Narrative campaigns to make battles.

 

Ever since I was press-ganged, I mean asked to take part in Barry's Herzogtum von Rechburg, I have long had a wanting to make some of my own environments that can drive some table-top games. I have been extremely lucky to have known Archduke Piccolo for a long time, and his creativity has always been electric. That creativity, and that of Barry helped guide my direction to the things I enjoy about narrative campaigns.

Archduke Piccolo documented a lot of the Rechburg games : Rechburg

I have some of Rechburg saved away, and it will be a destination for my WSS figures, if, and an emphasis on the if, they ever get painted.  Barry also created Vales of Lyndhurst, but I never took part in those, I recall it was around the time my daughter arrived in the world.

There was a fantasy campaign system called "Rally Round the King" (RRTK) , that had some interesting campaign mechanics. The world, Talomir,  was made up of the usual fantasy nations (Elves, Dwarves, Goblins), but also used historical armies for some other nations such as Romans, Huns, Normans and so on. Each nation had a type of government, and other criteria that would to determine I. and went to war with and whom. For instance, Goblins had a liking for raids in Summer, Human Brethren (Anti-evil) would increase the war chance if you had evil do, and it lead to some good solo games I played. It lacked any character development though, which I missed. 

I've always wanted to run a similar campaign in Napoleonic times (or the imagi-nations of Rechburg), where operational scale games (or large divisional games could be created). The RRTK mechanics needed would need some adjustment. For instance, RRTK would result in some random wars, and in 1812, Bavaria for instance would not randomly declare war on France, Russia or Prussia. 

I could always go with the traditional alliances, but then have some Leader attributes and other situational modifiers that could allow the possibility of something odd, but not completely random.

 eg: Prussia  and Frederick William III 

Frederick William III could have disdain for France modifier, so it makes him less reluctant to "help"  the French if allied, or some other chart that could then drive actions if he does need to commit military forces  (eg: they become reluctant or slow). Likewise, if he can stick it to the French it increases his chance of doing something. As he was cautious and seemed prone to indecision, would I need to factor in things like Family influence (The Queen) that could sway him

Prussia itself, could have  "people modifier", in that if they felt differently to the King, things could happen. What those things are, I would need to consider, maybe a minor uprising could occur which could simply be a modifier on income or could lead to table top.

Could the same approach be taken to Rechburg ?

As Barry had fleshed out a series of characters in the nations, and we knew the main protagonists and I would really like to get back into it using WSS figures or a 1/72 collection I have somewhere.

I will print off his maps and then make some notes, I recall the Southwest of the map had the "Francs" m and a load of little states. Would be a good area to play around with on paper. Perhaps the main players were real people and the minor states became automated.

Of course, in reality, actual time to do any of this or play is at a premium but I do spent a silly amount of time on planes and hotels so I could be more constructive.

 

 

 

 

March Musings

 

I focused on house renovations recently, as well as a general re-organization of various rooms of the house. Due to wallpaper removal, plastering, floor work and also a lot of materials being stored in the garage I've had to move some things around.

Part of this has been the struggle with a teenager who wants to use the only desk we have all the time, so a new painting desk was purchased. 

I have picked up some armies from Warlords Epic range, and my first attempt below. Still learning photography and also editing so they may look a bit too highlighted. 

 

And also, to get me eye on again for my 28mm Spanish, I practiced on some old Airfix British.

The remaining Spanish are ready, so now winter is approaching I should find more time to paint.

How many scales is too many ?

 One of my issues, is the collection of armies in multiple scales - a particular problem in Napoleonic, WW2 and the 18th Century. Or too big !

 

 

    Luckily, in ACW I have only two scales. I have a very small collection of 15mm, which will offloaded later this year, they are a hangover from the 15mm age that occurred locally in the late 90's

 

    The original 1/72 collection that started in 1992 perhaps, and has grown to a rather ridiculous size and the newer Epic 15mm side.  The 1/72 set, was from older games, 3 to a base and 24 figures to a Regiment played many times against the armies of Archduke Picolo. They are the second wargame army I ever had, so I keep them as I am quite fond of them. 

 

    Due to snapping up various bulk buys in the last 1- years, I also have enough to make the Fire and Fury army list for Day 1-2 of Gettysburg, which is a long term project of mine. I find 1/72 is incredibly easy to paint, and  also don't go the extra lengths 28mm figures are taken to. So when I set my mind to it great volumes are churned, such as Buford's Cavalry below (painted late 2024).

 

Very simple painting, simple flocking and away we go.

Epic Scale plastics took my fancy, so after picking up various second hand auctions the forces are slowly being put together. The first unit below. many mistakes reverting to a smaller scale and the strips, but easily adjusted.

Musings of a Fool

 

 I have not blogged regularly since 2022, Covid-19 and other things have either sucked away my time and motivation, as well as children growing into teenagers.  Travel and a heavy workload took its toll, as well as purchasing a 100-year-old property to renovate last year.

 Painting has been erratic, with bouts of heavy work and then nothing for months at a time. Gaming-wise, I think I have played 2-3 games a year, mostly 28mm Napoleonic and a single 15mm ACW game. My house has taken a lot of time, though a year in now so I know what needs doing. A developer could easily bowl it and make 5 shitty apartments, but where is the adventure in that.

 I've always enjoyed the painting side of the hobby in truth, I have armies painted that have never seen a game. Too many armies and gears to be honest, as at times the hobby has been an unhealthy one, as it was always easy to buy and paint and ignore the real world. Also having around 20+ projects has not helped, so slowly I am reducing my stocks. I have enjoyed the games over the last few years; I am lucky to have a good group of like-minded players. I did branch out a good few years ago to try new things but found I didn't have time or simply got tired of games being used by players to yell about their latest political or social "expose".

  Over time I have a found a good balance, while PC games can be fun, I'd rather paint, and then mixed with regular life a good way to unwind. I traditionally used to paint as a teen while watching cricket on free TV, not days everything needs a subscription and cash, so I simply listen\watch YouTube.

 Some highlights.

 A 28mm Spanish 1812 army was slowly built, packed with religious undertones. 

 

My lord the eyes on that fellow, he must have been on the holy wine the night before.

A visit to Singapore and their museum, with a replica Type 95 Ha-Go, used in the series "Pacific.

A visit to the Imperial Palace in Tokyo

An exciting Valour and Fortitude game using Warlord Epic battles

 

An exciting adventure under the floor of my house, where the 37cm crawl space allowed me to insulate under a floor. As part of this I stapled the insulation to my finger, hilarity ensued, who needs finger nails anyway. I replaced the floor of the lounge, 100 year old Native Rimu was past its sell by date and I also needed to evict the borer. Only 3 more room floors to go ! Then the walls.

 

 

 Lead paint removal, gib linings, insulation, rewire, house leveling. Why did I do this again ?

Battle of Wavre Refight

 

Looking for a big game, we decided to re-fight Wavre in 28mmm, but with Grouchy starting earlier then expected. The game had around 80 Infantry units, 16 Cav and a 18 batteries, on a large table with 6 players. A fun affair, with the French pushing the Prussians as they did historically but not enough to take the position. 

I felt the French had just done enough, but not enough to stop the result up the road.

Luck and Kampfen prepare to defend Wavre Town

French assaults about to begin.

Gerard streams past Limale to assault Bierges from the west.

 

Spear shall be shaken, shield be splintered, a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises!

 

As the silence of this blog the past few years has highlighted, motivation has been low and far in-between. 

I've painted and gamed, but when it comes to documenting it all, I have simply not bothered. As such, yesterday's crescendo on an otherwise unremarkable day, was the several boxes of 28mm French hurtling towards the floor as they were tipped over by mistake.

Gravity wins again.

So, now I have made a start on fixing and rebasing something in the order of 200–300 figures. Perry figures are nice, but the light infantry all became amputees, and the front rank figures packed a scrum at one end of their boxes. Lancers broke, standards came off and so on.

So, what a good reason to try and document this all.

 

 

Testing Rules for refights

 

 I will be planning a variety of re-fights over the next year or so, with a target of a very large game. As such, the topic of rules always comes up, so my trusty companions and I will play test some rules over the next few months.

Today was Black Powder, a rule set I have used a few times before in a lot of periods. Some pics from the game below, French defending a crossroads from an Allied attack.

 

 

 

  

 

A French Victory as the Allies ran out of steam at a crucial time and with some excellent dice rolling.