Paper Gallies & a box of shame

 Whilst searching the dark corners of the Toy Cupboard for some figures for another Mini-Campaign, I came across a plastic box (one of those the takeaway food arrives in); it was full of half painted miniatures that I had cleared from the painting table some years ago in a bid to tidy up. I say half painted, but really some weren't even that complete. I suspect that there are probably a number of such caches hidden away and waiting to be brought out into the light. I've put some of them back onto the painting table; optimistic, I know... Anyone else want to confess to having similar assemblages?

Contents of a box of shame
These represent a multitude of different projects
awaiting completion (or properly starting...)

In other news, I had a quick go at a sea battle with Ancient type gallies using the simple rules from Archduke Piccolo, and paper ships (slightly edited) from the Junior General site. 

It was quick and bloody and will be useful for resolving any Naval conflicts in Campaigns.

My ancient laptop died a few weeks ago, after nine years before the mast (there will be a simple service. No flowers please.) Hopefully its replacement will appear soon. It's amazing how much of life now depends on having access to a computer. Right, tea break's over. Back on your heads.

This and that

 Below are a few of the things I've been fiddling around with between game reports - hopefully something may be of interest...

First off, I found a couple of buildings to make on Hugh Walter's Small Scale World blog (here) that are quite fun and would look nice for a 20th Century game or Railway layout (if made better then I managed of course); Matchbox cars for scale.

I tried an Inter War period Portable Wargame using block units made from MDF bases with images from the Junior General site stuck on to them which worked ok and seemed a good way of testing out a period for which I didn't have two completed forces - not everyone's cup of tea but really no different from playing a Boardgame (and its a very cheap option!)

Many years ago I created a game called Giant! - I've since lost the rules (that were on the back of an envelope) however I found some of the figures (6mm from Irregular and Bacchus) and scenery (6mm buildings from Irregular) which are quite fun. The stand-in Giant is a Prehistoric Man in 28mm.

At the time I'd started making a couple of Fantasy game armies in 6mm (my eyesight was better then....)

Army of the Dead

Elves

Talking of Giants, here are a pair from many years ago - both are still available (Hinchliffe from Broadsword Miniatures, and MiniFigs from Caliver Books)

On the Left Hinchliffe Giant from 1980. On the Right MiniFigs Giant 1973

Next post will hopefully be a game report...

Another day, another Tyrant

 Following on from the last two posts, here are a few more thoughts and another go at God Emperor! (a campaign system based on Mark Cardone's Augustus).

Rules

The following rules are for Solo play where, unlike in my former go, the player is both taking actions and responding to events.

The Random Events Table and additional Glory Points Table (for points earned through the Ruler's self-determined actions) appear in the previous post.

Roman Empire at the end of the reign of Gaius Maudlinus

Example of Play

The former ruler, Gaius Maudlinus has been assassinated by disgruntled Senators. His ambitious nephew, Taedious Maudlinus has taken control and has pledged to make Rome great again (and make himself and his mates a great deal of money).

 

Map showing the position of the Legions

The battles were once again fought using Dominion of the Spear rules and graphics on the PC for units. For year 1's move I determined that Rome could attack one of the three closest areas, two of which involved sea crossings. 

Rome v Illyricum

The Empire has grown in Year 1

and grown some more in Year 2

A short but busy reign for Taedious, and a footnote in History perhaps for grabbing some land.

Multi-Player (or Solo Multi-Ruler)

Two (or more?) rulers could easily be run in parallel with two record sheets and three (or more) dice being rolled for initiative. Perhaps a King of Caledonia has arisen seeking to build an Empire to rival that of Rome..? Both sides would be subject to Random Events that could aid or hamper their ambitions, and when their borders meet there would be a clash of empires. Lots of possibilities, though very little time (sigh). Any thoughts would be welcome.

God Emperor! Concluding the first stab at it..

 Continuing on from last weeks post, I have played the rest of the reign of Gaius Maudlinus (see below), but first a word about the game itself.

Surplus Dairiprodus by Uderzo

Game mechanics

For the first go at the game (well technically the second, but my Caesar was assassinated in year 2 of the first attempt) I only used the Random Events to run the game - Gaius was not a very proactive kind of leader. The following table is changed slightly from Mark's original - I used a d12 and added an extra line.

Rome started off with 3 Legions - as Provinces are captured, an extra Legion could possibly be raised in Years of Peace & Prosperity to a max. of 1 per Province gained.

I added Glory Points (GPs) from the following table - I think I was over generous in this first go as GPs were also given in the Random Events...

At the end of the incumbents' reign the total GPs are used to determine how the leader will be viewed by History. Again, I made a few changes to Mark's original (possibly based on a misreading of the rules):

The next go at this will certainly involve more decisions being made by the would-be Emperor, plus Random Events, so more aggressive play.

Game

At the end of the first session, Rome controlled most of the Italian peninsula - how would Gaius fair going forward?

Well there it is. Gaius didn't do too badly given he wasn't allowed to make any decisions!

I enjoyed the randomness of my first go and can see the system as being a nice way to run a campaign where the Random Events add to strategic play, so thanks to Mark for the great ideas! 

God Emperor! Rise of Rome...

 God Emperor! is my version of the clever Campaign system Augustus, devised by Mark Cardone (on the PW FB). I have set mine in the Roman Republic, where a new tyrant has scrambled his way to power and is attempting to create an empire for Rome, and a place in history for himself (hoping to end his reign as God Emperor). 

Map of potential territories to conquer 

So far (for speed) I've been resolving battles using Dominion of the Spear rules (available here).

The first battle (played yesterday lunchtime) was fought using blocks (thin printed card units using Junior General images glued onto MDF bases - an idea stolen from David Crook) while others have been played on the PC.

Block units (image is a bit poor due to bad light)

Battle fought on the PC

So far my would be Emperor has struggled but has just managed to grab his first territory; will he manage to keep it? Here's his progress to date (click on the image to make it more legible).

The final tally of Glory Points (GP) will determine how history judges the ruler.

Massacre!

 

Play testing the 3x3 PW game in a Wee Matchbox  produced a surprising result, so that ticks a box (pun unintended).

Before reporting the game I want to point you in the direction of Roger's Matchbox game which is a really very brilliant Cowboy shoot-out, featuring thematic dice!! Please visit here.

The Game (see the last blog post for the rules)

The grid squares were shuffled (blank side up) and 9 picked and placed between the Reserve Areas

The two sides diced for ends. Red scored highest and chose North.

Army Red looked smugly at a very defend-able town between two woods (the Lake is impassable too).

Initial positions - Red had 4 Infantry and 1 Artillery, Blue 3 Infantry, 1 Cavalry and 1 Artillery (positioned on the hill to get a bonus).

Simultaneous Artillery fire saw red lose an infantry unit on the first throw!

Army Blue attacked the town and moved up a unit from the Reserve Area. Army Red replaced his lost Infantry unit with a reserve.

Turn 2 saw another Red Infantry unit destroyed by Artillery fire!

Blue's attack on the town continued without success. Red brought his final reserves into action (not illustrated)

Blue's Artillery fumbled on Turn 3 allowing Red to rush out of the woods and attack them. The attack on the town saw a Blue success with a natural 6 rolled - Red were now down to two units!

Blue moved up more forces on Turn 4. Red was now attacking both the town and the hill, desperate to damage Blue somewhere!

Disaster for Red! Turn 5 saw the Red Army reduced to one unit which was looking likely to get surrounded!

The horror show was completed on Turn 7 - a complete massacre of Red's Army and a resounding success for Blue. Not at all as I expected things, mainly due to the powerful (rather too powerful) artillery that wiped out two units of Infantry at the beginning of the battle blunting Red's defence.

The playing pieces, in case anyone wants to have a go...