Space: 1889 - Soldier's Companion Playtest

Less of a playtest and more of a refresher, as Soldier's Companion was our ruleset of choice for gaming most any colonial scenario - even, or especially, above The Sword and the Flame.  I know that there are die-hard Bromheads out there, and the best of luck to 'em, we just didn't like TSATF.

Memory informed me that the Martians had a very difficult time standing up to Imperial troops so the scenario we set up had the Martians defending an outwork of a larger fortress.  I've been working on a campaign centred on the city-state of Shastapsh (pron "Shasta-pssshhhh") so the troops used reflected this.

Meepsoor Fencibles

Moeris Lacus Infantry

Native Martian Redoubt

Native Reserves

Moeris Lacus Infantry supported by 
Royal Artillery and Meepsoors

Native Martians charge "our" Martians...

...with expected results.

Imperial troops seize the Ravellin!

Royal Artillery played by Old Minifigs

Play up! Play Up!

After about a 12 year break, I’ve found myself drawn back into 19^th century colonial wargaming.  This was my first love, having watched as a youngster the exploits of the 24^th Foot in the film Zulu Dawn.  Rather than shoe-horn a new era and scale (I liked 25mm back in those days) into my sci-fi gaming blog Tempests in a Teapot, I’m decided to launch this companion blog.

This blog will cover British Colonial as well as Victorian Science Fiction – there won’t be much Steampunk, as I’m not a big fan of dystopia. The notion that our own worst enemy is ourselves may well be true, but that’s not what I’m looking for in Victorian Sci-Fi.

I favour the desperate last stands, the final bullet, the trumpet’s clarion call ringing above temples to foreign gods. The bugle as it sounds Last Post and Chorus...with the occasional big, honking steam tank thrown in for good measure.

So, play up, play up and shake the dice for sixes.