Saturday, 11 April 2015

Via Postumia tombs

My Bloody Cremona game at Salute is set along the line of the Via Postumia as it approaches to Cremona.

I thought it would be nice to depict some of the characteristic Roman roadside tombs and monuments, so I made these up. And when I say that I made these up, well, they aren't based on any particular Roman research.  ;-)

The figures are lovely Aventine Miniatures; they look suitably archaic and the pose of the horse is just right for an equestrian statue.



Here is another Aventine general, this time on foot.

The pedestals are made from very old (= 50 years!) Lego bricks and Games Workshop bases; I spent a little time "distressing" them with a scalpel.

They were sprayed white, stained with inks and I then "applied" lichen and moss to age and weather them.












Sometimes the Romans liked to use pyramidal shapes, echoing Egypt.

















And finally I made a simple tomb around 30mm long.









The tombs will sit under the cypress trees alongside my Via Postumia in my "Bloody Cremona, 69 AD" game at Salute on Saturday week. If you are coming to Salute, you can find my game at GM11 on the below map, marked with the dark red asterisk. It is next to the large rest area at the far end of the hall from the entrance. Please do drop by and say hello! If you want to join in the game for a half hour or so, perhaps to get an idea of how the rules work, I'm sure we will be able to fit you in. Mark Freeth of the Wargames Holiday Centre will also be there, helping out and taking bookings!

Greg at Agema Miniatures will be selling my "To the Strongest!" rules at Saltue. You will be able to collect your pre-orders made from my shop from his stand, TE11, marked on the map with a black asterisk. He will also have some great Salute deals on his miniatures...



Friday, 10 April 2015

Pre-ordering To the Strongest!


I have the proof copy is in my hands and it looks brilliant; the quality of the paper is excellent and the images and diagrams are really crisp. :-)

If you would like to pre-order a copy of the book, it can be now purchased in the BigRedBatShop. The physical book version retails at £19.99, and the digital version £9.99.  Both versions can be purchased together for £24.99, a saving of £5.

If you previously bought the previous digital version, the new extended version will be emailed to you on the 27th of April. You are also entitled to a £5 discount off of the cost of the physical book; just buy the book in the normal manner, drop me a separate email at simonmiller60 (at) gmail.com and I will refund £5 against the cost.

If you are attending Salute you can pre-order and collect the book from the Agema Miniatures stand (TE11), saving the cost of postage. Simply purchase the book in the normal manner, drop me an email at simonmiller60 (at) gmail.com l to let me know you will be collecting it and I will refund the postage costs. I will post out the remaining orders early in the week after Salute (i.e. from 27th April onwards).

Salute is also be a great opportunity to pick up chits and victory medals, post free!  I have just added some shock missile (pila, angon or soliferrum) and lance markers to the shop that will be handy with the new version.

Here's the pre-order link for the rules, again:  BigRedBatShop

Whilst you are picking up the rules, you might like to take advantage of one of the the several excellent deals on their own products that Agema Miniatures will be offering on the day.  They have their Legion Deal (1 x box Legionaries, 1 x box Velites, 1 x pack metal command) for £30; a Praetorian Army Deal (2 x Legion deal, plus a pack of metal Army command, all for £60) and a buy three, get one free deal on all their metal blister packs. 

Thursday, 9 April 2015

Majestic cypresses

I've had some issues recently with my camera and haven't been able to photograph some of the models I've been making for my Salute Game "Bloody Cremona, 69 AD".  Today, happily, that is resolved and I can start to catch up.


Here are some new cypresses. I love the pencil-thin cypress tree. They always remind me of the Dylan lyric "I waited for you on the running boards, near the cypress trees, while the springtime turned Slowly into Autumn." I am especially keen on these particular cypresses because I made them and they cost almost nothing, unlike model cypresses which cost a couple of quid each (and aren't as nice IMHO). They stand around 6" tall (next to the 28mm figure).

A WIP Cypress is shown to the left.

In order to make the trees, I twisted a double thickness of black pipe cleaners together to make the trunk, and then other pipe cleaners around them to achieve the characteristic pencil thin shape, slightly wider at the bottom. I then dipped the trees in diluted wood glue and applied a couple of coats of fine sponge (two colours, mixed), later revisiting to touch-up any bald patches.

The trunk was glued into a hole drilled into an MDF disc and this, in turn, glued to a coin to act as a counterweight. I textured the bases and later I will partially flock them. Job done!  

I would really love to make some characteristic Italian umbrella pines up but I fear that time will preclude this...

If you are coming to Salute, please drop in to see me at my game (GM11 on the Salute map, near to the seating area that is furthest from the entrance).

Wednesday, 8 April 2015

Sneak-peeks of To the Strongest! v1.1

Very shortly I'll start taking pre-orders for the new book version of my "To the Strongest!" ancient and medieval wargames rules and the associated digital version (which will be free to those who purchased the previous version). 

In the meanwhile I thought people might like to see some pages from this new extended version of the rules, which has benefitted from a glossy makeover by Aussi mate Millsy and editing/proofing by various mates but especially Aaron Bell in Japan. Here's the new front cover (all images are clickable):


Next are some other pages, chose more or less at random. There are some rule changes to the previous version; legionaries now have a pila to throw, for example. There are a couple of new troops types, too: war wagons and heavy chariots. I will be providing a summary sheet listing the various rule changes. 


I really like the photo on the page below, which I hope helps to make the point that the game can be played in 15mm (or 10mm, 6mm or even 2mm!) as well as 28mm. The production-value of this version of the rules is much improved, and both versions have an Index. The digital version will retain the popular hyperlinks.


Lastly, diagrams have been made clearer and more examples have been included to help players to pick the rules up quickly.


I am momentarily expecting the proof-copy to plunk through my letterbox. Assuming I'm happy with it, I'll put them up in the shp for pre-ordering! I will have both versions ready by Salute (25th April), and if you are attending you will be able to pick up a copy (and perhaps chits and whatnot) there and save yourself postage.

Best, Simon

Thursday, 2 April 2015

Arriba Espana!


Today I uploaded another army list to the BigRedBatShop; this time ancient Spanish, and I thought I'd show a pic of the few Spanish caetrati (round shield bearers) that I finished some years back. I have more in the loft that just need basing, just not enough time to do it! It was interesting to research this list.  Over the last decade opinion seems to have shifted towards a regular battlefield role for the Spanish, compared to previously, when they were considered more as guerillas.

The new list can be found here

In other news, mate and proof-reader-extraordinaire Aaron has played a game of To the Strongest- you can read his after action review here and here.  

Tuesday, 31 March 2015

Like frogs around a pond

Plato described the Greeks living round the Aegean "like frogs around a pond."

I've just uploaded some "To the Strongest!" army lists covering the Greek states for the Peloponnesian War and after. Over the coming weeks I'll add the equivalent Achaemenid Persian lists. They can be downloaded for free from the BigRedBatShop. These are still somewhat "under construction," and I would value comments or suggestions, via the email address on the front of the blog.

I have a fair-sized Spartan army but would dearly love to paint some more hoplites for this period... especially Thebans, I'm a big fan of Epaminondas!

Wednesday, 18 March 2015

Every journey starts with the first step...


...and the journey to Salute starts with these three units.  I've picked all of the painted Saleh Roman minis I can find (not many) and de-flashed and primed enough others to make three cohorts. If time permits I'll also paint another unit of Gladiators.

At Salute I'll be running the First Cremona game I ran at Partizan last year.  This will be an extended version of the below game with more terrain and a few more units.  Hopefully be worth a look!


Tuesday, 17 March 2015

Gratianenses iuniores


This is a regiment of Late Roman infantry known as the Gratianenses Iuniores, from the Magister Peditum's Italian command.  They are Auxilia Palatina- well hard!  The photo is clickable.

The minis are all Black Tree's painted by Shaun (Redzed), I merely did a little work on the shield designs, some weathering and based.  They came out really well and I'm shortly going to pick up some other units from Shaun to join my swelling Late Roman army.

In other news... mate Millsy is very kindly laying out the print version of  "To the Strongest!", which is coming on brilliantly and in the meanwhile I've been working on the army lists.   

Today I posted an updated version of the "Late Antiquity" army lists, filling gaps with new Herul and Later Visigoth lists. This booklet contains the Later Romans, Early Byzantines and their enemies. I've edited all the lists in this booklet to make them ready for the April release of v1.1 of the rules. These include changes included the return of the pila* (shock missiles) to baggage. You can download the lists for free from:


I also updated some of the Medieval lists.  Later this week I plan to update the lists in the "Rome's Empire" booklet.

*Shock missiles are like javelins but thrown as the legionaries (or Franks) charge into contact, potentially disordering their enemies.


Monday, 9 March 2015

Fallen Victory


These are some shots of the game we played on Saturday. I've been write a wargame campaign that could be played by non-wargamers, set during the Boudiccan revolt of 61-62AD.  It is named Fallen Victory after the statue of Claudius in Colchester that supposedly fell over just before the revolt began.

The campaign day broke into two parts. During the first, the two teams, in separate rooms, manoeuvred across replica antique maps of Roman Britain. This proved to be very exciting, as for almost the whole two and a half hours, neither team had very much of an idea what the other was up to. I umpired the Roman team which reacted to the growing crisis with considerable stoicism; no tears were shed even when II Augusta perished to a man. Below is the British team; after a somewhat shaky start, they rallied and burned a broad swathe of destruction right across the width of Roman Britain.


When the two armies met (near a burning Cirencester) we transferred the action to the tabletop, and fought it out using my miniatures and To the Strongest! rules.  The Britons formed up in a huge mass with chariots to the wings and the laager to their rear.



Above are the Romans, and below the revolting Britons.  Most of the players were novices, but there were four gamers mixed in.



Above, a flanking move by one of the British chariot wings.  Below, other British chariots that had launched an unexpected flank attack, sweep around behind the Roman lines.


Because of time limitations, we only had around an hour-and-a-half to play the game, and consequently didn't get to finish it. Some of the non-gamers picked the rules the rules up well, others found them challenging to master in 90 minutes. I am currently writing some even simpler rules that should enable the same game to be played by non-wargamers in under an hour.

Below is my favourite shot, from behind the British wagon laager.  I'll take proper photos of the laager in a few days, when I have more time.


With time running out awarded a marginal victory to the British, largely for not having lost to the far superior Roman legionaries!  It was a splendid day of gaming; I am sure I shall repeat it.

Sunday, 8 March 2015

Meeples and Miniatures 140 - To the Strongest!


I was recently interviewed by Neil Shuck and Mike Hobbs of Meeples and Miniatures Podcast fame. We talks a great deal about why I wrote the game, how it works, and the potential merits of substituting Vodka shots for Victory Medals. It was a lot of fun!

The interview can be downloaded from here:

https://meeples.wordpress.com/2015/03/07/meeples-miniatures-episode-140-to-the-strongest/

I shall be downloading it shortly, and will probably be wincing for much of the rest of the day.

The lack of posts this week has been due to the preparations for a campaign and large wargame yesterday. This was unusual in that it was aimed at (and largely played by) non-wargamers, and observed by a team psychologists. It went very well indeed; I'll post some pictures tomorrow.  In the meanwhile, here is one to be going along with!


Tuesday, 3 March 2015

Flocking day

I've just spent two-and-a-half hours flocking minis using my Heath-Robinson static charger. At one point I "crossed the beams"; there was a terrific zapping noise, an element flew up into the air, and the distinctive smell of burning hair. I was a little more cautious after that.


This evening, once everything is dry, I plan to add tufts and other foliage.

This week I've been working on some army lists for To the Strongest!, notably Franks, with the assistance of Paul Caspell. It's been very interesting; they are an army I knew little about.  Another army for my "to do" list!  n.b. they won't be posted for a few days as they need to be checked first. 

Thursday, 26 February 2015

Demo game of To the Strongest! in Abergavenny this Sunday

Meeples and Miniatures Podcast host Mike Hobbs is involved in a new venture.
As part of the new Abergavenny Community Centre’s open day this coming Sunday, March 1st, he and regular gaming opponent Mark are looking to drum up interest in a new wargames club.
They will be running demo games of To The Strongest and Open Combat all day.  Details are as follows:

Rumours that Mark and Mike will be also dancing in Welsh National Dress are, no doubt, greatly exaggerated.  But if you can  make it along please drop in and say hello!  

Tuesday, 24 February 2015

Monopolis


A modest digression from 28mm; I have raised the city of Monopolis from a set of Monopoly houses and hotels, and a couple of Brandenburg gate pieces taken from EuroMonopoly sets. The temples are converted from hotels using plasticard. With a little suspension of disbelief, I reckon the buildings are a good size for 2-6mm minis.

Friday, 20 February 2015

Laager ladies


Over the last three nights I've added a flesh highlight to the fifty-odd minis Nick painted for me, and inked and varnished them.  I've cut the pins down to short stubs.  This weekend I'll start experimenting with basing them.

The Copplestone German civilians are stunning sculpts, especially the women.  Very expressive!   The carousing German men are very good, too.  Better photos will follow once they are based.

Wednesday, 18 February 2015

Shiny, shiny

This week I've added "victory medals" to my shop; these are the same replica Roman coins that I use for my own games.



They are cast in lead-free pewter, and the gold ones are gold plated!  Initially I've purchased Caesarian and Late Roman coins, but should they prove popular I will add dark age and medieval coins, so one can theme medals to a particular army. They can be found here:


Of course, one could also use the chocolate coins as we did recently at the Benson tournament... 

In other news, this week I've been very busy working on v1.1 of "To the Strongest!" This will be a free update of the rules for those who have already bought them, and the basis of the print version of the rules which I hope to have published before Salute.  The rules will be very similar to the current version, but I'm adding additional examples, diagrams and some new troop types (war wagons!). I am keen to run these past people for comment (and to spot errors); if you are interested in seeing them, please drop me a line via my email address on the blog.

Saturday, 14 February 2015

Where's me rollin' pin?

Several people have asked about the defenders for the wagon laager, and here they are.  They have all been painted my mate Nick Speller and include most of the Celtic and German ancient civilian miniatures that I have been able to find, with a particular emphasis on formidable women.  Tonight I'll make a start on highlighting and inking them.


I am in two minds about basing them.  My heart says "drill and pin them into the wagons" but my brain says "make bases that will fit into the wagons".  The former solution is more aesthetically pleasing and hard wearing; the latter more flexible as I can remove them should (when) they become casualties.

The finished laager will have to serve for all three of Celts, Germans and Goths so I will try to give it a generic look.

Friday, 13 February 2015

Wagons... roll!

Last night I finished painting my wagon laager. The 5 pieces (which all store in a single 4L Really Useful Box) assemble to make a 1 metre-long camp defence. I still need to finish and add the defenders, which Nick Speller has already painted for me, and some more clutter - a week or so more's work. The pic is clickable.


The completed laager will form part of a display game at Partizan in May.

Tuesday, 10 February 2015

Three foot of laager and a packet of chits, please.


Last night I resumed work on my wagon laager, which has been something of a slow burner since I started work on it over 6 years ago!!!. Yesterday I painted the wicker screens and am contemplating approaching the long and tedious task of drybrushing of the woodwork, this evening.  


On a different front, I have received a big re-supply order of chits for "To the Strongest!".  As well as the packs with the three types of chits in, I am now also able to sell packs of the lovely ammunition markers separately.  They can all be found in the BigRedBatShop!

Sunday, 8 February 2015

World's Strongest 2015

Yesterday we fought the first ever "To the Strongest!" Tournament at Benson in Oxfordshire. I was delighted to be able to play, myself, to roundup an odd number of players. Ten players fought a total of 15 games, each lasting 2 hours. 10 games were decisive and 5 draws, with most of the draws occurring in the first round, before the players had "warmed up". 

Unfortunately in the rush I failed to take many photos of the players, but I did get shots of some of the armies and games.  Below, my "Decline" Romans in the foreground await (with considerable trepidation) the charge of John Sharman's Saxons.  My Hun wing, led by Attila, had a good game, ending up behind the Saxon centre.



Above is Nick Speller contemplating his own Caesarian Romans- a splendid-looking force (lovely shields and basing) but about to be roughly handled by John's Saxons.  Below Steve Dovers Granadines are menaced by Simon Purcheon's Sassanids.  The Sassanids, with their combination of armour, shooty-ness and mobility did very well indeed and I think Simon came second (or third?) overall.  Looked good, too!


Below my Decline Romans prepare to receive (my own) Early Imperial Romans, played by Trevor Holcroft. The Romans in my force didn't manage to kill anything at all, but their Hun and Gothic allies were lethally effective, especially the former who could do no wrong!  Atilla was again definitely Man of the Match.  Note the edible chocolate victory medals...



Above Peter Ryding's army of veteran (in two senses) Essex Caesarians proved very hard to kill- my Polybians (played by Ian Notter) seem to be keeping a safe distance!  Or maybe it was just early in the game.  


Finally I have a couple of shots of Barry Lee's lovely Late Romans. I particularly covet the Warlord wagon in the above photo. Below, there's nothing quite as good as Late Roman army when it comes to shield designs.  Hopefully Barry and I will be able to stage a Late Roman Civil War at some point later this year.


It was very interesting to see how others interpreted the rules, and to encounter armies which I've not previously experienced on the table.  Bevan Marchand won the tournament with a Hundred Years War English army (sadly I have no photos); shooting armies did quite well.

Huge thanks to Steve Dover and the South Oxfordshire Generals for organising the event. It was a splendid day out and I think everyone enjoyed themselves! I'd very much like to repeat the experience later this year or early next. 

Friday, 6 February 2015

Wargames Bloggers Quarterly Issue Three is out!



Wargames Bloggers Quarterly issue 3 is out!  This edition was edited by Panzer Kaput and produced by Millsy of Canister and Grape, and the cover and leading article is by Sir Sidney Roundwood.  You can download your free copy from here!