FROM THE DEEPEST, DARKEST DEPTHS

 

How can it be over a year since I last posted here? OK, so I have been distracted with other projects http://wildgamestuff.blogspot.com/, still I have been working on my medieval troops for a while.

To get things back on track I have revised my thinking on the starting point and am now working to run a game for 2-4 players instead of 8-12. Additionally, I have reduced the starting forces per player. Now to see if I can meet these new goals. To that end I have finished the first of my church forces, these being the Order of Brothers of the German House of Saint Mary in Jerusalem, what a mouthful, or simpler as the Teutonic Order. There are only 4 knights so far with the other 2 coming in my first expansion. In short less is more. I am still waiting on the arrival of their Grand Master and need to make flags and pennants, but those will be coming soon. The key here is they are finished, and I am on to additional knights.

Been a Long Time

It has been a long time since my last post and a lot has gone on since that. The campaign is postponed until 2020, but that does not mean I have been idle. New figures, new look, new players coming into the game. More posting as work develops.

Delay of Game

With a few people not able to make the October 19 launch date I have decided to postpone the start to November 28. 

I will be running a game on October 19. This will most likely be a Early World War II battle set in Belgium.

I Have Not Been Completely Idle

Convention season had me busier than I have been in a long time. I have not gotten any painting done for a few months, but I have been writing and working on special projects.

 

Overhead View of Castle

I got this 4Ground castle in a trade at Gen Con. It fits perfectly with my campaign for the basic Motte and Bailly fortification that a new area would have while it built up its more permanent stone Keep. There are a few extra sections I have yet to complete, (corner wall, watch tower) and I still need to finish up the ground work on the bases. The whole thing will also get a hill to stand on.

Front View of Keep, Gate and Walls

Front Gate with Knight with Archers on the Walls

Now it is time to get back to painting troops.

Answering Some Questions

I was asked the other day about using the Fireforge figures and how to make Halberdiers. The answer is use the Crossbow figure from the various Foot Sergeant sets and place the halberd in their hands. Fireforge make three different styles, so you have options on the look. 

I was also asked about using other figures and basing. My short answer is if the figures are in the 28mm range, I.E. they look close enough, they are fine. If they are on alternative basing, if it is close to what everyone is using that works too. 

For those looking for a short cut to heraldry I highly recommend the Fireforge sculpted shields. They are quick and easy to paint with the emblems being raised, letting you put a shade and a highlight on the devise and just a single color on the base of the shield.

At this period the horse trappings did not normally have the heraldry on them and could even be in an alternative color to the heraldry. Basically for the horses you can paint them how you want. 

With GenCon just around the corner, August 2-5, I should finally have time to start painting again after that. Next up will be knights and commanders.

Who is in?

I now have heard from several you that are planning on playing. One question that has come up is, who is available to take as a Rival? To this end I am post a list of players and their Rival status. I have created the following list for everyone to use.

I am still waiting on names from most of you. You need one for both your Commander and for your Lieutenant. See James listing for an example.  

The Roll Call.

Kevin C. King of the North – Rival Josh

Josh King of the West – Rival Kevin

Jon M – Rival Bob M.

Bob M. – Rival Jon M.

Alex S. – Rival Tom

Tom – Rival Alex S.

Lorrain C. – Rival undetermined

James / Jacques de Guise Count of Mons – Rival undetermined

Tibor – Rival undetermined

Jim T. – Rival undetermined

Larry – Rival undetermined

Another thing is I have now changed the basing for Commanders to 80mm Round with 2 figures, while the Lieutenant is still on a 60mm Round. I decided that this will make distinguishing which is were easier.

Fifth Unit Finaly Done

Front view of Blue & Gold unit 1

It has been awhile since my last post and I have finished a lot less then I wanted. With that said here are the next spearmen for my retinues. These are armored spearmen and the first uniform shielded unit. I ended up reversing my idea and while the unit is a combination of different looks the shields are nearly identical.

Overhead View of Blue & Gold unit 1

I have been working on my first command stands and a unit of knights. My Georgo bases took a bit of filing to put a bevel on them so they would fit into the GW stands. I now have enough done that this should not delay me in the future.