Wargames Neutral

It's been a while since I last talked about this. When I say a while I obviously mean over a year! But since coming back into the hobby I have not actually spent ANY money on either gaming or painting. Or should I say any of MY money.

I guess before continuing I had better quantify what I mean by this. All my wargaming and painting have been paid for either by Christmas or Birthday presents, the flogging of old wargames figures or famously my back and breast from my Sealed Knot days. The last revenue stream has been the painting and selling of figures or the painting for figures that has got me a fair bit of kit.

So more or less I have managed to get a hell of a lot of kit together over the last two years and without the worry of taking it out of the pot. In fact my hobby has subbed baying the bills a couple of times in the past. However a mix of the Waterloo Project and the recent spending spree at Castle Donnington has almost dried up the pool, so much so that I don't think I will be spending much more during the rest of this year. In fact I am almost certain of it as I have just sent off the Baccus Prussian order and a fairly sexy Leven order. 

Before you all reach for hankies let me set things straight, I am not at all without stuff to paint, hell I think even at my current rate I will not run out in the next few years. Indeed I am really surprised that I have managed to turn my small hill into a mountain, but that's the curse of the wargamer I guess.

No rather than spend more money I am dead set on getting through my commitments, the 6mm Zulu's will feature a lot over the next few months until I have them all painted up. I also have the Santa Clause to paint up having received it this week. I also will start to receive my Winter War Kickstarter and plan to start work on that fairly soon so I can start selling the painted figures to recharge my war chest ready for the Spring Campaign. This was a set tactic from the beginning as I was sure I will be able to get far in excess of what I have paid for the figures given that the figures work out about 50p each and will retail at £5 a pack of four. Based on those prices all the vehicles will be free so really as long as the figures turn up I am onto a winner. I may even throw some of the vehicles when they arrive straight into my community currency to exchange for wanted lead. 

So even though my painting time is now far more restricted than it was six months ago I still think I can keep neutral and yet still buy plenty of lead fun, but I wonder how many others can boost this lucky way of wargameing?

Children of the Light Fantasy Update

OK I have recently come out of the closet and admitted I used to Fantasy Roleplay and have even shown off a Orc but now that I am about to embark on a Roleplaying Campaign as the GM I thought I may as well let you all in on the campaign, well as much as the players may know at any rate.

Here is my take on The Children of the Light, or White Cloaks as they were known (behind their backs) these are straight out of The Wheel of Time though I have added the red shields with the bright sun emblem. My fantasy world is 70% Tolkien and 30% Jordon. I think this will work given how much Jordon lifted straight out of Middle Earth. Set in the Fourth Age I think it will allow me to bend Tolkien just enough so that it will work for those who know Middle Earth well.

The figures were bought at Derby the other weekend, sorry can't remember the supplier but they cost just £1 each and are rather nice castings.

I was looking for obvious Teutonic or Crusades like figures as that is how I have always seen them whilst readying the Wheel of Time books. I saw the figures on an early sweep but checked out other vendors before going back as they fit the profile well. I was pleasantly surprised at the price. I may go back next time and buy some of the mounted figures as the Children will feature heavily in the campaign. 

The Children of the Light are a political-military force that is not restricted by Nations or Regions. Their aim is to route out all Shadow Spawn and bring evil doers to justice. Well their view of justice. They have widespread support from parts of most nations and their multi-national make up of the organisation makes it easier to cross boarders. If all the Children were to form up at one place it would represent the biggest single army in all Middle Earth. As it is it has many thousands of small formations (between a dozen and a few thousand) moving around the whole continent. Kings and Queens can not afford to disallow them access to their lands though on more than one occasion the Children have come into conflict with one Lord or another over matters that they have seen differently. 

The Children despise magic and blame all the worlds troubles on those that have used or use magic. Indeed being caught using magic is enough to be called Darkfriend by them and subject to The Question.  This brings them into direct conflict with Aes Sedai, the powerful all female magic users that have their own power-base. Whilst not in open war with the Whitecloaks the Aes Sedai do well to keep themselves at arms reach from the Children. Male Magic users are tolerated by society as long as they keep their skills to a low level, more powerful magic has been banned from men due to the corrupting power found in men. It is this basis that the Children see all magic as evil whilst other less fanatical only see strong male magic as corrupting. Still any man found using powerful magic is hunted down and stilled (the ability to cast spells removed) but if they resisted capture and in so doing harmed anyone they are beheaded AFTER being stilled.

Those familiar with the Wheel of Time will notice a few differences from the books, this is deliberate. I would ask that any comments made regarding the two worlds my campaign is based on do not have corrections or observations that could supply information to the players. Some of the information left out is deliberate due to changes to the world, others are based on what the players would know.

Several of the players read this blog so it could cause an issue or two  ;-)

2nd Landwehr Neumark Done and Dusted

As mentioned before September was not the best month for painting but I did get these guys done apart from their flags which I did last night. The Hussars have not been finished, these will be done sometime in this month. 

1st Battalion

So here we have the 1st Battalion 2nd Infantry Landwehr Neumark. This is the first figures painted for the IV Corp and after the revised list has been sorted I won't have as many Prussians to paint as first thought. This will lead to a couple of breaks in painting the Prussians. I have also ordered 12 Battalions of Landwehr from Baccus along with the skirmishers. I quite simply do not want to spend as much time on clean up, prep and painting as I have done to this point. I still will paint up the rest of the Adler but with all the other figures I have at present and coming soon I just need to be able to get on with it.

1st Battalion

Don't get me wrong, I really like the Adler and I don't plan on rushing through the Baccus doing a second rate job. I just know I can get the Baccus done quicker and still get a good looking base out. What it does mean though is that I am already stocking up figures for Ligny and other large scale battles in the future.

2nd Battalion

The second battalion has different shoulder tabs than the 1st as does the 3rd, it was good to add such little detail even if they may be the wrong shade ;-) The three battalions all have Baccus skirmishers and whilst they are a bit more chunky work with the Adler fine. Good job as Adler are yet to release skirmish figures for the Prussians.

2nd Battalion

I added more flocking powder again also adding it to the bushes trying to make a bit of lavender. All three  battalions are in column as that was the quicker way of getting them all based up. 

3rd Battalion

Future months will see three Prussian and three French Battalions getting painted up a month where possible, I may start getting a little blue weary after a few more months but lets see. 

3rd Battalion

October will not be without 6mm painting as I have three French Battalions started, also the guns and crews of the new Baccus not to mention the four new French cavalry that are still waiting for some paint to be added. This should be started today as I have cleared the desk of other miniatures, but in a good way.

All three Battalions

My Prussian force has come along rather well and it's nice to see it grow and now I am ahead of schedule in all area's which is great. It's also another way of saying I have also painted up a couple of limbers but that's for a future post.

I have just the finishing touches to do on eight 28mm miniatures for my Fantasy campaign and then will concentrate on the 6mm for the rest of this week I think.

Building of the Week - Double Header

Don't pay attention to the title it's a con I tell you. So up to now you have had painted buildings every week even if they sometimes had been painted months ago at least I had just based them. But today all you get is some prepped bits, so what gives?

Here we have the Total Battle Miniatures Spanish Hill Village which costs £35 which when you consider it comes with eight buildings and the base tile is not a bad price at all. I actually got this in a trade at last years World Wargame Championships so it's way beyond time I got this out of the draw and onto the table. I have done all the prep and just need to start work on the lot.

These have great texture so I should be able to add a little detail as I go. They are not as crisp as Timecast or Leven but they have charm of their own for sure. I have painted up quite a few TBM buildings and they seem to be the larger end of the 6mm scale, almost look like they were designed with Adler in mind. Not that I think I will have a problem with them sitting alongside my Timecast. I have yet to get any of the Leven Spanish buildings so can't comment. I have a further three TBM small buildings to paint up on top of the eight for this project so it may be awhile before I get the Leven ones unless I et them sent for me to paint up.

The base has a lot of detail with stone bridge like ramps into the town and some wall sections around the town at several points. Looks a real pain to assault so I hope I will be defending it! Given that the buildings lift out and TBM's use set sizes I will be able to swap out the Spanish and replace with European if desired.

So for the next month or so don't expect many (if any) finished building posts, instead we can have a work in progress series of posts as I tackle the whole of the project.

Next up we have one of several purchases that was purposely left out of the Derby post as I wanted to feature them in their own place.

This was sold as Aspen - Essling Church but I have my doubts after looking at images of the Church. Also all four sections that look to be add on's to the church actually have their own doors, even the rounded one I have put against the church.

This does give it a possible second use but I doubt I will use it for anything but an add on. I would be interested in finding out who actually made the buildings as I am assuming they are either no longer made or are not available to buy in the UK under normal trading.

Does the image above help? The guy selling them said he had more stashed away at home but could root them out, seems he has had them years but did not own the rights to make new ones. Something about buying the figure range from someone and the total stock but not the moulds in the case of the buildings.

I have a building very similar to this in 28mm, I think it's a Hovels but bought it forever ago. Shame it's got the damage but I can live with that. These will be added to all the other buildings in my queue but being part done in effect I can see them getting some early attention. Meanwhile I await that list. Lee spotted the Granary for Essling and grabbed that, it's a beast that has to be said.

New Blog on the Block

Image taken from Lee's blog

My mate Lee has just started a blog, and if you ever wondered what it was like to be playing against me, or the truth behind the jibes regarding a certain 6mm Russian army well pop over to see what he has to say. On the subject of Quatre Bras for instance Lee will be posting about the building of the terrain boards which is only right given that he is doing most of the work and all of the knowledge.

Another new thing is the E-mail Me sign  the the right, this will send direct to my e-mail address so if you want to get in touch it's never been easier (that's a hint to the Secret Santa's)

Time to draw the Secret Santa's, who will be your target?

OK it's finally time again for all Secret Santa's to be put in a red furry hat and drawn out so that all of us who are taking part have a target for this years festive fun.

I have listed all the people I think are taking part this year. If you thought you was in and your name is missing then drop me an e-mail. It's not quite too late to join in, just send me an e-mail letting me know.

Please note that even if your in the Santa Clause painting gift and are also in the Secret Santa you will still need to contact me with the details needed so that Cath can just look in the one place rather than cross checking both of the Santa's

So can you send me an e-mail with your name, address and blog name (if you have one). I will pass these details onto Cath and at the same time give you Cath's e-mail address for any future correspondence, don't forget I am playing too  :-)

You can get me at          ian_willey      @ hotmail   dot     com

Please can you do so as soon as possible. I will start to contact via blogs over the weekend as well in case this post is missed. Now on to those who are on my list

Andy McMaster

Conrad Kinch

Tim

Dorsteinn

James Brewerton

Phyllion

Mike

Dartfrog

DaveD

Vladd309

Michael Awdrey

Thomas Nissvick

Fran

Ray

Jonathan

Me

OK that's it for tonight

Orc Test Figure and First Wolf

Funny how things work out. First I get the urge to paint up some Fantasy figures then Jonathan sends me over some excellent figures and to top it all Cath and my sister get talking roleplaying and I have a a roleplay group of six players! It's been too long since I last GM'ed so I am really happy to get the chance. So at the moment I am thinking up scenario idea's and working on a start point whilst sending out colour e-mails for background and help them get used to the world I am running (a fusion of Middle Earth and Wheel of Time). So whilst doing this I thought I would have a go at painting a test model. I really am not sure if I should go green for the orc's or should I have the brown red of the LOTR's type? At the moment I am favouring a mix of both, with the colour showing the difference between common orcs and the fighting Uruk-Hai, comments are most welcome on this.

I have a number of these Game Workshop orcs with a mix of weapons but the same basic stance. It's not the best casting out there for orc's that's for sure but he will do.

I used my usual way of basing figures, after all it was originally thought up for 28mm. I have also added a tuft which I had treated to a dip in the flocking powder, somehow I felt it would add a nice diversion to the brute I had placed on the base.

The spine is somewhat medically imposable but paints up nice. Overall I would not rate the figure highly but it painted up quickly and along with his mates should supply some early battle action for the new PC's about to mix it up with them. It should be an interesting campaign given that 50% of the players are female.

So expect to see more monsters and adventurers passing over my painting table over the months to come, the good news for those who are not fans of Fantasy is that I like to mix in a certain amount of historical background in my roleplaying so expect to see some familiar periods getting a nod.

I also tried out painting up a wolf that has been sitting at the bottom of my mountain for years now. I have a total of eight figures so you can expect the rest to be done in a rush at some point.

As you can see it's a fairly basic paint job but I like the result and lets face it I won't want to spend hours on a bunch of background figures. These are Timber Wolves from Vendel Miniatures though I understand they have been bought out and go under a new name.