Monday, March 30, 2009

Vikings!



Working away on my Vikings. The Old Glory figures mix well with the Crusader models that I have chosen for Ulfhednar/Berserkers.

Plenty of basic viking figures in stock to do Bondir and Hirdmen, even archers and characters. What I don't have is a good selection of 2-weapon vikings.

ps - at approx 2:42 in the video, is a good image of ODMS at a convention.

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Sunday, March 29, 2009

Horatius


In Macaulay's "Lays of Ancient Rome" the fabulous poem about brave Horatius and his defense of the Pons Sublicius - a bridge that was threatened in the early days of the Roman Republic.

This is really a stirring story, and the poem does it great justice. If the story is new to you, then here it is - one of the expelled Kings of Rome stirred up some of the Italian tribes (Campanians, etc) against the City and they attacked, so that the exiled King could again be placed on the throne, and the fledgling Republic would be done away with. The attack came against the Pons Sublicius bridge, and the defenders of the city needed time to destroy the bridge and keep the army out. Brave Horatius Cocles volunteered, with two companions (Lartius and Herminius), to defend the bridge against the 30,000 strong invading army. This they did, piling up the dead.

Eventually the bridge was about to collapse, and Horatius has his two companions jump to safety, while he prays to the god of the river Tiber to protect him, and in his armor, he dives into the river, and then heroically swims to safety, as the bridge is brought down behind him. The city is saved, and Horatius and his companions sail off into mythic History (just ask Livy). Here is an excerpt of the terrific poem, from 1842, by Thomas Babbington Macaulay . . .

Then out spake brave Horatius,
The Captain of the Gate:
"To every man upon this earth
Death cometh soon or late.
And how can man die better
Than facing fearful odds,
For the ashes of his fathers,
And the temples of his gods,

"And for the tender mother
Who dandled him to rest,
And for the wife who nurses
His baby at her breast,
And for the holy maidens
Who feed the eternal flame,
To save them from false Sextus
That wrought the deed of shame?

"Haul down the bridge, Sir Consul,
With all the speed ye may;
I, with two more to help me,
Will hold the foe in play.
In yon strait path a thousand
May well be stopped by three.
Now who will stand on either hand,
And keep the bridge with me?"

Then out spake Spurius Lartius;
A Ramnian proud was he:
"Lo, I will stand at thy right hand,
And keep the bridge with thee."
And out spake strong Herminius;
Of Titian blood was he:
"I will abide on thy left side,
And keep the bridge with thee."

Stirring Stuff! It's worth anyone interested in Rome, Wargaming, or just Great Poetry to read the original.


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Thursday, March 12, 2009

I'm goin' to Cold Wars


See you when I get back!

I hope to have a good report on my RCW game.



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Sunday, March 8, 2009

Good sounding review of Trafalgar

Too Much Lead has a great review of Trafalgar, and in response to a question from an ODMS'er - here is someone who is planning on using his Pirates of the Spanish Main ships for the game. I may have to do a decent modeling article on how to make those ships look presentable for a miniatures battle.

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Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Nice article on Naval Warfare in the Crusades



From War and Game. Nice article. Some of the rules that I have seen and played over the years that would cover this (if anyone is interested) were Sluys (part of Medieval Tactica), and also My Galley Sally (from the Limeys and Slimeys folks, if I recall, and it covered ancient galleys and also the more medieval type).

I used to own, but never had the courage to play, Bireme & Galley. Much more to my liking (and something I played a lot of) was Ram Speed from Metagaming. If I were ever to do it again, I would definitely use the terrific paper miniatures from Eric Hotz, at his Roman Seas website.

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Inspirational Viking Pictures

Check out this posting and this posting at Medieval Miniatures Wargaming.

Those are some TOTALLY AWESOME viking miniatures. I love the paint jobs, from the characterization of the individuals, to the banners. Very nice job, indeed.

The website also includes an IMPRESSIVE list of links to all things related to medieval wargaming (and wargaming in general).


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Tuesday, March 3, 2009

February in Wargaming

Painting Lately - all 15mm RCW all the time. Been painting Chekists, Trotsky's Train Guard, Bolsheviks, Armored cars (2x Rolls Royces and 1 Austin Putilov), Tanks (2x FT-17s), Tchankas (using the Flames of War models), and an armored train. I farmed out my Cossacks to the painting services of Carl Sciscio and company.

Organizing - acquired three new armies since February (at the Muster) - Early Imperial Romans, Polybian Romans, and a whole lot of 15mm French Italian Allies. I've peeled off four units from the EIR that I am trying to sell. I have to rebase much of the Polybian Romans, and I don't know what the heck I'm gonna do with the French Allies. All in all, its been a very Italian month.

Wargaming - ran TSATF at the Muster, played some WWII (but not Flames of War). Played lots of non-wargame boardgames.

Rules and Scenario writing - working on a RCW rules booklet, including the "strategems" non-campaign system. Begun work on "The Farmer and the Queen" scenario book for Boer skirmish games.

Oogling and planning - I've organized my 28mm Vikings for painting following Cold Wars; I've begun collecting pictures and making plans for some more 15mm Asian terrain (for RJW and also for a future Chinese Warlord/Chinese-Japanese project), that could also be used for vietnam; plastic Celts from Wargames Factory (oooh aaah); Hordes of the Things for Runequest (ask Chris); 15mm Napoleonics. More ancients (DBA, Warrior, MoA, WAB).

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Monday, March 2, 2009

Early Imperial Romans for sale


I am selling (advertised on TMP) a couple of units of Early Imperial Romans. These puppies are 28mm, and a mix of Foundry and Black Tree Design.

To see some sample photos of the figures, check this link out.

If interested, get in touch with me at my email address.

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WAB Romans


War Engines - catapults and ballistas. To use them or not. Sure they are rare in open battles, but then again when you have Roman Legionaires facing off against Norman Knights or Strategikon formations, then all bets are off.

I am considering an army list for the cold wars doubles tournament that will use a couple of these dandies. I am still undecided.

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