Laser Grenadiers and Walkers (Oh My!)

Today's entry is a simple list, or update if you will about what I want to eventually get to for this hobby of mine. Here are some of the things I'd like to finish within the next few months. These dust tactics figures will be very useful to for In Her Majesty's Name. I finally have figures so I can test out the walker rules. Right now they are in various stages of paint. When I get back to them, I'll post some more pictures of them.

Great looking walkers, got to love the weaponry...

They'll take some work to paint and weather.

I also picked up some Laser Grenadiers from Dust Tactics as well. If I get to painting the German troops, then I'll have some good VSF looking troops which I can either use for the Prussian squad in the books, or fashion my own. The Laser Sturmgrenadieren Squad just is dripping with Victorian science fiction potential. Those could be anything from arc-rifles, to flame-throwers, to weapons that launch projectiles off of super-heated steam. Just some ideas of how I might stat them up for IHMN.

Troops with goggles and gasmasks (very steampunky)...

There are also a number of board games I'd like to get on the table. Sky Traders being the main one. Some others are Space Empires 4x, Dread Pirate, and Letters From Whitechapel. Seeing as how I've not gotten a lot of play with those. A review of Letters of Whitechapel is forthcoming on this blog. Stay tuned.

Peace, Love and Good Gaming
Kevin

Miniature Mondays 04: Brains! Must eat brains!

As you can guess by the title. This weeks Miniature Monday will focus on the undead. Either that or we've found ourselves dining in the Temple of Doom. As the undead goes these are the plastic zombies from Wargames Factory. As far as scale goes, they are 28mm but a bit emaciated. Thinner than my Zulus which are made by the same company. They are perfect when you need a hoard of the walking dead. And when it comes to zombies who really cares if it is exactly the same size as the rest of their 28mm figures. 30 figures to the box, in a variety of sculpts. There is not as much variety as the Zulu pack, but enough to reasonably mass a hoard of undead.

My plans for them is to run a "Pride and Prejudice and zombies" themed game of In Her Majesty's Name. They're not Victorian in dress, but they'll work. I'm still in the process of figuring out stats for them.

Unboxing
They come in sprues with five torso sets and five leg sets, there is also a single figure in a long coat. I would have liked to have both arms separate to create more variety. But then that's what knives and plastic cement are for.

Painting the undead.
I use a mix of Vallejo Basic Skintone and Ivory which gives a slight green cast to it. The resulting mix gives the figure a human tone, but a very pale tone (ie dead). The blood is Black Red Vallejo. In order to get the look of wounds I used Ratskin Flesh and then added the blood color.

I'm still in the process of painting them up, but here is a shot of the beginnings of the hoard.

Have a great game!

Kevin

Into darkest Africa IHMN AAR 4/19/2014

I apologize as this post is quite picture heavy. I had the chance to run the same scenario the following week at the HMGS-PSW. I ran the event twice that day, teaching the rules to the grandchildren of a fellow member as well as other HMGS members. In my opinion all the players appeared to be having a good time.
My scenario for In Her Majesty's Name, entitled "Into Darkest Africa." I made some changes to the layout of the map after some suggestions of the players from the week before. The sun disc was now located at the central statue, thereby forcing the players to attack one another in one location.

The goal of the scenario was to excavate the sun disc which was located at this statue, surrounded by a river which stopped movement.

The addition of wild animals to the game, gave more hinderances and helped thin out the natives before the adventures encountered them.

The Queen's Rifles advancing in mass.

Part of the Queen's Rifles advancing through the river obstacle.

The Queen's Rifles have reached the statue. But beware, the British Expeditionary Force is in hot pursuit as a battle rages. Each group wanting to claim the victory and the accolades.

The BEF sets up a defensive perimeter in the jungle, hoping to cut off the escape route for the Queen's Rifles.

Dexter Small has claimed the Golden Disc and is running toward his friendly forces in hope of escape. No one could catch him however and the BEF lays down heavy covering fire as Dexter secures the goods.

The setup for the second game of In Her Majesty's Name. This time the Egyptian squad defends the statue and the two British squads must race to capture the sun disc first.

The BEF advances through the jungle, about to be ambushed by the Zulu natives.

The BEF defends their native bearer from the attacking Zulu.

At the statue the BEF and the Queen's Rifles fight to the death as Professor Maxwell Zwigler readies his electromagnetic device.

After activation, the electromagnetic device was far more effective on his own troops than it was on the British. The native hoard advances rapidly, eager to return their sacred idol to its proper place.

Clay Arkwright manages to unearth the idol and seeks to claim a victory for the Queen's Rifles.

Each British company had a victory in the two games. The second game had far more casualties, as I wound up losing almost all of the Queen's Rifles to the deadly military rifles of the BEF. All in all it was a great day of gaming and everyone involved had a good time. Until next time.

Have a great game!

Kevin

Into Darkest Africa (IHMN AAR) 4/12/2014

This is some of the In Her Majesty's Name game that I ran with the St. Crispin's Irregulars in Anahiem at their Hobby Day. I didn't get a chance to take as many photos as I would have liked, as I was busy running the game for some of my friends.

Sweat dripped down the faces of the men in the British Expeditionary force as they peered into the haze. Little did they know that their fellow countrymen from the Queen's Rifles were also after the same goal. Off in the distance they heard foreign voices, and the howls of the natives. They wished now that they had stayed back at the base.

The three expeditionary forces began at opposite ends of the map. Each had the goal of unearthing the Sun Disc, a mysterious relic.

The British Expeditionary Force encounters dense native activity. Being tied up in combat the Steam Riflemen takes a shot at the Zulu.

Lady Hartinger's Expedition arrives at the first site. In her dainty voice she exclaims "Stand back, I'm going to try science!" The Egyptian military vigilance protects the scientists from the native hoard. After several attempts they shout "Eureka!" And hold aloft the golden artifact.

Meanwhile the Queen's Rifles are pinned down in the river by the Zulu.

The Queen's Rifles vanquish their native foes. Amid shouts of "Tally ho good chap!" They advance further into the jungle with the hopes of taking down Lady Hartinger and the Mad Doctor.

Upon spying the natives across the river, Clay Arkwright gets into position to lead the Queen's Rifles against the BEF. But the BEF's specialist Randy Dawes takes aim with his fearsome steam rifle.

Hartinger's Expedition runs off the board to the sounds of covering fire from their Egyptian troops.

The finale of the game, Lady Hartinger, Scientist Maxwell Zwigler and their native bearer escape with the spoils. Maxwell intends to use the sun disc to power his Solar Wave Magnetized Inductor.
THE END

Things I learned. The artifact should be in the center of the map to facilitate more of a struggle. I need to review the armor rules. I forgot that arc weapons ignore armor, And I'll be toning down the armor to make it more of a fight. The other possibility would be to add some more talents to make the soldiers better in combat.

Until next time, have a great game.
This is Kevin,
Over and out!

Not a house of cards

After arriving at the local craft store I stumbled upon cardboard houses with removable roofs. They were a few bucks each at the local craft shop. I hope to use them for the streets of Victorian London, or any other sort of industrialized 19th century city. Here are the houses before modification. 28mm figures are included for scale.

I've found some good brick textures online, I hope to print them out for the siding. I can make the windows with toothpicks. Another blog I saw gave me a good idea of using coffee stirrers for roof shingles. I probably won't have updates on the houses for two weeks or so. Since the next two Saturdays I'm running Into Darkest Africa IHMN. My scenario for In Her Majesty's Name. I'll update when there's progress on the houses.

I won't be able to cover the miniature table with a full blown city, but can at least cover it with a reasonable small town. Enough to give the zombies and the Bennett sisters somewhere to fight it out.

Have fun gaming!
Kevin

Miniature Mondays 02 Thrift Store Finds

After a trip to the local thrift shop to see what I could pick up for gaming on the cheap, I discovered these three gems. Here are three tree-like pieces which will find in very nicely in a jungle game. They were originally aquarium pieces. Even with a little paint added to them you can create foliage from another planet. Although I'll keep mine green for the jungle right now. They are shown alongside a 28mm figure for scale.

I'm planning on using these objects for objectives in the Darkest Africa IHMN scenario which I'll be running this Saturday. The players will be searching for a lost artifact which will be hidden at one of these locations for them to excavate. Thus the pieces are not only pretty, but functional as well. And anything that can be used for several things, in my opinion is worth having.

I find that usually when I least expect it, that's when I run across a gem of an item which can be used on the miniature table.

Kevin. Over and out.

Sleeping dragon Rising sun IHMN

This is the second expansion for In Her Majesty's Name released so far. Entitled Sleeping Dragon Rising Sun. It takes the game to the mysteries of the orient. According to Amazon its release date is June 17.



This is how Osprey's site describes it "China, the greatest empire the world had ever known, is weak and divided after a series of humiliating defeats in the Opium Wars, and the divine Empress’ court harbours many who deeply resent the westerners who inflicted and now take advantage of these losses. Japan, on the other hand, has embraced the West with open arms. After centuries of isolation the Japanese now march forwards and accept technologies that, a few decades before, would have been regarded as witchcraft. Possessed of the East’s most modern army, Japan now looks avariciously towards its neighbours. The next decade will decide whether the ancient empires of the East survive or are washed away, and every one of the Great Powers wants their slice." (Ospreypublishing.com)

I'm speculating that we'll see some new walkers and steam-powered goodness. Describing Japan as possessing the east's  most modern army, sounds like we might get another squad similar to the Prussians, strong leadership and Tough talent. If they bring any Japanese mythology into the mix, we could see anything from ghosts to kitsune, to oni. I for one would like to see some rules for zombies, because I could then use the system to play a Pride and Prejudice & Zombies themed game.

I'm anxious to see what new fangled gizmos and talents await in this tome. Still two and a half more months to wait.

IHMN Hartinger's Expedition

Hartinger's Expedition is formed by the wealthy Lady Hartinger who likes to remain in the forefront of the scientific community as she did with the clockwork knitter. Upon hearing that Britain was mounting an expedition into the heart of Africa, she felt as though the name of Hartinger should not be left out of this expedition. With her close scientific friend Maxwell Zwigler, a scientist which expanded the work of Nikolai Tesla and the Egyptian military to protect the expedition. Lady Hartinger and her scientific endeavors seek out the heart of Africa.

Lady Victoria Hartinger
          Pluck 3+
          FV +2
          SV +3
          Speed +1
          Archeology +3
          Talents: leadership +2
          Equipment: arc pistol, Faraday Corset
Scientist Maxwell Zwigler
          Pluck 3+
          FV +1
          SV +2
          Speed +1
          Archeology +2
          Equipment: Electrostatic burst generator, short shotgun
Riflemen (6x)
          Pluck 5+
          FV +3
          SV +2
          Speed +0
          Archeology +1
          Talents: Bayonet Drill
          Equipment: military rifle & bayonet
Riflemen (4x)
          Pluck 5+
          FV +2
          SV +3
          Speed +0
          Archeology +1
          Equipment: carbine
Bearer
          Pluck 6+
          Archeology +3
          Talents: Medic

IHMN Queen's Rifles

The Queen's Rifles are a privately funded company which reports only to her majesty. When the Queen wants reliable, first hand information, the Queen's Rifles are her first choice.

Clay Arkwright
        Pluck 2+
        FV +3
        SV +4
        Speed +1
        Archeology +3
        Talents: leadership +2, lightning draw (fighting)
        Equipment: machete (count as fighting knife), pistol, brigandine.
Sir Rolland Masterson
        Pluck 3+
        FV +1
        SV +3
        Speed +0
        Archeology +1
        Talents: berserker
        Equipment: Steam rifle (treat as arc), chain shirt.
Riflemen (x6)
         Pluck 5+
         FV +2
         SV +3
         Speed +0
         Archeology +1
         Talents: tough
         Equipment: carbine, brigandine
Thomas Upton
         Pluck 4+
         FV +3
         SV +3
         Speed +0
         Archeology +1
         Talents: Marksman (pistol), Leadership +1
         Equipment: pistol, brigandine.
Bearer
         Pluck 6+
         Speed 0+
         Archeology +3
         Talents: Medic

IHMN British Expeditionary Force

The British Expeditionary Force are the first boots on the ground in the time of an emergency. Although in the current case, they are recently engaging in the exploration of darkest Africa to bring to the British empire, fame and riches.

Dexter Small
        Pluck 2+
        FV +4
        SV +3
        Speed +1
        Archeology +3
        Talents: leadership +2, duelist pistol
        Equipment: pistol, brigandine, knife.
Captain Robert
        Pluck 3+
        FV +4
        SV +4
        Speed +1
        Archeology +1
        Talents: inspirational, leadership +1
        Equipment: Steam pistol (treat as arc), brigandine.
Riflemen (x5)
         Pluck 5+
         FV +2
         SV +2
         Speed +0
         Archeology +1
         Talents: marksman
         Equipment: Military rifle, brigandine
Randy Dawes
         Pluck 4+
         FV +4
         SV +3
         Speed +0
         Archeology +1
         Talents: Stealthy, tough
         Equipment: brigandine, steam rifle (treat as arc)
Bearer
         Pluck 6+
         Speed 0+
         Archeology +3
         Talents: Medic