Sir Robert and his faithful dog Sammy

You've seen Sir Robert before as he appears as a Notable of the Grand Duchy of D'Argent.  He is based on my college roommate who introduced me to war gaming.  Rob had a much loved pet dog Sammy who sadly passed during our Junior year.

So when I picked up these Irregular Miniatures dogs at Huzzah! it was clear one of them had to be paired with Rob. The real Sammy was a Newfoundland this dog clearly not of that breed(the hair is too short) though looks like it could be a related one.

I choose to use coloring suggesting an English Mastiff because it seemed like the breed that an exiled Englishman might own.

I'm thinking maybe Sammy will give Rob a re-roll on hazard tests as Sammy protects her master or just goes for help (the real Sammy was certainly more of a lover than a fighter)

New Game: Age of Swords and Arrows

Tyler who you may or may not remember from some V&B games a year or two ago is back at the Whiz and has been working on his own game.   Its a set of rule that supposed to cover a wide range of pre-gunpowder armies.  I got to play in what was only the 4th game ever.  Its still a work in progress but the bones of a good game are there I am happy to say.

I commanded the Saxon army against Vikings I had a unit of Hosecalrs(seen above), two units of Fyrd and a unit of archers.

Fryd Ready for battle.

Mark, Tom (commanding the Vikings) and Tyler the game designer and GM.

Here come the Vikings

I dd well in the initial fight breaking a unit of Bondi with and sending the enemy general fleeing...

In fact except for the Berserkers the entire Viking army is sent to rout.  My Housecarls fight the Berserkers leading to mutual slaughter I am finally able to cover come them with a flank attack by my Fryd but that takes several turns due to the moral check need to engage Berserkers. By that time Toms entire army has recovered and counter attack to bad results well bad results from my point of view. While the game is clearly a work in progress it was also a lot of fun. 

Prussians and D'Argent at the Whiz

Adrian put together an army I decided Prussians seemed the right portrayal.  2 Elite infantry, 5 Trained infantry, 1 Conscript Infantry and 1 Elite Cavalry and two trained cavalry. National advantage were Rally to the Flag, Oblique and Steady Lads.  I did a new version of D'Argent 2 Elite Infantry, 5 trained and 1 conscript infantry, 3 Trained Cavalry and 3 guns.  I also had Rally to the Flag and Oblique but had taken Great Captain to try that advantage out.

 After Deployment Adrian realized expressed his belief that he had made a mistake not deploying the troops in the upper right in column.  I think this would have helped him.

 The initial attack rushes in on the Regiment Chevrette its a near thing but they hold.

 Adrian has his other infantry force moving around the trees on the right.

 I move in the regiment Takovics and Strike one of the Prussian grenadier units in the flank breaking them.

 We both make use of Rally to the flag and its like the previous turns battle didn't happen.

 I send regiment pressing in on the center for the fire fight hopping...

 I can win it before these guy get to my flank... (both Cavalry forts are on the left holing their position drinking brandies and smoking cigars.)

 Musket fire rips back and forth.

 I managed to break two of the Prussian regiments with musket fire...

 The fire fight goes on for several turns and slowly swings my way.

 Adrian gets his men around my flank but I have gotten Regiment Mixter into position I hold against the melee attack...

 Fire breaks the regiment after it bounces

 Cavalry is still not doing much Though Adrian did start a last minute thrust with them but it didn't get into range.

 At this point I have my men in position thought Adrian would break regiment Mixter.

 But I maneuver the Guard and Regiment DeBurre into position and break this regiment leaving Adrian with only one Infantry  and on more rout points. Adrian had a tough game but he played it out in good style.  I liked Great Captain but I am not sure its worth the points.

Animals at the Nevins Farm

So  a few months ago there was a discussion of the dificultiy of painting horses on the Maurice list. On of the theams of the discussion was that most war gamer don't see a lot of horses.  I have been seeking to remedy this for myseld with trips to the MSPCA's Nevins Farm A wonderful organization that rescues animals of all sorts, dogs, cats, and yes horses.  Ariana loves visiting so this is one aspect of my hobby she is 100% on board with. 

  Sorry fo the interviening feces and such. These horses ar in many cases learning to trust humans again so interaction are strictly controlled. This a bay(? sorry I am still not sure what you officialy call horse colors)  Note its not a uniform color and note that the mane and tail are darker.

 A solid brown horse prefect for a unit of cavalry but not the flash of white on the face and that the mane and tail are just a little darker.

 Here is a secret horses move and don't cooperate when you are trying to photo graph them.

 Each of these horses are a slightly different shade of down but close enough you could probably use on base coat and then shade differently.  Note each has small flashes of white on the face or legs

 Brown body but black tail and mane

 Not the tiny flash of white on the hid feet.

 You've seen all these before but another look never hurts.

 I was able to get closer to this horse I think this is also a bay again the color is not uniform and note the white mane and the darker and lighter patches of skin/hair on the face,  Also notice the tail is darker at the bottom then at that top (maybe because of the exposure to the light? or maybe for other reasons?)

 Ariana insisted I not just focus on the horses The Nevins rescues all animal cows.

 Goats

 Pigs

 This very hansom Border Collie

This cat is named Wash if our apartment didn't forbid animals I don't think I would have stopped Ari form trying to adopt him.  Me, having been woken up by cats attacking my feet and waking me up I just had tickle this little fellow.

Bloody Stale Mate Maurice at the Game Castle.

Harry had wanted to try Austrians so I had a packed up a force for him.  He took Oblique, Professional Train and Feudal for his national advantages.  His Army consisted of 3 trained cavalry, 6 Trained and 1 Elite Infantry, 4 irregular infantry 2 irregular Cavalry and 2 guns.  I had the standard D'Argent Mix 3 trained Cavalry, 2 Elite Infantry, 4 Trained Infantry, 2 Conscript infantry 1 irregular infantry,  and 2guns. Advantages were Oblique, Mason Du Rio and Rally to the Flag.

 Harry Built himself a formidable defensive position you sued a forest battle field as we were sick of plains.  I picked two Irregular Cavalry as my Mercenaries.

Chasseurs De Montana in the woods.

 Irregular troops lead the advance on the left flank. 

 Supported by the Cavalry I intend this attack as a feint but as a fencer I know a real feint is not  a fake attack...

 Rather its an Attack with a contingency plan...

 So I charged his Cavalry hoping to throw it back and get behind his irregulars. I had Stirrups in I figured I had a decent chance of wining and with a little luck I might double one...

 The Dice did not agree! The battle on this flank would rage for several turns sucking up cards before stabling. But I waited to long... to get my infantry into play.

 I used not on the map to lay a "water hazard" in front of Harries remaining Cavalry unit then used coordinate to move both my infantry forces.

 The Advance began... but Harry had his own ideas!

 Launching another cavalry attacked on the left forcing me to spend a couple of turns pulling the Duchess Ariana Dragoons and replcing them with Regiment Prinze Carriere

 My infantry finally moves into place over two turn of shooting I break 1 irregular infantry and 1 Regular infantry and a gun. Harry is down form 14 rout points to 11 but... time is running out

Not game time we are only in the second deck but real time its 9:00 PM and Harry's wife is calling him home.  I launch on more Cavalry attack that is as indecisive as the rest and we agree to call it a draw. Harry has learned a lot since his last game and this Austrian force mix seems to work for him. I expect to face swarms of irregulars again.