Monday 27 November 2017

Reveille II - 2017

Yesterday was the Lincombe Barn Wargames Society's annual show, Reveille II. It was held in the usual location, the Lincombe Barn, Overndale Road, Downend, Bristol BS16 2RW.

The show was pretty well-attended in terms of traders, private sellers and demonstration and participation games, so without further ado, here are the pictures.

First, some of the traders (I really wish that I'd photographed the Scene UK stall, because they have some really very nice new science fiction vehicles (quite a few of which aren't on their website yet), and their items are excellent stuff. I did buy some of the vehicles, though, for a future army I am planning for Alien Squad Leader. For anyone who is interested in these rules, Alex will be self-publishing the V 3.0 rule book via Lulu Publishing shortly, so it is worth checking their website in the new year.

Anyway, the traders;


Above, we have Matt Slade of Glenbrook Games Painting Services, plus some of the excellent dice and token bags produced by Saddle Goose Designs


Annie Norman from Bad Squiddo Games. I love Annie's stuff and her sheer enthusiasm for the hobby is brilliant. I could chat to her for hours.

Instant Armies






Scarab Miniatures



Geoff from Ham and Jam. His 28mm buildings are excellent.


Gloster Models.


The biggest game was this huge one run by the Skirmish Wargames group, with 54mm troops and some nice scenery and terrain;




Another fun game was Airspeed, a post-apocalyptic jet-bike racing game that clearly has nothing at all to do with a well-known sci fi film franchise at all, the rules being written by club member Clive Oldfield (the bikes come from Ramshackle Games and the buildings are Clive's own work);




Some terrific models and scenery here too.

Of course, being a show with traders, it was impossible to keep my purse in my handbag. I'll do another post with my purchases later this week. I could have spent a lot more than I did, but I have two new projects in the pipeline for 2018, so I restricted myself (a bit!) because there is online spending to be done.

There seemed to be a lot of happy people at the show, both traders and visitors and it was nice to catch up with people, including a few that I'd not seen in quite a while.

Apologies to all those whose stands didn't get photographed.

Friday 17 November 2017

Some extra firepower for Congo

I bought these Wargames Foundry figures a while ago, at the Colours show at Newbury Racecourse, but only recently got round to finishing them off. Both sets are intended to feature as Soldiers under the Congo rules, but will also be suitable for other 19th century adventure and skirmish games.

First, I have eight British infantry in colonial uniform. Yes, I know a group of Soldiers for Congo is only four figures strong, but the blister pack had eight miniatures, so I painted the lot, intending to give me some flexibility as to what games I can use them for, and also maybe for some non-standard games using Congo rules where, more than one group of Soldiers could be allowed. They would be great in other 19th and early 20th century settings. Who knows? They could even be the basis for a small force for Sharp Practice if and when the rules get extended beyond the Black Powder era into colonial times.





My second set are from Foundry's "Egyptian Adventurers" range, which has some terrific miniatures. These are described as being "French Foreign Freebooters", which I take to mean that they are either former Legionnaires or deserters.


In any case, I've tried to make them true to the look of Legionnaires, but not stick that closely to real uniforms. I especially like the character with the keffiyeh-type headgear. He will play the role of a Retired Officer in my Congo games. I had originally planned to give these guys dark blue tunics, but a test painting revealed that it simply didn't look right, so they have khaki tunics, such as were issued to  the Foreign Legion in West Africa towards the end of the 19th century. I used Vallejo Green Ochre for these, because I think it looks closer to the uniform colour in most illustrations of the period than any other shade I possess. I also took some liberties with the colour of the puttees, mainly to break up the overall whiteness of the uniforms, but also to give them more of a feel of former Legionnaires and mercenaries rather than serving troops.

Wednesday 15 November 2017

Two linked AARs for Alien Squad Leader

This post covers two games of ASQL at the club, fought between me and Richard. Originally, it was just one battle, but for reasons that will become apparent, we fought a second game a week later, using the same forces.

Here is some scene-setting narrative.

On the fringes of the regions of the galaxy occupied by Humans there lies a number of star systems inhabited by other, alien, civilisations, some of incredible age and others shrouded in secrecy and of an almost incomprehensible complexity. Of these civilisations, some shun all contact with Humanity but others have a long history of interaction, trade and conflict. One such civilisation is that of the Ry'Hlyn, a humanoid race of a quasi-arthropod nature and with an aggressive expansionist attitude. 

The Ry'Hlyn Empire is incredibly ancient and with links to Humanity that stretch back into the legendary shadowy prehistory of the long-lost and presumably destroyed Human home planet, Earth. The Elites of the Ry'Hlyn are devotees of a complex religion dedicated to ancient beings known in a number of legendary Human texts as the Outer Gods. No cult is more aggressive in its pursuit of all heresies than that of the trans-dimensional being known as Azathoth, once described thus in an ancient Human text; Outside the ordered universe is that amorphous blight of nethermost confusion which blasphemes and bubbles at the center of all infinity—the boundless daemon sultan Azathoth, whose name no lips dare speak aloud, and who gnaws hungrily in inconceivable, unlighted chambers beyond time and space amidst the muffled, maddening beating of vile drums and the thin monotonous whine of accursed flutes.

The first AAR describes a pursuit of a group of once-Human members of a Cult that worships a serpentine daemon god by a force of Azathoth Cult devotees (Alien Imperials in the ASQL rules) from the Ry'Hlyn Empire. The Serpent Cultists, commanded by Richard, have been pursued to a temporary stronghold on the banks of a river. Here, among the trees of the jungles that cover this world, a small force of Serpentines have made a stand, intending to repulse the enemy and prevent them from breaking through and destroying an important Cult Shrine.


The Serpentines have a number of  armoured vehicles and tanks of a fearsome appearance but questionable reliability.


These vehicles dominate the centre of the battlefield and guard the approaches to the road bridge on the Ry'Hlyn right flank.

 
The Ry'Hlyn advance in the centre, supported by heavy battle droids.


On the right, Ry'Hlyn heavy weapons move to occupy a small hill overlooking the road bridge.


On their left, Ry'Hlyn infantry advance behind a screen of fearsome Trained Beasts, led by troops from a Primitive subject race.


Before long, the Beasts, bred in terrible laboratories on blighted dark worlds by Ry'Hlyn sorceror-scientists using arcane techniques cross a foot bridge to the west of the main river crossing


Here, we can see the Ry'Hlyn centre and right flank, taking up a strong firing position.


Before long, the Beasts and their Primitive commanders destroy most of the Serpentine forces on the hills to the west of the main Serpentine position.


More Serpentine troops emerge from their armoured vehicles to try and prevent the Primitives from exiting the field of battle and therefore effecting a breakthrough.


Heavy fire ftom the advanced energy weapons of the Ry'Hlyn droids and heavy weapons cause much damage to the Serpentine vehicles, eventually causing one tank to explode in a ball of lacerating fire.




As the Beasts begin to exit the field, exultant Ry'Hlyn infantry advance across the river to engage the remaining Serpentines. 


However, it is too late for the Serpentines to prevent the Ry'Hlyn army from getting the required number of troops off the table and the battle is lost.

The victorious Ry'Hlyn commanders offer up prayers and invocations to mighty Azathoth and imbue their troops with Holy Zeal. They urge their troops onwards to destroy the obscene pollution that is the Serpent Shrine.

So, that was Battle One. Because it was so one-sided, Richard and I agreed to a rematch the following Sunday.

This second battle had the Serpentines defending a small settlement with an objective representing a sacred shrine to the Serpent deity.

 
Shielding the advance of the Ry'Hlyn alien army was a small forested area.


The Ry'Hlyn advanced with the Beasts once more on the left and the main body of troops in the centre.


A small group, including heavy weapons occupied a copse on the right.

 
Here is the objective, the Serpent Shrine.


Before long, Ry'Hlyn forces had occupied the forested areas. The plan was to use the Beasts to destroy the Serpentine right flank and roll them up, with the heavy weapons of the droids taking out the accursed tanks.


Before long, the Beasts were approaching combat.


Amazingly accurate shooting by the Serpentine Cultists caused damaging hits on the Ry'Hlyn droids. This was going to be a problem.


Even worse, the heavy weapons team on the right was soon destroyed. This pretty much eradicated the threat from here.


Although the Beasts had managed to kill or drive off many of the Serpentine defenders on the Ry'Hlyn left, they were unable to completely clear the area. This wasn't going according to plan.


To make things worse, hits were mounting on the heavy droids.


 The Beasts started to gain the upper hand, but was it just too little, too late?


The Ry'Hlyn heavy weapons in the centre were also destroyed, as was one of the heavy droids. Taking the objective was beginning to look like a lost cause.




The troops on the Ry'Hlyn right began to advance in the open to try and get close to the shrine.


Unhappily, this was unsuccessful as the Serpentines managed to destroy sufficient troop stands to force the Ry'Hlyn army to break.


So, the rematch, on ground sacred to the Serpetine Cult, proved to be a disaster for the Azathoth Cult of the Ry'Hlyn Empire. Assaulting troops in built-up areas proved to be a problem for the Beasts and early damage to the heavy droids reduced their effectiveness.

Nevertheless, the two games were hugely entertaining and I am looking forward to using my Alien Imperial Ry'Hlyn in the club's forthcoming ASQL tournament.

Tuesday 7 November 2017

A date for your diaries - 26th November 2017

The Lincombe Barn Wargames Society (a.k.a. The Club) is happy to announce this year's edition of the annual Reveille II event.


This isn't the biggest event you will ever attend, but it is always a popular one and there will be the usual mix of traders, private sellers and games.

So, if you are a wargamer in the Bristol area, come on down to Lincombe Barn and spend an hour or two at the show.

Sunday 26th November 10.00-4.00pm

According to Miniature Wargames, "Reveille is a fine example of a local wargaming show. It is a friendly event, packed with traders. There are always multiple participation games to join in. "

It's at the same venue as always, Lincombe Barn Folk House, Overndale Road, Downend, Bristol, BS16 2RW 

Entry prices : Adults £3, Concessions £1.50 (under 18s, OAPs).

Here is all the information you'll want to know;

TRADER GAMES

History of Wargaming Project - The Ancient Wargame - A participation game using Tony Bath's original flat figures.
Scarab Miniatures - Zero Hour - WWI Participation Game.


VISITING CLUBS' GAMES

DOG's of War - Uncharted Seas
Abbey Wood Irregulars - Zulu War display game.
Major Brothers - '2nd Afghan War' - A display game with some participation.
Society of Gentlemen Gamers - 'The pursuit from El Alamein' - A WWII display game.
IPMS Avon - a display of models & modelling
Wings of War Aerodrome - Wings of Glory participation game


TRADERS

Magister Militum -  www.magistermilitum.co.uk
Grubby Tanks/Britannia Miniatures - www.grubbytanks.com
Reinforcements - www.reinforcements.org.uk
History of Wargaming Project - www.wargaming.co
Scarab Miniatures - www.scarabminiatures.com
Glenbrook Painting Services - a painting service to gamers and collectors, from 10 to 54mm.
Ironclad Miniatures - www.ironcladminiatures.co.uk
Great Escape Games - www.greatescapegames.co.uk
The Dicebag Lady - www.thedicebaglady.net
Warlord Games - www.warlordgames.com
Instant Armies - Pre-painted figures of various periods.
The Square - www.thesquare-wargames.co.uk
EZPainter - www.ezpainter.co.uk
Hysterical Games - www.hystericalgames.co.uk/
Pit Gaming - www.thepitgamingshop.org/
Faces of War at Bulldog Studios - https://www.facebook.com/Faces-of-War-at-Bulldog-Studios-800325530029171/
Willz Wargaming Loft - william_harley@sky.com
Ham and Jam - http://www.hamandjam.co.uk/
Andrew Wilson - 3D printed WW2 and modern tanks.


PRIVATE SELLERS ROOM

Various private sellers.


Travel directions;

Car: On the M4 motorway exit at J19 onto the M32. Exit immediately at Junction 1 of the M32. At the bottom of the sliproad go left, straight on through the Hambrook traffic lights, then bear right (signposted Downend) at the roundabout, turn first right after the Cleevewood shops.

Train: Bristol Temple Meads or Bristol Parkway (closer).

Buses: The timetables for buses in Bristol can be found at www.firstgroup.com.

Charity Contribution

This year we are raising money for the Downend Folk House Association, and St Peter's Hospice.

Please Note:

A small part of the premises are not fully accessible to those with mobility problems due to a flight of stairs. Therefore we will make no charge for entry to the show for those with such difficulties.

Local amenities;

Cashpoint: Lloyds, HSBC and the Co-op all in Badminton Rd, Downend.

Pubs: Green Dragon (Badminton Rd), Beaufort Hunt, Horseshoe, White Swan (Downend Rd), Sandringham Arms(Quakers Road).

Shops: Somerfield (Cleeve Hill Extension), Threshers (Overndale Road), the Co-op (Badminton Road), the Post Office (Quakers Road).