK6KwRj_4RfI/s550/closedBookStores.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipf_qsVLmhIRCSc6qICTcmxtSYPlU64J5EwVyCOQj4MkT5dewD23A1No2OApA6yrhN9mEh36hHQ2TWz26FV7KaG5HD7adtrpKpABsY9qrlc1fHjkW1x_qk5TdtY-qBX5sfRLD64Z6_Fia2cQ-5hHpFxRU9swJkiRfqz7BRR5SV3E7VPddhK6KwRj_4RfI/s16000/closedBookStores.jpg" /></a></div><p>Now there's some kind of soulless, multi-storey, mixed-use abomination rising in their place. Buildings of that ilk are taking over most of Stone Way now.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRrsZ485fjiVcOo-MeIJSyjzIK9W560hW9ns3F-Iwbt6t83rkuAn60-mBlskBFNUwd4gdDTKn04_D53zQ_VyLYlwTlqGIhqFZaBDh8kKIfEnLlPVGphQYX5-0XJZAnaB62YB086NE7salPGQrc7xAg7EqBcUIEk4enDojjkqi5jLoXUHq-i6Mu_d7dUo/s550/stoneWay.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="458" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRrsZ485fjiVcOo-MeIJSyjzIK9W560hW9ns3F-Iwbt6t83rkuAn60-mBlskBFNUwd4gdDTKn04_D53zQ_VyLYlwTlqGIhqFZaBDh8kKIfEnLlPVGphQYX5-0XJZAnaB62YB086NE7salPGQrc7xAg7EqBcUIEk4enDojjkqi5jLoXUHq-i6Mu_d7dUo/s16000/stoneWay.jpg" /></a></div><p>And they just had to cut down all the trees that were on the street in front. Why are trees always sacrificed in the pursuit of urban renewal? I've been referring to my hometown as "formerly-bucolic" Lynnwood for a while now. I'm starting to think "Lynnphalt" will be more appropriate as they continue to cut down trees and pave the place over.</p><p>A part of me wants the PI to last forever and another part wants it to go quickly and painlessly, put to sleep like a beloved pet to spare it further agony. Its place knows it no more and it will soon be considered an eyesore. I imagine that in no time at all, its graffiti-covered ruin will sit abandoned waiting for the wrecking ball. It breaks my heart. </p><p>After lunch, I drove up Stone Way a few blocks to Eltana Bagels. It's the only place to get bagels in the Puget Sound area. Being full from lunch, I didn't nosh one there, but I ordered a dozen—poppy seed, the only kind to eat—and took them home. I froze 2/3 of them and put the rest in a plastic bag for the fridge. Toasted in the morning with butter, schmeer, and lox is the best.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVWma2Yu3WmzTr-CPwLlv5tOY_Aaq6I0Nq3Vybyc7qlP2t1QinVO7pUVte3yKMiteeZV2XWJL6y5TfYO4dlMHvoooev5-8YwEFhqCy3WxvQiXXX9duXHb75ruTkLAvTBkACUjniVKCr7-_k-kPjFPy9tHk_wKo0JvZ9LEX1y-KHNOjubJfU15Z5kd6EU/s550/bagels.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVWma2Yu3WmzTr-CPwLlv5tOY_Aaq6I0Nq3Vybyc7qlP2t1QinVO7pUVte3yKMiteeZV2XWJL6y5TfYO4dlMHvoooev5-8YwEFhqCy3WxvQiXXX9duXHb75ruTkLAvTBkACUjniVKCr7-_k-kPjFPy9tHk_wKo0JvZ9LEX1y-KHNOjubJfU15Z5kd6EU/s16000/bagels.jpg" /></a></div><p>There's not much else in Seattle that draws me down—other than the occasional take out from Judy Fu's Snappy Dragon—but I enjoy these exceptional excursions, melancholy and all.</p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Projects ho!</span></b></p><p>With the cavemen project effectively done, I'm going to pivot to getting my Japanese and Korean navies painted for the Imjin War. I started cleaning a few models earlier and have some bases cut out for them. I expect they'll go very quickly once I start in earnest. I'm already well begun.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWm8U2UNnBJRKG3JGUe3I6Q75d-Iq52VsecZl9lzxgCfrPygtekcoZy4WyCtzhomFT-NJl6LzQL8Ixir9gaLOsVfzfjfRXerhf3D4d_lAA9s_itK1rdodsYSONBVGr6KCqVvlXgEHKxL8oIjhKfBVGov5iPJqs9wBgYzLsp3voQIXEuiSpP5m5p8-8pQ/s550/imjin2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="455" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWm8U2UNnBJRKG3JGUe3I6Q75d-Iq52VsecZl9lzxgCfrPygtekcoZy4WyCtzhomFT-NJl6LzQL8Ixir9gaLOsVfzfjfRXerhf3D4d_lAA9s_itK1rdodsYSONBVGr6KCqVvlXgEHKxL8oIjhKfBVGov5iPJqs9wBgYzLsp3voQIXEuiSpP5m5p8-8pQ/s16000/imjin2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkoUefLJ-A6IBw1O76cDWtJ07K7UkWjksJTE0AQqqL7o0D4yMQEWLVzVIZH1qk6Nawv5pOOpyb7CrM3gnjd7QEAL7J4ZTOAmYx5KVn4_EMiCfLeIuhKBUpLC2O9SBjNVykDHuHE5OG6kxHUeo05a17cUBZcHT9PJUBe6xrDJhCZlvCFIPoRZVuiVEYhOA/s550/imjin1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="469" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkoUefLJ-A6IBw1O76cDWtJ07K7UkWjksJTE0AQqqL7o0D4yMQEWLVzVIZH1qk6Nawv5pOOpyb7CrM3gnjd7QEAL7J4ZTOAmYx5KVn4_EMiCfLeIuhKBUpLC2O9SBjNVykDHuHE5OG6kxHUeo05a17cUBZcHT9PJUBe6xrDJhCZlvCFIPoRZVuiVEYhOA/s16000/imjin1.jpg" /></a></div><p>After that (or maybe in conjunction with it), I'll get to my Copplestone Castings Botocudo for <i>Tribal</i>. Eric recently completed his 16th c. Portuguese and was contemplating getting some Tupi from Eureka Miniatures in Australia. The Botocudo will be my contribution to that project.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCER5lY_oOYzjzsXg5lP2Zrk6H2eNYOHVtcJaioVa_n10r466xQlTVIZo9JxH_pGlE2AZqTCeOHvVZJmSNJ7LQtPN4xGeVx544K9UBSgWxwUGsfMO6h_QOTPaaS_42aVQSkzuIuo83oqzcpxHKuHDxLqIK39pw0jyC-AJAvRn_Ttab2iYKFcNB9aM8xkk/s550/botocudo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCER5lY_oOYzjzsXg5lP2Zrk6H2eNYOHVtcJaioVa_n10r466xQlTVIZo9JxH_pGlE2AZqTCeOHvVZJmSNJ7LQtPN4xGeVx544K9UBSgWxwUGsfMO6h_QOTPaaS_42aVQSkzuIuo83oqzcpxHKuHDxLqIK39pw0jyC-AJAvRn_Ttab2iYKFcNB9aM8xkk/s16000/botocudo.jpg" /></a></div><p><br /></p>David Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229259148925201182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99962604511527341.post-58547463485432499182023-11-14T12:31:00.000-08:002023-11-17T09:19:46.283-08:00Goings on<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqqVi0pucbcibohLhj5s2Es8bm-kPZ8BJ4gXhMfkH3_REKSeb1wZod25416x-HPK36E7qmJhT9Vr3p5GVvvWtcVdv6KDwsQeMiXIoLYY5lZS_8V6IQSdRnnMzyDUE_JI1760nM0asiLrnM93o_IUcWdQdIVwqXi2MxAvc4rtuENMNG1ARS-9q-Zq2Ofw/s550/BB_Banner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="175" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqqVi0pucbcibohLhj5s2Es8bm-kPZ8BJ4gXhMfkH3_REKSeb1wZod25416x-HPK36E7qmJhT9Vr3p5GVvvWtcVdv6KDwsQeMiXIoLYY5lZS_8V6IQSdRnnMzyDUE_JI1760nM0asiLrnM93o_IUcWdQdIVwqXi2MxAvc4rtuENMNG1ARS-9q-Zq2Ofw/s16000/BB_Banner.jpg" /></a></div><p>Apart from playing <i>Tribal</i>, I've been busy with some other gaming activities that I didn't have to contribute anything to other than my dice rolling. We've managed to play a couple games in the last two weeks that I'd like to highlight:</p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Game 1: We men, we Manley men</span></b></p><p>Eric Donaldson was eager to get some pre-dreadnought gaming in using David Manley's <i>Broadside and Salvo</i> quick-play naval rules. He built two fleets in 1:2400 scale and we arranged a four-player game with them at Wizard's Keep in Kent, WA. (Actually, he has more than two fleets, we just used two in the game.)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPE4TID8KQLOK80zCpNwBmZAyNxRt5MQbp4wiJQrsqj9e0zZj5niyLkegZSl-z61RJxanIv130pgW_MyGlh2CZQRJEhyphenhyphenJmtxDJZ4EJps_agbQBP_XEIoquiWvUIOo8a8AWEG2ObFczVBHONg82_HHcRL-xedGiGtQGsU2DqeRIaaPl0yNA5F6vDQSILSA/s550/BB_010_overview.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPE4TID8KQLOK80zCpNwBmZAyNxRt5MQbp4wiJQrsqj9e0zZj5niyLkegZSl-z61RJxanIv130pgW_MyGlh2CZQRJEhyphenhyphenJmtxDJZ4EJps_agbQBP_XEIoquiWvUIOo8a8AWEG2ObFczVBHONg82_HHcRL-xedGiGtQGsU2DqeRIaaPl0yNA5F6vDQSILSA/s16000/BB_010_overview.jpg" /></a></div><p>John Gee came down all the way from Bellingham and Mark Waddington came up all the way from wherever he comes up from (somewhere east of Olympia, I think). Not too much a trek for me, but closer for Kevin Smyth and Eric.</p><p>John and I played the French, Kevin and Mark were the Germans. Eric ran the game. The scenario was a attempted German breakthrough to get to a French landing zone in Morocco. They got points for getting ships off the opposite side of the table from them. We got points for preventing them. The ships started on opposite ends and swirled around each other in the middle a bit before the Germans made a run to the table edge—and victory.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZR-ECTVAcCKp5OP206-AMrq344a2f6VuJ99A_-SZMa0HWTVaAM8b1xTsBWpelyPdkq3II-d7BHMC-2wdd89mh5oBuKtf8ayNagvQi9E9FxdzN7dv7-xYnzIv-AMdRhxrvQCsnu81aWhyphenhyphenoodAXwy69hbCYDy6G74XFBQ4ZcJ3HdI117DzHROkVFpSr0HI/s550/BB_001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZR-ECTVAcCKp5OP206-AMrq344a2f6VuJ99A_-SZMa0HWTVaAM8b1xTsBWpelyPdkq3II-d7BHMC-2wdd89mh5oBuKtf8ayNagvQi9E9FxdzN7dv7-xYnzIv-AMdRhxrvQCsnu81aWhyphenhyphenoodAXwy69hbCYDy6G74XFBQ4ZcJ3HdI117DzHROkVFpSr0HI/s16000/BB_001.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwujrDbnYGAd6nhVF_3qJDZVS6e9-hk32n7CmMJeWg5X1LxFemOAEgv4AIXXhR-lZgIJTx8BMchTJ0DlPi1ifHat-f0ClGv0JGlTe2J40Cw2H-gcxRLJTkenyGvJfQDlPXRKBc2Sryvg3nAS8c5q9i8vdeN_hJrVxB6SGK_AeK9qvTPKpxo8V6GGO2-8o/s550/BB_002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPr9jrYL8s_Kub-MOVRF_JzjMjU53FnlvFGiTquOX3nDsZmoZErmxtwT712YmdhyphenhyphenPWQHKDAA6mjDvI_eFz1rvxO-uQ_LCt0rZ36JE7tCaVHeBDQy_VAW2OFkq4FDc_3Ks_dWjO0VFRl40AzcVeTefCiOH6aBsygN2uSYavzRAKQ6mk41fKCv6sIg9ljs/s550/BB_014.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPr9jrYL8s_Kub-MOVRF_JzjMjU53FnlvFGiTquOX3nDsZmoZErmxtwT712YmdhyphenhyphenPWQHKDAA6mjDvI_eFz1rvxO-uQ_LCt0rZ36JE7tCaVHeBDQy_VAW2OFkq4FDc_3Ks_dWjO0VFRl40AzcVeTefCiOH6aBsygN2uSYavzRAKQ6mk41fKCv6sIg9ljs/s16000/BB_014.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisnzbj0NrNbuMCy9YC4-r2OxJB2LKJzbkBuVdh45SdL-iCGQzek84YSQzK8nVmh_otjXDFu2FDW4QJXHX4YwSC8OwwpBmlfnVprTXu4nEUOpm4qRAvjz5knE3swU_t0lL5fZWQBQ_f2Ms9wQ256js31Ei0XACAnDj-zEwhU14N9YNKE-1ZmFwqoJqMVN4/s550/BB_015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="444" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisnzbj0NrNbuMCy9YC4-r2OxJB2LKJzbkBuVdh45SdL-iCGQzek84YSQzK8nVmh_otjXDFu2FDW4QJXHX4YwSC8OwwpBmlfnVprTXu4nEUOpm4qRAvjz5knE3swU_t0lL5fZWQBQ_f2Ms9wQ256js31Ei0XACAnDj-zEwhU14N9YNKE-1ZmFwqoJqMVN4/s16000/BB_015.jpg" /></a></div><p>We're Manley men here in Western WA, and have been since Dave Schueler first introduced us to, I think, <i>Narrow Seas</i> back in the 90s. David Manley's rules have much to recommend them and always provide a fun time. The <i>Broadside and Salvo</i> rules are no exception. They dispense with a lot of detail in order to get a fast-moving game with larger fleets. We played a slightly more simplified version than the rules. We didn't need to use ship cards, etc. Damage is at four levels: Hit, damaged, wrecked, sunk. We marked all of those states with little markers that Eric made—well, the first three; the last state was simply marked by removing the ship model. Shooting is a simple opposed die roll (D10) using the shooter's fire factor and the target's armor. One ship can assist in a shooting action, but after that no other ship can target a ship that's already been targeted.</p><p>The Germans won big according to the scenario victory conditions, but I must note that we sank two of their battleships and damaged another two, with only two of our battleships being damaged.</p><p>If I didn't have <i>so many</i> project irons in the fire, I'd be inclined to paint some 1:2400 ships for this era. As it is, I look forward to others like Eric and Kevin putting on games.</p><p>This is the second game day I've been to at Wizard's Keep. It's a really nice venue and Ralph Holloway does a great job running things. The next game day is December 9. I might have to plan something...</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Game 2: In the Zona</span></b></p><p>Since shortly after the start of The Great Plague™, our group has been meeting on Saturday nights over Zoom. We sit and paint and chat for an hour or more so we can catch up on what everyone is doing, propose future projects and games. Those "Paint 'n' Zoom" sessions were the genesis of much mischief and have contributed to my growing pile of <strike>unpainted</strike> <i><b>yet to be</b></i> painted minis.</p><p>Michael Koznarsky was always working on figures and terrain for <i>Zona Alfa</i>, a set of rules from Osprey that are based on the old Soviet-era novel <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Roadside-Picnic-Rediscovered-Classics-Strugatsky/dp/1613743416" target="_blank">Roadside Picnic</a></i> by Russian authors Arkady and Boris Strugatsky. The premise of the book and rules is that there is a zone where aliens, called "Visitors," have stopped and discarded their trash, which amounts to rare artifacts that can be sold for high prices outside the Zone. "Stalkers" are the people adventurous (or foolish) enough to attempt collecting all that good alien swag.</p><p>After he talked up the rules (I bought a copy) long enough, I suggested that he host a game for us, which he did at <i>Dworek</i> Koznarsky in charming Steilacoom, WA on Saturday.</p><p>The game plays like a cross between a standard skirmish game and D&D. It's cooperative in that all the players are on the same side and tasked with the same mission. Michael was the GM, Kevin, Eric, and I were the stalkers, with each of us running two characters.</p><p>Michael's game room has a beautiful view of the South Sound, featuring Ketron Island, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_Horizon_Air_Q400_incident" target="_blank">where a hijacked Horizon Air propjet crashed in 2018</a>. Although beautiful, the semi-cloudy day made for a bit of glare that affects the pics below.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOW4PWhRkEKkFmJeSsFqZ_bRJMQUgLenwKknimMbrMtRn-M-g8cbgN3PXRUejiybh2escr0_8uYSTvHWfo2izjzYXC_LdUPKmM7I4K0QQgLrSYvp_sQ7gcdQBC-0HEg9NHUbV1Tt24jUQ0LHnxE-hHeOICLyObeF34qjhNDYkgBOj9pha7lpbj0amUog/s550/ZA_010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOW4PWhRkEKkFmJeSsFqZ_bRJMQUgLenwKknimMbrMtRn-M-g8cbgN3PXRUejiybh2escr0_8uYSTvHWfo2izjzYXC_LdUPKmM7I4K0QQgLrSYvp_sQ7gcdQBC-0HEg9NHUbV1Tt24jUQ0LHnxE-hHeOICLyObeF34qjhNDYkgBOj9pha7lpbj0amUog/s16000/ZA_010.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUu1NPnXAl0IBK_qmet-9tFhTgY2N1M0o_W_GfQhyphenhypheniN1UkboKX4az0mDQXmXnCnCbkvL0TJN3jdhgPLdTz383M7e5-nShaWaEuoR_2wl4tWuofHnFvOVdEGzXSeRspm4HhUGhLSEOeMef7rcsrADb6-IUxE6Xh5RnurkUfNFkP3cP8YjI_-IorwjLPz6g/s602/ZA_009.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMihis8UgcDZsp_c630WPVqMCFbjeDPSwmQWD8mhbBAwPZr6aPCvys6mye9gTa1fxoV08hTuzWKzb8s7SsGEAMZ_qO1BodkkftKuZJ5boW70U9NNuMQBOkO6bbOvsaxHhC4K_p5dccU7vDnvWWf4Z1leNsk8Sagf_EFt2P7jRj5_H4X0ig6JqWTJvAq4/s16000/ZA_005.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNDkVKPSbJXW1ElSu-CKD0FbwBZnU9GK4gdkJO4fu0GNCgqV_x2OJsB1jklfnlmqo_zEBi9nSKwLgI_NfQer92hOGxzsDEm-OKfdnEAjx9MRfyYhikHRpX6HSBAYoj3LHITzN-ofL9Gdj_MBDCAuwEIXgIb5zW-X3vJhykzyBTzqLkU7smfSTyxayzJM/s550/ZA_003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="546" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNDkVKPSbJXW1ElSu-CKD0FbwBZnU9GK4gdkJO4fu0GNCgqV_x2OJsB1jklfnlmqo_zEBi9nSKwLgI_NfQer92hOGxzsDEm-OKfdnEAjx9MRfyYhikHRpX6HSBAYoj3LHITzN-ofL9Gdj_MBDCAuwEIXgIb5zW-X3vJhykzyBTzqLkU7smfSTyxayzJM/s16000/ZA_003.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyBQ3tAYI4AKdi56O5vpPUF14M0qh_bQxk1GXfLVvkedvVHXBCPQXroWbIELvMMx5qgHB29xF87Qmd8qLb4-XhH5txW6x8p8xVh18rPKPzDqBUxTDp34gdlET5r7MVToXyQlJTa58xRB4H8UW7a7Be_Sn7zoPILMrldtvwjLin8ZoqYOQ-JhZxRbllEHQ/s550/ZA_002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyBQ3tAYI4AKdi56O5vpPUF14M0qh_bQxk1GXfLVvkedvVHXBCPQXroWbIELvMMx5qgHB29xF87Qmd8qLb4-XhH5txW6x8p8xVh18rPKPzDqBUxTDp34gdlET5r7MVToXyQlJTa58xRB4H8UW7a7Be_Sn7zoPILMrldtvwjLin8ZoqYOQ-JhZxRbllEHQ/s16000/ZA_002.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtnmaw7n7znDT3Z-uT-ta5M9NSfsO2MaZFIwPwJxd5qvmTFyg7-wQA_N5N16TX0kybamUtz72CkNRpfhH3oojW0GcNoPsFDKHxNUhQZh9UD5ixDZ5RYka6BqJwLBdmuMAuZmLMUfrBX3JrE8AuKgjXwI0zqXVSUXkevmKjdei4PcKq91N19rHpiKGJuM/s550/ZA_001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtnmaw7n7znDT3Z-uT-ta5M9NSfsO2MaZFIwPwJxd5qvmTFyg7-wQA_N5N16TX0kybamUtz72CkNRpfhH3oojW0GcNoPsFDKHxNUhQZh9UD5ixDZ5RYka6BqJwLBdmuMAuZmLMUfrBX3JrE8AuKgjXwI0zqXVSUXkevmKjdei4PcKq91N19rHpiKGJuM/s16000/ZA_001.jpg" /></a></div><p>The actual rules are simple. The challenge of the game comes from emerging threats that are introduced by the GM as well as those triggered by getting too near to hot spots where danger lurks, but necessary because that's where the swag resides.</p><p>We managed to get the main objective, rescuing "The Professor" (alas no Mary Ann), as well as getting a lot of alien goodies and running up our kill rate against zombies, bandits, mutants, swarms, and other loathsome creatures that came at us. It was a fun time. I look forward to future adventures in the zone.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Incoming!</span></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDO_hgMZ6JMn2kW6J6lkefcFlYDVDWxqYl2wgIPLiZ1DSV6WyS_wZw92Dn8K7J_Zx845uiHY_7uXWLAljjkmamZsp7Jgv5zfkg-E-En3ZNuVYPxwGnmDVaFGu0_i5ggccuapMqxC2Tg-GzfGgpzOhIm1-RdXveOZ5ygH_zKC5TXWRH14cTGmlCoxyMWM/s550/incoming_radar.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDO_hgMZ6JMn2kW6J6lkefcFlYDVDWxqYl2wgIPLiZ1DSV6WyS_wZw92Dn8K7J_Zx845uiHY_7uXWLAljjkmamZsp7Jgv5zfkg-E-En3ZNuVYPxwGnmDVaFGu0_i5ggccuapMqxC2Tg-GzfGgpzOhIm1-RdXveOZ5ygH_zKC5TXWRH14cTGmlCoxyMWM/s16000/incoming_radar.jpg" /></a></b></div><p></p><p>I have a few things coming up worth noting. </p><p><b>MoF</b></p><p>This coming Saturday is our annual game day at the Boeing Museum of Flight in Seattle. I'll be running a four-player game of <i><a href="https://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2023/09/tribal-second-edition-review.html" target="_blank">Tribal</a></i> using my (at this point) almost completed horde of <a href="https://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2023/09/tiny-tin-troglodytes-because-im-364.html" target="_blank">Bobby Jackson and Lucid Eye cavemen</a>. I'll also bring out my newly painted paleolithic predators and prey: three mammoths, two cave lions, and a cave bear.</p><p><b>At the Height of Battle</b></p><p>With the caveman project soon to be done, I'll pivot over to painting 1:1200 scale ships for the Imjin War. I'm using the models from MT Miniatures. Dean Motoyama ran a game of this a few years back at one of the game days at the Veterans Museum in Chehalis. It's been a project on my radar ever since. I ordered the started kit with rules and ships along with several packs of ships to expand the fleets. My goal is to have two forces with three squadrons each. </p><p>The rules for the project are <i>At the Height of Battle</i> by the aforementioned Mr. Manley. Simple and elegant, they were fun to play an promise more fun to come. I expect the models to paint up quickly using speed paints as much as possible. I've already cleaned a few ships and cut out bases for them. I'm using uncharacteristic constraint to keep from doing more with them while I'm trying to finish the last of the cave men by Saturday.</p><p><b>Camerone</b></p><p>I'm planning on playing hooky on the 29th of this month in order to play in Kevin Smyth's game of Camerone down in Tacoma. Kevin has been a fan of playing the battle for as long as I've known him (30+ years). He's played games of it before and is doing it again after painting more figures. </p><p><b>Leisure?</b></p><p>My current work contract goes only to the end of this month. My manager wants to extend me, but she doesn't hold the purse strings. Still waiting to hear how that goes. If there's no extension, I'll be a free agent again, i.e., unemployed and looking for a job. That will also give me the opportunity to game on weekdays—but during December, that's iffy with everybody's holiday activities.</p><p><br /></p>David Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229259148925201182noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99962604511527341.post-13894286973843114612023-10-16T08:36:00.000-07:002023-10-16T08:36:54.995-07:00VetMu '23: The Re-Tribaling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZHKIK69ygEZNIYChNRcHEnV0pux7sFr5jY3WlQjDxAaSpYAvwz_t4yHNyv87LAOzmkxRBagEjiNsV_f3EyxRwG5G9lACaWwtOqOgrkVZAHJT3wWkBe2GTk92nydLS9l0U25Ts-4x40hamWcVocY-Udvk_-Qu2MILGBqKILTf3i1Uk2tyO3b-7G_quD78/s550/banner2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZHKIK69ygEZNIYChNRcHEnV0pux7sFr5jY3WlQjDxAaSpYAvwz_t4yHNyv87LAOzmkxRBagEjiNsV_f3EyxRwG5G9lACaWwtOqOgrkVZAHJT3wWkBe2GTk92nydLS9l0U25Ts-4x40hamWcVocY-Udvk_-Qu2MILGBqKILTf3i1Uk2tyO3b-7G_quD78/s16000/banner2.jpg" /></a></div><p>On Saturday, I drove 107 miles down to the Veterans Memorial Museum in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chehalis,_Washington" target="_blank">Chehalis, Wa</a> to host a game of <i><a href="http://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2023/09/tribal-second-edition-review.html" target="_blank">Tribal</a></i> at the VetMu game day event, which Gene Anderson has hosted for several years, with only a brief interruption in 2020 due to The Plague™. Gene is a Chehalien and has volunteered with the museum for a long time. Prior to that, he spent a longer time volunteering to jump out of airplanes for the Army.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtXx5jKTNg0rC0xkHBAypyivawSuZHlDJ8hpboYiUWSqYyPZ2hcyfBgvLe4ET77xcfjjNsJickwkCEyMRiazM3fye4KyOIWXuz0j7ffovwiJaTMLmMvIXLHbVvd6d9bnTIXkQBSbzBei3BykFJ_UuBWe7IYk7SZiNz9Z-2bOxFVjczzqDZnaedqG8GLY/s550/building.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtXx5jKTNg0rC0xkHBAypyivawSuZHlDJ8hpboYiUWSqYyPZ2hcyfBgvLe4ET77xcfjjNsJickwkCEyMRiazM3fye4KyOIWXuz0j7ffovwiJaTMLmMvIXLHbVvd6d9bnTIXkQBSbzBei3BykFJ_UuBWe7IYk7SZiNz9Z-2bOxFVjczzqDZnaedqG8GLY/s16000/building.jpg" /></a></div><p>One thing about the museum that delights me is that the main road sign features two of the 6-inch/30 Mk III guns that made up the main battery of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Concord_(PG-3)" target="_blank">USS Concord (PG-3)</a> which participated in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Manila_Bay" target="_blank">Battle of Manilla Bay</a> in 1898.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfvLT2tqvdzQHqNzfag5CJcLcDIhR3RthaRyDbsrr2_YJjRKOUythkvnzu5KT1uS__2xw479b2t7ZroNsn1uKwXGcbZ1f4nf-_b2_QxaAtrN2nLKtwvR7nREiQisXr4-Et6gaweUxsskUU0syJZb-uE_v28p3k1U5oD8423m73BBjANBqIyi_hNdpS6g/s550/Concord_Guns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfvLT2tqvdzQHqNzfag5CJcLcDIhR3RthaRyDbsrr2_YJjRKOUythkvnzu5KT1uS__2xw479b2t7ZroNsn1uKwXGcbZ1f4nf-_b2_QxaAtrN2nLKtwvR7nREiQisXr4-Et6gaweUxsskUU0syJZb-uE_v28p3k1U5oD8423m73BBjANBqIyi_hNdpS6g/s16000/Concord_Guns.jpg" /></a></div><p>The two guns had been in Woodland Park in Seattle since 1915. I'm not sure when they were removed, but the museum acquired them at some point in the near past. When we attended the first VetMu event, they were in a fenced-off area awaiting restoration work. At the time, we weren't sure what they were, but they looked old.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBt8v-AQVhaKHLkrL4-MPq40EbvF3K12AHZ9O8gJCtomJpRYtfgJT44NvEtYsUOHdHnl8QuzKoSTAL3LddnLOIJ50TztXYyF075rJVGhJ7q9-8KLyQe67OUTwbyaAC5TBjEaWwzIrkJ6gZnQluL4L_iSe2vqpdCOzczVo-pFRHpuOTFinAs4cBKyFFdlo/s550/concordGuns2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBt8v-AQVhaKHLkrL4-MPq40EbvF3K12AHZ9O8gJCtomJpRYtfgJT44NvEtYsUOHdHnl8QuzKoSTAL3LddnLOIJ50TztXYyF075rJVGhJ7q9-8KLyQe67OUTwbyaAC5TBjEaWwzIrkJ6gZnQluL4L_iSe2vqpdCOzczVo-pFRHpuOTFinAs4cBKyFFdlo/s16000/concordGuns2.jpg" /></a></div><p>Incidentally, Concord's guns in Chehalis aren't the only Manilla Bay veterans in the Pacific Northwest. Closer to home (for me) are the 8-inch/30 Mk I guns that comprised the main battery of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Boston_(1884)" target="_blank">USS Boston</a>, one of the ABCD ships that formed the beginning of the American steel navy, which are in Hamlin Park in Seattle. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_Iz9XWOwlNbQQIy6GPqXUZsz4z-carVj5b9qj-2VLFEzUHLldpbPaKB4lTtHCpBMZdj9lI4kxWZsyz9FlkATfCwjH0IGl0DaLU8Ic6rjjoH0_GAU21n2LOSlDkc2YcrhXNADwaSq0HgUh85dTLHBDku5GK19PSm8PcZf4xZDuerqBRvoVP9fZQz-4CQ/s550/Boston_guns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="226" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_Iz9XWOwlNbQQIy6GPqXUZsz4z-carVj5b9qj-2VLFEzUHLldpbPaKB4lTtHCpBMZdj9lI4kxWZsyz9FlkATfCwjH0IGl0DaLU8Ic6rjjoH0_GAU21n2LOSlDkc2YcrhXNADwaSq0HgUh85dTLHBDku5GK19PSm8PcZf4xZDuerqBRvoVP9fZQz-4CQ/s16000/Boston_guns.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p>One of the guns bears a plaque stating that it fired the first shot at the Battle of Manilla Bay. (I believe it was the aft gun, which took a potshot at Corregidor after the squadron had passed it.)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ikI6UYVXlaBPvvnH17AfhWMaoGio8bimQIMwOFQpSYnhBTs4xXEh33svonZHtw6Q4JXGrJvCqGy2h7GRq4qH7TPD_kWG4-dc5eSe3MSNuaYgomgr5CVimn18H19IPEcTCuTR8N2UdsBe9bBcbSsqVOkINPM_Vtee-m0DCnxaWMbEE5kxmX0VXvDwgE8/s550/BostonPlaque.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ikI6UYVXlaBPvvnH17AfhWMaoGio8bimQIMwOFQpSYnhBTs4xXEh33svonZHtw6Q4JXGrJvCqGy2h7GRq4qH7TPD_kWG4-dc5eSe3MSNuaYgomgr5CVimn18H19IPEcTCuTR8N2UdsBe9bBcbSsqVOkINPM_Vtee-m0DCnxaWMbEE5kxmX0VXvDwgE8/s16000/BostonPlaque.jpg" /></a></div><p>I would love to see VetMu acquire Boston's guns and put them in an appropriate setting. They're just rusting away in Hamlin Park. Ironically, no one knows when they were put there or why.</p><p>But I digress. </p><p>The VetMu event was attended by about 20 people, I think, and there were four games in the morning period and three in the afternoon period.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_LIncllJUVFrnGgDNccpaScivwecIetZOMgf4z52V2DjQROuoqWQQ5oQ8wOZeRduYxekpbifoxhm8X5c_LNkRu6RcaTIpg-EFr99nX-ysBVnQgy9CTE9VChwUL_52tEkSB6SmYOAwwayrwH1wBtRrwJMc4LU1u9Iks9WUgLivX5TswmNl7zlA0u1EvI/s550/gamePeriod1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_LIncllJUVFrnGgDNccpaScivwecIetZOMgf4z52V2DjQROuoqWQQ5oQ8wOZeRduYxekpbifoxhm8X5c_LNkRu6RcaTIpg-EFr99nX-ysBVnQgy9CTE9VChwUL_52tEkSB6SmYOAwwayrwH1wBtRrwJMc4LU1u9Iks9WUgLivX5TswmNl7zlA0u1EvI/s16000/gamePeriod1.jpg" /></a></div><p><a href="https://agamerstales.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Kevin Smyth</a> and I hosted a four-player game of <i>Tribal</i> in the first period using my beloved 40mm Bronze Age Europe guys. It's funny that figures that languished unused since 2019 (and since 2017 and 2016 before that) have suddenly found a new life with <i>Tribal</i>. I've gamed with them more times in the last two months than in the previous seven years.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieCgs3vMKbH_y4UpJAcljVUHwqaR8rdK-zkCD1D-UhqYp5XPWSptnKei-s6JWwj9tnepCjuZQ1z2ME6Dnnyzx96SNHi-z4i60Z4kmc2zS9FiB7jR76NISQRdSWktjYWYmVrx900S5NC_xRtdYX5Y-Xcw3nqAEFQUkE0p74lJMc0EXJhGnk9l68bc6efcw/s550/game1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieCgs3vMKbH_y4UpJAcljVUHwqaR8rdK-zkCD1D-UhqYp5XPWSptnKei-s6JWwj9tnepCjuZQ1z2ME6Dnnyzx96SNHi-z4i60Z4kmc2zS9FiB7jR76NISQRdSWktjYWYmVrx900S5NC_xRtdYX5Y-Xcw3nqAEFQUkE0p74lJMc0EXJhGnk9l68bc6efcw/s16000/game1.jpg" /></a></div><p>I acted as GM, Kevin and Dean Motoyama were on one side; Mark Serafin and Scott Murphy on the other. The warbands were somewhat even, except that Scott had the chariot and two horsemen, and Mark had one fewer character. I just ran out of figures. I have more unpainted minis, which I need to get to, but there's already so much in the queue.</p><p>We used the objective system from the rules, each player drawing two objective cards. Mark and Scott drew Jokers, Mark drawing black and Scott drawing red. Those are the wilder objectives. The black Joker required Mark to lose every figure to win and the red one required Scott to exit his warband from the opposite side of the table. Dean had to protect his people marker and destroy his loot marker. Kevin had to hold a position in the center of the table and rescue his people marker. The Joker objectives cancel all other objectives for the players, so Mark and Scott had only one objective.</p><p>Scott started off aggressively against Dean charging his chariot-mounted warlord into one of Dean's warrior formations and wiping it out.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJD89prraySOn2qB7gnhv3mjK4cfORqcRnftNOAVh7lOPBT4wwgR6qQPEncn_mXKIV38S3IodiLbRdlDCbPJKJGCjhprG6BXI2gep1JqvRWyDvSXewWXqO-cpUfOguDjObdSE41trvJmyFk9dDVrx1P4Klt9aDEIz9MUwybldhhMJisIzV3rn_7vP0iY/s550/chariot1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJD89prraySOn2qB7gnhv3mjK4cfORqcRnftNOAVh7lOPBT4wwgR6qQPEncn_mXKIV38S3IodiLbRdlDCbPJKJGCjhprG6BXI2gep1JqvRWyDvSXewWXqO-cpUfOguDjObdSE41trvJmyFk9dDVrx1P4Klt9aDEIz9MUwybldhhMJisIzV3rn_7vP0iY/s16000/chariot1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFgsMnC9xHTNzGRzuRfqt8cfqa1NKztPH6n5y-KD08IcvkZJeByUYy0GS78ePtr8DEr5QsM50ir3usaW9oqtM9xl6P4yFuBedtIW6-ZxDYV7QFIi4G60MsqtSDFNhBkxXNjFc-dfvdqMAUqFE-CCCOwc5MZmwrA7xxDLLKIenRaecK7sLYXarZmIL2Kdo/s550/scottAttack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFgsMnC9xHTNzGRzuRfqt8cfqa1NKztPH6n5y-KD08IcvkZJeByUYy0GS78ePtr8DEr5QsM50ir3usaW9oqtM9xl6P4yFuBedtIW6-ZxDYV7QFIi4G60MsqtSDFNhBkxXNjFc-dfvdqMAUqFE-CCCOwc5MZmwrA7xxDLLKIenRaecK7sLYXarZmIL2Kdo/s16000/scottAttack.jpg" /></a></div><p>Dean and Mark had standard bearers in their warbands, which allowed them to use the Rally Around the Flag rule. It benefited them mostly in depriving Scott and Kevin from getting honor points when they won combat rounds.</p><p>Mark came on and moved to isolate the hill where Kevin's people objective sat. Although each was ignorant of the other's objectives, that part of the game became the locus of action for them as Kevin tried to get to the marker and Mark tried to get his wee tin soldiers all dead.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOKchtBbEkh1xKckNWvvz8gtJQ8n7uYz-Ctd9lFVU_YJZPTBJPjLe_AxSbkuLaQmm5PaYpeY8Y95N9VhIlDOxZZ0fCMVLnaN3S56kisK6aK6BoLKEuikt_sTxpzMFyI0yleWVpOW7uZJhRD9CnoveNN3iuNAywN3apdaQSaWt1N9h9d6CpOkNRim5nfc/s550/markHill1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOKchtBbEkh1xKckNWvvz8gtJQ8n7uYz-Ctd9lFVU_YJZPTBJPjLe_AxSbkuLaQmm5PaYpeY8Y95N9VhIlDOxZZ0fCMVLnaN3S56kisK6aK6BoLKEuikt_sTxpzMFyI0yleWVpOW7uZJhRD9CnoveNN3iuNAywN3apdaQSaWt1N9h9d6CpOkNRim5nfc/s16000/markHill1.jpg" /></a></div><p>It seemed to me at one point that Mark and Dean were getting clobbered. Scott followed up wiping out one of Dean's warrior units, by moving in to wipe out his marksmen unit. Following up on that victory, Scott continued to circle around and attacked Dean's standard bearer, who'd already suffered a wound from Mark's marksmen unit and was hiding from further attention from Mark.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7x20nAf7pkiafquM3_-4hL0GPdHAYn3Y8Q_k3VVVuI6V184U8tvaiLm4EiTByG5WuRT3HJ3D3vHQdoMp5QrK04o4cDkvn24UbZD4MNFLZYK4KaR9GFdFhtbR7E6lT4Caz0X41NpssHUskHq-86zQR4Wx5Fp0_nbYDlsanbwt8n6marpvK-XLPVSEpNSI/s550/chariotStandard1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7x20nAf7pkiafquM3_-4hL0GPdHAYn3Y8Q_k3VVVuI6V184U8tvaiLm4EiTByG5WuRT3HJ3D3vHQdoMp5QrK04o4cDkvn24UbZD4MNFLZYK4KaR9GFdFhtbR7E6lT4Caz0X41NpssHUskHq-86zQR4Wx5Fp0_nbYDlsanbwt8n6marpvK-XLPVSEpNSI/s16000/chariotStandard1.jpg" /></a></div><p>The standard bearer went the way of Deans other two units before him. Scott was picking up slaughter points (from Dean) for wiping out Dean's units, but not getting victory points for winning combats because the Rally Around the Flag rule.</p><p>Meanwhile, Dean attacked and destroyed his loot objective marker and got his three honor points reward. It brought him back from the brink after losses to Scott had reduced him to two. He was also able to wipe out one of Scott's warrior units in a tough fight.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFBDc8j2MSbABG_p4Evaq5k6O3d5IbMWLPbNHawpl4s9Nnb7QDk1MroTm7cOa700U8K1vLT1NF9XeHTkmXJYBL_2MBbVPov3z9qwvwfv1b1aO8nfjjxCUHJPwt2HcIzjIoZPoBJ1bAXxtPD5xoJ4Wtc1xVP-EumNky2FPFyA3P_RH7gJ3L1Jv7qiDkU4/s550/deanHero1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFBDc8j2MSbABG_p4Evaq5k6O3d5IbMWLPbNHawpl4s9Nnb7QDk1MroTm7cOa700U8K1vLT1NF9XeHTkmXJYBL_2MBbVPov3z9qwvwfv1b1aO8nfjjxCUHJPwt2HcIzjIoZPoBJ1bAXxtPD5xoJ4Wtc1xVP-EumNky2FPFyA3P_RH7gJ3L1Jv7qiDkU4/s16000/deanHero1.jpg" /></a></div><p>At one point, by some anomaly, Scott managed to have three units left to activate while every other player had none. That was especially dangerous to Dean, whose warlord now came under repeated attacks by Scott's units. However, Dean managed to survive the assaults for a while (it's nice to armor).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXJo6jK6MoILdtHL39mTifaMjqI3Zg-__gQkSxNZPypTfcdYoE5x-Hp0hupy81vMe-innFvZFf6KkTBcFJVHe-DRC-Me-G6x0oqZ_HOojQi9KPE3_DZNsIq4Ds1pLIM8RV57U5BA835aOB4LONadMh18TZLVVb280KcyuC-B9lk3Dp7v5rdytlWFN8f4/s550/deanWarlord.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXJo6jK6MoILdtHL39mTifaMjqI3Zg-__gQkSxNZPypTfcdYoE5x-Hp0hupy81vMe-innFvZFf6KkTBcFJVHe-DRC-Me-G6x0oqZ_HOojQi9KPE3_DZNsIq4Ds1pLIM8RV57U5BA835aOB4LONadMh18TZLVVb280KcyuC-B9lk3Dp7v5rdytlWFN8f4/s16000/deanWarlord.jpg" /></a></div><p>He eventually succumbed, but not before he and Dean's remaining heror wiped out both of Scott's warrior formations and inflicted some hurt on his mounted heroes. Dean got no honor points, but if I were Dumbledore, I'd be awarding some to House Motoyama for a heroic stand against the odds.</p><p>At his point, Scott started to skedaddle as he assumed the game was nearing an end. We didn't actually have a set game length, but it was nearing noon when the first session ended. I also think he'd started to calculate that trying to stay and kill all of Dean's units might cost him victory points in the end.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuY6bjNbOhSbpI8Zhj8YGOpIN_bIjnyU6MB5z_zN8CBT9_n-dqvlGmmEO-UqqFPeInBDvFzq8M7SwOcEh4AJ55SuVT8jopMZ6CjfhH9PsPKIwKrMiXklfexOfs9fnbSHWNncv1aOszb159SWZf13HZSZNKll9HYtbu1bU0SoxexvAZBaK-B_yCqtW9H8w/s557/scottSkedaddle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="557" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuY6bjNbOhSbpI8Zhj8YGOpIN_bIjnyU6MB5z_zN8CBT9_n-dqvlGmmEO-UqqFPeInBDvFzq8M7SwOcEh4AJ55SuVT8jopMZ6CjfhH9PsPKIwKrMiXklfexOfs9fnbSHWNncv1aOszb159SWZf13HZSZNKll9HYtbu1bU0SoxexvAZBaK-B_yCqtW9H8w/s16000/scottSkedaddle.jpg" /></a></div><p>Over on the other side, Kevin managed to keep killing Mark's figures while not knowing that it was exactly what Mark wanted. Kevin lost no figures at all in the game, although his warlord and hero got banged up some.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPjOPa_Y-wbsdYYTTmCROSJLlydT_sdA1I8_gTM4PMKXbK7RqQvsv5qRglWtvuDMVdxG-jFvClBQLwINtZGvZVg0h6W0s6HaXG-3ZrfTDwRVkqSd8DIX-ivGSsqY-LY_iktPCMVUHf6hudFCcKwOYnIlTAh4KcO1hxV47kxq4wIGIjPf3XhwmhekQNebs/s550/markKevinEnd1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPjOPa_Y-wbsdYYTTmCROSJLlydT_sdA1I8_gTM4PMKXbK7RqQvsv5qRglWtvuDMVdxG-jFvClBQLwINtZGvZVg0h6W0s6HaXG-3ZrfTDwRVkqSd8DIX-ivGSsqY-LY_iktPCMVUHf6hudFCcKwOYnIlTAh4KcO1hxV47kxq4wIGIjPf3XhwmhekQNebs/s16000/markKevinEnd1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYRG-AbzQtbqICk9GqF_L4-EcpR2MtOUZUF2ih-Wppgb6yh7SJtuR0h5omOZ2kxK_u7RPX2LKWx4WVMn6SkIno9Mb4TLq0_ttNAOw5QAck3Bgt6BNqkq-hLS7i75y4I4xbJF4VAHX5VZlqxxdImWc4U4409Gwa62BWZMXl3lznOscfdP9VWaMmm6Jcrw/s619/markKevinEnd2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYRG-AbzQtbqICk9GqF_L4-EcpR2MtOUZUF2ih-Wppgb6yh7SJtuR0h5omOZ2kxK_u7RPX2LKWx4WVMn6SkIno9Mb4TLq0_ttNAOw5QAck3Bgt6BNqkq-hLS7i75y4I4xbJF4VAHX5VZlqxxdImWc4U4409Gwa62BWZMXl3lznOscfdP9VWaMmm6Jcrw/s16000/markKevinEnd2.jpg" /></a></div><p>Mark's standard bearer was the last to go down. When he did, Mark shouted "Victory!" and revealed his objective: Getting all his warband killed.</p><p>Scott got his four surviving units off the board for eight honor points. His game total was 20. Dean achieved both his objectives and got 6 points for them, but losing four units (one of them his warlord) had cost him five slaughter points. He ended the game with 12 points. Kevin, didn't get either objective and lost six points, winding up with a total of 7 points remaining (I think). There were likely a lot of points he didn't get from winning combat rounds because of Mark's standard bearer inspiring the troops to not lose even when they're beaten. Mark had only three points, but won anyway because getting everyone killed was his sole victory condition and superseded any calculation of honor points. Funnily, Mark having one fewer character than everyone else contributed to his victory.</p><p>The game unquestionably went to Mark and Scott. </p><p>It was the first time that Scott, Mark, and Dean played <i>Tribal</i>. I think they enjoyed it. Maybe they'll buy the rules...</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Ad prandium et ultra</b></span></p><p>As we have done at most past VetMu events, Kevin and I went for lunch at the Market Street Pub and Grill in Chehalis.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQreuNAhLkVXfFoQ2kohKDSbx_a2li3irGu5OzgOfFq1DxyNc2hZMM2uyCBtUv5GM6xiLr3u-buxrEP9O87_L6gn2jJnHCR3n3ApfLle-EGWBn29THjIvnafzcJlYbzQqyZN7St5I3oK3HxeF_P_6cjs8RmK6l5Jt9f3T9Sy7q2pKL-PSEWkWgtXGkhA/s550/pubAndGrill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQreuNAhLkVXfFoQ2kohKDSbx_a2li3irGu5OzgOfFq1DxyNc2hZMM2uyCBtUv5GM6xiLr3u-buxrEP9O87_L6gn2jJnHCR3n3ApfLle-EGWBn29THjIvnafzcJlYbzQqyZN7St5I3oK3HxeF_P_6cjs8RmK6l5Jt9f3T9Sy7q2pKL-PSEWkWgtXGkhA/s16000/pubAndGrill.jpg" /></a></div><p>It's simple fare for simple folk and they draw a good draft. I couldn't help thinking that it was 2019 when we were last there with Dave Schueler.</p><p>After lunch, I decided not to stay for the second period. Even though I'd appealed online in the weeks before the event that participants not bail out after the first period, I bailed out. In my defense, I left home at 6:00 am to drive down and figured that if I stayed to then end, I'd get home around 7:00 pm and have to face a very indignant cat, who would have been waiting <i>very</i> impatiently for his dinner.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboMxYywsKWcrKv4wB5ug3EOWRJzghPLWip6mAauyyJuo4hcX9r30gXQnxy_TFfHfrLdMFUMPiZjLA0d-09HXc1Me0iSKEanzHIQGFXwl0ksb3MvfrTE3TFTIWO89jCEysNRPWtK78j9Q7Wb54p0YQHil1HIvLxtJDdesdoD1-3ANZJZ8fFifsyOIZsv4/s612/tybaltPissed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboMxYywsKWcrKv4wB5ug3EOWRJzghPLWip6mAauyyJuo4hcX9r30gXQnxy_TFfHfrLdMFUMPiZjLA0d-09HXc1Me0iSKEanzHIQGFXwl0ksb3MvfrTE3TFTIWO89jCEysNRPWtK78j9Q7Wb54p0YQHil1HIvLxtJDdesdoD1-3ANZJZ8fFifsyOIZsv4/s16000/tybaltPissed.jpg" /></a></div><p>My bigger fear, apart from facing Tybalt's disapprobation, was that I'd be so tired after being up since 4:00 am, driving for two hours, then setting up and running a game, that I'd fall asleep on the two-hour drive home after playing another game until 5:00. Even leaving when I did, I had to stop at a gas station/quick mart just south of Seattle to stretch my legs, walk a bit, and get an energy drink to be reasonably sure I'd make the remaining 37 miles to home.</p><p>I got home a bit after three. After attending to cats, I zonked out for a power nap until 5:00.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Other games</span></b></p><p>Focused on running my game as I was, I didn't see much of what else was going on, but the gist of the other games for the first session were Lawrence Bateman running a "Hedgerow Hell" Normandy scenario using <i>Chain of Command</i> rules, Greg Moore running a "Rat Patrol" game based on the <i>Mad Maximilien</i> rules by Mana Press (the same people who do <i>Tribal</i>), and Bruce Smith running a "Halloween Rampant" game set in Barbie Town using <i>Xenos Rampant</i>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2B6l99D6crd47az9KRVs2JppTFfFavOTNsLJBWkR9_T36XDNg8js45L8KZ3He6yjyvn27i9SfsSvMFbwCgIBnUG9I4KEcW57SWu5eNaE1XC51p0XKGEAq1BdTe-aeA8-KFSRydVXxoHHy1_agNUyvQSeRKt9d8bxhkTuR80KXZwGXRkhzKmDsgQ6zck/s550/barbieTown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2B6l99D6crd47az9KRVs2JppTFfFavOTNsLJBWkR9_T36XDNg8js45L8KZ3He6yjyvn27i9SfsSvMFbwCgIBnUG9I4KEcW57SWu5eNaE1XC51p0XKGEAq1BdTe-aeA8-KFSRydVXxoHHy1_agNUyvQSeRKt9d8bxhkTuR80KXZwGXRkhzKmDsgQ6zck/s16000/barbieTown.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgejc2lnOiL6UkY-mbZscli-LytOZMYzUvmCQgafR8vOElHCiOlgJ02Z5oX4lgN2PGxAnrz8BFT2Kkyi946wOH6PRr76E-96T9qE0C-2FXjyeatZgSu7Id-NBbDj3zpkDidWjGrzN0hUR65rzwIj5De4zgytwi_O6ndgI-dBqSV4b2Gzt4LaB5d6Y6UTVo/s550/hedgerowHell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgejc2lnOiL6UkY-mbZscli-LytOZMYzUvmCQgafR8vOElHCiOlgJ02Z5oX4lgN2PGxAnrz8BFT2Kkyi946wOH6PRr76E-96T9qE0C-2FXjyeatZgSu7Id-NBbDj3zpkDidWjGrzN0hUR65rzwIj5De4zgytwi_O6ndgI-dBqSV4b2Gzt4LaB5d6Y6UTVo/s16000/hedgerowHell.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywPjsDFaxUedNEpfQAb2V2HnPi6VAqBfgEplBuHLpY0GRVFyox6NnP1upMxqN4MXGGLO2by75LrBVTtpt7DljZ6Hvw4jhKi9Si7cMdKeZxOzrCYAr3udSSnEhNqebtrwPTWFn4J59abOakr6VzfIXbger2bTnRjZ3gh0wHG3FyARNTsk5aIY0jLgAu8Y/s550/ratPatrol1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywPjsDFaxUedNEpfQAb2V2HnPi6VAqBfgEplBuHLpY0GRVFyox6NnP1upMxqN4MXGGLO2by75LrBVTtpt7DljZ6Hvw4jhKi9Si7cMdKeZxOzrCYAr3udSSnEhNqebtrwPTWFn4J59abOakr6VzfIXbger2bTnRjZ3gh0wHG3FyARNTsk5aIY0jLgAu8Y/s16000/ratPatrol1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgX7YLrXnHijjxWm9kfB_siC_XsHOJNORRQK7utYcsy0eL-6pGbuVnNL4f3y_THHTCuf9_KLTMOFTAEmJxd_GPgbGn7RP9LGzqN_At5JEYIcMyYrZ7KCreHHz90YixgQiY2Fba40pwpF_ZvrukQWFw_t4BQE6c1Mj-4G9a3Her9DXEGktBScF8WKuaO8/s550/ratPatrol2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgX7YLrXnHijjxWm9kfB_siC_XsHOJNORRQK7utYcsy0eL-6pGbuVnNL4f3y_THHTCuf9_KLTMOFTAEmJxd_GPgbGn7RP9LGzqN_At5JEYIcMyYrZ7KCreHHz90YixgQiY2Fba40pwpF_ZvrukQWFw_t4BQE6c1Mj-4G9a3Her9DXEGktBScF8WKuaO8/s16000/ratPatrol2.jpg" /></a></div><p>Second period games were James Sagen running a Napoleonic game using <i>Rebels and Patriots</i> rules, Scott Murphy running a Rangers of Shadowdeep game using <i>Frostgrave</i> rules, and Dean Motoyama running a WW1 game (with tanks!) using <i>Bolt Action</i> rules. All pics here stolen from Dean's FB post.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZD2loGDe2c_j_niF-GtSf91Rd9fpL_6NfAEgE3QqDcwAa6ea-_kb818_3ackiuKlAn6lCjWiegxHR-JFCtKagWjF7Ej61WjPpKF0U9GtjIWwNj77pyybfkpXjfRRCYyYfrryB6N6X-UFvkCtRHGewrxTDg6YolAWhOsVZ42lPOGYWbVwJ1WNqCD2Pcrw/s550/rebPats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZD2loGDe2c_j_niF-GtSf91Rd9fpL_6NfAEgE3QqDcwAa6ea-_kb818_3ackiuKlAn6lCjWiegxHR-JFCtKagWjF7Ej61WjPpKF0U9GtjIWwNj77pyybfkpXjfRRCYyYfrryB6N6X-UFvkCtRHGewrxTDg6YolAWhOsVZ42lPOGYWbVwJ1WNqCD2Pcrw/s16000/rebPats.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ovR7hMADdBxTulUX3NTby411YMsmuqUJpRv-z1aZeMsDxU_yKqY3zSgJNZCNQKu2AzAxWcJYS_11Z6ThUWIt6Pc5iPyvL5p8k5sqMB8GmLlDn1_eqC26NFioBT7ya4bRkHVggIXMClGO4pTws_-mUHmu8G_gwhtlPF4_W84qFY59r-4HAnTDgxGD_Aw/s550/shadowDeep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ovR7hMADdBxTulUX3NTby411YMsmuqUJpRv-z1aZeMsDxU_yKqY3zSgJNZCNQKu2AzAxWcJYS_11Z6ThUWIt6Pc5iPyvL5p8k5sqMB8GmLlDn1_eqC26NFioBT7ya4bRkHVggIXMClGO4pTws_-mUHmu8G_gwhtlPF4_W84qFY59r-4HAnTDgxGD_Aw/s16000/shadowDeep.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6RGjaPufhC4Cy1NUhntgzv0pIh72cf5s9M1yn_A2ktM7Cu1UxTTZAnvwuHe4FARGl5T_UMrvz_aEu8zVbz24yUkRbMpe0t1sy1CSd_NmBgCFwasq_LHHXljjKA8ghP5LTkRDVD6cd3wFKSuLYzAxS_SVxAkKr4xrJCy4gJdrDis_JmQ6SFhQeWQHvUOw/s550/ww1_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6RGjaPufhC4Cy1NUhntgzv0pIh72cf5s9M1yn_A2ktM7Cu1UxTTZAnvwuHe4FARGl5T_UMrvz_aEu8zVbz24yUkRbMpe0t1sy1CSd_NmBgCFwasq_LHHXljjKA8ghP5LTkRDVD6cd3wFKSuLYzAxS_SVxAkKr4xrJCy4gJdrDis_JmQ6SFhQeWQHvUOw/s16000/ww1_1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98_u1_TVkGQ8wG7RUZuLssjy1qnAXJaGlbbzrtI5EEOFxO7HTsyJngOQwr0Hn8cvg8KJJLKvtyjLrvt19_E1sRaufF5OkM9xaKxlWYtxa8SoWh_aXnkaidZwlKtbbO5T-38O3eO6fk4sd1EYlTHilMdS9fLi26BH5y7Lewx_S8QZY7jHMfqRRAaIDjz8/s550/ww1_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98_u1_TVkGQ8wG7RUZuLssjy1qnAXJaGlbbzrtI5EEOFxO7HTsyJngOQwr0Hn8cvg8KJJLKvtyjLrvt19_E1sRaufF5OkM9xaKxlWYtxa8SoWh_aXnkaidZwlKtbbO5T-38O3eO6fk4sd1EYlTHilMdS9fLi26BH5y7Lewx_S8QZY7jHMfqRRAaIDjz8/s16000/ww1_2.jpg" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Swag</span></b></p><p>As usual, there was a bring 'n' buy at the VetMu. Chris Bauermeister is downsizing his collection of everything and had several books for sale cheap. I walked away with a few treasures.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4P6-kU2O68x_KbgE4R9BDs6hFjv9EIbH_ctZWhd-ltUYS63cwCywPnV7sS0Ntvt2XMoBz5FxUqIDTBpXsy_HVROLa_IXMZuC9zbGYMalb-IZB1zHTanCauYPzViTTihHnp0I8oDhpilAjSjifAAwB31kgdKD3M_AaDl4Br1hbi2SMJrkvLaOhmo6QlLY/s747/books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4P6-kU2O68x_KbgE4R9BDs6hFjv9EIbH_ctZWhd-ltUYS63cwCywPnV7sS0Ntvt2XMoBz5FxUqIDTBpXsy_HVROLa_IXMZuC9zbGYMalb-IZB1zHTanCauYPzViTTihHnp0I8oDhpilAjSjifAAwB31kgdKD3M_AaDl4Br1hbi2SMJrkvLaOhmo6QlLY/s16000/books.jpg" /></a></div><p>I'd never heard of Anton Gindely's work before. He was a Bohemian historian in the late 19th c. His two-volume <i>Geschichte des dreissigjährigen Krieges</i> was translated and published in English in 1882. This is a 1972 reprint of that edition. </p><p>When I got to looking at my email yesterday afternoon (after unzonking from my power nap), I found that the Kickstarter I joined for The Tales of Beowulf was nearing fulfillment, i.e., they wanted my credit card info, which I think implies that something's moving.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHoBp7KVueNDEUvwV0tSWoHpwVuGjYQrdbwCMYhFURdVSVGXAYO2uEn4z5EK7vhXQudwIOZa26D8P-pkSO8x98I8iA234UQC6antT-h0Z_jMTwYEJbSF4eXu-vvVTWrkUabawHsefpnzAOK-wO8bCdHn7frSJMbH_A12BR2HTuw7T5Q8nsGw3iAhWnZs/s550/beowulf_KS550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="314" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHoBp7KVueNDEUvwV0tSWoHpwVuGjYQrdbwCMYhFURdVSVGXAYO2uEn4z5EK7vhXQudwIOZa26D8P-pkSO8x98I8iA234UQC6antT-h0Z_jMTwYEJbSF4eXu-vvVTWrkUabawHsefpnzAOK-wO8bCdHn7frSJMbH_A12BR2HTuw7T5Q8nsGw3iAhWnZs/s16000/beowulf_KS550.jpg" /></a></div><p>I ordered enough figures to make a <i>Saga</i> warband or two <i>Tribal</i> warbands. The minis look beautiful. I hope they don't disappoint on size and heft. I like heft and I cannot lie. I'm not sure when they'll show up. I've been thinking it was end of the year, but it may be sooner.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Coming up: The Return of the Son of the Tribaling (or something like that)</span></b></p><p>Our next NHMGS event will be the game day on November 18 at the Boeing Museum of Flight under the big SR-71 (actually an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_A-12#M-21" target="_blank">M-21 variant of the Lockheed A-12</a>). I expect to have the rest of my <a href="https://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2023/09/tiny-tin-troglodytes-because-im-364.html" target="_blank">BoJack cavemen</a> painted by then and I'll put on a four-player <i>Tribal</i> game with them.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzS8NW25kEgBjTzaF4sCSKUHjkfZVr-gBqlsr3vsYHBPLLSEKTil84iWL39yL0A-QTG0SWSBpg0qlzWWgfM-numwbmtJ2y0UnFWKpo8umI5lzJKb7CG4Hi2tyMzEVIHA5X-1U03VZS0dNxPDXUp-r1SMoRHDT0mmo3p7qBLW6CYxX3c6A_tsOicFiNwHg/s550/sr71.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzS8NW25kEgBjTzaF4sCSKUHjkfZVr-gBqlsr3vsYHBPLLSEKTil84iWL39yL0A-QTG0SWSBpg0qlzWWgfM-numwbmtJ2y0UnFWKpo8umI5lzJKb7CG4Hi2tyMzEVIHA5X-1U03VZS0dNxPDXUp-r1SMoRHDT0mmo3p7qBLW6CYxX3c6A_tsOicFiNwHg/s16000/sr71.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>David Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229259148925201182noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99962604511527341.post-21014527985542833112023-10-09T11:25:00.003-07:002023-10-09T11:48:59.472-07:00Me so lithic, me rock you long time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxCATrjyyzEx7_cXKhdTiVRQjlVCBaSCbApL2pBwGJGD7TdieQTYvVyplXObW_3aYSiV8jH1lK9USWH-9IITliAlPc1gR5edV_3ZyM12Tc_e0jQuJO5cvAbNQJlkLeAqxi4CsLG-0Gcquo7yAluGzP-wD6EMcL2lrwvIZWa1O71FkCa56Yl1SrkgqHwY/s550/banner.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="178" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxCATrjyyzEx7_cXKhdTiVRQjlVCBaSCbApL2pBwGJGD7TdieQTYvVyplXObW_3aYSiV8jH1lK9USWH-9IITliAlPc1gR5edV_3ZyM12Tc_e0jQuJO5cvAbNQJlkLeAqxi4CsLG-0Gcquo7yAluGzP-wD6EMcL2lrwvIZWa1O71FkCa56Yl1SrkgqHwY/s16000/banner.png" /></a></div><p>Well, it's <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleolithic" target="_blank">Paleolithic</a> really, not <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesolithic" target="_blank">Mesolithic</a>, but I couldn't resist the title. Sue me. My <a href="https://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2023/09/tiny-tin-troglodytes-because-im-364.html" target="_blank">Bobby Jackson cavemen</a> <i>et al.</i> had their first outing in a <i><a href="https://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2023/09/tribal-second-edition-review.html" target="_blank">Tribal</a></i> game on Sunday. I packed the boys in my car and took them on a ride to Eric's house in charming West Seattle.</p><p>I have enough figures painted to make two fairly good-sized warbands with figures to spare. Most are the Bobby Jackson cavemen from North Star; the rest are Lucid Eye Neanderthals and Neolithics from the Savage Core and Beyond the Savage Core ranges. Each side had a warlord, two heroes, three warbands, and one marksmen unit. Because of the mix of figures I have, one side had two spear units and one with clubs, the other had two club units and one with spears.</p><p>We played on my 3x3 F.A.T. Mat from TableWar. I was able to use my recently-painted rock terrain. It was appropriately stone-agey.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_wFq-Ky0XFRY2nRQr0IvQD5HMplwDMUTQcQG0A7jVpbEPN41RnZyUpN30-OBw6x8PvZz3R8SM51M6OmFRP6XUdtGOcL8Gdlw1Z-qngs8GuVAdiJh9SEUnSgSRcHtRTqEmgmK8UlD17iuPxhXQmJwJb7RqYQYo2i-ETE3dV34sUi6GFq9fef7zpg8NIQ/s550/setup.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="361" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_wFq-Ky0XFRY2nRQr0IvQD5HMplwDMUTQcQG0A7jVpbEPN41RnZyUpN30-OBw6x8PvZz3R8SM51M6OmFRP6XUdtGOcL8Gdlw1Z-qngs8GuVAdiJh9SEUnSgSRcHtRTqEmgmK8UlD17iuPxhXQmJwJb7RqYQYo2i-ETE3dV34sUi6GFq9fef7zpg8NIQ/s16000/setup.jpg" /></a></div><p>We drew for two objectives each. Eric drew a heart (people) and a diamond (loot). His objectives were to kill the person marker (death to the betrayer!) and carry away the loot marker. I drew two clubs (territory) and had to both attack and Defend. I needed to have more of my units on my side than Eric did and more of my units on Eric's side than he did, which I thought might be a stretch. As it turns out, because I drew two clubs, I only needed to achieve one of the objectives, not both.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzsaA9pwzR1xXiazPGSFbXtr1VrZEk9mFf1zJN6eXUj5aqS5hjOIHe67u5DKmaVde5afrydAmAkDHy-NlJgU4NueA81aFk1HIXHTBSOBHxRv_X6Zfry1Fd9iXjE9Sz-BOwm5omJSMNOtk2NgsngKUjD7svSZJyMHQBAPlUwkgmzAKVyDI8IVstL0IXtk/s550/ericsBoys1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzsaA9pwzR1xXiazPGSFbXtr1VrZEk9mFf1zJN6eXUj5aqS5hjOIHe67u5DKmaVde5afrydAmAkDHy-NlJgU4NueA81aFk1HIXHTBSOBHxRv_X6Zfry1Fd9iXjE9Sz-BOwm5omJSMNOtk2NgsngKUjD7svSZJyMHQBAPlUwkgmzAKVyDI8IVstL0IXtk/s16000/ericsBoys1.jpg" /></a></div><p>I cleverly deployed my marksmen atop a rock, although it was by no means a place of vantage to dominate the field. Apart from one hit (which was a good one on Eric's warlord), they were either ineffectively lobbing their missiles into the ground or busy dodging Eric's missiles lobbed at them.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmuxvM8son5a1GQ5BVtFASlfwiPjcCUkjN6g2gnjjN1NXzAs8Xs5Gp-j8lpFl-kudylA9k1eFSvBUJcTf_ZNO1ILqfaNGmk-LwUiyVI3N0N_4dq2D-lAaCj5k4rO3tZvVzIEAoD7jixi__-5bp5lxw7soBPQkj1xEOj3SzP6bvZ3E7ddCtsTZjpGfmD2I/s550/marksmenHill.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmuxvM8son5a1GQ5BVtFASlfwiPjcCUkjN6g2gnjjN1NXzAs8Xs5Gp-j8lpFl-kudylA9k1eFSvBUJcTf_ZNO1ILqfaNGmk-LwUiyVI3N0N_4dq2D-lAaCj5k4rO3tZvVzIEAoD7jixi__-5bp5lxw7soBPQkj1xEOj3SzP6bvZ3E7ddCtsTZjpGfmD2I/s16000/marksmenHill.jpg" /></a></div><p>The first flashpoint of the game was on my left / Eric's right. I came on strong charging first my spearmen and then my warlord against a unit of Eric's spearmen. I immediately floundered.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7aXSQ02knDfRFTo1fLVJmvsdow3UKfqns2M1yos44wkbvVHSW1jIdE8wgBGDpw5LrC5rFAnR7CWFCxIZZ29m436ytJdmZpfaungZ-JirGr9Cr3Xo_cd9xT3yu124EYhLRXh6B01rQ8gqvli6kUYDJXasEljpoJDMHNrdBMiFjKjMYdHXajxv_kXPEVbc/s550/leftFlank1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7aXSQ02knDfRFTo1fLVJmvsdow3UKfqns2M1yos44wkbvVHSW1jIdE8wgBGDpw5LrC5rFAnR7CWFCxIZZ29m436ytJdmZpfaungZ-JirGr9Cr3Xo_cd9xT3yu124EYhLRXh6B01rQ8gqvli6kUYDJXasEljpoJDMHNrdBMiFjKjMYdHXajxv_kXPEVbc/s16000/leftFlank1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSErRRRlYTKs8bCtMXB3FW8ETdXb5UllZJZvIAEsQF_srjoj4pUaiOXVujcnP5Ss-MBeLboTW8LyxW4UUQ3M6OjD4yDuAJ0a2mm7WdvWgwnyTpv3_hBxDWC5nto0t18HU7dOnON9dRWX4emX6yqip05uYJYRNw5TTYl4hSvIZp5wFh97GTq4Po27LsBbs/s550/leftFlank2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="508" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSErRRRlYTKs8bCtMXB3FW8ETdXb5UllZJZvIAEsQF_srjoj4pUaiOXVujcnP5Ss-MBeLboTW8LyxW4UUQ3M6OjD4yDuAJ0a2mm7WdvWgwnyTpv3_hBxDWC5nto0t18HU7dOnON9dRWX4emX6yqip05uYJYRNw5TTYl4hSvIZp5wFh97GTq4Po27LsBbs/s16000/leftFlank2.jpg" /></a></div><p>I outnumbered Eric by four units to two over there, but I was on the ropes. My combat hands were just crap. He was more aggressive there than I was. Unknown to me at the time, taking out the Neanderthal mother and child people marker in that area was one of his objectives. He kept trying to blitz through to get at her, but kept bumping into my units and wacking them around.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtEOp9odwx9oC_AlLLX67WqDoBlhTSzinT8ZI8DxGnsPdnu4G6frzNEAPxz-tenKOj80PRIfk0GbkgCd3onJw-66rvDjlAYSxV16-U3Kdu4nhlPlwWNiehJOWM_UfQBmeBn7yynEeaPl_Dzbe3zdlxlMMABXgxlRTXI2qnlOLTd7Vi1sp8yMHrq9Uiuk/s550/leftFlank3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtEOp9odwx9oC_AlLLX67WqDoBlhTSzinT8ZI8DxGnsPdnu4G6frzNEAPxz-tenKOj80PRIfk0GbkgCd3onJw-66rvDjlAYSxV16-U3Kdu4nhlPlwWNiehJOWM_UfQBmeBn7yynEeaPl_Dzbe3zdlxlMMABXgxlRTXI2qnlOLTd7Vi1sp8yMHrq9Uiuk/s16000/leftFlank3.jpg" /></a></div><p>My much-oppressed spearmen, hero, and warlord were soon joined by a unit of clubmen that had been skulking through the woods to get on Eric's flank.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyYP7-i1cmQcxec-WixxzUXGGlTEsWMrvhnuUCtsSPHYu0W9WDoqys7ITg5Z7KCM1DAxSmoFv1sg5Gh2Y-2hVi_1IQZkhhFxiNfmv_fBfiP1IF5AXaBNdOV-YO2mE7Ct7Rai7DoWQkUA9ytrkJRvzE6Fs1NxOmNPeeVWRjlBrH8b9dMBU9dofKv1oclg/s550/skulkingClubs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyYP7-i1cmQcxec-WixxzUXGGlTEsWMrvhnuUCtsSPHYu0W9WDoqys7ITg5Z7KCM1DAxSmoFv1sg5Gh2Y-2hVi_1IQZkhhFxiNfmv_fBfiP1IF5AXaBNdOV-YO2mE7Ct7Rai7DoWQkUA9ytrkJRvzE6Fs1NxOmNPeeVWRjlBrH8b9dMBU9dofKv1oclg/s16000/skulkingClubs.jpg" /></a></div><p>It wasn't exactly Stonewall at Chancellorsville, but it started to turn the tide.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBfJ9dB0TZO11KINTansMyYPFu-QDN7tLwGm0sPckceaxrhR1UT1sm0OqtZyqTKIJwjY5CHOyBJmkNVDPl_XzvrobP_rTArX_2bun9OazGxikIYhQRhGN0h30tryl4T5aJTmzUSona86pRitVw5jP8Mtb9Y2TiDIDMLh7kSLoByU92EiurOMBkUJWE8g/s550/flankAttack.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBfJ9dB0TZO11KINTansMyYPFu-QDN7tLwGm0sPckceaxrhR1UT1sm0OqtZyqTKIJwjY5CHOyBJmkNVDPl_XzvrobP_rTArX_2bun9OazGxikIYhQRhGN0h30tryl4T5aJTmzUSona86pRitVw5jP8Mtb9Y2TiDIDMLh7kSLoByU92EiurOMBkUJWE8g/s16000/flankAttack.jpg" /></a></div><p>Over on my right, Eric was moving his other hero around the edge of the board. I countered with my other hero—or shero, I should say, since it's one of my female character figures. She's got a club in one hand and a papoose on her back and she looks mean. She's one of the Lucid Eye Neolithics.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB3LYOOcr_hsC1w2aLgl_EBjOlyPCeKlXGPYR38hqHbuHKr29jK_juspK5SVfpLEZbnj_gDkzNUzB1_229ePe4rCUDmHWpB33YmqneKZQdto1B5I2eRsKjZ0dPT0dm0n3QXg_mZzsBmvHIzCh_hH_4AeVc2KtlR3sWYGqmyFJU_RmJ__WPTIdBFOUlzdw/s588/girlBoss.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB3LYOOcr_hsC1w2aLgl_EBjOlyPCeKlXGPYR38hqHbuHKr29jK_juspK5SVfpLEZbnj_gDkzNUzB1_229ePe4rCUDmHWpB33YmqneKZQdto1B5I2eRsKjZ0dPT0dm0n3QXg_mZzsBmvHIzCh_hH_4AeVc2KtlR3sWYGqmyFJU_RmJ__WPTIdBFOUlzdw/s16000/girlBoss.jpg" /></a></div><p>She wasn't as mean as Eric's hero, however. He knocked her around good, baby on her back notwithstanding.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZkOblWasjJClrtZ9ck5HwMDrYmdHwQz36PzxZ1zZ1FjW5yl8LW717KJg361rTx6e4shUZ79QuDmNpQPD0zXVH5I1g9yvNFy4iD35_wUFEpEh-9EYlCs3kwSF8ZLmK0SKYN9fkIadAYUJdK_B-AY5mHDk3ECg7aYVkm6EhnnBMQFeY4mJTES1BLnrprs/s550/girlFight.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZkOblWasjJClrtZ9ck5HwMDrYmdHwQz36PzxZ1zZ1FjW5yl8LW717KJg361rTx6e4shUZ79QuDmNpQPD0zXVH5I1g9yvNFy4iD35_wUFEpEh-9EYlCs3kwSF8ZLmK0SKYN9fkIadAYUJdK_B-AY5mHDk3ECg7aYVkm6EhnnBMQFeY4mJTES1BLnrprs/s16000/girlFight.jpg" /></a></div><p>Even with the advantage of ground, she took three wounds while giving out just one. I figured my best plan after that was to keep her out of the way. </p><p>I had a unit of club-armed warriors over on that flank, but I'd moved them in toward the center after Eric came on stronger there. That's the flank where we both had our marksmen—and we both bought the Deadly Shot skill for them. It was standoff for several turns. I wasn't about to expose my units to getting hit with flung sticks and stones and neither was Eric. My only target for several turns was Eric's marksmen, though most turns, we just canceled out each other by expending our activation cards to no effect. It's funny how even in paleolithic times, those soldiers knew how to hunker down against the threat of missile fire.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9JU1ENIoGNINXE-jFRBp6S-H0ccs91tB10OHwcqSZ7-E89ISSLTcD6fY1TmWlshnRS9kaxRJ4USear0kkOpgFc9koMyEtOuspSzeC-pNiJalZRdE9CGjlJZutG5OP4ksEKtGwHN5fAYpw0ygwqOyn8xwhtihAAFEqXWZj1yfvSEKfCPaxB0FfHteB0j0/s550/ericsLeftSkulking.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9JU1ENIoGNINXE-jFRBp6S-H0ccs91tB10OHwcqSZ7-E89ISSLTcD6fY1TmWlshnRS9kaxRJ4USear0kkOpgFc9koMyEtOuspSzeC-pNiJalZRdE9CGjlJZutG5OP4ksEKtGwHN5fAYpw0ygwqOyn8xwhtihAAFEqXWZj1yfvSEKfCPaxB0FfHteB0j0/s16000/ericsLeftSkulking.jpg" /></a></div><p>Eric had a unit of spearmen that he charged in against my clubmen. In a terribly lopsided round (for him) he lost the whole unit without inflicting a single hit on the clubmen. I had a good activation card for the clubs (King of clubs, I think) and drew some very nice cards for my combat hand. Eric's draw was less fortuitous.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiND2Kj7QLz_bJmntRZ8YszfxLk72TCtWmQFH_-psWTLKwB_27j0ihefxYgFGppq9NvQhhmkgFdlBfWjW3IlqwdSGVPeKYnxgNmzJ_pkjxiHjwH1DuGjC8-ivV831rZj0eWwP6KCChXfuZ8elRqj___N8drlIc4qCRmLpuqpkJm94CCj0Ilpwhwlk-Xuho/s550/rightFlank1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="418" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiND2Kj7QLz_bJmntRZ8YszfxLk72TCtWmQFH_-psWTLKwB_27j0ihefxYgFGppq9NvQhhmkgFdlBfWjW3IlqwdSGVPeKYnxgNmzJ_pkjxiHjwH1DuGjC8-ivV831rZj0eWwP6KCChXfuZ8elRqj___N8drlIc4qCRmLpuqpkJm94CCj0Ilpwhwlk-Xuho/s16000/rightFlank1.jpg" /></a></div><p>It was the first unit either of us had lost so far in the game.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhqbIcx2BGNBj_hKzT-NLRYTpY9T8b6nXsoOfFOnpD4sl9anx1RJL3k5pBPbP-0cRr6Fz1DhtMFOiqXHQ3SxZu8IQQfJQhxYtOBBEvpnAjm-V4A6gWPeYSXEMoeCKyG4KEUoRgXspCF5378mgBb2bBEs2QFjqvNddWsFeFWwCvS-WkEDdOQkIAnzBncYo/s550/hunkerDown.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhqbIcx2BGNBj_hKzT-NLRYTpY9T8b6nXsoOfFOnpD4sl9anx1RJL3k5pBPbP-0cRr6Fz1DhtMFOiqXHQ3SxZu8IQQfJQhxYtOBBEvpnAjm-V4A6gWPeYSXEMoeCKyG4KEUoRgXspCF5378mgBb2bBEs2QFjqvNddWsFeFWwCvS-WkEDdOQkIAnzBncYo/s16000/hunkerDown.jpg" /></a></div><p>Back on my left, my tribe was getting its groove back. It took some effort, Eric's units selfishly refused to just die, I just kept hurting them and forcing them back. Eventually, my 2:1 advantage paid off and I destroyed both his remaining spearmen and his hero. I lost two spearmen myself and got three wounds each on my hero and warlord. If I didn't have twice the men, we may have wound up like the Kilkenny cats and been left with nothing but our tails. As it was, I had a longer tail.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgdgBpob_tyJE1PrsskhjfLuKISOBOywHl2cFrU082dnfrQcOs5JvVwiyK_LQ4avXyDFDJQBiB3B3HfeSuRD67VANejBBLNtcFjazloMh5fdj9FC3L_FNF3c7Y4tVH1Fa30lmgnV4jAm20x-7G0HffE0MyoTK5eAjH_B4dGUGy_qrdnw24n_koGXeUww/s550/leftFlank4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgdgBpob_tyJE1PrsskhjfLuKISOBOywHl2cFrU082dnfrQcOs5JvVwiyK_LQ4avXyDFDJQBiB3B3HfeSuRD67VANejBBLNtcFjazloMh5fdj9FC3L_FNF3c7Y4tVH1Fa30lmgnV4jAm20x-7G0HffE0MyoTK5eAjH_B4dGUGy_qrdnw24n_koGXeUww/s16000/leftFlank4.jpg" /></a></div><p>On my right, Eric committed his warlord to the fray with initially good results. Going in, he took a bullet from my otherwise hapless "deadly shot" "marksmen," but he still rocked me back in the initial clash.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmRZxsi3VJ9tCxUVMJR0-5GLcRc-rZz-gzwDdpo2F5gtmw72p8FvLhtmm5gt95drAPj3VLOmniWWZ01-5KTIez2eVjyIL0srgSQTRHwj8FgueJL0QBlOEj9NI0fi0wBGgFRuGS3Q-8vPJI9HIf4QnMwc6pRDVLP3pg3SyCG10NI-TDHGYGiyCa-_SzLs/s552/ericWarlord.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmRZxsi3VJ9tCxUVMJR0-5GLcRc-rZz-gzwDdpo2F5gtmw72p8FvLhtmm5gt95drAPj3VLOmniWWZ01-5KTIez2eVjyIL0srgSQTRHwj8FgueJL0QBlOEj9NI0fi0wBGgFRuGS3Q-8vPJI9HIf4QnMwc6pRDVLP3pg3SyCG10NI-TDHGYGiyCa-_SzLs/s16000/ericWarlord.jpg" /></a></div><p>By this time, it was looking grim for Eric. He was down by three units, while I was still at seven, even if some of my units were pretty battered. His four remaining units were formidable, but not likely to reverse his fortunes. My victorious troglodytes from my left were slogging across the swamps towards his remnant.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcGNlrZ2Rqyy_dB9NrnMiMAJ4Vv5RTwF3470_xB3nVP2YCSfJ34j_rOi-yF6Lv-3POy3ksStEflQ03G4Nvrulq4zhQY4ZlbhMLFuuaAQknATPz85fNsoI4pnTQwcM92tFeXFMcJF0u-UVssb_gsc4GLSa-sIhhl-CFitsDTe-_kJWawxf5cikL-qxJFlo/s550/swampMarch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcGNlrZ2Rqyy_dB9NrnMiMAJ4Vv5RTwF3470_xB3nVP2YCSfJ34j_rOi-yF6Lv-3POy3ksStEflQ03G4Nvrulq4zhQY4ZlbhMLFuuaAQknATPz85fNsoI4pnTQwcM92tFeXFMcJF0u-UVssb_gsc4GLSa-sIhhl-CFitsDTe-_kJWawxf5cikL-qxJFlo/s16000/swampMarch.jpg" /></a></div><p>Keeping my objectives in sight, I bided my time knowing that I could outnumber Eric's guys on both sides of the table if I didn't lose any units. My powergrrl earth-mother shero was down to two wounds left as was my other hero. My warlord was down to four. I had a few losses from my other units as well.</p><p>Eric's position was a bit more precarious, but he was no more than a few good combat rounds away from evening things up. His big problem was getting to his objectives. His people marker was well out of reach. His loot marker was close, but I was guarding it. In the last turn, he nevertheless poised himself to take on my diminished unit of clubmen guarding the loot marker.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8fiHBZfbzKxnX297VpBIAwjq9aD4AVTOSPiedklzrCZiBPtkZz1BuaxE44r4p0lu7_cafK5JnA2qfJGlkcBagdY6xtdvjmRnMCHsVOt3Yu7g7hOvdvKS7UxXFe4zcegjv6QM1TSdu4F_oVFNpqKFlbix0aHlBF-GVPN7o_nkVf1X1zfAtXAZMZ57Pzk/s550/endGame1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8fiHBZfbzKxnX297VpBIAwjq9aD4AVTOSPiedklzrCZiBPtkZz1BuaxE44r4p0lu7_cafK5JnA2qfJGlkcBagdY6xtdvjmRnMCHsVOt3Yu7g7hOvdvKS7UxXFe4zcegjv6QM1TSdu4F_oVFNpqKFlbix0aHlBF-GVPN7o_nkVf1X1zfAtXAZMZ57Pzk/s16000/endGame1.jpg" /></a></div><p>He might have picked up a few points and cost me a few had we played it out a few more turns. All his warlord—reduced to one wound—could do was gesture defiantly.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbXCNi4ypb7hoP5zro0nFwvGh3ogbZIai61ZpRBCRA_ZyIgDo-6rUKNrl7D1ENXj20R5tQjKN-9uTy5fc5VZ6WjG7HSJih0YmCw1IrklDHmIx2fe4i9wh2TZYR6XToP4JxEpP8IX-AepdIwWyBx4tS7RdOpAmi6oy65WPW0jNKqGUUmHBiDJug_lmPHC8/s561/ericsWarlord2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="561" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbXCNi4ypb7hoP5zro0nFwvGh3ogbZIai61ZpRBCRA_ZyIgDo-6rUKNrl7D1ENXj20R5tQjKN-9uTy5fc5VZ6WjG7HSJih0YmCw1IrklDHmIx2fe4i9wh2TZYR6XToP4JxEpP8IX-AepdIwWyBx4tS7RdOpAmi6oy65WPW0jNKqGUUmHBiDJug_lmPHC8/s16000/ericsWarlord2.jpg" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Post mortem thoughts</span></b></p><p>I love <i>Tribal</i> more the more I play it. It doesn't reveal its nuance all at once, but you start to see it almost instantly.</p><p>This was the first game we played where we bought skills. Up to now, I've just arranged warbands and stuck to the basics. For this game, I created two basic forces of 6 points each, as I described above. I alloted 15 honor points for warbands, which left 9 honor points for each of us to use buying skills and keeping a reserve pool. With the free skills that come with characters, we didn't need to spend much. </p><p>The variable game objectives are very nice. My first impression was that I would do my own scenario making, but we used objectives in our four-player game at the <a href="https://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2023/09/fix-bayonet-23-tribaling.html" target="_blank">Fix Bayonet! game day</a> at Fort Steilacoom and I thought they worked very well. It changes the nature of the game dramatically without changing the ultimate goal: getting honor points because "Honour is everything!"</p><p>Because the objectives rules require markers for people and loot, I'm looking for ways to represent them. For the cavemen, I have the caveman family figures to use as people markers. For the Bronze Age Europeans, I have Stella, Ursula, the shaman, and Mr. Tambourine Man.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5BUEKMifDS_3Vd0JUKgCmXZE1U1gbIHQhMMoVunYJ5SUj00OZPxdkWwVIq2Oj1vKCSLBdLcjaWb9yHeigSKbfd3rPOs2govMLE5ZF04sE2E5ajQiap3HkKyHNQ_xoG97A-gMpi_S_FSsI6sYxGQxjr1oBZ_yg2xuX05SxngyynmjSsm2J1D70WZ7VKPM/s550/stellaEtc.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5BUEKMifDS_3Vd0JUKgCmXZE1U1gbIHQhMMoVunYJ5SUj00OZPxdkWwVIq2Oj1vKCSLBdLcjaWb9yHeigSKbfd3rPOs2govMLE5ZF04sE2E5ajQiap3HkKyHNQ_xoG97A-gMpi_S_FSsI6sYxGQxjr1oBZ_yg2xuX05SxngyynmjSsm2J1D70WZ7VKPM/s16000/stellaEtc.jpg" /></a></div><p>For loot, I've been using some plastic skulls that I bought in bulk from a seller on Etsy. I need to pretty them up and put them on bases. However, I'd like to get something more suitable for each period I do. For the cavemen, I'd love to find a 3D printed <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venus_of_Willendorf" target="_blank">Venus of Willendorf</a> that stands about 10mm high. I'm not sure about the BAEs, however. I'll know it when I find it. For now, it's skulls.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Mycenaeans looming</span></b></p><p>Eric has a big collection of Mycenaean/Trojan War minis that he's eager to do <i>Tribal</i> with. He's been rebasing them as single figures and can field six warbands for a big multiplayer game. He even has Olympian gods!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZz_YjxL2INGYYHA84L8oZVaohISc0pd5Ct6Pbm78cRAbGtHwFxD34yAHashVcNSVPwKyffReIoGRgGGasRpqnKzbTJtRaUUKhy-y6WO8fk7fWz91jqZ2OfXHuvRK_kKckYUMir5Wfxlstr9MNwNFADW7yTbjCr_eYbH0ofOLN6ejH5ksH29jI9m4cqh0/s550/TW01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZz_YjxL2INGYYHA84L8oZVaohISc0pd5Ct6Pbm78cRAbGtHwFxD34yAHashVcNSVPwKyffReIoGRgGGasRpqnKzbTJtRaUUKhy-y6WO8fk7fWz91jqZ2OfXHuvRK_kKckYUMir5Wfxlstr9MNwNFADW7yTbjCr_eYbH0ofOLN6ejH5ksH29jI9m4cqh0/s16000/TW01.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLc8ip-INpAYbKtO7XfGi1Vy60ojbLorJjD72bjhCekxB16gjiUEu9ZgJkveyBo92ksHTSWOdyi4zGBwWSo8pe7MCFifcZUIlVvXszKdMjrAE-oGrH-eXBrkYKk90PoSSAb-8NnwosNT1SeW5HudyczdgmCyXfYpJ5Er3DoDJLy0XV6FvmXvPxSlUluM/s550/TW02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLc8ip-INpAYbKtO7XfGi1Vy60ojbLorJjD72bjhCekxB16gjiUEu9ZgJkveyBo92ksHTSWOdyi4zGBwWSo8pe7MCFifcZUIlVvXszKdMjrAE-oGrH-eXBrkYKk90PoSSAb-8NnwosNT1SeW5HudyczdgmCyXfYpJ5Er3DoDJLy0XV6FvmXvPxSlUluM/s16000/TW02.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9IKV6ri4XcZKNeYWbkCUHKDljDGoTnjgf5cGN3VATFDdPOxnP-xR4T8DNASqZj-VfzBFQ-U6Y0FpWkk1Y0fyq0Rra-WN7VM8l9YHty7NJTq3lsu_bE4x2z_Eu8l9hPn5WVHG1CH3aBpZ_4BvLkOjWNkg595UH0Bfsnk82LCMLh6W3jLH_ANTlE9NdXTQ/s550/TW03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9IKV6ri4XcZKNeYWbkCUHKDljDGoTnjgf5cGN3VATFDdPOxnP-xR4T8DNASqZj-VfzBFQ-U6Y0FpWkk1Y0fyq0Rra-WN7VM8l9YHty7NJTq3lsu_bE4x2z_Eu8l9hPn5WVHG1CH3aBpZ_4BvLkOjWNkg595UH0Bfsnk82LCMLh6W3jLH_ANTlE9NdXTQ/s16000/TW03.jpg" /></a></div><p>I have my own stash of unpainted Mycenaeans. As the Caveman Project nears a completion point, I'm now motivated to paint them, starting with the Eureka Bronze Age Greeks. With Eric's horde available, my contribution needs only to be small for now.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Misadventures in motoring</span></b></p><p>It took about a half hour to get down to Eric's in the morning. The trip back was more adventurous.</p><p>I-5 runs through downtown Seattle. It's about as badly engineered a road as you can imagine. To alleviate some of the logjam that it creates for itself going through downtown, there are express lanes that alternate running northbound or southbound depending on the time of day. They're open northbound in the afternoons, but I must have hit them just before they opened. Just. Before. Instead of sailing past all the traffic, I was stuck in it. A few minutes after I passed the onramp to the express lanes, I saw cars going northbound in them to my left. I repeat: I had just missed it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFVDJuqr7CSmQwubv-OshHmcvfXjwRbA5eOVrEBCMd8YmJyVOeTh-WI-EGJ3brVfYFVMmUH_AdPqNAS0WG-VzmbD6KAr71CK-x2aqBPBqrc0nISOcZ25wSs0i-5arP7st2KwHUudZosq3ygArJPcdAEvE0Ubq1Rx7AIgB3MYddAp1xTcRa7hrq0o2b1I/s568/traffic.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFVDJuqr7CSmQwubv-OshHmcvfXjwRbA5eOVrEBCMd8YmJyVOeTh-WI-EGJ3brVfYFVMmUH_AdPqNAS0WG-VzmbD6KAr71CK-x2aqBPBqrc0nISOcZ25wSs0i-5arP7st2KwHUudZosq3ygArJPcdAEvE0Ubq1Rx7AIgB3MYddAp1xTcRa7hrq0o2b1I/s16000/traffic.jpg" /></a></div><p>The only good thing I noticed is that the left lane that becomes a turn-only lane onto the Seneca St. now continues through. That was always a mess of clueless drivers desperately changing lanes to avoid being forced off into downtown. </p><p>After the long slog of getting past the worst of the northbound traffic, I got the idea to stop at Shake Shack and pick up a burger. Shake Shack is a NYC import. There are four in the Puget Sound area and the new one in Lynnwood is the only one with a drive-thru in the state. I've never been there before and am generally skeptical about new sensations; they never live up to their popularity. I tried to go there for lunch a couple weeks back, but the drive-thru line was very long and very, very slow. I bailed out after five minutes because I could see that nothing was moving and I estimated that by the time I got my food, the meeting I had to get back to in 20 minutes would be more than half over, if not entirely over. I figured that I had time to wait—and did I ever.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87yUngaTE84NqieYRl2og2TiykDAEPp5XLCzs8VilQP_-QgQsmDWoRSkdmZyqocFgSFg3hflvxC6CyckaYRbDQEBcLmBbLfN-I1BLxrOHIARhB9cQ_1a9woC4vnjVUNHIxkuOs_MfQvHyyF66dgVDcZXunjfvhOfY5FZWoPeZnkzdlfdAFMYMNK1_KQo/s550/shakeShack.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87yUngaTE84NqieYRl2og2TiykDAEPp5XLCzs8VilQP_-QgQsmDWoRSkdmZyqocFgSFg3hflvxC6CyckaYRbDQEBcLmBbLfN-I1BLxrOHIARhB9cQ_1a9woC4vnjVUNHIxkuOs_MfQvHyyF66dgVDcZXunjfvhOfY5FZWoPeZnkzdlfdAFMYMNK1_KQo/s16000/shakeShack.jpg" /></a></div><p>I never Yelp (I've seen the South Park episode—no specials for me), but I did about this experience. I was generous and gave it three out of five stars. That was maybe too generous. I noticed several Yelpers giving it one. I thought the food was OK, but not for the price. A surprisingly small burger, fries, and drink came to $21.00. On top of that I spent at least 40 minutes in the drive-thru line. By the time I actually got the food, it was lukewarm and the ice in my lemonade had completely melted, making it watery. How is it that a place makes you wait a long time for your food and then serves it to you almost cold? Shake Shack didn't impress me and I won't be back.</p><p>I finally got home at about 3:45, having left Eric's at about 1:15.</p><p>Oh, then there was an 4.5 magnitude earthquake in the evening and that was my day.</p><p>This coming weekend will be a trek down to Chehalis, WA (somewhere closer to the equator than where I live) for the Veteran's Museum event.</p><p><br /></p>David Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229259148925201182noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99962604511527341.post-45132314558991909732023-10-02T14:09:00.000-07:002023-10-02T14:09:58.611-07:00Indian Sumer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDd7pDTPLvkBttKUX4Eo4SIA6tW_vkLSC7E8VJkTZalPYRxOqpIAOc3xL1zD6QEVctiXKw9c1DR3e4HklvJHvxwWgmkh43vQZYCj1dAQ1k18pCMgh7h84bYBDc1Y_jMnurqFxCT_qFML884o9jgB1Our-YZ4Xopk6QnNcQ5NnOs-7Ca0hE6a9UBsd7w-A/s550/banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="211" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDd7pDTPLvkBttKUX4Eo4SIA6tW_vkLSC7E8VJkTZalPYRxOqpIAOc3xL1zD6QEVctiXKw9c1DR3e4HklvJHvxwWgmkh43vQZYCj1dAQ1k18pCMgh7h84bYBDc1Y_jMnurqFxCT_qFML884o9jgB1Our-YZ4Xopk6QnNcQ5NnOs-7Ca0hE6a9UBsd7w-A/s16000/banner.jpg" /></a></div><p>The weekend saw two beautiful Indian summer days. I love this time of year when the onset of dreary, cloudy, cold, rainy days is interrupted by a faint encore of the warmer, sunnier time before. </p><p>The weekend also saw a twofer for ancients gaming: <i>Chariots Rampant </i>and <i>Hail Caesar.</i></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Saturday, <i>Chariots Rampant</i>: Sumer or later (lugal's gonna get you)</span></b></p><p>After a years-long gap since our last game, Scott Abbott and I played our third game of <i>Chariots Rampant</i> against each other at Wizard's Keep in Kent, WA. Ralph Holloway has been hosting a monthly game day there for the last few years. I went down and reconnoitered the shop (along with Game Kastle, also in Kent) during my faux retirement this summer. It's pretty spacious and has a lot of tables for gaming. We need to take more advantage of it as a regular venue. <a href="https://agamerstales.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Kevin Smyth</a> and I plan to play <i><a href="https://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2023/09/tribal-second-edition-review.html" target="_blank">Tribal</a></i> there for the next game day at the end of October.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7dTu_k3c4yTAN9N8tPZPLbL09RbwQMYAaqKRQepB2ViWPSxLM7Kw4Kf7TJ_uF-JB-tLATnfOQ0nYM2fVB8AqmfKA-oyBd2jh8xBIFStysXhiWEO-AmtHtjg_H9-uvoo8YsIKzrL1bjmRHPLICIfQbdkV6qV9SGsvzMzuzjYcC5T2hW_JPdy_ivvhSio/s550/wizardsKeep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="444" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7dTu_k3c4yTAN9N8tPZPLbL09RbwQMYAaqKRQepB2ViWPSxLM7Kw4Kf7TJ_uF-JB-tLATnfOQ0nYM2fVB8AqmfKA-oyBd2jh8xBIFStysXhiWEO-AmtHtjg_H9-uvoo8YsIKzrL1bjmRHPLICIfQbdkV6qV9SGsvzMzuzjYcC5T2hW_JPdy_ivvhSio/s16000/wizardsKeep.jpg" /></a></div><p>My Sumerians had prevailed over Scott's Mycenaeans in our first two games largely by a superiority of missile fire. With one unit of archers and three units of skirmishers, I was able to rain misery down on Scott's chariots and spearmen. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu77ykpKZN5EAEYVXsA5WAz3tpvW6rIkgN1ygyV8zEtHHDB9rJUaY9ezDIzhGiayGynRxsb7LdMxxnAF_DtaW_GdITuUBMkJNPK8NWQ3QlM8QU6pUiDul2ejmlfFRslkEGddEQxpP9VrUSNXxrV0xpA5dW_Vt_n2i359gI0w297Sdg0zK0G2Y-3YEu5DU/s550/slingers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu77ykpKZN5EAEYVXsA5WAz3tpvW6rIkgN1ygyV8zEtHHDB9rJUaY9ezDIzhGiayGynRxsb7LdMxxnAF_DtaW_GdITuUBMkJNPK8NWQ3QlM8QU6pUiDul2ejmlfFRslkEGddEQxpP9VrUSNXxrV0xpA5dW_Vt_n2i359gI0w297Sdg0zK0G2Y-3YEu5DU/s16000/slingers.jpg" /></a></div><p>Scott didn't fail to notice the insalubrious effect of long-range fire and accordingly added some skirmishers to his force to rain a bit of misery back on me. We played 24-point retinues against each other, although I managed to short myself by two points. I should have deployed the third skirmisher on Saturday or added javelins to my spearmen (you can do that in <i>Chariots Rampant</i>, but not in <i>Lion Rampant</i>), but wound up doing neither. I still had fire superiority, but not with impunity. </p><p>We had a pretty classic deployment. I put my spears in the center backed by my leader in his heavy chariot/equid-drawn war cart. My two skirmisher units were on the flanks and on my left I put the archers, whom I imagined would take the hill and dominate the field. So I imagined.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2bYMyOVaplJnAnEH4_tFALoRBBJFzK3sWMbiUfg0_uKT0IPT5ENJrOSqkwjBi1SEmXp0FWwhm-cIbRkmHrj1k6e0WvWTSJXIyUySnq0MKkejqWDbENM956QCWVc4z1MsBCXytkbKitmoBupmnz_D2qbW8hFENULkgABJDwyLuOMlJLFAKlOdlwZKHDtU/s550/deployment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2bYMyOVaplJnAnEH4_tFALoRBBJFzK3sWMbiUfg0_uKT0IPT5ENJrOSqkwjBi1SEmXp0FWwhm-cIbRkmHrj1k6e0WvWTSJXIyUySnq0MKkejqWDbENM956QCWVc4z1MsBCXytkbKitmoBupmnz_D2qbW8hFENULkgABJDwyLuOMlJLFAKlOdlwZKHDtU/s16000/deployment.jpg" /></a></div><p>Scott concentrated most of his force against my left. He had two heavy chariot units to my one and equaled me in spears and skirmishers. My sole advantage was my archer unit.</p><p>I haven't played Lion Rampant for a while, so I forgot that spearmen (Foot Sergeants in <i>LR</i>) are crap as offensive troops, which is why I had intended to arm them with javelins. Spear formations facing each other are in a standoff. Attacking is 5+, defending is 4+. No sensible player attacks opposing spears with spears, so of course I did. I did it more than once.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQo4jfVzq6UWFYuH44pfJlkpCp-FqT1D8aNNMbESfdiwZfk6xy8uu1t_n-Lhw6TizmcnQWkMhBHLF_iGWC-7xeTS8EWhLqmchxDnON4X8X93lJjhnneXVku1bXufu0rabmJaNPxZYm-IFPiA8MZjHjsZiHW1adl6KoTSHKtw3mYyUJUd4AOSmsLwU9qNk/s550/spearsAttack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQo4jfVzq6UWFYuH44pfJlkpCp-FqT1D8aNNMbESfdiwZfk6xy8uu1t_n-Lhw6TizmcnQWkMhBHLF_iGWC-7xeTS8EWhLqmchxDnON4X8X93lJjhnneXVku1bXufu0rabmJaNPxZYm-IFPiA8MZjHjsZiHW1adl6KoTSHKtw3mYyUJUd4AOSmsLwU9qNk/s16000/spearsAttack.jpg" /></a></div><p>The game see-sawed a bit. On my left, the archers (after failing a few movement activations) managed to stave off Scott's attempted flanking maneuver with one of his chariot units. I think he feared that charging my archers would get him Agincourted. His skirmishers prevailed over mine, despite being reduced to half. He got stung once by my archers, but managed to keep of of their line of fire for the most part. For several turns they sat in the brush harassing one of my spear units until the archers finally got another shot at them and wiped them out.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJEHG-WkPl6ojgoguERr50JXnzS4yt-tgs_6H7vaLfh16JeUqjCBsGnEveqfrKwVU3bcDPRPIuygKSiwIwUt2DLHDWH4YBQIgDpEEhaFccEuZ9V7xJAdDgfE0TJJyt5e6-3EpohyphenhyphenZv7h6g6LMjok8d8oyN1ORlfAfEQO7OFcEmprt4wjXCOGJsjOPTDE/s550/leftFlank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJEHG-WkPl6ojgoguERr50JXnzS4yt-tgs_6H7vaLfh16JeUqjCBsGnEveqfrKwVU3bcDPRPIuygKSiwIwUt2DLHDWH4YBQIgDpEEhaFccEuZ9V7xJAdDgfE0TJJyt5e6-3EpohyphenhyphenZv7h6g6LMjok8d8oyN1ORlfAfEQO7OFcEmprt4wjXCOGJsjOPTDE/s16000/leftFlank.jpg" /></a></div><p>Scott eventually withdrew his chariots from the flank attack and moved them around the hill to his center. I struck out with my chariots against one of his spear units, which resulted in a win for me, but not much of one. In <i>Chariots Rampant</i>, heavy chariots are the mounted men at arms (who can also chuck javelins at short range). They hit hard, but don't much like being his standing still.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9KajxD8YR9L55IvogurSKuOnicwYGwdWyTNNIIyIormv_sYObu4vIYdKqKqwXw8eMrIhykh5nvU5FjJLL8Y8aDI1blMB-R_ANfTsYVQA-wPm-5EcyRnpTUvMtsRey0seY-jV-PcP8g-8l-0HpuMHQO8mNiWiQXH5SUHqi4mS331s0lRHnNfFKbxhjpM/s550/chariotCharge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="519" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9KajxD8YR9L55IvogurSKuOnicwYGwdWyTNNIIyIormv_sYObu4vIYdKqKqwXw8eMrIhykh5nvU5FjJLL8Y8aDI1blMB-R_ANfTsYVQA-wPm-5EcyRnpTUvMtsRey0seY-jV-PcP8g-8l-0HpuMHQO8mNiWiQXH5SUHqi4mS331s0lRHnNfFKbxhjpM/s16000/chariotCharge.jpg" /></a></div><p>Seeing that continued chariot vs. spears clashes would not be in his favor, we wound up in some chariot vs. chariot action when Scott moved his spears out of the way and attacked my <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lugal" target="_blank">lugal</a></i> with his <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anax" target="_blank">wanax</a></i>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-3ot8fovhADpQ1tBCXe_mI4H_tyvXS_0HiDv1os6xwYESfP7IJ_p4-fN_wsv8EkTThVYTdIUkXqrosNn9myaNENotriggngmuz_hYMD1QeWS1Y0ctyT9iltBcLPmxkmPtIYij6rnidoF6WJY9NmdTDo2MxfjPXtgh9PCBn-ZLZDxgzBNZGvM6UuGXJs/s550/chariotClash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-3ot8fovhADpQ1tBCXe_mI4H_tyvXS_0HiDv1os6xwYESfP7IJ_p4-fN_wsv8EkTThVYTdIUkXqrosNn9myaNENotriggngmuz_hYMD1QeWS1Y0ctyT9iltBcLPmxkmPtIYij6rnidoF6WJY9NmdTDo2MxfjPXtgh9PCBn-ZLZDxgzBNZGvM6UuGXJs/s16000/chariotClash.jpg" /></a></div><p>On my right, my skirmishers drew first blood against Scott's skirmishers, who lost two figures and then proceeded to fail a courage test and their subsequent rally attempts until they were just gone. I couldn't follow up on that success, however, because I failed to activate my skirmishers again for many turns thereafter.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3W1sQ-rKn3C34hG7gEIG6R0JhLKsrdhthu_iUd0eryqmemZsP39Em3pqfV2mtu5Cg0xqpIvKM_daVZQQ9EaeRYnfGhQIgUMXMYeQRwoan-siqDIeenFKeJjMSzCIQ2p9WP3MBgw4rjxoWR7EW1UE6si1eYbd4p_zgoDeI9izTtOfZspZ4BN9acd_Njg/s550/rightFlankSlings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="155" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3W1sQ-rKn3C34hG7gEIG6R0JhLKsrdhthu_iUd0eryqmemZsP39Em3pqfV2mtu5Cg0xqpIvKM_daVZQQ9EaeRYnfGhQIgUMXMYeQRwoan-siqDIeenFKeJjMSzCIQ2p9WP3MBgw4rjxoWR7EW1UE6si1eYbd4p_zgoDeI9izTtOfZspZ4BN9acd_Njg/s16000/rightFlankSlings.jpg" /></a></div><p>The battle in the center went back and forth. Each of us (even me) becoming a bit wary of using our spears to attack, we went through a series of tactical withdrawals followed by attacks. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvBnyTCj2QCNB3UXOqSN7YOR8VvJUq8iteC_F1TkVbTGtlxba0cknS79Mokhr98jjTfg-iWg-DeMQhYX5vllKMAtd_bHN4LA0QZBlV0Nste0inVY-_bmJFkvp1Ezig1Y31uuiiO14MDC2Sm2DcjaecWa-n8o-eFFx-qm8qznCJd2QB_SCKBvqs_Yo38Pw/s550/centerFight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvBnyTCj2QCNB3UXOqSN7YOR8VvJUq8iteC_F1TkVbTGtlxba0cknS79Mokhr98jjTfg-iWg-DeMQhYX5vllKMAtd_bHN4LA0QZBlV0Nste0inVY-_bmJFkvp1Ezig1Y31uuiiO14MDC2Sm2DcjaecWa-n8o-eFFx-qm8qznCJd2QB_SCKBvqs_Yo38Pw/s16000/centerFight.jpg" /></a></div><p>Chariots clashed against chariots again and by the game's end, Scott's two chariots had suffered four and five hits. My <i>lugal</i> in his chariot had suffered four.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XfD1xGkQ46ejI-BddttRxAlo7jK-zUOzaqNypfi68HKjJBjmo26h3AQnE0Pw5T2DPPLJM4HfmjjpRW9vHBhKgwKwExS0tmGsZu4jhAruBdnynAq8fLS8pud0GRrMrKwEY7GbQjaLPvu4B-sHGxpXX1s-7U25c1gKOqugSqVqdGBDdx88ExqryaX-1Zg/s550/chariotClash2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XfD1xGkQ46ejI-BddttRxAlo7jK-zUOzaqNypfi68HKjJBjmo26h3AQnE0Pw5T2DPPLJM4HfmjjpRW9vHBhKgwKwExS0tmGsZu4jhAruBdnynAq8fLS8pud0GRrMrKwEY7GbQjaLPvu4B-sHGxpXX1s-7U25c1gKOqugSqVqdGBDdx88ExqryaX-1Zg/s16000/chariotClash2.jpg" /></a></div><p>The last hurrah of the game was Scott's desperate charge against my slingers, who had finally roused themselves and gotten back into the fray. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMuDVR1hZTu_dvP9oHW0xv1DT0MotuNSo02dSAbXhv-dFRG-EglYyoXmmTVjiYU0HDM4nFPUXTpkB27peqiVPEoNHGZtnjKSW3mEARJSHWqQ8ulJ_Q3oQAXalrvQSZA-AiV3gHEflg3HYIgtwruv5Dc6RfGSlkrWbMjyw0iiKm8S0liG3Ap4rcLHDDDkw/s550/skirmisherRuin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMuDVR1hZTu_dvP9oHW0xv1DT0MotuNSo02dSAbXhv-dFRG-EglYyoXmmTVjiYU0HDM4nFPUXTpkB27peqiVPEoNHGZtnjKSW3mEARJSHWqQ8ulJ_Q3oQAXalrvQSZA-AiV3gHEflg3HYIgtwruv5Dc6RfGSlkrWbMjyw0iiKm8S0liG3Ap4rcLHDDDkw/s16000/skirmisherRuin.jpg" /></a></div><p>His much-reduced chariot unit hit them square on. I failed to evade. In the ensuing action, even though he had only six dice to throw, he got hits on every die and my slingers evaporated.</p><p>At this point, we called it a draw. Both of us were pretty battered. My archers were finally in position on the hill to start hurting Scott's remnants from a distance. They'd already managed to reduce his chariots and spears a bit. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5jMWMXfbdqKZBinPjbE9Zp388mQLhfGPSY0sMnablJTbaZIU27BTYTqbRiaknRYqQh6wDVTwW2hqC3zp6ENroH3npmB_VaXwRF1pUbxhW-RKNbv6HmnyYWbYGxxBYcVyYxUJmTvVtHJMkmcRYm9msirix1460OPaf4MTQMsHiBiHRMrPmM79zYsTqG9U/s550/archersHill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5jMWMXfbdqKZBinPjbE9Zp388mQLhfGPSY0sMnablJTbaZIU27BTYTqbRiaknRYqQh6wDVTwW2hqC3zp6ENroH3npmB_VaXwRF1pUbxhW-RKNbv6HmnyYWbYGxxBYcVyYxUJmTvVtHJMkmcRYm9msirix1460OPaf4MTQMsHiBiHRMrPmM79zYsTqG9U/s16000/archersHill.jpg" /></a></div><p>Had we played out a few more turns, they might have enabled me to pull off a Pyrrhic victory.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Sunday, <i>Hail Caesar</i>: Quis vicit?</span></b></p><p>On Sunday afternoon, I joined Chris Craft, James Macabee, and Eric Smith for a game of <i>Hail Caesar</i> in which a Middle Imperial Roman force was pitted against a usurper with a force of Gothic hirelings. We played in Chris' excellent game room accompanied by his cats.</p><p>James and I were the Roman imperial forces. Each of us had one legion of six units and an auxila force of three foot cohorts, two cavalry alae, and one unit of sagittarii. We also had a medium onager and a light bolt shooter unit. We might have had cataphracts, but I rolled bad. </p><p>Chris and Eric were the usurpers. Chris had a renegade Roman legion and a Gothic command with cavalry and skirmishers. Eric had two Gothic commands, each with several units of warriors and two units of skirmishers.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTckmGc-upBOaN6xyjvVoFAj_D5PNHM8fj5LYOu-SXTuIIwrg8aGfJnn2HtFByycmWkqPkuPkxSX0a_h4l91StnmdIn13Z7D3Py3jdpRFOqwjuNNi-ZyFvIB8isrzqCSElBulcpuARZarSrhAVMcxIm1JxjY_LNcmdushqcvBNIugNNUaO3dMAH5xvlE/s550/hcDeployment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="407" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTckmGc-upBOaN6xyjvVoFAj_D5PNHM8fj5LYOu-SXTuIIwrg8aGfJnn2HtFByycmWkqPkuPkxSX0a_h4l91StnmdIn13Z7D3Py3jdpRFOqwjuNNi-ZyFvIB8isrzqCSElBulcpuARZarSrhAVMcxIm1JxjY_LNcmdushqcvBNIugNNUaO3dMAH5xvlE/s16000/hcDeployment.jpg" /></a></div><p>My initial apprehension was that there were going to roll over us. The Roman legionaries are pretty tough, but the Goths have a powerful initial hit in a charge.Even if the legion held, I was afraid that the auxilia would just fall apart in the barbarian onslaught.</p><p>The action started on our right where Chris charged his cavalry against James' auxila on the flank. Fortunately James held and after a few turns, Chris' barbarians were broken.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSoQPyJ8v0DwP3BhMgOAZ6laf0KRC1G4p1cZb5-Q_Q0BloGEznTWOJcggvrsLMorvDR8qXuENT4HxuiMO6gp1NVCjFDbYe7tLu-_B7_7jkdLni94kKCLv8AOxUHuiRAwSlezPst3RmzNUrSfGZTxM1tzf05KeIYwSjU30xQW19yAL0Ty_zbpNe70QdIYk/s550/hcCavalryAttack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSoQPyJ8v0DwP3BhMgOAZ6laf0KRC1G4p1cZb5-Q_Q0BloGEznTWOJcggvrsLMorvDR8qXuENT4HxuiMO6gp1NVCjFDbYe7tLu-_B7_7jkdLni94kKCLv8AOxUHuiRAwSlezPst3RmzNUrSfGZTxM1tzf05KeIYwSjU30xQW19yAL0Ty_zbpNe70QdIYk/s16000/hcCavalryAttack.jpg" /></a></div><p>On my end of things, I was struggling to get my troops to do anything. I was rolling consistent bad command rolls, which left me stuck. However, I was able to repulse and then push back the initial Barbarian rush against my dilatory auxilia.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD75ct5GpH1BzMT3LSPnxSPFxDx25zf1-cOdep3tifvucANIYs0XGaVSjOWUkqwkl56KuBrxY1xuVn00jtsLdh2MvP45hW8yIzrd4vFl32NW6PmPP6pXoNXGF9A0xsJ6BI5WEXwfN4Fwqg5j8WzGpSuMMmwLSGGfv4NyHCTzHZc3iYjSrVygEXsvtiC7I/s550/hcBarbarianPush.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="444" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD75ct5GpH1BzMT3LSPnxSPFxDx25zf1-cOdep3tifvucANIYs0XGaVSjOWUkqwkl56KuBrxY1xuVn00jtsLdh2MvP45hW8yIzrd4vFl32NW6PmPP6pXoNXGF9A0xsJ6BI5WEXwfN4Fwqg5j8WzGpSuMMmwLSGGfv4NyHCTzHZc3iYjSrVygEXsvtiC7I/s16000/hcBarbarianPush.png" /></a></div><p>My dice kind of came back for me, even though the auxilia remained pretty immobile throughout. I hit back at the Goths with my legionaries and after a bit of a tussle, managed to throw them back.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-vTweKf1z1HZIU31pdZ506hU4hwbAkaTstMpryZDLwXpm4YxWvSF9as0ZGZu_GwsdDvJEJYV0k25Dw3xOJidnQIT596ebT2pHlg4nHbFrSm2z7vVOXUw2Qe3NjnZiaUMJDboXc4Y5_XNPnXB5wslDcWVLoRnCCAVwJBZ8RIO9M0vDtvu0wXEC_WThYg/s550/hcLegionaryPush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-vTweKf1z1HZIU31pdZ506hU4hwbAkaTstMpryZDLwXpm4YxWvSF9as0ZGZu_GwsdDvJEJYV0k25Dw3xOJidnQIT596ebT2pHlg4nHbFrSm2z7vVOXUw2Qe3NjnZiaUMJDboXc4Y5_XNPnXB5wslDcWVLoRnCCAVwJBZ8RIO9M0vDtvu0wXEC_WThYg/s16000/hcLegionaryPush.jpg" /></a></div><p>Aiding me greatly in my fights were my commander and "Legionary Titus Pullo" who was an addition to the rules by Chris to represent the critical effect of a good centurion. He added 2 dice to a melee; the legion commander added only 1. Those +3 dice made a difference.</p><p>By now, my flank was fully engaged and the legionaries were starting to evaporate a few barbarian units.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PBX78Ce7eECH6y6yGIhwBIU7OQEaojNKS8eX6Yif9vmWGSaETyz-WROempM8KQ0CbxDPzBc0hqNiVqYUCOE00hBhS4ZGj8-YuYvw1bo4DozIwrB2P0FxKxEMiJ-s0fiUSIgAwHm88zuTrBEMQU6wDCE9548v8HeM_BICx-fpw1XQVI5voCUKRQFgMj8/s550/hcLeftFlank1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PBX78Ce7eECH6y6yGIhwBIU7OQEaojNKS8eX6Yif9vmWGSaETyz-WROempM8KQ0CbxDPzBc0hqNiVqYUCOE00hBhS4ZGj8-YuYvw1bo4DozIwrB2P0FxKxEMiJ-s0fiUSIgAwHm88zuTrBEMQU6wDCE9548v8HeM_BICx-fpw1XQVI5voCUKRQFgMj8/s16000/hcLeftFlank1.jpg" /></a></div><p>Our right was in trouble. Despite breaking Chris' cavalry, James auxilia were beaten up. Chris brought his renegade legion into play and started pushing back James troops.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHHGKa8Lv-lxSrziKKZ2JmjDh1m0-tBqy5y1BuFDSEOYIycCWtBbTgMEHuY5-2BMQGmdc5qJhvyjeno0rJFwKA-BUk7URMV2CGyCCjAjqmrCstp2P9WVw91V85Dq6BvkqUKYSqPqet_MYMeFj7RhuYFat2kLzO2Ry_Erx0wLZL_7gKs-EDlernhitSi0/s550/hcJamesTrouble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHHGKa8Lv-lxSrziKKZ2JmjDh1m0-tBqy5y1BuFDSEOYIycCWtBbTgMEHuY5-2BMQGmdc5qJhvyjeno0rJFwKA-BUk7URMV2CGyCCjAjqmrCstp2P9WVw91V85Dq6BvkqUKYSqPqet_MYMeFj7RhuYFat2kLzO2Ry_Erx0wLZL_7gKs-EDlernhitSi0/s16000/hcJamesTrouble.jpg" /></a></div><p>Eventually, James' commands were on the brink of breaking. However, Eric's two commands were also getting close. He'd stopped his offensive push and was starting to recoil to avoid getting his last units hit.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTWCoqdFb2HbHahc8kcZTGgIoU-rig2OhtFhIJaWm2uP1mRLVgjSYzlbM27ZX4Wl5Ke0Gs4Bbt2l5aZMBPyTWBe1JUoQU1U5Ty7_c6rE8KLLK-7sr47bfa0NPjnHzwcnBFfmBrUdFmw2AEL40O87oMWj7HFAiP4-SHPFZ9KiV7aj3V7_KC2hX0AAl0Ig/s550/hcChrisWin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTWCoqdFb2HbHahc8kcZTGgIoU-rig2OhtFhIJaWm2uP1mRLVgjSYzlbM27ZX4Wl5Ke0Gs4Bbt2l5aZMBPyTWBe1JUoQU1U5Ty7_c6rE8KLLK-7sr47bfa0NPjnHzwcnBFfmBrUdFmw2AEL40O87oMWj7HFAiP4-SHPFZ9KiV7aj3V7_KC2hX0AAl0Ig/s16000/hcChrisWin.jpg" /></a></div><p>I managed to get my auxilia cavalry, after several failed attempts, to charge home and take out another warrior unit. On the same turn, my legions who were fighting in the center had turned against Eric's right. In a volley of javelins, my legionaries broke another Gothic warrior unit. </p><p>In the center, I just missed breaking Eric's other command when, having lost a melee by -5 with a shaken unit, he rolled box cars for morale and still just a unit shy of breaking.</p><p>We ended the game in a bloody tie. They's lost two commands broken and we had. The usurpers survived.</p><p>I've only played Jail Caesar a few times. I like the system, but as my readers know, I'm disinclined to paint big armies for it. Even the way Chris does it is too much. He uses stands of eight figures (foot) and three figures (cavalry and skirmishers) to represent whole units. That reduces the number of figures to play a big game, but legion was still 56 figures and was one of four commands on our side. That's a lot of skirmish armies.</p><p><br /></p>David Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229259148925201182noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99962604511527341.post-9268783932263093472023-09-22T09:20:00.010-07:002023-09-26T11:49:59.119-07:00Skirmish gaming, how's that going' for ya?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoUiUylBYq_jtyVMRP6-HJQvcQLhXl3iLE5n9giBHObNPImAjsP_bsSsIcJOLLqJkbBrOs62wodAMGSCVMMxTNU7RZGcj85RUhSjCwg_u3VAqgx0MG3QVcPqtknU70Wli6qpTxASq8EjngkNl-kTcNMliTPYeWB5y70cS0l0ey_CoN71XfwtVCijVb0bI/s550/banner1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoUiUylBYq_jtyVMRP6-HJQvcQLhXl3iLE5n9giBHObNPImAjsP_bsSsIcJOLLqJkbBrOs62wodAMGSCVMMxTNU7RZGcj85RUhSjCwg_u3VAqgx0MG3QVcPqtknU70Wli6qpTxASq8EjngkNl-kTcNMliTPYeWB5y70cS0l0ey_CoN71XfwtVCijVb0bI/s16000/banner1.jpg" /></a></div><p>Once upon a time, I <a href="https://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2014/01/solitary-poor-nasty-brutish-and-short.html" target="_blank">wrote a blog post</a> about my love for and redirection towards skirmish gaming. Someone may have read it. If it was you, thanks. Now you may be wondering how, after all this time, my skirmish gaming is going. Let me tell you: It goes well.</p><p>For all the reasons I elaborated (keyed to quotes from Shakespeare), saying <i>¡Adiós!</i> to big-battle wargame rules and <i>Oye cómo va</i> to the tastier, more instantly gratifying dim-sum of the hobby, I've been able to get in a lot more gaming and have actually started and finished projects in less than a standard human lifetime.</p><p>The following sections highlight rules sets that have seen varying degrees of use over the last several years or which are prominent on my radar screen as incoming projects I want to pursue (of what is past, or passing, or to come).</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The Rampancy (mere anarchy is loosed upon the world)</span></b></p><p>As ever, the "Rampant" family of rules by Daniel Mersey continues to be a staple of my wargaming experience. The rules are simple, elegant, and provide a great deal of variety for scenarios and army composition.</p><p>They're what I classified in my old blog post as <i>false skirmish rules</i>—not to deny them their glory, but to indicate that unlike <i>true skirmish rules</i>, figures don't act independently, but only together in units. Even leaders aren't separate figures, but rather joined in as part of the number in one unit.</p><p>The latest of the family is <i><b>Xenos Rampant</b>,</i> which took me by surprise when it was released in December 2022. I had a large force by the end of January. By the end of May, I had two large collections that could be made into six 24-point detachments for two games that I hosted at our Enfilade! convention.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIN0jsuj85ik3BauM-50SMFdV_UQ9f1rEBtOpkgiD2mMc-qFjWuY8LXGH88EGyvEBHRTgeIr70jWzTw4QcifltI1qviQrCA9RxZWUyzudIhWqzvV7wX2YjOm40hVAroUNJE32xRjJP3NxhjMQKZzVguO1H4KD-PO7gU3v-6lIRt2d89gV_YCBt59XsNgE/s550/XR01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIN0jsuj85ik3BauM-50SMFdV_UQ9f1rEBtOpkgiD2mMc-qFjWuY8LXGH88EGyvEBHRTgeIr70jWzTw4QcifltI1qviQrCA9RxZWUyzudIhWqzvV7wX2YjOm40hVAroUNJE32xRjJP3NxhjMQKZzVguO1H4KD-PO7gU3v-6lIRt2d89gV_YCBt59XsNgE/s16000/XR01.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhQ51B_iZMcDWVBzYDGohCN2_DBd-5U08Hq8PITrpToQrsMVKyLz9rbRQ_X_s24c0fb7qVQuyzkt0a0SJ-52TktFQ1G8VRO3iBDSsvricFO9JmDm4FAZVzNmZie6gZM19lHCzb_SiGWt7uTqOeEmrE2SymPV1I8Hf5ClWon6U9CNI_TQuA1NkhTzNvUU/s550/XR02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhQ51B_iZMcDWVBzYDGohCN2_DBd-5U08Hq8PITrpToQrsMVKyLz9rbRQ_X_s24c0fb7qVQuyzkt0a0SJ-52TktFQ1G8VRO3iBDSsvricFO9JmDm4FAZVzNmZie6gZM19lHCzb_SiGWt7uTqOeEmrE2SymPV1I8Hf5ClWon6U9CNI_TQuA1NkhTzNvUU/s16000/XR02.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7AxoTox9X2MDT946XRcdIK_-H-QjXCuQo5sacaoQuWwGqT9IB3QRcrnVPKmZ3oVdK9TcTPQGaoso_6wY-hP1GpGmwUXav9zX9htjp3eGA6FoS83IfUkg1WriQ9KnLDrYcs6xvrj91T7AGGo3vq30Cv9YOyFI-HfCL5pG44kCKdlvMDJLLdql8T7-OMQ/s550/XR03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="487" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7AxoTox9X2MDT946XRcdIK_-H-QjXCuQo5sacaoQuWwGqT9IB3QRcrnVPKmZ3oVdK9TcTPQGaoso_6wY-hP1GpGmwUXav9zX9htjp3eGA6FoS83IfUkg1WriQ9KnLDrYcs6xvrj91T7AGGo3vq30Cv9YOyFI-HfCL5pG44kCKdlvMDJLLdql8T7-OMQ/s16000/XR03.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWCqWdQHzah4Iwz7CzARYzjP6PkHV0TK-X2fpejCkpkdlTpVsShfyplTnsj8KRPdUyXNO21YmJD9wqwncnM0gOtNpsAQ7UtvZziUOQT0Wo4CUEmswAUVhzaVIJJVAnAWpEdRpo5OaKSh87lpSl4AOd0tOYM7DJED4Cy-hlt32lA35J56oskSfoC7voNWA/s550/XR04.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWCqWdQHzah4Iwz7CzARYzjP6PkHV0TK-X2fpejCkpkdlTpVsShfyplTnsj8KRPdUyXNO21YmJD9wqwncnM0gOtNpsAQ7UtvZziUOQT0Wo4CUEmswAUVhzaVIJJVAnAWpEdRpo5OaKSh87lpSl4AOd0tOYM7DJED4Cy-hlt32lA35J56oskSfoC7voNWA/s16000/XR04.jpg" /></a></div><p><i>Lion Rampant</i> spawned a lot of home-brew variants, two of which I produced: <i><a href="https://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2016/04/quetzalcoatl-rampant.html" target="_blank">Quetzalcoatl Rampant</a></i> and <i><a href="https://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2015/02/crepusculum-imperii-adapting-lion.html" target="_blank">Crepusculum Imperii</a></i>.</p><p>Kevin Smyth and I painted Aztecs, Conquistadors, and Tlaxcalans by the bucketload. I bought and painted a whole temple plaza and Kevin made some other nifty terrain.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2V1SCozMC6FLt5g2RptmCorzqv5eUO_CVi63A3zPXBgV4y2G7K9DeYRqahibo9HTWveBz6mzEzgs3rkQsyCSwMDtSTkuvNP-5Nw81HKiuay2CBXf35j_mv17_kRuT9EMroAXnd7eDkG8VUReToO266Nn1QToJzHJeNG8OzDwplJdXXsmzzWcpe9Y7Is/s550/QR01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2V1SCozMC6FLt5g2RptmCorzqv5eUO_CVi63A3zPXBgV4y2G7K9DeYRqahibo9HTWveBz6mzEzgs3rkQsyCSwMDtSTkuvNP-5Nw81HKiuay2CBXf35j_mv17_kRuT9EMroAXnd7eDkG8VUReToO266Nn1QToJzHJeNG8OzDwplJdXXsmzzWcpe9Y7Is/s16000/QR01.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuA6z3Pwz49rUlo4Iq6lB5aKuz1FYyl0QzZclUH1p2AWl3otQTD6uBdj47SAxj7pv3DiDCvTNRv2bYl-qYQzRhVj_nj7zLWkP-DDqt7hdNeIam4FfZ2vgJt7n_ShrADJZ76FNJNYZRBv7tw6oEHdbixV-Vsi2syAUiDSOT_eMwmbCuD5ExER56xu5qbYM/s550/QR02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="527" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuA6z3Pwz49rUlo4Iq6lB5aKuz1FYyl0QzZclUH1p2AWl3otQTD6uBdj47SAxj7pv3DiDCvTNRv2bYl-qYQzRhVj_nj7zLWkP-DDqt7hdNeIam4FfZ2vgJt7n_ShrADJZ76FNJNYZRBv7tw6oEHdbixV-Vsi2syAUiDSOT_eMwmbCuD5ExER56xu5qbYM/s16000/QR02.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uw1t51oCQz-dKgh9lGJ-6kn4tMAkNnqFO-HpbkvbSHBSpqwIF0tJVCHuC-jw9QlwIlT5yTtev2n0IE-PwLGyxsN3N6M73eyG9sZdMagx6hHH6cPBHJUbq_swOd1q6ES6eJD6FXnadM2yFBzxV_yMfdGDwNSul45mlJO0ssWK8acnHw9ynOTKJRxEiTY/s550/QR03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="476" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uw1t51oCQz-dKgh9lGJ-6kn4tMAkNnqFO-HpbkvbSHBSpqwIF0tJVCHuC-jw9QlwIlT5yTtev2n0IE-PwLGyxsN3N6M73eyG9sZdMagx6hHH6cPBHJUbq_swOd1q6ES6eJD6FXnadM2yFBzxV_yMfdGDwNSul45mlJO0ssWK8acnHw9ynOTKJRxEiTY/s16000/QR03.jpg" /></a></div><p>Our last Quetzalcoatl Rampant games were the two games we ran for Enfilade! 2017: "Cornless in Xochimilco" and "I left my heart in Tenochtitlan."</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjelxejqgCdPuSA45SjFyEzi9bcE8RoQAbOypaURVbqvIy0AnRy4SxqpJK3bfhCmc-9O1lrezM8-2c2QnwXZbryiaTSY9aTsMuv6Bwl6rWhyiwq7yX3ZeLZxKBEWPf1n5TF0xe53nJbbAPQCSfKKl-GeEUOUFV7yo_h4JZ7EinkRZhGdR0kjHCVUSaDsng/s550/QR04.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjelxejqgCdPuSA45SjFyEzi9bcE8RoQAbOypaURVbqvIy0AnRy4SxqpJK3bfhCmc-9O1lrezM8-2c2QnwXZbryiaTSY9aTsMuv6Bwl6rWhyiwq7yX3ZeLZxKBEWPf1n5TF0xe53nJbbAPQCSfKKl-GeEUOUFV7yo_h4JZ7EinkRZhGdR0kjHCVUSaDsng/s16000/QR04.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNE-kTnD-t4lLePDrZuAhvpeYbAdSJJyfcBmXfwat3f2GJKN1UnF2bjztSgs6pqjKG40RAImoWoGofv5CBc0Z0mrjLgJmzijuVthHxH-VbLxKoplodZlab7ygE5mt2v0tLsqid5_9761q4UKkVN9DiSh07LfdGbnbteBXUubqWoeB3Wq418NWV3-yMt-8/s550/QR05.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNE-kTnD-t4lLePDrZuAhvpeYbAdSJJyfcBmXfwat3f2GJKN1UnF2bjztSgs6pqjKG40RAImoWoGofv5CBc0Z0mrjLgJmzijuVthHxH-VbLxKoplodZlab7ygE5mt2v0tLsqid5_9761q4UKkVN9DiSh07LfdGbnbteBXUubqWoeB3Wq418NWV3-yMt-8/s16000/QR05.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRphxPfcoDiMl3MwwwMW_UPd758TRdLEeEJi4uSBXqLYp-tPl84nNJIxPgeuaUS2ecXjGI7a2X6kh3KvkZV7YQtajh8jTIaQUaObe5nPf5KjtZZaCKQ8O9l0QX33qfORRn3XrpQc35a8s6pKHeJuJnM_9I-2KDqbcrEE6US9BiKZKT8Xf4pV5NeOwZX8/s550/QR06.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRphxPfcoDiMl3MwwwMW_UPd758TRdLEeEJi4uSBXqLYp-tPl84nNJIxPgeuaUS2ecXjGI7a2X6kh3KvkZV7YQtajh8jTIaQUaObe5nPf5KjtZZaCKQ8O9l0QX33qfORRn3XrpQc35a8s6pKHeJuJnM_9I-2KDqbcrEE6US9BiKZKT8Xf4pV5NeOwZX8/s16000/QR06.jpg" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><b>True confession: </b>I have never actually played the <i>Crepusculum Imperii</i> variant I wrote, though I understand that others (not in my area) have played them. I couldn't bring myself to rebase all the 3rd c. Romans I painted for our short-lived resurrection of WRG Ancients (I hate rebasing). I wound up selling them all. However, I'm painting 3rd c. Romans again for a <i>Saga</i> warband and I'm pretty sure I can extend them out to a <i>CI</i> army.</p><p>One fine variant that I've loved playing is <i>Chariots Rampant</i>, written by Pat Lowinger, who lives in these parts (Gig Harbor). They gave me the chance to <a href="http://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2018/08/sumer-time-and-paintin-is-easy.html" target="_blank">build a Sumerian army</a>. I'm kind of a fanboy for Sumerians and early Ancient Near East stuff.</p><p>I've only been able to play them twice against Scott Abbott and his redoubtable Mycenaeans. The plague forestalled any further rematches, but the time is nigh to rise and fight again.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj15u9PUAHC06Hw80oPXZElC8afDwypORfBR8cjb6pZR9-M7J0Slooimez4MZ8R5g8gS9kXkpu4zCUN_Nx4SVaVmLRJzJ5yBWRCTjpo0GDfqlNPrr-NVtNXL6CgEk_DaP-2uU1KPNsw659waA2poE6PYcM7GAwbt0gW71H7Xh5uxa7pEvTzpW-VZdy57w/s550/Sumer01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj15u9PUAHC06Hw80oPXZElC8afDwypORfBR8cjb6pZR9-M7J0Slooimez4MZ8R5g8gS9kXkpu4zCUN_Nx4SVaVmLRJzJ5yBWRCTjpo0GDfqlNPrr-NVtNXL6CgEk_DaP-2uU1KPNsw659waA2poE6PYcM7GAwbt0gW71H7Xh5uxa7pEvTzpW-VZdy57w/s16000/Sumer01.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfgMjJfscue74YugRbEh5oQFQrueWcpkWBCXiJqQC3lKvC-ZbMed-4fruFhcLklkckveY2tJ0KtZAz2fX2vBNdXIJFK8XvvUVEr1dS8zL3CDEcIm-Tv-hA0KeR49Robe3AaHQp2rduJgP1Hg2Q2BA3XO5S4sdBSj3ioUc2fc9H4--NmnVOpjlRtT0fi8/s550/Sumer02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="321" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfgMjJfscue74YugRbEh5oQFQrueWcpkWBCXiJqQC3lKvC-ZbMed-4fruFhcLklkckveY2tJ0KtZAz2fX2vBNdXIJFK8XvvUVEr1dS8zL3CDEcIm-Tv-hA0KeR49Robe3AaHQp2rduJgP1Hg2Q2BA3XO5S4sdBSj3ioUc2fc9H4--NmnVOpjlRtT0fi8/s16000/Sumer02.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoIj9L3yFBkayYD9gjnrFSBXjeVVh-FNxk-C2rdtRf1bFD9C6oRPacmaN37YQR87E8j-lryCHJSJH0unC4pYWdTMkR938xLYTYgMs60U3QFaYu6Q73N0CbKRd3B-pB6oAYt2sUf4BkWztVjjYrFvRI2ZAA5D2ix2LZivDPt68AKFXNse6sb-cOCinWU-Q/s550/Sumer03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoIj9L3yFBkayYD9gjnrFSBXjeVVh-FNxk-C2rdtRf1bFD9C6oRPacmaN37YQR87E8j-lryCHJSJH0unC4pYWdTMkR938xLYTYgMs60U3QFaYu6Q73N0CbKRd3B-pB6oAYt2sUf4BkWztVjjYrFvRI2ZAA5D2ix2LZivDPt68AKFXNse6sb-cOCinWU-Q/s16000/Sumer03.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTqckOV1j8xE0QGnKKBvjk7hrXK5bj2I8Klegd977L-X1TgU8rutSmdUcirwVv6_A_Pj9kv_159x634rHqBqumDlIk8dakQH42-iZRV8Lcjo0i6stdA9TOBqXZ7dfLjQTrRODmpLRkgVR6lSQPpDLlahZLqcz-BFiVz_91R3B5978S7uhqcJSriM4rE0/s550/Sumer04.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTqckOV1j8xE0QGnKKBvjk7hrXK5bj2I8Klegd977L-X1TgU8rutSmdUcirwVv6_A_Pj9kv_159x634rHqBqumDlIk8dakQH42-iZRV8Lcjo0i6stdA9TOBqXZ7dfLjQTrRODmpLRkgVR6lSQPpDLlahZLqcz-BFiVz_91R3B5978S7uhqcJSriM4rE0/s16000/Sumer04.jpg" /></a></div><p>The Rampancy also led me into painting my one and only fantasy army, which I made for <i><b>Dragon Rampant</b></i>, but have also used for <i>Saga: Age of Magic</i>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgeBgbOiHzkCajbbeQEbE3lQqJMrKf52NyAW3TzumgvQ0zEyPB5vsBtSyT4BEUosiZn5u8S8kiwWmq1hfWsES7JJcK7i3_ZJwI5_FiF2rLQ8RMqsUq4Xe7fbWtNY8k8xsI4LeR2PLh2Jp2riUk2ix89HRyN6N6VRVtKCfXBKEdtf-qTuiwMT9XXcqHEM/s550/DR01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgeBgbOiHzkCajbbeQEbE3lQqJMrKf52NyAW3TzumgvQ0zEyPB5vsBtSyT4BEUosiZn5u8S8kiwWmq1hfWsES7JJcK7i3_ZJwI5_FiF2rLQ8RMqsUq4Xe7fbWtNY8k8xsI4LeR2PLh2Jp2riUk2ix89HRyN6N6VRVtKCfXBKEdtf-qTuiwMT9XXcqHEM/s16000/DR01.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtl1UwhdmUneqvnjHtYRCZ0MR-a97wRykxxD5vJ0taDBJaYipjdVBccOvIPJvwh38LPS_bm50MNA_wQMjzoPDoGhCbxJtoGkiEuy8zeCjw8Xl5FnQDAHDfkaiHTmqnmxKHKEMZvK2basabW7u3t7nr1-o0Gv1PKAL7fc78eAxSoS9LRCB8njaqooc0Co/s550/DR02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtl1UwhdmUneqvnjHtYRCZ0MR-a97wRykxxD5vJ0taDBJaYipjdVBccOvIPJvwh38LPS_bm50MNA_wQMjzoPDoGhCbxJtoGkiEuy8zeCjw8Xl5FnQDAHDfkaiHTmqnmxKHKEMZvK2basabW7u3t7nr1-o0Gv1PKAL7fc78eAxSoS9LRCB8njaqooc0Co/s16000/DR02.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO_r1Byfc8fMJf-WNJRT-vT5crjTUw_4cv9P3SegAkY4fhFdyXP4UGo5QoLMw99cJJ_9UTEMYpIkZsm4AnQswNGyF9bNGVZ0yxc8gB0r3_I-q07Fa6DqkwOiHdS9K-dvahZAvy3rCRFR6_CY4ZomM3HwXm3kbfNi6Ajj_wzwe2eZvGNoSBBP_RvpVmLVE/s550/DR03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO_r1Byfc8fMJf-WNJRT-vT5crjTUw_4cv9P3SegAkY4fhFdyXP4UGo5QoLMw99cJJ_9UTEMYpIkZsm4AnQswNGyF9bNGVZ0yxc8gB0r3_I-q07Fa6DqkwOiHdS9K-dvahZAvy3rCRFR6_CY4ZomM3HwXm3kbfNi6Ajj_wzwe2eZvGNoSBBP_RvpVmLVE/s16000/DR03.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGxxDO1MqwHTFxYsAo0CpV0QG1-vFiMhdxIMuCZTYCaPccyvPKgA6ppWdvKqT9B1P48Vun5-RyI7jVu2eWLGrKf1HVq_Inl1KJ4EIhmXjBqOZAjniVGIHpOnKg4foxkH0938-ZCEdmOu-zws6k29jWQr-MWpdRhn1IJg7GD_MjD6W6VnNiP0Wugz0F-cM/s550/DR04.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGxxDO1MqwHTFxYsAo0CpV0QG1-vFiMhdxIMuCZTYCaPccyvPKgA6ppWdvKqT9B1P48Vun5-RyI7jVu2eWLGrKf1HVq_Inl1KJ4EIhmXjBqOZAjniVGIHpOnKg4foxkH0938-ZCEdmOu-zws6k29jWQr-MWpdRhn1IJg7GD_MjD6W6VnNiP0Wugz0F-cM/s16000/DR04.jpg" /></a></div><p>One regret from the earlier days of Rampancy is that I sold my Medieval Spanish. They were my first actual <i>Lion Rampant </i>army and morphed without effort into my first <i>Saga</i> warband as well for <i>Saga: Age of Crusades</i>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjypxQdUJ03wN1wrwLMKXyYUEQHnLcWjG6sbLv4p3jOk-a1jSzJnt9a5reJfttUuHjxVHJXxQsytG00IM7y-ZArPVzYy75KXSOUr8Dlu8FK2xDa4v6EVtSAzcNzmhib4VDoFwv9rDOxya13gB0SxfPnfp3XqjtLM-UAo16pzvAcN9bng8_4qtLr41i6U48/s550/SP01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjypxQdUJ03wN1wrwLMKXyYUEQHnLcWjG6sbLv4p3jOk-a1jSzJnt9a5reJfttUuHjxVHJXxQsytG00IM7y-ZArPVzYy75KXSOUr8Dlu8FK2xDa4v6EVtSAzcNzmhib4VDoFwv9rDOxya13gB0SxfPnfp3XqjtLM-UAo16pzvAcN9bng8_4qtLr41i6U48/s16000/SP01.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkG0XoFNJ5TAzcZjhYGYbJRADigTIamMu8Mvd6y5gwpH-InEmGG1p_SoRNVZ_9hPr5z0XbovzR6VuHl4-G8iGgVjuQJTaB4PnTm1T5ccSfQertHtF93jzAHlu5iXNfqB0B1uXOhRxNn7hyFl6scbz0yEr3hVGpLprkCVU2wHDSMFfIHBf3ccqVnYdYhw/s550/SP02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkG0XoFNJ5TAzcZjhYGYbJRADigTIamMu8Mvd6y5gwpH-InEmGG1p_SoRNVZ_9hPr5z0XbovzR6VuHl4-G8iGgVjuQJTaB4PnTm1T5ccSfQertHtF93jzAHlu5iXNfqB0B1uXOhRxNn7hyFl6scbz0yEr3hVGpLprkCVU2wHDSMFfIHBf3ccqVnYdYhw/s16000/SP02.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZB38_sjbvbTupeKkn8pcGEuT_g-TnnCr5XWlh6K-G0p22CaTe6GmpKDURpqB9dpN3LxN5bTlt1TSIRWmYKar9VEasvDPGpR1psDOPkSvBvfy-lEv0kf7eYtRSmBE6czb0C91ry9iGzkx2kVaww2-kKhFGQwFVFpqMkDbDyvLoCtawAON_wLZASQARdk4/s550/SP03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZB38_sjbvbTupeKkn8pcGEuT_g-TnnCr5XWlh6K-G0p22CaTe6GmpKDURpqB9dpN3LxN5bTlt1TSIRWmYKar9VEasvDPGpR1psDOPkSvBvfy-lEv0kf7eYtRSmBE6czb0C91ry9iGzkx2kVaww2-kKhFGQwFVFpqMkDbDyvLoCtawAON_wLZASQARdk4/s16000/SP03.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp6Qyz7wF2AzHII3JsUeV5j_SjmcpCVLdoiiPwZ7apq07mtScrTcFhV7fV1J9GCSRWhxNsVPyCZixafkmWq64MHzW8rAPkirYE7Km6RlukU5JkDAt-IknTk3vXBhpr6_JIGSjB1ocY-64ahlULivm415BMliKlvkVFmHHQzTnFU2wxkFP67-T7rtKcbp4/s550/SP04.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp6Qyz7wF2AzHII3JsUeV5j_SjmcpCVLdoiiPwZ7apq07mtScrTcFhV7fV1J9GCSRWhxNsVPyCZixafkmWq64MHzW8rAPkirYE7Km6RlukU5JkDAt-IknTk3vXBhpr6_JIGSjB1ocY-64ahlULivm415BMliKlvkVFmHHQzTnFU2wxkFP67-T7rtKcbp4/s16000/SP04.jpg" /></a></div><p>For more exciting fanboy blather about my love of Rampancy, see my 2017 post <a href="https://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2017/11/the-year-of-living-rampantly.html" target="_blank">The Year of Living Rampantly</a>.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Saga (</span></b><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>a king is but a foolish labourer </b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>who wastes his blood to be another's dream)</b></span></p><p><i>Saga</i> was a double experience for me. I started playing in 2018 when there was a group of players at The (former) Panzer Depot in Kirkland, WA. Then COVID came and John closed for business in October of 2020. I didn't figure I'd have much opportunity to play again, but then a group in Tacoma popped up and <i>Saga</i> was back on the menu.</p><p>Even then, if it weren't for the serendipitous misfortune of being laid off in May, I might still not have gotten back into <i>Saga</i>. As it was, I was able to take advantage of the twice-monthly (sometimes thrice) <i>Saga</i> game days at Silver King in Tacoma. Between May and August, I got in several games and managed to field three new armies that had been started way back when for other purposes, but which I found that with only a bit of effort could be <i>Saga</i> warbands.</p><p><i>Saga</i> is mostly <i>false skirmish rules</i>, but not really <i>quasi-false skirmish rules</i>. I only hedge how I say it because <i>Saga</i> has heroes, who act as single figures. Mostly that's just the warlord, but some factions can have single heroes in addition to the big man (e.g., the Irish can have the warlord, two curaidh, and Ulf for a total of four heroes). Otherwise, units are from 4 to 12 figures in size.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimrpWry9Ec2Zf8G-DzaCiDdmABf0f6U9708zcN2zcvPzQ-2CiYW-yDPwW9S1k3h1VWYMtqSl28lQBrwNUP6i6W61oFX1_FLR-1RrTZj-77VmbSMJxtXaXPmJ7NJyAB55hIAqvahpfT3Qf5G6FtaAGISHvdpBam0sSK7ywcaO-0rBBGOhDoA_0ZoMokz8/s550/SG03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimrpWry9Ec2Zf8G-DzaCiDdmABf0f6U9708zcN2zcvPzQ-2CiYW-yDPwW9S1k3h1VWYMtqSl28lQBrwNUP6i6W61oFX1_FLR-1RrTZj-77VmbSMJxtXaXPmJ7NJyAB55hIAqvahpfT3Qf5G6FtaAGISHvdpBam0sSK7ywcaO-0rBBGOhDoA_0ZoMokz8/s16000/SG03.jpg" /></a></div><p>With the return to <i>Saga</i>, I've expanded my collection to include figures for multiple factions: Welsh, Picts, Carthaginians, and Irish/Norse-Gaels. Additionally, I have unfinished/unstarted figures for several other factions: Late Romans, Byzantines, Dark Age Britons, Anglo-Danes/Anglo-Saxons, and Scots. I may be forgetting one and there may be more figures I can turn into <i>Saga</i> warbands still hidden in boxes in my garage of wonder and despair.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQXbS9kIFs88f19Ra2INwOWW9a-dJOWPRjRyMKF-yU5WDgneLLunBwrYpss8NwGDxVqYXN4nZIJGCvDvWtmgYvHQTTZSizY7J5VEom6bdvAaYaqJbojY9b1hqyIqA13oj3GrJIj-5Tr29czMqP6HrewtTrnugdgAypt3aEnhON9Irt0kWzP_RYlOF6zs/s550/SG02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQXbS9kIFs88f19Ra2INwOWW9a-dJOWPRjRyMKF-yU5WDgneLLunBwrYpss8NwGDxVqYXN4nZIJGCvDvWtmgYvHQTTZSizY7J5VEom6bdvAaYaqJbojY9b1hqyIqA13oj3GrJIj-5Tr29czMqP6HrewtTrnugdgAypt3aEnhON9Irt0kWzP_RYlOF6zs/s16000/SG02.jpg" /></a></div><p>I've come to appreciate <i>Saga</i> the more I play it. Because of all the new warbands I've been fielding, I've never gotten to proficiency with any one. Most of us that play are in the same boat. <i>Saga</i> playing will decline for me since I've returned to the workforce and am therefore not able to game down in Tacoma on Wednesdays.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Gaming with the elephant god (</b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>what rough beast, its hour come round at last)</b></span></p><p>Playing Ganesha Games <i>Song of Blades and Heroes</i>—and its derivatives—has been a great deal of fun. I started playing <i>SOBAH</i> with my beloved 40mm Bronze Age Europeans lovingly sculpted by the late Jim Bowen of Monolith Designs/Graven Images fame, not to mention having painted a large number of figures that graced the pages of Wargames Illustrated in its heyday. The figures are a very good fit (but see <i>Tribal</i> below) and my enthusiasm for them spread to Troy Wold, who acquired his own collection—including Jim Bowen's personal collection of painted figures. I think that the largest single concentration of these figures in the world exists between me in Lynnwood, WA and Troy next door in Everett.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-dPMLOqBbGLz8lLB_6j5KSApEmYNi-GP8cRhcWxr7bldV5vlvvaLdxTAqpqfJtGvcQidc61EllHKWh_pJhQkayHYU422pu5jnBjcPMQcv5c4YDC20OO86Mf11hGwxOV4tWGkHofOP3WFDJV_HZTD-a_GJ7yV22ae9wmc2xEiVos1buiBmOO9075HuKZ0/s550/PE_Minis.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-dPMLOqBbGLz8lLB_6j5KSApEmYNi-GP8cRhcWxr7bldV5vlvvaLdxTAqpqfJtGvcQidc61EllHKWh_pJhQkayHYU422pu5jnBjcPMQcv5c4YDC20OO86Mf11hGwxOV4tWGkHofOP3WFDJV_HZTD-a_GJ7yV22ae9wmc2xEiVos1buiBmOO9075HuKZ0/s16000/PE_Minis.jpg" /></a></div><p><i>SOBAH</i> is one of the few rules sets that fall into the category of <i>true skirmish rules</i>. Each figure performs 1, 2, or 3 actions, which are determined by rolling 1-3 dice for the figure and comparing the results against the figure's Quality (Q) rating. Die results that pass give one action, but if two or more die fail, your turn is over. The trick is to get as much done as you can without risking an abrupt end of your turn.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0LzrCEfLM_a4flkW2010P7emfE8hX7UnUXxBI9F__QFEijVq1muFYxpVnRrx2QbYhFHTfgEgHzMcKaGrsL5S60dDYFwfxxpimZDItOwxdBevfuoW_LE5Db-jbqHICF48TJ0ZV3LqOtypSIrcpcw5Xl-2_jOHQPe7u6cnWRB6ZWSoH72H1kcGeab6U93w/s550/PE_Minis2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0LzrCEfLM_a4flkW2010P7emfE8hX7UnUXxBI9F__QFEijVq1muFYxpVnRrx2QbYhFHTfgEgHzMcKaGrsL5S60dDYFwfxxpimZDItOwxdBevfuoW_LE5Db-jbqHICF48TJ0ZV3LqOtypSIrcpcw5Xl-2_jOHQPe7u6cnWRB6ZWSoH72H1kcGeab6U93w/s16000/PE_Minis2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSC12-CefNcW29WMZuSRcQ9yPfreZlmOyn8wbIHjPaEj8bYqzw8k3Apgyl_hPRIgAr7icvbDXfhdyUs1YcY9ZDDFcGfZx5nYtfCzyD8MeOkecW4RxxtGE4l_MYY2EveyWLmwWZfI9AzXepHWN8gvBd-UW4f3acCEgJG8wnZegTDdI2aE2g2XeBRHjeNHw/s550/PE_Minis3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSC12-CefNcW29WMZuSRcQ9yPfreZlmOyn8wbIHjPaEj8bYqzw8k3Apgyl_hPRIgAr7icvbDXfhdyUs1YcY9ZDDFcGfZx5nYtfCzyD8MeOkecW4RxxtGE4l_MYY2EveyWLmwWZfI9AzXepHWN8gvBd-UW4f3acCEgJG8wnZegTDdI2aE2g2XeBRHjeNHw/s16000/PE_Minis3.jpg" /></a></div><p>The rules are straightforward and easy to master at the basic level. It gets a bit more complicated when you add special characteristics to a figure or use certain skills.</p><p><i>SOBAH</i> is the game engine that powers other sets of rules from Ganesha Games that we play:</p><p><b><i>Song of Drums and Tomahawks</i></b> is based on the SOBAH engine. The rules are an adaptation by Mike Demana to represent Native American tribal warfare. The rules provide skills that are specific to the genre, which covers pre-colonial to Custer's last stand.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPEAZTTU1sv0P77LM7Y-ti3EkTcUq9H9q0YqcKrftsz7Pwa5NXdJnwx3C1eo9_YcUiFRGjKGUthCnIWHN6-FLnoSOejEyc3ombjUkrjdYtNG85RZjxtIzpcSEYkCLVFrMEckQrWI-5qjcokuH9AehygcHcLrYsTS1DF2UqWSi2J66cdGPhO4OR2THZtM/s550/SODAT1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPEAZTTU1sv0P77LM7Y-ti3EkTcUq9H9q0YqcKrftsz7Pwa5NXdJnwx3C1eo9_YcUiFRGjKGUthCnIWHN6-FLnoSOejEyc3ombjUkrjdYtNG85RZjxtIzpcSEYkCLVFrMEckQrWI-5qjcokuH9AehygcHcLrYsTS1DF2UqWSi2J66cdGPhO4OR2THZtM/s16000/SODAT1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYBVJ2k9eHXMU-Wg3mglPFPszz_bvi88swVA989d1SkTX-QuPDybPjfI5pMnLa6r1E_WxUIVHyQIAYzH16UF4X8GHeyQOysnRJQz51YvrO6ME6QUzf_xrACM7ePZJV8mNeP-ypX_gHIypZ6aCEMRbY3SGHLcndA1ZlWn8SI3GD0rWW2jxLk33AF-WKnI/s550/SODAT2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYBVJ2k9eHXMU-Wg3mglPFPszz_bvi88swVA989d1SkTX-QuPDybPjfI5pMnLa6r1E_WxUIVHyQIAYzH16UF4X8GHeyQOysnRJQz51YvrO6ME6QUzf_xrACM7ePZJV8mNeP-ypX_gHIypZ6aCEMRbY3SGHLcndA1ZlWn8SI3GD0rWW2jxLk33AF-WKnI/s16000/SODAT2.jpg" /></a></div><p><b><i>Flashing Blades</i></b> is another variant that covers 16th to 18th c. skirmishes. It's perfect for swashbucklers and pirates. We played English Civil War with them early on and have played out a Three Musketeers game with them also usin Kevin Smyth's 40mm figures.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmQix7nvmlx1fZ4rckbnQp7lAFnOSE35zV2mtHdB5A_g0a74MbSK1k9pFbSjfCKOz8gR8eGTIq2eADOcEnK57fFjP9kYQmMjqODuJJASDnHhOQYh2coQNiPuGVYN-NrWSYLTPw0mw1jNaKTPAm33-exUYtYwDpMrRAx55fypD2N79cvlDF9xGgRAE-vI/s550/threeMusketeers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmQix7nvmlx1fZ4rckbnQp7lAFnOSE35zV2mtHdB5A_g0a74MbSK1k9pFbSjfCKOz8gR8eGTIq2eADOcEnK57fFjP9kYQmMjqODuJJASDnHhOQYh2coQNiPuGVYN-NrWSYLTPw0mw1jNaKTPAm33-exUYtYwDpMrRAx55fypD2N79cvlDF9xGgRAE-vI/s16000/threeMusketeers.jpg" /></a></div><p>We also tried <i>Flashing Blades</i> with our Aztecs and Conquistadors.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnT3PJHm1SZTg3553svZ3tRkDNBJkAsLj5EELhYlt42N0j64UpXqy5SlB2satbFIt8utmLa57-y-HZAJSoXkJEFYeYx-a_5s742gQH7kRFM6oKWC3t8kI8BK1OmY6_Qawl2YhtnAmRveqEiNcXI-rl8fcYNX4Kt4F5yq7S9rwHHxRRZHzFvEAnddttw70/s550/aztecConq.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnT3PJHm1SZTg3553svZ3tRkDNBJkAsLj5EELhYlt42N0j64UpXqy5SlB2satbFIt8utmLa57-y-HZAJSoXkJEFYeYx-a_5s742gQH7kRFM6oKWC3t8kI8BK1OmY6_Qawl2YhtnAmRveqEiNcXI-rl8fcYNX4Kt4F5yq7S9rwHHxRRZHzFvEAnddttw70/s16000/aztecConq.jpg" /></a></div><p><b><i>Flying Lead</i></b> is a variant for modern warfare. Kevin and I tried them for a couple games with our Gringo40s Vietnam War minis.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxsWr11mjULu-hPWXDxlRVGXzFTOfsH1J_nz-eCy9g3Q5ChcdInxgzn2b2iBfzLDdFLb9wNLjnPtb_qJ9VcZQlZAD0D3TEb2ouGvV9-0zGscWevpf0MenM4UibtcEojcI81RHsxRbVUtxcq4iWrajaIV1lqlSXm-inxAHUoJCtLUAw2oTFFRFJprOcLWw/s550/vietNam.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="438" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxsWr11mjULu-hPWXDxlRVGXzFTOfsH1J_nz-eCy9g3Q5ChcdInxgzn2b2iBfzLDdFLb9wNLjnPtb_qJ9VcZQlZAD0D3TEb2ouGvV9-0zGscWevpf0MenM4UibtcEojcI81RHsxRbVUtxcq4iWrajaIV1lqlSXm-inxAHUoJCtLUAw2oTFFRFJprOcLWw/s16000/vietNam.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>They could also work with the <i>Xenos Rampant</i> armies I have, all of which use single-mounted figures.</p><p>The Ganesha Games rules are easy to play and require only a few figures. They're a good place to start when you're just building a collection, but also a great set of rules to go back to often.</p><p>Even though the Ganesha rules are great for convention games with lots of new players (the basics are very easy to pick up), they work best between players who know the rules and design their own forces for use with them. All the subtleties and nuances that the rules provide are lost on people who just show up to push lead and therefore better left out.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Mortal Gods (and </span></b><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>gather me i</b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>nto the artifice of eternity)</b></span></p><p>I love <i>Mortal Gods</i>, but haven't had the chance to play it since before the plague years. We were just starting to get some traction with it as a regular go-to for gaming. I was able to resurrect my Wargames Foundry Greeks, which had been languishing as unpainted or half-painted lead for more than a decade. I would like to get back to it, but the allure of <i>Saga</i> has ensorcelled the <i>MG</i> players of old and it may have to wait out Sagamania before it can get on the dance card again—unless some new New Thing™ comes along.</p><p><i>Mortal Gods</i> is a bit hard to put neatly into one of my classifications. They're <i>false skirmish rules</i>, but single figures also play a part. The units are typically bought as groups of three, although heroes are bought as single figures. The only larger formation allowed is a phalanx of up to three hoplite groups. The play relies on unit cards with each group of three figures (or one figure for a hero) having its own card specifying its abilities. Combat is resolved with special funky dice. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-VhVyEX9ZPxJf3dCcSftxzrLaOxNxlWDeEDdRGpNpjclC2LP0IoEaHULKgRcTmRjn0A-pXDNS9q6kfntvEO5fYlHLTu_4CqRT3gS7jYrKy_LOAKwJPcWk73A_5oDNZTKcTYX19ZDUvHQ6bpRUfi6sFDvv7gTuUO4IbE9hcjDj2RGrJf7vjZrIGDQwLM/s550/mortalGods.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-VhVyEX9ZPxJf3dCcSftxzrLaOxNxlWDeEDdRGpNpjclC2LP0IoEaHULKgRcTmRjn0A-pXDNS9q6kfntvEO5fYlHLTu_4CqRT3gS7jYrKy_LOAKwJPcWk73A_5oDNZTKcTYX19ZDUvHQ6bpRUfi6sFDvv7gTuUO4IbE9hcjDj2RGrJf7vjZrIGDQwLM/s16000/mortalGods.jpg" /></a></div><p>Typically, a force for MG is a single phalanx (three hoplite stands) plus heroes and psiloi.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3A0t_QwDCmOYhI1D5RmjYJwQI-xaOs6y5YlDT56w065yjfAhGsXSfQhFC7yEAAvuMrub595c3lAfQS8UawrFhc6RxiaOM-b-4n8Q4F0rYsviu7Gnabs1Otm6HnI7kTisJQVFaD5UqaNExaC9r6zbYXAVLbqZg4yKILDu-CtVvZIruY8KoOmT91hDj7w/s550/mortalGods2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3A0t_QwDCmOYhI1D5RmjYJwQI-xaOs6y5YlDT56w065yjfAhGsXSfQhFC7yEAAvuMrub595c3lAfQS8UawrFhc6RxiaOM-b-4n8Q4F0rYsviu7Gnabs1Otm6HnI7kTisJQVFaD5UqaNExaC9r6zbYXAVLbqZg4yKILDu-CtVvZIruY8KoOmT91hDj7w/s16000/mortalGods2.jpg" /></a></div><p>It doesn't give the effect of huge lines of hoplites clashing, but for a skirmish game it works.</p><p>Honorable mention goes to <i><b>Test of Honor</b></i>, which I have but haven't played. It's the Samurai-based progenitor of <i>Mortal Gods</i>. The second edition of it came out just after <i>Mortal Gods</i> was released. I have the game, supplements and some figures (not painted), but there's been no big groundswell of enthusiasm for it 'round these parts. </p><p>Further mention should go to <i><b>Mortal Gods: Mythic</b></i>.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSOikJW63C7V7R2LB5HRN57H-PpbqTrP4szHK7maHCDFGPtxSCtkJS97gppqW45pl6j0dlO04Jmymzyfpk5_sdNYSxMq36YnCQeilxOCCLzxNKgBXgFenjfu4brh95-bC4piKuXgA0cO_1MKjjbpaHycXVpzTV5DS_W6bnCxy2v-mLGKH785tEc26ilt0/s550/myth2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSOikJW63C7V7R2LB5HRN57H-PpbqTrP4szHK7maHCDFGPtxSCtkJS97gppqW45pl6j0dlO04Jmymzyfpk5_sdNYSxMq36YnCQeilxOCCLzxNKgBXgFenjfu4brh95-bC4piKuXgA0cO_1MKjjbpaHycXVpzTV5DS_W6bnCxy2v-mLGKH785tEc26ilt0/s16000/myth2.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p>It had to be that with all the rich mythology of the Classical Age, <i>MG</i> would have to account for it. The game plays much like the standard version only there are a larger number of hero types and the factions follow specific themes related to the gods. I have the supplement and all the cards, but it's in the same doldrums mentioned above. I have several Amazon figures from Lucid Eye's Ziggurat range. Mounted on 1" fender washers, I could use them for <i>Mythic</i> or any other rules (such as <i>Tribal</i>).</p><p>Even though the figures are used in threes, the larger stands are 3-hole sabots. Each figure is mounted on a 1" fender washer. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78DK256NPs7uM9SvaeAGC12QIzU3mg6Ay34R6F68dGeYK-rT9cPVw3_crYs4lVo1NY8nUf7xK5JiVI3aWD4ZVG6Frtc6B6SiLfQVZF3zBNLfltNKomTieiFXSB_EWCMhWmFNozEatqsbMWe2xIsG4Mu26uuP4Ghr0p5evp1t1jy9ANb_IedEqd49qErE/s550/MG_Sabot.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78DK256NPs7uM9SvaeAGC12QIzU3mg6Ay34R6F68dGeYK-rT9cPVw3_crYs4lVo1NY8nUf7xK5JiVI3aWD4ZVG6Frtc6B6SiLfQVZF3zBNLfltNKomTieiFXSB_EWCMhWmFNozEatqsbMWe2xIsG4Mu26uuP4Ghr0p5evp1t1jy9ANb_IedEqd49qErE/s16000/MG_Sabot.jpg" /></a></div><p>I can easily use any <i>Mortal Gods</i> figures for any other skirmish game. Bill Stewart and Eric Donaldson have already repurposed their <i>Mortal Gods</i> figures as <i>Saga</i> warbands for <i>Age of Alexander</i> and <i>Age of Hannibal</i>.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Donnybrook (</span></b><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>the ceremony of innocence is drowned)</b></span></p><p>I haven't played <i>Donnybrook</i> yet, but I bought the rules a few years ago and intend to get to using them at some point. The rules officially cover the period 1660 to 1760. However, it's easy to fudge them in either direction earlier or later. They're perfect for the late 17th c., which is a period I like very much and have done a lot of figures for using <i>The Pikeman's Lament</i>. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3mPDkVo8vF1t2_Y1Iwcws8J8khiTRU_wp1A2kZOruQ0hn-tu43uw10EoY57ymNyYw6RPissStdaMrDaTt_m5w_NixH9ex2YMl0NV4u4blVPy8_WrLNIuir6ZxhkChgsxAVtDPb9EggDp8z9AOiJF3voB5ayUpkiyM4ROPVng7iW4Mc7KzRpACzgizPA/s550/dbrook01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3mPDkVo8vF1t2_Y1Iwcws8J8khiTRU_wp1A2kZOruQ0hn-tu43uw10EoY57ymNyYw6RPissStdaMrDaTt_m5w_NixH9ex2YMl0NV4u4blVPy8_WrLNIuir6ZxhkChgsxAVtDPb9EggDp8z9AOiJF3voB5ayUpkiyM4ROPVng7iW4Mc7KzRpACzgizPA/s16000/dbrook01.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p>They're <i>false skirmish rules</i>, except that characters act independently. Troops are rated as Recruit, Drilled, or Elite. Characters can be rated Hero. </p><p>Building a force is done by spending force points for groups of figures based on their experience level and then arranging the figures into units. One force point buys the following:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>12 Recruits on foot or 9 mounted</li><li>8 Drilled on foot or 6 mounted</li><li>4 Elite on foot or 3 mounted</li></ul><div>For every force point spent on the troops above, you get one special character of the same experience level. Special characters can be things like an officer, ensign, sergeant, or drummer. Most characters need to be attached to a unit, but may detach and attach to another unit during the game.</div><div><br /></div><div>The forces you create are also governed by factions, such as Army, Tribal, Highlanders, Outlaws, etc. For each of these types there are different special characters available.</div><div><br /></div><div>Each force has a free leader, who is a Hero.</div><div><br /></div><div>A big <i>Donnybrook</i> game may be 8 force points. Depending on how you organize the force into units, you could have maybe 4-6 units with 8 characters and a leader.</div><div><br /></div><div>Units can be 3-12 figures of any quality. For example, 12 Recruits bought for a single force point can be organized as four 3-figure units, three 4-figure units, two six-figure units, one 6-figure unit and two 3-figure units, a 5-figure unit and a 7-figure unit, etc. Bigger units are better because you throw more dice and can absorb more losses.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVetoioIaHIpIegA5w5e88VoYO0ZQLtrMXFj-H2WR3diHoVPgVIGA9j8x9vdmLjSrAo0Sc8jQNPCdlboQjSYx__0_idNcJRsIocB-R4jaW9Wcpe3p58mr8dEKns5uziRryY1kbOZHOrTyYkOPLMsVNA7772Wlu7S9ffN4zK9XrKwhKsGZbc96Mco9orz4/s550/dbrook02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVetoioIaHIpIegA5w5e88VoYO0ZQLtrMXFj-H2WR3diHoVPgVIGA9j8x9vdmLjSrAo0Sc8jQNPCdlboQjSYx__0_idNcJRsIocB-R4jaW9Wcpe3p58mr8dEKns5uziRryY1kbOZHOrTyYkOPLMsVNA7772Wlu7S9ffN4zK9XrKwhKsGZbc96Mco9orz4/s16000/dbrook02.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The quality of the troops determines the kind of dice they throw. </div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Recruits throw D6s</li><li>Drilled throw D8s</li><li>Elites throw D10s</li><li>Heroes throw D12s</li></ul></div><div>The standard target for a successful die result is 5+, so better quality troops throwing dice with more pips are likelier to succeed.</div><div><br /></div><div>Having only read the rules, I have the impression that units can get shot/cut up very quickly. There are no saves for poor slobs in the open. Saves are limited to units in cover or, if in melee, units with armor (no armor saves for gunfire). This will drive most players to stick to hedges, walls, bushes, buildings, etc. I'm not sure that's quite the 17th c. way of doing things.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7T9qWq4Y2xLWf2Qn0qUEnuZ6d8YLOf54SIXJlXQU94RwILTGF1DkHvYW-x0pBt67kYt0C7Nx00FTP7ffivl1HFAEQyuVQgBzVFLIa0Hg2hkzHKL2dIC3mbJtFCMV583d0Kmkyzutegc3Vk68KRY7SlAiNQhJ6ryyGLVwXkyoEcFDXX0QpI-UfrV22G0/s550/dbrook03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7T9qWq4Y2xLWf2Qn0qUEnuZ6d8YLOf54SIXJlXQU94RwILTGF1DkHvYW-x0pBt67kYt0C7Nx00FTP7ffivl1HFAEQyuVQgBzVFLIa0Hg2hkzHKL2dIC3mbJtFCMV583d0Kmkyzutegc3Vk68KRY7SlAiNQhJ6ryyGLVwXkyoEcFDXX0QpI-UfrV22G0/s16000/dbrook03.jpg" /></a></div><p>I also have a lot of figures for earlier periods that can be used for <i>Donnybrook</i>, such as 16th c. (using my 9 Years War Irish and English) and ECW/Thirty Years War. I could also do Italian Renaissance for that matter.</p><p>I've been picking up every Bloody Miniatures release that comes out (only about a dozen painted so far) with an eye to doing a smaller ECW skirmish game with them (smaller scale than <i>The Pikeman's Lament</i>). <i>Donnybrook</i> may fit the bill. </p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Muskets & Tomahawks (</span></b><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>they and I b</b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>ut lived where motley is worn</b></span><b><span style="font-size: medium;">)</span></b></p><p>I've only played a couple games of <i>M&T</i> using Mike Lombardy's minis (pictured here). They're fun and I've started (long ago) some forces of my own for them. <i>M&T</i> are <i>false skirmish rules</i>. The figures are organized as units and shoot, fight, take morale as a single entity. Losses of figures to the unit affect how well it continues to function, but there's no separate actions taken by single figures.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFaVruOqVlalSo_yP2Wa8CxYLeRjhF6D_GIa9Ek6YzaylYYAnFGXRvW4nf1uqI0xBsE8NIljNwqWRFCN0-OoaOkZw7QeOhhTlDj1h8Gt5URKsrjmV63piAoebelHIFQX8qUsRklX8cN7jTpjdeTpmVI-WH-5j6FjsWY4ssXVz8C7X5hp5MuJNK1bGFQk0/s550/MT01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFaVruOqVlalSo_yP2Wa8CxYLeRjhF6D_GIa9Ek6YzaylYYAnFGXRvW4nf1uqI0xBsE8NIljNwqWRFCN0-OoaOkZw7QeOhhTlDj1h8Gt5URKsrjmV63piAoebelHIFQX8qUsRklX8cN7jTpjdeTpmVI-WH-5j6FjsWY4ssXVz8C7X5hp5MuJNK1bGFQk0/s16000/MT01.jpg" /></a></div><p>The second edition rules use D10s insead of D6s because the number of modifiers that could be applied exceeded the 1-6 range and you have to make other adjustments. It's a good idea, but I can't help but lament the abandonment of the D6. Fistful o' dice games using D6s have a particular style to them that a fistful o' D10s just can't aspire to.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaN8mUbm9qf_CGdCPbSTvU3BX8NkzkHQllvHflXZfDOkpFjqu4aom9bShbNSuKzNFC3tNsM0ma8gsFLIZQaBUBboo04VL1n6sbjxvD9wr9DDLfc10RmqCgkd4BEiGe21AOi27EsAS1fTlLfROtp0u7MrlMUULVy4VhrSx32wR7e49J2xQ0iRUqtf42wc/s550/MT02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaN8mUbm9qf_CGdCPbSTvU3BX8NkzkHQllvHflXZfDOkpFjqu4aom9bShbNSuKzNFC3tNsM0ma8gsFLIZQaBUBboo04VL1n6sbjxvD9wr9DDLfc10RmqCgkd4BEiGe21AOi27EsAS1fTlLfROtp0u7MrlMUULVy4VhrSx32wR7e49J2xQ0iRUqtf42wc/s16000/MT02.jpg" /></a></div><p>I started a lot of Galloping Major figures for the French and Indian War, which can also be used for Song of <i>Drums and Tomahawks</i> and <i>Donnybrook</i>. I also picked up an army box of French for <i>M&T</i> that comes from Morth Star Miniatures. I just need to get the project prioritized. I have several figures in progress, but they'll been relegated to a drawer in the garage for a while now. </p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Tribal (t</span></b><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>he blood-dimmed tide is loosed)</b></span></p><p>I've recently <a href="https://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2023/09/tribal-second-edition-review.html" target="_blank">reviewed these rules</a>, so there's not much more to add here. They currently command my short attention span. I've been playing with my beloved 40mm Bronze Age Europeans, but I have cavemen in the works and several other warband projects queued up.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhUDA8tkDbuGcuXIezwFCZJVC3WgU50-a3KTezFQ0AB3IDBMpbiXF27gimkjgiPI7jJ9tNyzhPYPBI6U0G18QECkveP_SeCf8mJIlYTC6KvStuOWisN-OP9-SR5p7gQ60HnwBzYpDpXSBlPGNp7VZ567oEzHO9Og_Lbt--aZ2W7Xf9I4QywVu2frGtIw/s550/TR01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhUDA8tkDbuGcuXIezwFCZJVC3WgU50-a3KTezFQ0AB3IDBMpbiXF27gimkjgiPI7jJ9tNyzhPYPBI6U0G18QECkveP_SeCf8mJIlYTC6KvStuOWisN-OP9-SR5p7gQ60HnwBzYpDpXSBlPGNp7VZ567oEzHO9Og_Lbt--aZ2W7Xf9I4QywVu2frGtIw/s16000/TR01.jpg" /></a></div><p><i>Tribal</i> are like <i>Mortal Gods</i> and <i>Donnybrook</i> in that they're <i>false skirmish rules</i> where units can be 5-figure formations and single figures (heroes) have a significant presence. Typically, more than half the units in a <i>Tribal</i> warband can be single figures.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYfrFA9K8P0owqRKwujXT3dypc7_2h2j7rQtZDAIiqjh4MDAI6aQT3CCWaY1Y1Wu87msgXU9SysZDpWpSDSDVobBD2srgpX9bCMWStcuwYiXdZdIF-YjtxDK_brX8az0xrRWfFIJr0E-ZXqGNhr0mxWrtpojX7JGAk3MMRJXUcwQeCqjOaZJIcjQYsPQ/s564/TR02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYfrFA9K8P0owqRKwujXT3dypc7_2h2j7rQtZDAIiqjh4MDAI6aQT3CCWaY1Y1Wu87msgXU9SysZDpWpSDSDVobBD2srgpX9bCMWStcuwYiXdZdIF-YjtxDK_brX8az0xrRWfFIJr0E-ZXqGNhr0mxWrtpojX7JGAk3MMRJXUcwQeCqjOaZJIcjQYsPQ/s16000/TR02.jpg" /></a></div><p>Despite its name, <i>Tribal</i> isn't just for skirmishes between tribes of prehistoric or indigenous peoples. One of the first things that struck me is that the <i>Saga</i> warbands many of us have painted (especially the Dark Ages ones) can be easily repurposed as <i>Tribal</i> warbands. I've been eyeing my <i>Saga</i> Picts (they of many battles) as a prime candidate for doing double duty with <i>Tribal</i>. The primary consideration is having enough figures that are suitable as heroes.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Postscript: Pig Wars (t</span></b><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>oo long a sacrifice can make a stone of the heart)</b></span></p><p>I was reminded that I left out <i>Pig Wars</i>, which is a serious omission because it was, I think, the first skirmish game I ever played. It is also, however, a game I haven't played since around the turn of the century. (It feels odd writing "turn of the century," but there it is.)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVG3omUGBJ3fqtLijBic0ssSxYIvlfNs44s6WiJ2QTBJ8FwppTC8bINDz-lCAqM7v724y5N04yLdsXQV7w7IxliGJ2Mr-kBG69LP2SQehJsUUivaVFp9kvkqWM-x2zaLgXN6o0HKAK8oIyWpHWdXHRN_D4zGqewXseBbW4V6gr8VGh8GjY3T9wrFJNfFM/s550/PW01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVG3omUGBJ3fqtLijBic0ssSxYIvlfNs44s6WiJ2QTBJ8FwppTC8bINDz-lCAqM7v724y5N04yLdsXQV7w7IxliGJ2Mr-kBG69LP2SQehJsUUivaVFp9kvkqWM-x2zaLgXN6o0HKAK8oIyWpHWdXHRN_D4zGqewXseBbW4V6gr8VGh8GjY3T9wrFJNfFM/s16000/PW01.jpg" /></a></div><p>I first saw <i>Pig Wars</i> when it was set up in the common area of the computer wargame company <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strategic_Simulations" target="_blank">SSI</a> in the late 80s. My friend Rick worked there and since all the people there were avid wargamers, they had miniatures games set up for the off hours.</p><p>I didn't play it myself until the 90s when <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/813082.Charles_C_Sharp" target="_blank">Charles Sharp</a> talked it up among the group of us that met to play at American Eagles in Tacoma. I had a large number of Old Glory Picts and Dark Age Irish painted for it, with more Dark Age Britain stuff coming (Saxons and Arthurians).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj55jgkeQQIggdOVvpEtkL9NWnQ_JLqDKhtzY7v7vWPCU-bxgOet4Bx4-FTJHvssufzY4k4l1JE8oetQCp0jXE19XItHxDDe-X8zzALJBOE2iHgAtsBbH1JFVG-f2A1QPDIh0IkeEEyb06cEtJsoPloXRSz6xxKy05CnqO8E5Z-ijxlrKZVDFO4oURXbJw/s550/PW02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="407" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj55jgkeQQIggdOVvpEtkL9NWnQ_JLqDKhtzY7v7vWPCU-bxgOet4Bx4-FTJHvssufzY4k4l1JE8oetQCp0jXE19XItHxDDe-X8zzALJBOE2iHgAtsBbH1JFVG-f2A1QPDIh0IkeEEyb06cEtJsoPloXRSz6xxKy05CnqO8E5Z-ijxlrKZVDFO4oURXbJw/s16000/PW02.jpg" /></a></div><p>For a while, Pig Wars was a going concern. I even wrote a Late Medieval Variant that we did Hundred Years War games with. The variant eventually found its way into the 4th edition of the rules that are <a href="https://www.wargamevault.com/product/140346/Pig-Wars-4th-Edition-When-men-were-men-and-pigs-were-money" target="_blank">available on Wargames Vault</a>.</p><p>The <i>Saga</i> group in Tacoma revived <i>Pig Wars</i> for a game day in late August—an event I missed through the mixed blessing of gainful employment.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00JEt5bPZbJSqZWjl0ogK-iwAGt2negwWsf9agG0Zuze3O5Bmw6RFsGS0Nu5uYoReN36AhMq4qBS717fWtUzDE8OLJG_ZmF_CULDSoO9meithCe0VwSKF6HuhoCkkeSanIgEWEUjeIxKhH8DO4z1VkLBxwb1Liz_eEFeKzzx_Z7W-cGeoiqsO0IjQbdA/s550/PW2023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="484" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00JEt5bPZbJSqZWjl0ogK-iwAGt2negwWsf9agG0Zuze3O5Bmw6RFsGS0Nu5uYoReN36AhMq4qBS717fWtUzDE8OLJG_ZmF_CULDSoO9meithCe0VwSKF6HuhoCkkeSanIgEWEUjeIxKhH8DO4z1VkLBxwb1Liz_eEFeKzzx_Z7W-cGeoiqsO0IjQbdA/s16000/PW2023.jpg" /></a></div><p>I think <i>Pig Wars</i> will return to our repertoire (and hopefully I'll have a chance to play it again). As with <i>Tribal</i>, the many single-based Dark Ages minis we have for <i>Saga</i> will seamlessly serve double-duty for chasing pigs, cows, geese, etc. 'round the Dark Age barnyards.</p><p><b>Historical note: </b>The interval since the last time I played <i>Pig Wars</i> is evident in that the first two pictures above were taken by me using a 35mm digital SLR, which I have long since abandoned because the camera on my iPhone is infinitely better for taking pics of minis. The pics are probably 20 years old at least because they were taken in the apartment I lived in before purchasing Stately Chez Dave in beautiful formerly-bucolic Lynnwood, WA. However, as I think of it, they may have been taken by a 35mm film SLR because I have a note with the files that they were scanned from prints, which makes no sense if they were digital originals—not that making sense has ever been a criterium for my actions.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Post-Postrscript: Fistful of Lead (s</span></b><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>oul clap its hands and sing, and louder sing f</b></span><b style="font-size: large;">or every tatter in its mortal dress)</b></p><p>I've had several recommendations for the <i>Fistful of Lead</i> skirmish rules, so I finally got a copy of the core rules from Wargame Vault.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6w5tP8403dJ3oD6BJxdj10HfyaaTjmjcc3NXt4YOYsVjz93CNqmje8kbGujuMY6u88IZYd0uI6nWxE_pF8eD1Qugwkt0w8_KmoOFRuh-mYlKq-HYoO0-SIx7Qy8auCzqmbUq6V3RNoM7yFGech3f56g8bKcPB2Hphxp4xo5-qJ6cQ_CksNmztH5KTtZ8/s836/FFoL01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6w5tP8403dJ3oD6BJxdj10HfyaaTjmjcc3NXt4YOYsVjz93CNqmje8kbGujuMY6u88IZYd0uI6nWxE_pF8eD1Qugwkt0w8_KmoOFRuh-mYlKq-HYoO0-SIx7Qy8auCzqmbUq6V3RNoM7yFGech3f56g8bKcPB2Hphxp4xo5-qJ6cQ_CksNmztH5KTtZ8/s16000/FFoL01.jpg" /></a></div><p>As the title implies, the rules came into being as a western gunfight set, but subsequent variants as well as players' mods allowed the rules to be used for nearly everything. Wiley Games finally published a core set that players' can build on for their specific genre. As far as I know, it's only available as a PDF. There's a revised set of the original western gunfight rules available as a printed booklet.</p><p>I haven't played <i>Fistful of Lead</i>, but—because I have so many minis on single bases—there's nothing stopping me from giving them a go. Also, because <i>Fistful of Lead</i> are <i>true skirmish rules</i>, you only need a few figures (like, a fistful) to play.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>So that's that so far (turning and turning in the widening gyre)</b></span></p><p>I'm sure I could say more, but I'm trying not to make every blog post as long and tedious as a Russian novel. Skirmish gaming has taken such a hold that I don't foresee ever going back to trying to build a traditional big-battle wargame force. Big-battle games tend to require specific multifigure basing that often renders the figures unuseable (or not easily useable) with other rules. Single-mounted figures provide full transferability between different sets of rules. Even the 3-2-1 basing that I've done for most of my "Rampant" armies is easily accommodated because they provide simple breakdowns and allow for reducing the group by single figures.</p><br />David Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229259148925201182noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99962604511527341.post-47192310723955003902023-09-17T13:56:00.007-07:002023-09-17T15:47:58.446-07:00Fix Bayonet '23: The Tribaling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-dGlu34GdOEfodYARUGuTDYv3g3CbOKi7i1tWfeEeyPYuGU7DTJNqjgWu2QxeFVbn9Ekcs0BwId6sVj61jnu5CPVz_aqVmbIsD7dLcqPq6bjmKFSMyvErOVGHcTPCV7UvH40PJXH5maZmUJCVtmymJx2NSXhO4TO0vw-2mnU3x9Owdv0aD8LlqpJ258/s550/Banner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="301" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-dGlu34GdOEfodYARUGuTDYv3g3CbOKi7i1tWfeEeyPYuGU7DTJNqjgWu2QxeFVbn9Ekcs0BwId6sVj61jnu5CPVz_aqVmbIsD7dLcqPq6bjmKFSMyvErOVGHcTPCV7UvH40PJXH5maZmUJCVtmymJx2NSXhO4TO0vw-2mnU3x9Owdv0aD8LlqpJ258/s16000/Banner.jpg" /></a></div><p>Another Fix Bayonet! game day at <a href="https://historicfortsteilacoom.org/" target="_blank">Historic Fort Steilacoom</a> has come and gone. It was a beautiful, warm, sunny day and I was on the road just after 7:00 am to get down to make it for our 9:00 am start time. The event is run by Lawrence Bateman, who started it it maybe a dozen years ago based on his association with the fort's historical society and restoration projects. It's always been a highlight of the gaming year for me and I've run/played many enjoyable games at past events. It doesn't draw a huge crowd (less with each passing year, I fear) and the playing area is limited, but the quality of the games has always been high. There's always a morning and afternoon session with a lunch break in between. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLg6IATMgqO_NydryZDm71D975hbhs0tWaOtSL63YvnpjvL993vk7EF_KpESg8Ku1HMD7ncdsNO_4P9E_sNPRSsTjuBzojX-gOoZPhWhEgN5ozOxUEF2pJw3d3avvNnOCEQ5bcy2M6GRdce48MkRVa_Sd2ngD2-3t8iAoix7TloEL6rSPKM1_YzfIQwU/s550/theRoom.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLg6IATMgqO_NydryZDm71D975hbhs0tWaOtSL63YvnpjvL993vk7EF_KpESg8Ku1HMD7ncdsNO_4P9E_sNPRSsTjuBzojX-gOoZPhWhEgN5ozOxUEF2pJw3d3avvNnOCEQ5bcy2M6GRdce48MkRVa_Sd2ngD2-3t8iAoix7TloEL6rSPKM1_YzfIQwU/s16000/theRoom.jpg" /></a></div><p>This year, I ran two games: <i><a href="https://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2022/12/2022-space-rampancy.html" target="_blank">Xenos Rampant</a></i> in the morning and <i><a href="https://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2023/09/tribal-second-edition-review.html" target="_blank">Tribal</a></i> in the afternoon. <a href="https://agamerstales.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Kevin Smyth</a> and I were going to run a single <i>Xenos Rampant</i> game together in the morning, but a paucity of other games being hosted and the loss of one game host due to COVID (he's fine, just quarantined) caused us to divide our forces and take on two periods each. Kevin ran a <i>Rebels and Patriots</i> game in the morning using his long-neglected Wayne's Legion minis and an Irish Civil War skirmish game in the afternoon. There was also a Stalingrad game hosted by George Kettler and Will Depusoy using <i>Chain of Command</i> (this was their Best of Show winning game from Enfilade! in May). In the library room, Lawrence and Damond Crump ran a game of the Battle of Antietam using the <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/148356/altar-freedom-grand-tactical-battles-american-civi" target="_blank"><i>Altar of Freedom</i></a> rules.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">First period: <i>Xenos Rampant</i> - Dance of the Drones</span></b></p><p>My Xenos rampant game was a reduced version of one of the games I hosted at Enfilade! in May (not a show winner, but it got best of period). John Werle and I played the Green Meanies against Pete Dixon and The Man Named Ford, who were the Red Menace. The object of the game was to capture and carry of the board two errant drones that were moving about randomly. There were two 24-point detachments on each side.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadko6bnW2AV9BZeG3fxVPG37GNbv875FbS2SikVTxe5fhhc2mvTou47QGWAgCM-MGp67XQXlDY5UID9GZKKSho2CW4od9HSi0HzHTl7xkLkM0hg8Jd0d8d3SMmvQqLNng_jk4jhlvs73KCO41ThnGHDjXZISgH5d3UvdS_Ov_NuFaLijm9ReNeQMtrF4/s550/xenos01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadko6bnW2AV9BZeG3fxVPG37GNbv875FbS2SikVTxe5fhhc2mvTou47QGWAgCM-MGp67XQXlDY5UID9GZKKSho2CW4od9HSi0HzHTl7xkLkM0hg8Jd0d8d3SMmvQqLNng_jk4jhlvs73KCO41ThnGHDjXZISgH5d3UvdS_Ov_NuFaLijm9ReNeQMtrF4/s16000/xenos01.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqME81g1vnBq0RLtXVyn6_CuY8xJQz8Z9U5SlPx3ZfvgcvjJzyDBl7pFLOAIiI6vM272Kkj59A4UAJqenwQcb0P1o2_cep-3hk5j9fp3zOyq8rdH96WT0IzBqxwoAzySYBdMp1z4h61Ibalr9FVvVfZ-g3vuYyLF7K9MyzyLWAqgqN-tAB1KgBnq5h3hk/s550/xenos02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqME81g1vnBq0RLtXVyn6_CuY8xJQz8Z9U5SlPx3ZfvgcvjJzyDBl7pFLOAIiI6vM272Kkj59A4UAJqenwQcb0P1o2_cep-3hk5j9fp3zOyq8rdH96WT0IzBqxwoAzySYBdMp1z4h61Ibalr9FVvVfZ-g3vuYyLF7K9MyzyLWAqgqN-tAB1KgBnq5h3hk/s16000/xenos02.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILzuwKAL0TgQe6vYcgsZh0Kxdh5XucGvtUNOf-lVMz-EUunUhjSoLqTljGtGK_WM55Mb6NY96T0EmO9Hfs_jocepkbF4DBTW4KetPgopppwv0cHa7wKI_ghp90FUj8f2_2yaODiKzENaadzV3D9jhIA2XJbmrlM-XQCcQLYzb6Glet7qkZf09i-vkBZ4/s550/xenos03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="434" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILzuwKAL0TgQe6vYcgsZh0Kxdh5XucGvtUNOf-lVMz-EUunUhjSoLqTljGtGK_WM55Mb6NY96T0EmO9Hfs_jocepkbF4DBTW4KetPgopppwv0cHa7wKI_ghp90FUj8f2_2yaODiKzENaadzV3D9jhIA2XJbmrlM-XQCcQLYzb6Glet7qkZf09i-vkBZ4/s16000/xenos03.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitINh_DrNkKUQrTh0pa2jTFtUxDO_N2GVasbcDzwEUVwCiLLF_sxP3zYgCKu0VpwdY842S1spUbB964OtoZcqZHoQh45XPYgyIS1Dq5LjcBlcSzjO6yue3pM6c02dJy38LJPUz878sIlDJiYRX4AUNoVnyMDd2zt2TYqW4ZMw5ayFNKbKrx_kaV2xUnu8/s550/xenos04.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitINh_DrNkKUQrTh0pa2jTFtUxDO_N2GVasbcDzwEUVwCiLLF_sxP3zYgCKu0VpwdY842S1spUbB964OtoZcqZHoQh45XPYgyIS1Dq5LjcBlcSzjO6yue3pM6c02dJy38LJPUz878sIlDJiYRX4AUNoVnyMDd2zt2TYqW4ZMw5ayFNKbKrx_kaV2xUnu8/s16000/xenos04.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5XtfhXX54T_zUq4f_BS8UfsNGdAbFVA_JudbE01adazDHGpaDVHIg8N-ZdOdua9e2Ny8aN4U_fEKyedKQUSlfNT4J3yvm5NercFrSMLYAxaB6qP4LwOubOzvEF00aHE6PXQ4d-hEKkscZfXHuSVM3e2-tFgF9UGxxItnSdpr-966z0VKU9VNUbPMmGs/s550/xenos05.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5XtfhXX54T_zUq4f_BS8UfsNGdAbFVA_JudbE01adazDHGpaDVHIg8N-ZdOdua9e2Ny8aN4U_fEKyedKQUSlfNT4J3yvm5NercFrSMLYAxaB6qP4LwOubOzvEF00aHE6PXQ4d-hEKkscZfXHuSVM3e2-tFgF9UGxxItnSdpr-966z0VKU9VNUbPMmGs/s16000/xenos05.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8nCOI6acgc7S0dzJp6MC4GLA7rGKvXJD7eKoAHxZKnxuoxlWgHHOWz8O1TgT0enk-LiaVgcxuF3IFTdZpwBU9tdhyKSICtznKLDTCThTUU-U0S9EuTUGdJOdPbQlK6oaCdpjEWNE6NGIQr957EQhhmsXOfD4X9AgJh2iTvY6Fad8XGmpTn5_3JgZHfo/s550/xenos06.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="458" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8nCOI6acgc7S0dzJp6MC4GLA7rGKvXJD7eKoAHxZKnxuoxlWgHHOWz8O1TgT0enk-LiaVgcxuF3IFTdZpwBU9tdhyKSICtznKLDTCThTUU-U0S9EuTUGdJOdPbQlK6oaCdpjEWNE6NGIQr957EQhhmsXOfD4X9AgJh2iTvY6Fad8XGmpTn5_3JgZHfo/s16000/xenos06.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0P_UMZLeaUDvFbDl_VZ7JWbLcEZQ4FT3mpkUvaiplWOEGdgAKmYTwSjqwLps7m8cAFTxfbV1ZsXl-4UiFw3oVnIj_TcXvbkUWJzK8NZ2GzD5b4mWO6e1bqrba0ZReDqFOZPpoIAkBPlvGHWNVAr7OKtmIJh780h9k15cGzF-0KhdN2n0kt8re372_UWs/s550/xenos07.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0P_UMZLeaUDvFbDl_VZ7JWbLcEZQ4FT3mpkUvaiplWOEGdgAKmYTwSjqwLps7m8cAFTxfbV1ZsXl-4UiFw3oVnIj_TcXvbkUWJzK8NZ2GzD5b4mWO6e1bqrba0ZReDqFOZPpoIAkBPlvGHWNVAr7OKtmIJh780h9k15cGzF-0KhdN2n0kt8re372_UWs/s16000/xenos07.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGJsqOZwyq-pFbGU5NnbTeGh2w6ZJ0LoBlfpy2uIKv4mYP8fylt7tPsG_mWr_nDDPGZvLG89I4Pp7CGtYjzI62AwLllw12RBBf2qoCz9ZuiomZh-x5kujA2qiKTY2iH3OcScfNFVFH7epEu-YtRMY0UgaZyDkbCtvZX5u1zVO39rJ-UfcuJerhqCx0Mw/s550/xenos08.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGJsqOZwyq-pFbGU5NnbTeGh2w6ZJ0LoBlfpy2uIKv4mYP8fylt7tPsG_mWr_nDDPGZvLG89I4Pp7CGtYjzI62AwLllw12RBBf2qoCz9ZuiomZh-x5kujA2qiKTY2iH3OcScfNFVFH7epEu-YtRMY0UgaZyDkbCtvZX5u1zVO39rJ-UfcuJerhqCx0Mw/s16000/xenos08.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuTaUtpD2QhBsv4_ltvvfJFkq2cU9ilwjgitwgLI5qYJBpwTkG0bHHpV3DZT5rZ-fbYlxTYFT58phRtu7W3LwwdoWmn2l5Pz5mXEhFWi8sCnx2pLGkb4VyNqPVOceR9jgo3UJrvWg1AMOQl2aKR4nV3kPXZ91012D2BKF16Oq_WGL1o7q9wSqA4U49tg/s550/xenos09.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="469" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuTaUtpD2QhBsv4_ltvvfJFkq2cU9ilwjgitwgLI5qYJBpwTkG0bHHpV3DZT5rZ-fbYlxTYFT58phRtu7W3LwwdoWmn2l5Pz5mXEhFWi8sCnx2pLGkb4VyNqPVOceR9jgo3UJrvWg1AMOQl2aKR4nV3kPXZ91012D2BKF16Oq_WGL1o7q9wSqA4U49tg/s16000/xenos09.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB87zkWILy8D-UWSfPV5oLhrjN58aqJrzmxYNNp4UiOJdI0NefPUoTWY5DzXuPsF1CM2xlDk2s2uOPeduxslFKM-Jma2tdWaoUKWfAUJO-hJN88mpk-eVV85pP_y3h2TNoNxXkySR7qBR-dsf-0uTbWn2J9dZXnVUreIt6bjqOTXhiaEuMMVrf6OnVnh0/s550/xenos10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB87zkWILy8D-UWSfPV5oLhrjN58aqJrzmxYNNp4UiOJdI0NefPUoTWY5DzXuPsF1CM2xlDk2s2uOPeduxslFKM-Jma2tdWaoUKWfAUJO-hJN88mpk-eVV85pP_y3h2TNoNxXkySR7qBR-dsf-0uTbWn2J9dZXnVUreIt6bjqOTXhiaEuMMVrf6OnVnh0/s16000/xenos10.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdLGuC5Djl4VI4b5dxNxDUdo3uKpqCm1pYD59CEYVpKrDQGcbKMNOkNgDvuponbr6QDkFM59tDrgonGtuRasjF8gLSy9WRtHFmdbLD5lkZyoJ5hRW1qFFk9AQAd5EAL-ooocajdyno92uzggQZo79S4A5Md16wxYySE_PGSC92PFkCxHO9GpsFpfOjBQ/s550/xenos11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdLGuC5Djl4VI4b5dxNxDUdo3uKpqCm1pYD59CEYVpKrDQGcbKMNOkNgDvuponbr6QDkFM59tDrgonGtuRasjF8gLSy9WRtHFmdbLD5lkZyoJ5hRW1qFFk9AQAd5EAL-ooocajdyno92uzggQZo79S4A5Md16wxYySE_PGSC92PFkCxHO9GpsFpfOjBQ/s16000/xenos11.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiynKB5JjhnwGGnV3BSMsyVlGHojYKZhPbMDZv2fTehOjdK7aVmzDlLhm6Hl6SWjiKnbE3YhHrr2WpfbSBSTkBt-oD2PzovMO5IKm9iluoBmtolCNzwi-YjZms8pe-CQ6gdCXL2nsbL3vhPhEhliv8QmIHADti4v7xZVMIbAo4k_MPA-kIOOYixlXmKgE/s550/xenos12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="508" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiynKB5JjhnwGGnV3BSMsyVlGHojYKZhPbMDZv2fTehOjdK7aVmzDlLhm6Hl6SWjiKnbE3YhHrr2WpfbSBSTkBt-oD2PzovMO5IKm9iluoBmtolCNzwi-YjZms8pe-CQ6gdCXL2nsbL3vhPhEhliv8QmIHADti4v7xZVMIbAo4k_MPA-kIOOYixlXmKgE/s16000/xenos12.jpg" /></a></div><p>There was a lot of extreme range shooting, especially from the weapons drones that Pete and I commanded. I had one unit that lost two figures and then ran away after rolling snake-eyes for morale. (However, in retrospect, I forgot to add the +1 for my nearby detachment commander, which would have just caused them to be suppressed. <i>C'est la guerre</i>.)</p><p>The random movement of drones favored John and me. Except for a single turn when Ford grabbed one of the drones—before being shot up, suppressed, and abandoning it—we snagged them and got them off board. despite a lot of losses on both sides, it was a Green Meanie win.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Interbellum: Lunch </span></b></p><p>As often as we can, we spend our lunch break at the Steilacoom Pub & Grill. Kevin, Scott Abbott, and I went. The food is great (and plentiful).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaWR4D6fL7anLEI1rGoQSXhkmaWc-M_7CxSu1FWrkTkcosgs3Y8i8Gu3b8pAyyt4lPxE1goa_cj1JHGfEtcWWKXm6SOHWc0USWZVJGBWD2JpNARd94qXkBEDchPwmj1RkRBp5hX_PDWFQwk9HQebe3vOCkFk6vqH6f5wAhE1U0dyqRRfoYfVpcs-hprI/s550/steilaCoomPub.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaWR4D6fL7anLEI1rGoQSXhkmaWc-M_7CxSu1FWrkTkcosgs3Y8i8Gu3b8pAyyt4lPxE1goa_cj1JHGfEtcWWKXm6SOHWc0USWZVJGBWD2JpNARd94qXkBEDchPwmj1RkRBp5hX_PDWFQwk9HQebe3vOCkFk6vqH6f5wAhE1U0dyqRRfoYfVpcs-hprI/s16000/steilaCoomPub.jpg" /></a></div><p>A huge number of bikers were just pulling out when we arrived, so we got there just at the right time. I had a delicious reuben sandwich and fries. They have really good fries.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Second period: <i>Tribal</i> - Hills of Contention</span></b></p><p>My <i>Tribal</i> game again used my beloved 40mm Bronze Age Europe minis. I'm really happy to be getting a lot of mileage out of these guys. Currently, they're the only minis I have to play <i>Tribal</i> with. I set up a four-player game that included the aforementioned Ford (honestly, I never got his last name) and me on one side against Gene Anderson and Scott on the other.</p><p><i>Tribal</i> has a system of randomizing the game objectives where each player draws 1-3 cards from a separate deck (we drew two each) that indicate what their objective is. My cards were duplicates, so I had just one objective, which was to control my side of the board by having more of my units on it at the end of the game than my opponent (Scott). Other player's objectives varied. One of Scott's was to kill my warlord (didn't happen). The double-edged sword of the objectives is that you gain honor points by achieving them and lose the same number by not achieving them.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrSQOhc3nTFQC1S_Xq92X7sK2wiDyzapjcBEzqVyX144q8TX0Mh2sde7Zntq6mQQBblxI20eNcjfZXRUyis7kpI1JePOgGY90umUitFU2SM_XDhp-GD3cXFu71sz00HxIIi2xsqNdlvv_espQE3js__vNWkyKWnIE2mivG00B1asehAhiZ58vjw64PPjU/s550/triBal01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrSQOhc3nTFQC1S_Xq92X7sK2wiDyzapjcBEzqVyX144q8TX0Mh2sde7Zntq6mQQBblxI20eNcjfZXRUyis7kpI1JePOgGY90umUitFU2SM_XDhp-GD3cXFu71sz00HxIIi2xsqNdlvv_espQE3js__vNWkyKWnIE2mivG00B1asehAhiZ58vjw64PPjU/s16000/triBal01.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5j7yDxz2GrYZvmYc0p1k4OlmUagByVx_YSXemxnjRfFWnZ5EdYjIAgJQkrz3J2YaYYSIohRvQktu5rE4hJJ_JWeXFOZ0jPqq_X4MQshcouVBmkYgv95iFzFCRVTTIyLvGc-3Ng-4UnrCkyElZaqqad78eVNxJxRlb4E219H-M7gawh9QCECAR7T8W2g/s550/triBal02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vsNEZJRoPEAKAOoT70G0bG_kVOO1-PLECkRSOgU4VKowgEE2NhHuWNrXQ3RR0-_B2Ga-zwhr75dvH1n6reIuUIhiKnLrF5l69HpUQsyouq9OfMXvG3Ter3tmwiLM6eCNMTt_nTo9MgkKYp_VFj-j3C5NSRNRdHGhjGN7s4X78ZqehT1_Y1ur1WSO5pA/s16000/triBal05.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxotzkqvOO8VKV2WkGgZnSsmITM-EwG9NWRJVZo2YjHBXLmvSkg8D1rbzr2KkATzEFI3eLkcgqsP7y4KAD6C23f4_fjY3MIiWqMK0gufD1NHyExUl9o3onqlQZc5_E-PT_3Yihz0ki9cXC8Cok56M589rF8puHkvuyZBNvj4_GB9vhvhgq6DzxlDdOJK0/s550/triBal06.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxotzkqvOO8VKV2WkGgZnSsmITM-EwG9NWRJVZo2YjHBXLmvSkg8D1rbzr2KkATzEFI3eLkcgqsP7y4KAD6C23f4_fjY3MIiWqMK0gufD1NHyExUl9o3onqlQZc5_E-PT_3Yihz0ki9cXC8Cok56M589rF8puHkvuyZBNvj4_GB9vhvhgq6DzxlDdOJK0/s16000/triBal06.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhXaJuB2Hh8ZnI_5tEWQGHR95u9LDrq3AwTSRs16K-aJtcttcNyHCAjUEtcUFTiVBQHJHPio1thXzB4jZOuRNWUHxli2a310DWjwLbQX1fc1MI1p10a66MG5Ho6YG5PVNdaRCgnL5iju-6my3F9R4EtNRIRFqmqUO-NCqe99_k71T-w_mdFzr6U8MXoA/s16000/triBal11.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7c6pnLiTfNy9LaSMQEJk-rJ7OSYHDcISqOXOt_R0xOUvk5viquSIqcjz_oQDSOKSKyzaICXlHuicXNx7r_8YR7o8hvW3-YKtdYREGpGls8BPdhY7AaAfX2rBMrkKX0quYWu7s3K1_olAysm6hYm7cUARZdgicf0r11Wpgz54vjaXPRMe4vUi6VxDpW08/s550/triBal12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7c6pnLiTfNy9LaSMQEJk-rJ7OSYHDcISqOXOt_R0xOUvk5viquSIqcjz_oQDSOKSKyzaICXlHuicXNx7r_8YR7o8hvW3-YKtdYREGpGls8BPdhY7AaAfX2rBMrkKX0quYWu7s3K1_olAysm6hYm7cUARZdgicf0r11Wpgz54vjaXPRMe4vUi6VxDpW08/s16000/triBal12.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTt5b9yUQkBiXXKWLctssZ4CKK9XHq_d0RzA85wZzHuW-zhyq-9Wman_mV6ZCZe9T9jMlxtkTDdhuc515QjrirESF4qdDOUyFEux8wwudR3XD4-GKQatGUmQJO2zNAGnII4YtLozqbRFwtSza4RjGuxj57lRkXYXX-hnhowiuQ0-EQudum3s4KX30nSfY/s550/triBal13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTt5b9yUQkBiXXKWLctssZ4CKK9XHq_d0RzA85wZzHuW-zhyq-9Wman_mV6ZCZe9T9jMlxtkTDdhuc515QjrirESF4qdDOUyFEux8wwudR3XD4-GKQatGUmQJO2zNAGnII4YtLozqbRFwtSza4RjGuxj57lRkXYXX-hnhowiuQ0-EQudum3s4KX30nSfY/s16000/triBal13.jpg" /></a></div><p>Ford and Gene (longtime friends/opponents) played a cautious game. There were a few sharp fights—and Gene's slingers dominated the central area—but as often as they massed against each other, they withdrew rather than clash. Ford got one unit up onto the hill that stood between them, but Gene kept pummeling them with rocks and arrows, which kept them at bay. Neither of them fought over the hill, but stuck to the swampy periphery. I have to confess, though, that I put Ford in a bad spot. His warlord was in a chariot that couldn't move across any of the terrain features.</p><p>Scott and I were at hammer and tongs almost right off. He seemed to show particular interest in the hill that sat bewteen us at the edge of the table. He'd placed his 'person' objective marker (Mr. Tambourine Man) on it and I assumed he was going after it. I meant to deny him. It started out rough for me, but in the end I prevailed.</p><p>We counted our objectives at the end of the game, Scott didn't get either. It turns out the hill didn't really figure into any objective and he had no interest in Mr. Tambourine Man. Scot was -6 honor points for objectives. Ford was one and one for his objectives and wound up with a net -1 for objectives. Gene also split his objectives and was maybe a net 1 for them. I, as I mentioned, had duplicate objectives, so I scored only for one of them at 3 points. However, I gained other honor points for combats won and enemy units destroyed. I came out on top with 14 honor points, nine more than I started with (we all started with a pool of five).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eeC8c3tFG0j7TvodjtI43EPybx2EP4PZlYrwreTRwT8hE7R0EXIu2FeP_Va7SXDBtrR9e5yQWI6UoujmYXr-_RGW5fXbtbj6uCdvVhPBk0coEPI0Jc-1-zQKE6lqJ-DHB412QDsgkdTXwAkTQj51Q-I3eS_bP-bqOXsqUiwl98WFhbErdHCrll_pQfg/s550/tribalHonorPoints.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eeC8c3tFG0j7TvodjtI43EPybx2EP4PZlYrwreTRwT8hE7R0EXIu2FeP_Va7SXDBtrR9e5yQWI6UoujmYXr-_RGW5fXbtbj6uCdvVhPBk0coEPI0Jc-1-zQKE6lqJ-DHB412QDsgkdTXwAkTQj51Q-I3eS_bP-bqOXsqUiwl98WFhbErdHCrll_pQfg/s16000/tribalHonorPoints.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Other games</span></b></p><p>As I mentioned above, Geroge and Will played their Stalingrad game. It's quite an attractive set up. I understand that the Russians got a marginal victory for controlling certain spaces in the factory.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdGQRq8keyvgZcxCHg2LRccqFGNtHqHicJVwpMPmMEe-knG3bDcY5ufscsUKqcpiKcxsCouuzzw2tVQnMTpLuW9YxjzxYMUMLv8NEulng3fXvfzNRzzI8pw5AQDWkAXiMqZMwBnhsHnoyKM9U8WNkRuKmve3fixuJ7wZXXCjuJ4OE5FdfUX6tSL5lBbo/s550/stalinGrad01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdGQRq8keyvgZcxCHg2LRccqFGNtHqHicJVwpMPmMEe-knG3bDcY5ufscsUKqcpiKcxsCouuzzw2tVQnMTpLuW9YxjzxYMUMLv8NEulng3fXvfzNRzzI8pw5AQDWkAXiMqZMwBnhsHnoyKM9U8WNkRuKmve3fixuJ7wZXXCjuJ4OE5FdfUX6tSL5lBbo/s16000/stalinGrad01.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVAao0Gwi9Vm0Tqmo70E-jzeiQWvFWyu6201IiI_C2TtLGfzutoZ9m_FI_xbGqpLCvd927LTCuqj4HuWD-OrZ8GTphBl7DNlBXRzvAYuUuMCnoGb2Ir53iVfU_5tLSSmR3nhhWJA_wyosp5u3tVkGfMGLFX8oVzBh3CTOf-pvi6DT3y_IRIlMk2WoC5M/s550/stalinGrad02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVAao0Gwi9Vm0Tqmo70E-jzeiQWvFWyu6201IiI_C2TtLGfzutoZ9m_FI_xbGqpLCvd927LTCuqj4HuWD-OrZ8GTphBl7DNlBXRzvAYuUuMCnoGb2Ir53iVfU_5tLSSmR3nhhWJA_wyosp5u3tVkGfMGLFX8oVzBh3CTOf-pvi6DT3y_IRIlMk2WoC5M/s16000/stalinGrad02.jpg" /></a></div><p>The scenario for Kevin's first game was a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legion_of_the_United_States" target="_blank">Legion of the United States </a>attempt to recover the cannon abandoned by Gen.Arthur St. Claire after the Battle of the Wabash (a.k.a., St. Claire's Defeat). I believe that the result was another victory on the Wabash for Little Turtle, Blue Jacket, et al. I assume that "Mad Anthony" Wayne survived, but his eventually big win a Fallen Timbers was in doubt.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht80FgvGJzA8qxdUXoGIgvKDBhIbJBjqeUNPJ7TtudSfHsWlv0ZUUhEC9EyFYJTqk0c-dg8JN8724US9T0uUbEKsZTIgXr07LWYhMXkTqakcT1mCvwZSwT5vxIGjDzNbgds_shllHmNN0rlADHsyOGULTgPGEQN6wiTvsBrNl_I14640NjU4h4gY9fZ4g/s550/stClaire01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht80FgvGJzA8qxdUXoGIgvKDBhIbJBjqeUNPJ7TtudSfHsWlv0ZUUhEC9EyFYJTqk0c-dg8JN8724US9T0uUbEKsZTIgXr07LWYhMXkTqakcT1mCvwZSwT5vxIGjDzNbgds_shllHmNN0rlADHsyOGULTgPGEQN6wiTvsBrNl_I14640NjU4h4gY9fZ4g/s16000/stClaire01.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZTaYwANLRiCJx3eGzi65wbpVSUiGoH_rqG2dwE9KwMcd1F_ckRugXtxK2BBwxWLOagroNatOHktOqVClspMLu0WkRhyeZRajD4vcZSxk0Le1c1x_IRQOgXv_wvoKyLa4SpDaiPD9rCv7nY0y_uw9_0pRazi2IoJD8r-waYc9FJPWUQ8siM5wpXtT2Iw/s550/stClaire02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="444" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZTaYwANLRiCJx3eGzi65wbpVSUiGoH_rqG2dwE9KwMcd1F_ckRugXtxK2BBwxWLOagroNatOHktOqVClspMLu0WkRhyeZRajD4vcZSxk0Le1c1x_IRQOgXv_wvoKyLa4SpDaiPD9rCv7nY0y_uw9_0pRazi2IoJD8r-waYc9FJPWUQ8siM5wpXtT2Iw/s16000/stClaire02.jpg" /></a></div><p>I didn't get pics of Kevin's second game, but I believe it was a win for the IRA over the Royal Irish Constabulary.</p><p>Lawrence and Damond's Antietam game seemed to go well also. I only poked my head in the door a couple times, but it seemed like the union was rolling over the Rebs. They got across Burnside's Bridge on the first turn—something Ambrose might have done himself if he hadn't dithered so.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The future</span></b></p><p>There seems to be a growing number of game days sprouting up. COVID shut down some game venues and events that never got restarted. Once a staple of mid-winter gaming, Drumbeat (begun by Dick Larsen) is gone and likely not to return. The venue we'd held it in for several years, Lake City Community Center, had a fire in April and is permanently closed. </p><p>When Fix Bayonet! started, it was a late summer option that would tide us through until Drumbeat. Now we have Summer Offensive (a.k.a., GaryCon) run by Gary Griess and the VetMu event in Chehalis that Gene runs, we have less pent-up gaming urges to satisfy.</p><p>We're also getting older and many people who thought nothing of driving 50 miles to game for a day, aren't inclined to even go 10 anymore. Coming down from Lynnwood, I'm likely the farthest-travelling attendee. While not young, I'm still up for a road trip.</p><p>I hope Fix Bayonet! continues for years to come. This year saw a smaller crowd than it's pre-Covid high, but it may be that it's just getting back to a regular part of the NHMGS game day rotation and once established, it will draw the same interest as before.</p><p><br /></p>David Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229259148925201182noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99962604511527341.post-21364120622496767832023-09-13T09:24:00.002-07:002023-10-09T16:35:10.946-07:00Tiny tin troglodytes (because I’m 3.64% archaic human, you know)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhskjtydKn0lbOGGSBmYHlaPIn30VPcnsoMx5yqdQMGjXoDl5Xs0_RAeNDh02VEsosNgKXmFPYLCEwKhp09p1x4bP0Aw0XxCk4Pm1AcjPqZ25H9QlU_X1sq6BHtRvOEhi9cHGEGCJLcVjgc_KVNepZXYNd4EASWxWLb0dHBJFdPRlxXrnbHOcGNTF8ez3A/s550/banner2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="199" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhskjtydKn0lbOGGSBmYHlaPIn30VPcnsoMx5yqdQMGjXoDl5Xs0_RAeNDh02VEsosNgKXmFPYLCEwKhp09p1x4bP0Aw0XxCk4Pm1AcjPqZ25H9QlU_X1sq6BHtRvOEhi9cHGEGCJLcVjgc_KVNepZXYNd4EASWxWLb0dHBJFdPRlxXrnbHOcGNTF8ez3A/s16000/banner2.jpg" /></a></div><p>Back on August 16th, I was innocently minding my own business standing outside Silver King Hobbies in Tacoma waiting for it to open so we could play Saga on our biweekly game day. As I waited, I browsed through the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/tribalcommunitygroup" target="_blank">Tribal player community group</a> page on Facebook and saw this:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_9L__dSv5JRXP03wSTDDPRa6VXfhytr__WT7-Rr31uugJcRZLPTcg6bJMdhyXqeoMZ_bPbyyyOdv35t00TGRY_Al_vTdmt61uKKXBso1UVxeDTTfiRIvskmm_C7umwkgh_7tVNDpobBBdAoWpmi_vVKKzZGnTUPpmzHN6bytvveYUK54QDHmpgWRjT4/s709/FB_Post.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="709" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_9L__dSv5JRXP03wSTDDPRa6VXfhytr__WT7-Rr31uugJcRZLPTcg6bJMdhyXqeoMZ_bPbyyyOdv35t00TGRY_Al_vTdmt61uKKXBso1UVxeDTTfiRIvskmm_C7umwkgh_7tVNDpobBBdAoWpmi_vVKKzZGnTUPpmzHN6bytvveYUK54QDHmpgWRjT4/s16000/FB_Post.jpg" /></a></div><p>What could I do? I had to have them. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-9Iucob3rul-lS1ak6dg3qUGoTNiJ4zz3KO761ZfqcQa3TOgOm64oDG7-6VJOJoxoXs6KdGi7cI-VRQXMuE4ttW4-f_kqYwjhRZ-FeYqFiXmezlQEjFSGMO99M8spcwIk9RYkMIUiwRe02eIL6urEddzQGt4J3LHu430403gV7qQkshC_nCLIOZScbw/s550/shutUpTakeMoney.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-9Iucob3rul-lS1ak6dg3qUGoTNiJ4zz3KO761ZfqcQa3TOgOm64oDG7-6VJOJoxoXs6KdGi7cI-VRQXMuE4ttW4-f_kqYwjhRZ-FeYqFiXmezlQEjFSGMO99M8spcwIk9RYkMIUiwRe02eIL6urEddzQGt4J3LHu430403gV7qQkshC_nCLIOZScbw/s16000/shutUpTakeMoney.jpg" /></a></div><p>I tried to order them on the spot, but there was no Wi-Fi and 5G was being squirrely, so I had to wait to order until I got home. I ordered two of the Clan Jakson mega-sets so I could have opposing forces with all the options.</p><p>I can't explain why I'm drawn to them apart from the fact that they're beautiful minis, but also a very obscure niche kind of mini. I'm an obscurantist if nothing else. They're also right in line with my current obsession: <i>Tribal</i>. I'll often see minis I love, but won't act on them because I can't think of anything to do with them. For example, Lucid Eye has produced Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons for several years as part of their Savage Core line of figures. I often looked longingly at them online, but never pulled the trigger (until now, see below). When the figures and rules come into alignment, it's, "Brace yourself, bank account, you're about to be pillaged!"</p><p>When the figures arrived from North Star (not without first bouncing around various cities for several days after making landfall in the USA and then getting "stored" in Sumner, WA for three days), I oohed and aahed over them. They were all I hoped they'd be.</p><p>There are five packs in all for a total of 25 poses.</p><p>The main force that makes up the warrior units are a pack with club-armed figures and a pack with spear-armed figures. The Clan Jakson set comes with two of each pack, enough to make four warrior units for your warband.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyyLZ_dWOLKdPk1fcfnrgn00HrsJW9VhJUT14VoPl3_0ifflEzD8T4aQZ2x7Y9HOKCRxXA8OOnWl9Zfr_R5gIGs7NEQoQF8ig1i74G9dz8QvwpTQh85jwVsbkV0WN7gktdaBWi_j4jOpCPD0wbI50pq_iDIjoKhGL25xPZgIG1R49v0PaiYK10UUS9PM/s550/cavemenClubs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyyLZ_dWOLKdPk1fcfnrgn00HrsJW9VhJUT14VoPl3_0ifflEzD8T4aQZ2x7Y9HOKCRxXA8OOnWl9Zfr_R5gIGs7NEQoQF8ig1i74G9dz8QvwpTQh85jwVsbkV0WN7gktdaBWi_j4jOpCPD0wbI50pq_iDIjoKhGL25xPZgIG1R49v0PaiYK10UUS9PM/s16000/cavemenClubs.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4Tqnk0RGqm4Eo68shdbL_ekPi-v04yM1Vmdu4CyZgIe7hSfvwoKGsqLHard63v4JnBFzfjvg5QK2FqrYTqK73lq4OUMWbKyzWpeeBJZnxHIQ-E7ANTYeM85rMupxmScKcqMwLiKoIZvMxKLyDDfJ_e7FfNVeOaRp3YbQyp233j6m9YOpTcWB2scRIDc/s550/cavemenSpears.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4Tqnk0RGqm4Eo68shdbL_ekPi-v04yM1Vmdu4CyZgIe7hSfvwoKGsqLHard63v4JnBFzfjvg5QK2FqrYTqK73lq4OUMWbKyzWpeeBJZnxHIQ-E7ANTYeM85rMupxmScKcqMwLiKoIZvMxKLyDDfJ_e7FfNVeOaRp3YbQyp233j6m9YOpTcWB2scRIDc/s16000/cavemenSpears.jpg" /></a></div><p>The firepower (such as it is) comes from the marksmen pack. These appear to be younger men/boys who would rather throw rocks and javelin-like sticks than get in close. Clan Jakson come with two packs of these, which is enough to provide the maximum allowed two marksmen units in your warband.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLE-4gF6FMZRdkbdVZ1Md2EQ4am89LklkhVIFUty5BH_fNkK9-lSjey6zzDUFk4HI140UY-YYVVoWcjas4H37QttQC4s3gdkqX7--OyzOHDDBj4UQU0hs1cHOy4ZGm40ZPqdNzo8OZArdTV5NYMyANSYtModc03w9QAcTo9VmIc7NOzIAtYBih_BIzNI/s550/cavemenMarksmen.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLE-4gF6FMZRdkbdVZ1Md2EQ4am89LklkhVIFUty5BH_fNkK9-lSjey6zzDUFk4HI140UY-YYVVoWcjas4H37QttQC4s3gdkqX7--OyzOHDDBj4UQU0hs1cHOy4ZGm40ZPqdNzo8OZArdTV5NYMyANSYtModc03w9QAcTo9VmIc7NOzIAtYBih_BIzNI/s16000/cavemenMarksmen.jpg" /></a></div><p>The warlord and heroes are provided by a separate pack. All of the heroes stand out from the crowd. There's one pack in the Clan Jakson set, which is enough for your warlord and four heroes.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUA3idLQP-guHX0fogPp4ewAZ4iiozuvcRwrKH7n1_uSTNoKyhFzLaNSDV49KRE_nRg4zinGxQEdoHluJ_Dihq4uLglwRAtUn6E18Pcj2bTusLw3uP6L-ipRf6QvOxjFFlomvtMxlEN2SSzGqRlxPVk5yK9zLJ2naqhEZtrsWBCAYdUIhkAOwfK4N9d8/s550/cavemenHeroes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUA3idLQP-guHX0fogPp4ewAZ4iiozuvcRwrKH7n1_uSTNoKyhFzLaNSDV49KRE_nRg4zinGxQEdoHluJ_Dihq4uLglwRAtUn6E18Pcj2bTusLw3uP6L-ipRf6QvOxjFFlomvtMxlEN2SSzGqRlxPVk5yK9zLJ2naqhEZtrsWBCAYdUIhkAOwfK4N9d8/s16000/cavemenHeroes.jpg" /></a></div><p>Finally, there's a really nice pack that doesn't provide troops for your warband, but will come in very handy for playing the game. To keep the cave-fires burning when their men are away, there's a caveman family group pack with women, children, and wee troglodyte bairns.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsTSRI4Zsw5xQba8m9wch7xX-bS9w8yFRiJ-re38JXeecW1VjI9pt4rcGrZO3EvV_YanFdWSxc6nMQVO9Md3cmQOe7d9fGhzm7YGQwDz7tLqkL_G58uZMv89zoqxtCYCCs0tCVq1GnNHyRHaHbanYIbHwN9GKS0vWzqE0UyjR1fp1qGAAzrkQqaWXLxE/s550/cavemanFamily.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsTSRI4Zsw5xQba8m9wch7xX-bS9w8yFRiJ-re38JXeecW1VjI9pt4rcGrZO3EvV_YanFdWSxc6nMQVO9Md3cmQOe7d9fGhzm7YGQwDz7tLqkL_G58uZMv89zoqxtCYCCs0tCVq1GnNHyRHaHbanYIbHwN9GKS0vWzqE0UyjR1fp1qGAAzrkQqaWXLxE/s16000/cavemanFamily.jpg" /></a></div><p>They're great, but the women look nothing like Raquel Welch in <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060782/" target="_blank">One Million Years B.C.</a> Maybe they represent a time before the fur bikini was invented—or more likely after it became passé because Neanderthals lived between 400,000 and 40,000 years ago, much later than Raquel's time.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYMBdQCyVCJrrYEovwihSqW02ZowTCD0XmqqaijZfmbe-D2tPGcfMvBeWt9x5-BvMsLLBFIjBq4T8IpdEYi4dxA2ouGlujbatg4sauI4fS8cmiahH5UNna-aqS6g7EoMSrg6kL1N2NU5aOlEq5VnUAVYaFe5m_2vZEWxk86O9nKK5qxgXrhim8g5bTKnI/s695/raquelWelch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYMBdQCyVCJrrYEovwihSqW02ZowTCD0XmqqaijZfmbe-D2tPGcfMvBeWt9x5-BvMsLLBFIjBq4T8IpdEYi4dxA2ouGlujbatg4sauI4fS8cmiahH5UNna-aqS6g7EoMSrg6kL1N2NU5aOlEq5VnUAVYaFe5m_2vZEWxk86O9nKK5qxgXrhim8g5bTKnI/s16000/raquelWelch.jpg" /></a></div><p>They don't look like Wilma and Betty either, but their nonconformity to iconic paragons of paleolithic pulchritude doesn't distract from them at all.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPQLxaUAUIXkdxyGBvz_hZ1U6SIKwyQPOGX19VjtsLkJM8ouI59hY6n7jfmiBNgzOY-Xw11HcfY18I4hwPCoVAYRFToc5VMpnU0YNkUIZB_OqEaudxBreRil1XRPfaiXxGg9-ArQpeHeIcgXXNs6KuH46RCcSqRN9Q6VyNU_urHVrF3LrExgyr9zIt7Q/s550/wilmaBetty.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPQLxaUAUIXkdxyGBvz_hZ1U6SIKwyQPOGX19VjtsLkJM8ouI59hY6n7jfmiBNgzOY-Xw11HcfY18I4hwPCoVAYRFToc5VMpnU0YNkUIZB_OqEaudxBreRil1XRPfaiXxGg9-ArQpeHeIcgXXNs6KuH46RCcSqRN9Q6VyNU_urHVrF3LrExgyr9zIt7Q/s16000/wilmaBetty.jpg" /></a></div><p>The figures are beautiful with a lot of detail and well-animated poses. They've really put Bobby Jackson on my radar screen. He's best known for the excellent figures he's sculpted for <a href="https://www.reapermini.com/search/bobby%20jackson/latest/page1" target="_blank">Reaper Bones</a>, so I've not seen a lot of his work before. He made the caveman figures because he's a <i>Tribal</i> player and sculpted his own custom warband because he can.</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Painting</b></span></p><p>I thought a bit about how I'd paint these figures and decided that instead of my now-standard dip method, I'd go with mostly Citadel Contrast Paints and Army Painter Speed Paints. I wanted to get the one-and-done effect of things like the fur, which they all wear in abundance.</p><p><b>Skin</b> - I wasn't sure what color to use for the Neanderthal's skin. Sources vary from saying than Neanderthals were darker skinned and darker haired to others who cite DNA evidence that points to fair skin and red or even blond hair. Not really knowing what I was going to get, I applied Citadel Guilliman Flesh. I'm happy how it turned out. They look pretty earthy, like they haven't washed in 40,000 years.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEfd2kHFilDSOLhOAb2t7fUic95aOzotohi2__dhSa-3hG2ajD3E1BqHpZ9cYZXor5sLZG5cqwf45SHF05Oby8Mu6pujhstug5ioZ6RW0N8KzCcL8WBw-RrgCcnO3jv--pVFdXiD-0ToY6zSDkDZahbV0P_4_6MFqY0-SJkbiWzpPpwB_7mpXBteV1Nw/s550/guillimanFleshWash.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEfd2kHFilDSOLhOAb2t7fUic95aOzotohi2__dhSa-3hG2ajD3E1BqHpZ9cYZXor5sLZG5cqwf45SHF05Oby8Mu6pujhstug5ioZ6RW0N8KzCcL8WBw-RrgCcnO3jv--pVFdXiD-0ToY6zSDkDZahbV0P_4_6MFqY0-SJkbiWzpPpwB_7mpXBteV1Nw/s16000/guillimanFleshWash.jpg" /></a></div><p><b>Furs</b> - I got as many browns and grays as I could find as contrats paints or speed paints. I wanted to avoid a monochrome look for the furs. In a few cases, I did a light drybrush over an application of the contrast paint just to better highlight the raised bits. I'm pretty happy how that turned out.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglocSXipCVjphKwRIhz8igaAejpq_XMG63Ru2ggOI6q9hn-NDQRDygT3IHKxzc-PHiQeWVKyDZ8zC1l5-IYwL-WGT_GQubc_z17s3Gq-5GVqw7oziiSyi9k0SP7AwDDQ2Fmd8P8zRjQg22JJzk3jo4Ui9ap3Eq8qrfW7-BTeMk23jFDSRt9evmr6dDUdA/s550/furLeatherWIP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglocSXipCVjphKwRIhz8igaAejpq_XMG63Ru2ggOI6q9hn-NDQRDygT3IHKxzc-PHiQeWVKyDZ8zC1l5-IYwL-WGT_GQubc_z17s3Gq-5GVqw7oziiSyi9k0SP7AwDDQ2Fmd8P8zRjQg22JJzk3jo4Ui9ap3Eq8qrfW7-BTeMk23jFDSRt9evmr6dDUdA/s16000/furLeatherWIP.jpg" /></a></div><p><b>Leather </b>- there's a lot of exposed leather bits, such as the turned back meaty side of a fur. I was disappointed with the options for leather colors among the contrast and speed paints. As with the furs, Citadel has a color called Snakebite Leather, which goes on pretty dark. I used Army Painter Ancient Honey for some leather bits, but it's pretty yellow and I toned it down with a wash of Army Painter Soft Tone. Otherwise, I used Vallejo and Reaper leather colors that I applied as a wash or highlighted then washed afterwards. Some of the browns I used for the fur colors would work for other leather shades, but I wanted to keep the colors distinct.</p><p><b>Hair</b> - I went with a variety of hair colors, but nothing too far out. I used a lot of auburn/chestnut color with a few darker brown. Several have a Vallejo color called Shrapnel Red, which makes for a nice deep red hair color. I highlighted that with a bit of Orange-Red. Finally, starting with a base of a light tan, I added yellow ochre highlights to get a few blondes in the mix, because they have more fun.</p><p><b>Stone</b> - I imagined at first that I'd try to replicate the varied colors of flint, but settled instead on the Reaper Paint Stonewall Grey, which I applied to all the state-of-the-art weaponry.</p><p><b>Washes</b> - In a few places, I used regular ol' paints, like for the stone bits, but also for the wood bits and the twine bits and the decorative shells and tooth bits. In all those cases, I used Army Painter Soft Tone applied just in the specific areas. I think I might also have used Citadel Agrax Shader (or was it Nuln Oil) at some place. In any case, washes were local and not an overall application to the figures.</p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Bases</span></b></p><p>I went with fender washers for the bases. All the warriors and marksmen are on 1" fender washers. The warlord and heroes are on 1 1/4" fender washers so they stand out a bit. I haven't done the family group yet, but I'll likely put them on 1 1/4" bases for the women with children castings and maybe a 1 1/2" base combining the single female figure and the <i>zwei</i> <i>kinder</i>.</p><p>I've used fender washers for my <i>Xenos Rampant</i> figures, Vietnam figures, and some ECW skirmish figures, so this basing is nothing new. I like the heft of the metal base (lack of heft is one reason why I never do plastic minis). Because I'm not doing the whole dip routine, I can mount the figure and apply the coarse pumice gel medium for texture before I start painting the mini.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWS-o_MAW7GaKF060V8wqklVi_pktC0a1P11CzJ6XMI4KvXKHxuE_APzhKYA4K11RphxzYBouqrcJziwwNmyFrsD1rrsO1FJTJSSOSmZuW7OIPlpv3ufBA5RxXDwWCUcZaaiRSn-2tRyeQGWxhwxeMqs3azzVpfom6EVJxdp1yvmSsTmQLU_b_YVZ8IIk/s550/basesTextured.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWS-o_MAW7GaKF060V8wqklVi_pktC0a1P11CzJ6XMI4KvXKHxuE_APzhKYA4K11RphxzYBouqrcJziwwNmyFrsD1rrsO1FJTJSSOSmZuW7OIPlpv3ufBA5RxXDwWCUcZaaiRSn-2tRyeQGWxhwxeMqs3azzVpfom6EVJxdp1yvmSsTmQLU_b_YVZ8IIk/s16000/basesTextured.jpg" /></a></div><p>I took my time with the first batch of 20: five spearmen, five clubmen, five marksmen, and five heroes. I gave them a shot of Krylon Matt Finish after painting the figures and before I started on the bases.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoxXAklsBj2AFtEkpUPyd_8yGyiAPWhHKzdcGd9HklP3yGRLVfh4OeyDiJloL4SE_OZO2csClpZGtPHjevCnHaaPQqV8wfWvY9yKJFRfatV8dNEpCfH20GIVcKK7vpODu67PJ8_nmtZUWb_suYmbFnaGhA4FYIICsaPv1e36kdiqWX4ptgtPCWiEnbb0/s550/nearlyDone.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="367" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoxXAklsBj2AFtEkpUPyd_8yGyiAPWhHKzdcGd9HklP3yGRLVfh4OeyDiJloL4SE_OZO2csClpZGtPHjevCnHaaPQqV8wfWvY9yKJFRfatV8dNEpCfH20GIVcKK7vpODu67PJ8_nmtZUWb_suYmbFnaGhA4FYIICsaPv1e36kdiqWX4ptgtPCWiEnbb0/s16000/nearlyDone.jpg" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The result</span></b></p><p>I'm happy with how they turned out. I'm not sure if I'll use the contrast/speed paints much on other projects, but I'm glad I'm doing it for these.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61wOekJU9yzKxjV2BE7SpWTHTd7Bl6TzfIM4uhy8CcDD2kbJPUVs7me3iX9bIYyZJDBhKYG07YCGIfO7Exme30HN7y1qIT1ZVbeY-HTW4oTXHUoHglyM4QDCFv5K-qu7MlYvrkyAEK1P0FrwXjpObfB8YiY5NAh8o5eTzHbQwbfa43KZhWQx16Ck5tW8/s550/bobbyClubsDone.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61wOekJU9yzKxjV2BE7SpWTHTd7Bl6TzfIM4uhy8CcDD2kbJPUVs7me3iX9bIYyZJDBhKYG07YCGIfO7Exme30HN7y1qIT1ZVbeY-HTW4oTXHUoHglyM4QDCFv5K-qu7MlYvrkyAEK1P0FrwXjpObfB8YiY5NAh8o5eTzHbQwbfa43KZhWQx16Ck5tW8/s16000/bobbyClubsDone.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPdj1hjNnS2c9M5-kZhRot-lczQ2QvZICWYHClbSdvnZ9MV4pfC7LDq-JF-d7ozQTCojotf4dPzc7FZjoES4Jp4mIZLVFnuj5yzRS3lj3ksiIs6dLhjPsFUAPUT8oRtdIGp7sZCIwNgrIMPYJCa4coBdAfvGXWDgiRIG3hc3foPBQ3L_LC2bGwLVUALE/s550/bobbyHeroesDone.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="407" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPdj1hjNnS2c9M5-kZhRot-lczQ2QvZICWYHClbSdvnZ9MV4pfC7LDq-JF-d7ozQTCojotf4dPzc7FZjoES4Jp4mIZLVFnuj5yzRS3lj3ksiIs6dLhjPsFUAPUT8oRtdIGp7sZCIwNgrIMPYJCa4coBdAfvGXWDgiRIG3hc3foPBQ3L_LC2bGwLVUALE/s16000/bobbyHeroesDone.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifUT4Qek4yzMQZNtztJhmJSfoVwKcvgzHr3n2YlVIt1Rd222CcaUC5Vut1Xw7kB9vE_lqYXRIC_VQ_w3R9ulawMtTvFQH1yKx-veoxA8dnPdgi-74uGpUImJ0OofGE3NZ8-QtwSsNopXHA7_ogRtqT9TLCzb2Jfs_-Z1t5CJH_Z7uVnmSSmlQp5IWadA/s550/bobbyMarksmenDone.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="404" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifUT4Qek4yzMQZNtztJhmJSfoVwKcvgzHr3n2YlVIt1Rd222CcaUC5Vut1Xw7kB9vE_lqYXRIC_VQ_w3R9ulawMtTvFQH1yKx-veoxA8dnPdgi-74uGpUImJ0OofGE3NZ8-QtwSsNopXHA7_ogRtqT9TLCzb2Jfs_-Z1t5CJH_Z7uVnmSSmlQp5IWadA/s16000/bobbyMarksmenDone.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKS_H6kGjR8cTH60q2wsEopk2nlkR6OlHO001ns4q3ZoadlLtMyWWkOpy2RPmX14wlYkGxfF13NW5v3wtvZK0WmoY2czm2xYLIIk_IbsQNEp-_gmHx2fADdr-7VLsNx0dR7Yo8ptnaA-t4BTi3i5wrDIrhJeE-kRkH4WfthUsPphTXcUjt4whijw6t28U/s550/bobbySpearsDone.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKS_H6kGjR8cTH60q2wsEopk2nlkR6OlHO001ns4q3ZoadlLtMyWWkOpy2RPmX14wlYkGxfF13NW5v3wtvZK0WmoY2czm2xYLIIk_IbsQNEp-_gmHx2fADdr-7VLsNx0dR7Yo8ptnaA-t4BTi3i5wrDIrhJeE-kRkH4WfthUsPphTXcUjt4whijw6t28U/s16000/bobbySpearsDone.jpg" /></a></div><p>I've got 60 more figures to go, but I can probably go faster with them, although I'm not sure I'll do 20-figure batches again. (No, I probably will.)</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Newcomers</span></b></p><p>I mentioned above that I'd often looked longingly at the Lucid Eye Neanderthals. I decided to get some with an eye—a lucid eye—to mixing them in with the Bobby Jackson figures to get an even better mix of poses and such. I wasn't sure if they'd match, but I was surprised to see how well they do.</p><p>They don't have as many different poses at the Bobby Jackson figures, but they're all quite nice. There are two packs of warriors with mixed weapons, one hero/warlord type, and a female shaman type.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBz1_qwTkhkNyplNg8l0WNrT7g8d1V9kvrr5laiB8cyFu4t2ZPwaMvawYulcOFyVkJ6R954-RxSEmmGH8U1wn0lNNbQn9Qw5WNy9R9mZGUGkwThOfKa3JdkzrI0KQfS955tzrbl8IaEF7CXhA7gvc_4ZRZCnUO09uSehbk1BBA5Silh9qvAxdI3BxQc0k/s550/lucidEye01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="361" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBz1_qwTkhkNyplNg8l0WNrT7g8d1V9kvrr5laiB8cyFu4t2ZPwaMvawYulcOFyVkJ6R954-RxSEmmGH8U1wn0lNNbQn9Qw5WNy9R9mZGUGkwThOfKa3JdkzrI0KQfS955tzrbl8IaEF7CXhA7gvc_4ZRZCnUO09uSehbk1BBA5Silh9qvAxdI3BxQc0k/s16000/lucidEye01.jpg" /></a></div><p>The hero figure is wee bit larger than the average figure and fearsome. He's definitely on a larger base as another hero or warlord.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rrSyQM5R-vYvFZg2TX-5v29TmCkEgnHwIzxH8nqbp4baUN0Zq5PIn5QdUNhSN9Jk-ryHcbSDe8Q8uwHXRSljsAENlv1qeAcmI7R-eb5FfvMHetYGRes6YZEmx2_ixOpbS0f2O5sdtH4YT4eJ6LwPfCvud2T2At5TN_Y0nqTbvRlxd-GfG7XCCFNv_yg/s743/grok.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rrSyQM5R-vYvFZg2TX-5v29TmCkEgnHwIzxH8nqbp4baUN0Zq5PIn5QdUNhSN9Jk-ryHcbSDe8Q8uwHXRSljsAENlv1qeAcmI7R-eb5FfvMHetYGRes6YZEmx2_ixOpbS0f2O5sdtH4YT4eJ6LwPfCvud2T2At5TN_Y0nqTbvRlxd-GfG7XCCFNv_yg/s16000/grok.jpg" /></a></div><p>I also got a figure that's more fantasy than reality. Give her a fur bikini and she'd be a dead ringer for Raquel.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiITS4EMdUiblSjdA4hnneQaukaGejKViKwCo2h9JoMnhMfUczaJXuOyfq4xYnyn_dXtGcgHDJRD7WmMGe9V1Aso1a1J72U805FYpi1ujKE7xGVLAwAvL_7eJ17if2QsdTpDsIOIO-H_iTPJsnLp0q-IpqyfyNz98Zlkz100M9yZglOoRpfyYdhDUWevs0/s882/girlie.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiITS4EMdUiblSjdA4hnneQaukaGejKViKwCo2h9JoMnhMfUczaJXuOyfq4xYnyn_dXtGcgHDJRD7WmMGe9V1Aso1a1J72U805FYpi1ujKE7xGVLAwAvL_7eJ17if2QsdTpDsIOIO-H_iTPJsnLp0q-IpqyfyNz98Zlkz100M9yZglOoRpfyYdhDUWevs0/s16000/girlie.jpg" /></a></div><p>She's labeled as Vahira the Herd Witch and described as a Neanderthal Cro-Magnon mix. She's as winsome as any full Neanderthal lass moodily wandering the Pleistocene heather pining for her troglodyte Heathcliff.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTZunkDP4CDJbMttB1dscoajpj0Y5__EI3CqU-aQA2EBuRbyTyPHgxjD0Gf5anmXoPO1f1X3HmFOzzQQ1q6nmtonrk77JwM6UBjD-0TvElnITxhbUEN6kntzOFiGSQVY5KmOCcgcwD5sGSZV2yWP_kRCcVadeGzdiFaTGv87cVgksCLTFYXAXBD3VSYI/s550/neanderthalGirl.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTZunkDP4CDJbMttB1dscoajpj0Y5__EI3CqU-aQA2EBuRbyTyPHgxjD0Gf5anmXoPO1f1X3HmFOzzQQ1q6nmtonrk77JwM6UBjD-0TvElnITxhbUEN6kntzOFiGSQVY5KmOCcgcwD5sGSZV2yWP_kRCcVadeGzdiFaTGv87cVgksCLTFYXAXBD3VSYI/s16000/neanderthalGirl.jpg" /></a></div><p>She's also carrying what looks to be an entirely imaginary stone/flint sword, but that's common with figures from Lucid Eye's Savage Core: Age of Ice range. There's a fantasy element to them that just requires some to wield some kind of swordy thing. I'd be surprised if anything like that stone sword shows up in some paleontologist's dig. I could use her as a person token for the game objectives or as a shaman character. In any case, she's on a 1 1/4" fender washer, so stone sword or no, she isn't going into a warrior unit.</p><p>I'm coming a long with these pretty well. They have less little detail bits than the Bobby Jackson figures, so they paint quicker. I'm hoping to have them done by the weekend. Then on to another batch of Bobby Jackson figures.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5OKfkrRDefMJuXRN2g7jEJGlQnhfOKjj-SSpTLtBY9SXQGRh3cAFlfE4daCRqcemgKtfpc0xidJxZHRLcSNOF2H4omxMQ_mbQCwVA-YIApI0eifPuv3cP6ZLIdU2AJ8knh5RHZYI4RPRfUKaNdyVAIEBY5MQFhzz9dXpB3pF2tQ4hN9NzbLCGtHZIwkw/s550/lucidWIP1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="458" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5OKfkrRDefMJuXRN2g7jEJGlQnhfOKjj-SSpTLtBY9SXQGRh3cAFlfE4daCRqcemgKtfpc0xidJxZHRLcSNOF2H4omxMQ_mbQCwVA-YIApI0eifPuv3cP6ZLIdU2AJ8knh5RHZYI4RPRfUKaNdyVAIEBY5MQFhzz9dXpB3pF2tQ4hN9NzbLCGtHZIwkw/s16000/lucidWIP1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIeNIDoABIfke5JjjHcXnUfA2SMKYIOXiURu2k7htvl4_s9vBgK_E3roCWfENbyx1sfQShjfpqKHNTBfUrM73ebWbQThXVg929Y1Ho-SL5thussP1k6Cm_6ULZWfkW8k1GZ1lrBnR9q4THnkNzAK2kctWKrB-fKA9oBFfwmG-R3HAxP14n65oc3bOvfVs/s550/lucidWIP2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="324" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIeNIDoABIfke5JjjHcXnUfA2SMKYIOXiURu2k7htvl4_s9vBgK_E3roCWfENbyx1sfQShjfpqKHNTBfUrM73ebWbQThXVg929Y1Ho-SL5thussP1k6Cm_6ULZWfkW8k1GZ1lrBnR9q4THnkNzAK2kctWKrB-fKA9oBFfwmG-R3HAxP14n65oc3bOvfVs/s16000/lucidWIP2.jpg" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">My ancestors, my inspiration</span></b></p><p>I noted in the title that I'm 3.64% archaic human. According to Living DNA, I am 1.92% Neanderthal:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7IDbUTgnATEoLybUAJMQIhwyrtyndX5-wjhFSSTXfBfZPe_y_CnlB1gHhmKhoA-sKZ_7cDQDyV281WpjIZxpapTeRxYrZtJ_SYo6FyK4HaBllU2IyPFRv--6LFAYmbGGqV_s65N87SbqKsrFDHq-IpZugJiNyHZXrmICv73bUvUQ5xR5SA_G04gLj_0/s550/neanderthalScore.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7IDbUTgnATEoLybUAJMQIhwyrtyndX5-wjhFSSTXfBfZPe_y_CnlB1gHhmKhoA-sKZ_7cDQDyV281WpjIZxpapTeRxYrZtJ_SYo6FyK4HaBllU2IyPFRv--6LFAYmbGGqV_s65N87SbqKsrFDHq-IpZugJiNyHZXrmICv73bUvUQ5xR5SA_G04gLj_0/s16000/neanderthalScore.jpg" /></a></div><p>And 1.72% Denisovan:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pAoWN6a6qea5rcd_MmMS7m7NEzUH1L74-78s4R4UwmZX_9nOgsyFlAOuY2jIfUIkNCQTmPc2G2FOyv7ISU_3_tDFg1MWAVPjhKlx1EUF9YmB_F_R53QqmWG-0gMzyu0IP3ICLmg8M3yJibKnocX35A0xFZVeFgh1j3A7xhXube439jHSO9ybo9mDRoM/s550/denisovanScore.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pAoWN6a6qea5rcd_MmMS7m7NEzUH1L74-78s4R4UwmZX_9nOgsyFlAOuY2jIfUIkNCQTmPc2G2FOyv7ISU_3_tDFg1MWAVPjhKlx1EUF9YmB_F_R53QqmWG-0gMzyu0IP3ICLmg8M3yJibKnocX35A0xFZVeFgh1j3A7xhXube439jHSO9ybo9mDRoM/s16000/denisovanScore.jpg" /></a></div><p>I can feel my knuckles dragging as I type this, but it could also be that I'm a poor typist. In any case, painting cavemen has a special interest for me now that I know I am one. My ethnic background is varied, but limited to the British Isles and Northern Europe. I'm more than twice as much caveman as I am Welsh. Although I've been to Wales, I have no interest in spelunking.</p><p><br /></p>David Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229259148925201182noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99962604511527341.post-48260366672548419602023-09-10T22:13:00.007-07:002023-09-11T11:27:21.436-07:00Tribal second edition - a review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHn51YyQWuI_tRLF-rp7aiIXU06S95ZboRTxtueBg7WY2QPDdM0BRCDqPpmtTvjg5KpysBzTnsURulWzcBatNy9z51A5wMKCISleU4o-irLSLLNqT9kmLew1NB6R4vAGP92dph42HP_HSSulFiNbNygp0fCDd5ooIbWb5KgblD0MLjoTJ_3y8Q64RuK3M/s550/banner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHn51YyQWuI_tRLF-rp7aiIXU06S95ZboRTxtueBg7WY2QPDdM0BRCDqPpmtTvjg5KpysBzTnsURulWzcBatNy9z51A5wMKCISleU4o-irLSLLNqT9kmLew1NB6R4vAGP92dph42HP_HSSulFiNbNygp0fCDd5ooIbWb5KgblD0MLjoTJ_3y8Q64RuK3M/s16000/banner.jpg" /></a></div><p>As <a href="https://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2023/08/altared-space-tribal-playtest-aar.html" target="_blank">I've posted</a>, I'm a sudden—and fervent—fan of the <i><a href="https://manapress.com.au/pages/tribal" target="_blank">Tribal</a></i> rules published by Mana Press in Australia (also available from <a href="https://www.northstarfigures.com/prod.php?prod=17136" target="_blank">North Star Military Figures</a> in the UK and <a href="https://badgergames.com/shop/badger-bookstore/mana-press/mp-bp1849-tribal/" target="_blank">Badger Games</a> in the US). It’s my current obsession (<i>mon obsession actuelle</i>).</p><p>I bought the first edition rules in PDF format some years ago (pre-plague) in order to evaluate them for use with my 40mm Bronze Age Europeans. I didn't go with them at the time (not sure why) and the rules languished as 1s and 0s on my hard drive for a long time. They came back to mind when someone in our club asked on a forum about a good set of rules to use with some Pacific Northwest tribal figures he bought. That caused me to go back and dust off (so to speak) my digital copy of <i>Tribal</i>. I also watched some old vids on YouTube that went through some of the game mechanics of <i>Tribal</i>.</p><p><i>Tribal</i> touches one of my strange enthusiasms as a gamer: I like obscure prehistoric things or at least obscure archaic things, things that never make it onto the radar screens of most gamers, like the fabled Medieval Lithuanian bat-dung hurlers or the left-handed Bratislavian fire-dart flingers. That's why I have Sumerians, for example. They're obscure and archaic. No one games with Sumerians. It's like people don't even care. Even though <i>Tribal</i> can be used for any era of pre-gunpowder gaming—the first edition focused on Vikings as one example—they really excel for gaming warfare between pre-civilised cultures, going as far back as the Paleolithic Age. The <i>Primeval</i> supplement for the first edition even contains rules for playing with bands of Australopithecines who haven't yet invented scissors or paper and are only vaguely aware of rock, which they're beginning to suspect beats everything. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkFLU3vTpMG80XqJpex_6XtYrLyYCYTRwcpqroSqjzAgtcsgTPFrNTUoN_N8LryYz8hkQpop9CoW5fCze1tvnpBKuQKg7TqoaRkxtVz4WPPnR-GRteD-1YcagK0uM-T4YX9MdMs-1I26A3IqHCmFpYgjXo7fGKgXPpyvvmMeJxdmpYKZFln-LD4Izo2g/s550/Australopithecines.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="162" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkFLU3vTpMG80XqJpex_6XtYrLyYCYTRwcpqroSqjzAgtcsgTPFrNTUoN_N8LryYz8hkQpop9CoW5fCze1tvnpBKuQKg7TqoaRkxtVz4WPPnR-GRteD-1YcagK0uM-T4YX9MdMs-1I26A3IqHCmFpYgjXo7fGKgXPpyvvmMeJxdmpYKZFln-LD4Izo2g/s16000/Australopithecines.jpg" /></a></div><p>I played my <a href="https://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2023/08/altared-space-tribal-playtest-aar.html" target="_blank">first game</a>, using the aforementioned Bronze Age Europeans, at Zulu's Games in lovely renascent Bothell, WA. Wes Rogers was my opponent; he's usually up for anything at least once. We even went back in time together to play Dave Millward's <i>Musketeer</i> rules a few years ago. I like time travel when it comes to wargame rules.</p><p>We used the first edition rules. I'd ordered the second edition rules already, but hadn't yet received them. In fact, it turns out I'd ordered three copies. I originally ordered them from North Star, but got to thinking that shipping from the UK will take a while, so I also ordered them from Badger Games here in the US. Badger Games is often extraordinary in its speed of delivery, but for some reason took its time with this order. My North Star order arrived first and, to my surprise, was two copies of the rules. (I thought I'd ordered just one, but I'm older now and more prone to being unaware of the things I do.) When the Badger order ultimately arrived, I found myself awash in rule booklets. No worries. I have one copy to keep pristine, one to play with, and one to lose or get barfed on by a cat.</p><p>When I received the second edition rules, I was eager to see what was new and what changed. As for the latter, nothing. The intent of the authors was that the second edition would add to the first, not replace it or override it even in part. The real joy with second edition is in what it added. The first edition made me want to get more out of my collection of Bronze Age Europeans. I wanted the armor worn by some figures to mean something. I wanted their standard bearers to have some meaningful role. I wanted to be able to use my chariot and other mounted figures. Second edition has all that and more.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEziTaMFt3RzVSSZNo575M4gyEY-_-iUl0bPko8Wl-9pv384C0EsIaitZOYxgKEEmw2ZM-JDmYX8lIqJ5eXGWyaFVdj_PIgMKbxe5YHwp8qfLJPF2HX8c9JDgGzCir3e9mC2-yZw2BX2_3lUfw6Q3nqtuhOAJf4IdWGOCrp2Fnffy944xczy1rOpP9cM/s550/Chariot.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEziTaMFt3RzVSSZNo575M4gyEY-_-iUl0bPko8Wl-9pv384C0EsIaitZOYxgKEEmw2ZM-JDmYX8lIqJ5eXGWyaFVdj_PIgMKbxe5YHwp8qfLJPF2HX8c9JDgGzCir3e9mC2-yZw2BX2_3lUfw6Q3nqtuhOAJf4IdWGOCrp2Fnffy944xczy1rOpP9cM/s16000/Chariot.jpg" /></a></div><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The basics</span></b></p><p><i>Tribal</i> uses playing cards for all the important stuff: Initiative, activation, movement, range estimation, shooting, combat, and other things that you'd normally do with dice, chits, measuring devices, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_paper_scissors" target="_blank">rochambeau</a>, or bare knuckles.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNMsVVsmcK0AN-XasYEODkHOzGa3o-4Xl3maCRd2dnUbT48B5iE2SJdHfXvUUSbu0zWJLiUqX67cS4rQmVLUlh9fqMc1tkSBkux7PRbvEBX-SFy9MaZQDvQz1_br1dqK2lhd-co9qll43wjObgxeTlAD2WWkfTYKsCggTOvfNtLy-zecLpK0u2AnqCi4/s550/weaponizedCards.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="352" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNMsVVsmcK0AN-XasYEODkHOzGa3o-4Xl3maCRd2dnUbT48B5iE2SJdHfXvUUSbu0zWJLiUqX67cS4rQmVLUlh9fqMc1tkSBkux7PRbvEBX-SFy9MaZQDvQz1_br1dqK2lhd-co9qll43wjObgxeTlAD2WWkfTYKsCggTOvfNtLy-zecLpK0u2AnqCi4/s16000/weaponizedCards.jpg" /></a></div><p>The only other miniatures game I've played that uses standard playing cards is <i>Pig Wars</i>. Cards make for an interesting dynamic. The following odds keep changing with every card you play. This is one of the things that makes <i>Tribal</i> unpredictable. Needing to roll a 6 is one kind of challenge; needing to win a round of combat with a bad hand of cards is another. Playing a round of combat is like a hand of hearts or euchre where you’re judiciously playing your low cards and high cards to maximize the effect of winning a trick or minimize the effect of losing one and hopefully come out the winner overall.</p><p>A warband in <i>Tribal</i> consists of roughly 20 to 30 figures that are organized into units that can be formations of five warriors or a single figure representing a character (a hero or the warlord). Characters can take a number of wounds, usually five, before they're gone. The warlord can take six wounds and there's one veteran skill (Tough) that adds an extra wound. A warlord with the Tough skill could take seven wounds before he's pushing up the daisies. Dice <i>can</i> come into the game as markers to indicate a character's remaining wounds.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_qggsrjzPhf0cZIkjVgfJGQI3xCPCWKcL-kVHOnBAg01oqfgaqizh5S9BSXr2UAQN0dVCGR2zJgg6Mxb4rEYKfhNRM-4JKgB1W46uGjUWKuWbfRjzD9w8b3k0aSH_S9EhE3WyZtQqQrCqxris8TSxgIUlrxmQh1kdJ1AX28LSQ79gI6n2I4IlmfVgUY/s550/charcterDice.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_qggsrjzPhf0cZIkjVgfJGQI3xCPCWKcL-kVHOnBAg01oqfgaqizh5S9BSXr2UAQN0dVCGR2zJgg6Mxb4rEYKfhNRM-4JKgB1W46uGjUWKuWbfRjzD9w8b3k0aSH_S9EhE3WyZtQqQrCqxris8TSxgIUlrxmQh1kdJ1AX28LSQ79gI6n2I4IlmfVgUY/s16000/charcterDice.jpg" /></a></div><p>Units, skills, and historical special rules are bought using honor points, which are the key factor in winning (or losing) a game of <i>Tribal</i>. The warlord is free; other units cost one point. Veteran skills cost one point and elite skills cost two. Historical special rules vary in cost.</p><p><b>Units</b> can be armed with short weapons (clubs, swords, rolling pins, the fearsome wooden spoon your mother wielded), long weapons (spears, poleaxes, broom handles, very long swords), or ranged weapons (bows and arrows, javelins, slings, rocks, playing cards). In hand-to-hand combat, how a unit is armed affects the cards they play. Clubs give a +1 preferred weapon bonus to short weapons, Spades give a +1 preferred weapon bonus to long weapons. Missile units, called marksmen, don't have a preferred weapon, but still fight better than in first edition, where they were dog-meat if charged.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJaDfU0ohPN4n8M66C3ChzXpBrKcCPPE04p39gbfDLokxZH-JgbAfQTC0Dsn-8q5XR7cjnXgym1yw3yprVsvmyb4HK2O5W7G_iEyzKmjUXfPo5ESeEl2B_efHcPT76obDIeS3WPX9DJGRtWPh0K8wxjNCsrFn22_nvEmVv-LmDlUAGAh_GfnkQ-ZuHGHc/s550/attackMissiles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJaDfU0ohPN4n8M66C3ChzXpBrKcCPPE04p39gbfDLokxZH-JgbAfQTC0Dsn-8q5XR7cjnXgym1yw3yprVsvmyb4HK2O5W7G_iEyzKmjUXfPo5ESeEl2B_efHcPT76obDIeS3WPX9DJGRtWPh0K8wxjNCsrFn22_nvEmVv-LmDlUAGAh_GfnkQ-ZuHGHc/s16000/attackMissiles.jpg" /></a></div><p>At the start of a turn, you draw a card for every unit and assign a card to each. These are activation cards. A unit can activate if it has a card. Cards are used when you activate a unit to move, charge, or shoot. They're also used if you're the target of a charge or shooting. </p><p>The value of the activation card is important only in that you'll include that card as the first card jof the combat hand you draw for hand-to-hand combat. It's also the card you’d use to defend yourself when shot at by an opposing marksmen unit. It's something to keep in mind when you assign initiative cards to your units.</p><p><b>Initiative</b> for a turn is decided by drawing a single card from your deck. The higher card goes first. The card drawn for initiative is also counted as one of the activation cards you draw for your units. (Cards are reused as much as possible.) After that, players alternate activating their units until there are none left to activate.</p><p><b>Movement</b> uses card widths and card lengths as units of measure. Typically, units make a march move of one card length. The card is placed in front of a figure and then the figure is moved to the other side of the card, which means that the actual distance is a card length plus the figure's base depth.</p><p>On top of that, even though the rules don't explicitly say so, the YouTube videos produced by Mana Press to demonstrate game play make clear that only one figure in a formation needs to be measured by the card length move; the remaining figures just need to conform to the one figure in order to maintain coherency, which means that all figures of a unit must have some bit of their base under a single card.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCPHgmIEYcgmYnK-B9hkem9XV455a8BAG-F5FY02rsD22xpnmVPUzNTlss3X9Ou20eo04P2UjYbEfy52JVC_2dts1H8L67Mt61XEqfPbnCFvX-6qOaD77B6Agk2sNnWZXi73a-gqtcwdzDkhriVObj1Nu9a3gaF3jLjLl9ky1mRpPxW3LJ-695umLRnc/s550/UnitCoherence.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCPHgmIEYcgmYnK-B9hkem9XV455a8BAG-F5FY02rsD22xpnmVPUzNTlss3X9Ou20eo04P2UjYbEfy52JVC_2dts1H8L67Mt61XEqfPbnCFvX-6qOaD77B6Agk2sNnWZXi73a-gqtcwdzDkhriVObj1Nu9a3gaF3jLjLl9ky1mRpPxW3LJ-695umLRnc/s16000/UnitCoherence.jpg" /></a></div><p>Sprint moves are two march moves back to back. A walk is a move measured by the card width. Units in bad going can only walk.</p><p><b>Hand-to-hand combat </b>is initiated by charging into contact with an opposing unit. Once in contact, opposing units draw a combat hand of a number of cards equal to the number of figures in a formation or the number of remaining wounds for a character. The opposing troops will then fight a combat round that consists of a number of exchanges equal to the larger of the two combat decks to a maximum of five exchanges. Units that can have more than five cards in their combat deck get the advantage of having more cards to choose from in an exchange.</p><p>For example, a formation of four warriors with short weapons charges a hero with a long weapon who has three wounds remaining. The warriors start with their activation card and draw three more cards from their deck for a total deck of four. The hero hasn't activated yet, so he draws two cards from his deck and adds his unused activation card for a deck of three. The combat round will consist of four exchanges.</p><p>In an exchange, black cards (Clubs and Spades) are strike cards which can cause a wound if they win. Red cards (Hearts and Diamonds) are feint cards, which are defensive only, but if they win, they can change the suit of one of the cards played in the next exchange.</p><p>Continuing the previous example, the warriors had a 10 Spades as their activation card and draw J Diamonds, 3 Hearts, and 5 Clubs as their deck. The hero has a 7 Clubs as his unused activation card and draws a 4 Spades, and a red Joker. Jokers are The Bomb.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpUqQNnVCofJjlg3xjUFA6QMWGHFobn_rNd_3VPeacEdzAuq7i8nFUhxZ7epRcXXEvVPKZ3hHBKHzzoseaCvDwUarLYOJUlca1fw6R8w4oeUgN2nvdV0Met6rnMXgKhOQCt_B79fPlH7muPWYFw247fQq_FmqZ6AzvkIlHJmJX90d44_D0LDhX3wdxiQ/s550/melee1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="469" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpUqQNnVCofJjlg3xjUFA6QMWGHFobn_rNd_3VPeacEdzAuq7i8nFUhxZ7epRcXXEvVPKZ3hHBKHzzoseaCvDwUarLYOJUlca1fw6R8w4oeUgN2nvdV0Met6rnMXgKhOQCt_B79fPlH7muPWYFw247fQq_FmqZ6AzvkIlHJmJX90d44_D0LDhX3wdxiQ/s16000/melee1.jpg" /></a></div><p><i>First exchange </i>- Because the warriors charged, the hero plays the first card in the first exchange. He plays the 7 Clubs, a strike card, but gets no bonus because he has a long weapon. If he could play a Spade, he'd get +1 to the card value. The warriors play their 10 Spades and also receive no bonus, but win the exchange. Because Spades are strike cards, the hero will suffer a wound, bringing him down to two wounds remaining. </p><p>Note that if the warriors, because they're armed with short weapons, had doubled the hero's card's value, they would have inflicted two wounds. If armed with long weapons, they would need to have tripled the opposing card's value to inflict two wounds.</p><p><i>Second exchange</i> - The warriors still have the advantage because they just won an exchange. The hero again plays first. Feeling a bit desperate, he plays his red Joker, which he can name as either red suit. He chooses Diamonds. The warriors play their 3 Hearts. The hero wins the exchange, but because he won with a red card, no wound is inflicted on the warriors. However, because he won with a Diamond, he can change the suit of the warriors' card in the next exchange, i.e., if the warriors play a Club, which would give a +1 bonus and inflict a wound if the exchange is won, the hero can change it to a Heart or Diamond, which inflicts no wound and gets no preferred weapon bonus.</p><p><i>Third exchange</i> - The hero has the advantage now and the warriors have to play the first card in the exchange. They play their J Diamonds. The hero, who can only play his last card, 4 Spades, changes the warriors' Diamonds to Hearts. The warriors win, but inflict no wounds, and are now at 2 exchanges to 1 against the hero. Also, because the hero changed the warrior's suit to Hearts, the warriors can change the suit of their own card in the next exchange.</p><p><i>Fourth exchange</i> - The warriors regain the advantage, so the hero must play first, but he has no cards. This means that he has to draw a Panic card from his deck. Panic cards can win an exchange, but can't cause a wound regardless of their suit. It's a desperation move. The hero draws a 4 Spades and gets a +1 bonus because he has a long weapon. The warriors play their remaining card, a 5 Clubs. They too get a +1 bonus because they have short weapons. At 6 to 5, the warriors win the exchange and cause another wound to the hero, who's now down to one wound remaining.</p><p>The combat round is over, the warriors have won three exchanges to the hero's one and they win the round. The warriors have had no losses; the hero has suffered two wounds. The warriors receive one honor point from the central supply and the hero has to retreat a march move away.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw7jLYaGnUfqk9vct0lH6sW5JaugLJ6IQmR07Tk93rTzghtAKJnYt6grql15TKEzPJKnX2KSV6E5xNKTn3IwozdpKUc33Mlzfltv-_g4r5lkMNcleeOMAtUqB3lwVLBbBPVOT-LEpaLsRl_oZGsynuDAjv4-qonDBl888t0e2N_CbIU1mmwmTNaSBiL1Q/s550/hilltop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw7jLYaGnUfqk9vct0lH6sW5JaugLJ6IQmR07Tk93rTzghtAKJnYt6grql15TKEzPJKnX2KSV6E5xNKTn3IwozdpKUc33Mlzfltv-_g4r5lkMNcleeOMAtUqB3lwVLBbBPVOT-LEpaLsRl_oZGsynuDAjv4-qonDBl888t0e2N_CbIU1mmwmTNaSBiL1Q/s16000/hilltop.jpg" /></a></div><p><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p><i>Alternate fourth exchange</i> - If the warriors had a 5 Spades instead of Clubs, the round would have ended differently. The warriors wouldn't get a +1 preferred weapon bonus, so the score for the exchange would be 5 to 5, a tie. Long weapons win ties, so the warriors would lose the exchange, but suffer no wound because the hero played a Panic card. The round would end with two exchanges for the warriors and two for the hero, another tie, which the hero, with his long weapon, would win. </p><p><b>Ranged combat</b> is simpler and shooters are more robust in second edition. There's no range limitation due to what is assumed to be the close-in nature of the fighting; however, a marksman unit must have line of sight and can't shoot through other units, friend or foe. The marksmen discard their activation card, draw a card from their deck, and compare it to the target unit's activation card, if it hasn't activated yet, or to a card the target draws from its deck. If the marksmen's card is higher than the target's, the target takes a wound. If the marksmen's card is double the value of the target's card, the target takes two wounds.</p><p>In the first edition of the rules, ranged combat was an optional rule. Also, instead of discarding their activation card and drawing from their deck, marksmen used their activation card. The difference is that previously, a player unit could assign a high-value activation card to a marksmen unit and be assured of a high likelihood of inflicting a wound (or two). In the second edition rules, it's more random.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9s7Kc6DgUaWeNovmaxBpbo8dOs2c3iL_78kqwvDtXKwphts7Q0HiCgb18e58zTtYc6CB5xCINSV7Mlua4im7WvsgW5c1fBGrwL2VgyCddfCViu0qLDXKWeG1ncRSf0zKtT35K5Nhh0SmCqdWYBJv6rVu1bYjWNnkY2q04pD3YGqLBoXSQknqZTmW7wE/s550/slingers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9s7Kc6DgUaWeNovmaxBpbo8dOs2c3iL_78kqwvDtXKwphts7Q0HiCgb18e58zTtYc6CB5xCINSV7Mlua4im7WvsgW5c1fBGrwL2VgyCddfCViu0qLDXKWeG1ncRSf0zKtT35K5Nhh0SmCqdWYBJv6rVu1bYjWNnkY2q04pD3YGqLBoXSQknqZTmW7wE/s16000/slingers.jpg" /></a></div><p>Whether or not the marksmen can inflict wounds on their target, they have a great value in causing a target unit to use up its activation card.</p><p><b>Honor points</b> are the heart and soul of a game. Regardless of losses, a game is won by the side that has the most honor points at the end. A player who runs out of honor points during the game loses. This is why retaining some amount of honor points is good game sense.</p><p>A player receives honor points from the central supply whenever they win a round of combat. They also receive an honor point from their opponent's pool as blood payment when they completely destroy a unit—in most circumstances. If a unit is destroyed by ranged combat, the owning player must make the blood payment to the central supply, not to the opposing player. There’s no honor in destroying your enemy at a distance.</p><p>Players also receive honor points as a result of scenario objectives. These are typically counted after the game ends.</p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Second edition</span></b></p><p>Apart from the change to ranged combat—moving it from being an optional rule to a main rule—the outline above is no different from the first edition rules. What's new in second edition is the addition of other rules that provide more variables and nuance to the game.</p><p><b>Armor</b> - When I read the first edition rules, I wondered how I could retrofit some kind of armor rule so that my guys in cuirasses and helmets could benefit from the protection. I need wonder no more. Second edition includes rules for buying light armor (1 honor point) or heavy armor (2 honor points). Both allow a unit suffering a wound to draw a card to nullify it. Light armor works on Jacks or higher, heavy armor on 8 or higher. Only characters can have heavy armor.</p><p><b>Cavalry</b> - Formations or characters can be mounted on horseback. Their only advantage is faster movement. They get no benefit from fighting mounted against units on foot. Cavalry moves at twice the rate of foot units: a walk is two moves at half a card distance, etc. A sprint, two march moves for foot, is four for cavalry. You can cover a lot of tabletop—as long as it's good going. Rough going reduces their speed to a walk, which is still two walk moves for them.</p><p>Cavalry can dismount at the start of any activation, but once dismounted, they may not remount.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamKi1ONBx7kiVrSvajqLf_4UzFJEFgVgkizNUiOzL-y_B1IiluYlDFx9Jx3_ND63D4ez8_9lH01yTg2ea-rrC-LWHnZqcZlFtTTjBuTDNPsK3TrP4rzDicFEgAIJtoHVKHBkTrjDIHTuhZltKCUmVzsyupboABGNLv5wPDPM9tvZ0FXuHhfCWc7a71YY/s550/mounted.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="517" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamKi1ONBx7kiVrSvajqLf_4UzFJEFgVgkizNUiOzL-y_B1IiluYlDFx9Jx3_ND63D4ez8_9lH01yTg2ea-rrC-LWHnZqcZlFtTTjBuTDNPsK3TrP4rzDicFEgAIJtoHVKHBkTrjDIHTuhZltKCUmVzsyupboABGNLv5wPDPM9tvZ0FXuHhfCWc7a71YY/s16000/mounted.jpg" /></a></div><p><b>Chariots</b> - Only characters can be mounted in a chariot. Chariots are a lot like cavalry, but are restricted to making a single turn (pivot, really) at the beginning of their move. Chariots can also only move in good going. Like cavalry, their moves are doubled. They do have one advantage in hand-to-hand combat, however. If they march or sprint into contact, they get an extra card for the battle hand. Note, however, that if they sprint into combat, their opponent also gets an extra card for their battle hand.</p><p>Like cavalry, characters in a chariot can dismount at the start of their activation and must remain on foot thereafter.</p><p><b>Standards</b> - The skill is actually called Rally Around the Flag, but it gives you some value for your standard bearer types, which are normally useless in a skirmish game. Only a hero can be given the skill and it costs nothing. The advantage is that any friendly unit within two card lengths can never lose a round of combat. Instead any opponent who wins a combat round must retreat a march move away and no honor point is awarded for the win. It can make for a tough going. However, losing the standard costs 5 honor points that are taken from the owning player's pool at the end of the game.</p><p><b>And the rest</b> - Like the short shrift the professor and Mary Ann got on Gilligan's island, I won't go into more of the historical special rules. They can add a lot of flavor for the types of things they model. Those called out above are, in my opinion, the ones that matter most to me given the types of figures I have to play <i>Tribal</i> with.</p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Optional rules</span></b></p><p>Second edition moved shooting to the main rules, but card pools and dirty tricks are still there. </p><p><b>Card pools</b> provide a reserve of five cards dealt from their deck at the beginning of the game that players can resort to to achieve a better result in combat or to replace an activation card that was used up when a unit was the target of a ranged attack or charge. </p><p>For example, a unit of marksmen that hasn't activated yet is charged by a unit of warriors. The round of combat ends with the marksmen reduced, but still alive. They lose their activation card because of being charged (it become one of the cards in their battle hand), but in their turn, they can use a card from their draw deck to activate for shooting and dish some out to the unit that just attacked them. Note, however, that units that have already activated can't use a card from the card pool to activate a second time.</p><p><b>Dirty tricks</b> are something you can resort to when the chips are down, but it will cost your honor. At the start of a round of combat, after the battle hands are dealt, a character can take up to four honor points from their pool and devote them to the combat. They can spend a point to nullify a wound or to change the value on a card played in an exchange. However, even if you don't use them all in a combat, all the honor points allocated go back the the central supply. It's a drastic thing to do, but it may be worth it if you need to ensure that the character survives a fight.</p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Gunpowder</span></b></p><p>To represent colonial forces clashing with tribal warriors, or just the effect of modern technology used by tribal people, the second addition provides rules for musket-armed formations. This is one of the biggest additions to the rules. Shooting from muskets can be much more devastating than normal ranged combat because you draw one card per figure in the unit firing. It's theoretically possible to drop a whole 5-figure formation in one go, but you'd have to be pretty lucky.</p><p>It costs one honor point to arn a unit with muskets. When muskets fire, the owning player draws one card from his deck for each figure in the firing unit. On a Jack (11) or higher, a wound is inflicted. There are some modifiers that affect that; for example, if the target's in cover, a wound is score on Queen (12) or higher. Being within two card lengths improves the shooting to needing 10 or higher.</p><p>Unlike ranged combat with marksmen, it seems that units with muskets can move and fire. While the rules don't specifically state that's the case, there is a -1 penalty for walking and shooting and a -2 penalty for marching and shooting. If you sprint, you can't shoot.</p><p>Also unlike normal ranged combat, the target of musket fire can elect to leg it—i.e., skedaddle—when the shooting is declared and before cards are drawn. It's a -1 then to the shooter's cards.</p><p>Musket armed troops also have to reload after shooting by spending an entire activation doing nothing, which can be disrupted if they're shot at by marksmen or charged before they can activate.</p><p>In hand-to-hand combat, a unit with muskets counts as having long weapons. However, if I was playing with North American Indians with muskets for the French and Indian war, for example, I'd be inclined to count them as short weapons to better represent warriors with tomahawks.</p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Scenario building</span></b></p><p>The first edition of <i>Tribal</i> and its supplements <i>Primeval</i> and <i>Brutal</i> provided scenarios to play. Second edition doesn't provide any pre-baked scenarios, but does provide a system to generate game objectives in the section "Matter of Honour" (pp 27-33).</p><p>Players first decide on the size of the playing area, how many turns in the game, how many honor points in the players' pools, and set out terrain.</p><p>Then each player sets out their game markers. These are new to second edition. Each warband should have two markers, one that represents a person and one that represents an item. I have no question about the person markers for my Bronze Age Europeans:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWkz-Ax3XycpTp_HUz_n6raIVdpLFUxqQoWh3-66rT8CxijzcPQzZntJPvEy-5Vz3bVy8YKUElI-MCxB47S1DnVeKHcqxXuvT1HcSfMrk8leXcb7ue2yWxNdTgkHF1YjzwqissvZqIMzTS1amR4OHHFWDBYhVo-6rajeSoVz67DjwXeY7lSuc7DSRsME/s550/cultGruppe.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWkz-Ax3XycpTp_HUz_n6raIVdpLFUxqQoWh3-66rT8CxijzcPQzZntJPvEy-5Vz3bVy8YKUElI-MCxB47S1DnVeKHcqxXuvT1HcSfMrk8leXcb7ue2yWxNdTgkHF1YjzwqissvZqIMzTS1amR4OHHFWDBYhVo-6rajeSoVz67DjwXeY7lSuc7DSRsME/s16000/cultGruppe.jpg" /></a></div><p>I'm figuring out the item bit. Skulls perhaps...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5nUg6UK7wrNAV9EORM2moniWngnuJEGsx82_qmgb-HAvfNnl8cHLtSSYbDxq_A6PI-W8UuOb1M4NhBRpFnrk8A2vsnlBfHEvqmSewbZiVhuML4ah1MpjIaYftbHGQ4Jyw1Qd9NCbOd3M_e2EJSu153NIphKzGRdzlr4D_gZjezWG_porBHSvQ7kgP0I/s550/skullz.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5nUg6UK7wrNAV9EORM2moniWngnuJEGsx82_qmgb-HAvfNnl8cHLtSSYbDxq_A6PI-W8UuOb1M4NhBRpFnrk8A2vsnlBfHEvqmSewbZiVhuML4ah1MpjIaYftbHGQ4Jyw1Qd9NCbOd3M_e2EJSu153NIphKzGRdzlr4D_gZjezWG_porBHSvQ7kgP0I/s16000/skullz.jpg" /></a></div><p>Now players draw a pre-agreed number of cards (1-3) from a separate deck (i.e., not their own). The cards they draw indicate what their objectives are (which they keep secret from their opponent). The suits determine the nature of the objective. Clubs involve taking or defending terrain; Hearts involve interacting in some way with a person (the person marker); Spades involve destroying a formation, hero, or warlord; and Diamonds involve interacting in some way with loot (the item marker). Jokers are an interesting case. The red Joker requires the player to escape by getting as many of his units off the opposite side of the table. The black Joker requires the player to get his entire force killed (no fratricide or suicide allowed). </p><p>If drawing more than one objective card, it's possible that your objectives can conflict or duplicate. In those cases, discard one of the cards. Note that the objectives for Jokers override all others and no honor points can be gained from other objective cards.</p><p>Achieving an objective earns honor points that count toward victory—except that achieving the objective of getting all your units killed is an instant win. But players have to keep in mind that if they ever get to zero honor points in their pool during the game, they lose. Honor is everything!</p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Projects ho!</span></b></p><p>Getting psyched about <i>Tribal</i> has birthed a few projects, which I'll recount in detail in future posts as they bear fruit. My initial figures on hand to play <i>Tribal</i> with are my beloved 40mm prehistoric Europeans (i.e., Bronze Age) that were produced back in the day by <a href="http://www.monolithdesigns.co.uk/prehistoric_europe.htm" target="_blank">Monolith Designs / Graven Images</a>. I have enough to create two good-sized warbands with heroes and other goodies (cavalry, chariots, shaman, etc.) In addition, I have the following projects in the works or staged for starting:</p><p><b>Cavemen</b> - As I'll relate in a follow-up post, I'm crazy about the Bobby Jackson-sculpted cavemen minis from North Star. They're excellent figures and were designed specifically to create a warband for <i>Tribal</i>. I've supplemented these figures with some of the Neanderthal minis produced by Lucid Eye for their Savage Core range. Despite being done by a different sculptor (Steve Saleh) they mix 'n' match with the North Star cavemen perfectly.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW32UClfaFgMu_5-Crmh6Rhjta8dFh0dAOsFNimlWWS_tlzF2MH1WC7w5oIlsQW1yPfVKNZZOR9137cclIYJqOnag6XjcrPYmmRz_Z1ymLICQ-2bvvShCmQDqpukWSNCJDFVC4HRQ1AEDu1coggLus_WetlX1vVOALPmxQxIQFAyjVwPdA8-9Vr__kG8w/s550/cavemen_wip1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW32UClfaFgMu_5-Crmh6Rhjta8dFh0dAOsFNimlWWS_tlzF2MH1WC7w5oIlsQW1yPfVKNZZOR9137cclIYJqOnag6XjcrPYmmRz_Z1ymLICQ-2bvvShCmQDqpukWSNCJDFVC4HRQ1AEDu1coggLus_WetlX1vVOALPmxQxIQFAyjVwPdA8-9Vr__kG8w/s16000/cavemen_wip1.jpg" /></a></div><p><b>Mudmen of New Guinea</b> - Bob Murch of Pulp Figures released a pack of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asaro_Mudmen" target="_blank">Asaro mudmen</a> for his Savage Seas range. It's just one pack, but there are a variety of weapons possible (long and short), a bow-armed figure, and 15 varieties of their mud helmet. Also, being completely covered in mud, the minis won't be hard to paint. I also bought some Melanesians from the same range to be an opposition force.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5f0wS2Il8Ejn3i9Ohl0uPQ9DCzBddpPAuvOakgHDhBEhW4aUOeNU17RCSPvtimqnF0Jtt9GQgzGxEQqAloc2ul0Y35vLS0sMeWVO2BlsBlkgRT2WWb4Cd00afc38oor90k4l9qtEJKWyl-p0O3I3b6l79BUwRXv-jHdA6NAecPrXSj9Acg-E9IExsHCY/s550/mudmen_pic.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="269" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5f0wS2Il8Ejn3i9Ohl0uPQ9DCzBddpPAuvOakgHDhBEhW4aUOeNU17RCSPvtimqnF0Jtt9GQgzGxEQqAloc2ul0Y35vLS0sMeWVO2BlsBlkgRT2WWb4Cd00afc38oor90k4l9qtEJKWyl-p0O3I3b6l79BUwRXv-jHdA6NAecPrXSj9Acg-E9IExsHCY/s16000/mudmen_pic.jpg" /></a></div><p><b>Mycenaeans</b> - Many years ago (1990s) I bought a bunch of Mycenaeans from Wargames Foundry. They're wonderful mins. I painted some, but mostly not. I ordered some more from WF and now have enough for two reasonably-sized warbands for <i>Tribal</i>. I'll order some chariots later so I can get the warlords properly done. Hector, Achilles, Agamemnon, etc. can't just walk into battle. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdx2iXbA-j1izp4cumOFb5-AF8gNP9ra-FkHXIA7hzFw3LWSqWy4GbEOIxaHD_3oFaHI9HUdPAkevK0R2nlLnrnJvs0hXsEoTsiMOgQZHkUtwes23ZEx2ilo-woBYzBL8wQHjTRCVr4vOkyNqocyCuOb-NjQLer3pb0bWzNgFwQ-NyB2SfF6E0dr8c8I4/s550/achillesHector.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdx2iXbA-j1izp4cumOFb5-AF8gNP9ra-FkHXIA7hzFw3LWSqWy4GbEOIxaHD_3oFaHI9HUdPAkevK0R2nlLnrnJvs0hXsEoTsiMOgQZHkUtwes23ZEx2ilo-woBYzBL8wQHjTRCVr4vOkyNqocyCuOb-NjQLer3pb0bWzNgFwQ-NyB2SfF6E0dr8c8I4/s16000/achillesHector.jpg" /></a></div><p><b><i>Saga</i> retreads</b> - My group plays a lot of <i>Saga</i>. Those armies, all singly mounted, can easily be resorted ad hoc into a <i>Tribal</i> warband. There are limits, I think, to trying to adapt too much to Tribal. As long as you don't try to recreate the Saga troop types, you're good. But if you wanted to use a mounted Norman knight, you'd spend a considerable amount of honor points to buy him: 1 point for the character, 1 point for upgrade to cavalry, 2 points to give heavy armor. That's 4 points before buying any other skills.</p><p>You could make marksmen cavalry if you wanted to represent horse archers or jinetes. There's no restriction to shooting mounted (i.e., the rules don't say you can't), but marksmen can't move and shoot. However, <i>Tribal</i> is friendly to house rules. You could let mounted marksmen move and shoot with a -1 to their shot for march moves, -2 for sprint moves. Mounted slingers? I don't think so, but consider <a href="http://slinging.org/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1332408394/31" target="_blank">this</a>.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Multiplayer games</span></b></p><p>I haven't seen anything about playing <i>Tribal</i> with more than one player on a side, but it works. Our most recent game was two against two. The warbands were moderate (each was two warriors, one marksmen, two heroes, plus the warlord). I was the only player who knew the rules (and I only sort of—I assumed first edition rules in some places, like ranged combat). The other players picked up the basics quickly.</p><p>To do a multiplayer game, each player has his own deck, the initiative draw decides the order in which players go for the turn. Four players was easy to manage. I'm not sure if getting six players in a game will mean a lot of waiting for your turn to coma around. </p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Overall </span></b><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>impression</b></span></p><p>I love <i>Tribal</i>. I'm trying to be its apostle and get the locals exposed to playing it. I'm not sure why it didn't catch on with me years ago when I got the first edition rules, but I was hooked after playing my first game using first edition. Now that I have and have played second edition, I'm even more hooked—as you might be able to tell from the amount of projects I have in line for painting <i>Tribal</i> warbands.</p><p>The game is stylized, but not weirdly so. I have my doubts that primitive people divided their available forces into guys with long weapons and guys with short weapons, but the distinction between weapon types works for the rules. Also, the authors note (p. 9) that for the sake of aesthetics, mixed units are OK. You just mix them with a preponderance of one type over the other and declare the preferred weapon on that basis. The rules say to keep that distinction throughout by removing losses in such a way that the preferred weapon remains the majority. I kind of like the idea of making it dynamic so that as the ratio of figures changes through losses (either player's choice or decided randomly), the preferred weapon may change too.</p><p>That's another impression of the rules: They're versatile and open to tinkering and house rules, especially where there's an ambiguity. I asked on the <i>Tribal</i> FB page about how to resolve a duelling "Rally Around the Flag" situation. As I noted above, this rule means that if you have a standard bearer, any unit within two card lengths of the standard can't lose a combat round. Even if the opponent has won the majority (or even all) of the exchanges, they're forced to retreat if your unit isn't destroyed and they get no honor point for winning in any case. That said, if two such units fight each other, how do you resolve it if neither can lose? Ara Harwood, one of the authors of <i>Tribal</i>, suggested that both retreat. I replied that I liked the idea of them fighting to the death by playing as many additional rounds as needed until one unit ceases to be. Ara said he liked that and might do it that way himself.</p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Disclosure: <i>Not</i> a paid shill</span></b></p><p>In closing, lest my ardent advocacy for <i>Tribal</i> be construed as mercenary interest, I must state that I receive no remuneration in cash or kind from <a href="https://manapress.com.au/" target="_blank">Mana Press</a> for my hearty endorsement of their product. It's purely done for love of the rules.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmYAmqlI-kkX2oe2Jj0yj61OnrFtCHPwI08TvIU88psVm_8kYha5bdoUp9YIRV1768WIUcuUsLTgH0Ja411zL1JSCdbEhG-yBn8bnz2HL38NrZ1Qq73cD1RZEnp0xTD4OaqWsZUe4hy1kPLy2tRt5lo9IGNTkJXcAquMWpRNacc3O3Nc7qIXueKnN59I/s816/Louis_kickback.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmYAmqlI-kkX2oe2Jj0yj61OnrFtCHPwI08TvIU88psVm_8kYha5bdoUp9YIRV1768WIUcuUsLTgH0Ja411zL1JSCdbEhG-yBn8bnz2HL38NrZ1Qq73cD1RZEnp0xTD4OaqWsZUe4hy1kPLy2tRt5lo9IGNTkJXcAquMWpRNacc3O3Nc7qIXueKnN59I/s16000/Louis_kickback.jpg" /></a></div><p>And also so that I might encourage the locals and have someone in my area to play it with.</p><p><br /></p>David Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229259148925201182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99962604511527341.post-41483179816757439902023-08-21T12:09:00.001-07:002023-08-22T10:48:07.051-07:00Saga AAR: The (dumb) luck of the Irish<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8m6QO28ktPzCjl1IhhnARmSauU4qN_RFXstBZTcEgt-78bIhQqLVtHjUFcIjzV1xYXCo5M7z7aN5Ai8R41OzQsIoDnmZakD_mMBllsL-kF6ASHfhPQSm38_503Tdx_IYn0gEoi-meF0XX3egHoaFHyjiYQs2d9HAYncpV3V8cZXs5YuAbifVyy1Dm8o/s550/banner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8m6QO28ktPzCjl1IhhnARmSauU4qN_RFXstBZTcEgt-78bIhQqLVtHjUFcIjzV1xYXCo5M7z7aN5Ai8R41OzQsIoDnmZakD_mMBllsL-kF6ASHfhPQSm38_503Tdx_IYn0gEoi-meF0XX3egHoaFHyjiYQs2d9HAYncpV3V8cZXs5YuAbifVyy1Dm8o/s16000/banner.jpg" /></a></div><p>I completed my Irish warband for <i>Saga</i> on the same morning I played it in its first game. That's often how I roll. The Irish warband was one of the <a href="https://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2023/07/cast-your-lead-upon-waters.html" target="_blank">insta-armies</a> that I originally created for another project, but found that I could easily convert to a <i>Saga</i> warband by some rebasing and painting a few more figures/units. Not actually instant, but close.</p><p>To get an Irish warband out of them, I needed rebase everything I had based for <i>Pig Wars</i> and paint 12 slingers—which I've had sitting unboxed and untouched for a long time. The original figures I painted for <i>Pig Wars</i> are all Old Glory minis, but OG doesn't make Irish slingers—despite the fact that the ancient the Irish were profligate rock-flingers because the surface of Ireland is about 72% rock.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSMkEJkWs54Q83ZzZXD1T-HCmj_s5IVtBllI3D3aI_C5dgr-Aw3xLTVxPpOKqlqxPjPNbrE5HcRltZ6X6eGKt_A616YrRaWuXm0DdWfSz5S-UZJUcMVapGkw2mvxP4s1ekXqE2UUrPuic--QTIrVT3JveP8vyOKZhhS_LXdanGCLA6xTuPKvOAKfla8sE/s550/stone_walls.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="344" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSMkEJkWs54Q83ZzZXD1T-HCmj_s5IVtBllI3D3aI_C5dgr-Aw3xLTVxPpOKqlqxPjPNbrE5HcRltZ6X6eGKt_A616YrRaWuXm0DdWfSz5S-UZJUcMVapGkw2mvxP4s1ekXqE2UUrPuic--QTIrVT3JveP8vyOKZhhS_LXdanGCLA6xTuPKvOAKfla8sE/s16000/stone_walls.jpg" /></a></div><p>So, I used the Irish slingers produced by Crusader Miniatures instead. I also needed to paint another six Old Glory warrior figures to complete my warband of three warrior units, two hearthguard, and one levy slingers.</p><p>I brought them down with me to Silver King on Wednesday and took on Gary Griess and his Anglo-Danes. This was to be my farewell (for now) attendance at the bi-weekly meet-up. As I recently posted, I'm going <a href="https://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2023/08/my-summer-vacation.html" target="_blank">back to the salt mines</a> after a three month hiatus. As I have done with most of my games, I brought some new terrain with me also. I have two (of ultimately three) large resin-cast hills. One of which got in the game, but didn't feature much.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ79pNTAEV9KjdIplw7kaqoAIaLMZlbh2IJkfBag56EJjE-jRal79LZtwizDk6mWsq022oph1CVWVr4eaig6ugMxBNEocdlFJAedvG_rKS8gT8Zlwv1nBNpkn51SDcy0uM5XB0iamARAm_G90YMVVPQmrUxO8PTzASZCkcgMmDwcwwFx7BBi5PZ-748j8/s550/Hills.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ79pNTAEV9KjdIplw7kaqoAIaLMZlbh2IJkfBag56EJjE-jRal79LZtwizDk6mWsq022oph1CVWVr4eaig6ugMxBNEocdlFJAedvG_rKS8gT8Zlwv1nBNpkn51SDcy0uM5XB0iamARAm_G90YMVVPQmrUxO8PTzASZCkcgMmDwcwwFx7BBi5PZ-748j8/s16000/Hills.jpg" /></a></div><p>Hill three is pending. I've got a post planned about them soon. No, really. It'll show up.</p><p>Gary's A-Ds were organized as a hearthguard-heavy force with the bare minimum of warriors and some bowmen to annoy people from afar. I was a bit intimidated by all that axe-wielding menace and wasn't sure how my warband would hold up. Mine were two 4-figure hearthguard units (javelins), three 8-figure warrior units (javelins), and one 12-figure levy unit (slings).</p><p>We played the Feasting and Pillage scenario from <i>Book of Battles</i>. I was the first player and we set up terrain that gave us each pretty good defensive positions, but left a large space of open ground in the middle (as is pretty much required by the scenario rules). Having the first move, I used the maneuver rule to get my units close the the objective markers.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUiZAc-CHFLanHK8f8AidW5uWKjUusl5zU46DCx-vachqtYAirhzNEkd9VNNA12JHx8xAomSdw9dB4k0MijR_iX47YjWKYlD49foCfLWjSiOZZ3sKddlP1fWNovMoCeb6xsApr7icg0qz2DWqHTSN9ZgmyZ9GYK6ZE1jqboopgMOAtUc522HX_LyrbBv8/s550/first_move.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUiZAc-CHFLanHK8f8AidW5uWKjUusl5zU46DCx-vachqtYAirhzNEkd9VNNA12JHx8xAomSdw9dB4k0MijR_iX47YjWKYlD49foCfLWjSiOZZ3sKddlP1fWNovMoCeb6xsApr7icg0qz2DWqHTSN9ZgmyZ9GYK6ZE1jqboopgMOAtUc522HX_LyrbBv8/s16000/first_move.jpg" /></a></div><p>Gary moved his units into or near the defensive terrain. I didn't really think of activating the <i>Sons of Dana</i> ability, which would let me take a shot from unseen hooligans at his troops moving near cover. There are several opacities of mine that I can cite. I was just lucky not to suffer much from them.</p><p>The Irish are a shooty kind of warband with <i>Saga</i> abilities that maximize their effect. I didn't make near enough use of them. However, on my second turn, I did move my warriors up and launched my javelins to the discomfit of one of Gary's hearthguard skulking in the woods.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDEFDffBSfiaVULvnoZDj8VBCJciOTKllyEGgeWtroB-nVfCJprYnN4jqWoRVukocvRRkhT_w7tPdMlGS7Kcx0Gd8vcsE-QxGC3L579a3jMLIaOEucYMuQ-aOzfTSyET0kugMHNUTU4X8x1xotAZOV0-zTg-0HHsSfiM9J2tw77CHPVlp1nTJgAPRlIDk/s550/2nd_move.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDEFDffBSfiaVULvnoZDj8VBCJciOTKllyEGgeWtroB-nVfCJprYnN4jqWoRVukocvRRkhT_w7tPdMlGS7Kcx0Gd8vcsE-QxGC3L579a3jMLIaOEucYMuQ-aOzfTSyET0kugMHNUTU4X8x1xotAZOV0-zTg-0HHsSfiM9J2tw77CHPVlp1nTJgAPRlIDk/s16000/2nd_move.jpg" /></a></div><p>For some unclever reason, I thought moving one of my warriors over the steep hill was a good idea. It wasn't. Unlike the Picts (especially the Picts) and the Welsh, the Irish have no <i>Saga</i> abilities that let them fly over uneven terrain. Those poor schmoes had to trudge over the hill moving Short (S) every turn.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3pM-z6ACyTIGiUTn59BA22-_Ho23TwyRce-c2AV-pEyFRpz2Xfdk7_D4fkyJ5mhSuRGYui0XbKgRIAkTzB9FW9AmvxfQQwzEHCUpaM5BvzvWzKtPGWTAA-4gq9zrG1gWjRDqm7n4fhppC6tH001ie1qU4G-g-G3MAVFgB9OAbxkEVRUZwcAG1GP4_Qzo/s550/trudging.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3pM-z6ACyTIGiUTn59BA22-_Ho23TwyRce-c2AV-pEyFRpz2Xfdk7_D4fkyJ5mhSuRGYui0XbKgRIAkTzB9FW9AmvxfQQwzEHCUpaM5BvzvWzKtPGWTAA-4gq9zrG1gWjRDqm7n4fhppC6tH001ie1qU4G-g-G3MAVFgB9OAbxkEVRUZwcAG1GP4_Qzo/s16000/trudging.jpg" /></a></div><p>If hadn't sent one of my warriors on the slow route, I could have concentrated them and taken advantage of <i>Saga</i> abilities that reward massed shooting, namely <i>Sidhe</i>, where by nullifying the shooting of one unit, all others shooters at the same target get a +1 to their shooting.</p><p>I secured one objective marker on turn 2 and surrounded another. I didn't want to be burdened by it in case I wanted to move more than S, which is the movement restriction for schlepping around an objective marker. In retrospect, I ought to have grabbed it when I could.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jzzKo-Hh8Dzpy24HLrTDD-hkZqjI_ahqeldR2MRH26IRno93hiWyYW-o0EWZK9AcLebdNn-1nuAvz3ODJqrPP7WJBV9r8T9gX77Q4lUEjJrtZU8-BUHLinrhuiT8hCZnUKv-gJtyTM3osG-1Iqsjp4EKs1RFw9Lahuq2Iucp144AvQKHyVjQsBMmXGo/s550/Grab_token.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="447" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jzzKo-Hh8Dzpy24HLrTDD-hkZqjI_ahqeldR2MRH26IRno93hiWyYW-o0EWZK9AcLebdNn-1nuAvz3ODJqrPP7WJBV9r8T9gX77Q4lUEjJrtZU8-BUHLinrhuiT8hCZnUKv-gJtyTM3osG-1Iqsjp4EKs1RFw9Lahuq2Iucp144AvQKHyVjQsBMmXGo/s16000/Grab_token.jpg" /></a></div><p>Gary was having none of it. He came on pretty strong in the center moving his 6-figure hearthguard unit against my marker-schlepping warriors. He hit them hard and they lost more than half their number while inflicting only one casualty.</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Rules avoidance instance #1: </b>It turns out that according to <i>Book of Battles</i> page 17, Gary was entitled to grab the objective marker my warriors possessed after beating me. I had assumed that they had to destroy the unit to take its marker. So, they kept it. <i>C'est la guerre.</i></p></blockquote><p>My big break came in my turn when I activated the <i>Fir Bolg</i> ability for my slingers using a rare die. It addied three dice to my shooting for a total of seven dice, and made all 6s count as two hits. I rolled five 6s for 10 hits and Gary couldn't save even half of them. His formidable hearthguard unit disappeared under a pile of Irish stones. It was probably the luckiest I've ever been at shooting. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7C9akjLSqcOePC2haKH2USXXt9ByG0WGiaHstRcm0qtmCIi6KW7Fd_fOHynGSfAHUFTbEZgYZzKvOQz2qRuzXPtZi3FzN2aeJdyZn8VDspqaAZa8jvAYL6dyJ9wEjJ8NLIlm74QpQtaHLO78LbqFpZldsDoMmn8kakL7pK_td1UORWFGOm5JC7spUda0/s550/hearthguard_gone.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7C9akjLSqcOePC2haKH2USXXt9ByG0WGiaHstRcm0qtmCIi6KW7Fd_fOHynGSfAHUFTbEZgYZzKvOQz2qRuzXPtZi3FzN2aeJdyZn8VDspqaAZa8jvAYL6dyJ9wEjJ8NLIlm74QpQtaHLO78LbqFpZldsDoMmn8kakL7pK_td1UORWFGOm5JC7spUda0/s16000/hearthguard_gone.jpg" /></a></div><p>I love slingers. Kevin Smyth advises me that I need a second slinger unit for my Irish. I may have to follow that advice. </p><p>With no enemy to catch them—and fearing the mighty slingers—my warriors were well on their way to exiting the board with their loot.</p><p>On my right, Gary got aggressive in a more successful way. I had nabbed the objective marker with my hearthguard and both hearthguard and warriors had flug javelins at Gary's warlord who suffered two fatigue due to using his resilience. I was feeling rather pleased with myself.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJW036r4WB71bEzMB4r2Bc1RhIteA8-2zaGBimla4MhtTpIqmHMfmYV5zJfb8vvCPGxtcKJFquLJusychqzqUTBFEDzcv-y906GGqAIA1VLKWuY2nf8nnwuenOZN4VVqbBTmhASJ2vPaQ4HavCFig9adXpbVZadrH6lynsuvbCEbgU5P0FXqBMAuTbhog/s550/rightFlank.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJW036r4WB71bEzMB4r2Bc1RhIteA8-2zaGBimla4MhtTpIqmHMfmYV5zJfb8vvCPGxtcKJFquLJusychqzqUTBFEDzcv-y906GGqAIA1VLKWuY2nf8nnwuenOZN4VVqbBTmhASJ2vPaQ4HavCFig9adXpbVZadrH6lynsuvbCEbgU5P0FXqBMAuTbhog/s16000/rightFlank.jpg" /></a></div><p>However, Gary triggered <i>Lord of War</i> for his warlord, who had two fatigue on him, then charged him into my hearthguard unit. This ability allowed him to shed all his fatigue and bumped his armor to 6. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA7EDj_EFSG7NFWvatYWxWVnv7EsyZ_2J-RNrLfyg0bbCKEgALB9jvTZYkZ9O3EJXthjePMBV7J9x28bdVSUP_TCypNnE5t4rgMJokk7fq1-4A11G67tR7aIir9gPEydjzINA44b9peIJU02UA3M02am9GHUscq_sOUJCdfJnV3B5-X2xBHN2bwU4HKPw/s550/lordOfWar.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA7EDj_EFSG7NFWvatYWxWVnv7EsyZ_2J-RNrLfyg0bbCKEgALB9jvTZYkZ9O3EJXthjePMBV7J9x28bdVSUP_TCypNnE5t4rgMJokk7fq1-4A11G67tR7aIir9gPEydjzINA44b9peIJU02UA3M02am9GHUscq_sOUJCdfJnV3B5-X2xBHN2bwU4HKPw/s16000/lordOfWar.jpg" /></a></div><p>In the resulting scrum, Gary's warlord obliterated my hearthguard at no loss to him other than one fatigue from having fought a melee. He also captured the objective marker my hearthguard had.</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Rules avoidance issue #2:</b> <i>Lord of War</i> is a nice ability, but having triggered it, you can't activate your warlord again for the rest of the turn. I.e., Gary couldn't have charged him into my hearthguard. Again, <i>c'est la guerre</i>.</p></blockquote><p>After this slaughter, Gary charged a fresh hearthguard unit from the woods into my warriors. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNotsh4NC0Zk1PGlMG_Kciwvz4c0w0bMtFjMxfsABkqs17td5KaiFLP2u56ZnzD9ffsljR3xajhCpisj8rDY6Lv7U0Uz4m2w5H2Tzxe6LrFjQr00_EzMjB5lkp9J9WTVwOzi0qBO9PufI_KK_HfEkXnUdQ4r4MsNKnGTgSF_4Fcpok555R3H4yFixHKA/s550/rightFlank2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNotsh4NC0Zk1PGlMG_Kciwvz4c0w0bMtFjMxfsABkqs17td5KaiFLP2u56ZnzD9ffsljR3xajhCpisj8rDY6Lv7U0Uz4m2w5H2Tzxe6LrFjQr00_EzMjB5lkp9J9WTVwOzi0qBO9PufI_KK_HfEkXnUdQ4r4MsNKnGTgSF_4Fcpok555R3H4yFixHKA/s16000/rightFlank2.jpg" /></a></div><p>There was much loss on both sides with each of us inflicting four casualties on the other. This put me to half strength, but wiped out Gary's hearthguard. Like the slingers slinging death in the center, this result was a stroke of luck. Nevertheless, it left me at a loss. There was no way my diminished warriors were going to beat Gary's warlord and recapture the objective marker.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwd9x_A46-6SIEtdPxPIiyTZ0ofgMUhHlRuE0R7urH3NQmE7u-w3M6_UM9So94q_qZ6dj0OY1B5uapWP3U1Rk3RGGHopytlRJFggT19i5thQFYrHsPONUvD6-jFeauZojaW6PIpogHfXy73ub1ESgiJZqsiBkusLVRLO1x2NLczb_XA0zY8VCh5yzuMYw/s550/rightFlank3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwd9x_A46-6SIEtdPxPIiyTZ0ofgMUhHlRuE0R7urH3NQmE7u-w3M6_UM9So94q_qZ6dj0OY1B5uapWP3U1Rk3RGGHopytlRJFggT19i5thQFYrHsPONUvD6-jFeauZojaW6PIpogHfXy73ub1ESgiJZqsiBkusLVRLO1x2NLczb_XA0zY8VCh5yzuMYw/s16000/rightFlank3.jpg" /></a></div><p>I made a bold attempt to skewer Gary's warlord with javelins—having finally gotten the Trudgers of Erin to the other side of the hill—but to no effect. He took another fatigue by using his resilience, but it wasn't enough to stop him and he began his retreat with his loot intact.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQmBXAGvlr0Af2-S7bBzcIwV2Df5TEB-42I5g1oS5HjS5xgZbZS3LCyR4TqeD65Duej_riB7W8oNZDdf03OC-37rr-AMaJEoPgLpNRGwCCeedo_rxlLwrMth3GQQ32te4mY23PT7XstS5KuE256-Jw3m6S7AwgyWqsNO-SqUoF1X0SVeJyy4EIcmmJGxM/s550/rightFlank4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQmBXAGvlr0Af2-S7bBzcIwV2Df5TEB-42I5g1oS5HjS5xgZbZS3LCyR4TqeD65Duej_riB7W8oNZDdf03OC-37rr-AMaJEoPgLpNRGwCCeedo_rxlLwrMth3GQQ32te4mY23PT7XstS5KuE256-Jw3m6S7AwgyWqsNO-SqUoF1X0SVeJyy4EIcmmJGxM/s16000/rightFlank4.jpg" /></a></div><p>On my left, I secured the heretofore unmolested third objective marker with my mighty slingers. Gary had no one there to contest me for it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7W8Xzao18ioGlkv_yKt0XLFdEiZypKAB39wiphId19eOiOzACJtA1oC-OPNYEfKYYPozsCkaqOVTI9N-BqBiZ97q1ntZ96OQr761nRARPfkSapBi2P4TLKQ3BQjSD_2gRBQjhEGWU0LL2k063SIXqSqX3BXMAyNZF_OoF35P7pNWbtJG8YYuuR6E51E/s729/leftFlank1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="729" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7W8Xzao18ioGlkv_yKt0XLFdEiZypKAB39wiphId19eOiOzACJtA1oC-OPNYEfKYYPozsCkaqOVTI9N-BqBiZ97q1ntZ96OQr761nRARPfkSapBi2P4TLKQ3BQjSD_2gRBQjhEGWU0LL2k063SIXqSqX3BXMAyNZF_OoF35P7pNWbtJG8YYuuR6E51E/s16000/leftFlank1.jpg" /></a></div><p>Elsewhere, we both started withdrawing our units, neither of us holding onto hope that we could steal back a lost objective marker or do any further damage without risking more to ourselves. Because victory is largely based on survival points, it didn't make sense to play with fate.</p><p>When the dust had settled at the end of turn 6, Gary was pretty beat up. He'd lost two whole hearth guard units (10 figures total) and another three figures (of four) from a third unit. He'd also lost his one warrior unit, which started as a unit of four (he'd exchanged four warriors for two hearthguard) and got pummeled into nothing by the Irish slingers.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-r47hoE3APYiN4XHR498Kiqe2yhtJMP33IaUnbVITjszL1-8v6uPug3FwEqxgFlMC2WB8JDZ3migAYe1ObNeGGShd_aM7g_oiF-via4vIuRJod5Um2ZWPeN3BJPFXoMn3nkBxpT3DCQEsrU8gHDTTSTt09fxfmnrPQaXPHwREaKaBU3IS3rLOtScwHRo/s550/endOfGame.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-r47hoE3APYiN4XHR498Kiqe2yhtJMP33IaUnbVITjszL1-8v6uPug3FwEqxgFlMC2WB8JDZ3migAYe1ObNeGGShd_aM7g_oiF-via4vIuRJod5Um2ZWPeN3BJPFXoMn3nkBxpT3DCQEsrU8gHDTTSTt09fxfmnrPQaXPHwREaKaBU3IS3rLOtScwHRo/s16000/endOfGame.jpg" /></a></div><p>I'd lost one unit of hearthguard and one unit of warriors plus another seven warriors and a single slinger. I had also carried one objective marker off the board and had possession of another. Gary had possession of one objective marker. Total score after counting survival points and points for objectives: Gary at 16 and me at 30. It was a nice result for what may be my last Wednesday <i>Saga</i> game for some time to come.</p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Irish Threefer</span></b></p><p>Painting Irish for <i>Saga</i> is kind of a 3-in-1 opportunity. I originally intended to use the Irish I had as Scotti for <i>Age of Invasions</i>. These are from the <i>Old friends, new enemies...</i> section of the book. I've been working on eight hearthguard figures that are Viking-y types with Danish axes. But the factions mostly use the same troop types and use the same battle board. The Irish for <i>Age of Vikings</i> can use hearthguard with axes and have an axe-wielding warlord, but can also be identical in composition to the Scotti.</p><p>However, <i>Age of Vikings</i> includes the ferocious Norse-Gaels. By adding axe-armed hearthguards and an axe-armed warlord, there they are. Sadly, the Norse-Gaels don't have slingers and their only levy is javelin armed. Given that any or all warriors can be javelin armed, there's no sense (in my mind) of burdening your warband with levy who are no better at shooting than your other rank and file. I have enough axe-armed Irish warriors to replace my slingers (sigh) and give myself a fierce warband of two 4-four figure hearthguard units with axes, three 8-figure warrior units with javelins, and one 8-figure warrior unit with axes. Alternately, I could make all the warrior units javelin armed.</p><p>I'm well along with adding the figures to make Norse-Gaels—including Somerled the Destroyer as my warlord. I'll need to find a way to get them in a game now that Wednesdays are closed to me.</p>David Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229259148925201182noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99962604511527341.post-48270994394250488132023-08-19T10:30:00.002-07:002023-08-19T10:30:58.137-07:00My summer vacation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVMpsekruDtaKy4ySDzxq-JgwDIgi78zW-AlkkMCLY00c8XG7thHdqfCPKNP7tu5btJb_Iau6FK_GzUmrvFIY6ONt-BximddnuaU6zOjXAewhWjJLhbgK2nM7PsG7bVWNR_SZVHoYDWmVN5SkuKI5zNL_iwqHnenISahadDQDx1BoQtADHidOxY0CQBY/s550/Hammock_banner1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="213" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVMpsekruDtaKy4ySDzxq-JgwDIgi78zW-AlkkMCLY00c8XG7thHdqfCPKNP7tu5btJb_Iau6FK_GzUmrvFIY6ONt-BximddnuaU6zOjXAewhWjJLhbgK2nM7PsG7bVWNR_SZVHoYDWmVN5SkuKI5zNL_iwqHnenISahadDQDx1BoQtADHidOxY0CQBY/s16000/Hammock_banner1.jpg" /></a></div><p>I got laid off from my job at Array in May. It was, at the time I was hired, the best job I ever had. I was sorry to go, but disillusionment had already set in by March of this year when the director of design (my manager) and our lead designer were laid off—thus effectively eviscerating our design team. I spent the next two months assuming my time was coming. Then it did. Array is a start up and startups can be volatile. Content designers are a luxury in volatile situations because "anyone can write." Nevertheless, I got a nice severance and had money in the bank. I was prepared for a bit of a wait until something else came along. That something came last week and I start a new contract position at Microsoft on Wednesday. </p><p>Of course I'm happy to be working again. No, really. Severance, savings, and unemployment checks will all run out eventually. It's too early to retire and the civilizational collapse they keep promising repeatedly fails to materialize. Adam Smith wrote that "there's a great deal of ruin in a nation." Apparently we haven't exhausted our store of ruin yet, so hi-ho, hi-ho.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWwprYcjZQUd0OLUt8X9z1r_CkcGKyAZStyUSk2pG4RjX2CoOeJOa3zQhmmk-poZil0DdRNZE65GBXjEBcAmsPCnC-mRP381-7NNAEkEnmUSvG9EcHldE-M1F6qJ65ShE4nacBRa_CxLHYGySn7-uoLobktG_aWbtOr5apLIHrN_YSZmqW0zNDwZ6fGs/s550/back2work_nocollapse2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="361" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWwprYcjZQUd0OLUt8X9z1r_CkcGKyAZStyUSk2pG4RjX2CoOeJOa3zQhmmk-poZil0DdRNZE65GBXjEBcAmsPCnC-mRP381-7NNAEkEnmUSvG9EcHldE-M1F6qJ65ShE4nacBRa_CxLHYGySn7-uoLobktG_aWbtOr5apLIHrN_YSZmqW0zNDwZ6fGs/s16000/back2work_nocollapse2.jpg" /></a></div><p>On the other hand, I had wished that my gainful unemployment would last until September, like after Labor Day. I wanted to squeeze out the last drops of summer before returning to wage slavery. But it's been just over three months of economically-inflicted leisure now, so I can't complain. Besides, it really hasn't been leisure. I spent most of every day chasing down job opportunities, reacting to urgent (URGENT!) appeals from recruiters and never hearing back from them, and reading depressing blog posts from people in the tech industry who've been unemployed for more than a year.</p><p>However, when I wasn't fruitlessly chasing down work, I had a lot of time to game or do gaming-related things (like paint minis and make terrain 'n' stuff). What follows is a précis of what has been occupying me for the last three months.</p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Xenos Rampant</span></b></p><p>At the time I was laid off, I was pretty deeply into working on completing two <i>Xenos Rampant</i> forces. I was planning a couple games at Enfilade!, our regional convention, and had a bit of work to do, all while taking a long weekend off to go to Bozeman, MT for my nephew's wedding under the Big Sky.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCrWlNsLfZzfEUwTh_2spcheeaoZYvp6EPNsiq47wCyqhV88wkmQZfI6GSD5EPNArpa4epIKvhZo-aoAaa4AcuzNR9HpiXizy8UO50Xyfy7JCXZljKwV51Jn1zKmE6k3I_xIKPgRl8_YKeDMCc5gvfbdj0ZvHW8cqf7wEmF-alNdiSXpiVjDPtxguMBU/s550/Wedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCrWlNsLfZzfEUwTh_2spcheeaoZYvp6EPNsiq47wCyqhV88wkmQZfI6GSD5EPNArpa4epIKvhZo-aoAaa4AcuzNR9HpiXizy8UO50Xyfy7JCXZljKwV51Jn1zKmE6k3I_xIKPgRl8_YKeDMCc5gvfbdj0ZvHW8cqf7wEmF-alNdiSXpiVjDPtxguMBU/s16000/Wedding.jpg" /></a></div><p>Most of the rest of my time in May was spent preparing for Enfilade!, which involved painting minis and completing the terrain. The minis were well towards completion by the time I achieved leisure. There were a few more bits to complete for the "Green Meanies," the original force I painted in a camo pattern.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CnWz5THqigIBDmGG5xQagn_RExprPMygoJ9cIDbziCXsmfXZovB-cOVaYUs6-zigIXg5Fr_JuWkvD3BoTcMkJQGFRf0gC7ML0jN71tULGxtioBqGLJqQmf9OjnCvr2c5S0VT6wcR-eTvwEc0HQ0SQkugDf4yjmOxWAuMRYLGFGrdkthB7UmRWcJwbL8/s550/XR_Project_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CnWz5THqigIBDmGG5xQagn_RExprPMygoJ9cIDbziCXsmfXZovB-cOVaYUs6-zigIXg5Fr_JuWkvD3BoTcMkJQGFRf0gC7ML0jN71tULGxtioBqGLJqQmf9OjnCvr2c5S0VT6wcR-eTvwEc0HQ0SQkugDf4yjmOxWAuMRYLGFGrdkthB7UmRWcJwbL8/s16000/XR_Project_02.jpg" /></a></div><p>There was also the "Red Menace" force to complete. These minis form the red-themed OPPFOR for the Green Meanies.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizotiGoVEKaeXyku4rL8x7DxiNmdyai1BZgFeHRz6OBra9lumJThV-OXCKVz2eKpfQ9Zl2-iBYIPdH5G4THzwBhzWB3s-2NLKdrR28TzVZM3lw1yTrfg6ltoe3iWf9-ZttW4e2mQBDMWMuHuc3I7mP41Tm0I3Lqw0E4K2cczP0J0f52rc_54WJQFuxWlA/s550/XR_Project_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizotiGoVEKaeXyku4rL8x7DxiNmdyai1BZgFeHRz6OBra9lumJThV-OXCKVz2eKpfQ9Zl2-iBYIPdH5G4THzwBhzWB3s-2NLKdrR28TzVZM3lw1yTrfg6ltoe3iWf9-ZttW4e2mQBDMWMuHuc3I7mP41Tm0I3Lqw0E4K2cczP0J0f52rc_54WJQFuxWlA/s16000/XR_Project_01.jpg" /></a></div><p>Doing the terrain for <i>XR</i> had to start from scratch. I've built up a nice collection of terrain bits over the years, but it's all for Earth. Starting with the <a href="https://tablewar.com/collections/fatmats/products/6x4desertplanet" target="_blank">TableWar Desert Planet game mats</a> I inherited from Dave Schueler, I needed to create the rest of the terrain to match them, which involved lots of buying stuff on Etsy and frequent visits to Hobby Lobby to buy out bits of their faux plants stock to create an alien-looking environment for our games.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmXMIf8AnOowUCTQ1wqHA7E9SNOZoAlEoF7EWyCqL9E9T9nYxGpZBdoxr8Pu8hJA0UarboUYsGqNP0DYV7O_hZF2TVpMbCihFzRB6DYNBwSQCEnQIAfyrzoIeDgdOZIfUvOYXYBh1ZrD5JdeinSOdvIWlqeCCh7jqMPG4Tjkxck5oiQKL3Xov_xV0QYA/s550/Xenos_Terrain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="444" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmXMIf8AnOowUCTQ1wqHA7E9SNOZoAlEoF7EWyCqL9E9T9nYxGpZBdoxr8Pu8hJA0UarboUYsGqNP0DYV7O_hZF2TVpMbCihFzRB6DYNBwSQCEnQIAfyrzoIeDgdOZIfUvOYXYBh1ZrD5JdeinSOdvIWlqeCCh7jqMPG4Tjkxck5oiQKL3Xov_xV0QYA/s16000/Xenos_Terrain.jpg" /></a></div><p>Since the project started just before Christmas in 2022, getting two complete forces painted, plus all the terrain, was a pretty good result. I may be lazy and prone to distractions, but when I set my mind to a project, it's surprising how much I can get done quickly. I'll return to that theme below. </p><p>We played our first game down in Tacoma in April and I was also able to get a pre-Enfilade! playtest of one of my scenarios on the Wednesday before the convention.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vri2RLS6uF0A4rldEO2CXmg1EEXBTtiLqXBxtSe9IBegW1tcvMTFAuO9VgO1zHIYk8twSc9s61Us4sIaO5cc_g5TgHSfU6df0kdj12c7RVzSZVHWkJ2vQqvnfrNSJM23NssrRNGEsRbTYstrZuTXU4Tsn3lCMI4t8EsTIaUOYH0LQyfWHJ5jwKfFw6o/s550/XR_Platest_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vri2RLS6uF0A4rldEO2CXmg1EEXBTtiLqXBxtSe9IBegW1tcvMTFAuO9VgO1zHIYk8twSc9s61Us4sIaO5cc_g5TgHSfU6df0kdj12c7RVzSZVHWkJ2vQqvnfrNSJM23NssrRNGEsRbTYstrZuTXU4Tsn3lCMI4t8EsTIaUOYH0LQyfWHJ5jwKfFw6o/s16000/XR_Platest_01.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7pkpKesQvU5S3Zwv0fHkHBWrT2DlPPQwivhf6RTwhJpHQQXZbKiuMKogw-WmI3iGjIsDWf-OnGm7JJCvz-8SK30lbTyr6rq2osPb-PzGbmgt70JNXBObpVKjxe9MAYRD271vO7MTGXAPmw7Jc0-tmnzsYkB5gxK5RsCoqOeUTzwjmOgbRcD9meoyFo_4/s550/XR_Platest_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7pkpKesQvU5S3Zwv0fHkHBWrT2DlPPQwivhf6RTwhJpHQQXZbKiuMKogw-WmI3iGjIsDWf-OnGm7JJCvz-8SK30lbTyr6rq2osPb-PzGbmgt70JNXBObpVKjxe9MAYRD271vO7MTGXAPmw7Jc0-tmnzsYkB5gxK5RsCoqOeUTzwjmOgbRcD9meoyFo_4/s16000/XR_Platest_02.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZcW9xMLN1x8BRqXyoq2qw4mMa482BK0kRl_TuZCkIExRbvpJGgZ01_h_MY2AFWwDW9wPZQJRa8d-5S4v7vEqEpdL9AjeKnGhpq1Qpa17cCBHrT-KzMzmdZu5DtswdAHFtJAeIcWk4FDX77yRtY62Z3JwnwW0b9PAKYACGi2L6F_hvYQKiA954LpzHAY/s550/XR_Platest_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZcW9xMLN1x8BRqXyoq2qw4mMa482BK0kRl_TuZCkIExRbvpJGgZ01_h_MY2AFWwDW9wPZQJRa8d-5S4v7vEqEpdL9AjeKnGhpq1Qpa17cCBHrT-KzMzmdZu5DtswdAHFtJAeIcWk4FDX77yRtY62Z3JwnwW0b9PAKYACGi2L6F_hvYQKiA954LpzHAY/s16000/XR_Platest_03.jpg" /></a></div><p>With two games under mt belt and all the bits completed, I was ready for the con.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Enfilade!</span></b></p><p>My participation at our regional convention this year was understated. I drove down on Saturday, ran two games of <i>Xenos Rampant </i>back to back, then zoomed back home to feed my ravenous cats. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQ3bJA6CQSkPz2ZYtHK2pOrsyqIE6zkLgNlvQA6eo6rsjLs7c8s3A6s9YFU4ySeiZGDtI4aYUf1K85hz22vWO5sMilWBlk-9gxQbGfUHITShVA295jY4S2JKk8hzP41WtvRYj5ZsX_MOEbvfhr1nSsWAhS3Ap8VvGi-35OcPO9I6rWgjKXiG1tVoDI5Y/s550/Tybalt_Bowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQ3bJA6CQSkPz2ZYtHK2pOrsyqIE6zkLgNlvQA6eo6rsjLs7c8s3A6s9YFU4ySeiZGDtI4aYUf1K85hz22vWO5sMilWBlk-9gxQbGfUHITShVA295jY4S2JKk8hzP41WtvRYj5ZsX_MOEbvfhr1nSsWAhS3Ap8VvGi-35OcPO9I6rWgjKXiG1tVoDI5Y/s16000/Tybalt_Bowl.jpg" /></a></div><p>Having just spent the last weekend away, I was loth to do it two weekends in a row. Plus, I miss the cats when I'm away. I fear for their mental health when they're left with no one to torment.</p><p>The games went well and were enjoyed by the players. I even won the Best of Period award for my second game on Saturday afternoon.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFukf1G_3kfBMeAMZ1O--zZNgrDPj12Z1bV9boQicvo8jNaBodLWYTVRpFOS3cS7JNFMb63SVuYmAJnR6scLWIa75iGmSeZbOBpfBAaJcNFNoOYhNyi8b09SlpodFRLGbojs6BhTJkzNymyp7MMbS3X23dgldfLoO4BDTgqkUfukbfJhLPN_7JiNb6Rg/s550/BestOfPeriod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="489" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFukf1G_3kfBMeAMZ1O--zZNgrDPj12Z1bV9boQicvo8jNaBodLWYTVRpFOS3cS7JNFMb63SVuYmAJnR6scLWIa75iGmSeZbOBpfBAaJcNFNoOYhNyi8b09SlpodFRLGbojs6BhTJkzNymyp7MMbS3X23dgldfLoO4BDTgqkUfukbfJhLPN_7JiNb6Rg/s16000/BestOfPeriod.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCRO5ULZ3CZrHE0CutHKFQhzmZxTxPHUnTR_1CTx93ZNwcM66YjQWAd8FNKZo53PUKDD2u4LyUqQ0kQX_0zZy6fqEhylmJi2iK9rE-Ke2qvZKVak4xnZU5u_JD3w39SbjCJA9xUHUJrnSvcUYtSdEboKSAPu4QC-6ix7PSytcPEflWOkgK5eFkr_Hiq0/s550/XR_Enfilade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="461" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCRO5ULZ3CZrHE0CutHKFQhzmZxTxPHUnTR_1CTx93ZNwcM66YjQWAd8FNKZo53PUKDD2u4LyUqQ0kQX_0zZy6fqEhylmJi2iK9rE-Ke2qvZKVak4xnZU5u_JD3w39SbjCJA9xUHUJrnSvcUYtSdEboKSAPu4QC-6ix7PSytcPEflWOkgK5eFkr_Hiq0/s16000/XR_Enfilade.jpg" /></a></div><p>The convention was mostly uneventful otherwise—except for a purchase I shared with Scott Murphy. Someone was selling a pile of mostly Crusader Miniatures Carthaginians. Amongst the pile were four Aventine Miniatures elephants. I'd been slowly working on a Carthaginian warband for <i>Saga: Age of Hannibal</i> and was resolved to use the Crusader Miniatures elephants I had, even though I don't like them. Acquiring the Aventine nellies enabled me to do a hybrid using the Aventine elephant bodies with the Crusader howdah and crew.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW26IKRje0Kdnpvw7nmbhoskRWljlaHOSvpZgVDULUyD0Cx9VLLAo0ohR-XrrFVqLGG4RwokxvLheDdHiLi0G0FKvs5Nu7V-mBFCNBs9WiyHrvedzdNuvdoJJDoCgKanTi33aG45VSG3lLejE36q4lI93IJtgeS0gpGEZ5VgEL1NO9OrStsnfFO_R0SyY/s550/Nellie_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW26IKRje0Kdnpvw7nmbhoskRWljlaHOSvpZgVDULUyD0Cx9VLLAo0ohR-XrrFVqLGG4RwokxvLheDdHiLi0G0FKvs5Nu7V-mBFCNBs9WiyHrvedzdNuvdoJJDoCgKanTi33aG45VSG3lLejE36q4lI93IJtgeS0gpGEZ5VgEL1NO9OrStsnfFO_R0SyY/s16000/Nellie_01.jpg" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Saga</b></span></p><p><i>Saga</i> has dominated the last few months. It started before I was laid off, but I thought then that I'd have little opportunity to participate. Being all retired, the group meets on the first and third Wednesdays of each month (and the fifth when that occurs). Because I'm still working that was impossible for me. I managed one <i>Saga</i> game on a Saturday in late April with Mark Waddington, but I figured I'd only be able to play <i>Saga</i> when I could talk one of my retired friends into playing on a weekend.</p><p>Of course being temporarily retired change my availability. After Enfilade!, I was able to devote myself to painting <i>Saga</i> warbands, although I had been dabbling in it since April when I dug out the Carthaginians I started so long ago for a 28mm <i>Field of Glory</i> project. That project, which I completed in early June, was just the first of others that involved digging up old, abandoned projects and making them <i>Saga</i> projects.</p><p>Fresh from completing and playing a Carthaginian warband, I contemplated other <i>Saga</i> warbands and rummaged through my garage for other half-begun or abandoned projects. As I related in an <a href="http://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2023/07/cast-your-lead-upon-waters.html" target="_blank">earlier post</a>, I had a trove of Pictish and Irish figures from Old Glory that I'd painted for <i>Pig Wars</i> back in the day. I'd already started rebasing the Picts and discovered that with just a bit more painting, I'd have a formidable Pictish warband for <i>Saga</i>. With a bot of determination, I got the army done and let them start tearing up the field.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-Q0W1CMRQ01m_eePvsN_xT9apV-X_VHLw_Z8GVXO24djfgPfhUW1YAeWR3R82xF-g8xYYd4KANmMPLavR1_iaQVNWl4_G_vN61K2goYpkB6Qxa0Rp-AeSQnpyC7EdHdkQovxBnjiUlXWokFD2rYDdBzbbPgqKeZzjDQAq1t9HL2msIi5JKdcAzRzC6g/s550/Picts_Inchoate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="447" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-Q0W1CMRQ01m_eePvsN_xT9apV-X_VHLw_Z8GVXO24djfgPfhUW1YAeWR3R82xF-g8xYYd4KANmMPLavR1_iaQVNWl4_G_vN61K2goYpkB6Qxa0Rp-AeSQnpyC7EdHdkQovxBnjiUlXWokFD2rYDdBzbbPgqKeZzjDQAq1t9HL2msIi5JKdcAzRzC6g/s16000/Picts_Inchoate.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRvPibxhxKAlk79I4Z182R03VqiBcCwBiC4ehaUzQaL1x7KObY0wnipjggiPZPgWZDovSatoPJ8Fse2hs5t_Mn_b4ql5LyWI_KgGEDXWMhWItxHXxajMqUhSIM769pSbNPi6wbAA8JKSmjOjELmmx1IrtZ0k_Ocm4vQAHVyxUbPGnL0KDxKF4Ezex7OoM/s550/PictsInvictus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRvPibxhxKAlk79I4Z182R03VqiBcCwBiC4ehaUzQaL1x7KObY0wnipjggiPZPgWZDovSatoPJ8Fse2hs5t_Mn_b4ql5LyWI_KgGEDXWMhWItxHXxajMqUhSIM769pSbNPi6wbAA8JKSmjOjELmmx1IrtZ0k_Ocm4vQAHVyxUbPGnL0KDxKF4Ezex7OoM/s16000/PictsInvictus.jpg" /></a></div><p>My next project was resurrecting the Irish, which took a bit more work, but I was able to get them into a game against Gary Griess at our most recent Saga Wednesday meet-up. I can work fast when I want to.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJCVeOtRZtzl5zzR85fa_03USdjoMGvfVSJQ2mCoFxeRGhBMKAToPWCL0m3FtI4BSkkeZVpChlgJizthNq2Jq-2ySNFJbWBNcyDZCReeGJrmIFYv6dP667egaVL-ksHmsFDIOMA9Xmnobk1PtKjojLl-8jleShXcDoWzAvLiF-SEgnZt-hkByJe1H3pw/s550/SagaIrish1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJCVeOtRZtzl5zzR85fa_03USdjoMGvfVSJQ2mCoFxeRGhBMKAToPWCL0m3FtI4BSkkeZVpChlgJizthNq2Jq-2ySNFJbWBNcyDZCReeGJrmIFYv6dP667egaVL-ksHmsFDIOMA9Xmnobk1PtKjojLl-8jleShXcDoWzAvLiF-SEgnZt-hkByJe1H3pw/s16000/SagaIrish1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3RC6f3panTbeLT1HeoRQMlnZzWv5SvEUYhRq3eODLcftV1iTHtwshL2YaGbBPtjmKJgOs6CR5Ox6KeBE0o4xQJCFzbeFaRnXVAqIB3GcohKQIkopwo2rjCx9f4mDzzAkXU-_9_gUlSpnODARqbtDOXemgIvlK_XiPds9UBqTgD6uliCFHtneqPb3Bok/s550/SagaIrish2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3RC6f3panTbeLT1HeoRQMlnZzWv5SvEUYhRq3eODLcftV1iTHtwshL2YaGbBPtjmKJgOs6CR5Ox6KeBE0o4xQJCFzbeFaRnXVAqIB3GcohKQIkopwo2rjCx9f4mDzzAkXU-_9_gUlSpnODARqbtDOXemgIvlK_XiPds9UBqTgD6uliCFHtneqPb3Bok/s16000/SagaIrish2.jpg" /></a></div><p>I started yet another Xenos Rampant force using some Alternative Armies figures that I couldn't resist (like Oscar Wilde, the only thing I <i>cannot</i> resist is temptation). I have only one Elite Infantry unit painted so far. Being fairly glutted with <i>Saga</i> Warbands now (Welsh, Carthaginians, Picts, Irish), I may pivot back to them. Kevin Smyth and I will run a <i>Xenos Rampant</i> game at an event in September, so maybe completing a couple more units by then would be in order.</p><p>Still in the works for Saga: Britons for <i>Age of Invasions</i>, expanding the Irish to be Norse-Gaels for <i>Age of Vikings</i>, Romans for <i>Age of Invasions</i> (using A and A Miniatures excellent 3rd c. Romans, which I've had before—but also a 4th c. Roman army using the Black Tree Design Late Romans I've had sitting in a box for years), Byzantines for <i>Age of Vikings</i> or <i>Age of Crusades</i>, Anglo-Danes/Anglo-Saxons for <i>Age of Vikings</i>, Macedonians for <i>Age of Alexander.</i>..</p><p>I was beginning to fear that I had too few irons in the fire.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Spending</b></span></p><p>Nothing says gainful employment like making it rain on minis manufacturers.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5mH8NR1PuGdWeP4T-xg3X6TQsK6TVHV-Hb4iDPD-TGH4JsrE2Wo74MeicHlviJ82-Fdev-QnBrg3rNRFKNSIzjX7eMKpQfJR7C0Kz-tXbmLRUFcUwsuHZaYMtU3f3l4jMxVK9aQlb-OIOvYPTDtaG14PYoiMBvuKLtZa81LSZC4ZzWPa5JFWbEZKEME/s550/Throw_Money_me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5mH8NR1PuGdWeP4T-xg3X6TQsK6TVHV-Hb4iDPD-TGH4JsrE2Wo74MeicHlviJ82-Fdev-QnBrg3rNRFKNSIzjX7eMKpQfJR7C0Kz-tXbmLRUFcUwsuHZaYMtU3f3l4jMxVK9aQlb-OIOvYPTDtaG14PYoiMBvuKLtZa81LSZC4ZzWPa5JFWbEZKEME/s16000/Throw_Money_me.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Tk2rkFegW3c4J9qmWLtA4IqCi5GuVRI421YChoESPuowmhl06nJCD5av5DTJ1YQXIYsyBERoDBjHt5pe5_x0-O6I9-2AoPhnFLqpX_5_xKm28CUSxu3oDGCr7xXTp9ZxeBJIgyc5E_5_t4c7BYiAiPN6nzH9t9RxzsUIiN2lPMIYWL9I5lGE-gAavao/s550/makeItRain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Tk2rkFegW3c4J9qmWLtA4IqCi5GuVRI421YChoESPuowmhl06nJCD5av5DTJ1YQXIYsyBERoDBjHt5pe5_x0-O6I9-2AoPhnFLqpX_5_xKm28CUSxu3oDGCr7xXTp9ZxeBJIgyc5E_5_t4c7BYiAiPN6nzH9t9RxzsUIiN2lPMIYWL9I5lGE-gAavao/s16000/makeItRain.jpg" /></a></div><br />Unless you're me and don't worry about the "gainful employment" bit. Then it's Katy bar the door on all the new stuff coming in.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5Xsb-7_Nrp38PIOzUHTbndIumlL8kMmJIqNjjjkK19mwttsUfcsp2OgzF4TK68xIQYPK9TxFfbFx9QGsGIvxWXZFlizZFy04GBlZd-p3GBAuihfkrAdczyMjtEjhwbmkuG0Jz4XD_lonBUkt1KDNFLlZdpPgoxkKOdy50BOjt0uN4XI6YGT0c3UVfz0/s550/katyBarTheDoor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5Xsb-7_Nrp38PIOzUHTbndIumlL8kMmJIqNjjjkK19mwttsUfcsp2OgzF4TK68xIQYPK9TxFfbFx9QGsGIvxWXZFlizZFy04GBlZd-p3GBAuihfkrAdczyMjtEjhwbmkuG0Jz4XD_lonBUkt1KDNFLlZdpPgoxkKOdy50BOjt0uN4XI6YGT0c3UVfz0/s16000/katyBarTheDoor.jpg" /></a></div><div><div><br /></div><div>Wisdom dictates economizing when the money's tight. My take on it is to creatively move expenses around. I figure that by buying measurably fewer bags of Cheetos, I can use the funds I would normally have spent on that luxury to buy new hoards of shiny metal men. I didn't exactly go wild, but I have been buying new minis in my leisure time. How else am I going to have unstarted/uncompleted armies tucked away in my garage and closets that I can serendipitously find in the years to come? I'm seeding the future, see?<p></p><p>(Full disclosure: I didn't actually measure, but I'm pretty sure I didn't buy fewer bags of Cheetos.)</p><p>Before I went and completed painting my "discovered" Pictish Saga warband, I ordered Curteys minis for another one from 1st Corps. This was after I already ordered minis for a Post-Roman British warband last year while I was still employed (even though I already have a bunch of Old Glory minis for that from long ago). The PRBs, I'm happy to say, have been started. The Curteys Picts will likely sit for a while. I already have one warband, with options, completed. I really like the Curteys minis from 1st Corps, but they don't make bare-nekkid Attacotti figures.</p><p>Etsy.com has been a treasure trove of resin cast and 3D printed goodies. I'm still pretty much strictly a metal man when it comes to figures, but terrain bits are another matter. I have projects a-plenty to get to.</p><p>I also re-bought some 3rd c. Roman figures to use for Saga. I have a lot of these figures in the past, then sold 'em. Even though they're not the right era—but close!—for <i>Saga: Age of Invasions</i>, I'll use them for that. </p><p>Lest I spill it all here, I'll save news of more purchases for later in this post. Keep reading.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The Schueler legacy</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLh9a-mE5qAsb07a47vk9fO3Y-paaz_trx_wx4NMKC24olTm1lspfAyq5jcwWI0aSvXT0sWSt36KC8lg-Rg9LlKwgIkcQHMYPL_RL-alqXFIRCoRhPaSF2UYRyI8Wm-RzCG2Aa70XxCtvSLGzuH-F5P1kdbarX6O-NdWOcoYBN7f0s5clC4LSMuduXxI/s550/DaveS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLh9a-mE5qAsb07a47vk9fO3Y-paaz_trx_wx4NMKC24olTm1lspfAyq5jcwWI0aSvXT0sWSt36KC8lg-Rg9LlKwgIkcQHMYPL_RL-alqXFIRCoRhPaSF2UYRyI8Wm-RzCG2Aa70XxCtvSLGzuH-F5P1kdbarX6O-NdWOcoYBN7f0s5clC4LSMuduXxI/s16000/DaveS.jpg" /></a></div><p>No matter how neatly we organize all the things, we miniatures gamers are hoarders. In no time, we have boxes full of painted minis and even more boxes of unpainted or partially-painted minis. Add to that rules books, terrain bits, other books, paint, tools, game aids, etc. and we have a lot of stuff to leave behind when we go. In most cases those we leave behind have no idea what to do with it all.</p><p>With time on my hands, I was able to get together with Kevin Smyth and Michael Koznarsky to help Lynn Schueler arrange a giveaway of Dave's collection. It's a dolorous duty to sort through and organize a friend's stuff when it all brings back memories of the times you've spent playing with it, discussing it, and reveling in the hobby together.</p><p>Lynn wanted to make sure that Dave's friends had the opportunity to inherit all his stuff. I need more stuff like I need a hole in my head, but it's nice to have tangible things to remember him by, though the intangible memories can never be rivaled.</p><p>We got together at Lynn's house on July 15 to give it all away.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5aj2S6xK6FLrtVFnfdsb_87JOh83XHH-C2iCirIhjBJk4YBOl9MTvb4FJMb4zot58m_56X1PTdqwX0IV-ouRYWdMaHlOK_DqUv-TT0eoqa41bYVA2yw_o1wKxIr24TfvHHGRxhJCKwGCqG_KCaS0Ma2GrNevbz9UDeu82V8v4IrPQgeECquDSFfn5w_s/s550/giveaway1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5aj2S6xK6FLrtVFnfdsb_87JOh83XHH-C2iCirIhjBJk4YBOl9MTvb4FJMb4zot58m_56X1PTdqwX0IV-ouRYWdMaHlOK_DqUv-TT0eoqa41bYVA2yw_o1wKxIr24TfvHHGRxhJCKwGCqG_KCaS0Ma2GrNevbz9UDeu82V8v4IrPQgeECquDSFfn5w_s/s16000/giveaway1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURBl4XTzw2xsjP-jFjWqhuw6P1WDnnbxe_u_M-vHYmRhYCkCbovBMcLcnhsP1soCc9JBch4nG-7Nq_jMr4x2LaZoPqKEjqu-RKvgyX1y0CNjMhwZKJ58JLyHmpw5OHnSfuRzn5PwvpzGbOAclwdfAX4xFnl70WOhzLwVsJe2chls2UHC28JK7qCxI2Vk/s550/giveaway2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURBl4XTzw2xsjP-jFjWqhuw6P1WDnnbxe_u_M-vHYmRhYCkCbovBMcLcnhsP1soCc9JBch4nG-7Nq_jMr4x2LaZoPqKEjqu-RKvgyX1y0CNjMhwZKJ58JLyHmpw5OHnSfuRzn5PwvpzGbOAclwdfAX4xFnl70WOhzLwVsJe2chls2UHC28JK7qCxI2Vk/s16000/giveaway2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNFdK_feY8zpera3vgC_uBbDwbTzQKdlcTxcZLXRtK-sN9afOHQKa26z4TuVAehr5a-Lj0fdPna1w3Sjue-8DYSuaIUOIc7u7EmusNi1V3z1Bfw0kMLZSpm9sWVi4UJHEBikcMvkUdlMWMCTV3id2FnHcrmks_Is4R40IOXFK9g0ykrloOGZqxT2wg6U/s550/giveaway3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNFdK_feY8zpera3vgC_uBbDwbTzQKdlcTxcZLXRtK-sN9afOHQKa26z4TuVAehr5a-Lj0fdPna1w3Sjue-8DYSuaIUOIc7u7EmusNi1V3z1Bfw0kMLZSpm9sWVi4UJHEBikcMvkUdlMWMCTV3id2FnHcrmks_Is4R40IOXFK9g0ykrloOGZqxT2wg6U/s16000/giveaway3.jpg" /></a></div><p>It's funny to have had so many "I didn't know he was into that" moments going through it all. Dave was never close-lipped about his gaming interests, but I was surprised to see how much sci-fi stuff he was unobtrusively working on. He was always most focused on air and naval gaming. I wish we'd had more opportunity to explore our mutual enthusiasms.</p><p>It was amusing to to go through boxes only to find disconnected bits of this and that. It felt like rummaging through my own boxes of what-not.</p><p>Amidst all the exploration and stuff-getting, we drank a toast to Dave using his hootch (a.k.a. Scottish rocket fuel). You don't realize how much you took for granted that someone who was always there would always be there, until they're not.</p><p><i>Níl na mairbh marbh ach beo i gcroí na ndaoine a raibh grá acu dóibh.</i></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rHbTUWckWsYzYvn6Zp1LGs-Dkw3VrliRFi-2obA3vBbsuLtjRMXPAwm5-sHhjNmRxhsC1UMFn0FR4IN6s3Z6NTKfQZtDnvSNBfa0ADCtiKtXkrl_YQWiJYQkhlAY-QLxM-RVinw9B8TfCySOIOUQLwYJE6mbxClL10vd6ER3CvTtBDsUM2Zykqe830A/s561/Laphroaig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="561" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rHbTUWckWsYzYvn6Zp1LGs-Dkw3VrliRFi-2obA3vBbsuLtjRMXPAwm5-sHhjNmRxhsC1UMFn0FR4IN6s3Z6NTKfQZtDnvSNBfa0ADCtiKtXkrl_YQWiJYQkhlAY-QLxM-RVinw9B8TfCySOIOUQLwYJE6mbxClL10vd6ER3CvTtBDsUM2Zykqe830A/s16000/Laphroaig.jpg" /></a></p><p>We got most everything given away and Kevin, Michael, and I recently helped Lynn go over the remnants in preparation for a phase II giveaway yet to come.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Tribal, the <strike>final</strike> <i>most recent</i> excess</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZCklmDSBXDQ446ENXeUDBTiq9cTf3V_5t3Au_gBxmoQqKlVzG3f4nJ25ebf225VFeQ8KSrEAjbr35iANEj5qpCnNzrQ8q3L1GYOJRdz98mtXIPvq9xTy-cYa3aC1cLiPy38V7QNngE2lXkpckeeu2sLQ4LhrRcIq2U_iToeXcdiHl62Rdh9XOPsShNc/s839/TribalRulesCover550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="839" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZCklmDSBXDQ446ENXeUDBTiq9cTf3V_5t3Au_gBxmoQqKlVzG3f4nJ25ebf225VFeQ8KSrEAjbr35iANEj5qpCnNzrQ8q3L1GYOJRdz98mtXIPvq9xTy-cYa3aC1cLiPy38V7QNngE2lXkpckeeu2sLQ4LhrRcIq2U_iToeXcdiHl62Rdh9XOPsShNc/s16000/TribalRulesCover550.jpg" /></a></div><p>I've already related how<a href="http://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2023/08/altared-space-tribal-playtest-aar.html" target="_blank"> an innocent question asked on a forum I hardly ever pay attention to launched me into a <i>Tribal</i> frenzy</a>. My love of things primitive betrayed me here. I've looked longingly at figure ranges for primitive warriors and sighed because I couldn't think of what to do with them. <i>Tribal</i>—even though I must have picked up a PDF of the rules way back in 2018 or so—just didn't jump out at me until last week, then POW! I jumped right in by playing a <a href="http://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2023/08/altared-space-tribal-playtest-aar.html" target="_blank">game with Wes Rogers</a> and I'm hooked.</p><p>I bought the second edition rules (which still haven't come as of this writing), a 3' x 3' mat to play on, and started looking back at the websites that made me sigh in the past. </p><p>A short(ish) while back, Bob Murch of Pulp Figures released a pack of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asaro_Mudmen" target="_blank">mud men</a> as part of his <a href="https://pulpfigures.com/products/category/12" target="_blank">Savage Seas</a> range. I was struck by them because they're so unique, but I wasn't sure what I'd ever do with them. Now I know.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPiwiR9oZUirS4mcB-wc8ghtT66iP8GzMUt7YYfifT6MZIMoWNng9hkaulu4U4NXfOwquGcCbxONJPFx85CuXAJ3y2k5noXTAlhfYh8Jd7gNrGfWcWUVJ3AKVFr3RN56vwobtmX0UZsZ41qdm_8GQoVkbyWjaQDFB6jL6F-7Rt_SuKU15QKuxhB61Z-o/s550/MudMen550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPiwiR9oZUirS4mcB-wc8ghtT66iP8GzMUt7YYfifT6MZIMoWNng9hkaulu4U4NXfOwquGcCbxONJPFx85CuXAJ3y2k5noXTAlhfYh8Jd7gNrGfWcWUVJ3AKVFr3RN56vwobtmX0UZsZ41qdm_8GQoVkbyWjaQDFB6jL6F-7Rt_SuKU15QKuxhB61Z-o/s16000/MudMen550.jpg" /></a></div><p>There's only a single pack available, but it contains multiple poses and separate weapons. I bought enough packs to build a Tribal warband with. Then, fearing that they may be lonely, I bought enough packs of Pulp Figures Melanesians to make a rival warband so they'd have someone to fight.</p><p>I asked Bob before I ordered if he had plans to expand the range. He said he'd thought about a pack of chief types. I heartily endorsed that notion and further suggested that he also consider a separate multi-pose pack of mud men with bows. The one available pack has a single bowman figure, but he's stuck in one pose (although there's a huge variety with the separate mud head). To my delight, four hours later—and after I made my order—Bob posted on Facebook that he was considering adding archers and leader figures to the range.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDvq37-M4ED2Kw8UfD7Ge2Iz7j6a7gIn_Zq1vgq87VXvZ7UtDccKCuq90AsiIYNqI4Rp6P6UcdNC0i2FXbsqPJpdT6lR-mkW-P2itIdmjz5j3aY4faEh3x7zLJAbPqv50GyMz7lwDp9cCn12mkyGOb5SSAlv9avHqBgBSOwTU9vGtTJD3yz7HqiKJsR8/s550/Murch_FB_Post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDvq37-M4ED2Kw8UfD7Ge2Iz7j6a7gIn_Zq1vgq87VXvZ7UtDccKCuq90AsiIYNqI4Rp6P6UcdNC0i2FXbsqPJpdT6lR-mkW-P2itIdmjz5j3aY4faEh3x7zLJAbPqv50GyMz7lwDp9cCn12mkyGOb5SSAlv9avHqBgBSOwTU9vGtTJD3yz7HqiKJsR8/s16000/Murch_FB_Post.jpg" /></a></div><p>So, huzzah! From my mouth to Bob's ear.</p><p>Btw, Bob lives in Kelowna, BC and is in the midst of the wildfires they're enduring up there. He's safe so far, but keep a good thought for him and his fellow Kelownians.</p><p>Having ordering all those figures from Bob on the 14th, on Wednesday, I was innocently standing outside of Silver King in Tacoma waiting for the store to open, when I spotted a post in the <i>Tribal</i> Facebook group from Nick Eyre of <a href="https://www.northstarfigures.com/" target="_blank">North Star Figures</a> announcing that sculpting maven Bobby Jackson—a fan of the <i>Tribal</i> rules—had made available a range of caveman figures he'd originally designed for himself as a <i>Tribal</i> warband.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCoonzzEhvmEEgnAnN3aT9U010WmGfifJt0hJYQDSDnkrxdlpzOEw1renZB-T52CX0nkTXq5GA66DGIdlm9d9fMsoGY6u58OlAh0ao7fUFRKI5BXTgaCKxYuso1KM5Oh1rSVuPw0U5ZAGGVZG8luMOxNx8pGzqQL0bw1zsv66U3kaRNhaVSBrvURfULJw/s550/Cavmen1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="341" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCoonzzEhvmEEgnAnN3aT9U010WmGfifJt0hJYQDSDnkrxdlpzOEw1renZB-T52CX0nkTXq5GA66DGIdlm9d9fMsoGY6u58OlAh0ao7fUFRKI5BXTgaCKxYuso1KM5Oh1rSVuPw0U5ZAGGVZG8luMOxNx8pGzqQL0bw1zsv66U3kaRNhaVSBrvURfULJw/s16000/Cavmen1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCM_zDgu-NVNZu4mcciZ4wbuDV5N_VRko-S85J--egBJ5k7Pi812Qjd4jo43DfHkQH2lA4YAHuqfl1RWz84uEbNHiOLKCWeGbp_RfFeuJajLSZvUs6RqL6q63mclFwdIrxEkPR8ft1bRI2t4DTSbPfehddO8ZXI26xGKv1YNeUuIl9HwtAEuMSnwyS6Oo/s550/Cavmen2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="341" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCM_zDgu-NVNZu4mcciZ4wbuDV5N_VRko-S85J--egBJ5k7Pi812Qjd4jo43DfHkQH2lA4YAHuqfl1RWz84uEbNHiOLKCWeGbp_RfFeuJajLSZvUs6RqL6q63mclFwdIrxEkPR8ft1bRI2t4DTSbPfehddO8ZXI26xGKv1YNeUuIl9HwtAEuMSnwyS6Oo/s16000/Cavmen2.jpg" /></a></div><p>Well, crap. How could I resist? Now I have a pile of tin troglodytes on their way from Nottingham as well as mud men coming down from Canada. It's raining wee metal men and flood warnings are out.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fhOHP9IOmHMXj7GkBwt_K3je3uVgIPaxaX_bvJsC9uQNnAVlXH8tcWMxgsvu6-PbYAt350JT5C8pEmgvLgYQSUgPgosP49tjHFSlE76G5DrssntAZjH1IYwnk99h7cBTT0uhjG0apQJeKeBR_qoJExzDZSEI6a4YauwEtZwkLHmE5DPKGwI2CHF-DmQ/s550/rainingMen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="290" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fhOHP9IOmHMXj7GkBwt_K3je3uVgIPaxaX_bvJsC9uQNnAVlXH8tcWMxgsvu6-PbYAt350JT5C8pEmgvLgYQSUgPgosP49tjHFSlE76G5DrssntAZjH1IYwnk99h7cBTT0uhjG0apQJeKeBR_qoJExzDZSEI6a4YauwEtZwkLHmE5DPKGwI2CHF-DmQ/s16000/rainingMen.jpg" /></a></div><p>It's good that I'm going back to work so I can afford all this.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Gaming ahead</span></b></p><p>Apart from <i>Saga</i> on Wednesdays, I did most of my gaming during this time on weekends, as I have done since time immemorial. However, with most my regular gaming opponents being retired, the shift towards midweek gaming is happening. I hope to get a lot more weekend gaming in when I can.</p></div></div>David Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229259148925201182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99962604511527341.post-55346283465247858672023-08-12T21:15:00.004-07:002023-09-10T22:14:50.656-07:00Altared space: A Tribal playtest AAR<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8WYPD-fPa12uqBL_2XH1BTDdXSJ0Cs1KhLsJwLnzEi1U2-8PPaA5pbRpytnIU5pKiCQlH--44Xu23W8LWVEmjgjXdk6w1Iz1fPqcu8dXIq_VfxQqY0iaFW7a0yRpf6eSzc5DESRXyL-pv6SKD3qPiwddTWLVk6YgnK_Uqx3Hqwr4sqMGfMWBPhDdH3k/s550/Banner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="230" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8WYPD-fPa12uqBL_2XH1BTDdXSJ0Cs1KhLsJwLnzEi1U2-8PPaA5pbRpytnIU5pKiCQlH--44Xu23W8LWVEmjgjXdk6w1Iz1fPqcu8dXIq_VfxQqY0iaFW7a0yRpf6eSzc5DESRXyL-pv6SKD3qPiwddTWLVk6YgnK_Uqx3Hqwr4sqMGfMWBPhDdH3k/s16000/Banner.jpg" /></a></div><p>Last week saw one of those frequent collective brain farts when someone asks a simple, innocent question and someone else shouts out, "Look! A shiny thing!" And then everyone goes crazy. Or maybe it was just me.</p><p>On our NHMGS chat group, Brian Renninger asked whether anyone could recommend a good set of rules for tribal warfare because he'd just ordered some figures—produced here in Seattle by <a href="https://www.paymastergames.com/" target="_blank">Paymaster Games</a>—for Pacific Northwest tribal warriors.</p><p>I (1) immediately recommended the rules <a href="https://manapress.com.au/pages/tribal" target="_blank"><i>Tribal</i> by Mana Press</a> in Australia, (2) ordered figures from Paymaster Games, and (3) ordered the 2nd edition of the <i>Tribal</i> rules.</p><p>Kevin Smyth followed on with actions (2) and (3) above. There was also a flurry of some interest by others that may result in a new new thing or it may just be another idiosyncratic enthusiasm by Kevin and Dave. Or just Dave.</p><p><i>Tribal</i> is a set of rules I bought as a PDF (which may have been the only way they were available) maybe 4 years ago, certainly pre-pandemic. I looked at them as an option for playing with various tribal/prehistoric type figures I had (or wanted to have). Back then, I looked them over, thought they were interesting, but then never did anything with them. The thread Brian started just spurred me to action, because I can never have enough hobby irons in the fire.</p><p>With all this self-inflicted mania, I was eager to give <i>Tribal</i> a try using my beloved <a href="http://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2014/01/men-of-bronze-and-brassy-women.html" target="_blank">40mm Bronze Age Europeanoids</a> and Wes Rogers jumped in and volunteered to be my fellow test subject. We met at a <b><i>very</i></b> crowded <a href="https://zulusgames.com/" target="_blank">Zulu's Board Game Cafe</a> in Bothell on Saturday. I was only just able to reserve table space in one of the basement rooms where we normally play. </p><p>On my way out of the house, I had a serendipitous moment in regard to previously unstated action (4), which was buying a 3' x 3' <a href="https://tablewar.com/collections/fatmats" target="_blank">Tablewar F.A.T. Mat</a> because <i>Tribal</i> is played on a 3' x 3' space and my game mats are 3' x 4' or 4' x 6'. I ordered it on Wednesday from <a href="https://www.nobleknight.com/" target="_blank">Noble Knight Games</a> in Wisconsin because Tablewar was sold out. I was just about to drive off when I realized I'd forgotten my printed copy of the rules. I went back in, got the rules, and when I exited my house I saw a slightly longer than 3' long box containing my F.A.T. Mat on my porch. Plan A had been to use a 3' x 4' mat, but then Plan B serendipitously happened.</p><p>Downtown Bothell, once <i>literally</i> nowhere, has seen a renaissance of late and become a hub of activity with the consequence that anytime after 9:00 am, there's no parking anywhere. I managed to snag a spot among the few spaces in the out-of-business bank across the street. Wes, I believe, parked just beyond the county line and hiked in. When Kevin and I play at Zulu's, we have a 10:00 am start (right when they open), arrive an hour earlier to get parking, then go eat breakfast at <a href="https://alexascafe.com/" target="_blank">Alexa's</a>.</p><p>I set up the game—3x3 is a surprisingly small play space when you're used to 6' x 8'—ordered some beer and food, and we got right to it. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlC639BADxC8EM1GQ3b63JU5GhNALfIjzEyOsTwZ-7b0VOUJmRge7ZkaixvPxRTImsnC3z4Rwc6D3MrvmiZ6bPEh0saE-uh_Iq4IFB5_3QDy6C-OTkATM_4yXMXAyUd3CtUAfXHqzFfR_Xc41rm2jvzHsV3cNZ283NmqyT8PutpM5ZGYzL4kMxaq-e7Tc/s550/food.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlC639BADxC8EM1GQ3b63JU5GhNALfIjzEyOsTwZ-7b0VOUJmRge7ZkaixvPxRTImsnC3z4Rwc6D3MrvmiZ6bPEh0saE-uh_Iq4IFB5_3QDy6C-OTkATM_4yXMXAyUd3CtUAfXHqzFfR_Xc41rm2jvzHsV3cNZ283NmqyT8PutpM5ZGYzL4kMxaq-e7Tc/s16000/food.jpg" /></a></div><p>The scenario we played was something I came up with by drawing on a few scenarios in <i>Tribal</i> and its two supplements, <i>Primeval</i> and <i>Brutal</i>. Three characters were around an altar set amidst some stonehenge-y uprights. The goal of the game was to capture the characters and dominate the space around the altar.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKlIXEXU5P78w1jeIBo7HCjtEzYZgzq3w7-2m2nWIyhj8wVdVdDvyJPEi5Ky9IWBV9_WCW7q9olR7Eqh_rRgsuq5XeC2zoAwQaK4G4wQRWTXpJeD-ngLVk8yg2fJ_zMTzcmv3xxAwxDBfDB3hOqcHxOHGyc4c_RDIFyRsfy2RnyCx9teTSfxiQkj2Qzv8/s550/cult_group.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="356" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKlIXEXU5P78w1jeIBo7HCjtEzYZgzq3w7-2m2nWIyhj8wVdVdDvyJPEi5Ky9IWBV9_WCW7q9olR7Eqh_rRgsuq5XeC2zoAwQaK4G4wQRWTXpJeD-ngLVk8yg2fJ_zMTzcmv3xxAwxDBfDB3hOqcHxOHGyc4c_RDIFyRsfy2RnyCx9teTSfxiQkj2Qzv8/s16000/cult_group.jpg" /></a></div><p>Rather than go through spending honor points to buy units, heroes, and skills, I just created two equal sides of four 5-figure warriors, one 5-figure missile unit (Wes had bowmen; I had <a href="http://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2014/08/lo-lowly-slinger.html" target="_blank">slingers</a>, of course), two heroes, and a chief. No skills were employed. We each set up one card length in.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRwkSEoaEyFnNICmWvsMxVmM3ML_PbeOEYinlxBh30hBOosyCuiCoEBV5p3RM2mNJ9VvLGSLp28kUobAywIQ2hk5mVmEWO2gL7oTEiT5pzADX5iSh-BK4j5qebatq7Lbh2991lJ8Bi3A80HIdd7LzPjs3UF7eZCY6KQCCawdViaYRgge5GbJ_3kJYof0/s550/At_Start.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="441" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRwkSEoaEyFnNICmWvsMxVmM3ML_PbeOEYinlxBh30hBOosyCuiCoEBV5p3RM2mNJ9VvLGSLp28kUobAywIQ2hk5mVmEWO2gL7oTEiT5pzADX5iSh-BK4j5qebatq7Lbh2991lJ8Bi3A80HIdd7LzPjs3UF7eZCY6KQCCawdViaYRgge5GbJ_3kJYof0/s16000/At_Start.jpg" /></a></div><p>I spooked the cultists around the altar on my first move and they bolted to safety. For the rest of the first turn, it was Wes and I alternating sprinting our units towards the center jockeying for the best position.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5TkoUU9NwsG6tfhJyY3VE42o69lOcJTNLXpn_4wpzOC80g6i0RG1AgCDuGnAWFVSV1C-UXgfXqAy4cJjpvpZVXjQeZZjEQ5NwiHhbYuwxHXzG1whaV5_A70-829ihQrl7MI7nqJffV5P52vUZ6MVVRGxBKQrActiCNNBPKuiWoXyxB886-lgvkIq_6o/s550/first_turn1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5TkoUU9NwsG6tfhJyY3VE42o69lOcJTNLXpn_4wpzOC80g6i0RG1AgCDuGnAWFVSV1C-UXgfXqAy4cJjpvpZVXjQeZZjEQ5NwiHhbYuwxHXzG1whaV5_A70-829ihQrl7MI7nqJffV5P52vUZ6MVVRGxBKQrActiCNNBPKuiWoXyxB886-lgvkIq_6o/s16000/first_turn1.jpg" /></a></div><p>Wes loved moving his minis through the uprights.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivU3i-u1xSWCpnODbjcihNivbZHqBC8pDgdBaXaIndA2-VMzzqFcVuL8hRC6SsOiHCpKH-gUInqZO9bMHe49dIJmwWtWGoRDmGk-GVNctI2Jn_sDF885Vl8iUA2ukXV3Ia-ADbFpm-qZj_1Rl0LBqSIwvik-yV31Hed_DfTYltpnJUtmVbzRvBTe6G-vQ/s550/Wes_uprights.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivU3i-u1xSWCpnODbjcihNivbZHqBC8pDgdBaXaIndA2-VMzzqFcVuL8hRC6SsOiHCpKH-gUInqZO9bMHe49dIJmwWtWGoRDmGk-GVNctI2Jn_sDF885Vl8iUA2ukXV3Ia-ADbFpm-qZj_1Rl0LBqSIwvik-yV31Hed_DfTYltpnJUtmVbzRvBTe6G-vQ/s16000/Wes_uprights.jpg" /></a></div><p><i>Tribal</i> uses regular playing cards for everything. Movement is done in increments of card lengths (long edge) and widths (short edge). Sprinting is done using two moves on the long edge, one after the other. It didn't take much to get into engagement distance of each other.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm57VnLnyw2VF8JZcSo90JBuIQruSDRHxPcTnJBLeylb0Qtc5boql5lb1CmxJkIzRa7wpsnh_E9wbTPm7mc7XWi6kmP2vqc-r5ijV-LP0z9fL-CwnJyU-Q30yGCStP-1eySo3w2cdYFb3IUyB8JX_c_EG03Ii52jCHZDiWi38stFIJeLuUpKs8d-CbfRY/s550/onrush.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm57VnLnyw2VF8JZcSo90JBuIQruSDRHxPcTnJBLeylb0Qtc5boql5lb1CmxJkIzRa7wpsnh_E9wbTPm7mc7XWi6kmP2vqc-r5ijV-LP0z9fL-CwnJyU-Q30yGCStP-1eySo3w2cdYFb3IUyB8JX_c_EG03Ii52jCHZDiWi38stFIJeLuUpKs8d-CbfRY/s16000/onrush.jpg" /></a></div><p>On turn 2, I managed to snag the prancing priest before he could bolt any farther. Wes captured the two priestesses (or whatever they were), Stella and Ursula. 1 honor point to me, 2 to Wes.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb89GeWobCbPQl08AaSdYoJKkXBACrP0weEjySQJ2PI-bOM-z-07M-lqsP9VCKQ3CZ8zDPsFXc4cmt4uRqBzcrFI9x6uWv9C7ZDVgOnaUzhlgUIH8PFowY-GtkXuOVEs6K6dKbJ2UjWG7Ta7veNhRpkhFE1Dc7NWkdrbzyRz6n-W68MNjT3cv5FdcXO3E/s550/capture.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb89GeWobCbPQl08AaSdYoJKkXBACrP0weEjySQJ2PI-bOM-z-07M-lqsP9VCKQ3CZ8zDPsFXc4cmt4uRqBzcrFI9x6uWv9C7ZDVgOnaUzhlgUIH8PFowY-GtkXuOVEs6K6dKbJ2UjWG7Ta7veNhRpkhFE1Dc7NWkdrbzyRz6n-W68MNjT3cv5FdcXO3E/s16000/capture.jpg" /></a></div><p>Honor points are the sole determinant of victory in <i>Tribal</i>. No matter who dies or lives, honor is everything. If you go out in glory, you may wind up with more honor points than your opponent who killed you and thereby win the game. Honor points are gained from winning rounds of melee or from other objectives. When you win a round of melee, you get an honor point from a common reserve. When you completely eliminate an enemy unit in combat, you get one of your opponent's honor points—or two if it's his chief.</p><p>I managed to score a point for controlling the altar space at the end of turn 2. Thereafter, the space was in contention except for one turn where Wes controlled it and the last turn when I did again.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQI_hA41l7PqimCaXtuTz6Rfi86xtSl-QAlk7fsXetJMH4RPpulVkbaezUPZafsCImzEs2_6RObr2xP7QWY3TG0XtjxfFekqU8wU9oBigg4QFjsY2zTGZtB7ojaFxbANJf5cXE935lQeP1FR4XLP57sxt7AmPCDPNZjhETfz9aHYWmLUSlZJqi2-b97g/s550/onrush2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQI_hA41l7PqimCaXtuTz6Rfi86xtSl-QAlk7fsXetJMH4RPpulVkbaezUPZafsCImzEs2_6RObr2xP7QWY3TG0XtjxfFekqU8wU9oBigg4QFjsY2zTGZtB7ojaFxbANJf5cXE935lQeP1FR4XLP57sxt7AmPCDPNZjhETfz9aHYWmLUSlZJqi2-b97g/s16000/onrush2.jpg" /></a></div><p>I think I was the one who initiated the first melee. Melee uses a combat hand you deal out from your card deck. The number of cards in your combat hand is equal to the number of figures in your unit or the remaining wounds for your heroes and chief. A combat round is played out in one to five exchanges. Cards have their standard values 2-10, with JQKA being 11, 12, 13, 14 respectively. Jokers are 15. Unless they sprinted into contact, the attacker has the advantage, meaning that the player being attacked has to play the first card in an exchange, unless they have a skill that gives them the advantage. Thereafter, the winner of an exchange has the advantage in the next exchange.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcwY_YMq5aLOsNd6Cm0LpfHqCKQtekqL-CTxC7iZtsBl3_0qkt0fM70FXts6mbWuHdPAAUTnZIrHASit9nLrVqdTWoVp7VO3XnCNhHBlcFgjuOsLL0YAo0rPb1ws_Fwo2aU_zvYnXE8nRYvsAWTKxr7yI77C7TXDka2xEm9GNSLm-treefVAxKMHk1jM/s550/Clash_01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcwY_YMq5aLOsNd6Cm0LpfHqCKQtekqL-CTxC7iZtsBl3_0qkt0fM70FXts6mbWuHdPAAUTnZIrHASit9nLrVqdTWoVp7VO3XnCNhHBlcFgjuOsLL0YAo0rPb1ws_Fwo2aU_zvYnXE8nRYvsAWTKxr7yI77C7TXDka2xEm9GNSLm-treefVAxKMHk1jM/s16000/Clash_01.jpg" /></a></div><p>Black cards are strike cards, you can only inflict wounds by winning an exchange with a black card. The black suits are also tied to the type of weapon you're using. Clubs are tied to hand weapons like swords, hand axes, and clubs. Spades are tied to long weapons like spears. If you play a card tied to your weapon you get +1 to your score. Also, longer weapons win ties if opposing a unit with hand weapons.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8BGlWgUaEpw7kD_073sbGIHpA6OrLnUZBcH0oskJxav_DRSudhQILhqBXhGJy5GfIHNWjHpYjoy9FnXz0rEvby6yz6cSC8cbNM3AVfjNXxzUarM-_4nVYPEyrne9HsFmNGTc8_62NZp3sl0_7mW1F88-7PA6SGMV3nht1eqsZ0risjEvie4S9oGN1XGo/s584/clash_02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8BGlWgUaEpw7kD_073sbGIHpA6OrLnUZBcH0oskJxav_DRSudhQILhqBXhGJy5GfIHNWjHpYjoy9FnXz0rEvby6yz6cSC8cbNM3AVfjNXxzUarM-_4nVYPEyrne9HsFmNGTc8_62NZp3sl0_7mW1F88-7PA6SGMV3nht1eqsZ0risjEvie4S9oGN1XGo/s16000/clash_02.jpg" /></a></div><p>Tripling an opponent's score causes two wounds for long weapons, but hand weapons only need to double the opponent's score to inflict two wounds. For warrior units, each wound removes a figure. For heroes and chiefs, wounds are tracked using a die. I used my nifty viking hand-carved bone dice. They were perfect for the setting. It's good to have a dice fetish.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9RD0w-pMOh17uRJitCRz72fZEL9bJVk138bRk2OOcd9y26k9NvM47DxGAIeP2IGvhdnx_-F2pTlhmoEKtsVS0-X9rhbxdgI6smJYGsO1E1hiY4pbQdObNqkcNWATVwMDV4AWePnU3s8i_Jpl-ZJBK3dMkBWAaDroxvUt8Rtvf-ejwyiIrzLWl5BgNvA4/s550/Overview1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9RD0w-pMOh17uRJitCRz72fZEL9bJVk138bRk2OOcd9y26k9NvM47DxGAIeP2IGvhdnx_-F2pTlhmoEKtsVS0-X9rhbxdgI6smJYGsO1E1hiY4pbQdObNqkcNWATVwMDV4AWePnU3s8i_Jpl-ZJBK3dMkBWAaDroxvUt8Rtvf-ejwyiIrzLWl5BgNvA4/s16000/Overview1.jpg" /></a></div><p>Red cards are feint cards. They don't cause wounds if you win with them, but they have other properties. If you win on a heart card, you can change the suit of the card you play in the next exchange. For example, you could change a King of Hearts to a King of Clubs, which would make it a strike card causing wounds if you win and adding +1 if it ties to your weapon type.</p><p>Diamonds allow you to change your opponent's next card to any suit. For example, if he plays a black Joker, which can be nasty, you can change it to a red Joker, denying him the ability to inflict wounds on you. This can come in handy if his card is twice or three times the value of your card. He'd win the exchange, but cause you no damage.</p><p>A combat round lasts for as many exchanges as the number of cards in the combat hand of the player with the most cards, up to five exchanges max. Having more than five cards in your combat hand is possible. Chiefs have six wounds and get six cards in their combat hand. Some skills let you draw extra cards for your combat hand. The increased number of cards just gives you more options to play in an exchange.</p><p>If you run out of cards before your opponent does (for example, you might have a hero with only three wounds left, but your opponent is a full unit of five figures), you have to draw a panic card for the remaining exchanges. You can win an exchange with a panic card, but you can't inflict a wound. It's pretty disappointing to pull a black Joker as a panic card against your opponent's 2 of Clubs. It feels like a waste of a good kill card. You do however, survive and win the exchange.</p><p>After the last exchange, whoever won the most exchanges wins the melee round, gets an honor point, and the loser retreats to one long card edge distance away.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf8VA-h0qVK0RtTWp-AcBJorr22_gHV4NPWkVgHNVpIwYE3IqjPM9mRjugOwgsGjXg_rThtL1RmFWYqSQIfiTDuwvcYd81h4KHW5n3RnJgHo0pLl7mqfbyNPwth467xXw9kHIwCpcksmJ_fy-AHX6SYXol8HbrVcavcjcdhlk5U-ZklbF0cyBOQJo1haA/s550/overview2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf8VA-h0qVK0RtTWp-AcBJorr22_gHV4NPWkVgHNVpIwYE3IqjPM9mRjugOwgsGjXg_rThtL1RmFWYqSQIfiTDuwvcYd81h4KHW5n3RnJgHo0pLl7mqfbyNPwth467xXw9kHIwCpcksmJ_fy-AHX6SYXol8HbrVcavcjcdhlk5U-ZklbF0cyBOQJo1haA/s16000/overview2.jpg" /></a></div><p>It's not uncommon to come out of a fight badly battered, even as the winner. It's also possible that after five exchanges, you fail to do any hurt either way. My heroic slingers came through the fight unscathed, despite being charged by one of Wes' warrior units.</p><p>Missile units aren't melee-worthy. They don't draw a combat hand; they can only draw panic cards. If you win enough exchanges on your panic cards, you win the melee round and get an honor point. Which my slingers did.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzB_RoCOsg4riZfl3GVdn92iuVlxNFS0SNw4pi-8ZqA7pv9xQ-7LLEgcSl6JEQjfUxR-I1RGfb5cpfodRz88y5qYGVvpONjoXEGNcWRgYcKVWIii67-m9-xf7Obv3N84hwZs5RzU6hfuD6aP8qyrA2Mv7Vg1zo2cC_8bafF91YMu0Y9nClVegihyPGFs/s550/Overview3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzB_RoCOsg4riZfl3GVdn92iuVlxNFS0SNw4pi-8ZqA7pv9xQ-7LLEgcSl6JEQjfUxR-I1RGfb5cpfodRz88y5qYGVvpONjoXEGNcWRgYcKVWIii67-m9-xf7Obv3N84hwZs5RzU6hfuD6aP8qyrA2Mv7Vg1zo2cC_8bafF91YMu0Y9nClVegihyPGFs/s16000/Overview3.jpg" /></a></div><p>I don't know how many turns we played. We weren't keeping track. The game went back and forth with honor points lost and won. In the end, Wes lost all his units, heroes, and his chief. I still had five remaining: two battered warrior units, one fairly intact hero, my much-battered chief (whom I moved out of harm's way after he had only two wounds left), and my pristine slingers, who didn't even break a sweat but repulsed a charge and took out three figures with their slingstones. Honor point tally was 10 for Wes, 20 for me. The last few turns of wiping out the battered remains of his units took several honor points from his pile and put them into mine.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIL5Qdzb8tK3pNqWsArVJs8C6doQJf8hQPfAVZKcB2gJcs8eKX5bJoS-5IqKWob0dmaQ5fGCjWbQJ0pOCzS46oBDSBC0IlkRTdPkIcDUppLBAV4ZYU9zaf7du2Pf2n0OAMzJrxTRx9yDU6CE6CKP5uvzum8HDFRfeks1_hYLYR36hGmqRmNhuF30Tf0Gc/s550/Endgame.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIL5Qdzb8tK3pNqWsArVJs8C6doQJf8hQPfAVZKcB2gJcs8eKX5bJoS-5IqKWob0dmaQ5fGCjWbQJ0pOCzS46oBDSBC0IlkRTdPkIcDUppLBAV4ZYU9zaf7du2Pf2n0OAMzJrxTRx9yDU6CE6CKP5uvzum8HDFRfeks1_hYLYR36hGmqRmNhuF30Tf0Gc/s16000/Endgame.jpg" /></a></div><p>The game was easy to play after a turn or two. I had to correct a few errors in understanding as we went. For example, I had us dealing out activation cards blindly to each unit until it dawned on me that I may be wrong about that. From turn 3 on, I think, we did it right where you deal out a hand equal to the number of surviving units you have, then you look at the cards and assign them as you want. That way your chief's activation card isn't a 2 of Hearts.</p><p>The game played quickly. We probably got in six or seven turns, which is average length for a <i>Tribal</i> scenario. I enjoy the rules and I'm looking forward to getting the second edition next week (I expect). There are a lot of unexplored nuances to the game. Buying skills will also make a difference and enhance the combat prowess of heroes and chiefs. You can buy skills for your warriors, too, but with only 0-4 honor points to spend for skills, why waste them on mooks?</p><p>Despite its name, <i>Tribal</i> can be used for any pre-gunpowder kind of fight—although I believe 2nd edition has gunpowder rules—not just primitive warfare. The rules themselves highlight Vikings. That means that we don't have to spend time painting 30+ minis before we can play. Any of our Saga warbands can be used as <i>Tribal</i> warbands.</p><p>It does, however, open up a lot of possibilities for primitive type minis I've looked at longingly online but couldn't figure out what to do with them. Go <i>Tribal</i>, of course.</p><p><br /></p>David Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229259148925201182noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99962604511527341.post-48259096335354760902023-08-07T10:27:00.004-07:002023-08-07T10:31:43.232-07:00Saga AAR: Pictus Invictus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC6VvP0rO2O5_YuFhVCd6xFj2dgkz7ad0_ojovGABEkbzde71tVmhGw05CSpzRPb0nLcz8kFPdWMVtYGY4O_ahviFdc5Kg2HEnUbl-s1lNL2V7sagAA4l8nccdxxZ4jjpzVLoQAaltIFZItmHK_269_y4RV650uLiTH9TIfaxn-5kr2bEUV21iKx01o7E/s550/banner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="274" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC6VvP0rO2O5_YuFhVCd6xFj2dgkz7ad0_ojovGABEkbzde71tVmhGw05CSpzRPb0nLcz8kFPdWMVtYGY4O_ahviFdc5Kg2HEnUbl-s1lNL2V7sagAA4l8nccdxxZ4jjpzVLoQAaltIFZItmHK_269_y4RV650uLiTH9TIfaxn-5kr2bEUV21iKx01o7E/s16000/banner.jpg" /></a></div><p>My Picts got their second <i>Saga</i> outing last week at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SilverKingTac" target="_blank">Silver King Games & Hobby</a> in Tacoma, WA. This time, they didn't get beaten. </p><p>We wound up playing in the swank(ish) upstairs space that Silver King recently acquired. It's the old office space overlooking the floor of the former adjoining bank, which is now a wrestling club (lots of changes along South Tacoma Way).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-ADMbmGMGMZK9ksSMAdciJ-ekpjumKNtFYOz8XO0zt93ZZC07g4D_gqzYj1eZSxhUJhmE08iurXm5OY94ScrduCJ1iwbKAZcMeVLJem62vdNiGiR9r0PBehVJxa1MlDDI_PF_Sc8FT7oxgw6GbyNRlyG7QdlueQgULf13RdQw-HEeNnTisHp3gugN1Y/s550/upstairs01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="217" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-ADMbmGMGMZK9ksSMAdciJ-ekpjumKNtFYOz8XO0zt93ZZC07g4D_gqzYj1eZSxhUJhmE08iurXm5OY94ScrduCJ1iwbKAZcMeVLJem62vdNiGiR9r0PBehVJxa1MlDDI_PF_Sc8FT7oxgw6GbyNRlyG7QdlueQgULf13RdQw-HEeNnTisHp3gugN1Y/s16000/upstairs01.jpg" /></a></div><p>It's club space and requires membership. The premium membership allows a member and three guests to use the space. When we showed up yesterday, we realized that the space we normally use wouldn't accommodate us all—our tribe increases. <a href="https://agamerstales.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Kevin Smyth</a> and I both have premium membership and others purchased memberships with the result that we could all move up to the nice air-conditioned club space.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9w5OATdyy0ghZJqQ4ZjDapRFAFfafnEzlUHi2wFZ0nImpVkwIvabLlDWF8o313xQa5UJdHfJxexHMdAxBlgiAo_67kfoX8K-7rFu-rEt4tWUrgT0iHiCI834C_UIIr9Q3XafOXKk2Uqnb4YKCvvfosL9KcOYYGRuLrmkcIsOeiVMB4QY1LNpK6Pqdq3E/s550/gamespace_Wed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="301" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9w5OATdyy0ghZJqQ4ZjDapRFAFfafnEzlUHi2wFZ0nImpVkwIvabLlDWF8o313xQa5UJdHfJxexHMdAxBlgiAo_67kfoX8K-7rFu-rEt4tWUrgT0iHiCI834C_UIIr9Q3XafOXKk2Uqnb4YKCvvfosL9KcOYYGRuLrmkcIsOeiVMB4QY1LNpK6Pqdq3E/s16000/gamespace_Wed.jpg" /></a></div><p>An excellent surprise to the day was Bob Mackler showing up. Bob is my most reliable blog reader (hello, Bob) and knew from previous posts that we were playing at Silver King on Wednesday. He's got a Sassanid warband in the works, but for today, he visited and watched. (That's him standing with his arms crossed talking to the seated, fat, balding grayhair, i.e., me.)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF-gmd2buNE-f5gRhjr-Vneh7sWvxJQX0iRUs8ulzCCGGsRDwmolrQ5T5NnlGN8p2FZJwi7OJY9NczV-_7gDlw651kwQ-AQXyRsiPt8orZKW1_a1H7-IemPMv40cVCYZitWcmMvqZSD6qpmx8j2NXd7n5VDXWEotQ0ZTs7ysMzgiShzYSRduXQ40P4vs/s550/Mackler.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF-gmd2buNE-f5gRhjr-Vneh7sWvxJQX0iRUs8ulzCCGGsRDwmolrQ5T5NnlGN8p2FZJwi7OJY9NczV-_7gDlw651kwQ-AQXyRsiPt8orZKW1_a1H7-IemPMv40cVCYZitWcmMvqZSD6qpmx8j2NXd7n5VDXWEotQ0ZTs7ysMzgiShzYSRduXQ40P4vs/s16000/Mackler.jpg" /></a></div><p>I played Dean Motoyama, who used his excellent new Late Roman army (all Gripping Beast plastics). Both our warbands were from <i>Age of Invasions</i>. We played the<i> Feasting and Pillaging</i> scenario from the <i>Book of Battles</i>. The victory conditions involved seizing three objective markers and counting survival points.</p><p>I made sure there was plenty of uneven terrain on the table, so that my Picts could skulk about and get the nifty bonuses from their advanced Saga abilities that require them to be near uneven/dangerous terrain. Picts love terrain. </p><p>One disadvantage in terrain placement was that the objective markers must be placed in a line at the center of the table. No terrain can be placed within Short (S) distance of any marker. Where I hoped to have a central patch of terrain, I got wide open space. Nevertheless, it proved to be advantageous ground for me.</p><p>I even got my new ruins in the game, although Dean moved the piece I placed back from the center, so it was a non-factor in the game, but looked gloriously ruinous on the table.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizHdjYMyFa6sagU60tjPXPtG4A36Xvb-9-030z5fmYXO16F3WcXEo_xCMNDM5ULeXM4QaUPOfc7M6kBG4J7MwMDYFCU6J6osbtJL0FZpP8pJdepiqudTfFkeeX1JNZ94rxLlKIC7RnToe__fTBU1oKoeBnMTeROuPEKLHhraBqjL4JptjelQnrOoxojXw/s550/Ruins.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizHdjYMyFa6sagU60tjPXPtG4A36Xvb-9-030z5fmYXO16F3WcXEo_xCMNDM5ULeXM4QaUPOfc7M6kBG4J7MwMDYFCU6J6osbtJL0FZpP8pJdepiqudTfFkeeX1JNZ94rxLlKIC7RnToe__fTBU1oKoeBnMTeROuPEKLHhraBqjL4JptjelQnrOoxojXw/s16000/Ruins.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Qj2CNhXpwMsA2GiRGCTYuGF_jxNfgwWdnOWS1fwhvjj_hqEWuoPS0enF6bTsf_qRAIVGbepi7mRA2Lh1Cymz9UTSNmLDR_Th9tRrM9ah38rCMCDqiqX99_wv_3V04rh9Mbf_QziXBr-talw4BKshmLik2mxQUBoANH6xRl4AMWg-gFmwWFDOabwLkwY/s550/Ruins2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Qj2CNhXpwMsA2GiRGCTYuGF_jxNfgwWdnOWS1fwhvjj_hqEWuoPS0enF6bTsf_qRAIVGbepi7mRA2Lh1Cymz9UTSNmLDR_Th9tRrM9ah38rCMCDqiqX99_wv_3V04rh9Mbf_QziXBr-talw4BKshmLik2mxQUBoANH6xRl4AMWg-gFmwWFDOabwLkwY/s16000/Ruins2.jpg" /></a></div><p>I also added my Pictish stones as scatter terrain (one on each flank). It's nice to let the enemy know whose land they're on.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoeSERZcJgMjd0AJCeOZkukwxdmsHgiSuyxPpmODt_PmaIIob96gr38tqJ14s3yEGOTD83qWonIymsp-NQWkjsRmxQvoLhM3IgICOGx7wnLVUI4aKuIGE5VhJmCF3B3pJ3b9li8POXTPP45EaN6dQqlNvohUlunWxi0Q1ObneKplhWBC3e9-FrowMGTzw/s550/Pictish_Stone.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoeSERZcJgMjd0AJCeOZkukwxdmsHgiSuyxPpmODt_PmaIIob96gr38tqJ14s3yEGOTD83qWonIymsp-NQWkjsRmxQvoLhM3IgICOGx7wnLVUI4aKuIGE5VhJmCF3B3pJ3b9li8POXTPP45EaN6dQqlNvohUlunWxi0Q1ObneKplhWBC3e9-FrowMGTzw/s16000/Pictish_Stone.jpg" /></a></div><p>Dean's array looked formidable and I was pretty certain that I'd get crushed. He had three hearthguard units, some mounted archers, a unit of warriors, and a unit of warrior archers. There were a lot of metal-clad Romans facing me.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lF1RpZt3HdWCXOMPf_IUfzltHSb_Ai7IZzTrVKf9UZx5CoBAEgW2o-1R_-L3aLxrLUSRH2mChm3hDe9aEbynnfc7iiR6ehYmPkX91LHQo3QZFhPm21fztr-uRl-U0CLE3r2sJ52AYlnvtXyWrJ2JH3NSgcWLAvHM5bw30FjpMtUQNrkequgMGgCLoFM/s550/Deans_Array.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lF1RpZt3HdWCXOMPf_IUfzltHSb_Ai7IZzTrVKf9UZx5CoBAEgW2o-1R_-L3aLxrLUSRH2mChm3hDe9aEbynnfc7iiR6ehYmPkX91LHQo3QZFhPm21fztr-uRl-U0CLE3r2sJ52AYlnvtXyWrJ2JH3NSgcWLAvHM5bw30FjpMtUQNrkequgMGgCLoFM/s16000/Deans_Array.jpg" /></a></div><p>Facing him, I had my probably worthless crossbows on the left, the fearsome Attacotti in the center, the two mounted hearthguard units towards my right, and my one unit of plain ol' warriors tucked up behind the ruins.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0zHrQmirOwetCoi1jP7mOexE8WOZs9vmZ6yB2RI2pH1E-SGx7tKJ_NbYZAaMwaM-95VngQcmMwpQN8BBpCrdYSb_KTuToEvD_g4nyZLYeu7MRZOJRUHKGyTedsFOmvBcxjATbmlKYMjVXL3w4L8rgOvdqrvOoGX2a1CD7DeeUaov4IUliAvoT7UxvPQ/s550/battlefield_setup.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="363" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0zHrQmirOwetCoi1jP7mOexE8WOZs9vmZ6yB2RI2pH1E-SGx7tKJ_NbYZAaMwaM-95VngQcmMwpQN8BBpCrdYSb_KTuToEvD_g4nyZLYeu7MRZOJRUHKGyTedsFOmvBcxjATbmlKYMjVXL3w4L8rgOvdqrvOoGX2a1CD7DeeUaov4IUliAvoT7UxvPQ/s16000/battlefield_setup.jpg" /></a></div><p>Dean was first player and used manoeuver to get his units right up to the objective markers. He seized the two on the flanks on the second turn, but didn't have a die to do a second activation with his middle unit.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOntErYX2xzw9ZgoNCQTouXofCWqwVzmVqOn4gombXRwh1SniCtP1GjMyOJx8AqZkFwHZpFU-BM3qjizrnDpH8ZIR7X8FeXXNzStz47QB6zvpgBri8gg697G3j4iPVTKaC1OTKZa4jgEchCm76aRCpsEYfvgjjNOvtJWL21ymCDlNKXX0f1arfsEPFSc/s572/Cataphracts_token.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOntErYX2xzw9ZgoNCQTouXofCWqwVzmVqOn4gombXRwh1SniCtP1GjMyOJx8AqZkFwHZpFU-BM3qjizrnDpH8ZIR7X8FeXXNzStz47QB6zvpgBri8gg697G3j4iPVTKaC1OTKZa4jgEchCm76aRCpsEYfvgjjNOvtJWL21ymCDlNKXX0f1arfsEPFSc/s16000/Cataphracts_token.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzwLUMJE31ovBsqFB4dyGY-Ee-1D61A_Kml9iXxdpbKXw_chgC2f5lN4MOkdt69zjnnaroiWXDNFc_XMlDOcWSKN3O_dNELi6JqiRIUqS3JoVCCQ_nUBdGdNRySbXE3OPDnur_e8LvSAAK7PA33Gh7f1J6IaeI9q1ILFk6cjaS4fy9ZL9CTKJgxmbv6M/s550/Deans_HAs_Token.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="484" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzwLUMJE31ovBsqFB4dyGY-Ee-1D61A_Kml9iXxdpbKXw_chgC2f5lN4MOkdt69zjnnaroiWXDNFc_XMlDOcWSKN3O_dNELi6JqiRIUqS3JoVCCQ_nUBdGdNRySbXE3OPDnur_e8LvSAAK7PA33Gh7f1J6IaeI9q1ILFk6cjaS4fy9ZL9CTKJgxmbv6M/s16000/Deans_HAs_Token.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidAmZ-lct1tya2oYGZ29p_CuhM5jK8ndMtc-rwSI-YdIR5xAokG9-CQtWA9QahdpzFC6rVAi9Ugzv4zAK4uOtbc8d39IoR3iWyb40tesUw1Mn5GCwln_6LNMb9bi3SirAhlgh1HkF_2s9u7HbHH-Be8H78I4D12Cx3NhQN0Pw4FaUKNdGLUwHTYmGdWe0/s550/token_middle.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidAmZ-lct1tya2oYGZ29p_CuhM5jK8ndMtc-rwSI-YdIR5xAokG9-CQtWA9QahdpzFC6rVAi9Ugzv4zAK4uOtbc8d39IoR3iWyb40tesUw1Mn5GCwln_6LNMb9bi3SirAhlgh1HkF_2s9u7HbHH-Be8H78I4D12Cx3NhQN0Pw4FaUKNdGLUwHTYmGdWe0/s16000/token_middle.jpg" /></a></div><p>We were a bit vague in our understanding about capturing and carrying away the objectives (having, ya know, not actually read the rule until after the first capture). Dean rushed in with his mounted units only to discover that mounted troops are pretty much crap for snagging objective markers. Their movement is reduced to Short (S) and they suffer a fatigue for each move they make with the objective marker. Foot units also move S, but don't suffer fatigue from schlepping.</p><p>Being occupied with seizing objective markers, Dean committed a third of his force—and his best units—to carrying them off. I wasn't sure I'd be able to snatch any back and thought the game might end quickly and ignominiously for me. However, fate took a hand.</p><p><b>Manicotti madness</b></p><p>I sent the fearsome Attacotti through the woods and smashed them into Dean's mounted hearthguard who was poised to take the middle objective marker the first chance they got. Picts have some amazing Saga abilities that allow them to move quickly across a lot of distance and terrain and then strike hard.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KqZXbFryVl8xRCRsYQM3FWnEEC8W53Ksx-foPtI2mclxwYmqQnTWMleJXCKQ2plQ-Nzp5ua-ssR5TQGlzzVAJtKiA50jEeF8LiDPhmgjslQMdS9_Zv9uig4_Ar4GGv0vr0gAt3ANX7ymMFKzrXnPVyL9uU5_Ej4kyDr-EvSo83zdfwwqQtNrLtA5dro/s550/middel_fight_01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="469" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KqZXbFryVl8xRCRsYQM3FWnEEC8W53Ksx-foPtI2mclxwYmqQnTWMleJXCKQ2plQ-Nzp5ua-ssR5TQGlzzVAJtKiA50jEeF8LiDPhmgjslQMdS9_Zv9uig4_Ar4GGv0vr0gAt3ANX7ymMFKzrXnPVyL9uU5_Ej4kyDr-EvSo83zdfwwqQtNrLtA5dro/s16000/middel_fight_01.jpg" /></a></div><p>The Frenzy advanced Saga ability for the Picts is tailor-made for the Attacotti. It gives you the ability to re-roll ALL your failed attack dice. Along with the Ambush Saga ability that gave me four more attack dice, I threw 20 dice against Dean's eight. My initial roll was lackluster, no lustre at all (I can't believe how few hits I can get on 20 dice), but re-rolling the failed dice upped my hits to over a dozen. Dean only had to fail four saves and his unit was gone.</p><p>I came out unscathed—even though at first I thought I'd lost one, I hadn't accounted for a Saga ability that gave me +1 to my defence dice. </p><p>However, Dean had a unit of hearthguard on foot that smashed into the Attacotti on his next turn. This is where it gets dangerous for the Attacotti. On the attack, they get THREE dice per figure, which is more than they can actually include in their initial dice pool if they're six figures or more. One the defense, they're just regular warriors with one die per figure; however, they still get the magical save-three-on-a-six defense roll. Dean's attack bounced without either of us inflicting damage on the other.</p><p>Next turn, the fearsome Attacotti—using Frenzy, Ambush, and Feint again—hit the foot hearthguard and vaporised them, again without loss to me. At this point, the center of the field was clear of Romans and my Attacotti were invincible as well as fearsome.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AT4q_qqdzW5LfEuXGHigDU_fqYc1UFrFl5TeIu01jn0tcO0D2u-oToDiwpxLPpj8fvOeSDT53MM8fRJr7C_8mMmkc_UdoNOeCTZGAz0dgQKeQ3JRQNf-ZDcm_a2hOmzudlZQ_LhYsj7kdoeKd8UpvsdkDjziT2_ZTvbPRT_hapebSGyAJUfTju-WPFo/s550/Cleared_center.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="455" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AT4q_qqdzW5LfEuXGHigDU_fqYc1UFrFl5TeIu01jn0tcO0D2u-oToDiwpxLPpj8fvOeSDT53MM8fRJr7C_8mMmkc_UdoNOeCTZGAz0dgQKeQ3JRQNf-ZDcm_a2hOmzudlZQ_LhYsj7kdoeKd8UpvsdkDjziT2_ZTvbPRT_hapebSGyAJUfTju-WPFo/s16000/Cleared_center.jpg" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><b>Elsewhere</b></p><p>I still didn't have possession of any objective markers and Dean was busy carrying away two. I was loth to screw up my Attacotti's mobility or my mounted hearthguard for that matter. I ignored the center objective marker and focused on Dean's left.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1ShLNFkt_qh_BSWvpfPKcw9JLQO9H5VtnkkvfonFaNeOBbiaudSGXv8GaTGEu5xGhjesEryEkkCT5Ca0GfzT0FFwjWodcMjxCx7j7E93Y-8Os7vzxx2Yzr8EqMmWIG3-rHzpAr5FK48u3FyWqt8n4xCSaGrhJUUHbB8oHhv1-ezvh3GLVDahAgYHZBc/s550/right_flank.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1ShLNFkt_qh_BSWvpfPKcw9JLQO9H5VtnkkvfonFaNeOBbiaudSGXv8GaTGEu5xGhjesEryEkkCT5Ca0GfzT0FFwjWodcMjxCx7j7E93Y-8Os7vzxx2Yzr8EqMmWIG3-rHzpAr5FK48u3FyWqt8n4xCSaGrhJUUHbB8oHhv1-ezvh3GLVDahAgYHZBc/s16000/right_flank.jpg" /></a></div><p>Over there, my warriors had come out from behind the ruins and had gone after Dean's bowmen, who proved tough to kill. I charged them with my warriors, but got as good as I gave (3/3) and bounced. They shot down one of my hearthguard. The remaining three hearthguard charged them and inflicted damage but after the carnage there were still two bowmen left standing and I'd lost two more hearthguard. </p><p>Dean was still in possession of two objective markers and I had none, although the middle marker was still up for grabs and I was in the best position to take it. What I needed to do was snatch a marker away from Dean.</p><p>I used the Scouts ability to move the fearsome Attacotti into the woods that Dean's cataphracts were passing on their way off the board. I had to be sure not to place them too close and invite Dean to smack them first with his cataphracts. I already had Frenzy activated and was waiting till next turn to trigger it.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Just shoot me</b></p><p>Meanwhile, on my other flank, the Pictish crossbowmen were underwhelming all who beheld their performance, mostly me. I suspect, however, that Dean was delighted.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxz1vUkki8hXoVpnVJ0oXNG_7Zg7-3Ogd9uiChEt87I8yScKSNVDRk5ptxRBPNnIjy2Viltz_zJfrleMtozUiQh3Jf0EfLonkC4Wkt1O0l-iIrk-IaXLoxsCzBEK2yGEUDZm6uHBpivQCTJwHEaCwzBQxaw_SHMHHW4ugKTvq0136MUYhJSf5DhaGgwk/s550/crossbows_01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxz1vUkki8hXoVpnVJ0oXNG_7Zg7-3Ogd9uiChEt87I8yScKSNVDRk5ptxRBPNnIjy2Viltz_zJfrleMtozUiQh3Jf0EfLonkC4Wkt1O0l-iIrk-IaXLoxsCzBEK2yGEUDZm6uHBpivQCTJwHEaCwzBQxaw_SHMHHW4ugKTvq0136MUYhJSf5DhaGgwk/s16000/crossbows_01.jpg" /></a></div><p>I managed to inflict just two casualties on Dean's horse archers (the ones carrying off the objective marker) over three turns of shooting, but little else. I'm starting to think that levy missile troops are a waste of a point. They're tempting because they inflict their damage from afar (well, 30cm), but they require a rare or uncommon Saga die to activate and the target saves on a 4+. Also, the shooter gets no benefit from target's fatigue, but the target can up its armor using the shooter's fatigue. </p><p>Dean has a natural magical save ability, which was aided and enhanced by the Scuta Saga ability that gave him re-rolls for failed saves (not that he ever needed to re-roll much). Lots of crossbow bolts bounced harmlessly off the shields of Dean's troops. If the Attacotti hadn't been rolling 20+ dice in their attacks, I would never have even dented the armor on Dean's hearthguard.</p><p>Not only are levy missile troops a waste of a point, they may also be a waste of Saga dice, too. The rare or uncommon die used to activate them may be better used for other Saga abilities. Scott Appleby told me he's stopped using levy missile troops precisely for the reasons I'm reconsidering it. That would mean no slingers, however. I love slingers.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>The bloody end</b></p><p>Having moved my fearsome Attacotti into position to strike Dean's cataphracts, I triggered Masters of the Field for the wood that they were in (it negates movement penalties for all my foot troops for the turn), then Frenzy to charge, then Ambush for the melee. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlknb2bvjq_u1U5v8yWy0TqkqJcEcvXDjd95bMFJ8cSN6Bjjbf9K7P8h0KEopHIDQiFLEJvR-PnPBTKpvZTMeKGjuA6uYh2e9hAhpPTSoNl-UMJEjAvIaV4n9rtPrQ1zZ8QFG1tfgGn_yJiP0Z02C762s-tHo4kSBLbUy18YXCaYXPLIN1Gju1xc5xJs/s550/Attacotti_Cataphracts.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlknb2bvjq_u1U5v8yWy0TqkqJcEcvXDjd95bMFJ8cSN6Bjjbf9K7P8h0KEopHIDQiFLEJvR-PnPBTKpvZTMeKGjuA6uYh2e9hAhpPTSoNl-UMJEjAvIaV4n9rtPrQ1zZ8QFG1tfgGn_yJiP0Z02C762s-tHo4kSBLbUy18YXCaYXPLIN1Gju1xc5xJs/s16000/Attacotti_Cataphracts.jpg" /></a></div><p>It was another slaughter. It's hard to survive someone throwing 20 attack dice at you. However, the Attacotti lost half their number in the exchange. So far they'd had a charmed life, not losing a single figure in the preceding three melees. That six-saves-three characteristic is very nice to have.</p><p>By vaporizing the cataphracts, the now diminished yet still fearsome Attacotti got control of their objective marker. Dean's warlord took a fatigue and I decided to throw caution to the wind and charge Dean's warlord with my intact mounted hearthguard unit. I lost three figures, but Dean's warlord was no more. He was left with two bowmen on his left; on his right were 8 warriors on foot and six horse archers.</p><p>I'd moved my crossbowmen into the wood the previous turn, having decided that they were doing no good shooting, and was in position this turn to jump out and seize the middle objective marker.</p><p>After six turns, we counted our spoils and survivors. I wound up with 18 points to Dean's 7. The ferocious Attacotti had devoured all three of his hearthguard units and my hearthguard had taken out his warlord. It was a grim day for Rome in the far north of their crumbling empire.</p><p>The fearsome Attacotti were the heroes of the day. I still think they're a glass hammer; I just got lucky in surviving three melees intact. From the start, I expected the results would be more like the fight against the cataphracts with attrition from every melee. </p><p>I fared much better than in the Picts previous game against Dave Demick's Picts. Even without Attacotti of his own, he used Frenzy + Ambush to smack me around. Being in position to attack the Attacotti gave him the advantage, despite the Attacotti's miracle save (I just stopped rolling 6s at one point).</p><p>I think the moral of the story is that only a Pict can beat a Pict.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dice fetish update</b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDKwdvjvnJuBmuWqdjp8pPpd1QBG4XFEuU6ETV3x31HfWDiBWXL-R_i2e3AtjCh2cEpzsZwmhKZCTqjZXh6suMFd9nwuPeW2w9q5r98ff4rBt1w-c3BbeNm90wS9-U9NRWluiwGsKw-7oP6Wsjavl8yISt7G59Ih3djciLSyn4tHLLB9cmBPJrd77Nac/s550/Viking_Dice.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="434" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDKwdvjvnJuBmuWqdjp8pPpd1QBG4XFEuU6ETV3x31HfWDiBWXL-R_i2e3AtjCh2cEpzsZwmhKZCTqjZXh6suMFd9nwuPeW2w9q5r98ff4rBt1w-c3BbeNm90wS9-U9NRWluiwGsKw-7oP6Wsjavl8yISt7G59Ih3djciLSyn4tHLLB9cmBPJrd77Nac/s16000/Viking_Dice.jpg" /></a></div><p>After realizing two weeks ago that I could be rolling more than 16 dice in melee for the fearsome Attacotti, I knew I needed a bigger bucket o' dice. Besides, playing Saga again made me want to break out the <a href="https://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-dice-gods-send-their-love.html" target="_blank">venerable Viking dice</a> I've collected over the years. They're so adorably grotesque and misshapen that I can't forgo their use. However, I wasn't sure where I'd put them...</p><p>Organizational standards at the Sullivan Institute for Applied Numbskullery (SIFAN) are a bit lax. I had to cogitate for a while on when I'd last used them, which, it turns out, was the <i><a href="https://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2012/07/row-well-and-live.html" target="_blank">Row Well and Live</a></i> game that Dave Schueler, David Demick, Kevin Smyth, and I played on Dave's lawn in August of 2020. It was our last 3DK (3 Daves and Kevin) event.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5PcNuIeT5W5zySDHcQdNEt2RunpjzLCEWIcSu0f60D0ca8VR2t9TkyjaGkE0lz0k4iBmx9tdyN0u60eBOuEwJsRbCLqzdZ9VSIuwy3oMHcRvcgTok7NN-q7-mVB4-FmGPRN_zG1ctDaZlOtqMzAf6Ta36s3sNq1k2zcvCcW53zRHIACByWouMwx0nJ8/s550/RWAL_game0822.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5PcNuIeT5W5zySDHcQdNEt2RunpjzLCEWIcSu0f60D0ca8VR2t9TkyjaGkE0lz0k4iBmx9tdyN0u60eBOuEwJsRbCLqzdZ9VSIuwy3oMHcRvcgTok7NN-q7-mVB4-FmGPRN_zG1ctDaZlOtqMzAf6Ta36s3sNq1k2zcvCcW53zRHIACByWouMwx0nJ8/s16000/RWAL_game0822.jpg" /></a></div><p>So, I just needed to find the box I put everything in after the game...</p><p>On Tuesday evening, I sorted through the shelves in my Garage of Despair, found the right box, and—after a bit of sifting—found the dice within it in their nifty spalted tamarind dice vault that matches my spalted tamarind dice tray. I'd been concerned by the mismatch of the bocote dice vault containing my other (more refined, i.e., almost nearly but not quite cuboid) bone dice and the spalted tamarind tray.</p><p>Bill Stewart hates these dice. I think they charming—and they harmonize well with the ancient/Dark Age theme of Saga.</p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Insta-Irish</span></b></p><p>Fresh from completing a near-instant <i>Saga</i> warband from my long-unused Old Glory Picts, I took stock of my painted Old Glory Dark Age Irish only to discover that I'm just shy of a <i>Saga</i> warband with them also. To that end, I've rebased all the painted figures I had. That amounted to 32 figures (so far) that I had to pry off their old bases.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoeskwF4ax4ejW6T6KWROW-z04Xzdu3Ool-IUfN7npJI6qEcIqcVHYlGO5Nlu19rQ2_mDBaxLKHfHIa6yBViD-f1Je7eRG3aMyeObwHr3f1n83NuuBi6eA2-6M09H4zPCYO-EebHvUvvpVSPYyPNPHsuhjS0Pw-HB_xohFy9qwx6Fox6OY-E1iDleuik/s550/Irish_prerebase.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoeskwF4ax4ejW6T6KWROW-z04Xzdu3Ool-IUfN7npJI6qEcIqcVHYlGO5Nlu19rQ2_mDBaxLKHfHIa6yBViD-f1Je7eRG3aMyeObwHr3f1n83NuuBi6eA2-6M09H4zPCYO-EebHvUvvpVSPYyPNPHsuhjS0Pw-HB_xohFy9qwx6Fox6OY-E1iDleuik/s16000/Irish_prerebase.jpg" /></a></div><p>Some people base their figures in such a way that simply soaking them in a shallow pan of water will soften the adhesive and basing material sufficient to make removing them from their old bases easy. Some people have no sense of adventure.</p><p>My Irish (like the Picts before them) were super-glued to 0.10 thick plastic bases then further cemented in with heavy spackle built up around the figure base—the kind of spackle used in place of concrete for the fortifications of the Maginot Line.</p><p>I have an old wood-carving tool that I've used for centuries to pop figures off their bases. It's never been easy. I have to strong/insane a commitment to creating un-debaseable bases. I don't recall how I ever got the Picts off their bases (it was years ago when I started that), but I'm sure it left the cats in a state of trauma from all the cursing. Working away at the Irish, it didn't take long to realize that my tool was inadequate. That's never a good realization.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj081QE_g3Yyrksv2BW6af-MDOwitV8UmsaIrxL4zcg9IXX2Okwnacow2yAjQT7x4wXl7f8vcqWGTQ8k3UF9TJW9dYZxH_qG43RHj69vhJn9HGuNE8CPdOp-Dx8Y6WvUsrTpHSdu6uw9ZCTC7X78QwQRj21LtOyZVV1ipoAJva2xNECfnmg5EKNlb64oOc/s550/debasing_Irish_01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj081QE_g3Yyrksv2BW6af-MDOwitV8UmsaIrxL4zcg9IXX2Okwnacow2yAjQT7x4wXl7f8vcqWGTQ8k3UF9TJW9dYZxH_qG43RHj69vhJn9HGuNE8CPdOp-Dx8Y6WvUsrTpHSdu6uw9ZCTC7X78QwQRj21LtOyZVV1ipoAJva2xNECfnmg5EKNlb64oOc/s16000/debasing_Irish_01.jpg" /></a></div><p>Accordingly, I went shopping for a full-on, industrial-strength, take-no-prisoners wood chisel. Why outflank the Maginot Line when you can just bash your head against it until one or the other breaks? But the chisel did the trick. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-v31w1LXxSsTza0gud8LgB7Cgb0MrNzq2gE9lX06Pxs3u8xAAtCjdGF4OC0uFvZDPqZbmkuOw7kqnd_udfDmpEsEh5oUQojSyXniqsSvnQIM-_tYyDxE7j299B0qf2E-LoSGppdVDGGEOP45uJ3pVVNkP9mGQm7Nk1okBo27hJu-YllY8Ig6AcT6Ndwc/s550/chisel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-v31w1LXxSsTza0gud8LgB7Cgb0MrNzq2gE9lX06Pxs3u8xAAtCjdGF4OC0uFvZDPqZbmkuOw7kqnd_udfDmpEsEh5oUQojSyXniqsSvnQIM-_tYyDxE7j299B0qf2E-LoSGppdVDGGEOP45uJ3pVVNkP9mGQm7Nk1okBo27hJu-YllY8Ig6AcT6Ndwc/s16000/chisel.jpg" /></a></div><p>Despite warnings that I was endangering my fingers and/or toes, I triumphed over the un-debaseable Irish and got them all on new Litko 25mm x 30mm bases. (I like big base and I cannot lie.)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzrvEO7UeqtzF-DRTekg0Vvkj5V_iwG547JZClTn1-0Sg_1uBp37kkXEyRebSjBQVw1UCu8SBFaK9SSmxmtomFUUife5wBokHQO2NLKX2laBtRV4JKuWtG6t9DrApvUduCd68OhZ4Beif26m5V0DYI2RHsc8OCp5z6lL_XRrnlnEhvWJPT_RhTsmvxrQ/s550/rebased_Irish.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzrvEO7UeqtzF-DRTekg0Vvkj5V_iwG547JZClTn1-0Sg_1uBp37kkXEyRebSjBQVw1UCu8SBFaK9SSmxmtomFUUife5wBokHQO2NLKX2laBtRV4JKuWtG6t9DrApvUduCd68OhZ4Beif26m5V0DYI2RHsc8OCp5z6lL_XRrnlnEhvWJPT_RhTsmvxrQ/s16000/rebased_Irish.jpg" /></a></div><p>I also completed two three-figure warlord stands with Himself plus two others: a guy to hold something inspiring aloft and a guy blowing a horn—figures that are otherwise wasted for <i>Saga</i>. </p><p>I did two warlord stands because the Irish are pretty morphable. The initial effort will be to create a warband of Scotti, which are in the <i>Old Friends, New Enemies...</i> section of the <i>Age of Invasions</i> book. They use the Irish battle board from <i>Age of Vikings</i>, but have unit types that are pretty much all javelin armed.</p><p>By adding some axe-armed hearthguard (I have the minis, but need to paint them) and some axe-armed warriors (I have several painted, but they need to be debased/rebased—pray for the safety of my fingers), I can make them regular ol' Irish from <i>Age of Vikings</i>. Also, without any further figure changes, I can use them as Norse-Gaels from <i>Age of Vikings</i>.</p><p>So, the Insta-Irish are a serendipitous three-fer. Expect them to appear soon on a table near you.</p><p>The three-fer Irish got me thinking about morphing the Picts into Scots, a two-fer. I already have enough Old Glory mounted Scots warriors to create a hearthguard. I just needed to order some more spear types. I can re-use the Pictish archers I have. I also ordered the Scots high command pack, so I can make a Macbeth warlord stand. </p><p><br /></p>David Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229259148925201182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99962604511527341.post-9118033808057413142023-07-20T12:03:00.000-07:002023-07-20T12:03:20.451-07:00Saga: The One True King of Pictavia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPI9xx8T-dUQTbLtfUgUaUGEnq2itKA2Ur2PGFCZG_rIpjgEnOR_GitjxLgLaKXQFA3VuyJq-qbeT-d-8PwrexEf5XVVPy77UIlyxmd8Q5k0KdKzJXGr2Dd3BtWda4X3cDJyqooOKdsJ0yuJ3IEe6VFPDMW_SYjd7-gRZdtfTkPO6mg5yJk9S-x6SqRI/s550/banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="235" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPI9xx8T-dUQTbLtfUgUaUGEnq2itKA2Ur2PGFCZG_rIpjgEnOR_GitjxLgLaKXQFA3VuyJq-qbeT-d-8PwrexEf5XVVPy77UIlyxmd8Q5k0KdKzJXGr2Dd3BtWda4X3cDJyqooOKdsJ0yuJ3IEe6VFPDMW_SYjd7-gRZdtfTkPO6mg5yJk9S-x6SqRI/s16000/banner.jpg" /></a></div><p>I got to play my new <a href="https://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2023/07/cast-your-lead-upon-waters.html" target="_blank">Insta-Picts</a> today! Although expecting a large turnout for our Wednesday Saga gaming at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SilverKingTac" target="_blank">Silver Kings</a>, we were only a hardy few as traffic horrors and household mishaps diminished our numbers. Instead of four or more games going on, we had just two. Dean had his Italiotes for <i>Age of Hannibal</i> and played against Ryan, a new member, who ran Jomsvikings for <i>Age of Vikings</i>. They were ably guided by Scott Appleby. The other game pitted my Insta-Picts against Dave Demick's Picts (<i>Age of Invasions</i>), which were a birthday gift to him from Kevin Smyth, who observed and helped in our game.</p><p>Our warbands were very similar except that I used The Dreaded Attacotti™, which cost 2 army points. I had the following:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>1 x Warlord</li><li>2 x 4 mounted hearthguard with javelins</li><li>1 x Warriors</li><li>1 x The Dreaded Attacotti™</li><li>1 x Levy crossbowmen</li></ul><div>Dave had:</div><div></div><p></p><ul><li>1 x Warlord</li><li>2 x 4 mounted hearthguard with javelins</li><li>3 x Warriors</li><li>1 x Levy crossbowmen</li></ul><div>We played the 'Clash of Warlords' scenario. We both set up a lot of terrain because Picts <i>love</i> terrain. There were three large woods (which, come to think of it, exceeded the allowed number), a swamp, and a large field. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4e1hNTeXXiizXXX8q_mszgJEcqm5Pb0TgYGB8oY_PzZX4xui6Ea7wF8fqO37FSEl5kUtlbjWDxWU76KkuqQZq-tVhspzFDmxxK-D4tYOGf4HFfyESPhweyyioc1rmd5bTmbLMIMrzZEfLDrOktnjVV8Rg1pZ35HMlwbPeTGj-oPbFkKxgWR7m4IdsUl4/s550/Terrain_Placed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4e1hNTeXXiizXXX8q_mszgJEcqm5Pb0TgYGB8oY_PzZX4xui6Ea7wF8fqO37FSEl5kUtlbjWDxWU76KkuqQZq-tVhspzFDmxxK-D4tYOGf4HFfyESPhweyyioc1rmd5bTmbLMIMrzZEfLDrOktnjVV8Rg1pZ35HMlwbPeTGj-oPbFkKxgWR7m4IdsUl4/s16000/Terrain_Placed.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I also placed as scatter terrain two mossy standing stones bearing Pictish symbols. I've had them sitting in a box for years (more of my treasures of darkness) and finally got around to painting them.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjjSGDka1GgLNc8OVJootE6MKAgVKmdEm6ul9MNHTyvCBvXMqvfHz7nQVBIFcBnHGtfWfgXh3N1DTYqMSKMKU9eSj6DFtzxzYlMLV52gHLJkJejexa0-cpHbo1e2c-Ypvq9jwp3alpz7_vDJSEwMkHiMOOXLYPHAlgz1QoKy53wJt4274Z1ShmNUg8ko/s578/Stone_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="578" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjjSGDka1GgLNc8OVJootE6MKAgVKmdEm6ul9MNHTyvCBvXMqvfHz7nQVBIFcBnHGtfWfgXh3N1DTYqMSKMKU9eSj6DFtzxzYlMLV52gHLJkJejexa0-cpHbo1e2c-Ypvq9jwp3alpz7_vDJSEwMkHiMOOXLYPHAlgz1QoKy53wJt4274Z1ShmNUg8ko/s16000/Stone_01.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMik1DjNH4G92NLa3AV43tV04QVDoFYlVGaAGlvtAHF-e8oghrUVrKJ2dJchNasX6mAm3TLZEiWbapy8LL_YUexBMRfHUajzyxSghKRyZ8C2svKQMWd7pfulc2UMdM8No71YYk2lLwAMXrfG1bWw2m9uajAViSthcAB_3aNbBJomdyVDPcfoY4p4a_Vfs/s751/Stone_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="751" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMik1DjNH4G92NLa3AV43tV04QVDoFYlVGaAGlvtAHF-e8oghrUVrKJ2dJchNasX6mAm3TLZEiWbapy8LL_YUexBMRfHUajzyxSghKRyZ8C2svKQMWd7pfulc2UMdM8No71YYk2lLwAMXrfG1bWw2m9uajAViSthcAB_3aNbBJomdyVDPcfoY4p4a_Vfs/s16000/Stone_02.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I've ordered a few more standing stones from a seller on Etsy because I do love me some standing stones.</div><div><br /></div><div>Dave was the first player and moved some of his units forward. One of them was a warrior unit that went into the center wood. On my turn, I thought I saw an opportunity to make a <i>coup de main</i> with The Dreaded Attacotti™.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTmIGmyCEWTbPk2_0l-U85Xz2FMukeH-58CAEmV82RdwSrngm4vjltXNj6QWL4_wx35GOJjs7UzmhALdX9itHmeSsEzB77p4bY3Z-AIFapNg58ICC8WVEI0CNCfNBAAqsjlKKyAq77NJAhXkqR6s4tCzP-IPVylDRtyr50_W0CWUvWoPLAvbQydevbiY/s550/Attacotti_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTmIGmyCEWTbPk2_0l-U85Xz2FMukeH-58CAEmV82RdwSrngm4vjltXNj6QWL4_wx35GOJjs7UzmhALdX9itHmeSsEzB77p4bY3Z-AIFapNg58ICC8WVEI0CNCfNBAAqsjlKKyAq77NJAhXkqR6s4tCzP-IPVylDRtyr50_W0CWUvWoPLAvbQydevbiY/s16000/Attacotti_01.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>However, I flubbed it.</div><div><br /></div><div>I had an initial dice-flood for my first turn because, as the second player, I can roll and activate three Saga dice before the first player goes. Since I didn't trigger any abilities in Dave's turn, I had three dice on the board and could roll the remaining five to get all eight dice activated (my warband only generates 6 dice max). I had several rare dice and a few uncommon. I activated the excellent <i>Masters of the Field</i> ability, but didn't trigger it. I activated and triggered <i>Scouts</i>, which I used to launch The Dreaded Attacotti™ into the center wood and to get my crossbows into shooting range. At this point, I held up because without <i>Masters of the Field</i> for the center wood, The Dreaded Attacotti™couldn't reach Dave's warriors for a charge (they were just outside of S range).</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW0ImHS3Ke5Ppvb0yAD7elKJr6cmZXV9n0d6ZkaK2uZPvO2Gt729rqQYeyJE1bRNud3ZPBxE2TUYpN16Xio1toHVtaNnC2IPQd4_kMqKCDjODB3-uT6n_BDGXhAa18SWpdL8mqq2TpHyurA5F9NnB-wUnSlpuTMvf79-CPs0Y50G6DLBQJMZ9C8GTSXXc/s550/Attacotti_Faceoff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW0ImHS3Ke5Ppvb0yAD7elKJr6cmZXV9n0d6ZkaK2uZPvO2Gt729rqQYeyJE1bRNud3ZPBxE2TUYpN16Xio1toHVtaNnC2IPQd4_kMqKCDjODB3-uT6n_BDGXhAa18SWpdL8mqq2TpHyurA5F9NnB-wUnSlpuTMvf79-CPs0Y50G6DLBQJMZ9C8GTSXXc/s16000/Attacotti_Faceoff.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>What I should have done is the following (forgive me, non-Saga players, this is IYKYK):</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Activated and triggered <i>Masters of the Field</i> for the center wood (which would allow my foot troopies to move through without penalty).</li><li>Triggered <i>Scouts</i> to move The Dreaded Attacotti™ L into the woods and within M of Dave's warriors.</li><li>Triggered <i>Swift as the Wind</i> to charge into Dave's warriors without incurring a fatigue.</li></ul></div><div>As it was, The Dreaded Attacotti™ got charged first. This is a big deal because The Dreaded Attacotti™ have an aggression of 3 if they charge, for an eight-figure unit, that 24 dice, which they can't actually use because the max is 16, so it's basically overkill. In defense, they less dreaded with the typical aggression of 1 for warriors. </div><div><br /></div><div>Because Dave and I were both playing Picts, we have the same tricks at our disposal. Dave triggered <i>Masters of the Field</i>, then <i>Frenzy</i>. His eight warriors threw 10 dice (and could re-roll any misses!), while I had 8 in reply. I took nine hits, but luckily saved 6 (because the dreaded Attacotti have tattoos of invincibility that save three hits on 6s). Dave took hits, too, and lost three figures. Being tied (three losses to three losses), Dave had to withdraw. I was down to five figures for The Dreaded Attacotti™. </div><div><br /></div><div>On my next turn, I triggered <i>Masters of the Field</i> for the center wood, rested The Dreaded Attacotti™to get rid of my fatigue from the last melee, and charged The Dreaded Attacotti™ into Dave's warriors. The result was not unexpected. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KgNjAfB74dXdYK_biWz4A4H6ITiRA6vyZr8Ng1_ll8gmyz1x4Q8iqRPB8pVFK8hvTvvQv8lbED4OGc-FLO20GKsncrpWfd-472czlYX2HcPLCVbiBrvFmX1efrbIQuEcjkZaNXP31MOk81yiGvPLAa4o9M46j3NCF0c-cTMS2-DOxWiTO13u5xvtGLM/s550/Attacotti_Attack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KgNjAfB74dXdYK_biWz4A4H6ITiRA6vyZr8Ng1_ll8gmyz1x4Q8iqRPB8pVFK8hvTvvQv8lbED4OGc-FLO20GKsncrpWfd-472czlYX2HcPLCVbiBrvFmX1efrbIQuEcjkZaNXP31MOk81yiGvPLAa4o9M46j3NCF0c-cTMS2-DOxWiTO13u5xvtGLM/s16000/Attacotti_Attack.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I got 15 dice for The Dreaded Attacotti™ (because aggression 3!) and then used <i>Ambush</i> to fill it out to 16 (kind of overkill because Ambush added four dice and I needed only one more). Dave's warriors evaporated from the attack. I got off scot-free (Pict-free?) thanks to rolling 6s with my defense dice. I then prudently (or perhaps not) withdrew to the edge of the wood where I hoped (in vain) to rest and set up another attack.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfdSh8A4-UNbKY2FxqY6-sTn1vIDx2aS4eixGRsd3sHLucnWUqlS0styNq4piFefUrjI94foiT5tuoM_MmZV3CE9HKzvBWDdrTN4h-miPahQS6MTW3lnaITfBXi8Nt2eGg5VaXQbiSq1drfJ5FTn1P6-mE-opQyD9vCjh3T0kTMG-5Tt_2k3tFcxSv5A/s550/Attacotti_withdraw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfdSh8A4-UNbKY2FxqY6-sTn1vIDx2aS4eixGRsd3sHLucnWUqlS0styNq4piFefUrjI94foiT5tuoM_MmZV3CE9HKzvBWDdrTN4h-miPahQS6MTW3lnaITfBXi8Nt2eGg5VaXQbiSq1drfJ5FTn1P6-mE-opQyD9vCjh3T0kTMG-5Tt_2k3tFcxSv5A/s16000/Attacotti_withdraw.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Alas, Dave came back like gangbusters and smacked a fresh warrior unit into The Dreaded Attacotti™ as they attempted to rest and refresh. I had not withdrawn quite far enough...</div><div><br /></div><div>The result was a disaster for me. Caught flat-footed, I lost another four figures and, IIRC, inflicted none—or at least none that Dave didn't save. (Dave had some pretty consistent magical saving throws.) My lone survivor of The Dreaded Attacotti™ withdrew out of the woods to stand bollocks-nekkid and exposed.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSPPPUc3s_3GG3tk8AUDMuC_yg-wpcH1vyrTtOGF-tONl8INBkMZ7EYk2l2k-5HMxTYCH2pvxQZEkjRsmp688Od1Q8MIY7Tn61OIVsoJswjgjJmnLZrwbWmI86TBn6aZk5GFNBJ-J0CLG-Atl5GeR-g3Lig90VfK2D2SgSKLNLtnhxaT_FDmzIFIld6c/s565/Last_Attacotti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSPPPUc3s_3GG3tk8AUDMuC_yg-wpcH1vyrTtOGF-tONl8INBkMZ7EYk2l2k-5HMxTYCH2pvxQZEkjRsmp688Od1Q8MIY7Tn61OIVsoJswjgjJmnLZrwbWmI86TBn6aZk5GFNBJ-J0CLG-Atl5GeR-g3Lig90VfK2D2SgSKLNLtnhxaT_FDmzIFIld6c/s16000/Last_Attacotti.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile, my crossbows and Dave's crossbows wound up in a fairly ineffectual firefight. We were both in light cover and hitting on 2s (3 armor and +1 for crossbows), but not getting a lot of casualties. To be fair, however, our shooting at each other was more of an afterthought with all the fighting in the center sucking up our Saga dice.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPT0MQnP_SXwosf-0nLIgYa7Jqm4LPWIof46iJyLf4ezwo7eK9cGzB7F7c3YfohMNfb-8J_KE9kpfvE-0DLJipgJ3JlVHvMjnIlsnkYaoQeKyUNhXqJXIsgn-d8bdqCstRYJLwX4v6WgL9LfA3Y1CsVwj48HkLcBxMQndDvWqkpRO5T--QEu4H6zDyBDw/s550/XBow_Fight_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="477" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPT0MQnP_SXwosf-0nLIgYa7Jqm4LPWIof46iJyLf4ezwo7eK9cGzB7F7c3YfohMNfb-8J_KE9kpfvE-0DLJipgJ3JlVHvMjnIlsnkYaoQeKyUNhXqJXIsgn-d8bdqCstRYJLwX4v6WgL9LfA3Y1CsVwj48HkLcBxMQndDvWqkpRO5T--QEu4H6zDyBDw/s16000/XBow_Fight_01.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I did have one choice opportunity to inflict some hurt on one of Dave's mounted hearthguard units, which he brazenly advanced into crossbow range. I threw five dice augmented by three more from the Stalking ability and got seven hits. However, his magical defense throwing saved all but one.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0GEGjo7BFz5ogdaJ0RuBfsAJBLxfjPiUUDpbT6fEiqpYDANZAf5o1ZpGolcmW-0KXuheydWTpRFUfBis2kPuOuv-P49tBLhO6S1aFDIKxJWrsZi8ZEQ81B36yxpQx9duoeWDcuYCIipFNoEWdIHwZvjq0_6PLW7_2_8AWlwHMUx9BMiUKbp6E2r7ZUuw/s550/HG_Shot_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="476" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0GEGjo7BFz5ogdaJ0RuBfsAJBLxfjPiUUDpbT6fEiqpYDANZAf5o1ZpGolcmW-0KXuheydWTpRFUfBis2kPuOuv-P49tBLhO6S1aFDIKxJWrsZi8ZEQ81B36yxpQx9duoeWDcuYCIipFNoEWdIHwZvjq0_6PLW7_2_8AWlwHMUx9BMiUKbp6E2r7ZUuw/s16000/HG_Shot_01.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmuPLriCnZBEgzJwKdLCKxD6tzyerkQR845-quK594GLbrvwGMb-jrRkfX6dUTb8QsPsz3QHIbmf4HgaV3-FZJUwpgAAHrX4rSvH0rR2lN3K9LmOEvtk619dS5WKc6Bvn-kz5zE-kq3ZeO3UZwiBhC5uBtOBDWfb6Uw_qIPN0RujbFH45ptM7i-sEuZbc/s550/HG_Shot_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmuPLriCnZBEgzJwKdLCKxD6tzyerkQR845-quK594GLbrvwGMb-jrRkfX6dUTb8QsPsz3QHIbmf4HgaV3-FZJUwpgAAHrX4rSvH0rR2lN3K9LmOEvtk619dS5WKc6Bvn-kz5zE-kq3ZeO3UZwiBhC5uBtOBDWfb6Uw_qIPN0RujbFH45ptM7i-sEuZbc/s16000/HG_Shot_02.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Rather than punish Dave's impudence, I shot my bolt(s) and left him with his hearthguard in charge range and licking their lips at the chance to run down a few upstart oiks with crossbows.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBKeO2_sTxON5Rr95IwUUSSn-9N4p6QQ1k8lpRr_131BEVxvECUzOhlAymcSDFFi3y7d8Unocpn1hkIprmwLUu8uIXWeN0D1Y-NYNm5We0rY_I6Ri1IhnGlWPybB83E73U1BIYbFIopzG_yK8nPdSpyK2En1aafgNwEfVdIUOHwNJHHfAMfj2vkiLsCU/s550/HG_Shot_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="484" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBKeO2_sTxON5Rr95IwUUSSn-9N4p6QQ1k8lpRr_131BEVxvECUzOhlAymcSDFFi3y7d8Unocpn1hkIprmwLUu8uIXWeN0D1Y-NYNm5We0rY_I6Ri1IhnGlWPybB83E73U1BIYbFIopzG_yK8nPdSpyK2En1aafgNwEfVdIUOHwNJHHfAMfj2vkiLsCU/s16000/HG_Shot_03.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>On my left, I used <i>Scouts</i> to launch my mounted hearthguard across the swamp and right into the face of Dave's warrior unit skulking on the wood. I also put my one unit of warriors in line to support them.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivAjk9GiJDN_WdQ7IZ8BRz4V9OG6OAcrr_VSkkLE1lyYwED5MtxbpycRpBuUF6Cw_rUyWWXR3ZUUEkOFBb5ia5l7vBpmNmobI7nGpBkVNljnwqC82BV5XrfgcsteceqOEShy_oVwkrTX7hcCOK_sP2iyaz8X4or3QqO3AEo0LhEQaq4BxI0alIxBQ2bVU/s550/HG_Advance_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivAjk9GiJDN_WdQ7IZ8BRz4V9OG6OAcrr_VSkkLE1lyYwED5MtxbpycRpBuUF6Cw_rUyWWXR3ZUUEkOFBb5ia5l7vBpmNmobI7nGpBkVNljnwqC82BV5XrfgcsteceqOEShy_oVwkrTX7hcCOK_sP2iyaz8X4or3QqO3AEo0LhEQaq4BxI0alIxBQ2bVU/s16000/HG_Advance_01.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKy5FA4VtsnXv6jTyMb66O8QFJ0bbr27fCPKYddqYZoPKkhJkyeQ1d58cwfMBlfxz4vX2bN6o-UaMWJVrGBD68OzoAIyJPHpz6wvahEIHDG34EZIbIjgDkpru0J-l7mUiC8DXnTZEd7UfVVqzLEB8zV9lr_N_B1zosHI1TW3-slFVIU7e-Bys0vgEyUQc/s550/HG_Advance_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKy5FA4VtsnXv6jTyMb66O8QFJ0bbr27fCPKYddqYZoPKkhJkyeQ1d58cwfMBlfxz4vX2bN6o-UaMWJVrGBD68OzoAIyJPHpz6wvahEIHDG34EZIbIjgDkpru0J-l7mUiC8DXnTZEd7UfVVqzLEB8zV9lr_N_B1zosHI1TW3-slFVIU7e-Bys0vgEyUQc/s16000/HG_Advance_02.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Dave threw his other mounted hearthguard into my warriors and smacked them around a bit. I then went for a 1-2 punch against his now exposed hearthguard. I attacked with my warriors, who inflicted one casualty (I think), but got fairly well whacked themselves. I followed that with a charge by one of my hearthguard units. The result was the loss of Dave's hearthguard, but some fearful casualties of my own. My defense rolling foo was no match for Dave's attack dice foo.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynMJK8vCYzVbOgTIp6DIosiG4ejAkvkA3hxG_NNoKmBHlD9vDvLlnK3vQy4TUSyq9ix2GSbtadwN0AazLIZQiYpe2vpY3xTSxOWjymejRKZR5EfLENWjldPBRX_rpTFrGUg29uk4_bSIF0TkshFZOUbAee_gvCcEM3U-Q3mn3bdZK2EDZ7Q3u-NMpQ2Q/s550/Cavalry_Aftermath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynMJK8vCYzVbOgTIp6DIosiG4ejAkvkA3hxG_NNoKmBHlD9vDvLlnK3vQy4TUSyq9ix2GSbtadwN0AazLIZQiYpe2vpY3xTSxOWjymejRKZR5EfLENWjldPBRX_rpTFrGUg29uk4_bSIF0TkshFZOUbAee_gvCcEM3U-Q3mn3bdZK2EDZ7Q3u-NMpQ2Q/s16000/Cavalry_Aftermath.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Dave followed up on his turn by running his warriors in the center wood against the last defiant member of The Dreaded Attacotti™. I hoped to roll a lot of 6s in my defense, but no. The Dreaded Attacotti™ evaporated and my warlord took a fatigue in the shockwave.</div><div><br /></div><div>Dave now used his remaining mounted hearth guard, the one that was primed to charge my crossbows, and ran them through the woods towards my now frightfully exposed warlord and launched a volley of javelins at him, inflicting three casualties, which exceeded his Resilience (1) because he already had a fatigue from the fallout of losing The Dreaded Attacotti™and Dave prevailed as the One True King of Pictavia.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNmwOlqffEdXaBmu2rWyr6K5vlbEyxL7K4hw1t4E30PZP99-bp2Ee25NZuA0IQKYy0ncOYQQn6B6vKF6njyzyJuejdv_yh4ooQMQ16dd2qsJjZSAueAvDnSN7ia43X_DTnRluEacy_cg9tLor6hfQD7qRecwa4xEcVBBg3b7q2Oa1Qxwzu87NYYJlZlc/s550/Warlord_down.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="485" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNmwOlqffEdXaBmu2rWyr6K5vlbEyxL7K4hw1t4E30PZP99-bp2Ee25NZuA0IQKYy0ncOYQQn6B6vKF6njyzyJuejdv_yh4ooQMQ16dd2qsJjZSAueAvDnSN7ia43X_DTnRluEacy_cg9tLor6hfQD7qRecwa4xEcVBBg3b7q2Oa1Qxwzu87NYYJlZlc/s16000/Warlord_down.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>As it turns out, the ability to ignore terrain for movement that comes with Masters of the Field only works for foot units. Dave could only have moved his hearthguard S in the woods, which would have left him well out of javelin-flinging range. But, <i>c'est la guerre</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Even if I'd had one more turn (or even two), Team Me was in a dreadful state. The Dreaded Attacotti™ were gone, my one remaining warrior unit had two figures left, one of my hearthguard was reduced to half its starting numbers. I was reduced to generating four Saga dice, which isn't so bad (I started with six), but I had little puissance to project. </div><div><br /></div><div>Dave had two warrior units and his remaining hearthguard, plus his crossbows, which were engaged with mine in our desultory exchange. I might have taken out his surviving hearthguard with mine (I was six remaining to his three), but maybe not. Even if I did, I'd probably suffer more loss.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was a great game and I'm eager to put the Picts in action again, preferably not against an opponent that has all the same moves.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Pictish Ponderings</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I love this faction! They have some very good advanced Saga abilities that are tied to terrain. What can be troublesome to some factions is a definite asset for the Picts. You just have to make sure that you have a lot of terrain. As terrain placement goes, you're bound to get at least four pieces on the table, but can expect to place only two of them, or three if you're the first player and place the first piece. Any opponent wanting a clear table can place things like a large hill (high, open, no cover) or smaller things shoved out to the periphery. If you're caught on a table with no uneven or dangerous terrain, you're liable to get run over.</div><div><br /></div><div>That said, some of the Picts' advanced Saga abilities are delightful.</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i>Scouts</i> lets you fly a unit across uneven terrain without penalty and a move distance of L. (I think we did that wrong in our game. The battle board just says "terrain," but the book specifies uneven terrain. This would prevent using it to cross something like a marsh or fen, which are dangerous.)</li><li><i>Masters of the Field</i> is truly wonderful. You play it in the Orders phase and it makes one designated piece of terrain the special friend of your foot units until the start of your next Orders phase. Dave and I were running through the center wood and getting solid cover every turn. While a formidable ability, it doesn't confer the movement benefit to mounted troops.</li><li><i>Ambush</i> and <i>Stalking</i> both confer additional dice for melee (<i>Ambush</i>) and shooting (<i>Stalking</i>) when your unit is within close proximity to uneven terrain. <i>Ambush</i> confers two additional dice in a ny case, but two more if near uneven terrain.</li><li><i>Secret Ways</i> is one neither of us used in the game, but in retrospect, I might have benefitted from it. It's a "get out of Dodge" ability that can take you far away from danger—but only if you survive a melee or shooting attack. It can also be used for a dramatic redeployment of, for example, levy missile units who can trigger it if they're shot at by the other guy's levey missiles and go way over to where they can inflict themselves on units that can't shoot back.</li><li><i>Frenzy</i> is spendy. It costs two Saga dice (rare + uncommon), is a charge activation, plus two bonus attack dice, plus the ability to re-roll ALL your misses. Dave used that on me at least once. Using it with The Dreaded Attacotti™ would give extra deadliness to its already formidable dice storm.</li></ul><div>I have more Picts to paint, but the insta- part of it is mostly over. I have several bowmen that are painted, but need to be rebased. Others are cleaned and primed and will be needed to complete a unit of 12 levy bowmen. I also have a lot of unpainted lead. I could easily build out two 6-point warbands with the figures I have (almost) completed.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Dreaded Attacotti™</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I love The Dreaded Attacotti™, but I'm not entirely convinced that they're worth the cost. They seem to be pretty much a one-shot wonder. Instead of two warrior units, you have one, which reduces your Saga dice generation by one. I'm not giving up on them, but the trick is to get them in first and then get them out fast. In our game, I got hit first and even after a deadly riposte, I was exposed to much unpleasantry with dave's riposte to my riposte. Nevertheless, I think Kevin will be painting some butt-nekkid Attacotti for Dave's warband in the future.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Crossbows</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The one downside to crossbows is that you can't use them for sustained shooting. With bows or slings you can shoot, shoot again incurring one fatigue after your shot, then shoot a third time with one fatigue your opponent can use to bolster their armor (or not if their goal is to let you wear yourself out) and get another fatigue after that shooting is completed.</div><div><br /></div><div>With javelins, you get a free shot at the end of a move and then can do the above sustained shooting.</div><div><br /></div><div>Really, if you have the Saga dice, you can try to bury an opposing units with missile fire—unless you're crossbows, who, like composite bows, need to do something else (i.e., move) in between shots. It not only wastes Saga dice, but incurs fatigue for non-shooting activities in between shots.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, they do get a +1 to their shot, which can be nice when shooting at hearthguards, especially if they're javelin armed and start with armor 4. Just hope your opponent saves all the hits.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Future plans</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>As I mentioned in my <a href="http://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2023/07/cast-your-lead-upon-waters.html" target="_blank">post about the Insta-Picts</a>, I've got a lot of Old Glory Irish figures that were completed for the same <i>Pig Wars</i> project that brought my Picts into being. I think that in addition to filling out my Picts with options, I'll get started on these to create a warband of Scotti (from the 'Old Friends, new Enemies' section of <i>Age of Invasions</i>).</div><div><br /></div><div>I also have several Old Glory Saxons painted (but by "several" I mean at least more than one). Finally, I have "several" Old Glory Romano-Britons that have been cleaned and primed with many more as raw lead. </div><div><br /></div><div>When I started the Old Glory dark Ages Britain project way long ago, I wanted to do the four armies that fought and skirmished over the primitive landscape: Romano-Britons, Saxons, Picts, and Irish (Scotti). I see that I can easily do that now with Saga: Age of Invasions. That may be a direction to go so I can finally get my Old Glory figures out of the lead pile and onto the table. I'll paint them old school, i.e., no dip, to match the style I started them with. I'm not sure if that's more work or less.</div><div><br /></div><div>Other old school features was using brass wire for spears and javelins that I hammered out on my venerable X-Acto anvil, which I bought back in the 70s. I have long-since gone to buying pre-made wire spears that require no banging. I'm not sure whether I'll go back to the anvil method or just use the pre-made ones. It's a bit OCD, I know. Michael Koznarsky will sympathize.</div><div><br /></div><div>Also, if I focus on my Old Glory stuff, it leaves my Curteys Romano-Britons (just started) and Picts to languish in their own lead pile...</div><div><br /></div>David Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229259148925201182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99962604511527341.post-83322483116390206262023-07-18T18:53:00.001-07:002023-07-19T07:49:58.432-07:00Cast your lead upon the waters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfyTo8hgn_RouoZdzbas2H4nKs-EVoA1Ac6p3n4MupJT5YbD_umIXXOG6T5jEsDZ2ZbY3HZ1Dkk_lqutFpJKHn97N6v22ieyCqU3vnw3lLILYT5-sLYsWvOYGVfwz8gKgEz0cFGfMttclQOFPYIOW78wEWN6lXo00O1uhkhRDRJyDW1AMwDhEdtqpp7I/s550/banner_01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="273" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfyTo8hgn_RouoZdzbas2H4nKs-EVoA1Ac6p3n4MupJT5YbD_umIXXOG6T5jEsDZ2ZbY3HZ1Dkk_lqutFpJKHn97N6v22ieyCqU3vnw3lLILYT5-sLYsWvOYGVfwz8gKgEz0cFGfMttclQOFPYIOW78wEWN6lXo00O1uhkhRDRJyDW1AMwDhEdtqpp7I/s16000/banner_01.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><blockquote><p>Cast your bread upon the waters: for you will find it after many days.</p><p>- Ecclesiastes 11:1</p></blockquote><p></p><p>The awakening of <i>Saga</i> from its COVID-induced hibernation has had the interesting phenomenon of bringing to light lots of forgotten projects that might otherwise have languished in the Garage of Despond indefinitely. Back in 2018 until (very) early 2020, <i><a href="http://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2018/09/the-saga-begins.html" target="_blank">Saga</a></i> had been a going concern for me and a group of players at <a href="http://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2020/10/a-fond-farewell-to-cock-pit-of-king.html" target="_blank">The Panzer Depot</a>. I had warbands for Welsh (<i>Age of Vikings</i>), Spanish (<i>Age of Crusades</i>), and Lords of the Wild (<i>Age of Magic</i>). I also had several warbands in the works and more planned. </p><p>Last year, Kevin Smyth reconnected with a couple friends from when he gamed at Escape Velocity in Tacoma in the 80s. They had been mostly disconnected from wargaming for decades, but with retirement they resumed their old hobby. They were enthusiasts of <i>Saga</i> and managed to <a href="https://agamerstales.wordpress.com/2023/07/09/the-lure-of-saga/" target="_blank">lure Kevin into it</a>. They started a Wednesday <i>Saga</i> game day once a month, which has grown to twice monthly now, at Silver Kings Games & Hobby in Tacoma. What started with a handful of players has blossomed into a veritable troupe filling the ample gaming space at Silver Kings.</p><p>As a working stiff (albeit from home), I was never able to make it to the Wednesday games, which start at 11:00 am and last till the last game is over, the wee men are back in their boxes, and the last game mat has been rolled up and put in its carrying case. However, being laid off in May (alas) has given me the time to make the 55-mile trek down to Tacoma twice a month (huzzah). Sadly, that won't last, but while it does, I'm making the most of it.</p><p>I sold my <a href="http://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2018/03/santiago.html" target="_blank">Spanish</a>, which I built as a <i>Lion Rampant</i> retinue, but was able to do double-duty with it as a <i>Saga</i> warband. (My Lords of the Wild for <i>Age of Magic</i> were originally painted for <i><a href="https://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2017/12/centaur-rampant.html" target="_blank">Dragon Rampant</a></i>.) I still had my Welsh and resumed my Saga career with them in games against Kevin and his Norse-Gaels, Mark Waddington and his Normans, and Bill Stewart and his enervating Anglo-Danes. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkckulxm1BK-Rtp7XXt-DZxPItqjGAZ-dGcggF4jtew25gHz9JpVHCyAtwwEFpFNEDRuf0YdCosODLkSfFK_rhgO_rGQf-yByVPsPKgVcyz-uFBTWBfghkkE355Ve4ZZJK7xMo4YhAMnI-QG2nylkqfjmHgvMvizG8FiwKvJItaSjkcyvBXj0h6KNQMI/s550/Welsh_Game_A.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkckulxm1BK-Rtp7XXt-DZxPItqjGAZ-dGcggF4jtew25gHz9JpVHCyAtwwEFpFNEDRuf0YdCosODLkSfFK_rhgO_rGQf-yByVPsPKgVcyz-uFBTWBfghkkE355Ve4ZZJK7xMo4YhAMnI-QG2nylkqfjmHgvMvizG8FiwKvJItaSjkcyvBXj0h6KNQMI/s16000/Welsh_Game_A.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXS8A1NOaNCsx8thw6o7o8QQ7LDj380cqzfKHXt7v-Gj5DLMWK1NfXE5EEOBV8ZPJ6ajDjZteAXKaIYBrabmCT1VRXYS8dbnXJILYEgJSOd13n2QpSZiSNpud4so5mKpW_QUvENl-gLnebAtVRJdT0EARwvQ3YFgjzYoSTaluPI7rQ3P-hPEz2RNpS_MM/s550/Welsh_Game_01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXS8A1NOaNCsx8thw6o7o8QQ7LDj380cqzfKHXt7v-Gj5DLMWK1NfXE5EEOBV8ZPJ6ajDjZteAXKaIYBrabmCT1VRXYS8dbnXJILYEgJSOd13n2QpSZiSNpud4so5mKpW_QUvENl-gLnebAtVRJdT0EARwvQ3YFgjzYoSTaluPI7rQ3P-hPEz2RNpS_MM/s16000/Welsh_Game_01.jpg" /></a></div><p>As new Saga universes appeared, I started thinking about my garage of wonder and all the treasures of darkness therein. I had a lot of Crusader Miniatures Carthaginians, Iberians, and Celtiberians from an earlier aborted Punic Wars project that <i>Age of Hannibal</i> was calling out to. With a lot already painted or half painted, it didn't take much time to get a warband together. I also benefited from a serendipitous find at our Enfilade! convention in May that netted me more Carthaginians and two Aventine elephants (whose story will be told in another post). I've been able to get a few games in with them as well. First with a single pachyderm:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDuYHgE4tvc4rdZZ7mAo7x-ThdRUcA1vQ1JclM1m26HkGuuzDv0RAdLyjUziftiXUiU8kUGQKdvSGc9Ax_vtH4dioYvxuFUxmWDVSgl1r2Meiv3isjoO0XdkoNkE2da7zp9z_B0m0vD874dRG8-SUl-bWwznHJNCqhhiLFGr93K3kTmW9uE4mL6UXSmg/s550/Carthage_Game_B.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDuYHgE4tvc4rdZZ7mAo7x-ThdRUcA1vQ1JclM1m26HkGuuzDv0RAdLyjUziftiXUiU8kUGQKdvSGc9Ax_vtH4dioYvxuFUxmWDVSgl1r2Meiv3isjoO0XdkoNkE2da7zp9z_B0m0vD874dRG8-SUl-bWwznHJNCqhhiLFGr93K3kTmW9uE4mL6UXSmg/s16000/Carthage_Game_B.jpg" /></a></div><p>And later with both:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlNzJ2ymxZ1Ff99zSs0Luf-jOP6k0zfym_ig4hu_U0zX4PBJCTNv6zNT_SucnvQ0nA01S5VUhlhidRxoK9W1_Ku7uelmyT4MCPVIf5DmHSW2MkzUMUVBUfmYzcqNiFjgEtEq_AFjbz7uTyM9TKgymLNuUZexIMReTNm1RaBczcdAf_fHgG-SjIk7OQ2E/s550/Carthaginians_01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlNzJ2ymxZ1Ff99zSs0Luf-jOP6k0zfym_ig4hu_U0zX4PBJCTNv6zNT_SucnvQ0nA01S5VUhlhidRxoK9W1_Ku7uelmyT4MCPVIf5DmHSW2MkzUMUVBUfmYzcqNiFjgEtEq_AFjbz7uTyM9TKgymLNuUZexIMReTNm1RaBczcdAf_fHgG-SjIk7OQ2E/s16000/Carthaginians_01.jpg" /></a></div><p>I've also started dragging out the near-forgotten Wargames Foundry Macedonians I started in the 00s. There's more to do with them than with the Carthaginians, but they're in the works and I hope to field a Macedonian warband before the end of the year.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jQd0XDHKwaMA77xU8hTFelAXAj-JCCUIemKNnCBV-Zfi9Ar-v3xAIK5s1OaSS3k2wNsaAb2ByOi2WkEFsPUGLoKsvPkHDOdwDcdQ1AXVHGTzQc5hC69X0mILRYU24ez0yXCh79cSjygIIvE4SM2Fab2Ysk8_5OAV3tZ2cqqW3OZmhdNX6WZl-prQYf4/s550/Macedonians.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jQd0XDHKwaMA77xU8hTFelAXAj-JCCUIemKNnCBV-Zfi9Ar-v3xAIK5s1OaSS3k2wNsaAb2ByOi2WkEFsPUGLoKsvPkHDOdwDcdQ1AXVHGTzQc5hC69X0mILRYU24ez0yXCh79cSjygIIvE4SM2Fab2Ysk8_5OAV3tZ2cqqW3OZmhdNX6WZl-prQYf4/s16000/Macedonians.jpg" /></a></div><p>However, it's not just old figures. Last year, I bought some Curtey's Miniatures from 1st Corps for a Romano-British warband for <i>Age of Invasions</i>. They sat around for a long time before I started working on them last month. Also last month, I ordered some more Curtey's Miniatures recently to make a Pict warband for <i>Age of Invasions</i>. Curtey's are nice figures and I'm enjoying working on the Romano-Britons.</p><p>I also bought some Crusader minis for an Anglo-Dane warband for <i>Age of Vikings</i>. I've always liked the drama of 1066 and Harold Godwinson. Getting fatigued to death by Bill's A-Ds, spurred me to get some of my own. Their not really my style of play, which is more aggressively minded, but Bill put some hurt on me with his skillful repostes after I'd worm myself out bashing up against his shield wall.</p><p>However, just last week, I was browsing in a closet and found a box of painted and partially-painted Old Glory Picts that go way back to the 90s. I started a project back then for painting 28mm <i>DBA</i> armies for Dark Ages Britain. I bought several packs of Old Glory Picts, Romano-Britons, Irish, and Saxons. That project sort of morphed into wanting to make them for Dan Mersey's first (as far as I know) set of wargame rules, <i><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/19271/glutter-ravens-warfare-age-arthur-rules-and-resour" target="_blank">A Glutter of Ravens</a></i>, that came out in 1998. Somewhere around 2000 (maybe), the minis I actually painted wound up mounted on single stands for playing <i><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/18373/pig-wars-when-men-were-men-and-pigs-were-money" target="_blank">Pig Wars</a></i>. </p><p>At some point in the last decade (or so), there was some interest in playing <i><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/130304/dux-britanniarum-wargame-rules-dark-age-warfare-ag" target="_blank">Dux Britanniarum</a></i> by Too Fat Lardies. My interest was piqued when they released a <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgameexpansion/159363/dux-britanniarum-raiders-picts-scotti-and-irish-ag" target="_blank">supplement in 2014 for Picts, Scotti, and Irish</a>. I accordingly started rebasing my Picts from their 3/4" x 1" plastic bases and put them on 25mm x 30mm Litko bases.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-oQ5_qn9Wg9dzQLKzJO_4DzLj0e00UUpSXYUgG8N3J9EUM6kBtPCxUx4ZkSK4eAq3Ykwtzzw-YO04rA944LDL6KbSn5wZXrUphAIw4w_2uPyV3sQ-PHfE_J0ZQ2F1nT9aHgQNOa_aq20-7yBZ0YNJFs3yjKcGVLSHw10X0fLQtpjVRfjxYjTZ_mFQuQ/s550/Picts_as_Found_01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-oQ5_qn9Wg9dzQLKzJO_4DzLj0e00UUpSXYUgG8N3J9EUM6kBtPCxUx4ZkSK4eAq3Ykwtzzw-YO04rA944LDL6KbSn5wZXrUphAIw4w_2uPyV3sQ-PHfE_J0ZQ2F1nT9aHgQNOa_aq20-7yBZ0YNJFs3yjKcGVLSHw10X0fLQtpjVRfjxYjTZ_mFQuQ/s16000/Picts_as_Found_01.jpg" /></a></div><p>And then they sat. I had them tucked into a corner of my hallway closet in one of the cardboard flats that came with Bogart's <a href="http://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2017/03/bogart-and-great-wall-of-ur.html" target="_blank">UR food</a>. I'd had the Old Glory figs in the back of my mind when I embarked on doing some warbands for Age of Invasions, but I went ahead and ordered the aforementioned Curtey's minis.</p><p>Running into them on one of the rare occasions that I open my hallway closet (it's scary), I was struck by the notion that right in front of me was an instant warband of Picts—Insta-Picts!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jTUSBouAOjw-rhVLWVvngYfKGymzG1QUUHxMSyB52n1qUvLhuTsFp_aRbUMQaHmNJdWeM6RYEiOZyi4b7Iui5HvR1gfEYgPnDA1jpUP-rcE5gmud635huWe61ARc1PpSvuScKWbeYppX26yT3GYHBkFko7HZNtc7OIyBH9IxoTCSaVrrJzcsSOWSTSQ/s550/Picts_as_Found_closeup_02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jTUSBouAOjw-rhVLWVvngYfKGymzG1QUUHxMSyB52n1qUvLhuTsFp_aRbUMQaHmNJdWeM6RYEiOZyi4b7Iui5HvR1gfEYgPnDA1jpUP-rcE5gmud635huWe61ARc1PpSvuScKWbeYppX26yT3GYHBkFko7HZNtc7OIyBH9IxoTCSaVrrJzcsSOWSTSQ/s16000/Picts_as_Found_closeup_02.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQM9HuLonZHaTNuCHNE5MJtjJfpO5qn-iCLrS8nPyDPhzHLWSKlwkQ4WoyUYmt0aMZdA0roGXwGtXoM59x2s8m5SbsWG45Y3HrORFajczBztm3lzsssQvjS54vy5plT53SPJWzL_7Q6Vw3pFGMMOuy_q4srONDrGTLaH69ZdlCXwu-v4sR2kcoOMVWApI/s550/Picts_as_Found_closeup_01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQM9HuLonZHaTNuCHNE5MJtjJfpO5qn-iCLrS8nPyDPhzHLWSKlwkQ4WoyUYmt0aMZdA0roGXwGtXoM59x2s8m5SbsWG45Y3HrORFajczBztm3lzsssQvjS54vy5plT53SPJWzL_7Q6Vw3pFGMMOuy_q4srONDrGTLaH69ZdlCXwu-v4sR2kcoOMVWApI/s16000/Picts_as_Found_closeup_01.jpg" /></a></div><p>They just needed a bit of TLC and I'd have a goodly force.</p><p>Since pulling them out from the darkness into the light, I've been working away at them. Looking into various places where I'd stored partially painted Picts (PPPs) from years gone by. I also had to dig through my box of unpainted Old Glory Dark Age Britain minis to find another four crossbowmen to build out the unit of 12.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPGQaahIjWqRtGtqnlbaNanQwqDoiy5Ke5D-Hu84yfFn_pSvX188AbaGQWLc3damagHYM_0h1Q6TexbTZ3unTQpyYPLc84HgrZY8zp82bdwHek-Xw64ipR-jpVQdRSfbGKkhYBNGQEnGJ4KAqNBX6ZlxicXQv-TDPPFoQqVmvII4dE3fMELOhAKkdmEo/s550/OG_Raw_Lead.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPGQaahIjWqRtGtqnlbaNanQwqDoiy5Ke5D-Hu84yfFn_pSvX188AbaGQWLc3damagHYM_0h1Q6TexbTZ3unTQpyYPLc84HgrZY8zp82bdwHek-Xw64ipR-jpVQdRSfbGKkhYBNGQEnGJ4KAqNBX6ZlxicXQv-TDPPFoQqVmvII4dE3fMELOhAKkdmEo/s16000/OG_Raw_Lead.jpg" /></a></div><p>It turns out that exactly 12 were all the Pictish crossbowmen I even had in any state of completion. They were part of a pack of skirmishers that were a mix of javelins and crossbowmen. Out of 30 in the bag, only 12 had crossbows. I used some of the javelins for my <a href="http://www.carlanayland.org/essays/attacotti.htm" target="_blank">Attacotti</a>. </p><p>Most of the figures only needed the basing completed. However, there were eight crossbowmen that needed to be painted from raw lead (after they were found, of course) and four Attacotti who were primed only. Moreover, I had to go old school with them.</p><p>My painting style has evolved since I painted the first batch of picts 20+ years ago. Now, I use a <a href="https://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2015/12/dip-it-dip-it-good.html" target="_blank">dip method</a> with Minwax wood stain. Then, I did straight-up painting with shading, washes, and highlights. I also painted eyes—eyes! I hadn't painted eyes in years.</p><p>It didn't really take much effort to ease back into my older style, though I won't be going back to it except for painting out more Old Glory Picts (and some other Age of Arthur minis that I started).</p><p>Waiting in the wings are some Old Glory Irish, which I'll augment for <i>Saga</i> with some Crusader Irish slingers. Old Glory's Dark Ages Irish were pretty simple: Upper class warriors and lower class warriors. That divides well between hearthguard and warriors, but they didn't make missile troops. Hence the Crusaders minis.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5NaoMagLdB9_URKlLuXHDuiXlMdWo1LWOt-GHT8gwhyzV-WhD2XbliovQ4G3kPgFw95zw386ag6gKi2-ckpSIqS-bijiaVJ39VBF7XoHptJYe-I2jZm2QOm36kzfbjD86456ehJH0rsUemU5b2KI9tqW1brO2js-REz3QNa2Ru25BxXOTYiTNIw9Nzs/s550/Irish_Boxed_01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5NaoMagLdB9_URKlLuXHDuiXlMdWo1LWOt-GHT8gwhyzV-WhD2XbliovQ4G3kPgFw95zw386ag6gKi2-ckpSIqS-bijiaVJ39VBF7XoHptJYe-I2jZm2QOm36kzfbjD86456ehJH0rsUemU5b2KI9tqW1brO2js-REz3QNa2Ru25BxXOTYiTNIw9Nzs/s16000/Irish_Boxed_01.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVwk99BJG-bbzRMeeaT_PbStfLzQ20zrFmJUyqX_uqKJtOZYZk1-VClCbXyqirPxTuFmZipsKkMmxJJtJsTKDr9YtPs5zEK94UXm-eaSiqP64IoV2_zrACm_yTmTPjBW9pkEv1E7J9AYnkIbntBjpOdUPQP5t1Usit0M-jw7cBZdqfLcg0kuL8tUTKGs/s550/Irish_Boxed_02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="485" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVwk99BJG-bbzRMeeaT_PbStfLzQ20zrFmJUyqX_uqKJtOZYZk1-VClCbXyqirPxTuFmZipsKkMmxJJtJsTKDr9YtPs5zEK94UXm-eaSiqP64IoV2_zrACm_yTmTPjBW9pkEv1E7J9AYnkIbntBjpOdUPQP5t1Usit0M-jw7cBZdqfLcg0kuL8tUTKGs/s16000/Irish_Boxed_02.jpg" /></a></div><p>I have fewer Irish completed for <i>Pig Wars</i> and many of them are the later Norse-Gael types with big axes. In the Arthurian age, the Irish were spearmen/javelinmen with lots of slings.</p><p>Also amongst the treasures of darkness is a Byzantine warband (The Last Romans for <i>Age of Vikings</i>) that I started pre-COVID and never got back to. Those are Crusader minis and, given time, I'll get to them as well.</p><p>It's been a great adventure resurrecting dead legions and getting them back on the tabletop. I'll post again about the Insta-Picts after I play my first <i>Saga</i> game with them...</p><p><br /></p>David Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229259148925201182noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99962604511527341.post-74079352098644421992023-02-22T11:42:00.009-08:002023-03-08T07:14:58.931-08:00Xenos Rampant: Shrove Tuesday Tussle in Tacoma<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkWxdl4KEszdciWbgHVLckQVN8BPAGJ3zx5sU4oszGRoLsA49tyIAk4qvgDGcKPNgBYjEg99O2QrlYkGPbK3h5YNQ3TmP4O4Y45aLsmMbSbFzblpqDS372nc3hPG07AdW9R92jRSz4JgsFAPkhQK8j7uFsAkBq5wVo9RSiV9y7MNITgSuwtEVLsau/s550/Banner2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="122" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkWxdl4KEszdciWbgHVLckQVN8BPAGJ3zx5sU4oszGRoLsA49tyIAk4qvgDGcKPNgBYjEg99O2QrlYkGPbK3h5YNQ3TmP4O4Y45aLsmMbSbFzblpqDS372nc3hPG07AdW9R92jRSz4JgsFAPkhQK8j7uFsAkBq5wVo9RSiV9y7MNITgSuwtEVLsau/s16000/Banner2.png" /></a></div><br />We played our first group game of <i><a href="http://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2022/12/2022-space-rampancy.html" target="_blank">Xenos Rampant</a></i> on Shrove Tuesday at Silver King Games & Hobby in Tacoma. Silver King is a newer store and Tuesday was the first time most of us have played there. <a href="https://agamerstales.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Kevin Smyth</a> has been playing <i>Saga</i> and other games there since not long after they opened. The neighborhood is familiar, however, since Silver King is across the street and down from where American Eagles in Tacoma used to be. American Eagles (which began life as the Tacoma branch of the <a href="http://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2011/02/ma-vie-en-plomb-my-life-in-lead.html" target="_blank">American Eagles in Seattle</a>) had a large upper room for gaming and was the locus of our group gaming in the 90s and early 2000s. Silver King is a nice place to game with a large separate gaming room.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6kqTJiRXuoC0s2dXOdpQAZrAAulLvr-zG1MTIRIKIYieINstl88gUsFHwkrYpq1FcwdaWX9T5qEbBNmzhdNTSIOvBejaRJL5VJAZaYPgPAw9S9doixmnDsrpC47UaNEUtcBynIwis1lZ7yLzp1QrU5qut6omCXhxWBW4IIuiorXLhESRkiLclZuk/s550/SK_Gamespace.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6kqTJiRXuoC0s2dXOdpQAZrAAulLvr-zG1MTIRIKIYieINstl88gUsFHwkrYpq1FcwdaWX9T5qEbBNmzhdNTSIOvBejaRJL5VJAZaYPgPAw9S9doixmnDsrpC47UaNEUtcBynIwis1lZ7yLzp1QrU5qut6omCXhxWBW4IIuiorXLhESRkiLclZuk/s16000/SK_Gamespace.png" /></a></div><p>I look forward to their continued success. I think the only thing missing is a 6' x 8' table (or two). Silver King, like a lot of recently-opened games stores, is directed at new school games that are meant to be played on a 3' x 3' or 3' x 4' space. That's a challenge to old school gamers who want at least 6' x 8' for big games. Mark Waddington and I tried to join two of the 4' x 8' tables they have in the back, but an 8' x 8' game table is impracticable—especially for older, fatter men who can't come close to reaching the center of the table. However, the 4' x 6' mat was sufficient for five of us to play a game. I look forward to more games at Silver King.</p><p>Eric Donaldson and I have been working away at forces for <i>Xenos Rampant</i>. I realize in writing this that I never blogged about building my <i>XR</i> force, but shall amend that omission. I've also been busy building terrain for the game. I've spent a lot of moolah on Etsy buying 3D-printed terrain bits from all over—I'm expecting some to arrive this month from Greece. My figures are mostly <a href="https://www.oldgloryminiatures.com/products.asp?cat=25mm+Aliens+and+Spacemen" target="_blank">Blue Moon minis that are sold by Old Glory</a>. Eric's are mostly from the <a href="https://khurasanminiatures.tripod.com/28mmscifi.html" target="_blank">Scavs of Planet K line from Khurasan</a>. We created 49-point forces that we could divvy up amongst whoever showed up to play.</p><p>I set out the terrain I worked on until almost 2:00 am that day on one the the <a href="https://tablewar.com/collections/fatmats" target="_blank">TableWar</a> "Desert Planet" mats that I inherited from <a href="http://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2023/01/requiescat-in-pace-mi-amice.html" target="_blank">Dave Schueler</a>. (Dave loved the TableWar mats and had several of them.) I was still at work Tuesday morning, after about 3 hours of sleep, doing final touches on some of the terrain to get it to blend better with the orange-yellow mat.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtf-kj2SH5S2CLdgiOMboeo2zbG4COF7cZiKz-2evDJ-zd6tYYg-SWBfJD8DMvMcXcZYSE43Z1z4ZhTFKVXBZ5g5Q1mMXJv03dLuJyyEqDZZZ4nC3bi0g2M4nnnLc-tblYWe5Z7t8c3F0BCD7ZCQmX6eAiy7O6JHK3rC1f-RcTgmi-tkvra1KLoLYT/s550/Terrain.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtf-kj2SH5S2CLdgiOMboeo2zbG4COF7cZiKz-2evDJ-zd6tYYg-SWBfJD8DMvMcXcZYSE43Z1z4ZhTFKVXBZ5g5Q1mMXJv03dLuJyyEqDZZZ4nC3bi0g2M4nnnLc-tblYWe5Z7t8c3F0BCD7ZCQmX6eAiy7O6JHK3rC1f-RcTgmi-tkvra1KLoLYT/s16000/Terrain.png" /></a></div><p>The inspiration for the reddish-desert scheme came from Eric, who mentioned that he was going to base his figures using a red color scheme to give them an "alien" feel. I got on board with that and worked out a basing/flocking/tufts scheme. I followed through with that scheme on the 3D-printed terrain pieces I bought on Etsy.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJmDlhJd2X7Y3Fyb0x-jBwn5NmFhNFuTbGNolKkDTSA15jHs6dr6yOlJeD7Du08fEq4jTD6Kbh-ATiQAejNOLwwieQGNvUwAKTAWkUxHZj74uWkLtm_3dcTcV1ay6IengmwZmNJHLhehWx2IIjch0VG2rxIzNbLIfyciD8tO_YTQ5bNx0eh6CvPsF/s550/Outcroppings.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJmDlhJd2X7Y3Fyb0x-jBwn5NmFhNFuTbGNolKkDTSA15jHs6dr6yOlJeD7Du08fEq4jTD6Kbh-ATiQAejNOLwwieQGNvUwAKTAWkUxHZj74uWkLtm_3dcTcV1ay6IengmwZmNJHLhehWx2IIjch0VG2rxIzNbLIfyciD8tO_YTQ5bNx0eh6CvPsF/s16000/Outcroppings.png" /></a></div><p>Players for the game were Eric and Bill Stewart—playing his first Sci-Fi game in 45 years—who ran Eric's force of Scavs and "Federal advisors." Mark, Michael Koznarsky, and I used my figures. We played <i>Scenario Bravo: Secret Mission</i> from the rulebook. We were the attackers. Our main mission was to kill the best of the opposing forces, which was Eric's unit of tricked-out Light Infantry (7 points). There were also three of six objective markers, which were randomly chosen.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEHyHXQVz1WHmWx0E6mWEJCKYFXwjdoat7-twFLgUTMs4chpQ-7j0dnFheTVIl7uGs_IpmXsPyg2qXMma8uTIC0ZPiNXnv2Uv0Dl2PI_ernngDZrPIpFgqHmn_jYooFcEdB32ceFOzWOE-xVi1mmXogxXErr52PwI4aHxr1jqDB0ig0hiGA5_a6eA/s550/Scavs_Deployed_01.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEHyHXQVz1WHmWx0E6mWEJCKYFXwjdoat7-twFLgUTMs4chpQ-7j0dnFheTVIl7uGs_IpmXsPyg2qXMma8uTIC0ZPiNXnv2Uv0Dl2PI_ernngDZrPIpFgqHmn_jYooFcEdB32ceFOzWOE-xVi1mmXogxXErr52PwI4aHxr1jqDB0ig0hiGA5_a6eA/s16000/Scavs_Deployed_01.png" /></a></div><p>Eric's forces were mostly lighter types. His only Heavies were two "Federal advisor" units and one unit of mechanoids. All of them were 5 SP units, but tricked out with the <i>Heavy Weapon</i> and <i>Armor-Piercing</i> options, which made them pretty deadly, as I learned to my sorrow.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHCVzIIMKbIcoVSvI5thl7WRJEqqI9V8Trbt-6tyErRKYCEOO-DmhZp1HigBhcWDYMFce049mDrneO27vc-gFwJbUY_hWoG5tnyjFt1EUvOTrTThDmMNfCLeN77lO7lK4cAu34p2D1e0KlbooFIZMqjHXHtyyXMXq--cgG0WTYGkMJKx9ktY4LHam/s550/Scavs_Deployed_02.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="376" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHCVzIIMKbIcoVSvI5thl7WRJEqqI9V8Trbt-6tyErRKYCEOO-DmhZp1HigBhcWDYMFce049mDrneO27vc-gFwJbUY_hWoG5tnyjFt1EUvOTrTThDmMNfCLeN77lO7lK4cAu34p2D1e0KlbooFIZMqjHXHtyyXMXq--cgG0WTYGkMJKx9ktY4LHam/s16000/Scavs_Deployed_02.png" /></a></div><p>My forces were heavier types including Elite Infantry, two 10 SP units of Heavy Infantry, a 10 SP unit of Heavy Infantry mechanoids, and a Fighting Vehicle with the <i>Walker</i> option. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1quIY_QFNHsA7K0QHorzvkI4N1dEDNu724HrYHooZm9J7vC21Oet_MIsjQbzipcGIDJIjFvD8vU15fEKu7brFXS9y2PHo_Y5Zlud_p85rfBMayYwqCX0bn7A6u9MPxrirk4aCYZJpI6isgdTctBPJIh9w4t9DVesHk7O2n18ahTxBU_jcBnjgqNTy/s550/Walker_Deployment.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1quIY_QFNHsA7K0QHorzvkI4N1dEDNu724HrYHooZm9J7vC21Oet_MIsjQbzipcGIDJIjFvD8vU15fEKu7brFXS9y2PHo_Y5Zlud_p85rfBMayYwqCX0bn7A6u9MPxrirk4aCYZJpI6isgdTctBPJIh9w4t9DVesHk7O2n18ahTxBU_jcBnjgqNTy/s16000/Walker_Deployment.png" /></a></div><p>Although we were equal in points, my forces had an advantage in basic armor, but Eric's lighter-armored troops made up for it by being deadlier.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70jwkevRGWrJHXUTl9EdCVmPC1TXc8WG4JP1b7rS_W-qQ4In348oV6kfc6T-ubBFcxcJEkT5ZIAzpn8thBzvD5nW_O67qtpN-AobxAhr4Glvnht1mj5A5Cuqva8hfKMMVlxPVDcRwe1RnnMMZNdVCI4IPKDN6sLBG-2RUlKPHCgYzTekmv8NCy5RO/s550/My_Deployment.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70jwkevRGWrJHXUTl9EdCVmPC1TXc8WG4JP1b7rS_W-qQ4In348oV6kfc6T-ubBFcxcJEkT5ZIAzpn8thBzvD5nW_O67qtpN-AobxAhr4Glvnht1mj5A5Cuqva8hfKMMVlxPVDcRwe1RnnMMZNdVCI4IPKDN6sLBG-2RUlKPHCgYzTekmv8NCy5RO/s16000/My_Deployment.png" /></a></div><p>We attacked on a fairly broad front with Mark and the mean machine on one flank, I on the other, and Michael in between.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyRoUJR5cl4vGi3oF_N2cQnU4oVaB17yRgtXDC7LMDtNjB9IaYGvpUlXe8scuiY_bsYcJm9mrdywt6JJXRh1T9LrtZEKMr35px5MSBD66mnIAp29F0GwJfefyWo2Q3wbPs-Uu-OhwVQIzU4JfrTSTKcSOg5dYH27skIVrnyFd6SMS2De3IvQCJVkbn/s550/My_Elites_Beginning.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyRoUJR5cl4vGi3oF_N2cQnU4oVaB17yRgtXDC7LMDtNjB9IaYGvpUlXe8scuiY_bsYcJm9mrdywt6JJXRh1T9LrtZEKMr35px5MSBD66mnIAp29F0GwJfefyWo2Q3wbPs-Uu-OhwVQIzU4JfrTSTKcSOg5dYH27skIVrnyFd6SMS2De3IvQCJVkbn/s16000/My_Elites_Beginning.png" /></a></div><p>I ran my Heavy Infantry up next to Michael's command to support him in the center. I ran my Light Infantry up into some alien-looking trees. I advanced my Elite Infantry in the open on the flank. I assumed too much about the impenetrability their 4 armor.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqoqAvvK9DqB46-d1SKisQYKBjLSWy1yTKIipXGXJFIt3ShsJS-7XJffbmpvHyLPT3iVRysSR6a86-9oc2K0YeA1L9gJmMn75Tb8-4l4ZX7OkZqccvVTH_X-mWNam7ztwlGwwSZKZYnXrDoWTpvmFfyJ_ES8CmhELAAcx5bkast0gezQogZtACpR5C/s550/Initial_Moves_01.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqoqAvvK9DqB46-d1SKisQYKBjLSWy1yTKIipXGXJFIt3ShsJS-7XJffbmpvHyLPT3iVRysSR6a86-9oc2K0YeA1L9gJmMn75Tb8-4l4ZX7OkZqccvVTH_X-mWNam7ztwlGwwSZKZYnXrDoWTpvmFfyJ_ES8CmhELAAcx5bkast0gezQogZtACpR5C/s16000/Initial_Moves_01.png" /></a></div><p>My first taste of being disillusioned on that point came when I exchanged fire with Eric's mechanoids. Eric made his <i>Firefight</i> roll and in the simultaneous exchange, I lost three SPs. His mechanoids were only a 5 SP unit, but had the <i>Heavy Weapon</i> and <i>Armor-Piercing</i> options. Thus they could only hit on 6s, but every 6 counted as two hits. Eric rolled five sixes. My 4 armor went down to 3 and the 10 hits reduced me immediately to below half-strength. The Elites were pretty much spent for the rest of the game.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjq7xsAhoUrLD0R9DKhylhwjt-DcurPSZiwmzilmQLZyrzCSPB53Vg74V60TpyWDp212WzjdU8wJtoYTGquNBy5i-ru_IhK1jKPBU-tNyHJMCHpTK7HRKHBgrJNHU9jKfBj5uhmXpYL83pZxeypedOeZGuDcTYn_rRkZ9NkgGO1IQgq102CoAXLMLO/s550/Elites_Suppressed_01.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjq7xsAhoUrLD0R9DKhylhwjt-DcurPSZiwmzilmQLZyrzCSPB53Vg74V60TpyWDp212WzjdU8wJtoYTGquNBy5i-ru_IhK1jKPBU-tNyHJMCHpTK7HRKHBgrJNHU9jKfBj5uhmXpYL83pZxeypedOeZGuDcTYn_rRkZ9NkgGO1IQgq102CoAXLMLO/s16000/Elites_Suppressed_01.png" /></a></div><p>On the other flank, Mark ran the walker and the mechanoids. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5WmFzReuaOSiI-bdIDoj6uakwwn5Uvk4hoAVoX_iM_iBcw70rhgecR4k20myUoM8O8SaSFqAin7QpMP-AGsr86cgXhsbLgQLdg5LB-A7xQbnjCUgPvrYhovV5-VkOb_PaINEtZRVmfwLvEn9cARAsNwHesiXSXYzom0f7MSnTtJrUrUtal4kKHp2/s550/Bots_Advance.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5WmFzReuaOSiI-bdIDoj6uakwwn5Uvk4hoAVoX_iM_iBcw70rhgecR4k20myUoM8O8SaSFqAin7QpMP-AGsr86cgXhsbLgQLdg5LB-A7xQbnjCUgPvrYhovV5-VkOb_PaINEtZRVmfwLvEn9cARAsNwHesiXSXYzom0f7MSnTtJrUrUtal4kKHp2/s16000/Bots_Advance.png" /></a></div><p>My mechs were less deadly than Eric's, even though they were a bigger unit (10 SP).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7aRSu0zyXZO-G5YBwWVb-n8dH_dTOlo3nfknLYMWIG4lFI0mfbj-PUjNyqOM5p2HYXMRxHq3YwNKdo11YrOteYLE5J6GiBctPzcft65rlMWp0Oyk673KO_KdnJ87yIkSm0g9K5x8H4v4FxeLeyD-NmgUkV22kVW-OccyOfbumzVDcX4jTJ34Cfz-h/s550/Bots_Go_Forth_01.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7aRSu0zyXZO-G5YBwWVb-n8dH_dTOlo3nfknLYMWIG4lFI0mfbj-PUjNyqOM5p2HYXMRxHq3YwNKdo11YrOteYLE5J6GiBctPzcft65rlMWp0Oyk673KO_KdnJ87yIkSm0g9K5x8H4v4FxeLeyD-NmgUkV22kVW-OccyOfbumzVDcX4jTJ34Cfz-h/s16000/Bots_Go_Forth_01.png" /></a></div><p>For Bill, who faced Mark on that flank, the biggest worry was the walker.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFyjNyoQnz4UqrJLjcI5K24W1pkFjgqnif5ig_IOQGacNHo8nhltf2w_bjNeb6ANDym03HN03fBYcsgF5_ZKWPLC7KlqpqNpBRtmR9ui2WWP295OA8CzzI3HTTpAZdfW_0tpa-ua9AZ75GR4dxZFh_qhF-COlg91DHn0hnWUNXfeM2zM_dkBhyEkY/s550/Plucky_Scavs_and_Walker.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFyjNyoQnz4UqrJLjcI5K24W1pkFjgqnif5ig_IOQGacNHo8nhltf2w_bjNeb6ANDym03HN03fBYcsgF5_ZKWPLC7KlqpqNpBRtmR9ui2WWP295OA8CzzI3HTTpAZdfW_0tpa-ua9AZ75GR4dxZFh_qhF-COlg91DHn0hnWUNXfeM2zM_dkBhyEkY/s16000/Plucky_Scavs_and_Walker.png" /></a></div><p>Bill's "technical," the only vehicle they had, got the short end of an exchange of fire with the walker. Fortunately for Bill, the vehicle's passengers had hopped off the turn before their taxi went up in a ball of fire. Sadly, Eric forgot that the buggy had the Anti-Tank option. That might have hurt the walker a bit.</p><p>Eric had two Recon Infantry units that remained mostly out of the fight because they couldn't shoot or be shot at outside 12" range. However, they were an element of threat as my flank crumbled. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnHw_gQO9IM2-DOBmQ3SeePJnY8HQJAZt6sfCYFrk1RIx5xpVyTJq7MmkllkuJEMXjuMWW4A1NjzlODCerLDIfPr1jsC2SvQfMDqZ7Mzlilm3NBkyd3umhRzuMbGAEedMyS9rd8Li3xNjEp4Q84Lai9VmcFpaKA053FHLCEwea9wrMU9_DtwKAP0D/s550/5_Scavs_A_Skulking.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnHw_gQO9IM2-DOBmQ3SeePJnY8HQJAZt6sfCYFrk1RIx5xpVyTJq7MmkllkuJEMXjuMWW4A1NjzlODCerLDIfPr1jsC2SvQfMDqZ7Mzlilm3NBkyd3umhRzuMbGAEedMyS9rd8Li3xNjEp4Q84Lai9VmcFpaKA053FHLCEwea9wrMU9_DtwKAP0D/s16000/5_Scavs_A_Skulking.png" /></a></div><p>My 5 SP Light Infantry unit, got into a firefight with Eric's 10 SP Light Infantry. I suffered worse.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOoymtrxujqNSI87WOHcUwLBHpGKCvuopOfLJkKxXGsP5Ay2Sqa6w0NPzXUv9ZB2gCyKIWBKBiYCpOW5KVOjSntYYkcMqzlZAwg2JRWOqsAw1lTLwToZfj-atRtvz6mdKLt-iQGnWiA7fTj1J66nI1QBR-_8HkVuBg8xDTeMUTYarSyO0G93BZeYX6/s550/Initial_Advance_01.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOoymtrxujqNSI87WOHcUwLBHpGKCvuopOfLJkKxXGsP5Ay2Sqa6w0NPzXUv9ZB2gCyKIWBKBiYCpOW5KVOjSntYYkcMqzlZAwg2JRWOqsAw1lTLwToZfj-atRtvz6mdKLt-iQGnWiA7fTj1J66nI1QBR-_8HkVuBg8xDTeMUTYarSyO0G93BZeYX6/s16000/Initial_Advance_01.png" /></a></div><p>Mark's mechanoids started taking losses from Bill's Light Infantry, the twin of Eric's unit. All the light infantry in the game had the <i>Guerilla</i> option, which further improved their armor when in light cover. Skulking in the bushes, Eric's Lights were a 4 armor (5 over effective range) and powerfully armed. However, supported by the walker, the bots stayed in the fight even after being reduced below half their strength.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsnTXAnAKwgZFN-JGd9XUqAxICEFoUh1jGm3Q9MJTe8yYS4itm1Vm3urX8qqMECbp-0UcUEkmPML3tuc2VLTgbt0BtihCW6y5UjDtj3dTSlfNS92guuY9_s5FQSxTaWhlI6k0uf6aLbktFAv1uSzsmhiI5scmb-0aJH-y6zSs_GvldRJ6PnLqGWLs/s550/Walker_and_Bots_01.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsnTXAnAKwgZFN-JGd9XUqAxICEFoUh1jGm3Q9MJTe8yYS4itm1Vm3urX8qqMECbp-0UcUEkmPML3tuc2VLTgbt0BtihCW6y5UjDtj3dTSlfNS92guuY9_s5FQSxTaWhlI6k0uf6aLbktFAv1uSzsmhiI5scmb-0aJH-y6zSs_GvldRJ6PnLqGWLs/s16000/Walker_and_Bots_01.png" /></a></div><p>Michael, meanwhile, was moving up but not taking much fire. At one point his command was the only one without losses.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7MjY-y5ZRD8YmMBeMEYxJF846ULuaxyVXEZB7Fupxq48Hs1SRVGU_EtjUz8rhMJL6HUkDxyBSe2XirPwn35pb-j-rFovamKzgmxkDLvawoqkk5JGQxIGzIOEMT4K8Z-qIjYqwS350UD7QaEswaNyPTDxA5iQadd71P7qwG_kGBDrRroetIx0QeEl/s550/Michael_on_Rocks.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7MjY-y5ZRD8YmMBeMEYxJF846ULuaxyVXEZB7Fupxq48Hs1SRVGU_EtjUz8rhMJL6HUkDxyBSe2XirPwn35pb-j-rFovamKzgmxkDLvawoqkk5JGQxIGzIOEMT4K8Z-qIjYqwS350UD7QaEswaNyPTDxA5iQadd71P7qwG_kGBDrRroetIx0QeEl/s16000/Michael_on_Rocks.png" /></a></div><p>Michael engaged Eric's Lights, the same unit that made mincemeat out of my Lights, and started making an effect. Our fire tended to be OK with a steady attrition effect. Eric showed a latent talent for rolling 6s, which caused us a lot of grief because of the <i>Heavy Weapon</i> effect.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_bYg5fxb2PwWkgSvx6TCBWZYbGqHvqoVYWL_25K6ge7CupetfqN0vypGomcimCYwlC8yySqVh6ejzrislfA1iZAhHI1Bbn7xMf2tAJl1EzhvYLL4QiRKu1Mw8qT69Aew5PlgpSTxobqNSkazEDC6ZVREFVs4TBkjsQyFmW9MmXpb4qigI48TeRP2x/s550/Michaels_Advance.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_bYg5fxb2PwWkgSvx6TCBWZYbGqHvqoVYWL_25K6ge7CupetfqN0vypGomcimCYwlC8yySqVh6ejzrislfA1iZAhHI1Bbn7xMf2tAJl1EzhvYLL4QiRKu1Mw8qT69Aew5PlgpSTxobqNSkazEDC6ZVREFVs4TBkjsQyFmW9MmXpb4qigI48TeRP2x/s16000/Michaels_Advance.png" /></a></div><p>At on point, Eric targeted Michael's 5 SP Light Infantry unit in the open. Because of the <i>Firefight</i> option, their armor went down to 1. Eric rolled 5 6s again and the Lights just evaporated. That turned out to be the only unit we lost, even though others, like my Elites and Lights, were decimated.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7c_bctaOro6sY0LuKdnJWUPSbBUA42tK5v1mF3mdjoTsBCg7H5hOz8rDSgOopDU2mtcR5iQZwO92ptqYFv-jOQ4qhtzo4O6WWOpKcuo8-UW1MYhNYVz0cYORKlusFqRUDkmj_F_Spbafi_gtFaRJ4hY8JZlliJ-w7bkj_rbwRmZktvl6tBGpRaXM/s550/And_Then_There_Were_Two.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="469" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7c_bctaOro6sY0LuKdnJWUPSbBUA42tK5v1mF3mdjoTsBCg7H5hOz8rDSgOopDU2mtcR5iQZwO92ptqYFv-jOQ4qhtzo4O6WWOpKcuo8-UW1MYhNYVz0cYORKlusFqRUDkmj_F_Spbafi_gtFaRJ4hY8JZlliJ-w7bkj_rbwRmZktvl6tBGpRaXM/s16000/And_Then_There_Were_Two.png" /></a></div><p>After a few more turns of shooting, Eric's Lights finally went to half strength and he rolled a 1 on his courage test, which routed it away. That was pretty much game. Eric's Recon Infantry continued to skulk and menace my flank. When my Elite and Light Infantry units were reduced to half strength (well below, actually), they were ripe for plucking by some plucky Recon.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYQBBPGVjC859vBjb-e4o7zli-aSBtSjgOKHWw01TBsA4VDxWCth1vbPeRLMoYaZdna4NCaQtIjKwxvJWziBdjMhm0xFSJRTTRPp0I18I7jM9ysP8dvIKMu6RNMZOSUKadFVechT6FP2I03FAdgTZZT_SsDifNkOabI83g4G_cF4hqSqwT6UnxQAC/s550/Scavs_Skulking.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYQBBPGVjC859vBjb-e4o7zli-aSBtSjgOKHWw01TBsA4VDxWCth1vbPeRLMoYaZdna4NCaQtIjKwxvJWziBdjMhm0xFSJRTTRPp0I18I7jM9ysP8dvIKMu6RNMZOSUKadFVechT6FP2I03FAdgTZZT_SsDifNkOabI83g4G_cF4hqSqwT6UnxQAC/s16000/Scavs_Skulking.png" /></a></div><p>That was game. A Pyrrhic victory for us. Eric's Lights was the only unit we actually destroyed, though it's destruction was our primary mission. We took one of our three other objectives, but may have taken the others—though with further loss.</p><p><i>Xenos Rampant</i> is a fun game and a great new variant for the "Rampant" family. Eric has more figures to paint. I just bought another force of Blue Moon minis to oppose my initial force. I also have a few other units, like a mechanoid sniper, two mechanoid Support Infantry units, and two of Khurasan's new walker mechs. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8yWIkCx9f_8NVlA39eqWXI4e4YMLqttpuGZ04H4YYGvPnj7c7r8Fdix7A8aFBpa6DdMe7G0bgbyuTFGKG2Bl0jqH5i7K-uifiNXI5NXcUmqrenNdI0fQsXgmGZ8CQau9OJ6BJB7YZQtTWzPpdGqiTtZ78NVd36G_fEI8alS5IB98NmwPiqd7SdhQ/s551/Khurasan_Walker.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8yWIkCx9f_8NVlA39eqWXI4e4YMLqttpuGZ04H4YYGvPnj7c7r8Fdix7A8aFBpa6DdMe7G0bgbyuTFGKG2Bl0jqH5i7K-uifiNXI5NXcUmqrenNdI0fQsXgmGZ8CQau9OJ6BJB7YZQtTWzPpdGqiTtZ78NVd36G_fEI8alS5IB98NmwPiqd7SdhQ/s16000/Khurasan_Walker.png" /></a></div><p>Kevin and Mark are painting minis for XR and Bill inquired about the source of my walker (it's the <a href="https://archon-studio.com/shop/rampart/258-mammoth-walker-5901414673161.html" target="_blank">Rampart Mammoth Walker sold by Archon Studio</a>). </p><p>I think Eric needs to supplement his "Federal advisors" with a unit or two of these bad boys from Khurasan:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCLgwxEwzcjhq3rUDG0ev-12bzlBzuPwfIfJHxgvmlPvjDgFKffqsOr0iBBsMOC4yee6_AI_nmVRr-Q3KriIpIABQuxkQhQzoQVLo9rbGl2NxFSrputGy1eOO63FbpAted002kaa6yMPpv8slEyjDcvrta4V15odFzezHVdvSl4avr2Rto0-9KREVU/s702/Khurasan_Elites.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCLgwxEwzcjhq3rUDG0ev-12bzlBzuPwfIfJHxgvmlPvjDgFKffqsOr0iBBsMOC4yee6_AI_nmVRr-Q3KriIpIABQuxkQhQzoQVLo9rbGl2NxFSrputGy1eOO63FbpAted002kaa6yMPpv8slEyjDcvrta4V15odFzezHVdvSl4avr2Rto0-9KREVU/s16000/Khurasan_Elites.png" /></a></div><p>Finally, I look forward to using Silver King as a new gaming venue. Tacoma is a long drive, but I did it all the time back in the day. We still have Zulu's up here and I'm hosting a 1914 game this weekend at stately Chez Dave in beautiful, formerly-bucolic, and less-than-formerly-sylvan Lynnwood.</p><p><br /></p>David Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229259148925201182noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99962604511527341.post-48330886945725811902023-01-19T12:55:00.001-08:002023-01-19T23:04:10.521-08:00Dice fetish update!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMec-Tvx3R0W-wofHPixSCHx4cRZX8lpVsqc0Qq5HQuwX57cqxHnHMlTcK6tnaDXoJl21WOYICwNahtxpEra0ja8XvijnwCmoFOUBgGW0OvJ9MfDVdd99gWQcKz2N2uziVgyekjRj8y70kXBQFC-ejhU1lVnPNT4cOkfx2dUvHp6mJgBNWM0yOko2/s550/Banner.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="357" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMec-Tvx3R0W-wofHPixSCHx4cRZX8lpVsqc0Qq5HQuwX57cqxHnHMlTcK6tnaDXoJl21WOYICwNahtxpEra0ja8XvijnwCmoFOUBgGW0OvJ9MfDVdd99gWQcKz2N2uziVgyekjRj8y70kXBQFC-ejhU1lVnPNT4cOkfx2dUvHp6mJgBNWM0yOko2/s16000/Banner.png" /></a></div><p>My devoted reader(s?) will have noted that I have a dice fetish. Not only do I own a whole lotta dice, but I'm drawn to unique or even downright weird dice. My latest find to feed the fetish is some solid brass bullet dice that are a hexagonal cylinder with the sides numbered 1 through 6.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpJc-kjJMlN_DY79AJ_41psULdAkCEvih7hU2Sr_I9iXQeboCgiabTh9HCZBz-NbDTafc7Zpl1OL2apjrFXQ_4JbXFU8yWwpOyz1LAyKnD-D8LgzoF4eQz_w5qHt6g30zl0FUGn23k6xU4uswLOiQGqa9nXBsCVKpJE541VH15abBQ5-XDYEaFnU1/s956/1-6.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="956" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpJc-kjJMlN_DY79AJ_41psULdAkCEvih7hU2Sr_I9iXQeboCgiabTh9HCZBz-NbDTafc7Zpl1OL2apjrFXQ_4JbXFU8yWwpOyz1LAyKnD-D8LgzoF4eQz_w5qHt6g30zl0FUGn23k6xU4uswLOiQGqa9nXBsCVKpJE541VH15abBQ5-XDYEaFnU1/s16000/1-6.png" /></a></div><p>They're wider and squatter than a 9mm round. Maybe about the diameter of a .45 ACP, but shorter. Being solid brass, they weigh about as much as a real bullet and more than the average 28mm metal mini, even if mounted on a 1 1/4" fender washer.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhokoTGi7Atbl6eltCCnPQ8iN694n6toyFSl75ECPHIrXBMSnry0pcUPUjoXrKWkqkjh9rFAorC9zhbXOxIyLHgdp8-BNGbEaugufz481T1jxwVfZJrvrozKCp0XIWQDifTPHOOiT0eM32sbmZdEs0RbDKs5HI15pOI0ZyTv-9eQazHp01lIPSEMA7/s550/Compare.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhokoTGi7Atbl6eltCCnPQ8iN694n6toyFSl75ECPHIrXBMSnry0pcUPUjoXrKWkqkjh9rFAorC9zhbXOxIyLHgdp8-BNGbEaugufz481T1jxwVfZJrvrozKCp0XIWQDifTPHOOiT0eM32sbmZdEs0RbDKs5HI15pOI0ZyTv-9eQazHp01lIPSEMA7/s16000/Compare.png" /></a></div><p>I got 'em because I was looking for D6 dice that would harmonize well with <i>Xenos Rampant</i>. The bullet dice will do nicely really for an 19th - 21st c. games where shooting is involved. I don't know what dice <i>What a Cowboy!</i> use, but of it's D6 (<i>WaT! </i>uses D6) I'm ready.</p><p>They ain't cheap, but I picked up two sets because they come six to a box and I need 10 for <i>Xenos Rampant</i> and 12 for other "Rampant" games where they might be suitable.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-vGMAITrcPz7Mq9r5OzycUxB-Fpb0PUd2RM1Ihcivu3JDAD4PsghlX2mQaahaP5qRIFC-sMPGbyDlnzlQ8KZxOGESLrvyCxPMcZrLaRKNW8BSbMzyo1j84zyQPXHNk4Ugxx_2mCaFdf32Ohej-f8ai03OeYWXohB0HVjNdRYsar1JHnIXyCSUkmU/s550/all_sixes.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-vGMAITrcPz7Mq9r5OzycUxB-Fpb0PUd2RM1Ihcivu3JDAD4PsghlX2mQaahaP5qRIFC-sMPGbyDlnzlQ8KZxOGESLrvyCxPMcZrLaRKNW8BSbMzyo1j84zyQPXHNk4Ugxx_2mCaFdf32Ohej-f8ai03OeYWXohB0HVjNdRYsar1JHnIXyCSUkmU/s16000/all_sixes.png" /></a></div><p>I think I'll use my leather and felt dice tray with them lest they do damage to my other dice trays. It'll also muffle the thunk.</p><p>They aren't my first metal dice. About a decade ago (maybe longer—I'm old, time becomes more fuzzy) I bought some at the local Dragonflight convention in Bellevue, WA. They were for a game that never went anywhere, but produced an initial, albeit short lived, enthusiasm. It was a sort of tactical dice game where the style and color mattered in ranking dice value in opposing rolls—or so I dimly recall. The game wasn't much, but they made D6s and D10s for it. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIinR1NMSMSEi_ze20ywLFNxDzyxZEto5D8O6mnZoENanBT2sjyiOWv3te3vzmpBMUJ0YK9wD_LOvSavv9Q5ZCKgvOjLQCAtfvpaYf247UO6xV8LtN_6tHhly9qSyv4H8MckHjwI35qlQdiVsBiMPDXpXngMhFijfvVhd_Jf9WWiIT3jPjxDts0By/s550/metalD.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="352" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIinR1NMSMSEi_ze20ywLFNxDzyxZEto5D8O6mnZoENanBT2sjyiOWv3te3vzmpBMUJ0YK9wD_LOvSavv9Q5ZCKgvOjLQCAtfvpaYf247UO6xV8LtN_6tHhly9qSyv4H8MckHjwI35qlQdiVsBiMPDXpXngMhFijfvVhd_Jf9WWiIT3jPjxDts0By/s16000/metalD.png" /></a></div><p>They had other styles of D6, which were cool and spacey looking, but hard to read—not a good thing when your opponent wants to see what you rolled, but only you can decipher it. ("All sixes, I swear, just trust me.")</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6AINpJ_yJsKCMfllCubTcCsPViePt4SIFLDYesBzDRcOW5UhzlvDxTyU2NDcfI83wwI7LCq1vEC8rXSpPNhTUM5ejLoYW56FNymNejp1QtksqhBRYc3pXqq-UrnAHoEbHlG7ekFPTblRQ1bN7EfZAQMZLAoVB75hjszcjY5jAAalWvwx7nbr62nWA/s550/otherdice.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="447" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6AINpJ_yJsKCMfllCubTcCsPViePt4SIFLDYesBzDRcOW5UhzlvDxTyU2NDcfI83wwI7LCq1vEC8rXSpPNhTUM5ejLoYW56FNymNejp1QtksqhBRYc3pXqq-UrnAHoEbHlG7ekFPTblRQ1bN7EfZAQMZLAoVB75hjszcjY5jAAalWvwx7nbr62nWA/s16000/otherdice.png" /></a></div><p>I have 12 of one type (the easier to read ones) that I could use, but I discovered that after sitting in a dice bag in my garage for <i>many</i> years, they acquired some metal corruption. I'll try soaking them in white vinegar, which mat restore them. We'll see. They are actually pretty cool dice, but I'm not sure if they're available anymore. Also, the coloring wears off with use.</p><p>My new bullet dice, being brass, may be less susceptible to corrosion. They also won't be sitting in a dice bag in my garage.</p><p>I used the older metal dice in a few games of I-forget-what (maybe <i>Bolt Action</i>?). They made a loud clunk on the table. I eventually decided after the novelty wore off, that plastic dice were a better option. That's before I discovered bone dice and acquired several vintage sets of bakelite dice. I love the bakelite.</p><p><br /></p>David Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229259148925201182noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99962604511527341.post-61053905787190895512023-01-04T14:50:00.009-08:002023-01-22T13:50:03.879-08:00Requiescat in Pace, Mi Amice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEu-ufc4z_aQsdsijgLCckkT6mFV7QwDJ5SeH74GhHZ0Ap-YM8R-L9xm-qgpX2TR33HFBi0I8MeeVDUGAqXl-yMrsLkP9N4LtMUzyE04dDEVvSNRrh1vCD0IXwYo12WlEAWtcNaQcn3zXtgn2TiPN26aTq8KAdRgzXv9uy_VyHibp_U6eiBDaGMFv/s550/Dave_Lynn.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEu-ufc4z_aQsdsijgLCckkT6mFV7QwDJ5SeH74GhHZ0Ap-YM8R-L9xm-qgpX2TR33HFBi0I8MeeVDUGAqXl-yMrsLkP9N4LtMUzyE04dDEVvSNRrh1vCD0IXwYo12WlEAWtcNaQcn3zXtgn2TiPN26aTq8KAdRgzXv9uy_VyHibp_U6eiBDaGMFv/s16000/Dave_Lynn.png" /></a></div><p>Dave Schueler, my friend of nearly 30 years, died in the late afternoon on New Year's Day. I've been struggling to process his death in the days since and I'm not reconciled to it. Although his death wasn't unexpected, it still came as a shock. He'd been diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer two years ago. For the first year of treatment, it felt like he might have many years remaining with ongoing treatment. The 10-year survivability rate for stage 4 prostate cancer is about 80%. There was reason to hope. This last year, things seemed to become more complicated and the cancer developed more aggressively. He went into the hospital on December 7 and remained there until the end. I only managed to visit him once, earlier on the day he died. By that time, he was on a morphine drip and not responsive. I stayed for about two hours to say my goodbye and tell him how much his friendship meant to me. I hope that somehow he was able to hear me. That evening I got the notice that he was gone.</p><p>In the days since, I've been brooding and revisiting all the things that marked his life and my friendship with him. I've been fortunate to have enjoyed a lifelong hobby with a tight group of excellent people. Among us Dave stood out.</p><p>He was gifted at scenario making and rules revising. He inspired my own attempts at revising rules and I owe much to his example. He was also a fully-fledged, published game designer. His <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamedesigner/6141/dave-schueler/linkeditems/boardgamedesigner" target="_blank">credits at BoardgameGeek</a> show 13 items. Two of those are for the games <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/85108/u-boat-leader" target="_blank"><i>U-Boat Leader</i></a> (2011) and <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/126026/gato-leader" target="_blank"><i>Gato Leader</i></a> (2016), which he designed for Dan Verssen Games. Both game designs were inspired by his US Navy service as a submariner. Dave also edited and contributed to the <i>Harpoon Naval Review</i> over several years.</p><p>Dave had a special love for naval and air games. Although he wound up serving below the seas, he wanted to be a military pilot, but his poor eyesight kept him from serving in that capacity. He did have some satisfaction that his younger brother became a helicopter pilot in the US Marine Corps. In addition to the two sub games, Dave modified the Avalon Hill WW2 air game <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/1371/mustangs" target="_blank"><i>Mustangs</i></a> for use in the early jet era (<a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/29061/mig-alley-ace" target="_blank"><i>MIG Alley Ace</i></a>) and the later jet era (<a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/29060/phantoms" target="_blank"><i>Phantoms</i></a>). Among our group, we had a respectable collection of 1/300th scale jets and enjoyed many hours of playing games set in the post-war world from Korea to the Falklands. In later years, he and Kevin Smyth devoted their air-gaming time to David Manley's <i>AirWar: C21</i> rules, which progressed towards a lot of playtesting for Manley's at-that-time unpublished <i><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/347981/airwar-1940-ww2-air-combat-rules-1939-1945" target="_blank">Airwar 1940</a></i> rules. Dave introduced us to David Manley's rules systems with the early version of <i><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/25421/action-stations-third-edition" target="_blank">Action Stations!</a></i> and we've been Manley Men ever since.</p><p>Starting in 2002, Dave hosted DANG—Dave's Annual Naval Game—over the Christmas break. It went on with only two exceptions: 2020, when COVID ravaged the land, and 2022. 2021 was actually two mini-DANGs to keep the numbers smaller, but also accommodate all the people who wanted to attend. I didn't make all the games, but they were the highlight of every year. Dave would craft out a mini-campaign that we'd play in a day. He brought us to several eras and locales for naval warfare where we might not otherwise venture. He'd start planning after the middle of the year and send out options for us to vote on. When the day came, he and his wife Lynn would host us all with food and drink. We'd spend the day with Dave herding us cats into getting through each phase of the campaign and the naval actions that resulted.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC04O0VSGzjyVAxjNneAZzdSSD2EwRZB9P1ciWC-Nb7QAUVQVTiJf6Xrk3erfMCFlws2QzTFSqiFbx8s3fnlTAxwwDBXN2-u6kyW3gGLOv9eXuT0uOQa1baTWVsVQin41XfBiS5qGlhEJFT9QUtiZMmmF0EAGyYAk7cineEYIBB8ieIDjDF2_TwKp0/s550/Dave_Banner1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC04O0VSGzjyVAxjNneAZzdSSD2EwRZB9P1ciWC-Nb7QAUVQVTiJf6Xrk3erfMCFlws2QzTFSqiFbx8s3fnlTAxwwDBXN2-u6kyW3gGLOv9eXuT0uOQa1baTWVsVQin41XfBiS5qGlhEJFT9QUtiZMmmF0EAGyYAk7cineEYIBB8ieIDjDF2_TwKp0/s16000/Dave_Banner1.png" /></a></div><p>DANGs were memorable events and the attendees always had a great time, win or lose. Our 2019 DANG photo shows a familiar cast of characters, many of whom have been DANGers from the start.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZHEiEljLGAGBmRHlVH4r-VS5XpgLGkqQ9uYIbqoz-KxKUuOC5IfNE97A4i77HHrhtmW3wK3keADJD6TvL3WYat9iIu9psnJf9BwzbBv2PyxpyF48G1Ib6lsLWvXHWl3X9LOBPb5-qyEaNFJZyIQKriuzVDyjKrg__U99IJvB7cbKCgMJLZs-vzq0/s550/DANG2019participants.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZHEiEljLGAGBmRHlVH4r-VS5XpgLGkqQ9uYIbqoz-KxKUuOC5IfNE97A4i77HHrhtmW3wK3keADJD6TvL3WYat9iIu9psnJf9BwzbBv2PyxpyF48G1Ib6lsLWvXHWl3X9LOBPb5-qyEaNFJZyIQKriuzVDyjKrg__U99IJvB7cbKCgMJLZs-vzq0/s16000/DANG2019participants.png" /></a></div><p>During the COVID pandemic, Dave provided an essential glue for our group. We lost the opportunity to meet indoors and game, so Dave came up with the solution to game under an awning on his front lawn.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTa5aR4dlXqYmCSUcgs-ketozGUKdnZqB3j400rJlXV5iAN5dJYJqtMkINVqXwXf0t90TYEbjMSUlej6lvRpBqlaWIFt-iLQrdWqh8EdP5rzPcnAuDQDDmimtTsI8-F3ZliQyRwuUOGFJg8n4KnehHApk4mgLSPlst6ECGH7vwzl1uvtmQvemLL7o9/s550/Lawn_gaming1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTa5aR4dlXqYmCSUcgs-ketozGUKdnZqB3j400rJlXV5iAN5dJYJqtMkINVqXwXf0t90TYEbjMSUlej6lvRpBqlaWIFt-iLQrdWqh8EdP5rzPcnAuDQDDmimtTsI8-F3ZliQyRwuUOGFJg8n4KnehHApk4mgLSPlst6ECGH7vwzl1uvtmQvemLL7o9/s16000/Lawn_gaming1.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-PAZFDf8-YSFwDfOYRxnj7ZNmkYKPyn0Rxoxguip_xXZiREXeOrRM2S3jkilKOhNXkpYxzywwAGnR3twCpx0L2c_59muE7h3Do0nMW4VWhc8ycABg3GrMf4YxIGYvh1XxSk1wdwyN8gkED-kSHhRL_7PqQDhlJKhSCzm_8ir6TiMobjzg6LGkZY7/s550/Lawn_gaming2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-PAZFDf8-YSFwDfOYRxnj7ZNmkYKPyn0Rxoxguip_xXZiREXeOrRM2S3jkilKOhNXkpYxzywwAGnR3twCpx0L2c_59muE7h3Do0nMW4VWhc8ycABg3GrMf4YxIGYvh1XxSk1wdwyN8gkED-kSHhRL_7PqQDhlJKhSCzm_8ir6TiMobjzg6LGkZY7/s16000/Lawn_gaming2.png" /></a></div><p>We mostly played naval games—masked and (somewhat) socially distant—since they were the easiest to set up and least likely to blow away in the wind. Afterwards, we'd sitting around drinking beer and talking shop. As restricted as the pandemic made things, our afternoons on Dave's lawn made things feel as close to normal as possible. I think gaming on Dave's lawn drew us closer overall. It was perhaps the one good thing we can attribute to the pandemic.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-A2M-um-Zx2OHy3FN7VzNgYLZLWlTFZet_S28auJpzGfU0q9YjPJ0tS7SMXXapSQwuBnDTvePs3wvx_gUhfzvdNDzrI8XKy3lJIS6lN2ta0o-g6gP5QF7NtwxygFaOV9lRIF3Pl2aqnIEtzA38MRPDVOzmMpaUgiUzDCb-XF8eEdIIggc8o6Vmne0/s550/Dave_Gee.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-A2M-um-Zx2OHy3FN7VzNgYLZLWlTFZet_S28auJpzGfU0q9YjPJ0tS7SMXXapSQwuBnDTvePs3wvx_gUhfzvdNDzrI8XKy3lJIS6lN2ta0o-g6gP5QF7NtwxygFaOV9lRIF3Pl2aqnIEtzA38MRPDVOzmMpaUgiUzDCb-XF8eEdIIggc8o6Vmne0/s16000/Dave_Gee.png" /></a></div><p>I haven't counted how many games we played there. They weren't all naval. Dave hosted a <i>What a Tanker!</i> game that let him use his 15mm collection of British tanks for North Africa and Bill Stewart's Afrika Korps, as well as some Crusaders that I had.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlp6GqIfGOCwE0qXv3t_KEUe4xoEOKNa7VxQqDM4nx21gzhNRVbXdD0eaqEfaYFQ01ZR94fKs4mjr2XPNLO-wtf7y00CwB7U0G5BYMZtxWhSCcf3vb7HKI2DbFH1FsWiIj36lyIf4cVTh3HTe1xKl0OcKsA9GHEZZfmKQC9pJS1s3o-7QkK4io4v8l/s550/WAT_Game1_04.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlp6GqIfGOCwE0qXv3t_KEUe4xoEOKNa7VxQqDM4nx21gzhNRVbXdD0eaqEfaYFQ01ZR94fKs4mjr2XPNLO-wtf7y00CwB7U0G5BYMZtxWhSCcf3vb7HKI2DbFH1FsWiIj36lyIf4cVTh3HTe1xKl0OcKsA9GHEZZfmKQC9pJS1s3o-7QkK4io4v8l/s16000/WAT_Game1_04.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxgLKVwMNf8K_WcwwIHOZI4tvoz2SUOt3JWbNPwjEeYfBlE9loIc-PMRjILr3noZbGZeNsgEVEOaKEbWQuewVDLTuFmz-L37Xllzzf9vTkxZ7Pb1pPcAuWDsJW5-705erykc6pOZn7W_ux_Qil-y09scl5cEngRe-gtjr9vt7BX_JgKbcCXsMFEo62/s550/WAT_Game1_02.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxgLKVwMNf8K_WcwwIHOZI4tvoz2SUOt3JWbNPwjEeYfBlE9loIc-PMRjILr3noZbGZeNsgEVEOaKEbWQuewVDLTuFmz-L37Xllzzf9vTkxZ7Pb1pPcAuWDsJW5-705erykc6pOZn7W_ux_Qil-y09scl5cEngRe-gtjr9vt7BX_JgKbcCXsMFEo62/s16000/WAT_Game1_02.jpeg" /></a></div><p>That inspired me to finally complete some long-long-neglected British and Italian tanks I had for North Africa and I was able to run a game later myself. Memorably, it included a game of cat and mouse between Dave's A-9 and my CV33. I think we got our only land-based ram attack out of that encounter.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJa9irAcbcu5S3C1eIwGwuv6_KkxCdml02lfHp2_SM_bI9gvJazjKsrfsa-dmn3FxTmikGJ_M8092ANxD7Sk6wtkBqE1oZCpq1cLwT9Wjc1XDVW5DaeIofWFasOkt2_5UiqjRSTqvOOzzYNMunvQWrRI9alnJts4NwEZlCZgHf2YPtytWq_yqz50Qe/s550/WAT_Cat_and_Mouse.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJa9irAcbcu5S3C1eIwGwuv6_KkxCdml02lfHp2_SM_bI9gvJazjKsrfsa-dmn3FxTmikGJ_M8092ANxD7Sk6wtkBqE1oZCpq1cLwT9Wjc1XDVW5DaeIofWFasOkt2_5UiqjRSTqvOOzzYNMunvQWrRI9alnJts4NwEZlCZgHf2YPtytWq_yqz50Qe/s16000/WAT_Cat_and_Mouse.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgld3CbB1rO2-IUwhQ-9gO3uonIA8cKszMmN_9zfQhptnDNQOS3_kxnF-g1cAYs7tmDLCJL5hw06l9C1XnCZIPda_vs_dDoyw7TZu36lRf1oC5VWrbNAGTwVpchg_0r-CSYD1vWqS_gF2W1ENAIw82eQXSYDi0PlkTBTx5SpcOlBQKPHqOitaoQVwbE/s550/WAT_Ram.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgld3CbB1rO2-IUwhQ-9gO3uonIA8cKszMmN_9zfQhptnDNQOS3_kxnF-g1cAYs7tmDLCJL5hw06l9C1XnCZIPda_vs_dDoyw7TZu36lRf1oC5VWrbNAGTwVpchg_0r-CSYD1vWqS_gF2W1ENAIw82eQXSYDi0PlkTBTx5SpcOlBQKPHqOitaoQVwbE/s16000/WAT_Ram.jpeg" /></a></div><p>The tanks in question had been started for another collaboration project between Dave, Kevin, and me. We did a game of the Battle of Mechili in 1940 that used an adaptation to miniatures of the <i><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/3992/advanced-tobruk" target="_blank">Advanced Tobruk</a></i> board game rules. I played the board game with Dave several times when it first came out, as well as some of its variants. We playtested it ourselves and then ran it at our Enfilade! convention.</p><p>We also ran Kevin's Philippines game using <i>The Men Who Would Be Kings</i> rules.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlw0MfqWVHBAf9aQaf2dg6WI07_NrZNu-gm2Gk9jiBAEOGK52ODKi9lePZuYHvi8GLVHKUJ799COiUJeqedSms5vT29CYnaZUWHZNl5BTmWZPMx0EXr-3F0fr-WndwEwsKTtCjDmnpwloavw7b0SiztQTDYMI8iiP4y-Oes08GAoI2ImwUVPYLx46X/s550/Lawn_Philippines.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlw0MfqWVHBAf9aQaf2dg6WI07_NrZNu-gm2Gk9jiBAEOGK52ODKi9lePZuYHvi8GLVHKUJ799COiUJeqedSms5vT29CYnaZUWHZNl5BTmWZPMx0EXr-3F0fr-WndwEwsKTtCjDmnpwloavw7b0SiztQTDYMI8iiP4y-Oes08GAoI2ImwUVPYLx46X/s16000/Lawn_Philippines.png" /></a></div><p>Dave was an avid board gamer and we played several games over the years, though few in the last several. Along with Kevin and Dave Demick, we had a few "3DK days" where Kevin and we three Daves would get together and play board games or miniatures. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Txmw7Tu83O80bBPNkfUi_lnQntMoBvXaDilYdyOplUnR1xhQl5zw_eTC1NveKSM8PrSPpLiH5ITKXnwAy-daPXDe4JNW__1JIJZTmGUwHL_7mYNAJcOZSGtpfBFDfHQu1EZWZhlISc0dhg8GuH6i7BpLBupfSxfxfQcdzkmt1UsneiVxlkZlY4WJ/s550/2DK_Meepples.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Txmw7Tu83O80bBPNkfUi_lnQntMoBvXaDilYdyOplUnR1xhQl5zw_eTC1NveKSM8PrSPpLiH5ITKXnwAy-daPXDe4JNW__1JIJZTmGUwHL_7mYNAJcOZSGtpfBFDfHQu1EZWZhlISc0dhg8GuH6i7BpLBupfSxfxfQcdzkmt1UsneiVxlkZlY4WJ/s16000/2DK_Meepples.png" /></a></div><p>Our last 3DK day was when we played my ancient naval rules on Dave's lawn in August, 2020.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF-kmDnYLsczBsI-gWOUlWT9ijitVuvWBdaGHCLe_VZGkYaDvjxrLXbSpDao-1CHGdS_ViUrcRAHTW2PU85n2e-m2-lXDsBw-j8vA74MHNBo4NB98-eGX9yROi24Oi6ErHvEdmjWRKtOCArT5CAWqu3pt8DIejNU3g9nmSh9gmkU0aaM9ZXgAwL-up/s550/Last_3DK.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF-kmDnYLsczBsI-gWOUlWT9ijitVuvWBdaGHCLe_VZGkYaDvjxrLXbSpDao-1CHGdS_ViUrcRAHTW2PU85n2e-m2-lXDsBw-j8vA74MHNBo4NB98-eGX9yROi24Oi6ErHvEdmjWRKtOCArT5CAWqu3pt8DIejNU3g9nmSh9gmkU0aaM9ZXgAwL-up/s16000/Last_3DK.png" /></a></div><p>We didn't return to lawn gaming in 2022. Dave planned on it, but as the pandemic waned, it was possible to move back inside. On what was to have been our first lawn game of the season, Dave, Kevin, and I played a Mexican War scenario in Dave's living room using the <i>Rebels and Patriots</i> rules. Dave played the Mexicans defending a redoubt while Kevin and I played the attacking Americans. Dave <a href="https://seanavalgazing.blogspot.com/2022/06/battle-at-la-purisima-bridge.html" target="_blank">blogged about it</a> on his Naval Gazing blog.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK8i0u-8_JcQLzh1gcWby1zWWKQvVcKSybM4onYrUWzF3pvIMxuz9MfCMej0BTns1aSEcoRoXS_kvUTwbotUBZHGRAZPy0cUYfm0GP3BFfljOfuIDp8VZ1xPiBoOQmmqe_ayFci9iWgdHHxb8r7FvywyNXiBAOlX9mPWzjuS2ZGeCDGoMAM5hSks94/s550/La-Purisma.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK8i0u-8_JcQLzh1gcWby1zWWKQvVcKSybM4onYrUWzF3pvIMxuz9MfCMej0BTns1aSEcoRoXS_kvUTwbotUBZHGRAZPy0cUYfm0GP3BFfljOfuIDp8VZ1xPiBoOQmmqe_ayFci9iWgdHHxb8r7FvywyNXiBAOlX9mPWzjuS2ZGeCDGoMAM5hSks94/s16000/La-Purisma.png" /></a></div><p>A few months later we played our last game. It was a refight of the 1866 Battle of Lissa. Dave, Kevin, and John Gee spent a great deal of time working on it, building and painting the 1/1200th scale ship models for it. Dave worked out a quicker-playing version of the rules that made it easier to adjudicate firing and ramming. The game turned out to be the last gathering with Dave of several D.A.N.G. stalwarts.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRrJ-RLx6mI3D1PEOdIj54RftsqUQ0LcUHCEEvsNpGET2UJZgo6wJnggJjKC5gd5r8khlOnU2yKGirO2IUuK9WlbgpWjyMPwTe-Jrty3b3BBISEbCFtrPH0mWuimWbe3knOs3iGoomQPf1LZZ_UJnFeZnB0RZXIvTI-3w7rpvhZnSthbWDzl1G0xa/s550/Lissa1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRrJ-RLx6mI3D1PEOdIj54RftsqUQ0LcUHCEEvsNpGET2UJZgo6wJnggJjKC5gd5r8khlOnU2yKGirO2IUuK9WlbgpWjyMPwTe-Jrty3b3BBISEbCFtrPH0mWuimWbe3knOs3iGoomQPf1LZZ_UJnFeZnB0RZXIvTI-3w7rpvhZnSthbWDzl1G0xa/s16000/Lissa1.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPiZzovEibu46bD1W4NwYymAi6m6329XKXxPbSnpIjzkvgbdSohxYhGjjAYyZqCALhwAn_s0OXfd5aUN274d2bj5NWBW58gY_J9ZFp0Sxz4GoAnGlh2Z9NbRN3XPynt9ABb1fkn-arsJydbOXP3z0pAnQ4A36usJ9tNDc4RGIXVtkGoVgvXG8d9nuw/s550/Lissa2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPiZzovEibu46bD1W4NwYymAi6m6329XKXxPbSnpIjzkvgbdSohxYhGjjAYyZqCALhwAn_s0OXfd5aUN274d2bj5NWBW58gY_J9ZFp0Sxz4GoAnGlh2Z9NbRN3XPynt9ABb1fkn-arsJydbOXP3z0pAnQ4A36usJ9tNDc4RGIXVtkGoVgvXG8d9nuw/s16000/Lissa2.png" /></a></div><p>It was a glorious game and a battle I know Dave was eager to do for a long time—as I was. The day also saw a lot of sharing on new projects, show and tell of finished or almost-finished projects, etc. There was food, there was drink. It was much like DANG events have been.</p><p>The smoothness of the Lissa game highlights one of those huge contributions that Dave made. He was an excellent host of events. I'd rather play than run things, but Dave seemed to find his <i>métier</i> in designing a scenario, streamlining rules to make them work for multiplayer games, and then putting it all on. All our collaborations in the past have been fruitful and enjoyable. I'll greatly miss his creativity and insight—not to mention, above all, his fellowship.</p><p>All our gaming wasn't done on Dave's lawn, however. Throughout 2021, Dave was able to get around and game at other places, such as Eric Donaldson's rec room where we played an ACW game and Dave got his command shot to pieces attacking Michael Koznarsky's impregnable position.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-ZMLUR97KeSP32c-ZrAU8qoTsmWH1KuMZeeA2-UNAWvVpzM9oKKCgRqHOCgrvO9y_FP56UdeZND8RoepNhVOvw6-9OX7YMoW8yeFxzlEbhPviKjIxAuihGFlz4zwhNz1IAquY7D-DfNOQXAsNLbtwO97bwGwLzk9PqRod_uNCAXoxD1gSK7gmHET/s568/Shoe_ACW_Erics.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-ZMLUR97KeSP32c-ZrAU8qoTsmWH1KuMZeeA2-UNAWvVpzM9oKKCgRqHOCgrvO9y_FP56UdeZND8RoepNhVOvw6-9OX7YMoW8yeFxzlEbhPviKjIxAuihGFlz4zwhNz1IAquY7D-DfNOQXAsNLbtwO97bwGwLzk9PqRod_uNCAXoxD1gSK7gmHET/s16000/Shoe_ACW_Erics.png" /></a></div><p>Since sometime in 2020, several of us have been meeting regularly every Saturday at 7:00 for a virtual get-together over Zoom where we paint and chat about projects and other things. Dave enjoyed those meetings and attended as many as he could until the progression of his cancer made it too difficult. It was in one of these meetings in November, 2021 that he put me onto the Boot Hill minis for the Texas Revolution. That's a project I was hoping he'd be able to participate in. Dave and I played a couple board games about the Texas revolution. I hoped he'd be around when we played it in miniature.</p><p>Despite his sickness, Dave had a lot of hope for the future. He was quite pleased to have finished two projects in 2022: A Norman Saga army and a Belgian brigade for 1914. The Belgians were minis I'd given him when we got involved in our 1914 craze. The Minerva armored car was given to him by John Gee. I'm really touched that he was able to paint them this year.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNZyGEK9vzPIBoUmQ5hRkkkuLu0idOhXzxDG1HSnF6WHxAm2ASJNJAXHOxfcmpwRrYvDPy7MIIAIrTWlv05tzUcExvZqDNNUzMlkYP-GBAwJCgLvKJoYW6LlYkJ6W2GzMhLio6_uuJReMA7b_Bkd7rUydiOS048F6Y0AGPjiTdTpEZWLW7eHkXBB6/s550/Belgians.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="226" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNZyGEK9vzPIBoUmQ5hRkkkuLu0idOhXzxDG1HSnF6WHxAm2ASJNJAXHOxfcmpwRrYvDPy7MIIAIrTWlv05tzUcExvZqDNNUzMlkYP-GBAwJCgLvKJoYW6LlYkJ6W2GzMhLio6_uuJReMA7b_Bkd7rUydiOS048F6Y0AGPjiTdTpEZWLW7eHkXBB6/s16000/Belgians.png" /></a></div><p>Sadly, he was never able to game with them, but he hoped to. Some of the deepest melancholy I feel with his passing is that we won't have those opportunities to play. Among my activities for processing his death, I've been looking through old blog posts and email threads. It's poignant to see that he was planning for the Enfilade! 2024 convention. His last Enfilade! convention was in 2019, where he, Kevin, and I ran our <a href="http://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2019/05/retreat-from-concord-rebels-and.html" target="_blank">Retreat from Concord</a> game. We spent a lot of time collaborating on the scenario with playtests and additions to the <i>Rebels and Patriots</i> rules. I think it was one of the best games we ever put on. Even though he wasn't able to attend, Dave did contribute to developing and playtesting in Kevin's garage our Battle for Hue game scenario that Kevin and I ran at a game day event in Chehalis, WA and at our ersatz Enfilade! in September, 2021. He had a guiding hand in things even where he wasn't fully involved.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGYy9WRFg61MBxOO86QgT37DgaYWIvDxmItd0OjlHZUO4cuIyGTXb5XuiQUEO6G4-INjFuHIruLxiyH_iZhBnYMzXOzWo14T08Uek3T6HkNlgRCg3UIStloxGMSZ4t1mMspO7B_ynfWyf-D_7kQU0oz6-yn9TFNA3Lbt4pKGWK9Zff15279--E9sH/s550/Hue_Garage.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGYy9WRFg61MBxOO86QgT37DgaYWIvDxmItd0OjlHZUO4cuIyGTXb5XuiQUEO6G4-INjFuHIruLxiyH_iZhBnYMzXOzWo14T08Uek3T6HkNlgRCg3UIStloxGMSZ4t1mMspO7B_ynfWyf-D_7kQU0oz6-yn9TFNA3Lbt4pKGWK9Zff15279--E9sH/s16000/Hue_Garage.png" /></a></div><p>I realize that I can go on and on about a friendship that has touched four decades. Funnily, I don't recall the first time we met. He became part of our group in the early/mid-90s and it felt like he had always been there. I will miss him deeply, but I think he'll always still be there when we get together. In our games, our Zoom 'n' Paint meetings, and in every interaction among us, his friends, his memory will infuse the moment. I am grateful to have been his friend. I think that's the best way to honor him. Not in sorrow and regret, however powerful those emotions are, but in gratitude for all that his friendship brought.</p><p>Another friend mentioned in a Facebook post that Dave had the best laugh. He did. I've been hearing that laugh ring pleasantly in my mind these past days. It helps to lift me out of my melancholy.</p><p>Rest in peace, Dave.</p>David Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229259148925201182noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99962604511527341.post-87979846312478826062022-12-12T20:54:00.008-08:002022-12-12T21:22:00.659-08:002022: A Space Rampancy<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-P9FqUwvDSn0sFmZa8QaoQCbZ1Nrz7jw0zP1NQM8rrxcH5hB9ukTzobDffwo0uzUk1XzrJ-Sr314ItWwaJ_gHqG55sFokvdX7JrBdnQ0MK0Hbnw1q7IR4Bbcq9d_zMTPBEvry8jMdUHWkeRLnesEVRMz6knyzrLpnf9wci84hudLAO1z0D21bbHBB/s550/space_Rampancy_Banner.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="173" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-P9FqUwvDSn0sFmZa8QaoQCbZ1Nrz7jw0zP1NQM8rrxcH5hB9ukTzobDffwo0uzUk1XzrJ-Sr314ItWwaJ_gHqG55sFokvdX7JrBdnQ0MK0Hbnw1q7IR4Bbcq9d_zMTPBEvry8jMdUHWkeRLnesEVRMz6knyzrLpnf9wci84hudLAO1z0D21bbHBB/s16000/space_Rampancy_Banner.png" /></a></div><br />Kind of like the <a href="http://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2022/09/lets-do-rampant-again.html" target="_blank"><i>Lion Rampant v2</i> release,</a> the <i>Xenos Rampant</i> release took me by surprise. That's a good thing. I recall lamenting for a year that <i><a href="http://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2017/01/the-pikmeans-lament-review.html" target="_blank">The Pikeman's Lament</a></i> wasn't released yet. I hate waiting. I think I might have had some inkling about the <i>XR</i> rules being forthcoming a while back, but I didn't pay much attention. Then just last week I saw a post on FB by a friend of mine saying he'd received his copy of the rules. I immediately reached out to a well-known, somewhat large-ish online retailer of books (and many, many other things) and in two days, I had my copy too.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj707mOUvToHwiRODiC758KlBhg6n6JaRtWhw1Jx37SrkPyBTIiJ1z3PNTk86ntyQbPljQanHjTXhWKHGTHSNwXEj9ZF_Cf_S-ib-eJHaIezvwK_goY8RUFQZq1VLYTZCluaHQADGDCZTagWvfLobd2fJSY9dJwtV1qtWfQ4N4B97titv_3GExmwyo6/s459/Xenos_Rampant_Cover.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj707mOUvToHwiRODiC758KlBhg6n6JaRtWhw1Jx37SrkPyBTIiJ1z3PNTk86ntyQbPljQanHjTXhWKHGTHSNwXEj9ZF_Cf_S-ib-eJHaIezvwK_goY8RUFQZq1VLYTZCluaHQADGDCZTagWvfLobd2fJSY9dJwtV1qtWfQ4N4B97titv_3GExmwyo6/s16000/Xenos_Rampant_Cover.png" /></a></div><p>So the <i>Rampant</i> world has spaced out and gone to infinity and beyond! That's one small step for rules, one giant leap for rampancy. When we last went rampant, black powder was still all the rage (itself a move up from javelins, arrows, and slingstones). Now we're looking at sci-fi high-tech weaponry and all that. The monolith has appeared, a new evolution is triggered.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiActn7uqlReaygmor4iTob41myp4dDx0XqPb8wYfAtbLwqnwAOI-TxAR5PoHFWlIUUJo_PMPIFaauy8u1S00MmJXQ88pYA-WnNMPHKSewt0fdtoFfecwaMLlKU3-8ZlV8rrSG1vk_6PoMLNzA-UU2QeTzYFL7A7oMJt-DYMBUUHAy3qlhi4OMqdi/s550/2001_monolith.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="367" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiActn7uqlReaygmor4iTob41myp4dDx0XqPb8wYfAtbLwqnwAOI-TxAR5PoHFWlIUUJo_PMPIFaauy8u1S00MmJXQ88pYA-WnNMPHKSewt0fdtoFfecwaMLlKU3-8ZlV8rrSG1vk_6PoMLNzA-UU2QeTzYFL7A7oMJt-DYMBUUHAy3qlhi4OMqdi/s16000/2001_monolith.png" /></a></div><p></p><p><i>Xenos Rampant</i> is a nice hardback book coming in at 192 pages, most of which is intro, unit profiles, scenarios, and appendices (which are actually more of a QRS). The core rules run from page 44 to page 72. </p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Rules overview</span></p><p>As expected from any <i>Rampant</i> product, the base mechanics are quickly grasped due to their similarity to other <i>Rampant</i> rules. However, there are exceptions that stand out with <i>Xenos Rampant </i>that makes it come into its own.</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Unit sizes</span></p><p>The basic unit size is 5 strength points for all but Militia Rabble, which is 10. Strength points (SPs) essentially equate to number of figures, but single- and reduced-model units are possible. A vehicle, for example, is a single model with 5 SPs. Elite Infantry are 5 SPs, but the unit can be two or three figures because it represents some pretty serious power-armored troopers. This is a big departure from previous rampancy where most units are 12 figures and some 6. <i>Rebels and Patriots</i> introduced the ability to increase a unit's size from 6 to 12 or 12 to 18 figures, or decrease it from 12 to 6. </p><p><i>XR</i> units can only increase, although some unit types can't be more than 5 SPs. At +2 points, the Increased Squad Size option not only gives you more figures/targets, but also increases your unit's performance. For example, the Light Infantry unit type with 5 SPs has an Attack Value of 6, Defence Value of 5+, and a Shooting Value of 6/18". If you pay the points to increase it to 10 SPs, the values become 5+, 4+, and 5+/18". The points cost isn't too dear when you consider that a base Light Infantry unit cost only 1 point, the options (and xeno rules) that start driving up the cost.</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Options galore</span></p><p>In earlier <i>Rampant</i> rules, the base cost of a unit was typically 6, 4, or 2 points. Any options for the unit added to that, but there were usually only a few options. Units in XR can be more customized, which is in fact what you're doing with any unit you build. For example, Heavy Infantry has a base cost of only 2 points, but has a wide variety of options to alter the base profile.</p><p>Xeno rules (pages 74-93) provide even more customizations that can apply to any unit type. They're similar to the fantastical rules in <i>Dragon Rampant</i>. In fact, they're very similar; mostly the names have changed and instead of magic, the effects are made by technology (or alien wizardry).</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Free actions</span></p><p>Taking a note from <i>The Men Who Would Be Kings</i>, <i>Xenos Rampant</i> allows some units to take certain actions for free, i.e., no activation roll required. In most cases, these actions are either move or shoot; however, Elite Infantry have <i>both</i> free attack and shoot actions. Kevin Smyth and I have discussed adding free actions to <i>Rebels and Patriots</i>, so it's encouraging to see it here. There are other nuances to <i>XR</i> that can be retrofitted to earlier <i>Rampant</i> rules.</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Firefight</span></p><p>The Firefight special rule (intrinsic to most units, so no cost to add) allows certain unit types to attempt simultaneous shooting at the first opposing unit to target them (i.e., once per turn at most). The rule means that you don't just have to grimace and take it when being shot at—unless you're being shot at by a lot of units. This rule, too, is something that could be retrofitted to <i>Rebels and Patriots</i> or even <i>The Pikeman's Lament</i>.</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">To maximum effective range and beyond!</span></p><p>In keeping with the big techno-shift in <i>XR</i>, most unit types can fire to infinity (or to the edge of the table, whichever is encountered first). A unit's Shooting Value is for a given range, typically 12", 18", or 24". Any unit types with a given range greater than 12" can target units beyond their range, but with a penalty of +1 to the target unit's armor value. This is similar to the long range effect in other <i>Rampant</i> rules. However, in the earlier rules you could never target a unit beyond your max range. In XR, there's effectively no max range. It's just effective range and beyond.</p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Environment agnosticism</span></p><p>I can't say that I'm an expert on sci-fi game rules, but all of them that I know of are written for a fictional environment and all unit types conform to that world. It often felt to me that the environment got in the way of the rules. I'd rather create my own fictional narrative rather than conform to another. I want rules that just let my sci-fi dudes shoot each other and the game is won or lost by tactics, guile, or dumb luck. Also, the environments often gave particular skills or technology to one faction/race/species to the chagrin or detriment of others. Playing in some games, I was often reminded of the chase in <i>Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid</i> where they couldn't believe the Pinkerton's ability to keep on their track.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="402" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-kbTbg00AJU" width="583" youtube-src-id="-kbTbg00AJU"></iframe></div><br /><p>It does begin to get on your nerves when someone you <i>seem</i> to shoot to bits just shakes it all (or most of it) off because, well, technology—technology that your faction lacks (dammit).<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0MT_i8XnpThknC3ROZgT1gJtPeXKGmh6RDQvLFCT1K-U92gX_MUz5JS9Y6KUDFXWxSRepfLS4UrbqcYiHf4-H4N_jEJpOG9vpfXbIv2ZTdgjIIbSg5KjLTK3wu9HUbkYP-xZzCq4VAdJt7sKaKnpWP8n-SRsFfg2dfIXf3_qKfGAV2XsEWpVTqdPQ/s500/Clucking%20bell.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0MT_i8XnpThknC3ROZgT1gJtPeXKGmh6RDQvLFCT1K-U92gX_MUz5JS9Y6KUDFXWxSRepfLS4UrbqcYiHf4-H4N_jEJpOG9vpfXbIv2ZTdgjIIbSg5KjLTK3wu9HUbkYP-xZzCq4VAdJt7sKaKnpWP8n-SRsFfg2dfIXf3_qKfGAV2XsEWpVTqdPQ/s16000/Clucking%20bell.png" /></a></div><p>The unit capabilities, special rules, options, and xeno rules in <i>Xenos Rampant</i> rules apply to everyone. That doesn't mean every game is a fair fight—or the forces well matched—but you get to select the abilities you want as long as you pay for them. There's no scenario where some uber-tech faction can take more hits than you, or shoot farther, or unleash more truly hellish hell on you because they're just better than you according to the game environment.</p><p><span style="font-size: large;">You saw me standing alone</span></p><p>Xenos Rampant is my return to a gaming genre I've only ever dipped my feet into, but have always had a fascination for. I played <i>Silent Death</i> in the 90s and after selling off all my stuff, returned to it again (with a much smaller footprint) in 2013, but haven't played in nearly a decade since—though I still have all my round 2 toys. In 2015 I started playing <i>Beyond the Gates of Antares</i> and buying the hideously expensive minis for it. I enjoyed that for a while, but later sold it all at our regional gaming convention for I'm pretty sure less than I paid for it.</p><p>Ever since I first saw them, I've been crushing on the <a href="https://www.oldgloryminiatures.com/products.asp?cat=25mm+Aliens+and+Spacemen" target="_blank">Blue Moon 28mm Aliens and Spacemen</a> figures that are available through Old Glory Miniatures, despite never knowing what I would do with the minis if I bought them. They're not cheap, running $44.00 for a pack of 10 figures—though still much less expensive than <i>BTGOA</i> minis. However, because I'm a member in good standing of the Old Glory Army, I can buy the packs for $26.40. I must note, however, that historical minis from Old Glory come 30 figures in a bag for the same price. Why are sci-fi minis more expensive? I guess, because they can be and gamers will still buy them. </p><p>Anyway, I ordered enough Blue Moon minis to make 2 x 5 SP Elite Infantry units, 2 x 10 SP Heavy Infantry units, and 2 x 5 SP Recon Infantry units. I'm pretty sure that after building out the units with options and xeno rules, I will have too many minis.</p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Final thoughts</span></p><p>I'm pretty excited by <i>Xenos Rampant</i>. Richard Cowen has done a great job adapting a game engine intended for Medieval warfare to a futuristic, hi-tech warfare scene. I finally have reason to buy the Blue Moon spacemen I've been wanting. I think they're a great evolution of the <i>Rampant</i> system. They can also be used for WW2 or really any 20th c. gaming. It's yet another project on my overfilled plate, but I think they'll paint quickly. It's kind of the attitude I had that launched me into <a href="http://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2022/07/1914-and-all-that.html" target="_blank">1914</a>.</p>David Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229259148925201182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99962604511527341.post-58453510087327813582022-09-29T10:01:00.004-07:002022-09-29T10:53:20.594-07:00Let's do the Rampant again!<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBajZ4AfRaOzUgDkW8IaEuL54rEcUXA0nQ1TmKdMCwioqeCmqPeHV_SmgWb16PvRBbBGjwhBi2a4eClZseJIGeKVmJgvJRUFxudeFwCGDk6gMpjW32vAg5yl_mPzICk9hNGmW48CONvDOdABRu0tpDqEHMgbsbwRG9qkqc3NjYU6dgo5KCnT85Re2q/s550/Jump_To_Left.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBajZ4AfRaOzUgDkW8IaEuL54rEcUXA0nQ1TmKdMCwioqeCmqPeHV_SmgWb16PvRBbBGjwhBi2a4eClZseJIGeKVmJgvJRUFxudeFwCGDk6gMpjW32vAg5yl_mPzICk9hNGmW48CONvDOdABRu0tpDqEHMgbsbwRG9qkqc3NjYU6dgo5KCnT85Re2q/s16000/Jump_To_Left.png" /></a></div></div><p></p><blockquote>It's astounding<br />Time is fleeting<br />Madness takes its toll<br />But listen closely<br />Not for very much longer<br />I've got to keep control</blockquote><p></p><p>Last month, without warning, I serendipitously learned that Osprey was set to release the second edition of Dan Mersey's <i>Lion Rampant</i> medieval rules (<i>LR2</i>). I *immediately* went to Amazon and pre-ordered them and found to my further serendipitous delight that the release date was just days away and my copy would be delivered on the release date, August 16th! Not to understate my reaction, but I was pleased. As the delivery day approached, I felt like a kid on the day before Christmas waiting for the hours to tick away.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2uwv-po8RCiRNkI5196nxVxfc3FV3LSw4mg4qrwQ16-KB-xAIinqMOINcfQjFG0N0ndW9l2IUMkuO5yHtYrI0tT_JuCHoQRIDvPWETuKw0UMZjDGA7cjhLh5rCIbcRyWBN1p8I5HSy2iyLQIvIHwtoB5_JeBqfoTKh3KKnlz-29YuaHIJM1Z7hPD/s550/Amazon_Waiting.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="195" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2uwv-po8RCiRNkI5196nxVxfc3FV3LSw4mg4qrwQ16-KB-xAIinqMOINcfQjFG0N0ndW9l2IUMkuO5yHtYrI0tT_JuCHoQRIDvPWETuKw0UMZjDGA7cjhLh5rCIbcRyWBN1p8I5HSy2iyLQIvIHwtoB5_JeBqfoTKh3KKnlz-29YuaHIJM1Z7hPD/s16000/Amazon_Waiting.png" /></a></div><br /><div>I had that Ramones song in my head:</div><div><div></div><blockquote><div>Twenty-twenty-twenty-four hours to go</div><div>I wanna be sedated</div><div>Nothing to do, nowhere to go home</div><div>I wanna be sedated</div></blockquote><div></div></div><div>Upon receiving the wondrous tome of rampancy, I read through it eagerly—indeed, rampantly. The following are my observations.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The song remains (mostly) the same</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>As the <a href="http://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2017/11/the-year-of-living-rampantly.html" target="_blank">Rampant</a> rules system developed, it was always tempting to retrofit rules from variants onto the older <i>LR</i> rules. The new rules don't do that in any formal sense.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's a bit of a disappointment, but actually, <i>nearly</i> all of of the rules in <i>LR2</i> remain the same as in <i>LR1</i>. The 2014 rules haven't been removed or replaced. <i>LR2</i> mostly clarifies a few rules that were murky heretofore and enhances some others. What the rules do offer, however, is alternatives or optional rules. It should be noted that most of these options have been floating around the interwebs for years. What <i>LR2</i> does is to formalize them—as options.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'd hoped for more substantive changes to courage tests into something more like what's in <i>Rebels and Patriots</i>, where only the immediate figure loss incurs minuses, rather than cumulative loss—but no.</div><div><br /></div><div>The "one and done" aspect of ending an activation phase has been irksome to players from the get-go. I was never bothered by it, but in multiplayer games there's always someone who cannot—<i>cannot</i>—roll higher than a 2 for activation and never manages to activate a single unit. They wind up sulking like Achilles in his tent, disparaging the game, the rules, you, your mother, etc. Ya gotta pity 'em (I've been there myself), but it's a rare occurrence. (Note from experience: Telling those players "sucks to be you" <i>does not</i> ameliorate the situation.) The original rule that ended your activation on any failed test, even the first, made things pretty wild and wooly. As Dan explains in the <i>LR2</i> rules, that wild and wooliness is what he intended. The alternate rule where every unit tests regardless of any failures isn't the feel he thinks the rules should have, but it's there for people who want it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Unit proximity—the rule that units must remain 3" apart from other units unless fighting them—is still there, but there's an alternative (p. 25) that reduces the distance to 1", but that requires some mental retrofitting in places where the 3" proximity rule is assumed, such as retreats and line of sight. Although some people grouse <i>ad nauseum</i> about the 3" proximity rule, I've always liked it. Not tolerated it, mind you, but <i>liked</i> it. Even with the 3" rule in play, gamers tend to bunch up as if they're trying to fit their whole retinue in as small a space as possible for, I guess, reasons... I keep having to remind players when I run a game that minis are a 3D experience, not hex and counter; there's no stacking.</div><div><br /></div><div>Even though the names of the troop types have changed, the stats haven't. Mounted Men-at-Arms are now Elite Cavalry, but the only change is the name. The name change allows more inclusion of types that might not otherwise be considered on par with the fully-armored knights of Agincourt etc.</div><div><br /></div><div>The fact that there are no substantive changes to the rules indicates that <i>LR1</i> works exactly the way Dan wanted it to work, what's there to change?</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd0JnQBhrk1t1__35MRkfTZsapdnwcKoaI2WHfQy2yTahC2E5QgYULuMpv1qlVTSz4Mg7Eq9Uyw8sWSSEcMFDdN-jSEIjOq7jzTYxyO34OKpBjYgOIYF11NDuGBTfkUhN7UkIZce_1O_rstv-GV3vSBb2BT1n5mF_goTr_uggYupPpZc-fsQ7qO3gc/s400/JJ9I.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd0JnQBhrk1t1__35MRkfTZsapdnwcKoaI2WHfQy2yTahC2E5QgYULuMpv1qlVTSz4Mg7Eq9Uyw8sWSSEcMFDdN-jSEIjOq7jzTYxyO34OKpBjYgOIYF11NDuGBTfkUhN7UkIZce_1O_rstv-GV3vSBb2BT1n5mF_goTr_uggYupPpZc-fsQ7qO3gc/s16000/JJ9I.gif" /></a></div><br /><div>In the bits that outline optional or alternative rules, Dan explains some of his philosophy behind the rule and generally expresses his preference for it. In other words: Here's the alternative you've been clamouring for—but you really shouldn't use it. It feels a bit like that line from the Monty Python <i>Bruces</i> sketch: "As he's going to be teaching politics, I've told him he's welcome to teach any of the great socialist thinkers, provided he makes it clear that <i>they were wrong</i>."</div><div><br /></div><div><b style="font-size: large;">Changes (OK, so there are some)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>As mentioned, the names of the troop types have changed to allow for a more inclusive approach. They still remain medievaloid in flavor, but calling your Dark Age hearthguard "Elite Foot" rather than "Foot Men-at-Arms" feels more appropriate, even if the substance is the same.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Retinue" is now "warband." I shall not comply. A rose by any other name may smell as sweet, but it's still properly called a <i>rose</i>, dammit! As Cicero wrote, "Here is your Stoic decision—'The wise man will call a spade a spade.'" Thus, a retinue is a retinue. So let it be written, so let it be done.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Schiltron" is now "wall of spears," which reminds me too much of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wall_of_Voodoo" target="_blank">Wall of Voodoo</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucStH5Bdy9llNFHdZWmi-rvA6dj75HW8026yMsN7ddOVx49mjhlUEOSWXmk36K1sHYqQftPJe2Tyfsc-codTzdMltp5bPf3mS3D9C_gTFeGWkh1cZhfBFesDpzAGJIYgcMgjynl_B0ShMX5wbsoefAl21Ev4CS1Zbd00xvllil1Jk-ptFK0BcPK9u/s550/WallOfVoodoo.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucStH5Bdy9llNFHdZWmi-rvA6dj75HW8026yMsN7ddOVx49mjhlUEOSWXmk36K1sHYqQftPJe2Tyfsc-codTzdMltp5bPf3mS3D9C_gTFeGWkh1cZhfBFesDpzAGJIYgcMgjynl_B0ShMX5wbsoefAl21Ev4CS1Zbd00xvllil1Jk-ptFK0BcPK9u/s16000/WallOfVoodoo.png" /></a></div><br /><div>I think I would have preferred "spearwall," which nicely parallels "shieldwall" ("wall of shields"?). Although "wall of voodoo" would be a nice addition to <i>Dragon Rampant</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>More substantively, leaders now intrinsically have the <i>Commanding</i> skill, which provides a +1 to activations for units within 12". This is consistent with what <i>The Pikeman's Lament</i> and <i>Rebels and Patriots</i> do.</div><div><br /></div><div>Also, a failed wild charge test (i.e., when you didn't go off on a wild charge) doesn't end the activation for the testing unit. The "failed" unit can subsequently test for a regular activation.</div><div><br /></div><div><b style="font-size: large;">Additions</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Dan has added handgonners as an optional troop type using three different models, no less! And yes, as my stalwart blog readers can attest, <a href="http://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2016/01/fearsome-boomsticks-of-war.html" target="_blank">I do love me them fearsome boomsticks of war</a>. These are the same optional rules that Dan provided years ago on a Boardgame Geek forum because I'm not the only handgonne-lover in town.</div><div><br /></div><div>The rules also provide an option for slingers as a specific troop type, rather than just an alternate set of figures to use as archers. They don't shoot as far (max. 12"), but they cost less at 3 pts. You can use the extra point to buy a commander skill or upgrade another unit.</div><div><br /></div><div>The rules have expanded backwards to the Dark Ages, so my existing and in-progress <i>Saga</i> armies can be made to do double duty.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Clarifications</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>There are several clarifications, which I won't detail here. Let it suffice to say that some of those murky "how do I work this?" rules are now made more explicit or at least their murkiness dispelled. There's an appendix (Appendix C) in the rules that list all the differences from 1st edition.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Inspiration</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>The new edition (or re-release) has inspired me to paint medieval minis. I bought into Footsore's initial kickstarter for their Baron's Wars range. They sat in the box they came in for quite a while. I've now pulled them out and started painting them. I also acquired more figures so I could make a full RETINUE.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've only done eight bowmen so far. That's all I got in the kickstarter. I have four more now, so I can make a full unit of 12. I also got slingers to use as skirmishers (although I do like the old name "bidowers"). Even more than handgonnes, <a href="http://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2014/08/lo-lowly-slinger.html" target="_blank">I love slingers</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvJN9fkJRIF1a-g943fsx295f6QCbv89jbMqgbSrHVxd3JDCZ5IkBBtDmc56saSHomAlXOvvN9fYmIHo__fc4UNrbnFK44CLznw1mFJhmMCSWriDdi5oya7wdZvJS4pymfoUoJpRkDGWkY5S3VCrkIhKnObZcwgnXw9muJCMDk5SDHcuX7ffYxOOp/s550/Bowmen1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvJN9fkJRIF1a-g943fsx295f6QCbv89jbMqgbSrHVxd3JDCZ5IkBBtDmc56saSHomAlXOvvN9fYmIHo__fc4UNrbnFK44CLznw1mFJhmMCSWriDdi5oya7wdZvJS4pymfoUoJpRkDGWkY5S3VCrkIhKnObZcwgnXw9muJCMDk5SDHcuX7ffYxOOp/s16000/Bowmen1.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6xwKl1qKjHQvZyEb-Rgu_-ouUCEeat918vZo2kwxewFb5FvbKYTR4XdfVuRQqwS6_jf-skJ056HtRkZq9TDp08DpeQ8EbgDZnCX3T1aXk-uINu4u_aV6BvprQB8yF4jqREj5jtvYlgLI-qJN_Sp54V9bSdjZEvbREpDTNjmWeY8xY729qvAAVsS-I/s550/Bowmen2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6xwKl1qKjHQvZyEb-Rgu_-ouUCEeat918vZo2kwxewFb5FvbKYTR4XdfVuRQqwS6_jf-skJ056HtRkZq9TDp08DpeQ8EbgDZnCX3T1aXk-uINu4u_aV6BvprQB8yF4jqREj5jtvYlgLI-qJN_Sp54V9bSdjZEvbREpDTNjmWeY8xY729qvAAVsS-I/s16000/Bowmen2.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUzcUAGby3h9hUO56zGSBqrOsfMTRvucMa-TX3rUc78OVQ38U-Qfk-emccjKRpOdfPQ2vmCZmnJjjuqL8q9c5trMmjwRLNd8t44OgiYbA4LgahA3G0szlNHInxZjxHIzf6u8wcVX8F2W5LB-Erbv7JNNiGSiiMrfmPdLdnofeNT9Cy98n24UVYcQOd/s550/Bowmen3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUzcUAGby3h9hUO56zGSBqrOsfMTRvucMa-TX3rUc78OVQ38U-Qfk-emccjKRpOdfPQ2vmCZmnJjjuqL8q9c5trMmjwRLNd8t44OgiYbA4LgahA3G0szlNHInxZjxHIzf6u8wcVX8F2W5LB-Erbv7JNNiGSiiMrfmPdLdnofeNT9Cy98n24UVYcQOd/s16000/Bowmen3.png" /></a></div><br /><div>I look forward to playing a lot more <i>Lion Rampant</i>, which includes finally getting some traction on the long-unfinished Medieval minis that have had no love from me for more than a decade (almost two!).</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Don't dream it, be it</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I recommend the new edition. It's got a nice hardback format, the extras and clarifications are worth the price, and—most importantly—all your friends have theirs. In short: Dammit, Janet, give the new <i>Lion Rampant</i> a try. It's just a jump to the left...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv54U91EC4EVhRnBWCDEikjnzSZIVIBiLSKz5ucki9F-putOJihcbtQILLx0c1cAgbM9nXw0UEOPgyDo83kQ5lGW5xRCPxSWLVPsfu2Nxr7OqpwEGP4OkB95sMILRUf71VyJIibcup-V1J62ZrGq58Q7zBO0M7ODpqC7jrueXhbYo1ajgrhlgMSRGE/s550/RH_Image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="309" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv54U91EC4EVhRnBWCDEikjnzSZIVIBiLSKz5ucki9F-putOJihcbtQILLx0c1cAgbM9nXw0UEOPgyDo83kQ5lGW5xRCPxSWLVPsfu2Nxr7OqpwEGP4OkB95sMILRUf71VyJIibcup-V1J62ZrGq58Q7zBO0M7ODpqC7jrueXhbYo1ajgrhlgMSRGE/s16000/RH_Image.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I remember doing the Rampant</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Drinking those moments when</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The blackness would hit me</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And the void would be calling</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br />Let's do the Rampant again!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Let's do the Rampant again!</div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div></div><div><br /></div>David Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229259148925201182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99962604511527341.post-51593730062974028052022-09-28T09:10:00.003-07:002022-09-28T09:28:53.126-07:00The state of things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Z5D-XWhZ_jlLOYX295dUqyzWnzbkwOqsyXZ2MlFFhyOavbLTeliCzGGQAgq_UFFEiYhwGcB-Zcr5nrtqWIkzimoElZK4Zv5S2SY9NcEDUqRK2cVS3NP-zsexvOZW4Uum9MzGxnwB1dfRvvgTDVQe7sIuXlSlMtHoEbb_nutMSurrrgGbkuHj6pXS/s550/banner1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="284" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Z5D-XWhZ_jlLOYX295dUqyzWnzbkwOqsyXZ2MlFFhyOavbLTeliCzGGQAgq_UFFEiYhwGcB-Zcr5nrtqWIkzimoElZK4Zv5S2SY9NcEDUqRK2cVS3NP-zsexvOZW4Uum9MzGxnwB1dfRvvgTDVQe7sIuXlSlMtHoEbb_nutMSurrrgGbkuHj6pXS/s16000/banner1.png" /></a></div><p>Reflecting back over the last two years or so since the whole COVID thing came along, I realize that my blogging activity has been feeble. My loyal fans (or fan—there must be at least one) are perhaps wondering what I've been up to. In a word, much. I just haven't been vomiting up my experiences in blog posts. So, to catch you up, here's a (relatively) brief précis of my doings.</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cats (of course)</b></span></p><p>As I blogged last year, <a href="http://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2021/04/i-live-with-cat.html" target="_blank">my beloved little boy Bogart died</a>, which reduced me to just one cat, Maebh. What I didn't blog about—or didn't post about (I started it, but...)—is that about five weeks after Bogart died, I went and adopted a new cat, whom I named Tybalt.</p><p>He's a cowcat like his predecessors.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3YBTr-d8A0NAxkwVG1wEnFbsAE4LN55HU6mDIDer5UXZDjzuM1ImFBIzPhA1ka5tcOk_dyRd14dPxHMo3xhu_9odOUNmmTRPu6N2Pw3YUqlCjILxFMHePnl9PJK_ZQMgxsCZXFkAn5N5Tebge4O1YnHjRb8B-PDAjYwxNXgLhCT2zy77Nn5dqXJL/s550/MyTybalt.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="497" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3YBTr-d8A0NAxkwVG1wEnFbsAE4LN55HU6mDIDer5UXZDjzuM1ImFBIzPhA1ka5tcOk_dyRd14dPxHMo3xhu_9odOUNmmTRPu6N2Pw3YUqlCjILxFMHePnl9PJK_ZQMgxsCZXFkAn5N5Tebge4O1YnHjRb8B-PDAjYwxNXgLhCT2zy77Nn5dqXJL/s16000/MyTybalt.png" /></a></div><p>He has thumbs!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPetA1sTmWZup2puAtwOq_b731V-KnlpPDVfqsNcErapekBfj_BKoUacIiJvpwTPo66tHxZISjFSDgEZToKivRafAdAud37y-HvBVfsDjE_adXDzpBTwpaeCX75Ibinw2EKsPO4YwgevwoDGCH4s7X2E3dTz7L-0YWhNw1t_d7ekZ6De6k2vVaZ4M/s550/Thumbs.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPetA1sTmWZup2puAtwOq_b731V-KnlpPDVfqsNcErapekBfj_BKoUacIiJvpwTPo66tHxZISjFSDgEZToKivRafAdAud37y-HvBVfsDjE_adXDzpBTwpaeCX75Ibinw2EKsPO4YwgevwoDGCH4s7X2E3dTz7L-0YWhNw1t_d7ekZ6De6k2vVaZ4M/s16000/Thumbs.png" /></a></div><p>His name is an homage to Bogey, let me explain: I called <a href="http://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2008/08/appetite-that-walks-meet-grendel.html" target="_blank">Grendel</a> "King of Cats" because, well, he was. When I adopted Bogart, I called him "Prince of Cats," because he was regal in his own way, but far less imperious than Grendel, who unmistakably ruled the house in his time. After Bogart died, I started a (not yet published) blog post about him called "More than prince of cats." That phrase comes from Shakespeare, <i>Romeo and Juliet,</i> Act II, scene 4. Tybalt is Juliet's cousin, whom Romeo kills in a duel after Tybalt killed Romeo's friend Mercutio. Before all the killing, Mercutio, speaking with Benvolio, calls Tybalt, "more than prince of cats," hence the name. Tybalt is also an anthropomorphic cat character in the medieval stories of <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reynard_the_Fox" target="_blank">Reynard the Fox</a></i>. That's probably where The Bard got the name.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7o6JQXgRLi699vA-MNr868hNgpvr7kOwwnz9TQfe9t2-Ce6vKcMdCh9zODCFvd6lJyR2PCrcMOzMsOb5b2c0qxnBdc-q2iBey3y3GeuewAro08ACMKG9ls7RwQWO1EYhYJQI1Q7cRZHpnMMxx7t6epJB2MfbuxHEtSDKs1Ryu4l7kmQLW3sjj8LAK/s550/Tybalt_Reynard.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7o6JQXgRLi699vA-MNr868hNgpvr7kOwwnz9TQfe9t2-Ce6vKcMdCh9zODCFvd6lJyR2PCrcMOzMsOb5b2c0qxnBdc-q2iBey3y3GeuewAro08ACMKG9ls7RwQWO1EYhYJQI1Q7cRZHpnMMxx7t6epJB2MfbuxHEtSDKs1Ryu4l7kmQLW3sjj8LAK/s16000/Tybalt_Reynard.png" /></a></div><p>As I feared would be the case, Maebh doesn't like Tybalt any better than she liked Bogart. Her heart is only for The King (and me). So, after a 5-week period of free-roaming in my house, I'm back to a divided house alternating one cat shut in a room while the other has free reign of the house. It works, but for those five weeks with just Maebh around, I felt the former freedom I had with not having to protect my entrances and exits from closed rooms lest the wrong cat get out or in and calamity ensue.</p><p>Maebh is becoming a crabbier, crazier old lady. In 2020, she was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, heart disease, kidney disease, and cancer. She's still going strong for an 18-year-old cat with all those maladies. The only visible sign of her ordeal is the weight loss. The hyperthyroidism is masking all the other stuff. She's still the queen of my lap and the disturber of my peace. I'm not looking forward to losing her, but I am anticipating those things that will come easier when she's gone, like reading and sleeping through the night.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMf55XcV8YGtuZTLehTZqkDuy1Hj_a758iwTMqGQZJqAHwmRvonICApJnS-Fb-JTCovE6Rg-I4OvPW1dQ_yy2q6zU9YLOMZ9_Em0eedvzPdQbOqHwK6rvepD39dXtfqiYWYSAlLibSYaqU29-S-dlJpIaEeEoww7plEEQwbVwhz6GqVA4U70f9OzaI/s733/Maebh_lap.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMf55XcV8YGtuZTLehTZqkDuy1Hj_a758iwTMqGQZJqAHwmRvonICApJnS-Fb-JTCovE6Rg-I4OvPW1dQ_yy2q6zU9YLOMZ9_Em0eedvzPdQbOqHwK6rvepD39dXtfqiYWYSAlLibSYaqU29-S-dlJpIaEeEoww7plEEQwbVwhz6GqVA4U70f9OzaI/s16000/Maebh_lap.png" /></a></div><p>Bogart's death left me with a melancholy that comes and goes. He was still young and I feel guilt that I may have been able to prolong his life if I'd done something different. However, cats with heart disease have an average survival of 6-12 months. Bogey managed to last over two years. I expected that with Maebh's dire diagnosis in 2020 it would be just me and Bogey. Maebh outlived him. She's indestructible. I'm starting to suspect that she'll outlive us all.</p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Projects</span></b></p><p>Oh, the projects! I keep vowing to start no new projects and no sooner do the words pass my lips than I start a new project. I often blame others (cough, <a href="https://agamerstales.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Kevin Smyth</a>, cough) for dragging me into something they've started, but I find I'm a culprit myself on more occasions than not. We were deciding on a theme for our 2023 Enfilade! convention. One person suggested that we theme it "New eras and armies that my friends and I convinced each other to buy, paint and play."</p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The Mexico thing</span></b></p><p>I <a href="http://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2021/11/por-que-no-los-dos.html" target="_blank">blogged</a> about our Mexican War project and how that expanded for me into the Texas Revolution project also. I've managed to play two <i><a href="http://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2019/01/a-patriotic-rebel-i-review-of-ospreys.html" target="_blank">Rebels and Patriots</a></i> games of the Mexican War using my Americans. The Mexicans for that project are still bright, shiny metal.</p><p>The first of the games was in Tacoma while I was in between jobs and free to play on weekdays. The second was in Dave Schueler's living room. My dragoons managed to cover themselves with glory, chasing the defending Mexicans across the bridge. There were a lot of bad Mexican die rolls and we make the Mexicans poor shooters to reflect that fact that their gunpowder was almost all charcoal. Dave played the Mexicans trying to reinforce and succor a redoubt against Kevin's and my gringos. It seemed like a foregone conclusion, but Dave fought well.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2tYUQgWSOvNJ_pwTtFpEOOn7P0nZ2LRxKzavH0g3Dx4Gjr59hn_LSJnVRmEtHSFms0sHl92BWSIjgHkxIRVetwDetujWA1SOoupTeoP5yBjHvv6bvvrBayFuHZgTgPb60gapgofxHAjoyPpFICNK1WvmyASrS_Ne6Xx1bWkOUM2a-kEJ-Z9NWgFrr/s550/MexAm_Game1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2tYUQgWSOvNJ_pwTtFpEOOn7P0nZ2LRxKzavH0g3Dx4Gjr59hn_LSJnVRmEtHSFms0sHl92BWSIjgHkxIRVetwDetujWA1SOoupTeoP5yBjHvv6bvvrBayFuHZgTgPb60gapgofxHAjoyPpFICNK1WvmyASrS_Ne6Xx1bWkOUM2a-kEJ-Z9NWgFrr/s16000/MexAm_Game1.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjET1kye39vDZKQDLPNUdjD_9GyMZze_3zubAjrB4UiHFDhoihAxZLLlOt_M4q9eBG8GJIKAMH2q7P3HpWSQjpJmUM69Cf7B16Saqq3wyIVSSUN-xSThnE21sLwD2jl4pynudKNIHGvVi5TVT6m6pYNl-jhX4EDR7wgTcKfuIYThQd6b7yJvmXfaUhP/s550/MexAm_Game2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjET1kye39vDZKQDLPNUdjD_9GyMZze_3zubAjrB4UiHFDhoihAxZLLlOt_M4q9eBG8GJIKAMH2q7P3HpWSQjpJmUM69Cf7B16Saqq3wyIVSSUN-xSThnE21sLwD2jl4pynudKNIHGvVi5TVT6m6pYNl-jhX4EDR7wgTcKfuIYThQd6b7yJvmXfaUhP/s16000/MexAm_Game2.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyWwCIBMf2KWlz06Ka4qrXMwF7-Qzq82PmfEG84gVkLvd35ijOTl9watD80A5oEr7YKaUz37-HaycHXvmpf4s_G-8bPErskke82jBfeSr7uT_kZ1DaM-2d3TadQyqTbTkFGj31hPbmdIvymnQf0F8Uyi0TJpeLUEw2ebjarPDy2D_4uF2A260q2BH/s550/MexAm_Game3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyWwCIBMf2KWlz06Ka4qrXMwF7-Qzq82PmfEG84gVkLvd35ijOTl9watD80A5oEr7YKaUz37-HaycHXvmpf4s_G-8bPErskke82jBfeSr7uT_kZ1DaM-2d3TadQyqTbTkFGj31hPbmdIvymnQf0F8Uyi0TJpeLUEw2ebjarPDy2D_4uF2A260q2BH/s16000/MexAm_Game3.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5doFlr7a_telcyhFtSGEAyUtYJvBLfzARfDZtkLjYluxbg38h7CTgGIqYc-sEuRLHlINk04AItZAwOeS7_mcaM_V2gNbf34cpUyRPRXNvzrtqZqxFg2itMMtgTxUBvV-BeKwM5mUd_2drzJYUaqQiLFYO7amcspipGc0ChvyjP8xwzinm8mu7TqF/s550/MexAm_Game4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="472" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5doFlr7a_telcyhFtSGEAyUtYJvBLfzARfDZtkLjYluxbg38h7CTgGIqYc-sEuRLHlINk04AItZAwOeS7_mcaM_V2gNbf34cpUyRPRXNvzrtqZqxFg2itMMtgTxUBvV-BeKwM5mUd_2drzJYUaqQiLFYO7amcspipGc0ChvyjP8xwzinm8mu7TqF/s16000/MexAm_Game4.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjanIrUcT7-nBvLptE5nPmKFQpLMpnezsnOvzstC6pmfllxKdAiENvD5gQZVgPHFs1-JOhY2uWIY4c44FZxw6TGXBgLieKFFqSlAQ9U2iOKpntZPA0Lrx6NJoBQYM68nKoFgf_ZMpoSAz3Xi0CZoBtSdbjvjSKuWHnH9_V3A6ndncAqTMKu8wJW19C/s550/MexAm_Game5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="418" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjanIrUcT7-nBvLptE5nPmKFQpLMpnezsnOvzstC6pmfllxKdAiENvD5gQZVgPHFs1-JOhY2uWIY4c44FZxw6TGXBgLieKFFqSlAQ9U2iOKpntZPA0Lrx6NJoBQYM68nKoFgf_ZMpoSAz3Xi0CZoBtSdbjvjSKuWHnH9_V3A6ndncAqTMKu8wJW19C/s16000/MexAm_Game5.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlgGN3Yl0zgO_MaTpvEtD1_vMGvhNHhWitIrM9U5TEWDkV65F57hOWCFebeBZrV9hD2JhbmD_KKT-1z9xhfQAzw1ZjgKhUVnv-l9P0tJsklsuPDXlUbDLSJe43D4MpBBT6KwlJfxkTrPk7MNN-633_M6e-SGbLLYaZpWm6FNwExYYMkdxDsxZggguw/s550/MexAm_Game6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="469" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlgGN3Yl0zgO_MaTpvEtD1_vMGvhNHhWitIrM9U5TEWDkV65F57hOWCFebeBZrV9hD2JhbmD_KKT-1z9xhfQAzw1ZjgKhUVnv-l9P0tJsklsuPDXlUbDLSJe43D4MpBBT6KwlJfxkTrPk7MNN-633_M6e-SGbLLYaZpWm6FNwExYYMkdxDsxZggguw/s16000/MexAm_Game6.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCbzO2WHAg0ikwZrCi4rFls-Vd7RG80lQzU_SxNzZXOhdNwUwKiLVPrlmfF_DMzxEtQQmNhucV9pZe5TyV86LO65sKRcD3RZIWXoA9xSwhkQ1ZAoHLDfyCgTYHW4_Vig52_at8h96rPNxxezCegEPMxW8mwHTLDuF-OOPyCPMflv0g0VMTbhc66C8/s550/MexAm_Game7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCbzO2WHAg0ikwZrCi4rFls-Vd7RG80lQzU_SxNzZXOhdNwUwKiLVPrlmfF_DMzxEtQQmNhucV9pZe5TyV86LO65sKRcD3RZIWXoA9xSwhkQ1ZAoHLDfyCgTYHW4_Vig52_at8h96rPNxxezCegEPMxW8mwHTLDuF-OOPyCPMflv0g0VMTbhc66C8/s16000/MexAm_Game7.png" /></a></div><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The Tex-Mex thing</span></b></p><p>I completed my first batch of Texians. More to come, but I got pulled into other things (see below).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOLMomJHsvBHoBN4W8GhdCxWWyd1hqzJ_a0sirJNGo3xshrCwD46iP9V-h8RiL9r86UywA2cZCTeqK9bEJlXuXygNcLAcJeyH4jXj54KZ5zBX6ul3O26KMKd7F6JQAWv8dslSDNT4bNi6OyR_oAnEpFkct1ey-pUxesFXZavn7eC7O5pZgDUO8Q4L/s550/TR_001.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOLMomJHsvBHoBN4W8GhdCxWWyd1hqzJ_a0sirJNGo3xshrCwD46iP9V-h8RiL9r86UywA2cZCTeqK9bEJlXuXygNcLAcJeyH4jXj54KZ5zBX6ul3O26KMKd7F6JQAWv8dslSDNT4bNi6OyR_oAnEpFkct1ey-pUxesFXZavn7eC7O5pZgDUO8Q4L/s16000/TR_001.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCmOTU8TNZrxfABF1_9QwiDhm51LU8OxgaOEbM54n6e1wTryr_ywn5BuZjs3pMXOK5wrZXjuVK0JNPrnJXd_el3meqXXjb5FryYAp_pXwttviB1VP6n94EaYfUAncIFwnGEjXvMUWuDs0WJhWuE9Q2uOWV5ZNTh5J4e3k_Jgk4b9jwsnI8WV0PDya/s550/TR_002.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCmOTU8TNZrxfABF1_9QwiDhm51LU8OxgaOEbM54n6e1wTryr_ywn5BuZjs3pMXOK5wrZXjuVK0JNPrnJXd_el3meqXXjb5FryYAp_pXwttviB1VP6n94EaYfUAncIFwnGEjXvMUWuDs0WJhWuE9Q2uOWV5ZNTh5J4e3k_Jgk4b9jwsnI8WV0PDya/s16000/TR_002.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEividO_p26Q9oiCECKAeldBs6u-pReaPR1m3ZJFhe7BGsRgrZp2vCFZyxP9ccykC8d0UELdIxjLsSN4FJyQXUZ7ODF8jtEiWIjh5Lc3zZ2RFS5kshVSNvaVaTeK1e2EOQfFYsOhg1cKp_NuUfGhZUG_kWQRq1bq07JoxOfWJNVdh5ZusMeqzF5xBthU/s550/TR_003.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEividO_p26Q9oiCECKAeldBs6u-pReaPR1m3ZJFhe7BGsRgrZp2vCFZyxP9ccykC8d0UELdIxjLsSN4FJyQXUZ7ODF8jtEiWIjh5Lc3zZ2RFS5kshVSNvaVaTeK1e2EOQfFYsOhg1cKp_NuUfGhZUG_kWQRq1bq07JoxOfWJNVdh5ZusMeqzF5xBthU/s16000/TR_003.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKONvYEADlA08qMMaXnRKK4ZUd0NxeRaIWg_82YAhBzwpX9mAF_ubpdZbHqrljT1qZFQI2_PBBiwZpTye7vQOpaMKN2U3Wc7UB_BFQq9fZR45UWNYUO_uuipW9-QVvVnt35xsX80gwJj4XKGz6V1nUGEn8QskUMBsius84p_CLZwkrYr31JnFM956/s550/TR_004.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKONvYEADlA08qMMaXnRKK4ZUd0NxeRaIWg_82YAhBzwpX9mAF_ubpdZbHqrljT1qZFQI2_PBBiwZpTye7vQOpaMKN2U3Wc7UB_BFQq9fZR45UWNYUO_uuipW9-QVvVnt35xsX80gwJj4XKGz6V1nUGEn8QskUMBsius84p_CLZwkrYr31JnFM956/s16000/TR_004.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8lHahGfOIS3UOapd4O8gsfbXq5xOiK2tKi0yGCnuyz3mIjWq3YkRzyWC20MPdMwT5UCqEUMDCjjrsbfPnDLJVou1BjIR1zzyRtLIVerR6UiBlBBXTX26OMZi15mWgGU7TS3SKCQ8vK-D3CNi32gWFNMrm0qVf0PXHoGhS6mOHxR6Yy8QZ7quWqvxQ/s550/TR_005.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8lHahGfOIS3UOapd4O8gsfbXq5xOiK2tKi0yGCnuyz3mIjWq3YkRzyWC20MPdMwT5UCqEUMDCjjrsbfPnDLJVou1BjIR1zzyRtLIVerR6UiBlBBXTX26OMZi15mWgGU7TS3SKCQ8vK-D3CNi32gWFNMrm0qVf0PXHoGhS6mOHxR6Yy8QZ7quWqvxQ/s16000/TR_005.png" /></a></div><br /><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">1914</span></b></p><p>I've always been interested in gaming the first months of WW1 when the armies were mobile and hadn't bogged down into years of trench warfare (on the Western Front at least). I <a href="http://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2022/07/1914-and-all-that.html" target="_blank">blogged</a> about the start of this project recently and it's just grown from there. More people have joined. I'm fighting on two fronts. I even managed to get in a game against Mike Lombardy and his French.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VR207kNYO94YXk_JzQ6oEWNZkcs8TlNfk10sIIWPDcWmfTJY3tgbswBkdZJ6Up2PMKLtgKUen9cFRJR_KmAGXD4yjOiUY4nPo4n18zsl7lm4EqbwqHoVtBCPcimZIB5pFCh1f_aU55y9ebxXefTb1xLTK3AI4sqYUNAB8cBbECNwdTg5fVsCNq2R/s550/FR_GR_Game1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VR207kNYO94YXk_JzQ6oEWNZkcs8TlNfk10sIIWPDcWmfTJY3tgbswBkdZJ6Up2PMKLtgKUen9cFRJR_KmAGXD4yjOiUY4nPo4n18zsl7lm4EqbwqHoVtBCPcimZIB5pFCh1f_aU55y9ebxXefTb1xLTK3AI4sqYUNAB8cBbECNwdTg5fVsCNq2R/s16000/FR_GR_Game1.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazD3B3z8y6yqs0n782k-nyumLnbv04wNP9VrUewef8c73Uds07Z5gny9iY8siNc2UMrbeIs3oL76Zz92lCHFRsRFGEL710kgos5nk4BmvjQjaB58YUaS-XqVCxZDU05wK8jevHFaA2ZLbb4KmkOqTrJaJS63HjZDvQRVKw7Ajhkaur1EXrxj2hgp_/s550/FR_GR_Game2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="438" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazD3B3z8y6yqs0n782k-nyumLnbv04wNP9VrUewef8c73Uds07Z5gny9iY8siNc2UMrbeIs3oL76Zz92lCHFRsRFGEL710kgos5nk4BmvjQjaB58YUaS-XqVCxZDU05wK8jevHFaA2ZLbb4KmkOqTrJaJS63HjZDvQRVKw7Ajhkaur1EXrxj2hgp_/s16000/FR_GR_Game2.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lF3IuIP5kVyKPZBoJGhlUSssQWquxxTfMjUAqUAJRPnyJ7Tad5UKWTG9cb8rnkT4kVp9Lu_oYV3ew9gdHabs6cOTYHNQSR-Ho6B5fJCkF2IWHQAyl89d9b6ACLiAcdItu1A_Whf1XzTaP_dyZeGP5bOP3aytduLgcusTiIb9KRgtRYjD8n0MiSgj/s550/FR_GR_Game3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lF3IuIP5kVyKPZBoJGhlUSssQWquxxTfMjUAqUAJRPnyJ7Tad5UKWTG9cb8rnkT4kVp9Lu_oYV3ew9gdHabs6cOTYHNQSR-Ho6B5fJCkF2IWHQAyl89d9b6ACLiAcdItu1A_Whf1XzTaP_dyZeGP5bOP3aytduLgcusTiIb9KRgtRYjD8n0MiSgj/s16000/FR_GR_Game3.png" /></a></div><p>We also got a game in with Kevin's B.E.F. against my Germans and "Kaiser Bill" Stewart's Germans. In this game we learned that attacking a defended position is not easy. It was also a first stab at a multiplayer game. The 1914 rules seem intended as 1:1 games because there's a lot of interaction and backing and forthing that works best when only two players are involved.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWnz4f4TFIp-sHqDpXvbCL02plIhA_F1D2Of3Rf3GWimxpFCyMaey5V8yok3HPhweRjO8nHmcUpPBRcGYoEsfdQUIsUiZVCQMYWpYeXVwuCTpqWm9dEX_qa7gNgo-OB98jJmB8YAyJji9A7APMX4rh6NY4sKzCFZIOultbD-6aezvPTcSFBrYqr5E/s573/GER_BEF_Game1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWnz4f4TFIp-sHqDpXvbCL02plIhA_F1D2Of3Rf3GWimxpFCyMaey5V8yok3HPhweRjO8nHmcUpPBRcGYoEsfdQUIsUiZVCQMYWpYeXVwuCTpqWm9dEX_qa7gNgo-OB98jJmB8YAyJji9A7APMX4rh6NY4sKzCFZIOultbD-6aezvPTcSFBrYqr5E/s16000/GER_BEF_Game1.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivC4SxTFt5346GZ6rE8R47biwClEr-O6E3BD7bhiNXSBH1iwptwxvQPK-I31yStEwoC0AoI6w3im0TBo98zLCvQ7Tn_twcF4oUgNDkY8phOSr4xKhX42rsXj5BLgRc7ORBJzktpVZQNIrlmkzCC_pqAo08OKkxjKLhY1Ee9mVOGA--98cLgm6SeVYw/s550/GER_BEF_Game2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="543" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivC4SxTFt5346GZ6rE8R47biwClEr-O6E3BD7bhiNXSBH1iwptwxvQPK-I31yStEwoC0AoI6w3im0TBo98zLCvQ7Tn_twcF4oUgNDkY8phOSr4xKhX42rsXj5BLgRc7ORBJzktpVZQNIrlmkzCC_pqAo08OKkxjKLhY1Ee9mVOGA--98cLgm6SeVYw/s16000/GER_BEF_Game2.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurNX88XniJrvR5OISvnj3xLE7ridR5MLMM0SLvL4XVZeyGuCA-DkO0HKVv7Y5nqc8Qz1z-w5tCfZIHGlTTftU7rubOdYF1OxxA8sMFazQrrKCllHCtNdfzPL7VK8Up8yREeeXjREiFJiR2i1K3U0z5t1ZhYnOVkxiytPx2aJ2noaCHfQueQNkSbPE/s550/GER_BEF_Game3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurNX88XniJrvR5OISvnj3xLE7ridR5MLMM0SLvL4XVZeyGuCA-DkO0HKVv7Y5nqc8Qz1z-w5tCfZIHGlTTftU7rubOdYF1OxxA8sMFazQrrKCllHCtNdfzPL7VK8Up8yREeeXjREiFJiR2i1K3U0z5t1ZhYnOVkxiytPx2aJ2noaCHfQueQNkSbPE/s16000/GER_BEF_Game3.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirfGCrwvq94S0CojgbxRYGvEpj_7uks__xbxKfwDctXO7VjDOumwYLS1U9Ou7G0x7Ut-GW4AZjAbtPrP2MGcBooNIPTleU4JQbETadpwWdgp7O8EvhnOWUYf_LnSPllG0U9EdeVcXYDlo_OBAzsWemo7yi93V6EYFGbGFUx4bjVQ_qbu4lJwGAjbz/s550/GER_BEF_Game4.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirfGCrwvq94S0CojgbxRYGvEpj_7uks__xbxKfwDctXO7VjDOumwYLS1U9Ou7G0x7Ut-GW4AZjAbtPrP2MGcBooNIPTleU4JQbETadpwWdgp7O8EvhnOWUYf_LnSPllG0U9EdeVcXYDlo_OBAzsWemo7yi93V6EYFGbGFUx4bjVQ_qbu4lJwGAjbz/s16000/GER_BEF_Game4.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXe2n7okffVl2QwuzrbODmxeMZ_jUk-t3d3onNVqP_lbolh9hlfzx9Go0s78IMq0zfa_SSJ83_9RFq8OzNBmJII2M_nrcrM_NlQObpUX29HOWWAGLC0OLWecni-A1eyy1LJn0VrTjt4BiN64h611xmuUgr2k7uSmFpeHOc4uJe4Wv-BGero8eGoQ2/s550/GER_BEF_Game5.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXe2n7okffVl2QwuzrbODmxeMZ_jUk-t3d3onNVqP_lbolh9hlfzx9Go0s78IMq0zfa_SSJ83_9RFq8OzNBmJII2M_nrcrM_NlQObpUX29HOWWAGLC0OLWecni-A1eyy1LJn0VrTjt4BiN64h611xmuUgr2k7uSmFpeHOc4uJe4Wv-BGero8eGoQ2/s16000/GER_BEF_Game5.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdYIX-29yGTnteNt9PwC6Lnt6YcL6ZBNeEIhGi-D56ECP7Y7r5hO2jYeuFmJpEGoHFfxx1cnDiH52-bUKOkmCwn4ffNoJ7HOKuR6BF7WWCRZOOah9vYcvzP3UAx7j5jeS4IbIEAZ6-G8TjVhTlx2lWQQvEg1Ix2OHQLE4154hpvB6qiUSLHiUBL6W/s550/GER_BEF_Game6.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdYIX-29yGTnteNt9PwC6Lnt6YcL6ZBNeEIhGi-D56ECP7Y7r5hO2jYeuFmJpEGoHFfxx1cnDiH52-bUKOkmCwn4ffNoJ7HOKuR6BF7WWCRZOOah9vYcvzP3UAx7j5jeS4IbIEAZ6-G8TjVhTlx2lWQQvEg1Ix2OHQLE4154hpvB6qiUSLHiUBL6W/s16000/GER_BEF_Game6.png" /></a></div><p>I've expanded to building both a Russian force and an Austro-Hungarian force.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAlotTi26NwaQTiW4utOaVze7hV1sYp-EnozBQ9gWflbyQlTmnxIOnjXklnvp5wA_EVXpARhdxU7iVA8yXCeBlYje8z34XHsjOOep5InCx2QTJWm_lQDIoNW1nz9E0VyvUNnkJhLaE35h7UoJpi4omMcS333PCi7-xBtA4FBqMFgMWgg6u1cN-N7fw/s550/RussCav2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAlotTi26NwaQTiW4utOaVze7hV1sYp-EnozBQ9gWflbyQlTmnxIOnjXklnvp5wA_EVXpARhdxU7iVA8yXCeBlYje8z34XHsjOOep5InCx2QTJWm_lQDIoNW1nz9E0VyvUNnkJhLaE35h7UoJpi4omMcS333PCi7-xBtA4FBqMFgMWgg6u1cN-N7fw/s16000/RussCav2.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7pj0kxczl-tIO0IxWHeCr1xBX-VO1DblZ4wSHrXBL5UXvFqRpj9AOKIsAs25oqVfMAtC9zyiOC0mQcaqK6cTJWMlX-yoxlLfOEfkqp-kGaj9kc1qUqyzNiNHXjONqjSU5FFbEyFtOky5huNYCJTAqD4MFb0FTUW71uEBhlDSyt-Ba6OnoUErDW2hd/s550/RussCav1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7pj0kxczl-tIO0IxWHeCr1xBX-VO1DblZ4wSHrXBL5UXvFqRpj9AOKIsAs25oqVfMAtC9zyiOC0mQcaqK6cTJWMlX-yoxlLfOEfkqp-kGaj9kc1qUqyzNiNHXjONqjSU5FFbEyFtOky5huNYCJTAqD4MFb0FTUW71uEBhlDSyt-Ba6OnoUErDW2hd/s16000/RussCav1.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-zhXV0COom7Q_cwdz9q7K9NGnxwgfcFhNtaDJoF48y2p3QHlKyE-LgUhzdjv1QEUlQpURvbnGttKoQFiKGKGKJs8QlbVc1JEN-xFyl3yfSli3yoUBdVmuXssmeeIr4TqCLN325waDoe1jLQmYXt2Jmg9jBIIUp0y_xHXk-bE9PYq9uXArKWW7F5F/s550/RussInf.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="209" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-zhXV0COom7Q_cwdz9q7K9NGnxwgfcFhNtaDJoF48y2p3QHlKyE-LgUhzdjv1QEUlQpURvbnGttKoQFiKGKGKJs8QlbVc1JEN-xFyl3yfSli3yoUBdVmuXssmeeIr4TqCLN325waDoe1jLQmYXt2Jmg9jBIIUp0y_xHXk-bE9PYq9uXArKWW7F5F/s16000/RussInf.png" /></a></div><p>However, I'm not too far along with either. I have one cavalry regiment (with dismounts) and one infantry battalion done for the Russians. I've started one infantry battalion and one battery for the Austro-Hungarians. I'd better get to work on the latter. Kevin Smyth has nearly completed a whole pile of Serbs and they need someone to beat up.</p><p>There's more Germans to paint, although I have a goodly amount already. I've also purchased a fair amount of B.E.F. from Great Escape Games because how could I not?</p><p>I also got lots of 10mm buildings from two different companies. Both are nice and I have a lot of painting on my hands. I've completed several, which I got in our games, but several more are in the works.</p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Saga (it's back on the menu)</span></b></p><p>Before COVID, there was a lot of activity with <i>Saga</i>. During the COVID shutdown of all things—and <a href="http://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2020/10/a-fond-farewell-to-cock-pit-of-king.html" target="_blank">the demise of The Panzer Depot</a>—<i>Saga</i> playing took a back seat. However, as the COVID crisis waned, there was a renewed insterest in the game. Bill Stewart,Mike Lombardy, and I had the only <i>Saga</i> armies within our little group. Kevin Smyth, Dave Schueler, and Eric Donaldson took interest and now we have a few little forces available for play. Kevin connected with some friends of yesteryear who were keen to play <i>Saga</i> and he's managed to get several games in down in his part of the state. </p><p>Kevin and I did manage to get one game up here at <a href="https://zulusgames.com/" target="_blank">Zulu's Games</a> in Bothell, his Norse-Gaels vs. my Welsh. It was a near (very near) win for the Welsh.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4G-vTFfw5wf_w1dUgiBtOSTac8V5nP2buAoFGq3XAHMhxUgW3HaJw8dfy_EwUs3yp5gJDXqj-X1sEUPXMd75YziRkhoorDnGyijMO5wqELVR0K1Crb4ieonaGanHJHhGzQfmARcNMsNf9qsV6kszOPdcBjAHYizDQjRlBSSmnKimRt63Egi5rfZY/s550/Saga_Game1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4G-vTFfw5wf_w1dUgiBtOSTac8V5nP2buAoFGq3XAHMhxUgW3HaJw8dfy_EwUs3yp5gJDXqj-X1sEUPXMd75YziRkhoorDnGyijMO5wqELVR0K1Crb4ieonaGanHJHhGzQfmARcNMsNf9qsV6kszOPdcBjAHYizDQjRlBSSmnKimRt63Egi5rfZY/s16000/Saga_Game1.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6gdHip8TvaX7aymy7T7GZoQfRYAzcDFdANu__lB3dgn45EpvGa071RaN-L6mieyX28MlGWGwX3Vs8asVa3uZwpS3tvX7HNmxJpQrQBYTNxv0N-HkSNoTgaQIIm-GoI0mEN6Gpp1pawWrA2syeAeQ9rMoB4HMtZVVUu-6sDPlWpFeHerfemw8N-NJ/s550/Saga_Game2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="477" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6gdHip8TvaX7aymy7T7GZoQfRYAzcDFdANu__lB3dgn45EpvGa071RaN-L6mieyX28MlGWGwX3Vs8asVa3uZwpS3tvX7HNmxJpQrQBYTNxv0N-HkSNoTgaQIIm-GoI0mEN6Gpp1pawWrA2syeAeQ9rMoB4HMtZVVUu-6sDPlWpFeHerfemw8N-NJ/s16000/Saga_Game2.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTJbkZy9XUDMCT0jQ_t7RVPxzqRFbLYwZIjdj3VUtvskOk1CMbIORqTGIoWyCYR0fP4iXOGcSYyUuJXUAYp1ZLjO93L9RaFR24jNYZFnStUhUiyoCekv7q8BNk1dEpnJOSVv6DAgJaaxQ_glmFw0t6lluOLRQcARtk7Bx5VNzB23xtD6XYYg8lowH/s550/Saga_Game3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTJbkZy9XUDMCT0jQ_t7RVPxzqRFbLYwZIjdj3VUtvskOk1CMbIORqTGIoWyCYR0fP4iXOGcSYyUuJXUAYp1ZLjO93L9RaFR24jNYZFnStUhUiyoCekv7q8BNk1dEpnJOSVv6DAgJaaxQ_glmFw0t6lluOLRQcARtk7Bx5VNzB23xtD6XYYg8lowH/s16000/Saga_Game3.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4GTPDElVYAXLLXmzDSG1cJUWfEkpbHC26_pwCUS-DrdcnHWW2VPHRJjZFczYel-_6_EZiRXTsIXxzQATjzvVKNdcFFvTYfNBY61nSqlRLejScL7A7Hqi2zeYZ_zKyYTZ4fVBgkZyxcicqNa7oJC2KAA35hFGuH3Z9pHp6-JsepoDv3Iror7f6PJk-/s550/Saga_Game4.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4GTPDElVYAXLLXmzDSG1cJUWfEkpbHC26_pwCUS-DrdcnHWW2VPHRJjZFczYel-_6_EZiRXTsIXxzQATjzvVKNdcFFvTYfNBY61nSqlRLejScL7A7Hqi2zeYZ_zKyYTZ4fVBgkZyxcicqNa7oJC2KAA35hFGuH3Z9pHp6-JsepoDv3Iror7f6PJk-/s16000/Saga_Game4.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZ4TXm_q-S44z0WmI4-1A3XmaboG1YQa8MFUv0nDFC5FenDeZ2ZpyClKlVecQRLOWUYAqF_RPzU2PbtnYm3ywp8npWFIkwgRmCqzKWRIK0QXpkb_RvP_-hF593-P2BNZDmBzMX4wCy-3UShTs9yQuR8I0DC7M-cVUqirfL-e2XGloySF_8YmKS2Ld/s550/Saga_Game5.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="527" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZ4TXm_q-S44z0WmI4-1A3XmaboG1YQa8MFUv0nDFC5FenDeZ2ZpyClKlVecQRLOWUYAqF_RPzU2PbtnYm3ywp8npWFIkwgRmCqzKWRIK0QXpkb_RvP_-hF593-P2BNZDmBzMX4wCy-3UShTs9yQuR8I0DC7M-cVUqirfL-e2XGloySF_8YmKS2Ld/s16000/Saga_Game5.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhr8_QY-sCtn8PztY15mcWw4v1CM3ELGcQpGXB0CwhJQChAWVLtiMG5117yxaaeXXA8QiqAn9pvh2GEiDmsgLiZ9D3hDoZtWZ78dnLJwm5dY_IGocbQvqPaqpEkiYeKC63kXeJal4wu40gr3R-0IvAb6hzKK9nj6QXes3_NVgI56pTeuXrZ-M9k2E/s550/Saga_Game6.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhr8_QY-sCtn8PztY15mcWw4v1CM3ELGcQpGXB0CwhJQChAWVLtiMG5117yxaaeXXA8QiqAn9pvh2GEiDmsgLiZ9D3hDoZtWZ78dnLJwm5dY_IGocbQvqPaqpEkiYeKC63kXeJal4wu40gr3R-0IvAb6hzKK9nj6QXes3_NVgI56pTeuXrZ-M9k2E/s16000/Saga_Game6.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMxSyhm5cLVFhtql0BXC9UNNfNGQuX89tGFsW-jlonIiTwXyz5tvPRnd3KYkkhPtCPCaXvYlCpx3nd7hIRT7M7oNWX-W2XCEEXsYfkWW33zuZGR1B6aj3nRVxPzPTrP25gwWIacIUAknOya9kC4lkm03zAGS31DvkgCt3wU3L5MXECkk3zNzHELnfO/s550/Saga_Game7.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMxSyhm5cLVFhtql0BXC9UNNfNGQuX89tGFsW-jlonIiTwXyz5tvPRnd3KYkkhPtCPCaXvYlCpx3nd7hIRT7M7oNWX-W2XCEEXsYfkWW33zuZGR1B6aj3nRVxPzPTrP25gwWIacIUAknOya9kC4lkm03zAGS31DvkgCt3wU3L5MXECkk3zNzHELnfO/s16000/Saga_Game7.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmw7bYOEI7nafG6gc8OrD-izsa2PPR20akNIr_FcD1OXA8lgeml3vfCWByY1WnwwdU6lKejWchm6Oh0G99lvXBEC-UtK0NeYEXey2vPEu-tB74CYVucJG10xiAPCTLidVa63VgbHykYTqtFEHrNTy8imGDIIC7fKdVpl-FT5SLanXa0uNj8i9ResZg/s550/Saga_Game8.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmw7bYOEI7nafG6gc8OrD-izsa2PPR20akNIr_FcD1OXA8lgeml3vfCWByY1WnwwdU6lKejWchm6Oh0G99lvXBEC-UtK0NeYEXey2vPEu-tB74CYVucJG10xiAPCTLidVa63VgbHykYTqtFEHrNTy8imGDIIC7fKdVpl-FT5SLanXa0uNj8i9ResZg/s16000/Saga_Game8.png" /></a></div><p>Zulu's is a nice venue for smaller games. The max table size they have down in the basement is 5' x 7', which isn't too far off from our typical 6' x 8'. They have beer and pub-style food. They have paint 'n' stuff too, but most of their retail is board games. They also have an annex just down the block with more tables and the possibility for small events.</p><p>My <i>Saga</i> Welsh have some reinforcements in the works. Another eight hearthguard, some slingers (<a href="http://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2014/08/lo-lowly-slinger.html" target="_blank">I love slingers</a>) and javelinmen. I am kicking myself—and will continue to do so—over not buying any of The Miniature Company's mounted Welsh warriors. All my Welsh are from <a href="http://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2018/10/of-shoes-and-ships-and-sealing-wax.html" target="_blank">The Miniature Company</a> and I love them. They're very distinctive and don't really mix with anyone else's figures. I was excited to see them release the mounted Welsh in 2020 (or was it 2019?), but held off assuming, erroneously, that they'd be there when I wanted them. Alas no. When I went to buy them earlier this year when <i>Saga</i> came back, I learned that they were kaput. I've trolled the web to see if anyone has some lying around to sell, but no luck. I have discovered that there is stock existing in storage somewhere in the UK, but the owner is loth to sell from it. The upshot is that my Welsh shall remain ponyless footmen (hopefully just for now).</p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Keep watching this space</span></b></p><p>That's all for now. I could go on (and on, and on), but this is a nice stopping point. I hope to get more blogging in, but there are so many things that pull me into their orbit—not to mention my deep commitment to sloth and torpor.</p><p>Not mentioned here, but I'm back into painting ECW, which I promise a post on in the near future.</p>David Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229259148925201182noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99962604511527341.post-75926180409594561522022-07-04T14:10:00.000-07:002022-07-04T14:10:35.205-07:00Stranger things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpZnCI7XUclsyJnBzhGjby5w4kyPa_mmceqIuFJJz7syIaUuCNemgERyXMeKGvkqjZFVXJcTP6sAfPJuUxcimizX_jXYGUuKHYdO7PUZ6ZyaC91A0ItCf6dsOE4fLKWYa7sBLwS4ZWbKxiAbnLIH_EWnqp4S30iUA4CDyoeQvu-Letl_zqBZNUcau/s550/banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="161" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpZnCI7XUclsyJnBzhGjby5w4kyPa_mmceqIuFJJz7syIaUuCNemgERyXMeKGvkqjZFVXJcTP6sAfPJuUxcimizX_jXYGUuKHYdO7PUZ6ZyaC91A0ItCf6dsOE4fLKWYa7sBLwS4ZWbKxiAbnLIH_EWnqp4S30iUA4CDyoeQvu-Letl_zqBZNUcau/s16000/banner.png" /></a></div><p><i>The Stranger</i>, long one of Seattle's more colorful weeklies (the other one being <i>Seattle Weekly</i>, which was never colorful at all) started publication in September, 1991, not long before I started working at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldus_Corporation" target="_blank">Aldus Corporation</a> in Seattle's Pioneer Square. At the time, it was something my crüe at Aldus was enamored of, in no small part because it was produced using our software, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adobe_PageMaker" target="_blank">Aldus PageMaker</a>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPn4XqsQGL9mNTV7X77pG5_HbgIEFUsjiYFwoxtQGvCxrBMvGO8LIY7mwwt3l9YaSqyANrg3VT3_XAON6EMnrzBYtTXlaSyllgMJJJnyNSKEIEQINAgxa8UVKHPG9u4o3DR6gAVDSVGjPfbvjxjAhwboP-vFND5FGm1alx0Mq2g6UtOX2DorFISBeP/s762/Stranger_Cover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPn4XqsQGL9mNTV7X77pG5_HbgIEFUsjiYFwoxtQGvCxrBMvGO8LIY7mwwt3l9YaSqyANrg3VT3_XAON6EMnrzBYtTXlaSyllgMJJJnyNSKEIEQINAgxa8UVKHPG9u4o3DR6gAVDSVGjPfbvjxjAhwboP-vFND5FGm1alx0Mq2g6UtOX2DorFISBeP/s16000/Stranger_Cover.png" /></a></div><p>I bring up <i>The Stranger</i> now because it has actual relevance to my hobby. As a weekly (as of 2017, a bi-weekly), it appealed mostly to lefties, who were far less clever and cool than they assumed, and non-lefties like me, who had no illusions about being clever or cool, but who enjoyed reading an irreverent perspective on life, despite the paper's otherwise stale, predictable Maoist orthodoxy about pretty much everything. Even the irreverence grew old after a while (or maybe so doctrinaire and conformist that it was no longer irreverent), but I still grabbed a copy (sometimes two) from the box <i>every</i> week/other week. It was <i>free</i> and it made perfect fish-wrap, bird-cage liner, or, in my case, table covering for when I spray painted stuff and did other messy hobby things that involved splats and spills.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHOvsirm0cfb21zOeFek2irsCGTfi_qj7Y7kshWImUF-NXoQ54eyw73dOL0mt4G_A11cWx2HHFC3gG5wseo3pXxpvRblKGYXvtviTmnvLim7hb2hPOTr42jFhccDO762U4yUxdgshKQH1_qh9gHK_dMvRgctatIARpHo9ysWppTgu-iJf7Y_QJHK-B/s550/Table.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHOvsirm0cfb21zOeFek2irsCGTfi_qj7Y7kshWImUF-NXoQ54eyw73dOL0mt4G_A11cWx2HHFC3gG5wseo3pXxpvRblKGYXvtviTmnvLim7hb2hPOTr42jFhccDO762U4yUxdgshKQH1_qh9gHK_dMvRgctatIARpHo9ysWppTgu-iJf7Y_QJHK-B/s16000/Table.png" /></a></div><p>In March, 2020, <i>The Stranger </i>ceased producing a print copy due to the general shut down of all things because of COVID. They expected to be back and printing after a while, but it never happened. I don't know if it ever will. So much of <i>The Stranger</i>'s revenue came from ads for all the venues in Seattle where people gathered cheek to jowl to drink, play, listen to music, etc. With all that activity stifled, there was no point in advertising. No adverts, no income. No income, no print edition. No print edition, nothing for me to spill on. Now that gathering in close proximity has returned to The Emerald City, <i>The Stranger</i> remains online only. </p><p>I had a stack going back years, but I'm almost at the end of it. At one time, I was throwing out stacks of it because I went through far less than one full edition a week and I assumed the supply would never end. Silly me. In no time, assuming I'm actually busy hobbying, I'll have nothing left. I feel a bit like sitting in a toilet stall and realizing there's no bog roll.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyx13kacaqVZsjUGNbuSKGSc3wLKzP-fUvC5fvreE_NLnmN24WlfIgBhyOWg_UdZdMBnRXAOBp40okBtELOf5eVaopeBzpdMZnpCiOm_u3FOZI5RLE_tV_U18Y5iLN9acpTQRJxD83ioB0Tzpqnq6Kmq4P_F0bG3pL_Pi_guye-VMLIts3r_MJvVct/s550/Remnant.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="517" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyx13kacaqVZsjUGNbuSKGSc3wLKzP-fUvC5fvreE_NLnmN24WlfIgBhyOWg_UdZdMBnRXAOBp40okBtELOf5eVaopeBzpdMZnpCiOm_u3FOZI5RLE_tV_U18Y5iLN9acpTQRJxD83ioB0Tzpqnq6Kmq4P_F0bG3pL_Pi_guye-VMLIts3r_MJvVct/s16000/Remnant.png" /></a></div><p>I'm not sure what to do. I can't use my hand. I haven't really looked for alternatives. I don't know if the <i>Seattle Weekly</i> is even around anymore—or if they have a print edition. I should probably start saving the newsprint advert thingummies that appear in my mailbox. They typically run several pages, which may be enough to go on with. They're not as big as a two-page spread from <i>The Stranger</i>, but probably every bit as absorbent. They're also free. Indeed, I can't seem to stop them from showing up.</p><p><b>Postscript</b></p><p>To be fair, <i>The Stranger</i> had more going for it than irreverence and Maoist screed. It was a pretty good place to find out what was going on in the city. For the nine years that I lived in Seattle, it was useful for planning weekend activities. Since moving up to beautiful, formerly-bucolic Lynnwood, I've been less inclined to venture into the city—at least not deep into the city; I'm all over going to The Pacific Inn and Eltana Bagels in Fremont. I don't think I've been to Pioneer Square for more than a decade, certainly not since the viaduct was torn down. I can't recall when I was last on Capitol Hill or Queen Anne. However, my neighborhood Whole Foods had a <i>Stranger</i> box from which I drew my supply until it was empty and then they removed it. <i>Sic transit gloria mundi</i>.</p>David Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229259148925201182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99962604511527341.post-51614702818549431232022-07-04T10:53:00.003-07:002022-07-04T14:17:14.397-07:001914 and all that<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPb0qgTx1fzEWNCdmVTKY8vuSuNnjmHmAsMzOc9KepFy8Ult78BK_u6JdcrbckXezdsmUYL79r3Uex42Ojzscj1BhlPZ02oIkadVc6piqbtQjsng6K6FYGGTWbqt0amJSRYL-syijSYrUays04XYdEi7xBON5BLZ-gXxPgN7ADy9PmQGJXNaB-vYl9/s550/Banner1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPb0qgTx1fzEWNCdmVTKY8vuSuNnjmHmAsMzOc9KepFy8Ult78BK_u6JdcrbckXezdsmUYL79r3Uex42Ojzscj1BhlPZ02oIkadVc6piqbtQjsng6K6FYGGTWbqt0amJSRYL-syijSYrUays04XYdEi7xBON5BLZ-gXxPgN7ADy9PmQGJXNaB-vYl9/s16000/Banner1.png" /></a></div><p>A few years back when <a href="https://www.greatescapegames.co.uk/online-store/1914" target="_blank">Great Escape Games' <i>1914</i> rules</a> came out, I bought a copy expecting that I'd use Peter Pig's 15mm WW1 minis for it. I've been interested in gaming the first months of WW1 for a long time now. 30+ years ago, I bought of copy of Fred Haube and Terry Sirk's self-published rules <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/34034/great-war" target="_blank"><i>Great War</i></a>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQEIqLjWaCc9dGhwyJ1FxawIhOlNwbh0fg1mQTy_-B2QaOi27IfncRhFexIXucTszXCc0nQ1xMdgExoTBZL1nCzhhWZwHPytdL46r1wegPsx9D52L8MeIZ2WBKOpbcXxVBe1rs4GRRJMA78s-xasRXYU6rLA8DxcGWPV-mXpV4GSq5BKuryGwKQLn/s710/GreatWar.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="710" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQEIqLjWaCc9dGhwyJ1FxawIhOlNwbh0fg1mQTy_-B2QaOi27IfncRhFexIXucTszXCc0nQ1xMdgExoTBZL1nCzhhWZwHPytdL46r1wegPsx9D52L8MeIZ2WBKOpbcXxVBe1rs4GRRJMA78s-xasRXYU6rLA8DxcGWPV-mXpV4GSq5BKuryGwKQLn/s16000/GreatWar.png" /></a></div><p>I liked the rules and started painting Peter Pig minis for it, but it eventually fizzled. There was no one else interested and other projects drew me away—as is invariably true. I kept the rules for a long time until someone from Italy implored me to sell it to him. I did, for cheap. I figured I'd never use them and was happy to sell them if he wanted them so much. His biggest cost was the express postage to Italy (ouch, really, ouch). It's one of the few sales of my stuff that I've regretted. They're impossible to find now, but I know of someone in Italy who has a copy.</p><p>Getting back to <i>1914</i>, my partners in crime for this project were going to use the 12mm figures that are available from Great Escape Games and <a href="https://www.kallistra.co.uk/?page=113" target="_blank">Kallistra</a>. That soured me on it. 12mm is an odd scale (it's actually N-Gauge, I think) and I was set on 15mm. I eventually (apparently) sold or gave away the rules (or maybe not—at least I can't find them anywhere).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6xvULScNRMpe8eGqRWObqb_cyE3UnCRRavAE9F3aHNZNrpVvPTE4Fehegvqx2vKvSQ6kgGoXa8ScOVHHlLw1XekxmdEUfNtF5QcJW5r6dI4rKd-AmTg1qRIb1ghm3DOoInHIKSf28JnlvO2sEFtMFptTBc9Quv94ViVMUQHdXgvciOkJhhLYSFKn/s767/1914_rules.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6xvULScNRMpe8eGqRWObqb_cyE3UnCRRavAE9F3aHNZNrpVvPTE4Fehegvqx2vKvSQ6kgGoXa8ScOVHHlLw1XekxmdEUfNtF5QcJW5r6dI4rKd-AmTg1qRIb1ghm3DOoInHIKSf28JnlvO2sEFtMFptTBc9Quv94ViVMUQHdXgvciOkJhhLYSFKn/s16000/1914_rules.png" /></a></div><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Rebirth of a project</span></b></p><p>Fast forward to Enfilade! 2022 in May. I was hosting a <i>What a Tanker!</i> game just opposite a seller who had a lot of Great Escape Games products for sale. I looked at some boxed <i>1914</i> minis (German jägers) and looked some more until I convinced myself to go for it. I figured they'd be quick to paint. I also bought a German brigade pack. And then I bought some German command tokens. I don't recall if he had the rules, but in any case, I assumed I still had my copy (and may still for all I know; the depths of Stately Chez Dave are murkier than one can imagine and like the bodies from old Vegas mob hits that are showing up as Lake Mead recedes, things you thought would never be found suddenly are).</p><p>After the convention, I ordered more minis (Germans and Belgians) and the rules (after several fruitless searches of the murkier parts of Stately Chez Dave in beautiful, formerly-bucolic Lynnwood) from <a href="https://www.greatescapegames.co.uk/" target="_blank">Great Escape Games in the UK</a> (not to be confused with any like-named stores in the US).</p><p>When I looked and looked at the minis at Enfilade!, I figured I could churn them out quickly because they require almost no detail at all. I originally thought of starting with an overall coat of the base uniform color (Howard Hue's Field Gray) and just daubing in the details followed by a wash. That's not quite how I did them, but near enough. They do paint quickly and after the first batch, I have it down to a science. I find that I can do the basic painting of a full unit in a day of intermittent painting, then a spritz of clear satin enamel, a wash with Army Painter Strong Tone, a spritz of Krylon Crystal Clear Matte, <i>et voilá!</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVdWh-SnZYk87FRyakry72oiUXvJmcLUbQYBcgBb9GdAZElU1mdpWxtbgXhjm7zw0f_C3AfH7Po8ofKvPZauI35RFVlaKKxicBwjvlbyjXkq7cLZKeNhzVSeQnYARJYltmpNVyd_BE9bl-gOqFWIFmMdD9Lr061JggxmHuzJ1DtRfYt1aSHHLCKki/s550/Painting.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="456" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVdWh-SnZYk87FRyakry72oiUXvJmcLUbQYBcgBb9GdAZElU1mdpWxtbgXhjm7zw0f_C3AfH7Po8ofKvPZauI35RFVlaKKxicBwjvlbyjXkq7cLZKeNhzVSeQnYARJYltmpNVyd_BE9bl-gOqFWIFmMdD9Lr061JggxmHuzJ1DtRfYt1aSHHLCKki/s16000/Painting.png" /></a></div><p>At first, I thought about cutting out plastic bases (my go-to for most projects), but then convinced myself to use Litko bases. I have a huge box of various unused Litko bases in my garage; it's quite scary. I expect they'll remain unused for a long time. I found several 25mm x 50mm bases, which is what the rules call for. I've used those for the infantry and dismounted cavalry. The Machine guns I've mounted on 25mm x 30mm bases; the models are a bit long and hang over the 25mm square base. The horsed cavalry I'm mounting on 30mm x 50mm bases. I want the extra depth, it just looks better and you can stagger the figures a bit more when you base them.</p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Basing saga</span></b></p><p>I needed more bases, so I ordered some 25mm x 50mm and 30mm x 50mm from Litko. I thought I'd have them quickly, but delays at Litko and my great nemesis FedEx intervened. Litko shipped the ordered after a two-week lead time. They were supposed to arrive 2-Day Air, which they did—at the facility in Everett, WA. FedEx kept saying they were out for delivery, but they never got delivered. My first clue of trouble was when the notice said the package would be delivered by 8:00 pm. When FedEx says they'll deliver by 8:00 pm, they mean "you'll get it when you get it, and maybe not even then." </p><p>Long story short: I wound up picking them up on Saturday, four days after they were due to be delivered, at the FedEx facility, where I waited about 40 minutes until they found it in the deeper depths of the warehouse. Until I had them in hand, I didn't believe I ever would. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3v6blhwEaF3IKyBVnSss0lMCZmBqtMHIPsJbqmnkRVsuxkMm_gxTeb10fnOjgbOwMvzdPQgHo0x4x7t4nWwEvaeOhBQsdE0ozf9_SoUoYjZsMtQbS3vnjsYHOHYfM6E2qwuW6C2puTu3toSdHPabKzSuzKrud2ygtnlwG3GNWAs_Dd4GEhkI7fE2w/s550/Litko_bases.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3v6blhwEaF3IKyBVnSss0lMCZmBqtMHIPsJbqmnkRVsuxkMm_gxTeb10fnOjgbOwMvzdPQgHo0x4x7t4nWwEvaeOhBQsdE0ozf9_SoUoYjZsMtQbS3vnjsYHOHYfM6E2qwuW6C2puTu3toSdHPabKzSuzKrud2ygtnlwG3GNWAs_Dd4GEhkI7fE2w/s16000/Litko_bases.png" /></a></div><p>I got home and immediately started basing my uhlans and brigade command stand. They'd been waiting so long for it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevvjtP6VMdbNVIhfV4UTpq9M2gsUA37PeKsSvwMkvWZvbThqYRcE0CSkzG7tasqYfR71t_7SKvsRpsai9JFg6Va7tJibo0kFLDbXKnPmVzDvlCCdzW8MI_lmXUm70WgUDvrkCzsv1c9hDXMYRwhnmqqu1xcUGn4eGCQWi-IUFvqcD3wQVAOzuHl51/s550/cav_basing.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevvjtP6VMdbNVIhfV4UTpq9M2gsUA37PeKsSvwMkvWZvbThqYRcE0CSkzG7tasqYfR71t_7SKvsRpsai9JFg6Va7tJibo0kFLDbXKnPmVzDvlCCdzW8MI_lmXUm70WgUDvrkCzsv1c9hDXMYRwhnmqqu1xcUGn4eGCQWi-IUFvqcD3wQVAOzuHl51/s16000/cav_basing.png" /></a></div><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The cast of characters expands</span></b></p><p>I mentioned partners in crime earlier. Mike Lombardy was one of them. He proceeded to work on a French army. The other partner in crime played the rules once and decided he didn't like them. That left Mike with a lot of Frenchmen and no one to fight. However, it turns out that Bill Stewart and Eric Donaldson also got the rules. However, rather than use the Great Escape Games (GEG) figures, they used Kallistra. They also decided to put five infantry figures on a base instead of the four called for in the rules. Since the number of figures on the base doesn't affect game play, it doesn't matter, only the base size does. I'm doing the same with the GEG figures, which requires buying extra packs; the standard battalion packs come with 16 figures and an MG; the cavalry regiments come with 12 figures (mounted and dismounted) and an MG.</p><p>Wanting a bit more variety in poses than the GEG figures provide, I thought I'd buy some Kallistra figures to mix in. Turns out they don't mix. The GEG figures are a bit taller and a bit bulkier. Think of them as 'heroic 12s', which it turns out, is basically classic, 'true' 15s. I haven't compared, but I've read online that GEG 12s compare very well in size to the old Minifigs 15mm line (which is apparently still available from <a href="http://www.miniaturefigurines.co.uk/Catalogue.aspx?ScaleID=2&CategoryID=38&SubCategoryID=209" target="_blank">Minifigs</a>, but that's deceptive. I've found it impossible to get anything from Minfigs, so basically, not available.) </p><p>Having bought a pile of Kallistra Germans and Belgians, but having nothing to do with them, I thought I'd reach out and get someone else hooked. Dave Schueler, Kevin Smyth, and I met to play a <a href="http://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2021/11/por-que-no-los-dos.html" target="_blank">Mexican-American War</a> game using <i><a href="http://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/2019/01/a-patriotic-rebel-i-review-of-ospreys.html" target="_blank">Rebels and Patriots</a></i> (much fun; I'll post eventually, maybe). I brought my Kallistra figs and left without them. That got Dave hooked.</p><p>I thought Kevin would be a shoe-in for this project. His grandfather was an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Expeditionary_Force_order_of_battle_(1914)" target="_blank">Old Contemptible</a> and served in the Royal Artillery from Mons to the end. (Just before the war, he transferred into the RA from the Royal Munster Fusiliers, who were badly mauled in their heroic rear-guard stand at Mons.)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMqYTkdmlMh9dZTMX60vVLm8fT_6FbD_SWDkYsGVcK2VoFA6xK3ChZHCSqdj2juCBlLUcPCNqniHRX4mzuy-gSCjhXpuYBsgpL2VDS-eKqvWiyJQndKuyFOHx8YIntGwSviArQjSfuQw4qzhL9tXc2UMWWTuPCfqfIXgZjK8CqbqmnJI0FZ6hSU77S/s550/The_Last_General_Absolution_of_the_Munsters_at_Rue_du_Bois.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="309" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMqYTkdmlMh9dZTMX60vVLm8fT_6FbD_SWDkYsGVcK2VoFA6xK3ChZHCSqdj2juCBlLUcPCNqniHRX4mzuy-gSCjhXpuYBsgpL2VDS-eKqvWiyJQndKuyFOHx8YIntGwSviArQjSfuQw4qzhL9tXc2UMWWTuPCfqfIXgZjK8CqbqmnJI0FZ6hSU77S/s16000/The_Last_General_Absolution_of_the_Munsters_at_Rue_du_Bois.png" /></a></div><p>However, Kevin remained aloof until just this weekend, when he bought an English force from GEG. He's planning on adding to it a battery of 4.5" howitzers from Kallistra because those are the guns his grandfather served. GEG only produces field guns and BIG guns like the British 8-inch howitzer (which didn't actually see service until 1915) and the German Big Bertha (I see a battery of those coming, eventually).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxeaHAH4ksqU-wYiRqI5dGUQ9nz0AEqkoGh6vgO2N08IOQeS3x974mDh4ZTW4v5gkKJBtvtjfxK0FjTl3To7HAqNXzCtNUW2uC2kMFOUWt1m-YrXsKPJsqxhx67MXlqGcjE2ImZ2_pysMxxxP7jMd4IR2mBv1rWEChbrptM2vMb8u5H5PURjK-28j7/s550/Big_Brertha.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxeaHAH4ksqU-wYiRqI5dGUQ9nz0AEqkoGh6vgO2N08IOQeS3x974mDh4ZTW4v5gkKJBtvtjfxK0FjTl3To7HAqNXzCtNUW2uC2kMFOUWt1m-YrXsKPJsqxhx67MXlqGcjE2ImZ2_pysMxxxP7jMd4IR2mBv1rWEChbrptM2vMb8u5H5PURjK-28j7/s16000/Big_Brertha.png" /></a></div><p>The medium-large guns like the 4.5" howitzer and the German 105 are sadly left out of GEG's product line.</p><p>Eric who is painting Russians, was feeling a bit over-matched by all of Bill's and my Germans, so I made an order to Kallistra and soon I'll be painting Russians too.</p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Progress so far</span></b></p><p>As I assumed, painting these minis is pretty quick, which is good because you need a lot of 'em. At this point, I have the following painted:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>40 x German line infantry (2 battalions)</li><li>20 x German jägers (1 battalion)</li><li>2 x German 77mm field guns (1 battery)</li><li>16 x mounted/16 x dismounted German uhlans (1 regiment)</li><li>1 x command stand</li><li>7 x line infantry MGs</li><li>2 x jäger MGs</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_sq0x1gnLW1Bc_9ODQelKE1cpOSFXjY8eGYD8I6glCzlQc_4NTSNgUkKQEPiRY0WbryddNmtN4y64bL-qAaEWeLdRICHu59vr0A8_1DEHwm6JoghHfaB7urAzLsmFlkbqbI26gcQIFzjElhC_3rYlU8rH6nR1JG2Du7YD1CEUfYLfpPGdDQiA-rt/s550/Finished_so_far.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_sq0x1gnLW1Bc_9ODQelKE1cpOSFXjY8eGYD8I6glCzlQc_4NTSNgUkKQEPiRY0WbryddNmtN4y64bL-qAaEWeLdRICHu59vr0A8_1DEHwm6JoghHfaB7urAzLsmFlkbqbI26gcQIFzjElhC_3rYlU8rH6nR1JG2Du7YD1CEUfYLfpPGdDQiA-rt/s16000/Finished_so_far.png" /></a></div><br /><div>I'm pretty happy with how they turned out. They look good if you don't look too closely. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6h6FJBBlXGE4lRzNrB9yn05svk82y5nFn8itNvIQGP4TnOyNc7wP8dRHc-CXwsU4vC1LREoUn29AenJysFENVe5rdBvDFRpqrlqbUPlLPhaA6rW8JtgUl-H9QuIxLpCUecX_GS8CxvCNzrh0yleZTP8tTiePVgf-7lP6MpoRjmJ2ldiWvZIUGItF8/s550/GER_1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6h6FJBBlXGE4lRzNrB9yn05svk82y5nFn8itNvIQGP4TnOyNc7wP8dRHc-CXwsU4vC1LREoUn29AenJysFENVe5rdBvDFRpqrlqbUPlLPhaA6rW8JtgUl-H9QuIxLpCUecX_GS8CxvCNzrh0yleZTP8tTiePVgf-7lP6MpoRjmJ2ldiWvZIUGItF8/s16000/GER_1.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyf1ZKe6COx1pOWjmwh3VAtV4gqrPmBVaX70qQ5tRaYB7lrqnLJlVV7R3OwEgEwTcYh6XNnjm_EVrOqJzL5o3wA7SgpTopfjKd4DAimSFGO3_1uDczYW6bcTxXX_uvwpArzfJiwZHjgw4gvAkVQVkVSlPLsWJyJQwRTAQYtODp2WbrWRPGGgj6g9u7/s550/GER_2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyf1ZKe6COx1pOWjmwh3VAtV4gqrPmBVaX70qQ5tRaYB7lrqnLJlVV7R3OwEgEwTcYh6XNnjm_EVrOqJzL5o3wA7SgpTopfjKd4DAimSFGO3_1uDczYW6bcTxXX_uvwpArzfJiwZHjgw4gvAkVQVkVSlPLsWJyJQwRTAQYtODp2WbrWRPGGgj6g9u7/s16000/GER_2.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQ-gmkeETW4LF6Q7dcsF_5HZgGKEhKoHkeKB39IrWlDtrVNrtbE5e2dzQTWcngvcFJRxDdrVEQ9WxdeXEDqjemW9BhUvBiM9NsOwHYhqW1Ph7M3lM586tqTMcAInTgZt6lz07qkNoB3_TcvlkPPQ3YCs15ponKRJ2Q3AREiKuUNmlqMbmYjJ5WwA2/s550/GER_3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQ-gmkeETW4LF6Q7dcsF_5HZgGKEhKoHkeKB39IrWlDtrVNrtbE5e2dzQTWcngvcFJRxDdrVEQ9WxdeXEDqjemW9BhUvBiM9NsOwHYhqW1Ph7M3lM586tqTMcAInTgZt6lz07qkNoB3_TcvlkPPQ3YCs15ponKRJ2Q3AREiKuUNmlqMbmYjJ5WwA2/s16000/GER_3.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKn9dG_8wrXuLupgf73pnWkRNTzZEq9P8VQPR8ewQT5ZcUFv9MeGDD5OIZnusL-pBwgZQhXD9s8XSZkQ99H0_2uwy4qa09ktoo0X3B3J-JOYZZlgM0j1XP5BRmAcNwf0iIVGT_LCPT04ASbKx14Vh9cxdhe_dikBZwIUX5AUrLtEpYQ6VIhwsI0Xv/s550/GER_4.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKn9dG_8wrXuLupgf73pnWkRNTzZEq9P8VQPR8ewQT5ZcUFv9MeGDD5OIZnusL-pBwgZQhXD9s8XSZkQ99H0_2uwy4qa09ktoo0X3B3J-JOYZZlgM0j1XP5BRmAcNwf0iIVGT_LCPT04ASbKx14Vh9cxdhe_dikBZwIUX5AUrLtEpYQ6VIhwsI0Xv/s16000/GER_4.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dCXULEkr9akpPkm2g9W9o7UbQuPSnIRn26xCQCjnaLGER880b5Tk20de7iVG3d-i4c67O9WgulGTNDA-dRBjoWk9-AvKMT7FZsIay59yFtjKPcxgvHSYuJQNNaedM6vXg4tiUoamLh5Sj5l-KLEvBKyQO4-3nbEBoFpbP3YjF5N_QOL5A--A0Jhh/s550/GER_5.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dCXULEkr9akpPkm2g9W9o7UbQuPSnIRn26xCQCjnaLGER880b5Tk20de7iVG3d-i4c67O9WgulGTNDA-dRBjoWk9-AvKMT7FZsIay59yFtjKPcxgvHSYuJQNNaedM6vXg4tiUoamLh5Sj5l-KLEvBKyQO4-3nbEBoFpbP3YjF5N_QOL5A--A0Jhh/s16000/GER_5.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9SeQZjo2Hna-E2IdbqeDlic6VQ-UFVs6Liw25gpaXdSdBpgopNQURWoXEVNgGmhCnijMSuCQXVTOEYs9yjdW25e29yBHGU0Ld8QWMaOq2_IlAiZpjAG0w7L_BfkSAQnwShnksFj_P5qAQNtQ2QkDB5aCamCas_Q1fx9-9TYarrVL-49oheOBgk57/s550/GER_6.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9SeQZjo2Hna-E2IdbqeDlic6VQ-UFVs6Liw25gpaXdSdBpgopNQURWoXEVNgGmhCnijMSuCQXVTOEYs9yjdW25e29yBHGU0Ld8QWMaOq2_IlAiZpjAG0w7L_BfkSAQnwShnksFj_P5qAQNtQ2QkDB5aCamCas_Q1fx9-9TYarrVL-49oheOBgk57/s16000/GER_6.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMO7XUjGdKq2uZOR-JJ-s43ngK2R32-irqCIi4nE4Hd2UNE_tWSOEaTB_z7y6CHEexDKcPBXRVQ_3chggN7AhMPMVYXfzLSYPZWf-FUi2wSqftepOOQmTzLR-Sx_P9gHrXYUyPndyS102IAeICn-MuQ2CbLB8ia8FRjwZmQBJXk3Csniop1sz-CGuJ/s550/GER_7.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="438" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMO7XUjGdKq2uZOR-JJ-s43ngK2R32-irqCIi4nE4Hd2UNE_tWSOEaTB_z7y6CHEexDKcPBXRVQ_3chggN7AhMPMVYXfzLSYPZWf-FUi2wSqftepOOQmTzLR-Sx_P9gHrXYUyPndyS102IAeICn-MuQ2CbLB8ia8FRjwZmQBJXk3Csniop1sz-CGuJ/s16000/GER_7.png" /></a></div><br /><div>I still have four more infantry battalions, another battery, another command stand, and another cavalry regiment to go. Two of the infantry units are already in progress. I expect that within a week or so, I'll have the Germans done. The whole force, assuming I don't later expand, will be two brigades:</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Infantry brigade (318 points)</b></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>6 x infantry battalion</li><li>6 x MGs</li><li>1 x battery</li></ul><div><b>Cavalry brigade (188 points)</b></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>2 x cavalry regiment</li><li>1 x jäger battalion (elite)</li><li>3 x MGs</li><li>1 x battery</li></ul></div><div>Still to come are Belgians and Russians. Also, I'll post a review of the <i>1914</i> rules at some point as well as a review of the two figure ranges.</div><p></p>David Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229259148925201182noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99962604511527341.post-69779320565109035792021-11-27T14:46:00.004-08:002021-11-28T07:58:42.593-08:00Mésaventure au Mexique<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGREYXFs05K8Vmq3GCeQH8fOiyJGCdIKpl2Sd-MnKIUDbQK42CyV0hG6arsvbOxlfSsPRCNRK7rJa1Qk2v6BpQLOOiwTImmxSbG3nHA4SYCS99a3GzfVEqkG63YeCVbbtSsJHDcszWRQ/s550/Max_Banner.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="251" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGREYXFs05K8Vmq3GCeQH8fOiyJGCdIKpl2Sd-MnKIUDbQK42CyV0hG6arsvbOxlfSsPRCNRK7rJa1Qk2v6BpQLOOiwTImmxSbG3nHA4SYCS99a3GzfVEqkG63YeCVbbtSsJHDcszWRQ/s16000/Max_Banner.png" /></a></div><p>Kevin Smyth has had a large and growing pile of 28mm Maximilian in Mexico figures for decades. It started back sometime in the 90s(!) when we had a few Camerone Day gatherings where we ate roasted lamb and played games on (or near) the anniversary of Captain Danjou and his few French Foreign Legionnaires defending the hacienda against Colonel Milàn and his numerous Mexican troops on April 30, 1863.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybtVr9jMLaGSL6sXVa5QFFi6PAPHo_tpkfHKX2YAAMmIE5H1mS8S4LBOk8v1V9SRgytBpj4L52X5iUuMT9zlXxVj1vAzUy_nHnO6a0SdAwb05mGfyBufuCpLw563mQcPBWcHmi_CdFzs/s550/Camerone.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybtVr9jMLaGSL6sXVa5QFFi6PAPHo_tpkfHKX2YAAMmIE5H1mS8S4LBOk8v1V9SRgytBpj4L52X5iUuMT9zlXxVj1vAzUy_nHnO6a0SdAwb05mGfyBufuCpLw563mQcPBWcHmi_CdFzs/s16000/Camerone.png" /></a></div><p>Inspired by this, Kevin launched a whole Maximilian in Mexico project that grew and grew. He's run a few Camerone games with them as well as other scenarios using various rules (including some home-brew, if I'm not mistaken). With the onset of Dan Mersey and Michael Leck's <i>Rebels and Patriots</i> rules, it was inevitable that we'd get to playing Mexico Max with them.</p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Accordingly, Kevin ran a game on November 13 at his house down in Puyallup. He called it the Battle of </span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Matehuala (based on an historical action), although as it turned out, calling it the Battle of </span><i>¡Mátalos!</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> might have been more apt.</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> The usual suspects were present: Bill Stewart, Michael Koznarsky, and Dave Schueler played the Mexican forces; Eric Donaldson and I played the French.</span></p><p>Kevin has blogged about the game <a href="https://agamerstales.wordpress.com/2021/11/24/revitalizing-an-old-project-and-the-matehuala-two-step/" target="_blank">here</a>. Dave Schueler has blogged it <a href="https://seanavalgazing.blogspot.com/2021/11/maxing-out.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p>I commanded the forward French forces, deployed around a redoubt on a ridge. My deployment required me to have one unit in the redoubt with the other units being within 6" of it. I had three line infantry units (one veteran), a medium gun, and a light cavalry unit. Having a Frenchified mindset, my deployment for defense followed one guiding principle: <i>J'attaque! </i>In hindsight, I think that was perhaps a mistake. I may have been a bit too <i>plein d'espoir</i> for my own good. I put all my units except the light cavalry right out front on the ridge. Eric's and my task was actually to hold the town quite a way to my rear. I might have done better deploying behind the ridge and ready to make a beeline back to form up with Eric. However, the Mexicans got points for taking the redoubt and I couldn't countenance giving it up without <i>un combat à mort</i>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lbsP9NtYlOCDsp3cixxoWb0EJh2MlFmRUmjIpnDK6azE7PvDyNhXYWDRVFMTFMjCnPhWG8z5LpyZfut9QCJtNij72dJ_MktW7Eefsv5MR7x2lbXKyOjEv2uesNUbl0coHzX1BEefY28/s550/Starting_setup.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lbsP9NtYlOCDsp3cixxoWb0EJh2MlFmRUmjIpnDK6azE7PvDyNhXYWDRVFMTFMjCnPhWG8z5LpyZfut9QCJtNij72dJ_MktW7Eefsv5MR7x2lbXKyOjEv2uesNUbl0coHzX1BEefY28/s16000/Starting_setup.png" /></a></div><p>My feeling that the <i>mort</i> in question may be my own only came to me after I'd deployed and Bill started placing regular infantry and guns within 12" of my units exposed on the ridge. Add to that the fact that the Mexicans won the die roll for first activation and things looked grim. <i>Comment dit-on "</i>bugger<i>" en français?</i></p><p>I survived (mostly) the storm of shot, shell, and minié balls unleashed upon me. I might have withdrawn at this point and joined forces with Eric's troops at and entering the town. But to retreat <i>face à l'ennemi</i> was too much disgrace to countenance. I replied to Bill's fire by standing firm and giving back a bit of my own—although I did commit to a fighting withdrawal on my right flank in the face of Michael's advance with what appeared to be every able-bodied armed man in Mexico heading straight at me.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kSScWrOMNLvOpvRBjUIJnZQhhLG_eSgrkPZqkr2lVoZUornKdoPYCoicghdZoEAIJnm9J27fL_RspTkkQ517mLtytRQtxW6kTRrRDEQfFG-0fzfIbzekMT4ImF_5He5z6sCsSyK3ePs/s550/Militia_2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kSScWrOMNLvOpvRBjUIJnZQhhLG_eSgrkPZqkr2lVoZUornKdoPYCoicghdZoEAIJnm9J27fL_RspTkkQ517mLtytRQtxW6kTRrRDEQfFG-0fzfIbzekMT4ImF_5He5z6sCsSyK3ePs/s16000/Militia_2.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YzAy0umcd1z9v896tSwUnpzmqoJPxyTJQqYGIg19YGtFsBuktaRN_gPPoRv-XX65YMozyFMJ9WOeMUohvTMv03aYOHeocv_Kq7LWxHKI2urLoCgthASIqqL4-pWp6D50fJSMrlKNKdY/s550/Militia_Horde.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YzAy0umcd1z9v896tSwUnpzmqoJPxyTJQqYGIg19YGtFsBuktaRN_gPPoRv-XX65YMozyFMJ9WOeMUohvTMv03aYOHeocv_Kq7LWxHKI2urLoCgthASIqqL4-pWp6D50fJSMrlKNKdY/s16000/Militia_Horde.png" /></a></div><p>In no time, the exchange of fire went against me. By turn three (maybe), I had lost the line infantry and gun on my left, my cavalry was skirmishing (badly) with Michael's horde, to their ultimate demise. Dave's cavalry was moving past my flank/rear to attack Eric. But the redoubt held!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpAjTdT3hsdvVCziU2uIfOb-p4djVzUHt6giRBqVCPA_W_x6q0dnpnAd2HAyoptcI-cSvBybyIwz46ns4TuXm2Zzrp319EQpf7HX3D-ndStVUa6RJPY09PLABTQjE5K7iytyuiP90atI/s550/Falling_Back.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpAjTdT3hsdvVCziU2uIfOb-p4djVzUHt6giRBqVCPA_W_x6q0dnpnAd2HAyoptcI-cSvBybyIwz46ns4TuXm2Zzrp319EQpf7HX3D-ndStVUa6RJPY09PLABTQjE5K7iytyuiP90atI/s16000/Falling_Back.png" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dVWNxF6lHqnTOP1CySb3QiuP04hkKOCjBqp3Nzf70NHivPAnQyB-5HXqphPo4XwEGLC72vVlBdaO9Rd2NdjB8SOYpzml2qbE3V-19r2Zgomg8GyaNWTTgv3Tng6YPiy_4vavCy7E2dQ/s550/Redoubt2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dVWNxF6lHqnTOP1CySb3QiuP04hkKOCjBqp3Nzf70NHivPAnQyB-5HXqphPo4XwEGLC72vVlBdaO9Rd2NdjB8SOYpzml2qbE3V-19r2Zgomg8GyaNWTTgv3Tng6YPiy_4vavCy7E2dQ/s16000/Redoubt2.png" /></a></div><p>I managed to beat back one direct assault after Bill's regulars took my gun, abandoned after the one remaining crewman ran off.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyiYr6XYpYJZcrKD40MJX7WhhbSnbZiQvMev7akYwRbWujwvUazyFGO-ywUrKTmLuKQIjUuf2yhvO1N7vHSG__3u6f4Rqzoc8hnKcYpFEhOANSaC52qcwo9EwMAJEWP_3DXi8KWCmfviA/s550/Redoubt_Fight.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyiYr6XYpYJZcrKD40MJX7WhhbSnbZiQvMev7akYwRbWujwvUazyFGO-ywUrKTmLuKQIjUuf2yhvO1N7vHSG__3u6f4Rqzoc8hnKcYpFEhOANSaC52qcwo9EwMAJEWP_3DXi8KWCmfviA/s16000/Redoubt_Fight.png" /></a></div><p>It wasn't enough to stop the tide, however. A few more shots against me and I was forced out of the redoubt and the lone survivor chose the better part of valor.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxszWsK4ncP9DwNX3v22GHA_i3H-Ov5GOAG8xkpnN429aoct7Zvl3XDildwZhD3YYgxtGP58Hz0mXa-V0Uq3MJeQP-CFPaRbdYt6bTf7BbfUCTugDA8XdYA4nY7wL-dvkmc-RePt1TDvA/s550/Redoubt_survivors.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="455" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxszWsK4ncP9DwNX3v22GHA_i3H-Ov5GOAG8xkpnN429aoct7Zvl3XDildwZhD3YYgxtGP58Hz0mXa-V0Uq3MJeQP-CFPaRbdYt6bTf7BbfUCTugDA8XdYA4nY7wL-dvkmc-RePt1TDvA/s16000/Redoubt_survivors.png" /></a></div><p>On my right, Michael's militia—three BIG units worth—continued advancing steadily. I tried to skirmish with my light cavalry, but had a few turns of failed activation with them. They were eventually shot to bits by Michael's troops. Thus, I was down to one line unit, slightly shot up. I fell back with that to join with Eric's line to my left.</p><p>Meanwhile, Dave's cavalry moved quickly against Eric's forces which had managed to enter the board without hesitation. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtkbzbkx8UwvxMwLF3Pq7jr1IXgyE80hUXR88Ki5SH8N1xS_9mRLoPQmuH8AiaaNl0BLoe_RZNhyphenhyphenXzjhp-NFdgLFymESXndibu2fCsilvGiXIjTByuKsIUjIIGlsn4O8wMxPFdGKyzPcA/s550/Erics_Advance.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="447" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtkbzbkx8UwvxMwLF3Pq7jr1IXgyE80hUXR88Ki5SH8N1xS_9mRLoPQmuH8AiaaNl0BLoe_RZNhyphenhyphenXzjhp-NFdgLFymESXndibu2fCsilvGiXIjTByuKsIUjIIGlsn4O8wMxPFdGKyzPcA/s16000/Erics_Advance.png" /></a></div><p>Dave quickly charged Eric's unit of grenadiers with his Mexican lancers in what became a bit of a <i>paseo de la muerte</i>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7oytV2LynaGC8h5adGY2Vgi6mxDzab5Jn5Fa7Vsvj8_Kd_H5QhK_LipRiydl35PmbGKB0C__IZFDTbFmGo8VEy7fVNMlEpAnDAxPXnd2yKonvDwr5H8oJcS7bhaBoXVB1r7N-nlirYDA/s550/Overview_CavCharge.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="458" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7oytV2LynaGC8h5adGY2Vgi6mxDzab5Jn5Fa7Vsvj8_Kd_H5QhK_LipRiydl35PmbGKB0C__IZFDTbFmGo8VEy7fVNMlEpAnDAxPXnd2yKonvDwr5H8oJcS7bhaBoXVB1r7N-nlirYDA/s16000/Overview_CavCharge.png" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG7M2UK9xdMbkpohy5RSlsKCekmQVhd-HrmonnNM1F3N-O8KGSZ91w3nZ-1PQNE1nTCHAfIZW6QqaZ_UABWKsSTInF5FcoR8dTeIOlYqfVm64hOAzZcrwcGkCDuFj_mjv7sqm0NzfgAxE/s550/CavCharge1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG7M2UK9xdMbkpohy5RSlsKCekmQVhd-HrmonnNM1F3N-O8KGSZ91w3nZ-1PQNE1nTCHAfIZW6QqaZ_UABWKsSTInF5FcoR8dTeIOlYqfVm64hOAzZcrwcGkCDuFj_mjv7sqm0NzfgAxE/s16000/CavCharge1.png" /></a></div><p>We probably flubbed adjudicating the first round of combat, which the Mexican lancers won in any case, but they may have done worse to the French grenadiers than we reckoned. Eric's grenadiers were merely pushed back in good order. In the immediate compulsory follow-up, Dave's cavalry failed and wound up routing out of existence. His other unit had taken one hit shy of being half strength and wisely withdrew out of range of Eric's cannon.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSAGtQGmBf_0l3SHXwn9NqlH30zG_-4skAg6zTXrAsGMjvvN049XZaCe8w-calNnShnwWRfXkzpPls_AHz7HHcvaQdO-dcFHTHExWMQ2nXSXZ6wtzeAC_5QbAvFqxHek5P0htc_Tu-nCk/s550/Eric_Gun.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="514" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSAGtQGmBf_0l3SHXwn9NqlH30zG_-4skAg6zTXrAsGMjvvN049XZaCe8w-calNnShnwWRfXkzpPls_AHz7HHcvaQdO-dcFHTHExWMQ2nXSXZ6wtzeAC_5QbAvFqxHek5P0htc_Tu-nCk/s16000/Eric_Gun.png" /></a></div><p>At this point, Eric still had an almost entirely intact command. Bill's command was mostly intact and advancing past the <i>débris</i> of my ridgeline defense. I had one surviving unit that was down to 10 figures. Michael had three BIG units of militia, which were intact, albeit green troops and poor shooters. Still, their quantity made up for their lack of quality. I ever so slightly thinned a couple of his units, but their morale held and they were still a long way from being anything near half strength.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWKlxYMqOTBLnKBIOyHGadK2qQ76ncf_5G2L10Wh-qhu4Ey8MMOkT46b4kyxm7hqGFzukKsu24C-oFt1pJiVtWeYZ2YvafBKl1nUCnushK7spCcOmqJi4Hax-Ju2M57hUm5ChWTbKUVs/s550/Overview_PostCharge.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="388" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWKlxYMqOTBLnKBIOyHGadK2qQ76ncf_5G2L10Wh-qhu4Ey8MMOkT46b4kyxm7hqGFzukKsu24C-oFt1pJiVtWeYZ2YvafBKl1nUCnushK7spCcOmqJi4Hax-Ju2M57hUm5ChWTbKUVs/s16000/Overview_PostCharge.png" /></a></div><p>At this point, we surveyed the field and determined that while Eric would likely be able to hold the town (our larger objective), the Mexicans were well ahead on points due to my over optimistically pugnacious <i>défense á outrance</i>. Sadly, points were not awarded <i>pour la gloire</i>.</p><p>At this point, we adjourned to Mssr. Smyth's <i>salle à manger</i> for hot dogs, chilli, beer, and conversation.</p><p>In the aftermath of the game, there was the traditional enthusiasm for buying more figures for the period. Fortunately, Foundry is having a big Christmas sale. Kevin has acquired (or will acquire whenever the order actually arrives) a significant reinforcement of troops for Maximilian in Mexico—not least among them the French Foreign Legion troops, including a Jean Danjou figure, which weren't available when he initially bought the figures back during the Clinton administration (first term, IIRC).</p><p>I was tempted, especially by the Foreign Legion, but have spent my money on more Mexicans from Boot Hill Miniatures. I have cavalry coming soon and expect to start ordering Texans in December.</p>David Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229259148925201182noreply@blogger.com10