Latest dispatches from the interweb report a new gentleman's club for discussion by those Imagineers much attached to their Electors, Emperors and all manner of Imagined Upstarts. Generous spaces have been set aside for both the Old School and Classic gamer, Authors and Philosophers engaged in the further advancement of the Rules of War and uniform Outfitter's and Sutlers. Historical gamers who insist on lashing of lace on their figures are to be encouraged and very welcome indeed.

our eager staff are always ready to help

Only gentlemen of good standing, polite and courteous should apply, failing that cads and bounders of a polite and courteous disposition may also be permitted to enter providing they be honour bound to behave themselves.

well dressed bounders may apply

To view and become a member of THE ODD FELLOWS WARGAMING LOUNGE simply click the underlined coloured text.

trio off odd fellows discuss the latest rules while play testing continues at the table

Thank you for your time.

Thanks, Frank!

Lords and Ladies!

*Great* news from Minden for all of us wishing for such miniatures for their skirmish games and / or for characters of their Imagi-Nation: the 'Willie' from the 'Hunt' set, their 'Old school charm' notwithstanding, show the age (50 years) of their sculpting. And an enlarged choice is always good!

Ideally the very same minis should be available on foot and mounted, as was generally done for the 'dungeon adventurers' of old. Frank?

For us, perhaps an opportunity to get news of the Duchess of Saschen-Vindow and the (vile) Stagonian Queen Mother?

PS: Blogger does not adjust the photos to the size of the window? A new bug? Open the images in a new tab or window to see the whole of them. Grrrrr

A quiet corner of the forum world

I hope I'm not overstepping the mark gentlemen, ladies. I would like to advise you of a quiet corner in which, those who wish, may discuss our imaginative world in relative peace. A place for those who don't like the hurley burley and excessive interruptus of the larger forums the "rum corp tavern" (das Rum Armee Taverne) has opened a section for Imagineering types to walk the talk.

Thank you for your time
Izzak the Chronicler

Mini-Campaigns Re-born

Back in early February I issued a "Mini-Campaign Challenge" for short campaigns using Charles Grant's various Campaign Scenarios.  Today another mini-campaign has been added . . . so I am reprising the list so that all of us can re-visit them and give them a try.

The most recent offering (listed first below) is from Prince Lupus.

Below are links (in the blog name) to responses so far to my call for "Mini-Campaigns" based on linking scenarios from Charles Grant's "Scenarios for Wargames".

What I think strikes me most about them is how different their choices and paths are . . . they should provide much fun for those who play them.

I would ask that if you play them, please post feedback on the creator's blogs . . . again, the URL links are in parentheses below.

After the initial scenario, those following are not in order since most chose the "tree" format where the result of the scenario affected which scenario was played next . . . so don't look at them as being in sequence . . . in fact, depending upon the results of various scenarios, not all will be played in any one campaign.

Note -- I will continue to endeavor to add future "mini-campaigns" to this post as they arrive.



Prince Lupus (The Wars of Wine & Cheese) is our newest entry with his Imagi-Nation mini-campaign

•  initial scenario -- #40 Dominant Hill
• other scenario -- #6 Rear Guard
• other scenario -- #19 Assault River Crossing
• other scenario -- #1 Positional Defense
• other scenario -- #14 Reinforcing a Town

Steve (Steve-the-Wargamer) set his three-scenario Mini-Campaign in 1705 during the War of Spanish Succession:

• initial scenario -- #9 Attack on the Camp
• next scenario -- #3 Holding Action (1)
• final scenario -- #16 Reinforcements in Defense (2) off table

Peter Douglas (The Single Handed Admiral) set his "Barolo" campaign in an "Emperor vs Elector" setting:

• initial scenario -- #20 Reserve Demolition
• other scenario -- #21 Bridgehead Breakout
• other scenario -- #13 Last Stand
• other scenario -- #19 Assault River Crossing
• other scenario -- #16 Reinforcements in Defense (2) off table
• other scenario -- #18 River Crossing
• other scenario -- #1 Positional Defense (1)
• other scenario -- #15 Reinforcements in Defense (1) on table

Ross Macfarlane (Battle Game of the Month) set his "Comox Valley Campaign" in a Colonial (or Ancients) setting . . . but it could be played as Horse & Musket too:

• initial scenario -- #30 Ambush (1)
• other scenario -- #4 Holding Action (2)
• other scenario -- #13 Last Stand
• other scenario -- #3 Holding Action (1)
• other scenario -- #34 Swampland Action
• other scenario -- #32 Wagon Train
• other scenario -- #33 Convoy Action (2) -- Evacuation
• other scenario -- #42 Advance Column

Jim Pitts (Col Campbell's Barraks) has posted his "Linked Mini-Campaign" on his blog. Like most it has a flexible order, so don't take these scenarios as being in order.

• initial scenario -- #41 Chance Encounter
• other scenario -- #3 Holding Action (1)
• other scenario -- #4 Holding Action (2)
• other scenario -- #1 Positional Defense (1)
• other scenario -- #2 Positional Defense (2)
• other scenario -- #5 Rear Guard (1)
• other scenario -- #6 Rear Guard (2)

Conrad Kinch (Joy and Forgetfulness) has posted his 1804 mini-campaign based on a British force in France trying to fight its way to safety with yet a different starting scenario.

• initial scenario -- #42 Advance Column
• other scenario -- #50 Horse and Foot
• other scenario -- #8 Dead Ground
• final scenario -- #6 Rear Guard (2)

Ed Youngstrom (Landgraviate of Hesse-Fedora) started his "Ladder" campaign using the "Table Top Teaser" from Battlegames Magazine, then used Grant's "Scenarios for All Ages" to complete his "ladder".

• initial scenario -- (Mag) Pontoon
• other scenario -- (Ages) Rearguard
• other scenario -- (Ages) Assault on Prepared Position
• other scenario -- (Ages) Hot Pursuit
• other scenario -- (Ages) Chance Encounter
• other scenario -- (Ages) Making the Best of a Bad Job

Dr. Vesuvius (The Axis of Naughtiness) used Grant's "Programmed Wargames Scenarios" for his "Continuing Diplomacy" mini-campaign for solo play!

• initial scenario -- (PWS) #11 Crossroads
• other scenario -- (PWS) #18 A Hasty Blocking Position
• other scenario -- (PWS) #5 The Weak Flank
• other scenario -- (PWS) #1 Hill Line Defense
• other scenario -- (PWS) #7 Two Sides of a River
• other scenario -- (PWS) #6 Crossing Point
• other scenario -- (PWS) #8 Fighting Through
• other scenario -- (PWS) #9 Island Stand

Ross Macfarlane (Battle Game of the Month) has also posted a Horse & Musket mini-campaign for solo gamers using Grant's "Programmed Wargames Scenarios". Interestingly enough it also starts with the same scenario as Dr. Vesuvius' mini-campaign above . . . although it then proceeds differently.

• initial scenario -- (PWS) #11 Crossroads
• possible scenario -- (PWS) #1 Hill Line Defense
• possible scenario -- (PWS) #2 Broken Ground
• possible scenario -- (PWS) #3 Pass Clearance
• possible scenario -- (PWS) #5 The Weak Flank
• possible scenario -- (PWS) #6 Crossing Point
• possible scenario -- (PWS) #7 Two Sides of a River
• possible scenario -- (PWS) #8 Fighting Through
• possible scenario -- (PWS) #9 Island Stand
• final scenario -- (PWS) #4 Holding Action

Conrad Kinch (Joy and Forgetfulness) has also crated a "Table Top Teaser" mini-campaign using Charles S. Grant's original "teasers" as published in magazines back in the late 1970's. Fortunately Steve-the-Wargamer has (with permission) posted these online so that anyone can use them without needing Grant's later Scenario books.

• initial scenario -- (TTT) #3 The Advance Guard Action
• second scenario -- (TTT) #5 The Dawn Attack
• third scenario -- (TTT) #10 Rear Guard
• possible scenario -- (TTT) #4 Hold Up in the Badlands
• possible scenario -- (TTT) #8 The Hasty Defense and Relief of a Town Additionally Cesar Alfredo Paz has created another "Mini-Campaign" using "Table Top Teasers" which is available here.
  

-- Jeff

Looking for a few more Followers

Advance token on the Reading Railroad to the Fife & Drum Miniatures Blog and sign up as a "Follower" on the blog. Each month I will make a random drawing from the list of Followers and the winner will receive a $50.00 certificate good for the purchase of any Fife & Drum Miniatures.

British Brigade of Guards on the march for Fife & Drum Miniatures

Fife & Drum Miniatures Blog

The elves are working on the moulds for the artillery equipment and crew, so it shouldn't be too long before they arrive across the pond from Old Blighty.

Next in the queue: Continental infantry in hunting shirts and tricorne hats (plus some head sprues so that you can make your own hat conversions).

No time for crying

Almost simultaneously to the dramatical military setback experienced at Montblanc battle --whose two parallel scenarios were proxy gamed and thoroughly reported at MurdocK's MarauderS blogsite--, the authorities of our what-if Principality have already started the process of raising a new regiment. This will eventually fill the void left by one of the two veteran units destroyed at Montblanc --albeit partially, for there's no real replacement for a lost tough, battle-hardened regiment through conscription...

More details on the new unit in this posting. Comments and suggestions welcome!

3rd Montblanc AAR

General Bellver of Catalonia

The proxy battle for Defiant Principality has been played out and the AAR will soon be posted to MurdocK's MarauderS.

Montblanc AAR - Proxy Report

Spanish Guard (seen here - looking exceeding Russian) brush aside Catalonian Horse north of Montblanc.

For full report see MurdocK's MarauderS

Begging your assistance

Due to reasons explained at my own Imagi-Nation's blog, my Defiant Principality project is risking to sink if I can't meet some help for sorting out a bad period I'm currently experiencing. Please read this post to know.

Welcome Home Jeff!

Greetings From Mafrica

General Pettygree: "Report doctor."

Dr. Watson: "Jeff is out of hospital recovering Sir."

General Pettygree: "Thank God. Singularly prodigious - what."

"May God be with you and may his face shine upon you!"

Padre Michael, Dongolo, Mafrica.

Col. Villainovich: "Did you hear Consul General?"
Kuragin (right): "Da. Jeff is back in his dacha recovering. Let's drink to that!"

Consul General Graham Day: "Well done Jeff. Stop by for tea when able."

Mr. Wyatt: "Huzzahs and best wishes from us at the Dongolo, Consulate."

Fort Grant, Mafrica

Rose: "It's only been a little more than a fortnight and he is back home in his stable."

Annie (left): "This is wonderful news. We love you Jeff!"

Lt. Col. Lawford: "There he is. Let's invite him to dinner soon."

Countess Alexandra: "Jeff darlink, please honour us with your presence as soon as we return from Terra Incognita. You must bring your lovely dear 'vife too."

Greetings From Germania

"I'll dispatch your problem with two pistol shots! Come closer so I can help."

Colonel Enigma, Gallian Army, Frankfurt Am Main

Lady Pettygree: "Hello JEFF! We'll be in Frankfurt Am Main again soon."

Lady Cherish Masquerade: "Oh do come to town. We'll have a party; a masquerade ball don't you think Diana with Jeff as the guest of honour. July perhaps?

Lady Pettygree: "Till then dear, get better soon. God bless you and your wife."

----------
Get well soon Jeff!
Respectfully,
Bill

Post Rider - Bluebear Jeff Update

Greetings again my fellow imaginarians!

I come bearing good news of Jeff.

He has recovered much of his strength and when I visited him today (Sunday May 13) I met him standing in the hallway of the recovery ward, he had decided to take a walk and we met just around the corner from the elevators and his room.

We had a good 45 minute conversation, where I left him with all your good wishes (from the earlier posting) and did a short update with him about the blog.

Jeff thanks you all for your kind words and good feeling energies that were sent his way, keep sending them were his comments.

Lani, Ms Bluebear as some have called her, also had a message sent out today:

Jeff may get to come home on Tuesday ... everything is starting to work.

Thank you all so very very much for all that you have done and your thoughts and prayers there are no words to adequately express my gratitude.

Jeff was also willing to let me snap a photo and I share it here to round out the posting.

The Bluebear

 

Defense of the Bridge of Pultusk

Duchy of Mieczyslaw has successfully defended the bridge and ford of Pultusk against the Russo-Boyar invasion forces.