tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88983789383537962322024-03-16T01:09:42.340+00:00Do You Have A Flag?A wargaming blog covering historical and sci-fi/fantasy, with a focus on narrative gaming and terrain building. Kieran Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191062526187270925noreply@blogger.comBlogger104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898378938353796232.post-66729633801138241922018-08-12T10:54:00.001+01:002018-08-19T07:05:29.505+01:00The French Fleet at Cherbourg 1904<div style="text-align: justify;">
My last post was a look at the <a href="http://gotflag.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-naval-battle-of-cherbourg-1904.html">Battle of Cherbourg</a> game that we played a few weeks ago, I thought I'd take a look at the French fleet with this one. </div>
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Myself and <a href="http://palladian-guard.blogspot.com/">Ed</a> share a love of the pre-dreadnought era, and I've always had a particularly fondness for the unique French ship designs with their tumblehome architecture. So when Ed contacted me and asked if I'd like to command the French fleet in a pre-dreadnought naval battle I said "absolument!" in an instant.</div>
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I set about researching the various French squadrons and divisions of the period to use as a basis for the shopping list, the Northern Squadron and the Reserves of the Mediterranean Squadron would form the core of my fleet, and headed to the <a href="http://www.wtj.com/store/index.html">WTJ Store</a> to start buying. </div>
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This is the second fleet that I've bought from them, the first being my US Great White Fleet (which I may redo someday) - although that was mostly pewter I opted for almost all resin this time round, and the level of detail in them is stunning. </div>
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In terms of basing, for the US fleet I'd sculpted a sea surface on the bases, but found this drew attention from the the ships, so this time I tried flat bases with just a bit of depth shading - the ships definitely 'pop' more. So, without further ado, here's the fleet:- </div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">The five battleships sometimes referred to as <i>Charles Martel-</i>class, but really each was an individual demonstration ship. The way the ships were painted was transitioning at this point from tan to white/silver upper works so I tried to represent that on the miniatures.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">L-R: The <i>Charlemagne</i>, the most modern battleship in the fleet, the three <i>Gloire</i>-class cruisers and the cruiser <i>Jeanne d'Arc</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The two coastal defence ships <i>Amiral Trehouart </i>and <i>Bouvines</i>, the basis for the battleship <i>Henri IV</i>, and my two favourites <i>Dupleix </i>and <i>Kleber </i>(both of the same class)<i> </i>- that never made it onto the board.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The destroyers and sea-going torpedo boats, never made it to the board either. Hastily painted, I treated these more as markers, but might back and pick out a little more detail later.</span><br />
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That's it for now folks, thanks for reading. Keep an eye out for something completely different that you can get involved in, I hear the circus is in town. A Roman circus... </div>
Kieran Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191062526187270925noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898378938353796232.post-78274078887843201532018-08-05T21:54:00.003+01:002018-08-08T11:00:23.156+01:00The Naval Battle of Cherbourg 1904<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoSc8ctBrS9dSFI7RMXjtkULj8Un8vzq2qdRON8g3rNk-MisEzHg8OQT2U0Snj7mlIrQj4t0eDrt_8Uk_LMLv4_cewevYh_kG8rmdE0ihFJ6RvTgTmv3UdPVZJMITyufxV6xN4CXCcJB-/s1600/IMG-4385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoSc8ctBrS9dSFI7RMXjtkULj8Un8vzq2qdRON8g3rNk-MisEzHg8OQT2U0Snj7mlIrQj4t0eDrt_8Uk_LMLv4_cewevYh_kG8rmdE0ihFJ6RvTgTmv3UdPVZJMITyufxV6xN4CXCcJB-/s320/IMG-4385.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">The entire French fleet present (mostly) at Cherbourg, bar the <i>Henri IV -</i> curresntly MIA...</span></td></tr>
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Last weekend I had the privilege to command the French fleet at the fictional <a href="https://palladian-guard.blogspot.com/2018/08/superbattle-cherbourg-1904.html">1904 Battle of Cherbourg</a>, a 'superbattle' created and run by Ed (who also ably commanded the <a href="http://palladian-guard.blogspot.com/2018/02/13000-russian-pre-dreadnought-fleet.html">Russian fleet</a>). </div>
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Pitting an Anglo-French Allied fleet against a joint Imperial fleet of the Russians and Germans, the scenario takes place after an imagined escalation of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogger_Bank_incident">Dogger Bank incident</a>. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Allies view at the start of the battle</span></td></tr>
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Such hasty alliances and limited communications in battle made for an interesting experience, as did the involvement of other bloggers as various naval ministers and our general superiors gave us specific orders separate from the overall objectives of our joint forces. Zzzzzz took the role of Gaston Thomson, the French Minister of the Navy, and gave me some superb orders in French - they aligned nicely with my overall approach and plan so I didn't have to disobey them too much. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCYhsgI7nnI3rROGA5DSpDpSBvCTZHSsYUZZ2NKE61wTaR7cuhixdfDn7jXo2lvNzd5bcrf6GhXwvAJxOCZuA01JZmVToxFgFVKnEh_hg2C7ysaHjTnOHfxyEaGeK0c1mwBUGI8IxE758T/s1600/IMG-3576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCYhsgI7nnI3rROGA5DSpDpSBvCTZHSsYUZZ2NKE61wTaR7cuhixdfDn7jXo2lvNzd5bcrf6GhXwvAJxOCZuA01JZmVToxFgFVKnEh_hg2C7ysaHjTnOHfxyEaGeK0c1mwBUGI8IxE758T/s320/IMG-3576.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The manoeuvring begins...</span></td></tr>
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Technically I had overall command of the Allied fleet but in reality myself and the British commanders shared the same general strategy and I did nothing more than make a suggestion or two. I didn't discuss anything with them until the morning of the battle, keeping in the spirit of the role-playing element where we wouldn't have much time to sit and plan. So many thanks to Zzzzz and to my excellent allies Mike and Dan. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The lines develop</span></td></tr>
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Thankfully luck prevailed, through our own fortune (and the misfortune of the Imperial fleet) and the Allied fleet was victorious and La Manche/English Channel was successfully defended. </div>
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I was also similarly lucky in winning the individual objectives for the glory of France - although my primary objective was to have more than half of my battleships survive which ended up being a bit of a cheat for me as I had the most overall.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigehJSsWFNY32orujLQhZWnrcwy00zbz1PaHVe-sLvYJUwJz_WuZz9Pt1_V7R9YVNafT2tb8VIx4p_Gv4l2z1ZUI4O2O2Agu_MChIWMyQEq2TyBq0D6_Ab7nK4bJB0Rp9aKtT9sQ95I9kx/s1600/IMG-3580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigehJSsWFNY32orujLQhZWnrcwy00zbz1PaHVe-sLvYJUwJz_WuZz9Pt1_V7R9YVNafT2tb8VIx4p_Gv4l2z1ZUI4O2O2Agu_MChIWMyQEq2TyBq0D6_Ab7nK4bJB0Rp9aKtT9sQ95I9kx/s320/IMG-3580.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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I've spent much of the time running up to the battle putting together an unnecessarily detailed background for my in-game persona, Vice-Amiral Joseph-Emile Meunier. For my own amusement I'll be publishing a handful of posts of this background here shortly. It's been an interesting way to learn about the intricacies of the nineteenth-century French Navy. It also gave me a bit more investment in making sure his flagship survived, rather than just treating the ships as throwaway units (which is why I love our 'supercampaigns' everything has a context and consequence).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The final lines</span></td></tr>
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Thanks again to Ed for the superb efforts in creating and organising the game, and being a fine opponent along with Ollie; to Mike and Dan for being excellent allies, <a href="http://devos4.blogspot.com/">Zzzzzz </a>for taking the time to put together my orders (in French), and to <a href="https://admiraldrax.blogspot.com/">Admiral Drax</a>, <a href="http://lostdamnedstunted.blogspot.com/">Dai </a>and <a href="http://tasmancave.blogspot.com/">Paul </a>for your orders to the players. It was one of the best games I've ever played. </div>
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Full details on the battle, and the view from the other side, can be found on Ed's excellent <a href="https://palladian-guard.blogspot.com/2018/08/superbattle-cherbourg-1904.html">blog post</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEi2zauU7E1u7XiMz833gMoyS89eZvMQ-5UINkvwBXlsHEyFkRR9I00ySuvqbDf_CJuvUG3JesPaWjVdsZNbBUmwtd5WSxSnjgR7hGFSISuqtWoh6gRIdj6wahsjGAqkIgC7fgcP1DB5h/s1600/IMG-3577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEi2zauU7E1u7XiMz833gMoyS89eZvMQ-5UINkvwBXlsHEyFkRR9I00ySuvqbDf_CJuvUG3JesPaWjVdsZNbBUmwtd5WSxSnjgR7hGFSISuqtWoh6gRIdj6wahsjGAqkIgC7fgcP1DB5h/s320/IMG-3577.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Attempted photo reconnaissance, the superb Russian fleet board</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqeuKRCQxEFBVSNk_i7FiWezn3F95x3syOpvBVBkjCQKuCwA0EYi76rx4qFxXZ5XfGzNSUPS5qQMN-RRj3hdx5Z3ENSTm4Z36dm7m6s8N5iB-3O-CSp_3CFvKvmuYsmBAycN-20N0FSYVG/s1600/SignaturePhoto+v5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="574" data-original-width="433" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqeuKRCQxEFBVSNk_i7FiWezn3F95x3syOpvBVBkjCQKuCwA0EYi76rx4qFxXZ5XfGzNSUPS5qQMN-RRj3hdx5Z3ENSTm4Z36dm7m6s8N5iB-3O-CSp_3CFvKvmuYsmBAycN-20N0FSYVG/s320/SignaturePhoto+v5.png" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Vice-Amiral Meuniur (as Lieutenant circa 1871), looks familiar...</span></td></tr>
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Kieran Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191062526187270925noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898378938353796232.post-39625455769425608412018-04-30T18:26:00.001+01:002018-04-30T21:07:05.866+01:0015mm French Foreign Legion AMX10-RC<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-align: justify;">There's a few cobwebs here isn't there. My hobbying has been fairly passive for the past year but has certainly not gone away, Ed has covered all of our games and projects superbly on the </span><a href="https://palladian-guard.blogspot.co.uk/" style="text-align: justify;">Palladian Guard</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> blog. Hopefully I should be back here regularly now if not frequently, and have plenty of modelling and gaming goodness to share. </span><br />
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Today is Camerone Day, the 155th anniversary of the Battle of Camerone (or Camaron) at which a small infantry patrol of the Legion étrangère (French Foreign Legion) led by Captain Danjou were besieged by a total of around 3,000 Mexican infantry and cavalry throughout the course of the day.<br />
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When only a handful of <i>légionnaires </i>remained the Mexicans asked for their surrender, in response they asked for the Mexicans surrender. Out of the 65 only 3 <i>légionnaires </i>survived (5 had attempted a bayonet charge after running out of ammunition). Ultimately Danjou's men (Danjou himself had died earlier in the day) agreed to surrender if they could keep their weapons and that their wounded Lieutenant was given medical care. The Mexican General famously said of the <i>légionnaires that </i>"these are not men! They are devils!" A Wikipedia overview can be found <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Camar%C3%B3n">here</a>.</div>
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Needless to say Camerone became part of the Legion legend and is today the most important day in the Legion calendar (only Christmas is close to the importance) and is marked with its own traditions and rituals, most notably the parade at the Legion headquarters at Aubagne where the wooden hand of Captain Danjou has pride of place. There are better descriptions of the battle and the day out there if you wish to look, but hopefully that is a decent overview. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrVfuGcFcTxAQZdQF78GR5t85korhoYTZUJSuoB_kHfOMhp4cHc_Ku7egt2rE9uW2UksITMJkGT8YJBGVBfzlt02vjzuje88NjKxYc7ENg-Ota9KJC-r9Xv4vpTTYUhcxUJtvHUpbTbG2/s1600/battle_camaron07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="202" data-original-width="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrVfuGcFcTxAQZdQF78GR5t85korhoYTZUJSuoB_kHfOMhp4cHc_Ku7egt2rE9uW2UksITMJkGT8YJBGVBfzlt02vjzuje88NjKxYc7ENg-Ota9KJC-r9Xv4vpTTYUhcxUJtvHUpbTbG2/s1600/battle_camaron07.jpg" /></a></div>
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It seems like a timely day to share what's currently on my paining table - an AMX-10RC armoured car of 1er REC (1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment).<br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;">With the pending release of the Free Nations expansion for Team Yankee (see <a href="http://btassault.wpengine.com/aux-armes-citoyens-formez-vos-bataillons/">Breakthrough Assault's superb overview </a></span><span style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://btassault.wpengine.com/aux-armes-citoyens-formez-vos-bataillons/">here</a></span><span style="text-align: justify;">) I thought I'd get ahead of the curve and get my French forces started (or rather I bought the miniatures with the expectation of using a homebrew list but the timing of Free Nations was perfect). </span></div>
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As the official miniatures aren't released until late August, I found two suppliers that currently produce the AMX-10RC - <a href="http://totalsystemscenic.com/">QRF</a> and <a href="http://totentanz-miniatures.com/">Totentanz</a>. </div>
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I ordered myself one from QRF as a test miniature, to get an idea of the quality - if I wasn't happy it would at least give me a chance to get the distinctive camo pattern right and could always be used as scenery etc. </div>
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As it happens I was impressed with the level of detail, particularly at £6.50 per model. Whilst it does have less detail then the Totentanz, it is metal rather than resin (a plus in my book) it certainly has more than sufficient detail. I did have to make some minor repair to the side of the hull but that was quickly fixed with some putty and is unnoticeable now, again at £6.50 I'm not complaining. I expect to have a mix of ranges in the final army (including the official miniatures, and I expect PSC will be releasing a range shortly). </div>
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I gave this a basecoat of Humbrol green grass spray, and then used GW Mournfang Brown and Abaddon Black for the other main sections (with some other Vallejo paints thrown in the mix). </div>
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It's currently 'up on blocks' as I'm going to try a little weathering before I add the wheels and may be a little more highlighting now I have better light to paint in (although I still struggle to do exaggerated highlighting, especially on vehicles).</div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">I've also put together a scratchbuilt 1/100 20ft shipping container for the project - the doors should have worked much like my </span><a href="http://gotflag.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/buidling-bilgewater-creek-guide-to.html" style="text-align: justify;">Bilgewater Creek Necromunda piece</a><span style="text-align: justify;">, but I messed up - the next one will work properly. I need to fix the direction of the roof too.</span></div>
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As anyone that knows me would expect I've been looking up the correct numbering and BIC codes (ensuring all the numbers follow the 1984 ISO rather than the 1995... I need to get out more). Ultimately this will have '<i>Legio Patria Nostra</i>' painted on the side and form part of an FOB/COP, just means of adding a bit of identifying character. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The roof at FOB Tora, Afghanistan. The container will mirror this.</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Along with collecting most of 6e DLB for Team Yankee I'm currently working on some Mobile Riverine Force stuff for 'Nam - with some fairly heavy conversions of the default ATC/Tango boats likely to be my next post here... </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Thanks for reading, until next time. </span></div>
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And <i>Bon Camerone </i>to all <i>légionnaires </i>past and present!</div>
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Kieran Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191062526187270925noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898378938353796232.post-42989389052396686622017-03-08T17:36:00.000+00:002017-03-08T17:36:56.455+00:00Warmaster High Elf ArchersI've finally emerged from the hibernation of winter to break my blogging and painting drought. This is the first time writing a post on my phone as the PC is out of action, so this may be a choppy read...<br />
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Although much of last year was taken up with the Lawrence of Arabia diorama on one way or another it definitely reignited my modelling - and painting bug - although I did very little with brushes myself.</div>
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Last year our gaming group also started playing Warmaster, the only GW game I hadn't play previously. Whilst we'd done plenty of 2mm and a bit of 6mm, 10mm was new. I particularly liked the look of Warmaster on the table as it reminded me so much of the video games Shadow of the Horned Rat and Dark Omen - a pure hit of nostalgia.</div>
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This seemed like an ideal game/range to jump back on the painting wagon as whole armies can be painted up relatively quickly. In theory anyway. </div>
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After wanting to go for Lizardmen or Skaven, in the end I opted for High Elves mostly because of the availability and price on eBay and their relative uniformity - but I'm keeping my eye on Skaven miniatures in particular. </div>
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For painting I decided to stick to the traditional blue and white scheme - white could mostly be done with the spray paint undercoat/base coat, and for the blue I opted for a slight more 'Lothern Sea Guard' colour which ended up being Sotek Green.</div>
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Painting them was rather fun overall, there's enough detail in there to be able to paint them much like 28mm but with the freedom to skip over some details - as my aim with this was to get an army on the table quickly that was rather handy. Although it had been a while since I'd used ink washes and didn't quite get it right on the first block, I tried to brush some of the excess off rather than letting the brush 'soak' it up which made them look a bit grubby. Never mind </div>
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Some WIP photos below, and in the meantime check out Ed's Palladian Guard blog for some lovely Warmaster AARs and some of the other gaming stuff we've all been doing lately.</div>
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Kieran Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191062526187270925noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898378938353796232.post-80626502927663401102016-10-30T15:04:00.000+00:002017-01-18T21:22:48.583+00:0028mm Diorama of Lawrence of Arabia's Ambush at Hallat Ammar (September 1917)<div style="text-align: justify;">
My last post detailed a locomotive that I was building for a diorama. Since then I've been frantically working on the rest of it, along with <a href="http://palladian-guard.blogspot.com/">Scipio</a> and our SB5 comrades: Ollie and Mike.<br />
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The diorama was made for the Shifting Sands exhibit, which details Lawrence's involvement in the war and examines the consequences of the Great Arab Revolt that are with us in the present day. Built around the work of the <a href="http://www.jordan1914-18archaeology.org/">GARP</a> archaeological project, it's an outstanding exhibit and an excellent addition the the <a href="http://www.nationalcivilwarcentre.com/exhibitions/">National Civil War Centre.</a> Cannot recommend a visit enough, and not just to see our diorama.</div>
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This is the first time I've done a diorama so it was a steep learning curve, there's a lot that I'm not happy with on my side, but overall I think we recreated the ambush as described by Lawrence in his memoirs Seven Pillars of Wisdom as well as the limitations of space, resources and time allowed. But it was all experience for the next projects...</div>
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All credit for the beautiful painting of the Turks, the engine and the creation of the lovely sandbags go to Scipio, and likewise the Arabs are all Mike's handiwork. Ollie selected the miniatures and created all of the lovely shell casings scattered around, reflecting the archaeological finds and helped me put the finishing touches to everything on the last day at the museum - and a special thanks to Scipio, who on the evening before his wedding, drove to my house to do some last minute work on the diorama and then transported it in one piece to the museum. That's dedication. </div>
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I'm not going to waffle too much, I'll just share the photos, any questions are welcome as always.<br />
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And a few shots from construction, sadly I couldn't chart the progress as much as I'd have liked due to time restrictions. </div>
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<br />Kieran Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191062526187270925noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898378938353796232.post-8169751358752466042016-08-01T20:27:00.001+01:002017-01-18T13:27:32.439+00:00Arab Revolt 1917: Scratchbuilt Hejaz Railway Hartmann (1/58)<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well. since the last post work has gotten stupidly busy, I've moved house, flew to the US for the 100th running of the Indy 500 (obligatory <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=he_sz5lW2D0" target="_blank">YouTube link</a>) and even managed to get a fair few games in (the <a href="http://palladian-guard.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Supercampaign%20V" target="_blank">RJW</a> and <a href="http://palladian-guard.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Supercampaign%20IV" target="_blank">ACW</a> Campaigns covered superlatively by Ed on the Palladian Guard blog).</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgisp0nMJEndMet9TCmcyipZZdyM8BUacRbY-2C3Du6afk-Gj0GKqb82QL5dSEGlJjKRX2eCahTj60OR1ncJ7ukOUzos66-sqK0GllejY7nVEgzPVI3ta3koM6QVvQ9MpPOXorHAFjs79wz/s1600/IMG_1159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgisp0nMJEndMet9TCmcyipZZdyM8BUacRbY-2C3Du6afk-Gj0GKqb82QL5dSEGlJjKRX2eCahTj60OR1ncJ7ukOUzos66-sqK0GllejY7nVEgzPVI3ta3koM6QVvQ9MpPOXorHAFjs79wz/s320/IMG_1159.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hartmann 2-6-0 ready for painting by Ed</td></tr>
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I've also been working on a rather interesting project, part of which is the Hartmann 2-6-0 here. I don't want to say too much about the project yet (it's not mine), but the SB5 involvement is to build a diorama of Lawrence of Arabia's famous ambush of a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hejaz_Railway" target="_blank">Hejaz Railway</a> troop train at Hallat Ammar (TEL's spelling). You can read an article by Dr Neil Faulkner on the ambush <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-one/inside-first-world-war/part-six/10607944/lawrence-arabia.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Coincidentally sections of the Hejaz Railway still runs today as a heritage railway essentially, using much of the same locomotives and stock as it did in 1917. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only surviving Hartmann 2-6-0. Courtesy of <a href="http://nabataea.net/medinalocos.html">Nabatea.net</a></td></tr>
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There aren't many 28mm or 1/58 scale locomotive kits as it is, on top of that the Hejaz Railway is narrow gauge (or more technically, medium), making an off-the-shelf option even more unlikely. So to get it right (or right <i>enough</i>) it would have to be scratchbuilt. Luckily, if we assume 30mm = 6ft then 00 gauge track is pretty much the perfect scale to represent 1050mm track at 1/58. This means we can at least use the track as is and wheels etc. of 00 gauge kits without too much tinkering. Very helpful as time on this was very limited.</div>
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Now we don't actually know what locomotive was used to pull the train, if you search for Hallat Ammar you will see a derailed Hartmann 2-8-0 close to the Hallat Ammar station, but this is from a later attack. What we do know from TEL's memoirs, <a href="http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks01/0100111h.html" target="_blank">Seven Pillars of Wisdom</a>, is the following:</div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">There were two locomotives, </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">They were relatively large</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">They had tenders </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">They were pulling 10 carriages</li>
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Whilst sufficiently large, it seems unlikely that two 2-8-0s would be needed to pull 10 carriages, so I opted for the shorter 2-6-0 version. </div>
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Ultimately information is sparse and occasionally conflicting, so I felt as long as my choice was plausible and I recreated that as best as I could that would count as a job well done. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDnzCUWo-_ZbHx_R_8rVJdpziJ-lSv_u7SIdL445KWyID20pxs0FIC43a7YcX1TXY2BUY3DMNIg8ILo5XdN46iJeIbZKaB1SgVf8Ws3U5KzPtqshl88vcmqfLVgqexUu_HYloBTJtjk3_/s1600/Card.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDnzCUWo-_ZbHx_R_8rVJdpziJ-lSv_u7SIdL445KWyID20pxs0FIC43a7YcX1TXY2BUY3DMNIg8ILo5XdN46iJeIbZKaB1SgVf8Ws3U5KzPtqshl88vcmqfLVgqexUu_HYloBTJtjk3_/s320/Card.bmp" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hartmann 2-6-0 Technical Data</td></tr>
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As the second locomotive was almost totally destroyed and the tender of the first locomotive likewise, then I only needed to build one almost intact. We know that only the cab was blown open and that it was working as Lawrence describes it - he had to place a second charge on this first loco as it was still "at steam", meaning there would be little more than superficial damage to it for it to be in this state. It was derailed, but only half over, so any damage came from the blast itself. </div>
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It seemed unlikely that I was going to be able to find detailed plans or schematics, so I looked at photos of the Hejaz Railway locos with people in it, preferably crew and workers standing on the train so I could judge what the general proportions should be</div>
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Luckily I also stumbled upon what appears to be some kind of data card, which didn't give full measurements but did provide the wheelbase and wheel sizes, so now there was something concrete to work from. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlNxkVpv51MwI-eQsJHuWzOK1Dv_y0K7Ah0fXTWVtsrIX4zAEtb0ZSe8pqUd7GrglMIJwXnXK35D9fVHwH02UuQt4Cph3n9uG35zbmLFc1ibOl1Ke4IdCLx7JNDQyR8STZ80Iy_Tr7Wu7/s1600/3b5140a319ad561fcbee523401db783f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlNxkVpv51MwI-eQsJHuWzOK1Dv_y0K7Ah0fXTWVtsrIX4zAEtb0ZSe8pqUd7GrglMIJwXnXK35D9fVHwH02UuQt4Cph3n9uG35zbmLFc1ibOl1Ke4IdCLx7JNDQyR8STZ80Iy_Tr7Wu7/s320/3b5140a319ad561fcbee523401db783f.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #211922; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: #f9cb9c;">1894 Swiss-built SLM 2-6-0T in Syria, 2007</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Looking for locomotives that would have the same wheel size at 00 scale as the Hartmann would at 1/58, the Ivatt was the best fit but I couldn't find one cheaply or in plastic (easier to modify). However Dapol do a BR Class 4 which with a little modification could be made to fit, which is exactly what I did, shortening the wheelbase and filing down the wheels. </div>
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The rest of the locomotive is the usual scratch-building fare: balsa wood, plasticard, brass rods, guitar string and a load of Milliput. Notable elements are the the boiler door from an old Ork dreadnought (with 3 of the braces filed away), part of the whistle is a hubcap from a Space Marine bike (upside down), the boiler itself is a Scalextric track support I've kept in my bits box for 18 years, and the chimney/funnel is a piece of plastic from the packaging on a pair of pliers. I cut it into quarters to create the slightly conical shape, cut and placed the end of a poly cement cap in the top to hold the shape, then filed the gaps with Milliput, and added the trim around the top. I also forgot to drill the hole back in the top. </div>
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Without further ado, here's a slideshow of pictures of construction, and a few image of the final(ish) product :-</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/iqvQwYqXT7Q/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iqvQwYqXT7Q?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_61MCMFREYICMhVekJUXNXTSao8RXmlx3nKqt_y6AexIr4qa8CkZDP6yn_hv1RCkC1ZKDxKlbFZMRdAI6wlBB1MOrb1ilk-L3QF1nmzE1Ks_bkFI8HTvI2H8JitUz4hw4UufjYQuJARVG/s1600/IMG_1148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_61MCMFREYICMhVekJUXNXTSao8RXmlx3nKqt_y6AexIr4qa8CkZDP6yn_hv1RCkC1ZKDxKlbFZMRdAI6wlBB1MOrb1ilk-L3QF1nmzE1Ks_bkFI8HTvI2H8JitUz4hw4UufjYQuJARVG/s320/IMG_1148.JPG" width="307" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBnCS92am7EGpCRblqZD-aSZaFQlh9TE-hEAvYZ6f3TkBvzuzLEob7UHqstVNlJKRh5bVXvICaWnR_ZbjOtDyuRnggxEukd6zdXHkfo97SeGLcK-bGWxgsKnufuQWNQdXzyyiQR0wjbGW/s1600/IMG_1153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBnCS92am7EGpCRblqZD-aSZaFQlh9TE-hEAvYZ6f3TkBvzuzLEob7UHqstVNlJKRh5bVXvICaWnR_ZbjOtDyuRnggxEukd6zdXHkfo97SeGLcK-bGWxgsKnufuQWNQdXzyyiQR0wjbGW/s320/IMG_1153.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVxtV6VB25E9EMwUq4_mmrpgQhCZTY_5YqyO3-5bO_OVW5GMU_kHAjYdImDEUb5G3r23Rcvm6EtC4R1L2J9GxUocj4Kl6fZ3rEa4led3lprx9vbHlljlYwvJRY7Sh8enVd8lZt5a8qS7c/s1600/IMG_1156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVxtV6VB25E9EMwUq4_mmrpgQhCZTY_5YqyO3-5bO_OVW5GMU_kHAjYdImDEUb5G3r23Rcvm6EtC4R1L2J9GxUocj4Kl6fZ3rEa4led3lprx9vbHlljlYwvJRY7Sh8enVd8lZt5a8qS7c/s320/IMG_1156.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQspkzBgkhTPBtfzjsOtVO7tq3DQMOzLpMPaGSyy9iFnnYWMu8OZAgo3zsWvZqM4P_JqqYXCPjbKPSLlp0fVzXLOz6fQHSsLZNI0JpVKL1SM5_KrBNIqO-I1QkvXnenIcx9bz9S1FsqCl4/s1600/IMG_1157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQspkzBgkhTPBtfzjsOtVO7tq3DQMOzLpMPaGSyy9iFnnYWMu8OZAgo3zsWvZqM4P_JqqYXCPjbKPSLlp0fVzXLOz6fQHSsLZNI0JpVKL1SM5_KrBNIqO-I1QkvXnenIcx9bz9S1FsqCl4/s320/IMG_1157.JPG" width="274" /></a></div>
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Well that's it for now folks, thanks for reading. There may be a follow up with Ed's painted version on the Palladian Guard blog so watch this space. Or that one. There will also be more on this project in the following weeks.</div>
Kieran Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191062526187270925noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898378938353796232.post-55086187477524319512016-04-18T19:08:00.001+01:002018-04-17T21:51:33.209+01:00Paperback Fighter: Episode #3<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's been a long time but here it is, the third part of my ongoing <a href="http://gotflag.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Freeway%20Fighter">Freeway Fighter series</a>.</div>
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Essentially it's a series in which I re-play my favourite Adventure Gamebook for the first time in 20 years. Instead of making decisions as a proper hero would, I am instead playing as if it were myself in that situation (whilst occasionally channeling Alan Partridge). I shall also be playing without cheating. Probably a first.</div>
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Follow these links for <a href="http://gotflag.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/paperback-fighter-revisitng-adventure.html">part 1</a> and <a href="http://gotflag.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/freeway-fighter-adventure-gamebook.html">part 2</a>. A quick summary of the story so far: the apocalypse has happened, the majority of the world's population wiped out. The usual. As a citizen of one of the bastions of civilisation, the town of New Hope, I've been tasked with driving across the post-apocalyptic wasteland brimming with people and things that want to kill me in order to collect a fuel tanker from a distant city and forge diplomatic relations. Etcetera. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYIFfJff313eOUpaZLnS0OC-rNZRSjDStRcfx9WNw4Gdz3jt-BEYjUE0PuPyuUgqsOlfkOa0gETq4PGaLsrPnWhxopV9t7mr8o64GsG6s0hnNRdyybh7MKMkaWBowCQk_6TPF_dQELzke/s1600/ffc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYIFfJff313eOUpaZLnS0OC-rNZRSjDStRcfx9WNw4Gdz3jt-BEYjUE0PuPyuUgqsOlfkOa0gETq4PGaLsrPnWhxopV9t7mr8o64GsG6s0hnNRdyybh7MKMkaWBowCQk_6TPF_dQELzke/s320/ffc.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fearsome set of wheels and accompanying fashions</td></tr>
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Last time on that journey saw me get involved in my very first high speed chase, but managed to leave my pursuers a bit flamey in a ditch. After this scrape I got news that the leader of New Hope, Sinclair, had been kidnapped after a raid on the town by bikers. After finding my route blocked on the highway I turned back to the exit and faced the decision of going left or right. The unanimous decision in the comments was "left" - which I'm now going to follow and blame you all if it goes horribly wrong. </div>
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The Story Continues...</div>
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<b>Episode #3</b></div>
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<i>Page 66 for those following at home</i></div>
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With the engine idling, the car sits motionless at the junction. I look across to my left and right. Out of nowhere it is as if a chorus of voices say in unison "left"... As I always pay attention to what the imaginary voices tell me to do I consider trying to spin it the car around, but instead opt for a sensible three-point turn to get me heading back on the road.</div>
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Time for a bit of music methinks, where's that mix tape.</div>
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A smooth drive westwards listening to the dulcet tones of Midge Ure eventually comes to an end. Mostly because the road has come to an end. A fast-flowing river cuts the road in half and the only way across is a bridge. However the bridge is a drawbridge, and it's partly open. Hmm, what if I got a good enough run up at the bridge? If I can get to a high enough speed maybe, just maybe I could get across the bridge. I turn the car around, if I'm going to do this I need to make sure I've got as long a run up as possible. Am I really doing this...?</div>
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No, of course I'm not. I'm not an idiot, this is real life, not<i> The Man with the Golden Gun</i>. I continue down the road and head eastwards like I should have done in the first place. That's the last time I listen to the voices in my head. Probably.</div>
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<i>Turn to page 341</i></div>
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fter a few miles heading eastward I pass what seems to be an ambulance in rather good condition parked on the right. Should I go an investigate? There's a chance that there may be some abandoned medical supplies after all. I park up and go and check the first aid box in the glove box. Inside are a couple of conforming bandages, one antiseptic wipe, a yellowing 'Beginner's Guide to First Aid' on a sheet of A5, and an out-of-date tube of Savlon. There's a proper Kit in the boot but given the state of this one it's probably worth having a nosey at least. </div>
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<i>Turn to page 267</i><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQs0_NKpDZ9kKGeHH84l9on0VsXntoZYnVLHB9WJxMg_YIV6DRnW7noTMPgTIvW6N1zJIt8c1oXzIXePN3crFxKnWMYQQasjhzD1Pho4yeaIPtZlv5TR_1IKdgLXiqd6kdGm8Yv2AGxw9V/s1600/IMG_2066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQs0_NKpDZ9kKGeHH84l9on0VsXntoZYnVLHB9WJxMg_YIV6DRnW7noTMPgTIvW6N1zJIt8c1oXzIXePN3crFxKnWMYQQasjhzD1Pho4yeaIPtZlv5TR_1IKdgLXiqd6kdGm8Yv2AGxw9V/s320/IMG_2066.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The vehicle in question (along with bespoke SB5 gaming group mug)</td></tr>
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I park up at the side of the road and head towards the ambulance. Walking around a few times and paying close attention, it seems the vehicle is in very good condition and has definitely been driven recently - the engine is still warm for goodness sake. I look around for the owner, whilst the world around me may have descended in lawlessness this is no excuse for me to break the law with reckless abandon. I'm certainly not going to attempt to steal anything - not if there's a chance of getting caught. I might get hurt. Nevertheless, although most ambulances should ideally be rather conspicuous, this sticks out like a sore thumb. </div>
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Do I go and look inside the vehicle or should I continue my journey east?</div>
Kieran Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191062526187270925noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898378938353796232.post-17911829361925196272016-03-28T13:54:00.002+01:002017-04-01T08:37:25.711+01:00The Year Ahead<div style="text-align: justify;">
Although things have been quiet here for a while, the gaming has continued apace and has been diligently covered by Ed over at his <a href="http://palladian-guard.blogspot.com/">Palladian Guard</a> blog, with a distinctive gaming style taking hold in the last 12 months. </div>
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The self-contained nature of our Super-campaign projects means that Ed has been doing most of the modelling and painting, or in instances where I've been involved in planning the fear of spoiling the games has led me to be a bit quieter. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYoKq43IBosKiPYSwIxKnr-ZOWayVoCiI8HQ2ZwqXGOkTBEAcSS7p54p1DrKPskmasea7EPKvLHl_Vzp5d-Ue-SzWtngwWneGZTzkq4GCfTvW6wbRoYfFY6s4XheIR-LQem8iOx08V97pD/s1600/stock-illustration-72916853-april-2016-calendar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYoKq43IBosKiPYSwIxKnr-ZOWayVoCiI8HQ2ZwqXGOkTBEAcSS7p54p1DrKPskmasea7EPKvLHl_Vzp5d-Ue-SzWtngwWneGZTzkq4GCfTvW6wbRoYfFY6s4XheIR-LQem8iOx08V97pD/s320/stock-illustration-72916853-april-2016-calendar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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However, this is a new year, I'm in the middle of moving house and feeling ready to get the blog back into action and looking at how I can cover some of the campaign projects without giving anything away to the players. Although it's arbitrary I'm aiming for a post at least every 20 days.</div>
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Although there's been talk of several projects, there are a handful that are on the schedule for 2016 that I'm planning.</div>
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<b><u>2016</u></b></div>
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<b>ACW Red River Super-campaign</b></div>
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It's 1864, General's Oliver and Edwards of <a href="http://palladian-guard.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/the-chattanooga-campaign.html">Burning Tennessee</a> fame battle across the bayous of Louisiana as the Union attempts to take control of East Texas. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXGm3XDmABmmtWPlwxoFkJ_oLppWvpjkukY0k4PSY2Cl-2jr4QZmzpESDPNWje5Ip59Ar8OOiKvkG3Rl1TYjRkPkFhs6wVhOkst8DAYDdu69BsT0cIk6GphGv_fAbsmAbI-Su5aYf8SLY/s1600/Tennessee+Map.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXGm3XDmABmmtWPlwxoFkJ_oLppWvpjkukY0k4PSY2Cl-2jr4QZmzpESDPNWje5Ip59Ar8OOiKvkG3Rl1TYjRkPkFhs6wVhOkst8DAYDdu69BsT0cIk6GphGv_fAbsmAbI-Su5aYf8SLY/s320/Tennessee+Map.bmp" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burning Tennesee Campaign Map</td></tr>
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<b>ACW Artilley Co-Operative Campaign and Game System </b></div>
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Yet more ACW, but something a little different. With an Excel app at it's core, this aims to recreate Battery level command much like Ed's <i><a href="http://palladian-guard.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Two%20Splendid%20Lines">Two Splendid Lines</a></i> does with regimental command. with each player commanding a section (2 guns) of artillery, The players give an elevation for each gun and the app converts that to a range in cm. It calculates a simple trajectory so vertical terrain can be important, along with simplified forms of wind direction/strength, humidity, air pressure etc based on historical data. This means players can't just get good at guessing ranges but have to consider the different factors in each game. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU76VYL0a4SUEBCz9v6OqjNeI2k9b_Mp5wnZhuV8gPTxieEhArt2WCOgtdYBCwRJHRdIJdFnbYnQq7ThzdWMFPQzjYkkrG0mj8DT-HvuQ6Fd4rcOPy-xCkcW4pxdyAtTqKEzQN7x9jjxz0/s1600/M_Dubourg%252C_Boarding_and_Taking_the_American_Ship_Chesapeake%252C_by_the_Officers_and_Crew_of_H.M._Ship_Shannon%252C_Commanded_by_Capt._Broke%252C_June_1813_%2528c._1813%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU76VYL0a4SUEBCz9v6OqjNeI2k9b_Mp5wnZhuV8gPTxieEhArt2WCOgtdYBCwRJHRdIJdFnbYnQq7ThzdWMFPQzjYkkrG0mj8DT-HvuQ6Fd4rcOPy-xCkcW4pxdyAtTqKEzQN7x9jjxz0/s320/M_Dubourg%252C_Boarding_and_Taking_the_American_Ship_Chesapeake%252C_by_the_Officers_and_Crew_of_H.M._Ship_Shannon%252C_Commanded_by_Capt._Broke%252C_June_1813_%2528c._1813%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prepare to repel boarders... ah no, too late</td></tr>
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<b>Prepare to Repel Boarders</b></div>
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A project with a lot of potential and miniatures I'm eager to paint, my 28mm Napoleonic boarding game. Going to get the first games of that in this year.</div>
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<b>Secret Terrain and Locomotive Scratch building Project</b></div>
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What it says on the tin... Stay tuned. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EK1yzqmCpmo-1PmD9JtpqiCkxsyhaHrAhk0AGU5OcqwDS9_q7WpupIExSL1XSz8dZbay7LdEwLZ1L4mN-P2NM5cDxxdc6GDzlrjqOM5Zi-kf7AOA_tGETWjnB724hYODzL9cNYRk2BHv/s1600/Saga+Normans+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EK1yzqmCpmo-1PmD9JtpqiCkxsyhaHrAhk0AGU5OcqwDS9_q7WpupIExSL1XSz8dZbay7LdEwLZ1L4mN-P2NM5cDxxdc6GDzlrjqOM5Zi-kf7AOA_tGETWjnB724hYODzL9cNYRk2BHv/s320/Saga+Normans+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gripping Beast's lovely Normans</td></tr>
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<b>SAGA Normans</b></div>
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With it being an anniversary year (950) of the Battle of Hastings, I thought it would be good to get the army finished by 14th of October, and perhaps a game on that day if possible. They got boxed up with the last house move, so they can be unboxed with this next one. </div>
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<b>Fighting Fantasy "Freeway Fighter"</b></div>
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It might be 2 years late, but better late than never, I shall be resuming my <a href="http://gotflag.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/paperback-fighter-revisitng-adventure.html">Freeway Fighter series </a>throughout the year!</div>
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<b><u>2017</u></b><br />
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<b>AWI Super-Campaign</b></div>
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Ollie and Ed take command of the British and Continental forces respectively as the British attempt to take control of the Hudson River Valley (ostensibly Saratoga, 1777). </div>
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<b>Battle of the Atlantic 'Global' Campaign (Potential)</b></div>
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A campaign involving players from around the 'blogosphere' (that means you). Essentially play-by-email, each player would command a U-Boat Wolfpack in the Atlantic and communicating with each other and BdU (myself and/or Ed) using my Excel Enigma emulator (more on this in another post). Based around an advanced Excel program generating convoy routes etc. No tabletop element. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHbw4QoDFxDnwDR-h-dNIw8lY-_U7DgKJH1rdef71cAV2cMw5vm-kbDoPy920qq0ioR7uh4x-F79Yz37oTi8VSh7VquDYiNWhsFzQpNBb24Xwe7DmBM1QZ_zYta_PbOJdYr1DqVjkKTt2G/s1600/ExcelEnigma+Main+2.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHbw4QoDFxDnwDR-h-dNIw8lY-_U7DgKJH1rdef71cAV2cMw5vm-kbDoPy920qq0ioR7uh4x-F79Yz37oTi8VSh7VquDYiNWhsFzQpNBb24Xwe7DmBM1QZ_zYta_PbOJdYr1DqVjkKTt2G/s320/ExcelEnigma+Main+2.bmp" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WIP version of Excel Enigma</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>WW1 Western Front Aerial 'Global' Campaign </b><b>(Potential)</b></div>
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Much like the above each player takes command of a Squadron on the Western Front. Aerial combat can either be played out by proxy players or simulated. </div>
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Additionally, Ed is currently working on a <a href="http://palladian-guard.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/12400-russo-japanese-war-ships.html">Russo-Japanese War</a> campaign so look out for that. </div>
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In the next couple of scheduled posts I'll be looking at 'Technology and Gaming' and asking 'Why do we Wargame?'</div>
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Thanks for reading!</div>
Kieran Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191062526187270925noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898378938353796232.post-52320182010762758162015-08-22T18:55:00.002+01:002017-04-01T09:04:33.001+01:00New Projects and Quick UpdateI'm back from hibernation (and the Edinburgh Fringe) to once again to throw some words at the Internet, and let you all know that I've not abandoned ship, I'm still here and have posts queued up waiting.<br />
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That said there'll be little to no GW content anymore, with the exception of some Specialist Games stuff every now and then. Sadly much of the interest I had in the setting has gone. It's been good to me since '96, but it's not for me anymore.<br />
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My old projects have been mothballed so I can approach new stuff without being haunted by the Ghost of Unfinished Projects Past Sad but necessary to bring a bit of hobby joy back. I may ressurect them one day though.</div>
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Most of the wargaming I've been doing lately has been with Ed and given that they're campaigns I don't want to chuck out any posts here and there to potentially ruin any final narrative Ed might want to do on it at the end - or give away my strategic scheming</div>
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In order to give me a kick up the derriere to get posting a little more, and finish the several posts I've already mostly written, here's what you can expect in the coming months:</div>
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<b>Prepare to Repel Boarders!</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP0iH8Ih-vB5xEDrjIRyRdYw24duB8dLVf0PKcaesNLlyQKFBAs8C2jigKqWoJqjjRz0rJ1kyx5XeZ30261Ps12Z3EarVz6tFKzxET2zT2tQcOnLRwrUzdMy4Eb7oBZ8COnGZoc1LJzhxi/s1600/M_Dubourg%252C_Boarding_and_Taking_the_American_Ship_Chesapeake%252C_by_the_Officers_and_Crew_of_H.M._Ship_Shannon%252C_Commanded_by_Capt._Broke%252C_June_1813_%2528c._1813%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP0iH8Ih-vB5xEDrjIRyRdYw24duB8dLVf0PKcaesNLlyQKFBAs8C2jigKqWoJqjjRz0rJ1kyx5XeZ30261Ps12Z3EarVz6tFKzxET2zT2tQcOnLRwrUzdMy4Eb7oBZ8COnGZoc1LJzhxi/s320/M_Dubourg%252C_Boarding_and_Taking_the_American_Ship_Chesapeake%252C_by_the_Officers_and_Crew_of_H.M._Ship_Shannon%252C_Commanded_by_Capt._Broke%252C_June_1813_%2528c._1813%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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An Age of Sail boarding game I've been writing loosely based on Ed's <a href="http://palladian-guard.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Trench%20Raiders">Trench Raiders</a> rules. Very excited about this, but taking my with the project as it's something I want to get right, and share with you all to try for yourselves. </div>
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There will be a long series of posts surrounding this for a long time, from miniature range comparisons, developing the rules, building 1/64 scale sloops and brigs, (and possibly frigates) etc etc. </div>
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<b>28mm Celts (WAB)</b></div>
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We've been building up some forces for WAB (yes WAB, that old chestnut) for a while, and those long-time readers will be not at all surprised that I've opted for some chariot-riding Celts. </div>
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I've already got two posts mostly written surrounding this project: Celtic Horse Breeds (riveting stuff eh) and the slightly more imaginatively named "On the Woad Again: Dyes and Patterns of Iron Age Celts"</div>
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<b><b>Paperback Fighter</b></b></div>
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Yes, my series of posts revisiting the Fighting Fantasy adventure game books will be continuing! You can read part 1 <a href="http://gotflag.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/paperback-fighter-revisitng-adventure.html">here</a> and part 2 <a href="http://gotflag.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/freeway-fighter-adventure-gamebook.html">here</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOUGXyV1c2AhemTdPR7ZIhPpKGzpe5Qc5bIjYQkpzhYIoBEvsiVhozsv199jw907A07CshEgirZI_zebi9cuHpX-1FMFxNoDq7pCDTlvn7T6wHMFenjSxdmbD1OhtIYcq-8lvSPsPVt9Z/s1600/FF2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOUGXyV1c2AhemTdPR7ZIhPpKGzpe5Qc5bIjYQkpzhYIoBEvsiVhozsv199jw907A07CshEgirZI_zebi9cuHpX-1FMFxNoDq7pCDTlvn7T6wHMFenjSxdmbD1OhtIYcq-8lvSPsPVt9Z/s320/FF2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Other Stuff</b></div>
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There will be a fair few other projects as well, but these are either small bits and pieces or things I don't want to ruin the surprise of yet.<br />
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Tomorrow, we shall be doing a 2mm demonstration game of the Second Siege/Relief of Newark at the National War Centre, so I'm sure there'll be plenty here or Ed's <a href="http://palladian-guard.blogspot.com/">Palladian Guard</a> about that.<br />
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Kieran</div>
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Kieran Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191062526187270925noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898378938353796232.post-20468753408570304972015-05-27T18:28:00.003+01:002017-04-01T09:12:46.509+01:00The GM's Corner: RPG Player Character Creation<div style="text-align: justify;">
You can't go wrong with a good Pen and Paper RPG, when done right they provide great stories, excellent atmosphere, and what out transatlantic cousins call sheer bloody beer and pretzel fun. Or something like that. And of course there can be great characters. Just as fiction lives and dies by conflict, good RPGs depend on good characters - and good character interaction, obviously that's all the game really is.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliDvejXmdn4KtSM-NYPBUVHDn9_Ys50-7wCLR_0KshHjwa4pE8UMR-esSJtTUGe7_KB0HjIQutVF0ejU049pinOOSxevOBU00FslNZ0wRJCxK1l30jlAiUkzJm1N1y_2tqL_srOAIfLe1/s1600/d20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliDvejXmdn4KtSM-NYPBUVHDn9_Ys50-7wCLR_0KshHjwa4pE8UMR-esSJtTUGe7_KB0HjIQutVF0ejU049pinOOSxevOBU00FslNZ0wRJCxK1l30jlAiUkzJm1N1y_2tqL_srOAIfLe1/s320/d20.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Obligatory D20 photo</td></tr>
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Now some characters are going to be too mismatched to the point that it's really difficult to get any interaction out of them, or you have one character with a trait that makes him/her/them unwilling to do much communicating at first - that's fine in a games with perhaps around 5 players, but with 2 or 3 that can really grind the game to a halt. Or I've sat there wondering why the hell these characters are co-operating at all beyond the necessity to do so.<br />
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When I've been in that situation as a GM I end up using my pre-written material more quickly as the players aren't filling the time with their own conversation or ideas. That could be down to bad GMing (and probably is), but it can also be down to newer or more reserved players not quite being ready to jump in, but that's fine and kind of the point I'll eventually get on to, any minute now.<br />
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Good character creation, and a set of characters that go well together mean that all the players will be encouraged to participate as much as they feel comfortable, and the GM shouldn't have to resort to their bag a tricks - a GM should really have to do very little, the players drive the game (shh don't tell them).<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2DHypSlRsXqm5Q-4LnDya121yw-gO6CC0nm5_Mc2X3GDM4iNBih9AWqBQobRxDqn29a0Fg2ZMSFWGq19O1ZPQXIiOucCxIFNnfS25ubX1k9aJ29gUZb-p0-1y-wPx3G0aUK97Z0c3WWGe/s1600/charsheet2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2DHypSlRsXqm5Q-4LnDya121yw-gO6CC0nm5_Mc2X3GDM4iNBih9AWqBQobRxDqn29a0Fg2ZMSFWGq19O1ZPQXIiOucCxIFNnfS25ubX1k9aJ29gUZb-p0-1y-wPx3G0aUK97Z0c3WWGe/s320/charsheet2.jpg" width="227" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Many systems have dice generated or player selected "traits" which can be a great starting point for backgrounds</span><br />
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So what are the 3 key options (as I see it) for character creation, and how can you get the best of the above:-</div>
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<b>Option 1: Player freely creates character</b><br />
The character is completely free to go away and come up with whatever character they like, hopefully (vaguely) relevant to the setting. The risk with this is that the characters might not really work well together, or it's difficult to come up with a plausible reason why any of them would be working together. The more players you have, the easier it can be to get away with this - but with a small handful of players it has the potential to not work too well, particularly if the players are new or have not gamed with the group or GM before and aren't quite sure of what's expected.<br />
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<b><i>Pros</i></b>: The players have full investment in the character and are are likely to get more involved with the gaming<br />
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<b><i>Cons</i></b>: Characters can be completely mismatched to each other and the plot/scenario (or make it difficult to write a scenario around them).<br />
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+ + +</div>
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<b>Option 2: GM creates character</b><br />
Going in the opposite direction of the above, the GM creates a handful of player character sheets, puts them in the middle of the table (with any secret backstory hidden with post-its or similar) and let's the players pick which one they want - or if you're really mean you just choose their character for them - although if you know the players well you can probably come up with character's similar to those they might create or at least enjoy playing anyway. Alternatively, you could always dice roll for it, good for mixing things up a bit. This can be ideal for a quick play, one shot weekend's gaming.<br />
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<b><i>Pros</i></b>: Ensures that characters are likely to work well, right levels of conflict but not completely implausible to have them co-operating etc.<br />
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<b><i>Cons</i></b>: The players may not be as interested in the character, have no investment and may not enjoy the game as much.<br />
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<b>Option 3: Player creates character based on GM guidelines</b><br />
A compromise between option 1 and option 2.<b> </b>My approach for most games/campaigns now is to give the players a brief. To use a Western game as an example "You are a member of the Pinkerton's, You are being sent to investigate an incident in Tuscon, Arizona, and will be told more on arrival (but don't worry about how you get there). Write a description of you character and their background in no more than 200 words" </div>
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This is a very lazy way of giving a reason for players to vaguely co-operate, even if they disagree with each other (it's often better if they do), it means they can be working together without having met before and the word limit means they can't get carried away and write too much of their background and negate story elements you had planned.<br />
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I might also give them specific elements to include in their background, but it depends.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/5gs2VYL-3RI/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5gs2VYL-3RI?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Rule 3: Don't take it <i>too </i>seriously. An excuse to post some Patton Oswalt/Reno 911</span></div>
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How much freedom do you give the players when creating their characters? Well it depends on what kind of adventure/game that you're running, how many players there are and whether they're new to RPGing. Ultimately it's up to your discretion as GM to work out what lets the players get the most out of the game, but doesn't make unnecessary work from yourself or take away from your enjoyment either - it might sound like a selfish point but I think it's one easily forgotten, the GM is supposed to be having as much fun as the players.<br />
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I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas on this one.<br />
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The next GM's Corner will look at character creation tips from the player's perspective (thanks to Ed of the <a href="http://palladian-guard.blogspot.com/">Palladian Guard</a> blog for the suggestion).</div>
Kieran Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191062526187270925noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898378938353796232.post-5101904270666319752015-05-16T10:08:00.003+01:002017-04-01T10:07:18.300+01:00ACW Campaign Map - 'Burning Tennessee' 1862<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9hPhofoIjukZ0qC6ke3c0lFsz22mMP3lJ4SPXeHVez6UopY5uWMotlJu7S1RNX1FHdlBc7H242fxViMbjiusWynlPo5vAsklUp_1__gjhFvdTBX6fI2oB9Pbk2GfeSDMF6GVc2qXQbkOu/s1600/Preview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9hPhofoIjukZ0qC6ke3c0lFsz22mMP3lJ4SPXeHVez6UopY5uWMotlJu7S1RNX1FHdlBc7H242fxViMbjiusWynlPo5vAsklUp_1__gjhFvdTBX6fI2oB9Pbk2GfeSDMF6GVc2qXQbkOu/s320/Preview.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All railroads lead to Nashville... A small snippet of the map wot I drew</td></tr>
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Blimey, looking at the date of my last post I feel like Lister getting out of stasis after 3 million years on <i>Red Dwarf, </i>"3 millions years?! I've still got that library book". Has it really been that long..? Hope everyone's been well. I've been rather busy of late with work, roller derby and life in general.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcsg-Uis_YEKGU2HFAxlufOq7DjNBNghRuyShSNUqy1qXMgCSl1-sjLWl0RzYPCctynSi6I-nE0-M7XVWKQpZdsCaQaIBaw-4xh4rn4Poow9k7Hg9PUXQRw_2ML2Q_MhmG7sZK443TKHx/s1600/Stasisbooth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcsg-Uis_YEKGU2HFAxlufOq7DjNBNghRuyShSNUqy1qXMgCSl1-sjLWl0RzYPCctynSi6I-nE0-M7XVWKQpZdsCaQaIBaw-4xh4rn4Poow9k7Hg9PUXQRw_2ML2Q_MhmG7sZK443TKHx/s200/Stasisbooth.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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One of the big projects that myself, Ed and his brother Ollie have done recently is a 2mm ACW campaign across Middle and parts of Western Tennessee, with Chattanooga as the campaign objective. For more information, Ed has written an <a href="http://palladian-guard.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/the-chattanooga-campaign.html" target="_blank">incredible post</a> with a great overview of the campaign.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-RCpsC-VHnZESIMBekaQPlT0HMPbor3ZWFVJOVKKCillfnzAFO3hLAQteuX5Ej0sBNAX0DYJK_OM-MSnQqOsgAxc6qfPneoSx-FPtkiLobMD5YazKR8WthF6ISqHvhaTA9JdxTNasII8/s1600/2015-05-14+08.02.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-RCpsC-VHnZESIMBekaQPlT0HMPbor3ZWFVJOVKKCillfnzAFO3hLAQteuX5Ej0sBNAX0DYJK_OM-MSnQqOsgAxc6qfPneoSx-FPtkiLobMD5YazKR8WthF6ISqHvhaTA9JdxTNasII8/s320/2015-05-14+08.02.57.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See, there's a book</td></tr>
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Ed took command of the Union forces, Ollie the Confederate forces and I took on the role of Campaign umpire/administrator - but was also respective Chief of Staff for each of them. As they gave their orders to me in secret each day, it was rather difficult not to just blurt out what cunning move the other was trying to make. Similarly I had to forget that I had a God's eye view of everything and give advice. It was interesting to really see the different command styles develop as well, which Ed has reflected in the book (yes, book) about the campaign - head over to the <a href="http://palladian-guard.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/the-chattanooga-campaign.html" target="_blank">Palladian Guard blog</a> to see if he has any copies left if you'd like one<br />
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My first task though was to create a campaign map for the campaign to be played across. As I wanted it to be hi-res to potentially print at A1 or A0, no digital copies of real maps would do the trick. So I turned to my trusty digital art packages to start redrawing the damn thing by hand, using the <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/38/1862_Johnson_Map_of_Kentucky_and_Tennessee_-_Geographicus_-_KTTN-johnson-1862.jpg" target="_blank">1862 Johnson and Ward map</a> of Kentucky and Tennessee as a guide.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT5zUp4kAqUg-XbyATXLAn2c-k-wGdYl8N5QTWCBlcuQ25FKj-t5aeVMVnapIMJFFS5aEdD4wtC9lxMf8EoO9WDF20UAGlKzfcmSuCXfm1Pqx5Rz7osvwzv4XxMMzTsxj7ZwNlXg0TznqZ/s1600/Tennessee+Map.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT5zUp4kAqUg-XbyATXLAn2c-k-wGdYl8N5QTWCBlcuQ25FKj-t5aeVMVnapIMJFFS5aEdD4wtC9lxMf8EoO9WDF20UAGlKzfcmSuCXfm1Pqx5Rz7osvwzv4XxMMzTsxj7ZwNlXg0TznqZ/s400/Tennessee+Map.bmp" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My hand-drawn (with mouse assistance) map of middle Tennessee, I know the damn place far too well now</td></tr>
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There are possibly a couple of errors in town names (or missing ones) and whatnot, but otherwise this is all largely to scale. In the interest of time I didn't get round to fully making it look like a period style map, but it did the job.<br />
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This was also the basis of my digital umpire's map which tracked the movements of each division/brigade, their reconnaissance range, their supply lines, weather, and local support or hostility to each cause amongst other things.<br />
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Overall it was a great experience and hopefully the next map campaign that we run (probably 19th century but not ACW) shall be fully documented on our respective blogs.<br />
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I shall be back soon, there's already a couple of posts already lined up, and there's a few nice new projects on the horizon.</div>
Kieran Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191062526187270925noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898378938353796232.post-88873976611616202992014-12-16T21:48:00.000+00:002017-04-01T11:41:02.985+01:00I Aten't Dead <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcycTQgQYjdfXkfF3ShlAxbE-64e4hnCMK9xCTzCh-rGkCRkNWx9DyFdNrC_E1qZllcrRaAB7q1CR0TwcFHg9P8Bw40ewYJOq5HiimzrPfXBH_JyzGn4mIM-rGI3QeCIPaURC27G2YxwYX/s1600/weatherwax-sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcycTQgQYjdfXkfF3ShlAxbE-64e4hnCMK9xCTzCh-rGkCRkNWx9DyFdNrC_E1qZllcrRaAB7q1CR0TwcFHg9P8Bw40ewYJOq5HiimzrPfXBH_JyzGn4mIM-rGI3QeCIPaURC27G2YxwYX/s1600/weatherwax-sign.jpg" /></a></div>
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They say time goes quicker as you get older, so I must be aging at an exponential rate as the 3 months since my last post have flown by. In all fairness I've done very little wargames related so there's been little to report, that's through no lack of motivation but simply lack of time. A (sort of) promotion, house move and other hobbies (the horror) have taken up a bit more of my time than usual.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1I_2NrN7c2LIeEuBwpGaZDw_vtSATzDQWbAK0ZqgoemTcQu5K2OgTdmHxmRUfz9cPLz00LvaP4xL78NvNYC8zmKg2Eq-k-8RX1TWREmpo0uKTrcwfvxkCF9OQE-qphMMWFMt3zw5Yq8O/s1600/doorofperception.com-jodorowskys_dune.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1I_2NrN7c2LIeEuBwpGaZDw_vtSATzDQWbAK0ZqgoemTcQu5K2OgTdmHxmRUfz9cPLz00LvaP4xL78NvNYC8zmKg2Eq-k-8RX1TWREmpo0uKTrcwfvxkCF9OQE-qphMMWFMt3zw5Yq8O/s1600/doorofperception.com-jodorowskys_dune.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Could go well with Rogue Trader....</td></tr>
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I have, without wanting to go on about it, lost a bit of love for GW. I had quite a while back. Beyond a shadow of a doubt a point has been reached where I can say they definitely don't make miniatures or games for me anymore. And that's fine, change is inevitable and no company owes me the games I'd like to see. I can still use older miniatures and play older games and older versions of current games. I just need a project to get me into it all again. Something that infuses a bit of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jg4OCeSTL08" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><i>Jodorowsky's Dun</i>e</a> and the Jodoverse into Rogue Trader could be fun...</div>
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That said, I do have some Blood Bowl related plans in the pipeline, so watch this space. </div>
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There's also plenty of historical goodness lined up, from an ACW map campaign that I'm planning and umpiring (see Ed's latest post on <a href="http://palladian-guard.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/first-bull-run-acw-card-and-counter-game.html">a superb ACW game on a budget</a>), some French and Indian War stuff in the post and a few other projects lined up that you will see on both mine and Ed's blog shortly.</div>
Kieran Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191062526187270925noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898378938353796232.post-12021923285300232802014-09-20T16:34:00.000+01:002017-04-01T09:55:29.036+01:001/3000 US Pre-Dreadnoughts (plus small 40k Imperial Navy update) <div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcqL3kr-ntRQZHQL_PgTUKLxRyt1mGLMBanAaVzU5wtOVSZy-6mjfKYU7Lie1JEJyKh-QG6X8dEMZnbNMpz4muu4vyZKwoBWbSJNdLYd_d-dk88T5G12d_Wl5mSfPAYmeLqr4bGjUwwj7/s1600/GWF1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcqL3kr-ntRQZHQL_PgTUKLxRyt1mGLMBanAaVzU5wtOVSZy-6mjfKYU7Lie1JEJyKh-QG6X8dEMZnbNMpz4muu4vyZKwoBWbSJNdLYd_d-dk88T5G12d_Wl5mSfPAYmeLqr4bGjUwwj7/s1600/GWF1.jpg" width="320" /></a>Blimey, it's been a while.Thanks to everyone that's checked that all is well, I'm glad to report all definitely is.<br />
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Back to blogging. I've been working on some 1/3000 pre-Dreadnought ships (from <a href="http://www.wtj.com/store/">WTJ Store</a>) for Battlefleet 1900 (more on the <a href="http://palladian-guard.blogspot.com/">Palladian Guard</a> blog). These are superb miniatures and enjoyable enough to paint - although they frosted slightly whilst spray undercoating so some colours are a bit drab. But as they're not meant to be looked at close up it's not a huge issue.<br />
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<b>Why pick a US fleet?</b><br />
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It's difficult to imagine the US as the emerging power trying to make its mark on the world stage, but that's exactly what it was at the turn of the 20th century. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrxK1L7e9dNUi7DNWsHs2v_gqMYl4txFE3KZpTObX4FENINv0Ki-iWVUcWv75MirG4zbFr-01gdg0nUHz2ptt-BR65s-v0CBs-NVjTRY0GY8b4xy1vfZeCvUoXNls8yo540dKRGqkwMvC/s1600/Great_White_Fleet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrxK1L7e9dNUi7DNWsHs2v_gqMYl4txFE3KZpTObX4FENINv0Ki-iWVUcWv75MirG4zbFr-01gdg0nUHz2ptt-BR65s-v0CBs-NVjTRY0GY8b4xy1vfZeCvUoXNls8yo540dKRGqkwMvC/s1600/Great_White_Fleet.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of <a href="http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/ev-1900s/gwf07-09/gwf-sh.htm">US Naval History and Heritage Command</a></td></tr>
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Enter the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_White_Fleet" style="text-align: left;">Great White Fleet</a>, a huge fleet that included the most modern warships available was sent to circumnavigate the globe in a 2 year span. Almost literally making a mark on the world. Something about this appealed to me, as did the potential "what if" scenarios - of the fleet or part of it being drawn into a conflict along the way. </div>
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That said, most of our games are pre-1906 so my actual fleet composition is based around the European / North Atlantic fleets/squadrons to fit with everyone else's fleets. </div>
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<b>The Miniatures</b><br />
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As I said they did frost a little, the easiest to rescue, and which has a colour scheme closest the one I went for is the USS Brooklyn (which is the only "Rapid Prototype Plastic" miniature). However removing the spraypaint damaged a couple of turrets and gun barrels. </div>
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I decided to go for the peacetime white hull/brown upperworks paint scheme as I rather like it and thought it would look good on the table. It's that simple. </div>
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The sea base is No More Nails (thanks for the tip, Ed) that I sculpted into waves (with a hint of wake/wash). </div>
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<b><i>USS Alabama</i></b><br />
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This <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois-class_battleship">Illinois-class</a> battleship is the current flagship of my fleet and the only battleship. I would have had the <i>USS Maine </i>and<i> USS Ohio</i> too if I hadn't ordered the wrong Maine Class from WTJ. What an idiot.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBl5pzH1zgq9o833KoOna7gkTdnwDeARgD3WSd9VVxyceSJh9Q5K_UFmdNNKxkCkbeUO9ZYJZXyWVs_dWd6NkXiDVD2F1U_p95YCIe1cx_bTaRIlSu9PKtUr0nHHrYO9Bmb8U7mMXcPYoo/s1600/Alabama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBl5pzH1zgq9o833KoOna7gkTdnwDeARgD3WSd9VVxyceSJh9Q5K_UFmdNNKxkCkbeUO9ZYJZXyWVs_dWd6NkXiDVD2F1U_p95YCIe1cx_bTaRIlSu9PKtUr0nHHrYO9Bmb8U7mMXcPYoo/s1600/Alabama.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9d15qrupSYaf7eN-lkR6HZDmcQM0i6D7oUTnm6Kqth152P6RJ8fjm2b1RgElgcWjpeHsO3oHWmbukWMGumFeJuRyTlkVd_F3Etv1epB3DBpAG3zH3I5ces2GeDxu-UxdobJQujTkW8h6/s1600/i05551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9d15qrupSYaf7eN-lkR6HZDmcQM0i6D7oUTnm6Kqth152P6RJ8fjm2b1RgElgcWjpeHsO3oHWmbukWMGumFeJuRyTlkVd_F3Etv1epB3DBpAG3zH3I5ces2GeDxu-UxdobJQujTkW8h6/s1600/i05551.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The real USS Alabama, courtesy of the <a href="http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-a/bb8.htm">Naval Historical Center</a></td></tr>
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<b><i>USS Brooklyn</i></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8_WTaOBjC-aP-d5WLRYqXu8MUKCdzs4EdHKRkSBnaVzleNCBicroUyW7nX6OLWRCaNtcXEIFsVXSIvvT4rF0GD6BOWRzdc_64TmEJVfRhV2L2Lr9vCMX-35fXCxLV1_RSZJ5VyEs5OeJ/s1600/Brooklyn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8_WTaOBjC-aP-d5WLRYqXu8MUKCdzs4EdHKRkSBnaVzleNCBicroUyW7nX6OLWRCaNtcXEIFsVXSIvvT4rF0GD6BOWRzdc_64TmEJVfRhV2L2Lr9vCMX-35fXCxLV1_RSZJ5VyEs5OeJ/s1600/Brooklyn.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4M7UV6h-GxVb4ZBE_Pyhqrgpo1j0gE_Z2QlnfmP2iwEIxqyL1NJjWEA8vEGu5wO4Ji7N1PjRbPzL7UYN3_51ljRTrHfsTYVnGKT8L8W9gZLfJEFySadeirP4tcB_brYSkM2xU8eUaWjjy/s1600/h61500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4M7UV6h-GxVb4ZBE_Pyhqrgpo1j0gE_Z2QlnfmP2iwEIxqyL1NJjWEA8vEGu5wO4Ji7N1PjRbPzL7UYN3_51ljRTrHfsTYVnGKT8L8W9gZLfJEFySadeirP4tcB_brYSkM2xU8eUaWjjy/s1600/h61500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><i>USS Columbia</i></b><br />
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This came out more drab that intended, but as it's one of the older ships in the fleet, it kind of makes sense.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitb_dyjwj6Sp8KWlI_37X2rJwjCQSLHdXQuwpg_1hpx2_PGbo-0DP0awHUpuBjPIZpEmncovwPEPmznVn2kfeD-NaIFkV0Lw37JYmK4SC6-bSXAMfBVhIM6ygVYHE1s3YNCs1YbLMDRqX-/s1600/Columbia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitb_dyjwj6Sp8KWlI_37X2rJwjCQSLHdXQuwpg_1hpx2_PGbo-0DP0awHUpuBjPIZpEmncovwPEPmznVn2kfeD-NaIFkV0Lw37JYmK4SC6-bSXAMfBVhIM6ygVYHE1s3YNCs1YbLMDRqX-/s1600/Columbia.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPn8duDkwmi7LzJbdq-7KaefyfkHmuhK8rbrux_H3Grw4QMJq3lj0tzDnwhd4UgNoibYC2Az_ix9yYk9FJ6m7jQ9sArez8D-Atjo-V-Ns6mcDHJ0ypnd0_3-yfJwl9gQLDkR52KZ25lSPJ/s1600/c1216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPn8duDkwmi7LzJbdq-7KaefyfkHmuhK8rbrux_H3Grw4QMJq3lj0tzDnwhd4UgNoibYC2Az_ix9yYk9FJ6m7jQ9sArez8D-Atjo-V-Ns6mcDHJ0ypnd0_3-yfJwl9gQLDkR52KZ25lSPJ/s1600/c1216.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of <a href="http://navsoure.org/">Navsoure.org</a></td></tr>
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<b><i>USS Minneapolis</i></b><br />
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This is the only one I painted the red line at the waterline on, then I decided it didn't quite look right.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHULy6HTC8VUsuswTfncBuOj0IMzcGAiLhXIsjbkJVWhp9153j5CqU7Km9lDhSQelhMXWa-xvFqLAYzisTsEKkcraeMmOZuDb85G_3MSvSIC7JWbWzsNj651-1O7Qe0wX8pV1KV4YrpBrw/s1600/Minneapolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHULy6HTC8VUsuswTfncBuOj0IMzcGAiLhXIsjbkJVWhp9153j5CqU7Km9lDhSQelhMXWa-xvFqLAYzisTsEKkcraeMmOZuDb85G_3MSvSIC7JWbWzsNj651-1O7Qe0wX8pV1KV4YrpBrw/s1600/Minneapolis.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh499MPh5-16l7xPa4xW3RabPC5SFwzkoagsEuFS4lwP4k_ZhVUnVv8t4vsCIXfTSeuJumR1PrqpLeKx10GPrGb7THoIMxoQHqaAjnQtimPIgU-rUVCy3W0sAQ9HWfXOgFVV6Ys09WNQcwS/s1600/c1303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh499MPh5-16l7xPa4xW3RabPC5SFwzkoagsEuFS4lwP4k_ZhVUnVv8t4vsCIXfTSeuJumR1PrqpLeKx10GPrGb7THoIMxoQHqaAjnQtimPIgU-rUVCy3W0sAQ9HWfXOgFVV6Ys09WNQcwS/s1600/c1303.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of Navsource.org</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>USS New Orleans </b></i><br />
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The miniature is the <i>Albany. </i>Originally intended for the Brazilian navy, this was built in Britain (in the Newcastle yards of Armstrong, Mitchell and Co.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8G0Yme1M-TEiEil9o3G9VWdYya4Nx4MrrhzXx00d48HdXhjir4jD7_zdhCMubj1mWPwm2NPQeG480dnsvbCuGrTN2Eq-FJsSeNQJ2c-UAXJVp8mUUiEiD6ZzO_hfPCT1fEUBLfdZS1nU6/s1600/NewOrleans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8G0Yme1M-TEiEil9o3G9VWdYya4Nx4MrrhzXx00d48HdXhjir4jD7_zdhCMubj1mWPwm2NPQeG480dnsvbCuGrTN2Eq-FJsSeNQJ2c-UAXJVp8mUUiEiD6ZzO_hfPCT1fEUBLfdZS1nU6/s1600/NewOrleans.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7vkhJsk4ccDJlRdZTpr8geh0_BDC9ODzUewG30t4NBcafTGJHvLZxKVxhthX3vwXyA9t3VuJAdykiPwF0W8hNaAQWJPEkOWUerkP9K7hikcT4uJ19sDXWjCmZ-dzKMWiEJUsZScNYTQwc/s1600/neworl01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7vkhJsk4ccDJlRdZTpr8geh0_BDC9ODzUewG30t4NBcafTGJHvLZxKVxhthX3vwXyA9t3VuJAdykiPwF0W8hNaAQWJPEkOWUerkP9K7hikcT4uJ19sDXWjCmZ-dzKMWiEJUsZScNYTQwc/s1600/neworl01.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of Navsource.org</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>The Fleet in Review</i></b><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTVt-pFBEatbUV9DITyASqNaGNjODyEC4Uxt1k6a8IzGuaj1SrXERH26k0paumrr9n6CyPlcHMLoosLpqAxsl4W2SsJyAXrqGZPlSG3zoRNm-xFWRuaePXKhHtXKLn-qKWe7Po3MjQMms/s1600/GWF3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTVt-pFBEatbUV9DITyASqNaGNjODyEC4Uxt1k6a8IzGuaj1SrXERH26k0paumrr9n6CyPlcHMLoosLpqAxsl4W2SsJyAXrqGZPlSG3zoRNm-xFWRuaePXKhHtXKLn-qKWe7Po3MjQMms/s1600/GWF3.jpg" width="317" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Not listed are my 5-boat Destroyer squadron as they are still to be based, and 3 Pennsylvania-class cruisers yet to be painted (and rules written for as WTJ's Battlefleet 1900 doesn't include any). More on them soon</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Other Nautical News - The Imperial Navy Lieutenant </b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZaMut_3Npnlzd1nL3YpihUoZ4zoe0ie-kuxdEbqhJhvnQzOjU74oxMP1ZLI9HZUhQnyJ2U3wlsQTE7SCBmPzSr1rLZRAx_vqoqwj5Vx5Rry-nAntGeFYwTrOkO1_WAp93WRS-_MYUspA/s1600/Imperial_Navy_Lieutenant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZaMut_3Npnlzd1nL3YpihUoZ4zoe0ie-kuxdEbqhJhvnQzOjU74oxMP1ZLI9HZUhQnyJ2U3wlsQTE7SCBmPzSr1rLZRAx_vqoqwj5Vx5Rry-nAntGeFYwTrOkO1_WAp93WRS-_MYUspA/s1600/Imperial_Navy_Lieutenant.jpg" width="244" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">This side project has been long in the works (too long), but my glacial hobbying has finally taking a step forward. The <a href="http://gotflag.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Imperial%20Navy">Lieutenant</a> has finally started getting his first dash of paint. The blue is a little too... blue, and a bit too patchy at the moment, but hopefully the next coat on the, er, coat, will fix that. That's all for this time folks, thanks for reading</span></div>
Kieran Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191062526187270925noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898378938353796232.post-4429487377605219872014-05-08T08:00:00.000+01:002017-04-01T09:58:42.265+01:00On the Painting Table: Gripping Beast Normans<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Before posting I watched in horror as these miniatures fell to the hardwood floor whilst attempting to move them to a room with better light. Amazingly the paint survived really well bare some small chips (they are still unvarnished), and only three tops of bows had to be re-glued. There's a couple of bits that need fixing properly, so please bear that in mind... </i></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixkNHtLw8gRZtPLip180SnGQg_vUo1mUFOfTOKmiQqwk821gW729nBL2bqXov2vi2VDLfNuKGsKjBWNHvYubDeurvhhveoJzkTDLnC4xBuby0lVP_HIgnhlPa3NSWCVNCMSwcxls9e_VK/s1600/Saga+Normans+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixkNHtLw8gRZtPLip180SnGQg_vUo1mUFOfTOKmiQqwk821gW729nBL2bqXov2vi2VDLfNuKGsKjBWNHvYubDeurvhhveoJzkTDLnC4xBuby0lVP_HIgnhlPa3NSWCVNCMSwcxls9e_VK/s1600/Saga+Normans+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Defence of a Fence</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
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After finishing the <a href="http://gotflag.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/bastardo-estalian-caballero-of-mordheim.html">Mordheim Freelancer</a> last week, I got cracking with a new project. SAGA was a game that I followed closely before it was released, but somehow never got round to playing it. </div>
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I planned to get a Welsh warband back then, but eventually opted for the Normans (I have a bit of a soft spot for the old sods). I've also treated myself to a few Norse Gaels primarily to represent dubious oiks from the Hebrides (Kingdom of the Isles).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGfDeRZSaOKNmlRDXHYbwdXhGQcDmBJkIQiRgnhMPfeeN0-NrKIl47fuXbbm3N8_DTSKQr8aKv1Lu3i2zeQMnz8XzlXSI3k_TubOTRTNbzCtXLMOVXKku-HyuSPIqnx18N80cnTWGvRD4/s1600/Saga+Normans+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGfDeRZSaOKNmlRDXHYbwdXhGQcDmBJkIQiRgnhMPfeeN0-NrKIl47fuXbbm3N8_DTSKQr8aKv1Lu3i2zeQMnz8XzlXSI3k_TubOTRTNbzCtXLMOVXKku-HyuSPIqnx18N80cnTWGvRD4/s1600/Saga+Normans+9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The vague setting we have in mind for our games is Britain 1066, where Harald Hardrada won at Stamford Bridge and took York as a base of operations and capital, and where William still won at Hastings - leaving the contention for the ultimate control of England and the rest of Britain more open between the factions.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTICSTnaWY53p8D1s6zw1S6rRxDsjXV4gpxNt1eAcHqb6JATC0NdfbmZxU4_ph7-5eYKk3TSrqXfk_otd9ptznFhDsGrUYQt5qTkA5vV7lRO8NyKJY-WjpY0mG3u9F2bGL2A3ENkjYVOm/s1600/SAGA+Normans+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTICSTnaWY53p8D1s6zw1S6rRxDsjXV4gpxNt1eAcHqb6JATC0NdfbmZxU4_ph7-5eYKk3TSrqXfk_otd9ptznFhDsGrUYQt5qTkA5vV7lRO8NyKJY-WjpY0mG3u9F2bGL2A3ENkjYVOm/s1600/SAGA+Normans+7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>The Miniatures</b></div>
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Firstly, the Gripping Beast miniatures are (of course) beautiful, with very little flash on them. The only minor criticism is that the front of the crossbows have to be cut from the torso. It's a good idea to make it a single sculpt but there were one or two that were a bit flimsy and one snapped irreparably. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitg6Bjm5ciu5H_cWTb1aNXIAZy7XTEarECql5yWY01Nc_jMlC2HY-ZYbQCQAyv-SJ_Clwu3ZfxvAF2tz8YCQpSRLXxjkvagUMnZC0OAQkdRTWZQ_n4S8KcB2QS177JqIIJvs_v6FD_1nTw/s1600/SAGA+Normans+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitg6Bjm5ciu5H_cWTb1aNXIAZy7XTEarECql5yWY01Nc_jMlC2HY-ZYbQCQAyv-SJ_Clwu3ZfxvAF2tz8YCQpSRLXxjkvagUMnZC0OAQkdRTWZQ_n4S8KcB2QS177JqIIJvs_v6FD_1nTw/s1600/SAGA+Normans+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Painting </b></div>
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The plan was to balance quality with speed when painting these, so I wanted to develop a half-decent tabletop standard but get the whole 4 point force painted in under 20 days - currently I'm still on track to get that done. I've been painting two or three at a time, and with a couple of days of no painting I've averaged 1-2 models per day. Could be quicker, but I'm happy with that.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXRk9aTQvR-mcu5D5DcVEtqzucK1qjiqTRl_lLyZS6YmYoivLaWBlkpM0fY9OwDjyIh5SSD1ZVlNNDzY0r91fqtAEoLxG8GRvKrt6j_nV7G4SnElEDZX2ifkhcKISNYVAd_SJJtHrRium/s1600/SAGA+Normans+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXRk9aTQvR-mcu5D5DcVEtqzucK1qjiqTRl_lLyZS6YmYoivLaWBlkpM0fY9OwDjyIh5SSD1ZVlNNDzY0r91fqtAEoLxG8GRvKrt6j_nV7G4SnElEDZX2ifkhcKISNYVAd_SJJtHrRium/s1600/SAGA+Normans+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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These have been enjoyable to paint and another good lesson in painting. I'm slowly edging forward in trying to be a bit more bold with highlighting and shading, but similarly I don't want to have too high a contrast between them.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCxhQQ2cqxfR93ZTOz115bl_eFjispZaFBXWYo57zT3JOUjHozOfgTgja3xYw74jE_5WaSrsfJaoCbUg_sXsKCR6bsH-IU2AmZmhBGMvv_Un3bnXHWoEkZ8sADkPuYrS20lcYFXoky5KC/s1600/Saga+Normans+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCxhQQ2cqxfR93ZTOz115bl_eFjispZaFBXWYo57zT3JOUjHozOfgTgja3xYw74jE_5WaSrsfJaoCbUg_sXsKCR6bsH-IU2AmZmhBGMvv_Un3bnXHWoEkZ8sADkPuYrS20lcYFXoky5KC/s1600/Saga+Normans+8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Lessons Wot I Have Learned: </i> </b></div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Mix paints less</b> - usually as I forget what I actually mixed later</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Base coats make a difference -</b> this has become very apparent on these, as the archer and crossbowman in green are painted Loren Green but the crossbowman's first coat was Stegadon Green and gave the slightly richer colour I wanted. No mixing necessary. Inks have been used less on these too. </li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92gSDMZ0GhaCF-ETgjhTPbOtRtE0y4aGB9nPGCv_y5xXTd_H4vgQnmly188mjj71qnDv4uml4FokgtJj50iI__n5zy4I5v-vivAmDEaK4-QNwy0m2_HJS-M98c9yvdemGZm20HJ9V4Scq/s1600/SAGA+Normans+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92gSDMZ0GhaCF-ETgjhTPbOtRtE0y4aGB9nPGCv_y5xXTd_H4vgQnmly188mjj71qnDv4uml4FokgtJj50iI__n5zy4I5v-vivAmDEaK4-QNwy0m2_HJS-M98c9yvdemGZm20HJ9V4Scq/s1600/SAGA+Normans+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPnfKlrKzQdQv9q0_fEgOACUdDCjsdX28Jr2nxv_agObfuiK8CtxPU9kCsplcu1jHmGsBDVgjVVtZWq66OoqAXJG1mWP9sIRtdq0VcdguKkVxlY2nUSzoHYJqL0X-I_ramrnIpbV4clEs/s1600/SAGA+Normans+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPnfKlrKzQdQv9q0_fEgOACUdDCjsdX28Jr2nxv_agObfuiK8CtxPU9kCsplcu1jHmGsBDVgjVVtZWq66OoqAXJG1mWP9sIRtdq0VcdguKkVxlY2nUSzoHYJqL0X-I_ramrnIpbV4clEs/s1600/SAGA+Normans+6.jpg" width="168" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In progress: I've found the lens case of an old telescope is great for holding the mini whilst painting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>And last but not least</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After passing the 100,000 hit mark and getting two more Liebster nominations from Carl at <a href="http://hittingonadouble1.blogspot.co.uk/">Hitting on a Double 1</a> and Marshal Argos at <a href="http://313dtr.blogspot.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">313th Drop Troop Regt</span></span></a> (both excellent blogs I urge you to visit immediately if you haven't), I just wanted to thank everyone that has ever taken the time to visit or comment on my blog. I know it's a cliche but I pretty much expected this to fade into complete obscurity, but instead I've found a superb bunch of like minded people who produce amazing hobby goodness and continue to share fantastic ideas and motivate me to keep up this lark. That's the soppy bit over now. </div>
Kieran Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191062526187270925noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898378938353796232.post-55811335041040302102014-05-03T15:05:00.001+01:002017-04-01T10:05:31.754+01:00Liebster Award: The worthwhile chain letter<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xfGyeYyMgBcLXhKNm1NVaPr_Zs6OqvDwWi5IK7NDALfoEVknj2Uk2FGAtrj2jws4Gp2QMoFEleAkouUPPpA4cdawuL-E2uIulUvD8kd5OaunPdhnb8M5GhlAXNb4I9sn7FMGwDl13Pet/s1600/liebster+award.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xfGyeYyMgBcLXhKNm1NVaPr_Zs6OqvDwWi5IK7NDALfoEVknj2Uk2FGAtrj2jws4Gp2QMoFEleAkouUPPpA4cdawuL-E2uIulUvD8kd5OaunPdhnb8M5GhlAXNb4I9sn7FMGwDl13Pet/s1600/liebster+award.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://admiraldrax.blogspot.com/">Admiral Drax</a> has very kindly nominated me for a Liebster Award. You're a scholar and gentleman sir!<br />
<br />
So what is a Liebster Award? It's essentially a
chain letter (but one that's actually worthwhile, I think) where you nominate some blogs you like to get
people to go read them. Here are the guidelines:<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: small;">1: Copy and paste the award on your blog linking it to the blogger who has given it you.<br />2.
Pass the award to your top 11 blogs with less than 200
followers by leaving a comment on one of their posts to notify them that
they have won the award and listing them on your own blog.<br />3. Sit back and bask in the warm fuzzy feeling that comes with knowing you have made someone's day!<br />4. There is no obligation to pass this onto someone else but its nice if you take the time to do so.</span></span><br /> </span><br />
The format has changed slightly since Chris at Sippin' on Paint Water very generously nominated me in 2012. I like that, it's organic. So feel free to alter or ignore any of the sections when re-posting, except the nominations of course, or add your own.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
<u><b>10 Truths about Me</b></u><br />
<ol>
<li>I'm a terrible swimmer.</li>
<li>The height of my acting career was when 'Eric Pollard' once praised my on-stage performance as John Virgo (I was about 9 or 10...)</li>
<li>I went to the same school as Major Gonville Bromhead. </li>
<li>To echo Drax, my educational background is Forensics and History. My specialist subject (for want of a better term), is French-Canadian history and more specifically the Catholic Church in 19th-century Quebec. If you ever suffer from insomnia...</li>
<li>The shortest job I ever had was one week in a cheese factory.</li>
<li>I'm a terrible name-dropper</li>
<li>I have met Bill Oddie on more than one occasion. See, that was terrible.</li>
<li>My childhood home was a windmill. The advantage to a kid being that there was no naughty corner. </li>
<li>I always try to look for the positive in every situation. </li>
<li>This blog was almost called Cake or Wargames? (a not so good Eddie Izzard reference, and an awful name)</li>
</ol>
<u><b>My 11 Liebster Awardees </b></u><br />
<br />
In no particular order, and I wish I could add plenty more, and there are those with more than 200 followers that I would love to add (I think I'll be doing a separate post soon) - but please look to my blog roll on the right to see all of the wonderful blogs that I like and read<b>.</b><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://lostdamnedstunted.blogspot.co.uk/"><b>The Lost and the Damned and the Stunted</b></a></li>
<li><b><a href="http://frothingmuppet.blogspot.co.uk/">Frothing Muppet's Land of Miniatures</a> </b></li>
<li><a href="http://sippinonpaintwater.blogspot.co.uk/"><b>Sippin' on Paint Water</b></a></li>
<li><a href="http://macharianthunderguard.blogspot.co.uk/"><b>The Thunder Guard</b></a></li>
<li><a href="http://devos4.blogspot.co.uk/"><b>Devos IV</b></a></li>
<li><b><a href="http://panzerkaput.blogspot.co.uk/">PanzerKaput's Painted Review</a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://madpadrewargames.blogspot.co.uk/">Mad Padre's Wargames Page</a></b></li>
<li><a href="http://hittingonadouble1.blogspot.co.uk/"><b>Hitting on a Double 1</b></a></li>
<li><b><a href="http://dagamerstable.blogspot.co.uk/">The Gamer's Table </a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://2000admodelling.blogspot.co.uk/">SF Modelling and Rambling (2000AD Modelling)</a> </b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://palladian-guard.blogspot.com/">Palladian Guard</a> </b>(whilst Scipio may be a good friend and comrade, this has little to do with the award, as I always thoroughly enjoy reading whatever Scipio posts)</li>
</ul>
<ol>
</ol>
<b>And of course... </b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://admiraldrax.blogspot.co.uk/"><b>Admiral Drax </b></a>(yes I know that's 12, and regardless of Drax nominating me, his blog would definitely be on the list).<br />
<ol>
</ol>
<u><b>Drax's 11 Questions </b></u><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><b>1. Why did you start blogging?</b></span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Mostly as a way of getting back into this mad hobby of ours again, and having an outlet to waffle. I never expected anybody to really be interested in what I was on about, never mind to feel like a part a great community of people - many of whom I hope to get some proper games and a beer or two with one day - especially after a great game with <a href="http://palladian-guard.blogspot.com/">Scipio</a>, <a href="http://excommunicatetratoris.blogspot.co.uk/">Karitas </a>and <a href="http://devos4.blogspot.co.uk/">Zzzzzz </a>with wonderful hospitality provided by Mr Zzzzzz. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>2. If you could change one thing about the wargaming hobby, what would it be?</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I have to pretty much repeat Drax's original answer, to get GW to stop being daft with pricing and shutting themselves off in Lenton Towers rather than engaging more with the community. I'm not saying they should implement everything the hordes demands, just at least make a sincere effort to listen.</span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /><i><b>3. What is best in life?</b></i></span>
<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">Knowing that you've at least made someone's day a little better. </span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><i></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /><b>4. Do you want to live forever?</b></i></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Definitely not. I still probably wouldn't get all of my painting finished or models built. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><i><b>5. Fame or fortune?</b></i></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Fortune, fame would be insufferable, but then I don't really want fortune. I'm pretty happy now. </span>
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /><i><b>6. What miniature are you most proud of having painted?</b></i></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Probably my most recent <a href="http://gotflag.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/bastardo-estalian-caballero-of-mordheim.html">Mordheim</a> <a href="http://gotflag.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/bastardo-estalian-caballero-of-mordheim.html">Freelancer </a>- as I've never really enjoyed painting in the past (<a href="http://gotflag.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/painting-doubts-give-it-go.html">shameless plug of old post</a>), this was a watershed where I genuinely started enjoying painting.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8ViBKNfdLXVccRv2wkx32hMOOc38YjWYcdxYzHzgQ_BdVPQ7cLkAiMmg54c0BWtDL8_yBEPBTWzqzyn1TJYkELicwy0ECKDI4VsQx7_LJtvqy25TY8uYULfCjcCQs6EpLWlyaZ31NPQ8/s1600/MordheimEstalianKnight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8ViBKNfdLXVccRv2wkx32hMOOc38YjWYcdxYzHzgQ_BdVPQ7cLkAiMmg54c0BWtDL8_yBEPBTWzqzyn1TJYkELicwy0ECKDI4VsQx7_LJtvqy25TY8uYULfCjcCQs6EpLWlyaZ31NPQ8/s1600/MordheimEstalianKnight.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>7. How do you deal with burn out?</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Accept that it's there for a reason, and it's temporary. Do other things, during my recent mini-burnout I did a lot of Curling across the country - chucking rocks down ice isn't for everyone though. Anything creative is good, as it starts bleeding back into wanted to build and paint miniatures again. Or even get some new miniatures from a completely different period, game, setting. </span><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>8. Why is a raven like a writing desk?</b></span></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Because "quoth the table nevermore"?</span></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>9. Star Wars or Star Trek?</b></span></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm going to say Star Trek here, as much as I love Star Wars and the Expanded Universe. Although there are plenty more series that I would rate over both. If I went into those now, it would warrant a separate post. <b> </b></span></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>10. If you could only buy from one miniature company from now on, which one would it be?</b></span></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Probably Gripping Beast. Or Perry. But that's a bloody difficult one. </span></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>11. What is your favourite take away?</b></span></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Food from a local Chinese restaurant that no longer exists.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm going to be lazy and pose the same questions to my nominees. Thanks again Admiral! <b><br /></b></span></span>Kieran Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191062526187270925noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898378938353796232.post-7209982239406235722014-04-28T09:00:00.000+01:002017-04-01T10:17:12.639+01:00On the Painting Table: Estalian "Caballero" for Mordheim<div style="text-align: justify;">
What a week! Last weekend saw a fantastic game of <a href="http://www.wtj.com/games/battlefleet_1900/">Battlefleet 1900</a> with Scipio, <a href="http://blades-of-fire.blogspot.co.uk/">Coldsteel</a> and Ollie - keep your eyes peeled on the <a href="http://palladian-guard.blogspot.com/">Palladian Guard </a>blog for more. The <a href="http://gotflag.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/beating-hobby-burnout-what-keeps-you.html">burnout of March</a> has well and truly gone, with productivity and sheer bloody enjoyment at a high.</div>
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I'm finally getting a Mordheim warband together to face-off against Scipio's <a href="http://palladian-guard.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Mordheim">Vampire Counts</a> and Coldsteel's <a href="http://blades-of-fire.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/the-last-watch.html">Last Watch</a>. My original plan had been a band of Stirland deserters with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRRvzjkzu2U"><i>A Field in England</i></a> psychedelic, folk horror element - but decided this was too similar to my Mawdryn Space Marines<i>.</i></div>
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Time for a rethink then. I'd already bought one of my favourite GW miniatures of all time, the Mordheim Freelancer Knight. His Don Quixote look gave me the idea to assemble a ragged band of Estalians. I thought this was reasonably original, but saw that Victoria of Victoria Miniatures had won the Australian Golden Demon with <a href="http://victoriaminiatures.info/estalian-inquisition/">this incredible Estalian Inquisition warband</a> in 2000 (which I must have seen in the UK WD back then). In the past this would have put me off, but I decided 'sod it', Estalians it would be. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfWq6Lof4oXTQXiP8wUnOpPOc0VsACRQ8YDPTgCLkJYcE-NN9N99iMXPQ2WN3Znr-PsbjLf5Ct9aMNQWqqluCYmObOlpmNBOuP7hNe9y88DXItYqr5IEBJaIZIEA2Dz0vnN-Nz5qNOYXM/s1600/Mordheim_Estalian_Knight_1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfWq6Lof4oXTQXiP8wUnOpPOc0VsACRQ8YDPTgCLkJYcE-NN9N99iMXPQ2WN3Znr-PsbjLf5Ct9aMNQWqqluCYmObOlpmNBOuP7hNe9y88DXItYqr5IEBJaIZIEA2Dz0vnN-Nz5qNOYXM/s1600/Mordheim_Estalian_Knight_1.jpg" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
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<b>The Miniature </b></div>
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This miniature has been a bloody joy to paint, and I've finally been converted to white undercoats. What a revelation. There's a few bits overall I'm tempted
to go back and fix (I won't, I'm too lazy), but decided to call this
finished. I was originally going to make the armour quite rusty, but decided against it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgolCWuxtmhrBtUDcozBCQ-sg3WZ7OEXsbH9nILL4mi1j4soEROI-zekVDRmcoRqb2GMl4WWBhbdDHhXcjbAoE-ROecZsteMCmsS3iFjPX4igLGSkyvc4dfFwgRC4Li8pg3HSaNuJ5LJo_W/s1600/Mordheim_Estalian_Knight_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgolCWuxtmhrBtUDcozBCQ-sg3WZ7OEXsbH9nILL4mi1j4soEROI-zekVDRmcoRqb2GMl4WWBhbdDHhXcjbAoE-ROecZsteMCmsS3iFjPX4igLGSkyvc4dfFwgRC4Li8pg3HSaNuJ5LJo_W/s1600/Mordheim_Estalian_Knight_2.jpg" width="174" /></a></div>
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I knew that I wanted largely Spanish colours, but wanted a lot of earthy tones - he should be ragged but still a bit showy perhaps. I didn't think it through specifically enough and ended up with brown boots and brown breeches, too close on the colour wheel to pop, so on the next version will have tan breeches and brown/black boots.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRPDk7iQYG07vwBkVQT_zHOdKAK97D0eBOFovaJon9-jUwtZ3KAtuQEiHAR2h-5TFqOXgfbuCKl-zHmiVSn4zmGocCZzHP4AEOts7TDK2R8xXmwer8APtj446YhRUzPBaCSJjyxZ665Ha/s1600/Mordheim_Estalian_Knight_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRPDk7iQYG07vwBkVQT_zHOdKAK97D0eBOFovaJon9-jUwtZ3KAtuQEiHAR2h-5TFqOXgfbuCKl-zHmiVSn4zmGocCZzHP4AEOts7TDK2R8xXmwer8APtj446YhRUzPBaCSJjyxZ665Ha/s1600/Mordheim_Estalian_Knight_3.jpg" width="185" /> </a></div>
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Although these miniatures are primarily for Mordheim, rather than basing them to represent Mordheim I decided to try something a bit more arid and almost desert-like. Something a bit more Estalian to emphasise their origins. Although this is a pretty simple base, I might try something a bit more interesting next time, but not overly complicated. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OSaIsjUF3h-g1gGGu-4NMiNZTdRFt2P6CGebvFMo1cxtGgRQui_nyMcb0rg3TWhGgOpaMMVwrSebhKBERZ5FwlM3AdfmKu0ZqHTsHyEcWWssnqdID9PIWHab0ACUoneMs7vCI_IQkdKN/s1600/Mordheim_Estalian_Knight_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OSaIsjUF3h-g1gGGu-4NMiNZTdRFt2P6CGebvFMo1cxtGgRQui_nyMcb0rg3TWhGgOpaMMVwrSebhKBERZ5FwlM3AdfmKu0ZqHTsHyEcWWssnqdID9PIWHab0ACUoneMs7vCI_IQkdKN/s1600/Mordheim_Estalian_Knight_4.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
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<b>A Quick Background of <i>El Bastardo</i></b></div>
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Diego <span dir="auto">Serrão y Velázquez</span> of Montenãs, is the first son of Don Alfonso <span dir="auto">Serrão</span>. He was set to inherit the family fortune, but sadly for Diego his father had a love of the Estalian card game <i>Escobar </i>- although his love of the game greatly surpassed his ability. Upon his father's death Diego inherited nothing but debts and a run down <i>hacienda</i>.</div>
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He took up arms as a mercenary in the Border Princes to clear his father's debts. He soon built a fearsome warband and an even more fearsome reputation. His viciousness and distinct lack of mercy earned him the name "<i>El Bastardo</i>". But now he is in Mordheim. Nobody knows what brought him here, but Myrmidia help any that get in his way...</div>
Kieran Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191062526187270925noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898378938353796232.post-769381695514361322014-04-22T15:00:00.000+01:002017-04-01T10:21:00.256+01:00Simple Scenery: Making 28mm Wattle Fences <div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZn2yUbM0JBgip8yK3mBTLixBiOb03_GjMHgK9rG1x3ozXom7KTHJD0rcuGcRiGpmg9DQIoMYgO2Rd60IcbuR2iBNUh3qqVQ2rF9LXHWZazxKt-vsiUOSKsTrN-qhEEOQKsY1QW7MumkS6/s1600/Wattle+Fence+Final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZn2yUbM0JBgip8yK3mBTLixBiOb03_GjMHgK9rG1x3ozXom7KTHJD0rcuGcRiGpmg9DQIoMYgO2Rd60IcbuR2iBNUh3qqVQ2rF9LXHWZazxKt-vsiUOSKsTrN-qhEEOQKsY1QW7MumkS6/s1600/Wattle+Fence+Final.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>For all of your 28mm medieval livestock management needs</i><b><br /></b></td></tr>
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As my previous attempt at scenery (<a href="http://gotflag.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/buidling-bilgewater-creek-guide-to.html">Building Bilgewater Creek</a>) was sci-fi, I wanted to try something a bit more organic and <i>olde worlde</i> and build up some terrain to be used in historical games
(particularly ECW and dark ages) and double up for Warhammer etc. I wanted to start with a simple piece and work out the best way to recreate wattle (as you do), for fences and wattle and daub buildings.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPdKDvWEpcKKbVyceo-M79AOBliW7gpqA089gQDDo0bR5UDXVJSi2u63W8hFlZxaL-kuppg4uy3YmmZXUSzos8YAuSNpveSp8td6hsxX7zogsRNa76JUURoCwwVWBedQjSW2EcyvkXuno/s1600/wattle+fence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPdKDvWEpcKKbVyceo-M79AOBliW7gpqA089gQDDo0bR5UDXVJSi2u63W8hFlZxaL-kuppg4uy3YmmZXUSzos8YAuSNpveSp8td6hsxX7zogsRNa76JUURoCwwVWBedQjSW2EcyvkXuno/s1600/wattle+fence.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A proper wattle fence...</i></td></tr>
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Wattle fences can easily cover most eras as they've been used for so long and you can make them look as shoddy or as neat as you like. So here's a <b>step by step guide to creating your own wattle fences</b>. Just for your reference, these come up to shoulder height of most 28mm miniatures. This version uses paper, but I want to try a version with fine string, twine or wire as I think that would look better.<br />
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You will need: </div>
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<li><i>1x sheet of 2mm Balsa wood </i></li>
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<li><i>Cocktail sticks </i></li>
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<li><i>A Sheet of Paper </i><i><span style="color: red;"></span></i></li>
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<li><i>Plus usual tools: knives, pencil, glue, etc.</i></li>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeAhUg5W3BzSV94q_dXux8FFjG2yURAJkl-glnMmFdpFbsFJUpQndBuMvhrMXkI6IzPZl4ewQLJ19yXT9LMDGHwGKCr_VlkyciB0gEJHbO2JXA7Eud3jebzmiIJJrbx1rkpAxpJZ0hseyS/s1600/Sticks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeAhUg5W3BzSV94q_dXux8FFjG2yURAJkl-glnMmFdpFbsFJUpQndBuMvhrMXkI6IzPZl4ewQLJ19yXT9LMDGHwGKCr_VlkyciB0gEJHbO2JXA7Eud3jebzmiIJJrbx1rkpAxpJZ0hseyS/s1600/Sticks.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Step 1:My haphazard solution to keep them level(ish)</i></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpS2kL6KWJJERTyhUksG9Asri6faoD8NkpNdUfiOLk9QXlQM4psZp5i-z_VE5qsm2Bareaz0aWj5eIeNVil6z0zLHFx1aHVFKEA8MciIorS4AuvFPEJclLKDxA1RWKkBEYEOleaGMIdS8g/s1600/Base2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpS2kL6KWJJERTyhUksG9Asri6faoD8NkpNdUfiOLk9QXlQM4psZp5i-z_VE5qsm2Bareaz0aWj5eIeNVil6z0zLHFx1aHVFKEA8MciIorS4AuvFPEJclLKDxA1RWKkBEYEOleaGMIdS8g/s1600/Base2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Step 2 - 3: Cut out base and mark</i> </td></tr>
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<b>Step 1:</b> Cut the cocktail sticks in half. I used an old hacksaw which did the job nicely, although not ideal. Keep the two halves as even as possible, but it's not the end of the world if they're not. </div>
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<b>Step 2:</b> Cut out your balsa wood base. I've found that 10cm x 1.5cm is a good size for a length of fence. Be wary of cutting it too narrow as the balsa wood has a tendency to split.</div>
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<b>Step 3: </b>Starting at least 5mm in from the edge of the base, mark the post points along the length of the base. In my example here I used 7mm as the distance between them, but next time I plan to try 6mm</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj417JW2Zm5p5-Q5L6iYBJIdAQQ7aJf5J3GwT1YEYMezk39RSg-4A7jAj4BYTYNggK_xFEf38Ut8wXMDOUFe438lfR5AzSHSKbHz41NSeeYhPS78p3Bxt6FhFa-xRS6mPQDy6NsSQiy8AKn/s1600/Wattle+Fence+2b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj417JW2Zm5p5-Q5L6iYBJIdAQQ7aJf5J3GwT1YEYMezk39RSg-4A7jAj4BYTYNggK_xFEf38Ut8wXMDOUFe438lfR5AzSHSKbHz41NSeeYhPS78p3Bxt6FhFa-xRS6mPQDy6NsSQiy8AKn/s1600/Wattle+Fence+2b.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Steps 4 - 5</i></td></tr>
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<b>Step 4: </b>Carefully push the cocktail sticks through the base. Take care not to split the balsa wood, although you shouldn't have any problems. If you want to be extra careful, perhaps drill small holes into the base first. </div>
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<b>Step 5:</b> Adjust the sticks so that they roughly line up at the top. Around 2.5cm from base to top should be about right. Glue them in place on the base with superglue top and bottom of the base, with two light passes of each. I prefer super glue rather than wood glue or PVA, as superglue strengthens the base.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfaC9MRzfUonGQnWN4_xPI46jOTgjLp7q9kKFuicpUvkkN-DqLS0ix650Opq40IFu_BXRs6igEbBvFPh_e3_XBcQLdw2-sEXi4DyhzeHSbT64KqN8Tz3bIlrILgYVj_KD-7PdWS0bTX9vj/s1600/Wattle+Fence+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfaC9MRzfUonGQnWN4_xPI46jOTgjLp7q9kKFuicpUvkkN-DqLS0ix650Opq40IFu_BXRs6igEbBvFPh_e3_XBcQLdw2-sEXi4DyhzeHSbT64KqN8Tz3bIlrILgYVj_KD-7PdWS0bTX9vj/s1600/Wattle+Fence+4.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="center"><td class="tr-caption"><i>Step 7-8: Ideal length of paper </i></td></tr>
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<b>Step 6:</b> Mark out your strips on the paper, I've found that around 2.5mm is ideal. 2mm is a bit too thin. The length should be the same or just little bit longer than your base.</div>
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<b>Step 7</b>: Weave the strip through the posts, alternating over and under. Then push it down to the base.</div>
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<b>Step 8:</b> Cut the edge of the strip down so that each end is roughly the size shown, and glue it down with PVA glue. I brush a little under where I'm wrapping the end around and then brush over it with PVA too.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjun9RNbVkoRKJoWJMlc8d4udT_ZV4kNokIx1m7ko609Gg3_jVirJmOGGHe0by-Om6yW2ipxW_3ZXZNbVoB4Dqwe5AXZ0JXh1nb06DWAPMXTtFHmBkkw21uqGWrG5hv_W2r76BllQsar_6y/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjun9RNbVkoRKJoWJMlc8d4udT_ZV4kNokIx1m7ko609Gg3_jVirJmOGGHe0by-Om6yW2ipxW_3ZXZNbVoB4Dqwe5AXZ0JXh1nb06DWAPMXTtFHmBkkw21uqGWrG5hv_W2r76BllQsar_6y/s1600/photo+1.JPG" width="168" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Step 9: Just keep on weaving...</i></td></tr>
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<b>Step 9: </b>Weave another strip through, this time feeding through the opposite way - so where the first one went under the post, this one should go over it. Rinse and repeat until you have a finished fence. Leave a bit of a gap at the top.<b> </b><br />
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<b></b><br />
<b>Step 10: </b>Glaze over the fence on both sides using some watered down PVA, don't be too heavy handed with this.<b> </b><br />
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<b></b><br />
<b>Step 11: </b>Once the whole thing has dried, use clippers to remove the pointy bits of the cocktail sticks under the base. Trim any of the posts at the top if needed. I prefer to do this last as the structure is sturdiest at this point. I also remove the excess sides of the base so they are in line with the end posts.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HjTiAfFOJtMPMTVPb81Z3DGCtHx-uRBSYiQRzDrDqFgSlf2vb5fzJ2DplUGpuki4Mwq6d4_w7IRB1t5BHrXVv7uPjBhO8QiReVdTPw8fBFG_GhG2VQFTKaHTK5cSyImGf-Ocr3J3gwSH/s1600/Wattle+Fence+Paper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HjTiAfFOJtMPMTVPb81Z3DGCtHx-uRBSYiQRzDrDqFgSlf2vb5fzJ2DplUGpuki4Mwq6d4_w7IRB1t5BHrXVv7uPjBhO8QiReVdTPw8fBFG_GhG2VQFTKaHTK5cSyImGf-Ocr3J3gwSH/s1600/Wattle+Fence+Paper.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Steps 11: After a bit of a tidy</i></td></tr>
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<b>Step 12:</b> Base and paint as you see fit. You now have a wattle fence! Just for reference, I basecoated mine with Scorched Brown / Rhinox Hide - be aware that you might need smaller brush to get into the parts where the paper touches the posts. I then gave that a quick drybrush with Bestial Brown, and another of Graveyard Earth. This then got quite a liberal wash of Agrax Earthshade ink. Once this had dried a patchy mix of Bestial Brown, XV-88 and Graveyard earth was drybrushed over it, with the lower part of the fence getting another pass of Scorched Brown. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcw98xXmJ6yEqXnM05Wbrl5Z_98w7Yy-65FpzQj5GjT8ZbNOguN5JwxyKT440d1EJQ5Y1gknQF0zjau3QZH9tkjhr-35gYmzRr_J-HzhlL6qamI3noEeNgIhHlA9ZYisSTR6hbAh6mS2k/s1600/Wattle+Fence+Final+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcw98xXmJ6yEqXnM05Wbrl5Z_98w7Yy-65FpzQj5GjT8ZbNOguN5JwxyKT440d1EJQ5Y1gknQF0zjau3QZH9tkjhr-35gYmzRr_J-HzhlL6qamI3noEeNgIhHlA9ZYisSTR6hbAh6mS2k/s1600/Wattle+Fence+Final+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Finished Article</i></td></tr>
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Kieran Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191062526187270925noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898378938353796232.post-23354621731139779842014-04-17T11:00:00.000+01:002017-04-01T11:02:09.270+01:00"Freeway Fighter" Adventure Gamebook - Episode 2<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Last week on Freeway Fighter...</b></div>
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<i>For part 1, <a href="http://gotflag.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/paperback-fighter-revisitng-adventure.html">click here</a></i></div>
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The last episode saw our intrepid non-hero (who seems to be a painfully real version of me channelling <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxqiMimAetg">Alan Partridge</a> mostly) tasked with driving across a post-apocalyptic wasteland full of marauders in order to collect a fuel tanker from a distant city. Thankfully they'd given me a heavily weaponised Dodge Interceptor. Basically, the plot to Mad Max. However I have no driving licence - never mind insurance. And come to think of it, I don't remember the town council that sent me on this mad task even giving me a map... All sounds promising doesn't it. </div>
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So far on my quest for petroleum distillate, I have met a cyclist looking to loot some abandoned shops. It didn't get off to the best of starts as he waved a shotgun around at me when I went to say hello. But then I imagine you would be a bit tetchy if your only means of transport through the apocalypse was a bicycle. He warned me not to stop at a nearby petrol station as I would be robbed (just like a modern British petrol station then - ooh satire), I followed his advice and drove on despite the allures of the gasoline siren beckoning me onto the forecourt.</div>
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The story continues...</div>
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<b>Episode #2</b></div>
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<i>Starts on page 167 for those reading along at home</i></div>
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I was back on the road again after a close call at Joe's Garage (if our cyclist friend was to be believed - maybe the woman really did like me. Maybe). Either way, I treated myself to a fresh Mint Imperial from the glove box, and popped a new mix tape onto the radio</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/-1pMMIe4hb4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Even driving through a desolate wasteland I had a quick look around to make sure nobody could see me singing, I mean that would be embarrassing. I put my foot to the floor and watch the needle go up to 190km/h (118mph in proper), "...you had a temper, like my jealousy; too hot, too gree --"</div>
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Cook a cat. There's someone following me and matching my speed. In a red Chevvy, not on foot - that really would be cause for concern. I have a sneaking suspicion that he doesn't want to overtake. Mostly because his mate is leaning out of the top and pointing an M16A1 at me. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg07nkd1atrUN9rngKwpBh166Gj5rh37d1qfBUKnJ2ToY3xXZoDpZ6EKrNC5o2ua9xjpuXh4EXkDbcfk4tktF4jbqs9H-7brW8fnRDITeHoN4FVcOQ8rWj-HPKsxaC3RPv59_62CyxQCJi/s1600/Freeway+Fighter+sheet+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg07nkd1atrUN9rngKwpBh166Gj5rh37d1qfBUKnJ2ToY3xXZoDpZ6EKrNC5o2ua9xjpuXh4EXkDbcfk4tktF4jbqs9H-7brW8fnRDITeHoN4FVcOQ8rWj-HPKsxaC3RPv59_62CyxQCJi/s1600/Freeway+Fighter+sheet+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gah, my armour is down from 35 to 34...<u><br /></u></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCOEGXJ4YAzuJEj5AWMdFCPQUG1K5EapahxgQ4N0N30Z-IFsBLJT8ulO6cisNQs2toSp3sVIgM3rE0QmBBlIXFhNaGThr7ihEvcV6bwRyng6vqWsuWk-hmL0iJS7th8V-NA5afKJs3sjr/s1600/Freeway+Fighter+sheet+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>It's times like this that make think I should have worked out what all of the buttons in the car did. A short burst of 5.56 rounds hit the tarmac beside me as I fumble for the turret-mounted machine gun. As the rear windscreen wipers wave furiously at my pursuer I realise that this might not quite cut the mustard. Unperturbed, the red chevvy continues his pursuit. After hitting the hazard lights, I finally manage to get the computerised turret to whir into life and two of the bursts find their target which swerves off course slightly.</div>
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But it was too early to start celebrating just yet. The machine gunner is leaning out of the red chevvy again. This time the burst of fire rakes the side of my car, making a right mess of the paintwork. Another burst from my computerised turret hits my would-be-attacker's tyres and I watch through the rear view mirror as he careens across the road, rolls over a couple of times and then vanishes in an improbably large explosion. So that's how it's done. </div>
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<i>Now on to page 188</i></div>
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I turn the car around (after decelerating first, I'm not a maniac) to inspect the wreckage of my attackers. Why on earth would somebody attack me unprovoked? Who were these jokers? Given the state of the car, there weren't really any clues as to their identity. I decide to drive on. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDUgcRpfDdKKYx54Mk4WK3G03TTln12MvhFJuM6Tq6BkHCz1NILGRVcqnlJb3MaEj5eAOsTreu_xt1L-DJnsYNtYhNso0zmF8PICaLz6q8kRIevgMXhCxhYA3J5OO2an6OdqW88A8txLJ1/s1600/Sinclair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDUgcRpfDdKKYx54Mk4WK3G03TTln12MvhFJuM6Tq6BkHCz1NILGRVcqnlJb3MaEj5eAOsTreu_xt1L-DJnsYNtYhNso0zmF8PICaLz6q8kRIevgMXhCxhYA3J5OO2an6OdqW88A8txLJ1/s1600/Sinclair.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Hope's Council Leader, Sinclair, off to the shops...</td></tr>
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Just as I was about to put some more tunes on, the radio burst in to life of it's own accord. It's one of the Council leaders from my hometown of New Hope, the one's that sent me on this road trip through the apocalypse. Nice of them to check up on me at last. She tells me that the town has been attacked by a gang of bikers. Eight people have been killed and they've kidnapped the Council leader, Sinclair. Poor sod. She warns me to be on my guard, I thank her and say goodbye. </div>
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I ignore the looming Plot, and continue my journey down the freeway. Looking around I was reminded of the I-Spy books you got as a kid, to keep you occupied and stop you from saying "are we nearly there yet." You could do one of those now: burnt out car (one of these was down to me), boarded up shack, wandering dogs, an old swing, abandoned fridges... hours of fun. </div>
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Ah bugger. Apparently during the Disaster there had been a tail back further down this road I'm driving along, as I soon discover when I pull up behind it. There's definitely no chance that this will ever move, unlike most traffic jams which just feel that way. There's no way through so I turn round and look for another way around. As I exit the highway, I notice the fuel gauge has started to drop, luckily I was sensible enough to pack a jerry can full of petrol. Sat at the junction of the road that passes beneath the highway I'm faced with a dilemma. Which way do I go?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSlOaQBf69YahzlwapbuOVbyClJAE7epWsvU8uYzax3uUlrsTekN_rWiyuQ4sKvTp8zc4Nuk3n5Zies8SihUfjGTgBemZQ1JXHPT3Twr5ZpY10puh8lWPVErRxDPfPxhKGWdo7bYG97lHx/s1600/East+West.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSlOaQBf69YahzlwapbuOVbyClJAE7epWsvU8uYzax3uUlrsTekN_rWiyuQ4sKvTp8zc4Nuk3n5Zies8SihUfjGTgBemZQ1JXHPT3Twr5ZpY10puh8lWPVErRxDPfPxhKGWdo7bYG97lHx/s1600/East+West.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmm, something's off here...</td></tr>
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<i>Tune in next time to find out!</i></div>
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Kieran Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191062526187270925noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898378938353796232.post-24995839269637281592014-04-08T21:16:00.000+01:002017-04-01T10:34:51.282+01:00Beating the hobby burnout - what keeps you motivated?<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ahhh the sun has emerged in Blighty and my Smarch hibernation is at an end. Thankfully, April has already been a good month for gaming, last weekend I GM'd a new Old West RPG campaign which saw <a href="http://palladian-guard.blogspot.com/">Scipio</a> play an inebriate. I'm not going to comment on how much of a stretch that might be.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ieBT-mlJRdCJTY4KogIHLgPclQDcZz8XR6hsl-LjHLZc3JBN6C-Faz6RBBOT1gCgW_cjRns5uh8j0bJsxekCZ8zWfYrywzFFxvyRZgx_Un49-ayaE7k27d8E-05LOAfJ3GIFIwl5dH2P/s1600/Smarch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ieBT-mlJRdCJTY4KogIHLgPclQDcZz8XR6hsl-LjHLZc3JBN6C-Faz6RBBOT1gCgW_cjRns5uh8j0bJsxekCZ8zWfYrywzFFxvyRZgx_Un49-ayaE7k27d8E-05LOAfJ3GIFIwl5dH2P/s1600/Smarch.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Lousy Smarch weather..."</td></tr>
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That said, following the proper tradition, my New Year's Resolutions have been roundly forgotten, pushed to the back of the drawer like that slightly awkward Christmas jumper with your aunty's face on that she decided would be an appropriate gift. </div>
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This was mostly meant to be an "I'm-still-here-and-I'm-blogging-(honest)" post, and a "sorry-I've-not-been-online-at-all-and-commented-on-your-wonderful-blogs". I've got a lot of catching up to do. </div>
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I've been musing about about this hobby lark lately, and particularly the phenomenon of "burnout" - and consider a few ways to prevent or minimise it.</div>
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<b>A bit of burnout </b></div>
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I've managed to have my annual burnout a bit too early and I've not even managed to get much done leading up to it. A six week break from doing pretty much anything wargames related, bar painting the <a href="http://gotflag.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/doctor-who-scratch-built-28mm-tardis.html">scratchbuilt TARDIS</a> definitely helped.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTu8HfFt5pmOrcPjEHQtKLfGKVidoA7GRewih4sWgrZCejjxX8IRFENHTe94bC2Y3bEIg_2buuKDfnaQNoHyvH9UPSd6i-PhmR17dqOM_Ldrc5X1TV3udOg81E1mpF-yxzTebvQx7eo7MN/s1600/juggling-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTu8HfFt5pmOrcPjEHQtKLfGKVidoA7GRewih4sWgrZCejjxX8IRFENHTe94bC2Y3bEIg_2buuKDfnaQNoHyvH9UPSd6i-PhmR17dqOM_Ldrc5X1TV3udOg81E1mpF-yxzTebvQx7eo7MN/s1600/juggling-17.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Obligatory stock image. If only I could juggle.</td></tr>
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I had reached what I like to call <i><b>Critical Project Mass</b></i>. I theorised that juggling several small projects (see stock image) would keep things fresh. It backfired horrifically. Instead I end up not knowing which project to start with and getting nowhere.</div>
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Now, <a href="http://palladian-guard.blogspot.com/">Scipio</a> is a prolific painter and can finish projects in the blink of an eye. And that's only partly because he can often paint at work (git). He's so well organised that he would make the Prussians look like a bloody shambles. Sadly, no matter how hard I try I can't be <i>that </i>organised and I can't keep up, and instead leave swathes of half-finished projects in his wake. Rather than just throwing in the towel, I started thinking what I could do differently. </div>
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<b><i>Organise your hobby space and get the Right tools </i></b></div>
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Many of us do not have the room for a dedicated wargaming area, even just for painting or model building etc. The small desk I do have for this purpose is littered with finished models, half-finished models, and models still on sprues. Although I have a <a href="http://gotflag.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/bitz-boxes-how-do-you-sort-yours-plus.html">reasonably organised bitz box</a>, and my terrain building stuff is vaguely organised my paints are chucked into one box and my paintbrushes old and new are in one pot. This has annoyed me for a while. </div>
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I've always said that taking the time to invest in the right tools, even cheap ones, makes a HUGE difference to he final product. They definitely helped my <a href="http://gotflag.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/buidling-bilgewater-creek-guide-to.html">terrain building</a>. Similarly, just buying a cheap palette is what allowed me to make half-decent progress in improving my painting. </div>
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So, with both of these points in mind, I've ordered one of <a href="http://www.hobbyzone.pl/en/tables-for-painting/18-professional-paint-station.html">these from HobbyZone</a>... a HobbyZone Professional Paint Station (despite being of firmly amateur status).</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0_mwR0qWA1GhjGj9NYKz0jqjkrYh5pHH5cfa3BqaJ3gOlMtxCFqGulwM62Ein6ahh0VLuBKVHlxCYwvg8V8sWxIklsy3RUgAuD22v1qfLIKCQN1ypjC7oj0HHkmtDzkX75YWswo7lsej/s1600/hobbyzone-paint-station.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0_mwR0qWA1GhjGj9NYKz0jqjkrYh5pHH5cfa3BqaJ3gOlMtxCFqGulwM62Ein6ahh0VLuBKVHlxCYwvg8V8sWxIklsy3RUgAuD22v1qfLIKCQN1ypjC7oj0HHkmtDzkX75YWswo7lsej/s1600/hobbyzone-paint-station.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The HobbyZone Professional Paint Station, image courtesy of <a href="http://chestofcolors.com/">Chest of Colors</a></td></tr>
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At only £25, I don't think you can complain about what you get for your money. I'll do a quick a review when it arrives, but Chest of Colors already has <a href="http://chestofcolors.com/hobbyzone-paint-station-review/">this superb review</a> already. Sounds spot on. </div>
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As the photo shows, this allows just the right level of organisation for me, from paints, powders, water pots, brushes and other tools - why didn't I get this before. It also allows a clear hobby space. </div>
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<i><b>Put miniatures away. One project on the table at a time </b></i></div>
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Perhaps a bigger obstacle is the fact that my desk is filled with miniatures. Not only does this make painting impractical as there is physically little space, but there's also a constant reminder of how much stuff I have to build, convert and paint. It also means the finished work gets lost in the mass and you don't really get the sense of achievement you should. There's still the same amount of miniatures as there were before.</div>
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Solution: Bite the bullet and buy carry cases. Sort the unfinished from the finished and have no more than 5 miniatures on the table at once. Nothing else goes on the table till they're finished.</div>
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<b><i>It's not work</i> </b></div>
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<i>This is a hobby. This is a hobby. This is a hobby. </i>A very useful mantra I find, and one that I'm going to start saying even more. As a hobby it's how we choose to spend much of our (often sparse) free time. It's meant to be fun. If it's not fun, then it's not a hobby. I'm not saying it should be easy, I think almost all of us love the challenges we get from our chosen pastime, but that's the point - it should be enjoyable. If it's starting to feel like a chore, put it down and go back to it later.</div>
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<b><i>Do what you enjoy</i></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXRh8ziDlc4PFsczeniXGOugjuxDHtMC-5sw5VoguHX1INhByuz_1gyxDSka6WkHhLMV07tC_Cv-LpRT6lHN3aa-yogYQwyotNSN5Ef1Yw1vbzvuSOtv31sTnVygvOlFQoB7v8P2vzxXc/s1600/black+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXRh8ziDlc4PFsczeniXGOugjuxDHtMC-5sw5VoguHX1INhByuz_1gyxDSka6WkHhLMV07tC_Cv-LpRT6lHN3aa-yogYQwyotNSN5Ef1Yw1vbzvuSOtv31sTnVygvOlFQoB7v8P2vzxXc/s1600/black+tree.jpg" width="195" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bloody fun to build.. Like hobbies should be.</td></tr>
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I loved the terrain building that I did for Necromunda, and was pretty pleased with the results despite the fact it was a rush job. The same with the scratchbuilt TARDIS. I worked on that almost every night for over a week without anyone needing to kick me up the arse. So why I haven't I done more terrain building if I enjoy it so much? Well, I'm going to do more now. </div>
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Although it's a social hobby, most of us still spend more time building, painting etc. than actually gaming. That is as much the hobby as the gaming. </div>
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<i><b>Remember why you do it</b></i></div>
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There's a reason why all of us got into this and more importantly why we carry on doing it. Personally, I love the creative outlet (I realise I'm bordering on sounding like a self help book). So why do anything that doesn't fit that reason.</div>
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<b><i> </i></b><br />
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<b><i>Do something new</i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8ajIqlKg83On_8mReVPUbIAWXZ_0wEtaQ-wSQgXFeQzh2S2R2Vj91zNbEeYCBFSOYcyDNfwZ_KlXWAoCXvoyIKKTizncvacG4iIMkrlM8x_-KLcajDd75oQ4LlT1VRPoVVEe4Y134BzU/s1600/Dredd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8ajIqlKg83On_8mReVPUbIAWXZ_0wEtaQ-wSQgXFeQzh2S2R2Vj91zNbEeYCBFSOYcyDNfwZ_KlXWAoCXvoyIKKTizncvacG4iIMkrlM8x_-KLcajDd75oQ4LlT1VRPoVVEe4Y134BzU/s1600/Dredd.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8ajIqlKg83On_8mReVPUbIAWXZ_0wEtaQ-wSQgXFeQzh2S2R2Vj91zNbEeYCBFSOYcyDNfwZ_KlXWAoCXvoyIKKTizncvacG4iIMkrlM8x_-KLcajDd75oQ4LlT1VRPoVVEe4Y134BzU/s1600/Dredd.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My "something new" for a rainy day</td></tr>
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I realise that this might seem counter-productive, but sometimes doing something completely different can kickstart the old hobby mojo again (I realise that sounds like a bit of a euphemism). If you're really not getting anywhere with a project, <b><i>do what you can with it </i></b>and then put it away for later.<b><i> </i></b>And then start something completely different, have painting burnout - do some converting. Have 40k burnout, try Infinity perhaps. Tired of painting vikings? Try some 20th century stuff. <br />
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<b>Over to you</b></div>
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So how do you keep motivated? How do you stop the burnout and keep things fresh? Comments on a postcard! (or in the designated comments section below I suppose).</div>
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<b><i>Next time on DYHAF...</i></b></div>
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Part 2 of Freeway Fighter will be up next Thursday and will continue until the character snuffs it or I actually manage to complete the book. I have a feeling I know which will happen first. </div>
Kieran Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191062526187270925noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898378938353796232.post-21974527694865394282014-02-26T18:48:00.001+00:002017-04-01T10:45:07.066+01:00Paperback Fighter: Revisiting Adventure Gamebooks <span style="color: #444444;">My first proper encounter with gaming of the non-board variety, or gaming where there was a clear plot, was Adventure Game books by GW founders Livingstone and Jackson. Being in a nostalgic frame of mind I got to thinking about them recently. With myself and Ed planning on trying a bit of 2nd edition Warhammer 40,000, I also began wond</span><span style="color: #444444;">ering how these Gamebooks would stand up 20 years later. One book I was also fond of was the Mad Max-alike </span><i style="color: #444444;">Freeway Fighter</i><span style="color: #444444;">. I ordered myself a copy and decided to give it a try.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444;">I thought it would also be more fun to play as myself, or rather at least and try to make the decisions as if I were there </span><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: #444444;">(well, sort of)</span>. This may be boring for you as it will probably involve a lot of me running away from things, but means I can put my own twist on the story rather than just retelling it. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444;">I also wanted to see if I could survive, and dare I say it - win, without the <i>Magical Dice that Always Roll What You Need</i>, ort the <i>Thumb of Time Travel</i> carefully marking the previous page before a particularly risky decision.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApq_PT7k6bRRH8eQ1Z7Znf3kd8okTm5QMuFusAkG_0INj7SrDlr7B11pwij7C8inpz-NA6zFa02ovYUPdCaevARXE14fG8ZNCWkby3IhKr4qh9wTuekbqPao8TcFblGdNZxcYgdseHXna/s1600/FF2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApq_PT7k6bRRH8eQ1Z7Znf3kd8okTm5QMuFusAkG_0INj7SrDlr7B11pwij7C8inpz-NA6zFa02ovYUPdCaevARXE14fG8ZNCWkby3IhKr4qh9wTuekbqPao8TcFblGdNZxcYgdseHXna/s1600/FF2.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">Well prepared for a Sunday drive through the apocalypse</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><b>The Background </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">The year is 2022. All was dandy and few were hungry. The world was living in perfect harmony, like ebony and ivory on Paul McCartney's piano.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444;">But then disaster struck. The population was been devastated by a mysterious deadly virus. It probably started in our old University flat. In <i>that</i> frying pan. Eurgh. After 4 days, 85% of the world were dead. Riots, looting, destruction and apparently (verbatim quote) drunkenness were rife. So just a British Friday night out then.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444;">6 months later the surviving populace had divided: the first group to rebuild civilisation and culture. They formed new fortified settlements and outposts. The other group just wanted to carry on pratting about in the wastelands and being a bit maim-y. On motorbikes and spikey cars. Being maim-y sounds like too much hard work. And I wouldn't have much street (road?) cred. Paladin of civilisation it is then, and a deluxe wriggly tin* apartment for me in the fortified town called <i>New Hope</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><b>The Story begins </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #444444;">One morning I get a visit from a bunch of rather excited town councillors. They have taken a break from debating the merits of pedestrianising the city centre to pay me a visit. They've picked up a radio message from distant San Anglo saying they have a ton of fuel they are willing to exchange for some of our apparently famous grain. Bargain! (I wonder if the local petrol station will start taking seed packets as payment?)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC753PklNpYUpSDKvZ8Kint-hlAvR3N5m6OEO5fJ35Nr51ERjURGbHJgT-gFyocDTgZV-GboTkOF3Z5NfX4TsnwHhI6CF0EWsrdo1Iacb5KzDuTevkZHpNDl1A5B7W2yBEk4KIdInC7AeD/s1600/Freeway+Fighter+sheet.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC753PklNpYUpSDKvZ8Kint-hlAvR3N5m6OEO5fJ35Nr51ERjURGbHJgT-gFyocDTgZV-GboTkOF3Z5NfX4TsnwHhI6CF0EWsrdo1Iacb5KzDuTevkZHpNDl1A5B7W2yBEk4KIdInC7AeD/s1600/Freeway+Fighter+sheet.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">Some unbelievably jammy rolls... Yum. Jam rolls.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444;">The town council (in their infinite wisdom) have picked me - a person who <b>has never had a single driving lesson in their life</b>, to take charge of a Dodge Interceptor so kitted out that it makes the participants of <i>Pimp My Ride</i> look like masters of understated subtlety. With this beast of an automobile I am to drive to San Anglo and bring back a petrol tanker, and forge links between our two great settlements. I mean I can't really say no can I. And since there's nothing but pre-Disaster reruns of Gardener's Question Time on the radio, I might as well go. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444;">So I climb in, put on my seat belt (the book irresponsibly neglects this part), adjust the rear view mirror, and get the string-backed leather driving gloves from the glove box (that's what it's for). Now I mean business. Squinting through the narrow armoured visor of a windscreen, I start the car and almost immediately stall it. Second time lucky. Phew. San Anglo, here we come!</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><b>The Game begins. Page 1...</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;">It quickly becomes apparent that everything has fallen into decay and ruin, and wild dogs roam the wastelands. In order to lift my spirits after seeing this once incredible landscape turned to grey wasteland I bang some tunes on the radio and turn the speakers up to 11. Time to get my jam on. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/nM4okRvCg2g?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div>
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444;">After travelling about 9 miles I reach a small town, but just as we get there my bag of Mint Imperials spill out from the glove box forcing me to stop the car lest a few get stuck under the pedals (<i>well, the book gave no clear reason to why the hell I would want to stop</i>). Just as I'm about to get back on the road, what sounds remarkably like a shotgun rings through the air. Do I do the sensible thing and drive on, or do I act like an absolute idiot and <i>get out to investigate...</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444;">After checking (twice) that the car door is locked, I move slowly towards the nearest building. I'm bloody crapping myself and wondering why the hell I decided this was a good idea. Wiping nervous sweat from my forehead with the string back of the driving gloves, I half expect another shot in my direction. But there's nobody down this narrow street at all. I step round the corner, but as I do an unseen voice warns me that I'll resemble a colander if I move. Not wishing to resemble any kitchen utensil I do as I'm told. "Where are you from?" the voice barks. Now I can either claim to be a lone, badass nomadic warrior or tell the truth. Well honesty is always the best policy (so they say) and looking at myself neither badass nor warrior comes to mind...</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #444444;">I tell the unseen gunman that I'm from New Hope. At this the figure steps out from the shadows I see that he's a cyclist. A cyclist?! Good god, this man has balls. That's one charity bike ride I would definitely sponsor. His manners leave a little to be desired - he keeps his gun pointed at me whilst telling me his life story. He claims he and his family were ambushed whilst driving their station wagon last week (is this any time to be going on a family trip?) and his wife and kid killed (I feel bad for my levity now). He was looking for some tins of beans and sausages in the supermarket when he was attacked by rabid dogs, hence the shotgun. I decide to believe him. He finally puts the gun down, and says his name is Johnson. He says he's heading to New Hope, so I give him directions. He tells me not to stop at Joe's Garage - they don't have any petrol, but are quick to rob anyone that stops there. I wish him well on his journey and toodle back to the car, and as that honesty really is the best policy it's one I'll be following from here on in when it arises. Time for more tunes on the car radio...</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/14IRDDnEPR4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #444444;">Hell yeah, this is the life. I feel invigorated. Ah what's this coming up at the side of the road. Well I'll never. It's Joe's Garage. I decide to stop to see if Johnson was telling the truth. From afar. I'm not letting the sense of heroics get to my head again. A 'hot rod', clearly with one careful owner, is parked round the side. Whilst I'm having a nosy, a girl comes out from the office in t-shirt and blue jeans (there's even a picture in the book), she gives a disarming smile and ask if she can help. I'm sure she's being a bit flirty, I mean she clearly knows a man of substance when she sees one - the black framed specs, the way my hands are at 10-2 on the steering wheel, my sports casual clothes and the dulcet notes of 99 Red Balloons in the background signifies true masculinity. As lovely as she seems, and I'm sure we'd hit it off, I decide not to take the risk - and stay on the path of the lone road warrior that I must become... </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444;">Click <a href="http://gotflag.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/freeway-fighter-adventure-gamebook.html">here </a>for Part 2!</span>Kieran Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191062526187270925noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898378938353796232.post-71095999387343291052014-02-19T15:01:00.000+00:002017-04-01T11:17:39.679+01:00Trench Raiders: Tale of Two Battles 1915 - 1917<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Myself, Ed and Ollie recently got together for some superb games of Ed's self-penned ruleset, Trench Raiders. This post covers my French raiding team in their first game as attackers and a (narrow) victory, and a superb stealthy victory by Ed's Brits against Germans played by myself (report written by Ed). </span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">For the other part of this triple set of games and an overview of the rules go to the superlative <a href="http://palladian-guard.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/trench-raiders-triple.html">Palladian Guard blog.</a></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b>French raid on a German Trench, 1917</b></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b>Player</b>:
Kieran</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b>Army</b>:
French</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b>Defender</b>:
Germans (Ed and Ollie)</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b>Year</b>:
1917</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b>Mission</b>:
Intelligence Grab (search a dugout and then escape the board)</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b>Maximum Artillery
Support Available</b>: Regimental Bombardment (Level V)</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b>Artillery
Support Selected</b>: Company Bombardment (Level III)</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><b>Kieran's
Plan</b></i></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">As
with the game where we played the French as defenders where Ollie
opted to take Company Bombardment, I opted to do the same. This does
mean the opponent starts with the maximum number of defenders, but
also has the slowest response time for enemy reinforcements appearing
on the board. So as long as I could take out the bulk of the
defenders in the first couple of turns, it could be wine and
croissants for me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyO8ibehg3TojkYdNWWHckDMIZ2c2yOOC4N_8-zYlMVMsuTwlOFp5m99ZvRog1BEEryF4r0SmHl2YSwWXP1sB44gb0OAsYC-6gOXWTvfiFCwXgcWLLHleC4DArYnAsuUPjfcheNEKdBxd/s1600/Deployment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyO8ibehg3TojkYdNWWHckDMIZ2c2yOOC4N_8-zYlMVMsuTwlOFp5m99ZvRog1BEEryF4r0SmHl2YSwWXP1sB44gb0OAsYC-6gOXWTvfiFCwXgcWLLHleC4DArYnAsuUPjfcheNEKdBxd/s1600/Deployment.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">I
split my Raiders into two combat teams centered around a bombing team
(pair) each – as seen below with the bombing team members in base
contact. After taking out the defenders, the team in the top right
corner were to make their way to the dugout and complete the
objective; the other team (top centre) would cover the comms trench
and deal with any reinforcements. The other riflemen/Officer were
spread out between them, intended to move to wherever the most
resistance appeared.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMl6rIfYT_FQFTwjqg3xCwtEpBbvMHqgIXXqSIAtTqNXHDtAv046nzX6xD2r8jRXza8FTxcSrvZ5WS-zISaPBasjHX0exlNbFQo_cSwenRWzYEh2eEhS3dTkCTDXgsHNunlNC4zfiYa9uF/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMl6rIfYT_FQFTwjqg3xCwtEpBbvMHqgIXXqSIAtTqNXHDtAv046nzX6xD2r8jRXza8FTxcSrvZ5WS-zISaPBasjHX0exlNbFQo_cSwenRWzYEh2eEhS3dTkCTDXgsHNunlNC4zfiYa9uF/s1600/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Where's
the <i>je ne sais
quoi</i> in being stealthy? </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody></tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">F1
grenades in the first turn killed three defenders. Lieutenant Emile Corbeau's plan was coming together nicely.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0Ot6SE1kncJsynAKoYmTkh4qEPGJR1c-eWN-HB_jiZhLMWXnI21NyT4xGlp53W9OYbluAEWMHo3E2MvI5cNGMmhNpM72UM1QjW4fNZ5YKAI2Jl3TrtPw44uryoNfHjlWAHRzJqbt3JCt/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0Ot6SE1kncJsynAKoYmTkh4qEPGJR1c-eWN-HB_jiZhLMWXnI21NyT4xGlp53W9OYbluAEWMHo3E2MvI5cNGMmhNpM72UM1QjW4fNZ5YKAI2Jl3TrtPw44uryoNfHjlWAHRzJqbt3JCt/s1600/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">The flurry of grenades disturbed what the defender's hoped would be a
quiet night on the Western Front</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">At top centre above is the surviving but
wounded German defender, whilst to the left the other defenders
regroup and consolidate.</span><br />
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0rEpZit6mhNsCIx9O2-GA76cwxAtpuoMb1ULzFtrdKdJkg_fNT7fGyOraf8e_O35Y2iggrMHOSYzxwOkPI06OkHx3HtV9tivhCKv_PvkY2sFPrO_SsyuiKrTwuR4OdKWpwGFpHsd-IPv/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0rEpZit6mhNsCIx9O2-GA76cwxAtpuoMb1ULzFtrdKdJkg_fNT7fGyOraf8e_O35Y2iggrMHOSYzxwOkPI06OkHx3HtV9tivhCKv_PvkY2sFPrO_SsyuiKrTwuR4OdKWpwGFpHsd-IPv/s1600/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The
covering team take their casualty, as one of the Riflemen dropping
into the front line trench is picked off by well-aimed rifle fire.
However, the First team are able to swiftly move to the objective,
and rummage through the dugout for vital Hun intelligence.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8SJIlEp4O3Wii5-tPUycAI9DTfOPxG65iWhgeno5tXi0k1BOzHR5HdJ8ZJFUUAGeQp7ilPf7MyHkPxA-rNRxOfwYh3JRnfFKb4jA0IHIEyZUkpQiVI_jNr5ExwglzAJcgFbbxgtheKDR1/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8SJIlEp4O3Wii5-tPUycAI9DTfOPxG65iWhgeno5tXi0k1BOzHR5HdJ8ZJFUUAGeQp7ilPf7MyHkPxA-rNRxOfwYh3JRnfFKb4jA0IHIEyZUkpQiVI_jNr5ExwglzAJcgFbbxgtheKDR1/s1600/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">After
the French covering team push the initial German sentries back down
the comms trench with grenades and rifle fire, the box barrage lets
up and the Germans are finally able to sneak a few more
reinforcements down the comms trench. The bombing team have a grenade prepped ready to hurl at the Hun foe. Meanwhile the German officer has climbed onto the parapet to better fire off pistol shots at the sneaky Frogs. </span></span><br />
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsr7CB6VBg_Y_bNveNKfdG-slLD4OLtUegT1m2pBSW4PZwv_DLe9bd3sCLcM7ohCDUBhEtn2DinBtvejkIm8erIh697ew_3B-u4n8cV8hJy6DlnZhg0gCU8e8N_7XNLNieg9B7hNu97PP2/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsr7CB6VBg_Y_bNveNKfdG-slLD4OLtUegT1m2pBSW4PZwv_DLe9bd3sCLcM7ohCDUBhEtn2DinBtvejkIm8erIh697ew_3B-u4n8cV8hJy6DlnZhg0gCU8e8N_7XNLNieg9B7hNu97PP2/s1600/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">A
French Rifleman (face down, to left) takes a fatal wound from the German officer's pistol fire. T</span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">he French bombing team covering the reinforcements respond with an
F1 grenade, not seeming to be too concerned about their unconscious
comrade. </span></span></span><br />
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Meanwhile to the right, the key team having gained the
intelligence they were looking for (clutched by the Officer leading
at the front) make a bid for freedom towards No Man's Land. They
already have +4 victory points for searching the dugout, but they
need to make it off the board to complete the objective. </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJnpHl42jfukIFPorpQ26qxZ3kLIHAgtwxMrBZiroW31QsBvh2uNeHSbwuBv3nebnunzdJMH6m8KpsJp7BGnFrDViiAEFw2Y_LzqNsn2mN6EVLff7hcNXM5QcoYI_HbvNWTbkCefvFfJ8/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJnpHl42jfukIFPorpQ26qxZ3kLIHAgtwxMrBZiroW31QsBvh2uNeHSbwuBv3nebnunzdJMH6m8KpsJp7BGnFrDViiAEFw2Y_LzqNsn2mN6EVLff7hcNXM5QcoYI_HbvNWTbkCefvFfJ8/s1600/6.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">The German Officer having already killed one of the French raiders and having wounded another, regroups his men for a charge, waiting for a gap in the shower of grenades keeping them hemmed in. However, a lucky shot from the one of the bombing team killed the German Officer before they could act. </span></span><br />
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Undeterred and having
a seemingly endless amount of well burning star shells and flares,
rather than pursuing the </span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">French, the Germans with plenty of
reinforcements opt to line up on the parapet and use the artificial
light to provide some aimed rifle fire. </span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;"> </span>
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">As
the French Officer scrambles into No Man's Land clutching the vital
intelligence, he's severely wounded (killed in game terms) by the
aimed volley of the German firing line. But getting something of a
lucky break, as the Officer is shot (well not that lucky) the flares
and star shells die out. The defenders unable to see clearly enough
to fire at long range give the French a respite to grab the Officer
and the intelligence and haul him to the safety of their own lines in
the cover of darkness. </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><b>Did
the plan work?</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Well,
all in all a fantastic and rather close game. A good start allowed
the combat team to get to the objective quickly, but as soon as the
reinforcements arrived, and particularly as they lined up on the
parapet to fire aimed volleys as the flares/star shells stayed on the
table made it very close indeed. It was only an unlucky roll on Ed's
part that meant the star shell burned out, making it impossible to
fire at range for that turn and allowing the French to finally
escape. </span>
<br />
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><u><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">French
Victory Points</span></span></u></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Dugout
Searched: 8 points</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">German
Casualties: 7 points</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">German
Officer Killed: 2 points</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">French
Casualties: -9 points</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Casualties
Recovered: 1 point</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><u>Total:
9 points - </u><u><b>Victory!</b></u></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Read on for the next game! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b>British Raid on a German Trench, 1915</b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-transform: none;"><b>Player</b>: Ed</span></span><br />
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-transform: none;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-transform: none;"><b>Army</b>: British</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-transform: none;"><b>Defender</b>: French (Kieran)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-transform: none;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-transform: none;"><b>Year</b>: 1915</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-transform: none;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-transform: none;"><b>Mission</b>: Attrition (kill as many enemies as possible)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-transform: none;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-transform: none;"><b>Maximum Artillery Support Available</b>: Battalion Bombardment (Level IV)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-transform: none;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-transform: none;"><b>Artillery Support Selected</b>: Scouts (Level I)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-transform: none;">This was an interesting game. The usual tactic for
Attrition missions is to go in, kick up the hornets' nest and have a
straight fight with the defenders. But having selected Scouts, I knew
there would only be a few sentries in the
trench to start with. If I could kill those three silently, that would
guarantee six victory points. I could then blow the German dugout
unmolested (for another five points), and get out before re-enforcements
began pouring through the comms trench. Well,
that was the plan... </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-transform: none;">
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<td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPfT5_ZpLyE5iJZPy15mU-9h03vN-21koGRxxO9pRd98VS7D5hY9mtdePrtG8-OcqSfV5vV0lBh19DV6pCcU_1I_ev-kgSLl1AKaEgScDxOR-gwxSszH80IvdY1RiIzKTl0oy-Sgf_yHg/s1600/Photo+14-02-2014+10+08+40.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPfT5_ZpLyE5iJZPy15mU-9h03vN-21koGRxxO9pRd98VS7D5hY9mtdePrtG8-OcqSfV5vV0lBh19DV6pCcU_1I_ev-kgSLl1AKaEgScDxOR-gwxSszH80IvdY1RiIzKTl0oy-Sgf_yHg/s400/Photo+14-02-2014+10+08+40.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image" width="400" /></a></td>
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<tr>
<td style="padding-top: 4px;">I attacked from the far side of the board in this picture. Kieran had three sentries to start with,<br />
so I went for the section of trench with only one in it.</td>
</tr>
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<td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8M9lIywMB-7pIcUW-7pUg0g4ZSTheFTcbmh6_moNPCqqGgopMGi7IhkL8gApQOdkC6dH8cqyncG2IDFpyG1MSruKS6sXXhv9MNgM0sUJLj6QMEf-KA5SZYu4xpTrtHTslGGQaN0xpNdQx/s1600/Photo+14-02-2014+10+14+59.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8M9lIywMB-7pIcUW-7pUg0g4ZSTheFTcbmh6_moNPCqqGgopMGi7IhkL8gApQOdkC6dH8cqyncG2IDFpyG1MSruKS6sXXhv9MNgM0sUJLj6QMEf-KA5SZYu4xpTrtHTslGGQaN0xpNdQx/s400/Photo+14-02-2014+10+14+59.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image" width="400" /></a></td>
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<tr>
<td style="padding-top: 4px;">But Jerry had his Wheetabix that morning and put the bayonet through<br />
Private Howell, giving him a superficial wound.</td>
</tr>
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<td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_QACLRMlt5Fe81vaM1QXsw8UArzowef_niHjCgSKIaHhZULderUa4dAnKSGsDGxKfo-K4hKAc3CTLBYaf_5CH7wo5ToauFseR4fBZBO-hXSpP7JZaGxhNx1YzwPDFNwCetN-TaxcBWD5/s1600/Photo+14-02-2014+10+26+06.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_QACLRMlt5Fe81vaM1QXsw8UArzowef_niHjCgSKIaHhZULderUa4dAnKSGsDGxKfo-K4hKAc3CTLBYaf_5CH7wo5ToauFseR4fBZBO-hXSpP7JZaGxhNx1YzwPDFNwCetN-TaxcBWD5/s400/Photo+14-02-2014+10+26+06.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image" width="400" /></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding-top: 4px;">Lieutenant
Shaw moves in, but receives a mortal wound. At this point, Kieran made
a tactical decision that changed the whole course of the battle. When
it came to his turn, he had a
choice of finishing off Shaw or spending his action raising the alarm.
He decided that the five victory points he'd get for killing my
commander were too good to pass up.</td>
</tr>
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<td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8SJlVRw0Z0OeP5bc-BbL-S2f2HjwDOWvH3kqFspvMb7wfv5FUZ2P0aEUfAzymdOctPviISzrw6psm7z3yAUstrU3ECzBcHi6JBjoS9LjEHcqEZAfexThAAvFd8PMoapRVsHfSjbMqNR0/s1600/Photo+14-02-2014+10+30+12.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8SJlVRw0Z0OeP5bc-BbL-S2f2HjwDOWvH3kqFspvMb7wfv5FUZ2P0aEUfAzymdOctPviISzrw6psm7z3yAUstrU3ECzBcHi6JBjoS9LjEHcqEZAfexThAAvFd8PMoapRVsHfSjbMqNR0/s400/Photo+14-02-2014+10+30+12.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image" width="400" /></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding-top: 4px;">However, I successfully clear the trench and prepare to deal with the other two sentries. </td>
</tr>
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<td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRnG0weV_tft2EmZkQV5nfnhrJFAzADVsp1hi4HiDYznG16iAbzdvqpXVjcZJltPtFOKtX5FoZzijm0goXUgqNVcC0JlABSmB9LbbYu5Xc-Heg-f9OpE-ecV9RbsB-toIc_Mk6jgNig4/s1600/Photo+14-02-2014+10+38+54.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRnG0weV_tft2EmZkQV5nfnhrJFAzADVsp1hi4HiDYznG16iAbzdvqpXVjcZJltPtFOKtX5FoZzijm0goXUgqNVcC0JlABSmB9LbbYu5Xc-Heg-f9OpE-ecV9RbsB-toIc_Mk6jgNig4/s400/Photo+14-02-2014+10+38+54.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image" width="400" /></a></td>
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<tr>
<td style="padding-top: 4px;">I sprint my demolition team round the corner...</td>
</tr>
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<td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEzJ_pz1AU2P8jDjpfT57JlSSIGalMcTqPndptPtCJ6rdfvz5UzWNybwEm8aN9mfE-OxbqWY_cdNhJKpDJReRZmKtcqT-w-6Rg0TPTtr32Dg-yRd99cBaRrx9iGTXe6Ptgb_XmesCZGU/s1600/Photo+14-02-2014+10+39+49.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEzJ_pz1AU2P8jDjpfT57JlSSIGalMcTqPndptPtCJ6rdfvz5UzWNybwEm8aN9mfE-OxbqWY_cdNhJKpDJReRZmKtcqT-w-6Rg0TPTtr32Dg-yRd99cBaRrx9iGTXe6Ptgb_XmesCZGU/s400/Photo+14-02-2014+10+39+49.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image" width="300" /></a></td>
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<tr>
<td style="padding-top: 4px;"><i>Wer ist da!</i><i><br />
</i>But the alert German sentry spots him, bumping him up to six<br />
suspicion points and removing the random NPC actions each turn. </td>
</tr>
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<td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGOoYaUyem_2VNcGVve9ee4aAWu_ctjrTQjrSMk_6q1oc1Zkc1YCUGgtAWW2oqbDziqj8VU7vkhDuj9ZJN4EAczekZ0bXILHr6D2zwQvI_Od-7lSqxiz0iQznkw0YYSngmhuGb6vDqYh-/s1600/Photo+14-02-2014+10+46+49.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGOoYaUyem_2VNcGVve9ee4aAWu_ctjrTQjrSMk_6q1oc1Zkc1YCUGgtAWW2oqbDziqj8VU7vkhDuj9ZJN4EAczekZ0bXILHr6D2zwQvI_Od-7lSqxiz0iQznkw0YYSngmhuGb6vDqYh-/s400/Photo+14-02-2014+10+46+49.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image" width="400" /></a></td>
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<tr>
<td style="padding-top: 4px;">I have to hurriedly send in my bayonet teams.</td>
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<td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WScaPW8gkNpVDkxB_kB0wJeAAAxU69NFeXXaiQGcjrXg8hHv18m98DgNo9X_wr5Zz3rsc4_-fpxOtJhMF84lf2pBA5IwZsME6VYc3xnssD3dOlT6JdOL8al4alufGDYBOM3GQdawsHk/s1600/Photo+14-02-2014+10+53+59.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WScaPW8gkNpVDkxB_kB0wJeAAAxU69NFeXXaiQGcjrXg8hHv18m98DgNo9X_wr5Zz3rsc4_-fpxOtJhMF84lf2pBA5IwZsME6VYc3xnssD3dOlT6JdOL8al4alufGDYBOM3GQdawsHk/s400/Photo+14-02-2014+10+53+59.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image" width="300" /></a></td>
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<td style="padding-top: 4px;">The alarm still hasn't been raised, so Jerry is fast asleep when<br />
a pair of Mills bombs put paid to their dugout. </td>
</tr>
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<td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxxtRNY-b8ur116UCwfLT6z_33qTNkk6e756j89SkJyvcdNxZ3kfMn4XNNm8OV_dUxF_cxwlxfItyAWbsoviQmRESTrryGFqzQ1pk3Wx_ibGgRXnrj19ZaS6MavpoW1atNSbZ_GkjNQtn/s1600/Photo+14-02-2014+11+02+11.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxxtRNY-b8ur116UCwfLT6z_33qTNkk6e756j89SkJyvcdNxZ3kfMn4XNNm8OV_dUxF_cxwlxfItyAWbsoviQmRESTrryGFqzQ1pk3Wx_ibGgRXnrj19ZaS6MavpoW1atNSbZ_GkjNQtn/s400/Photo+14-02-2014+11+02+11.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image" width="400" /></a></td>
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<td style="padding-top: 4px;">I hurriedly try to escape as re-enforcements pour in from adjacent sectors.</td>
</tr>
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<td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDodbECu5CAJghBV0w7Vil1_tgAErfYlwLFToEInGwEOdfldahoIig9dzbiPDqURcaCsiy8DU_D0a2QyqsZsUWN1XiB1_akLe35JKajx758QGI5lh9QajCc3D5VEPnTT44TQbPGhvmrWO/s1600/Photo+14-02-2014+11+20+53.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDodbECu5CAJghBV0w7Vil1_tgAErfYlwLFToEInGwEOdfldahoIig9dzbiPDqURcaCsiy8DU_D0a2QyqsZsUWN1XiB1_akLe35JKajx758QGI5lh9QajCc3D5VEPnTT44TQbPGhvmrWO/s400/Photo+14-02-2014+11+20+53.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image" width="300" /></a></td>
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<tr>
<td style="padding-top: 4px;">They line up on the parapet as I try and sneak away into No Man's Land.</td>
</tr>
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<td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdBkpe325AVM9gFQfZJbEhIv0cUk5Z2s2mcm00DQD_fBLfHfT-t0k64hix_EEF98UFoDxlJttbDlzN2h0_sRN6LkDFt2oHNGhVVm1uFh-G3Zf4JHHEM0d9iEkuBdVgiYsAWWUBIZPAzrW/s1600/Photo+14-02-2014+11+25+02.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdBkpe325AVM9gFQfZJbEhIv0cUk5Z2s2mcm00DQD_fBLfHfT-t0k64hix_EEF98UFoDxlJttbDlzN2h0_sRN6LkDFt2oHNGhVVm1uFh-G3Zf4JHHEM0d9iEkuBdVgiYsAWWUBIZPAzrW/s400/Photo+14-02-2014+11+25+02.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image" width="300" /></a></td>
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<tr>
<td style="padding-top: 4px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">And just as I manage to escape, Private Divall is shot and killed yards away from safety!</span></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-transform: none;">All in all, it was a splendid game. Normally stealth is
just used to insert the team before the shooting starts, so I thought
I'd try to do it all silently and prevent the alarm being raised. I
managed this, so I suppose my plan worked,
but it cost two men and there were several times when I was only saved
by the dice rolls.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-transform: none;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-transform: none;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-transform: none;"><u>British Victory Points</u></span></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-transform: none;">Dugout Blown: 5 points</span></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-transform: none;">German Casualties: 6 points</span></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-transform: none;">British Officer Killed: -5 points</span></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-transform: none;">German Casualty: -2 points</span></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-transform: none;">Casualties Recovered: 1 points</span></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-transform: none;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><u><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-transform: none;">Total: 5 points -<b> Victory!</b></span></span></u></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-transform: none;"><b><b>To continue the story, go to <a href="http://palladian-guard.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/trench-raiders-triple.html">Palladian Guard</a> and let Ed relate the stories of the final game!</b><u> </u></b></span></span></div>
</div>
Kieran Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191062526187270925noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898378938353796232.post-91775145761049628452014-02-11T21:46:00.001+00:002017-04-01T11:25:56.927+01:00Is tabletop gaming doomed?<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Apparently, video killed the radio star. But are video games killing tabletop?</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Before I start the waffle, I implore you to visit the <a href="http://palladian-guard.blogspot.com/"> Palladian </a><a href="http://gotflag.blogspot.com/">Guard </a>blog to
see all of the Mordheim and English Civil War goodies Ed has been
posting about in the past couple of weeks. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2U_tno4JEVAbCIA5fIPGuu3MEA2oDKpJeYnU6cNXY4Ov0bV0561nYAJnNYtfRK80JYfm-NFI8Q64VT15Rn8u4rXyYnQRv9QUWDK41lJ6I0MqER9xpu8e2TOgdsQM78RK-TmcFAPcQxph/s1600/Minneapolis001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2U_tno4JEVAbCIA5fIPGuu3MEA2oDKpJeYnU6cNXY4Ov0bV0561nYAJnNYtfRK80JYfm-NFI8Q64VT15Rn8u4rXyYnQRv9QUWDK41lJ6I0MqER9xpu8e2TOgdsQM78RK-TmcFAPcQxph/s1600/Minneapolis001.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is wargaming a thing of the past? From <a href="http://vintagewargaming.blogspot.co.uk/">Vintage Wargaming</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Warning: Long(ish) Post</i>. Last month's release of Games Workshop's financials and the rather notable dip (to say the least), the closing of stores in Germany and offices in North America (amongst other measures) lead some to proclaim that this was the death knell for GW, and a few even suggested that it was the beginning of the end for tabletop gaming itself.<br />
<br />
There were even suggestions that GW themselves believe tabletop is dead, and are winding the business down - whilst bleeding it and its customers for every last penny they can. I'm not sure that this is true, but for the sake of argument let's assume it is and challenge that view. <br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Those that consider gaming to be under threat often cite computer games as competing for the next generation of tabletop gamers' time and money, like the noisy, brightly coloured attention seekers they are (the games not the commenters). I think this is mostly nonsense. Whilst games might be flashier now, and there's the appeal of online gaming that wasn't around when I were a wee young un', neither <i>Jet Set Willy</i>, <i>Paperboy</i>, or <i>Streets</i> <i>of Rage </i>stopped me from throwing myself into this hobby lark.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7Jfjizn_9K37v2Murn3TfQ9UEM8-8PidhqcuKtJB3GkCExy4bP2GVWRy2X-KyFByMuettlASLTPSVERoupPVb-Y8UvQxfHcK-Y25KMmVUPKOq1hFyvfQuvuYJqCt5rbB-iVPZhDSsLxn/s1600/games.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7Jfjizn_9K37v2Murn3TfQ9UEM8-8PidhqcuKtJB3GkCExy4bP2GVWRy2X-KyFByMuettlASLTPSVERoupPVb-Y8UvQxfHcK-Y25KMmVUPKOq1hFyvfQuvuYJqCt5rbB-iVPZhDSsLxn/s1600/games.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Games of my youth and games of today, are they really a greater threat?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Following the financials, GW Towers piqued my curiosity with this "situation vacant":</div>
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<i>"Do you want to help Games Workshop revolutionise its customer experience?
We are looking for someone to spend the next two years turning over every – and we mean every – stone to find opportunities for how we can improve the customer experience... We aren’t talking about incremental improvements; we want to completely re-imagine what it is like for people coming into our stores, engaging with and buying our wonderful miniatures."</i></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
The full post is covered <a href="http://www.belloflostsouls.net/2014/01/omg-you-must-read-this-gw-job-posting.html">here on BoLS</a>. Some might see this as Games Workshop finally acknowledging the increasing disconnect between them and their customer base. Now I have no intentions of applying for this despite HQ being 15 miles away, but it did get me thinking:</div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>What got me into gaming? </i>Or more importantly <i>why have I stuck with it for around 20 years</i> when I could have easily cast it aside like yesterday's jam. And<b> </b><i>are these reasons still relevant?</i></div>
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I think it's safe to say that tabletop gaming is not doomed. It can never die out completely. There's always going to be a certain type of person that the hobby appeals to regardless of the existence of computer games, and I'm not about to trot out boring stereotypes here. I will try and answer these questions and why tabletop gaming is not doomed to die out using a few categories.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Creativity </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The tabletop gamer, whether wargamer or role-player, is generally quite a creative sort. There are some pretty obvious creative elements: the model building, painting, background writing, character creation, sculpting, scenery building etc. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPANCvlq2EJber8JgTmuLq3C4vV-bEiYIZaY69YF9Ru9eJC5Y5elPdcaSJ5Y7vKcS6IpJdVhn1EN9Au6UmsYcGEgZIJPTPBbSKVz-5ldHweYGH0IJZWsYTwiZImkW1-sXznounDsylCoYY/s1600/TARDIS+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPANCvlq2EJber8JgTmuLq3C4vV-bEiYIZaY69YF9Ru9eJC5Y5elPdcaSJ5Y7vKcS6IpJdVhn1EN9Au6UmsYcGEgZIJPTPBbSKVz-5ldHweYGH0IJZWsYTwiZImkW1-sXznounDsylCoYY/s1600/TARDIS+.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My 28mm scale TARDIS was just much more enjoyable than if I'd spent the same amount of time on <i>Dishonored</i>. Which I had been doing around the time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is not to say that computer games aren't creative, far far from it in many cases, and that's not to say that those that play computer games aren't creative. But it's a broader demographic, whilst not as passive as watching TV it's very easy to slump into a sofa with a controller and kill an hour or so on a game. As engaging as computer games can be, there always seems to be a point where I find that I'm on autopilot.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ps8RvJs7dGyWd6IIwNX4ewwSP5IgqI_bgCbgcMNccJJgCeH-HIFxXh2My7JTbKwlSGCPYlbfu3FHApesaiyPUtTZyPOFGUhd87WtHLkPrhyphenhyphenUqpOrdyjYrIpsdAX9i2_QulVBAO8fIna-/s1600/IMG_5955.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ps8RvJs7dGyWd6IIwNX4ewwSP5IgqI_bgCbgcMNccJJgCeH-HIFxXh2My7JTbKwlSGCPYlbfu3FHApesaiyPUtTZyPOFGUhd87WtHLkPrhyphenhyphenUqpOrdyjYrIpsdAX9i2_QulVBAO8fIna-/s1600/IMG_5955.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where it all began for me...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Beyond the obvious, I think there's something about tabletop gaming that encourages creativity rather than just allows for it. I remember the first games of 2nd edition 40k that I played as a young oik, it wasn't long before we were coming up with our own house rules (usually things like exploding barrels) or coming up with scenarios and ongoing stories focused around our characters. Few computer games allow this, the shaping of a shared setting, bending the game mechanics to fit your vision of the world. For GW's target market, as I actually fit into back then, this should be a key USP. </div>
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</div>
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<br />
In RPG terms <i>World of Warcraft </i>or <i>Skyrim </i>and
their pixelated brethren there are some fantastic, intelligent and
well-created RPGs and game worlds out there. They look amazing. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ltQePv7xK2So_445mcN5-WYzKtr46CYUnKwX_K0j45yHcEszoWkl5atfpJALQYgaUkalBj78oWv0mCT99w1TNWZxgumM6zr2SWkw93DBO31hvc78td-ukeKr80mIgGaPAL_HJBbV_DC0/s1600/MERP+Core+Rule+Book+1e.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ltQePv7xK2So_445mcN5-WYzKtr46CYUnKwX_K0j45yHcEszoWkl5atfpJALQYgaUkalBj78oWv0mCT99w1TNWZxgumM6zr2SWkw93DBO31hvc78td-ukeKr80mIgGaPAL_HJBbV_DC0/s1600/MERP+Core+Rule+Book+1e.JPG" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How Middle Earth looked in my head before Peter Jackson...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
However
tabletop RPGs have several key features that I think mean they will be
around alongside computer games for a long time. Computer games are
finite. The game world can only ever be so big, there can only be so
many quests and side quests until you have to pay for a new game or new
add on. Without resorting to saccharine cliches, tabletop RPGs are
potentially limitless. They can be set whenever, and wherever the
players and GM decide. They can be as simple or as complex as you like.
Whilst computer RPGs can be immensely creative they (arguably) don't encourage
creativity in the same way.<br />
<br />
Even if your interest is purely in "historicals," which really is where my
interests lie, there is the research and creativity in interpreting
that on the table that cannot really be recreated in video game form.
Sure, I'm a huge fan of the Total War series - but this has it's flaws
and attempts to appeal to a wider audience than tabletop games ever
could. Or should. </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<b>Skill, Achievement and Improvement </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ88jA2EoVlB2_3MalYWS2t-w_pSjwTZ8UH20BX3mPuK77JutSpekGRPHhVp6bn_eG_k_jWzTup21Tr9ro8lvBoK0yPeEkor6mUB3A4Gyf_Td80Dw3yGL9WHoW0Xm4c8DF5G1RNyWbNQeM/s1600/IMG_4263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ88jA2EoVlB2_3MalYWS2t-w_pSjwTZ8UH20BX3mPuK77JutSpekGRPHhVp6bn_eG_k_jWzTup21Tr9ro8lvBoK0yPeEkor6mUB3A4Gyf_Td80Dw3yGL9WHoW0Xm4c8DF5G1RNyWbNQeM/s1600/IMG_4263.jpg" width="104" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My painting in early 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Even the most casual tabletop gamer will arguably be more actively engaged with their choice of hobby than the average PC/console gamer. Let me clarify this. With the exception of simulation games (which aren't exactly mainstream), even the most casual tabletop gamer will have had to invest more time and money before they can even play a game. They will have to buy the miniatures, build them and possibly paint them - researching uniforms or schemes, or creating their own if they do. On top of that they will need to at least have a basic grasp of the rules, which requires a reasonable investment of time. <br />
<br />
Conversely, most computer games are the "easy option" - not all, but most. Tabletop gaming is never really the easy option and never has been. But we still do it. Ultimately it requires a huge investment, but as "you reap what you sow" often holds true, the rewards are generally much greater. <br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybfSg2bnya7_DjAqVEtcIBYLTnVW2wFSV9LWbZY5HEztuy5jsxnS51Vi_mIVVdqdhsMUAqNBwQJcjpqHvpejEXdUh01UfdtRShxOE8hq0mykUjkfiZg5GEtfBtVUzIMJCQndL1xrBZxlk/s1600/Scavvy1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybfSg2bnya7_DjAqVEtcIBYLTnVW2wFSV9LWbZY5HEztuy5jsxnS51Vi_mIVVdqdhsMUAqNBwQJcjpqHvpejEXdUh01UfdtRShxOE8hq0mykUjkfiZg5GEtfBtVUzIMJCQndL1xrBZxlk/s1600/Scavvy1.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My painting in early 2013</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
You can of course get better at computer games. Very good. I've spent many hours playing on <i>Bioshock</i> and I'm rather bloody good at it. But what then? I can only play the game so many times, I can't really get noticeably better anymore, and what do I have to show for it at the end?<br />
<br />
Personally, I can see the improvement that I've made in painting, converting, building and gaming even in the time since I started this blog. I now like to think with painting I'm at a point that can be called Not Bad, and I'm pretty confident (without wanting to sound too arrogant) that I will get better still.<br />
<br />
But even for those who don't consider painting, or conversions of whatever a key part of their hobby, there's always something else within it that you can get better at and see clear results at the end.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZRAVsx-3dxNyMKCpkJ34w5M1lCc3nRENrhnRGD6shkK2hYfZcQo1jwD7xKe5eGbT2rVycZ910CADWq9nLj8lOglLt7lJb_hdVTv4NgstPJ0qKqihsiooBKm_z1SQDVyEFQeEqa_RfKH2/s1600/French+Poilu+WWI+C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZRAVsx-3dxNyMKCpkJ34w5M1lCc3nRENrhnRGD6shkK2hYfZcQo1jwD7xKe5eGbT2rVycZ910CADWq9nLj8lOglLt7lJb_hdVTv4NgstPJ0qKqihsiooBKm_z1SQDVyEFQeEqa_RfKH2/s1600/French+Poilu+WWI+C.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unfinished painting in early 2014</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Community and Social Aspect </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
There is also the stereotype of the socially awkward tabletop gamer.
This is largely nonsense. Games like <i>World of Warcraft</i> might be "massively
multiplayer" they can never provide the same experience as a tabletop
game. For supposedly socially awkward people, wargamers and
role-players alike spend an inordinate amount of time sat around a
table, often with good company, good food and drink and a great laugh.
That has always been my experience at least. And as great as playing
multiplayer computer games in the same room as your mates can be, your
attention is always focused on the screen - it's not the round table of
tabletop gaming but one where all are gazing ahead. Wargaming and other tabletop games are social by their nature, we have gaming clubs and the like which don't quite exist in the same way for computer games. Weekends like <a href="http://palladian-guard.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/necromunda-campaign-superpost.html">our not-so-recent Necromunda Campaign</a> would not have been the same if we'd just got together to play <i>Call of Duty</i>. Even if you see your wargaming/RPG compatriots regularly, it always feels like more of an event to get a tabletop game together.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_GPFV1A4FAgx2Aa3IvPKF4PhTLecP953IMf-QylQGjJ_SOu2x9tUlL0_sAKjofMyPFV3bw7PZWwHalj9zTjsImLlwjaTZtu89FkD1RQRpeQucbbIu7vBNRZ3F4UlDRwlBjtwtR1Y5mlC/s1600/MERP+Core+Rule+Book+1e.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Conclusion / Summary / End of Waffle </b><br />
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is definitely not an attack on on computer games. There's many that I could wax lyrical about until the suns goes down and the cows come home. But that's the point, it doesn't have to be one or the other.<br />
<br />
Computer games will for the most part always be trying to reach a broader audience than tabletop. That's understandable. Similarly, because of the investment required - not just financially but in terms of time and effort - tabletop is always going to appeal to a more niche group of people.<br />
<br />
But the type of person it appeals to isn't going to stop existing because of computer games. Those that want to recreate battles or terrain in detail (like myself), those who want to know "what if", those that have great ideas for plots, scenarios and worlds that computer games alone can't accommodate, those that want their games to have a more social dimension, those that want to improve their ability at not just playing the game, but building and converting miniatures, designing and building scenery, becoming great painters. Those that appreciate that the higher investment that you put in mean that the rewards are greater. After I've finished a computer game, I'm usually pretty happy for 5 minutes but what do I have to show for it? Bugger all. But if I paint a model, complete a conversion that took some puzzle solving, work out how to build scale stairs - I have a tangible reward, I can always go back to it and feel pretty bloody chuffed. It feels like a genuine achievement. And I know that each time I paint or build or whatever, I get just that little bit better. Even if there are those that don't think their painting is up to scratch - it will always get better. Trust me.<br />
<br />
And that's why computer games are great, but they're not killing tabletop. They're both games but they are completely different beasts. Computer games might compete for our attention a little more, but they're never going to be the end of tabletop. Long may it reign.<br />
<br />
I had more to say but it was getting a bit too long, a bit too dry and even more pretentious than usual. But really what I'm interested in is:<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>What do you think? </b></div>
Kieran Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191062526187270925noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898378938353796232.post-63855084258072500072014-01-15T13:38:00.002+00:002017-04-01T11:37:01.220+01:00On Les Aura! 28mm French Trench Raiders<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MCec53qPTXJyaml0R3iZy1qsz5PpF_wE8PzkUYq8ahotjDXXEOE3h-dLyfEf8oWhQvLLtfzS_kPMizZyFq-YqAWLLmW3OG4IQcHNv3_wfaAG00ysnUUaeHQuLjkRyyt0PRePARbfhE4e/s1600/French+Poilu+WWI+A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MCec53qPTXJyaml0R3iZy1qsz5PpF_wE8PzkUYq8ahotjDXXEOE3h-dLyfEf8oWhQvLLtfzS_kPMizZyFq-YqAWLLmW3OG4IQcHNv3_wfaAG00ysnUUaeHQuLjkRyyt0PRePARbfhE4e/s400/French+Poilu+WWI+A.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They have a certain <i>je ne sais quoi</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">This is a bit of a surprise post, I decided not to mention it on the Resolution post. Ed's superb <a href="http://palladian-guard.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Trench%20Raiders">Trench Raiders game</a> is coming on in leaps and bounds and now I have my own bunch of derring-do raiders.<br /> <br />Some of you may know that I've been involved in Great War living history, with a French portrayal. I won't get onto my soapbox about the misconceptions now, as I don't want to sound like Gove. Nevertheless, I have a great interest and fondness for the poilus of la Première Guerre mondiale. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6QCvRxHwHIgarbe6d6SPAROovt5trtKB6cbpksdoG7XIeoebjG2stoxJxNIIsZaBduwU8fi7LG_C_OEBFKLkDjJRetGgKw6X_d7n4ZWDqv7qBMVMBRBBtZco-CGRV-4gU04KZDD8elzs/s1600/French+Poilu+WWI+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6QCvRxHwHIgarbe6d6SPAROovt5trtKB6cbpksdoG7XIeoebjG2stoxJxNIIsZaBduwU8fi7LG_C_OEBFKLkDjJRetGgKw6X_d7n4ZWDqv7qBMVMBRBBtZco-CGRV-4gU04KZDD8elzs/s320/French+Poilu+WWI+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Your happy author</i></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">It's also the first time in nearly two decades of wargaming that I could use photos of myself as reference images. I'll add that I didn't, that might be a bit egocentric even for me. But painting uniforms and kit that you own and have worn is a damn sight easier.<br /> <br />The Brigade miniatures are bloody lovely, perhaps a slightly limited number of minis with the raiders but they're so nice that I can't complain. And a few conversions next time will be fun.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /> </span><span style="font-size: small;">They were an absolute joy to paint. I originally planned to have slightly more variety in the shades of horizon blue, but after the mixed base coats it was easier to keep things more or less consistent on the subsequent layers. I might mix up a couple of pots for the larger Platoon... </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>The Painted Miniatures</b></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_KH73mbA7bE3s-hoIhQKcNaGusVuuoott2lxSUNyMpG37O414NCLcCFwdA2DAk_G02owgCy6H6M1p8LNXhdBodmw94joTgXa-Xo8RvJPfgeIxup6Lzkdn2YPQz57-cS6IYXLJCs3y6Ez/s1600/French+Poilu+WWI+B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_KH73mbA7bE3s-hoIhQKcNaGusVuuoott2lxSUNyMpG37O414NCLcCFwdA2DAk_G02owgCy6H6M1p8LNXhdBodmw94joTgXa-Xo8RvJPfgeIxup6Lzkdn2YPQz57-cS6IYXLJCs3y6Ez/s400/French+Poilu+WWI+B.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The Adrian helmet or water bottle cover were painted in slightly darker blues (as they often were in reality) to contrast a little more, and the puttees slightly lighter. Similarly the musettes (knapsack) were painted in the colours of the two that I own to add a little variety. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKq7BI95YMViARqwsoJNwjRVynPiOtO9JHsLUHPY7uDCWtyvqMWXJl1tf0pfyAif-MjpGpfFmQ6zb6NNGTVRPv6yzSmuwsvEaV4-Uhr8DHUvAG6c-3hHMUx3csemW7SHvl8j0fqmIztVRS/s1600/French+Poilu+WWI+D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKq7BI95YMViARqwsoJNwjRVynPiOtO9JHsLUHPY7uDCWtyvqMWXJl1tf0pfyAif-MjpGpfFmQ6zb6NNGTVRPv6yzSmuwsvEaV4-Uhr8DHUvAG6c-3hHMUx3csemW7SHvl8j0fqmIztVRS/s400/French+Poilu+WWI+D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The horizon blue was a mix of Fenrisian Grey, Dawnstone Grey and Regal Blue. The final result ended up being slightly more blue than intended, but nothing a bit of weathering won't fix. And there shall be plenty of that.</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8UcD_zBWaO-EPCatNCdSASBhhfA9L32cWXwe4PeUpo8f5x9cjop51T_PpJgnxjpUHDkvpw8tHih-8U-iKlPTCHvv3WZ0_d0WCdP6izmBcyIAHfIDyxVgQB06D77wo1y4NqiuHv3zcE8r/s1600/French+Poilu+WWI+C.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8UcD_zBWaO-EPCatNCdSASBhhfA9L32cWXwe4PeUpo8f5x9cjop51T_PpJgnxjpUHDkvpw8tHih-8U-iKlPTCHvv3WZ0_d0WCdP6izmBcyIAHfIDyxVgQB06D77wo1y4NqiuHv3zcE8r/s400/French+Poilu+WWI+C.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">They're still a little rough round the edges, there's a couple of bits to tidy and the faces and (rather fantastic) moustaches need a bit more work. And next time I'm trying some suitably muddy western front bases...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInz_rOFZlpQSHf0oYhyphenhyphenr0XEdhUb9ncDllH_36hweVcIsjS534iMAJJHfI8_OdtD5SmEvDPBVPBwAbOAGzRyg07jpha7k6-Tw7ukGquM4Wf0fMYW-WSe3OrluRcImt_6fzwFWDVuUF-b1L/s1600/French+Poilu+WWI+E.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInz_rOFZlpQSHf0oYhyphenhyphenr0XEdhUb9ncDllH_36hweVcIsjS534iMAJJHfI8_OdtD5SmEvDPBVPBwAbOAGzRyg07jpha7k6-Tw7ukGquM4Wf0fMYW-WSe3OrluRcImt_6fzwFWDVuUF-b1L/s400/French+Poilu+WWI+E.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<br />Kieran Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191062526187270925noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898378938353796232.post-7640416066111913462014-01-01T21:17:00.000+00:002017-04-01T11:42:28.894+01:00Happy New Year! DYHAF's 2nd Birthday and Realistic ResolutionsHappy New Year to you all and thank you for taking the time to read this humble blog over the past year. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boris' giant catherine wheel... hope nobody was left on it</td></tr>
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As well as being New Year's Day it is also the second birthday of <i>Do You Have A Flag.</i> I've skipped the festivities due to being on crutches this past week. Nothing too exciting and a story so pathetic it's probably best to stick to versions including saving kittens from trees or daring hand-gliding feats across the Pennines. <br />
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After a somewhat patchier 2013 than I hoped in terms of blogging, it was actually a rather superb year for getting plenty of gaming done - as<a href="http://palladian-guard.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/best-of-2013.html"> Ed's post over at his Palladian Guard blog</a> covers. This blogging lark has definitely added a new dimension to the hobby, and that extra bit of motivation. With that in mind I want to set some realistic resolutions for this year's hobbying.<br />
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<u><b>Realistic Resolutions for 2014</b></u><br />
<b><i>General</i></b><br />
<ul>
<li>One blog post every two weeks. I don't really like <i>ad </i>hoc posting, so this will keep a similar rate of writing while being a bit more regular (without the need for more fibre...). If I can up that to once a week then I will.</li>
<li> Do a bit of building / converting / modelling every other day, even if it's just one infantry model.</li>
<li>Do a small amount of painting at least once a week. </li>
<li>Get even more games in (don't think we're going to struggle here) </li>
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<b><i>Projects</i></b><br />
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Overall, I'm aiming for smaller scale projects but making sure they're fully converted, painted, based and weathered.<br />
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I'm getting tired of accumulating hordes of unpainted plastic and lead, and since I prefer smaller games there's not that much point in rushing it.So these are the projects I want to finish (more or less) in 2014.<br />
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<i><b>1000pts Spears of Mawdryn Space Marines</b></i></div>
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<i><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThth7LelCIE1E6EOd1gT-7xOAPf3kcc0vOdbjkC5iM8KbBh3FqlS_ORrShzBENitUpE9UZd2Hab9l8Bw5XkB2ci7NqUYN_GUY4Xx0YeEM2pNPGFg9ZeZnOCpY86doemhcAJvwfY6-qqHg/s1600/photo%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThth7LelCIE1E6EOd1gT-7xOAPf3kcc0vOdbjkC5iM8KbBh3FqlS_ORrShzBENitUpE9UZd2Hab9l8Bw5XkB2ci7NqUYN_GUY4Xx0YeEM2pNPGFg9ZeZnOCpY86doemhcAJvwfY6-qqHg/s200/photo%25281%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></b></i></div>
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<b>Progress</b>: 500pts base coated and washed, just needs highlighting and weathering. Superb Secret Weapons basing kits on the hobby desk. Watch this space.<br />
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<i><b>Stirland Mordheim Warband</b></i></div>
<b>Progess</b>: All plastic bits (with a ton of spares) plus metal miniatures acquired (including a Quest chap). Fluff completed and thoroughly chuffed with it. Echoes of the Wicker Man and A Field in England. Just need to build.<br />
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<i><b>English Civil War Armies</b></i></div>
There's no limit on this one as its going to be an ongoing project. Without doubt my favourite era of history (I'm sure the participants weren't as keen). With so many local connections and the period that started my history bug, this has been a long time in the works. Now I have two
opponents/allies that have finally caught the ECW bug (Ed and Ollie) I've got
no excuse<br />
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Also have a big ECW project in planning that some of you may be interested in taking part in, but still need to get some details ironed out. Keep eyes out on the blog for a separate post on this. <br />
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<i><b>Necromunda Gangs - </b></i><b>Polly Styrene's Eschers and Bald Rick's Black Adders (Delaque) </b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqV5wdxZls-FVzpvj8L1LvmWUmtGarvVnYuFRgVLrz_SR2lmUTE6rQ3pcx_KDUXH_I9nRu0Mo-7XTdOcvc05NMe7TP_m-obipxh8FxOwELQ8sD5R3l0hVp9HYeQZ82IBxNOz2niCGzIhV/s1600/Bilgewater+Necromunda+Newspaper+Header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="81" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqV5wdxZls-FVzpvj8L1LvmWUmtGarvVnYuFRgVLrz_SR2lmUTE6rQ3pcx_KDUXH_I9nRu0Mo-7XTdOcvc05NMe7TP_m-obipxh8FxOwELQ8sD5R3l0hVp9HYeQZ82IBxNOz2niCGzIhV/s320/Bilgewater+Necromunda+Newspaper+Header.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look out for more Necromunda exploits reported in the<i> <a href="http://gotflag.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/necromunda-campaign-newspaper.html">Bilgewater Expositor</a></i></td></tr>
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<b>Progress</b>:
Miniatures bought, need building and painting. This is there as more of
a background project, when I want a bit of a change or manage to find
the time after the priority stuff is done (hah). <br />
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<i><b>Battlefleet Gothic Chaos Fleet</b></i></div>
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<b>Progress</b>: This is just a "finish off painting" project. There are <a href="http://gotflag.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/ships-spotted-sir-bfg-chaos-cruisers_7.html">6 ships fully finished</a>, 8 ships in various states of completion. The unpainted ones shall be tied in to my Nurgle 40k force. More <a href="http://gotflag.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/bfg-battle-report-cruiser-clash.html">games like this</a> are on the the horizon.<br />
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<i><b>500pts Nurgle 40k force</b></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1iwkHZLArXRPLt7G5JS5xTjy5awER_NkByOM5sHuyKHNc68qgVB_AI601z3ywEY-ubW0FRVh8TDrFAZzhy-Wx_9H46Rf2WBBcqzQdNKDMBBkz-tvjziRbjz27lQ_YGpktpOx4sQLia6Vc/s1600/abc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1iwkHZLArXRPLt7G5JS5xTjy5awER_NkByOM5sHuyKHNc68qgVB_AI601z3ywEY-ubW0FRVh8TDrFAZzhy-Wx_9H46Rf2WBBcqzQdNKDMBBkz-tvjziRbjz27lQ_YGpktpOx4sQLia6Vc/s200/abc.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Continuing with the <a href="http://gotflag.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/new-project-nurgle-plague-marine-rhino.html">theme of the rhino from last year</a>, this is very much a nostalgic project.<br />
<b>Progress</b>: Bar the converted/undercoated Rhino, this is the project that needs the most work. But this is a modelling project first and foremost and is not led by fluff, but I have some rather nifty ideas for modelling.basing characters if I may say so myself.<br />
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<i><b>500pt Vostroyan Force</b></i> </div>
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Or rather a Zaporich force, the backward rural cousins of Vostroyans. I've wanted to do a Guard army for a long time, and with the potential demise of the metal ranges, this seemed like the best time to start. Will feature black clad priests (think Rasputin), gold leaf standards of saints and the God-Emperor himself; Oprichnik provosts and military police and Cossack style rough riders.</div>
<b>Progress</b>: Majority of miniatures purchased. <br />
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<i><b>Imperial Navy Boarding Party</b></i></div>
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This old chestnut, and my go to project when I'm at a loose end. I have a few miniatures built, and have been tinkering with mixing and matching various ranges to see what fits well and works.<br />
<b>Status</b>: 6/20 miniatures built.<br />
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<i><b>1919 Alternate History Project</b></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0veEzrjRN4PLj3mrkaxKsFCnsl4UDQdy_53Lz-9CW8bYSOteZrrw71LZD3Ji-YVlYd1nquz4O2oAW8BdK6yu2F8zhlW6GWavy9g0-_igu3voJTfPhjip_lL_euynIc7BBEdQDiVGE399C/s1600/1919+King+Country+Comrades.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0veEzrjRN4PLj3mrkaxKsFCnsl4UDQdy_53Lz-9CW8bYSOteZrrw71LZD3Ji-YVlYd1nquz4O2oAW8BdK6yu2F8zhlW6GWavy9g0-_igu3voJTfPhjip_lL_euynIc7BBEdQDiVGE399C/s200/1919+King+Country+Comrades.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Simply, just write more and get more written up on<a href="http://gotflag.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/introducing-1919-new-alternative.html"> this project</a>. After the Great PC Self-Destruction of 2013 I've lost all of my previous work on it (bloody heartbreaking), but I'm not letting that stop me from carrying it on.<br />
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<b>And the rest</b></div>
There's plenty of terrain still being churned out from Chez Headologist, from 40k/Necromunda to ECW/Warhammer. There's other bits or lead lurking round corners, and particularly ooking forward to some more games of Ed's superb Trench Raiders WWI game this week. <br />
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Here's wishing you peace, prosperity etc and I look forward to seeing all the brilliant miniatures and games from you all in 2014.Kieran Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191062526187270925noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898378938353796232.post-5500183930579084642013-11-24T20:08:00.000+00:002017-04-01T11:45:02.391+01:00Doctor Who: Scratch-built 28mm TARDISThis post is a day later than intended, but better late than never as they say. Unfortunately I've been dashing in and out of hospital with a bit of a kidney issue since my last post, but all is well now. <br />
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A couple of weeks ago I decided that I wanted to do something to mark the 50th anniversary of the show rather near and dear to me. As some of you have pointed out, it's certainly inspired various bits of fluff and game scenarios of my own. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTfowvne6cyha9lyMue4dM_c5K4TNStaoHw5q4ozLkz3oVoBuEnyYkX8fTIGWiPmpmHzNHH7emurwNLShNGH7NPN_uRgqnTBGdHKoPuJ8NsXWFLcbFq9Fx-APW75KMPqhyphenhyphenU3aQ7T72gm4/s1600/photo(10).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTfowvne6cyha9lyMue4dM_c5K4TNStaoHw5q4ozLkz3oVoBuEnyYkX8fTIGWiPmpmHzNHH7emurwNLShNGH7NPN_uRgqnTBGdHKoPuJ8NsXWFLcbFq9Fx-APW75KMPqhyphenhyphenU3aQ7T72gm4/s320/photo(10).JPG" width="235" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Testing the lightbox effect with the windows and signs...</td></tr>
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Having stocked up on various bits of plasticard and balsa wood, I thought a scratchbuilt TARDIS would be ideal. And would come in handy if I can ever convince any of my regular gaming comrades to try a Who game on occasion (I already have a Planet of the Giants scenario cooked up so it can be played on an ordinary kitchen/dining room table...).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtH81vmsWUF-FFX5RYvuaPsQWHoGKzZBAr0YJsf0j_AF1qjsytDP9zEVdOrljPQcBcB_D-7eKpgFwu_RawLb3UFkBwz1Fkhh4yYJ-nItPXCoSLwZhlgFRRgMaVhxK3NCLBtFUzrtz7b-e/s1600/photo(9).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtH81vmsWUF-FFX5RYvuaPsQWHoGKzZBAr0YJsf0j_AF1qjsytDP9zEVdOrljPQcBcB_D-7eKpgFwu_RawLb3UFkBwz1Fkhh4yYJ-nItPXCoSLwZhlgFRRgMaVhxK3NCLBtFUzrtz7b-e/s320/photo(9).JPG" width="253" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">K-9 guards the entrance whilst the TARDIS is parked next to the Giant Mug of Doom.</td></tr>
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The first question was, which TARDIS. As became even more apparent when I got stuck into this project the TARDIS has changed over the years. A lot.<br />
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I originally decided I'd go for William Hartnell's TARDIS, the first one. Fortunately I found the <a href="http://tardisbuilders.com/">TARDIS Builders forum</a> where every possible TARDIS plan you could want may be found.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglfnfJ6sKn1SNiZssmgC8TsWCBtddiBIzrndvE4h1wsLkUj2Xy80K3-udBTnFV8qaLery5rTdMUz3FJ-IQ-sRHg5z0sNRyovmORdMB2t5rg4l4trHloCgKe2HZ0IuwA6yIEjWaV9VtXE4t/s1600/Doctors+TARDIS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="91" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglfnfJ6sKn1SNiZssmgC8TsWCBtddiBIzrndvE4h1wsLkUj2Xy80K3-udBTnFV8qaLery5rTdMUz3FJ-IQ-sRHg5z0sNRyovmORdMB2t5rg4l4trHloCgKe2HZ0IuwA6yIEjWaV9VtXE4t/s320/Doctors+TARDIS.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How I judged the height of the TARDIS...</td></tr>
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However, as I progressed I found that trying to recreate the prop to exact 1:56-1:60 scale (well, more or less) just <i>didn't look right</i>. I've heard this from miniature sculpters too. When sculpting anything vaguely human, if done accurately and anatomically relative as it were, it doesn't look right. So I tried to get the feel of the TARDIS rather than a carbon copy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xDWs2yERNjA1RezPMc8o-sn_53CxUrdCXv0K7ZyUUwD-ZfP8fOluCJX4i_mME64xlwRfVs-PH1z-I04iwlxEu0Kg9dMLLBcp4hhv9rxcAQnUd_g__xG_AmEbkmufMutw1_0_96y6TqS_/s1600/photo(6).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xDWs2yERNjA1RezPMc8o-sn_53CxUrdCXv0K7ZyUUwD-ZfP8fOluCJX4i_mME64xlwRfVs-PH1z-I04iwlxEu0Kg9dMLLBcp4hhv9rxcAQnUd_g__xG_AmEbkmufMutw1_0_96y6TqS_/s320/photo(6).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost 50 years of TARDISes, with the actual Police Box on the left.</td></tr>
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To this end I also decided on a slight "mash up" of several of the TARDISes (TARDII?) from over the years - which inadvertently seemed fitting to mark the 50th anniversary. However, I did want to keep it vaguely to the "Classic" Who scale. The TARDIS in the new series is massive, although coincidentally this does make it closer in size to the actual Police Box the TARDIS is supposed to be disguised as.<br />
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In a similar vein I had planned to paint this with inks or thinned paints to emphasise the wood grain - the prop makers intentionally made the new series' TARDIS prop look wooden. However, the actual Police Box is made of concrete... the Classic prop was never meant to look wooden. So I decided I wouldn't worry too much either way.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-S4zH5ig7QGHiUzdv3lcPF9emZ99F93oo33T_dB6dRcxjxNexL55g8kXzVf1rCQWox6s5R5tzFEyI06tW6YrHSwn71YoUbxz9GbQE83n26qo7dP-pOW-2qiOrm-c1kswGVXbCnaiJMotv/s1600/TARDIS+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-S4zH5ig7QGHiUzdv3lcPF9emZ99F93oo33T_dB6dRcxjxNexL55g8kXzVf1rCQWox6s5R5tzFEyI06tW6YrHSwn71YoUbxz9GbQE83n26qo7dP-pOW-2qiOrm-c1kswGVXbCnaiJMotv/s320/TARDIS+.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Overall it's been a rather enjoyable project, and I've definitely learned a lot from doing it that I can transfer to other projects. And I've become a dab hand with the tweezers if I may say so myself, and feel confident that if I need to enter a tournament of the game Operation, victory would be within my grasp.<br />
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I've made various notes and taken photos of the building process, so if anyone would like a Make Your Own Tiny TARDIS Guide, just let me know and I'll put something together and email it to you.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pJcRGh3-TKO3x_B1qxfmapkkpPbXGHx1M4LUf7lXtassiQRxANo117fh8LSNWNk_z9uHX1NHARZt57tZuDNWj5tZHNsb-MZ1hyPEqMQrj_yCMI7CfR7no5UunnS8ugcbsPOBL3QQrTko/s1600/MAKING+OF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pJcRGh3-TKO3x_B1qxfmapkkpPbXGHx1M4LUf7lXtassiQRxANo117fh8LSNWNk_z9uHX1NHARZt57tZuDNWj5tZHNsb-MZ1hyPEqMQrj_yCMI7CfR7no5UunnS8ugcbsPOBL3QQrTko/s320/MAKING+OF.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't quite manage a time lapse, but here's a mini making of montage....</td></tr>
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There's still a little tidying, and the lantern to pop on the top. Then to paint the damned thing (with weathering powders aplenty)...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwOOJQ4wAKI9ZYBhyHM5GwlTnH3CppzyHVbRTtNmPdn6dSPOo2WmLprEytvrMWwBcy8CNnhiqmvs3CobG_2Wn4U2xtQiEM0C0KVwGvDQhfhvcLyyGhscEh6cQ39owe_EZ5opT-jgHkF0P/s1600/black+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwOOJQ4wAKI9ZYBhyHM5GwlTnH3CppzyHVbRTtNmPdn6dSPOo2WmLprEytvrMWwBcy8CNnhiqmvs3CobG_2Wn4U2xtQiEM0C0KVwGvDQhfhvcLyyGhscEh6cQ39owe_EZ5opT-jgHkF0P/s320/black+tree.jpg" width="313" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doctor Who (with jelly babies) and K-9 from BTD - fantastic miniatures. I sense Pertwee and UNIT will be the next purchase. </td></tr>
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<i><b>Doctor Who Miniatures Game</b></i><br />
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If you fancy trying a few Doctor Who games of your own, you can't go far wrong with Crooked Dice's <a href="http://www.drwhominiatures.co.uk/">Doctor Who Miniatures Game</a>, available for free on their site with a ton of scenarios. <br />
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<i><b>Doctor Who Miniatures</b></i><br />
While I know there's the good old Citadel Who miniatures that can still be nabbed on eBay, <a href="http://www.blacktreedesign.com/uk/home.php?cat=2297">Black Tree Design</a> do some very nice Who miniatures.Kieran Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191062526187270925noreply@blogger.com12