28mm/32mm Parisian Terrain from Malifaux

As mentioned elsewhere, I find the conceptual execution of the world of Malifaux difficult to follow: I understand the desire to place their setting in a Victorian-inspired parallel world, I just find the models too over-the-top, Steampunk-plus-Outre, to be of any use for my In Her Majesty's Name games - except their urban terrain.

One thing, at least, that the folks at Custome Meeple get, is the necessity of dressing a city like a city. Please pardon the truism, which I think is merited, because that self-same truism seems missed by a sizable percentage of hobby manufacturers. As far as I can tell, only Wyrd/Malifaux offers stuff like:

City Bench with Light Post (aka Dollhouse Bench*).  
Where does one wait for the Omnibus? Restaurants and Taverns were popular stops for the Omnibus, but evidence of the embarkation points seems scarce. Where on the Place de la Concorde does one get picked up? At the Obelisk? At one of the Fontaines? Which one?  

Bench by Custom Meeple, lamp by Old Glory.

With this simple MDF bench and light post, and perhaps a simple ticket kiosk nearby, we have the answer.

Bench; Custom Meeple, Lamp; Old Glory, Miniature; Warlord Games

There were some issues with this model: there was no lamp post provided. Custom Meeple included three flat, amber, Lucite disks for the lamps, which I set aside for some other project. I used a round plastic coffee stirrer and my own lamp from Old Glory to finish both models.  

That said; selling an incomplete kit? Shame on you, Custom Meeple.

Park Flower Beds and Fountain (aka Curmudgeon Square Parterre*)
Going for a stroll in le Jardin des Plantes? Perhaps a secret meeting near Le Ménagerie? Custom Meeple helps make this possible with these MDF formal garden beds. Four garden beds, lined with cut stone, are included, along with a small fountain/birdbath. 

Small planters by Custom Meeple, miniature by Warlord Games

City Tree Planters (Dollhouse* Tree Planter)
Another must-have for late 19th century city-scapes, at least those influenced by Paris, is the Boulevard line of trees. These MDF planters are just the thing to bring refreshing air and shade for those promenading along the avenues and boulevards. My trees are Woodland Scenics 1517 Dark Green, selected for the smaller footprint, which are then glued to a metal base, and covered in scenic dirt.

Planter by Custom Meeple, Tree by Woodland Scenics

Advertising Column (aka Malifaux Millbank Street Morris Column)
Named after Gabriel Morris, the leading advertising printer in France during the Second Empire, these columns were introduced to keep advertising bills (or billets) off the buildings and onto the column. These don't seem to have caught on much in the UK or USA, so they are one of those little items that makes a Parisian street all the more so.

I don't actually have the Custom Meeple version - I had a couple from Alien Lab (in Poland) via eBay. The shape seems more in line for 1890s Paris, and as it was resin, and not MDF, I didn't need to build it.

Note to you resin casters out there - Resin is still faster, cheaper, and doesn't smell of formaldehyde.

Notes:
Despite Custom Meeple/Malifaux being closer to the 32mm Heroic Scale, unlike their buildings, these 19th Century urban terrain bits work well with 28mm scale from manufacturers like Foundry, Northstar and Old Glory.

*The marketing for this line is targeted for Malifaux players, so Custom Meeple can perhaps be forgiven for the arcane Line associations. The Dollhouse is actually a 28/32mm Victorian Mansion.

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28mm French Buildings from MBA

WIP - A Quiet Street in Paris...

(Editor's Note: this article was written in March 2021 and delayed due to circumstances beyond my control...)

Setting a miniatures scenario in Fin de Siècle* Paris poses several challenges of Victorian London or late 19th century New York City; the details of building styles, materials and even décor of La Dame de Paris are visually different that her Brittanic or American counterparts.

(Fin de Siècle* is the 1880s and 1890s, because using the term "Victorian Paris" just seems a bit odd, n’est-ce pas?)

Paris in the 1870s had just undergone the Haussman Reforms - many of the narrow, medieval-style streets had been demolished and straightened, and the new broad avenues (often tarmacked to deprive the Parisian mob easy access to paving stones) cut, not without coincidence, straight as a cannon shot through the metropole, linking the great monuments and palaces in a harmony of civil engineering.

Paris is a grey city. Granite and limestone facades, marble adornments, and gypsum "Plaster-of-Paris" create that unique, dreamy pale-and-cream grey that characterises Paris and makes her a favourite of 19th and 20th century artists. So, away with the red brick, which evokes 19th century Philadelphia or Chicago; gone the yellow brick so beloved of Georgian London or York. What we're looking for now is granite and limestone, and gypsum plaster stucco - the last possibly coloured with some added tinctures to relieve the monotonie grise.

To start, here are three European/French-style 25mm/28mm buildings by The Miniature Building Authority: 

Restaurant
The Dinner Clubs were an integral part of Parisian intellectual life, as political assemblies were banned under the Second Empire. Victor Hugo, Emile Zola and other influential intellectuals were usually members of one or more of these clubs.

28mm miniature by Artizan

A detached building. Size 7" x 4", with a 2" x 2 ½" extension , two floors, with a hipped roof. Suggests a rear allotment or back yard, stone, stuccoed walls are needed.

Outdoor dining was relatively uncommon in 19th century European cities, where the urbanites were more likely to visit the local suburban gardens and parks and either purchase food from vendors, or have an impromptu picnic. Still, for any Al Fresco advocates, the more Bohemian artists would enjoy dîner à l’extérieur on occasion, but usually in the back yard/allotment, away from the dust, dirt and odors of the street.

Cafe
A more purely urban building than the Restaurant, due to the clean gable ends. Size: 4 ¼" x 5", three stories. This model will go nicely as part of a row of houses along the street. I will probably use this model as a bakery (boulangerie), because in Paris, ya gotta have bread.

Cafe 

Caretan House
Caretan is found on the Normandy Coast, hence the model isn't taken from a Parisian design. That's not a problem, since - despite the windows on the gables, the ends are clean, and its size, 4" x 6", two stories, allowing for placement next to the Cafe/Boulangerie, probably as a working-class residence.
 

Caretan House - Front

Caretan House - Back

All of the MBA buildings listed here do well for 19th century Paris - dormer windows are a must. I'm still on the lookout for: The Patisseri and the Corner Shop(s).

Also from MBA. some 19th century street lamps. These were pre-painted, which is welcome. I might drag a dry brush of dark grey across the post to bring out the detail. 

These are out of production. I'm not sure why so many of Miniature Building Authority's European line is OOP. Perhaps the moulds were lost in China?

Notes:

All of these MBA buildings were supplied more-or-less painted, but each could do with some cleanup and dry-brushed highlighting. 

The scale is very much the smaller, non-"heroic" scale - which I usually refer to as "25mm/28mm". Larger 28mm/32mm scale buildings will not fit well with these, as I will demonstrate in the next, upcoming post.

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The Apaches of Paris

Les Apaches de Paris was an urban criminal gang movement, which flourished at the Fin du Siècle in France's largest city and capital. Their specialty was violent crime, often targeting the bourgeoisie with assault, mugging and other, more sordid, crimes.

From Le Petit Journal, via Wikipedia

Apaches battle Paris Police 14 August 1904

 

 The term was coined in 1907 by journalist Victor Moris, in describing the furious war between two rival gangs. For their part, Les Apaches embraced their nom de guerre, battling both police and each other with equal enthusiasm. Their worker's areas in the outer regions of Paris became a no-go area for the police, and upon nightfall, they seemed to rule the city.

The cover of Le Petit Journal from October 1907, depicting a "classic" French Apache - clad in working class flat cap, neck scarf, workman's short jacket, striped shirt/vest, and a red sash. The red sash was a well-known symbol of the Worker's Revolution.


Miniature Sources

While this is not a particularly fertile ground for miniatures manufacturers, there are several sets of minis that will serve for Les Apaches:

Brigade Games: River Pirates. I painted up a batch of these a few years back.
The three chaps in the centre would work well - the one in the middle is spot on.

Figures by Brigade Games

Northstar Miniatures: Anarchists. These were originally released (in part) as the Brick Lane Commune for In Her Majesty's Name. They're now available from North Star in smaller packs. The knife-wielding figures are particularly good.

Figures by North Star Miniatures

Old Glory: London Thugs. I've just placed an order for these; once they arrive, I'll put up a picture for size comparison purposes. Old Glory has a lot of miniatures, and often, the photo is either not very good or lacking altogether. This one is taken from the OG website and is rather good: 

Figures by Old Glory Miniatures

Again, the figures in short jackets and worker's caps look spot on. Adding the odd revolver or "Apache Gun" (a barrel-less revolver with a shiv attached) would complete the look.

I'll be working on painting up some of these, hopefully before Christmas. Probably....

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28mm Werewolf Hunters from Old Glory

Figures and warehouse by Old Glory

The first finished Victorian-era miniatures of 2020* are from the Old Glory/Blue Moon "Things that go Bump in the Night" line: I had a Howling Good Time.

Figures and warehouse by Old Glory

Ye gods and little fishes!, as my grandmother would say; these were both a chore and a delight to paint. I purchased this box set because I like the style of the ladies, and wanted some models for my Trieste Company for In Her Majesty's Name. The ladies were indeed fun and rewarding to paint, but I found the male figures difficult and a bit frustrating, especially the gypsy-like character.

Figures and warehouse by Old Glory

All of the models have good detail, excellent proportions, and decent animation. The ladies especially have a nice style.  The male figures are rather "busy", with shirts, belts, vests, packs, jackets, hats, scarfs, etc. Due to some of the odd accouterments, combined with the civilian portrayal, I found it difficult to tell exactly *what* was being depicted by the sculptor. The box art was helpful, (though not as helpful as I would have liked) and I'm fair pleased with the result.

Figures and warehouse by Old Glory

As with the Sleepy Hollow set, I yielded to the impulse to paint these models' bases as though they were game pieces - packaged as they are as a stand alone game (Nota bene; the one-page rules were absent...again.)

I'm adding another category for rating miniature figures; relate-ability. If I have to guess at what the sculptor was intending, the relate-ability rating goes down.

Animation: 4.5

Detail: 5

Proportions: 5

Relate-ability: 4

Variety:5

Overall: 4.75 out of 5

Also included in the set are several werewolves, which I set aside, lost and found again. I plan on painting these up in the near future, as part of an IHMN/1889 Gothic game.

- finis -

*Point of clarification: I started painting these several years ago, at least as far back as 2016. As I mentioned, the male figures were a chore.

"Geste et Geste. Nil Separatum Est"

Starting off, I'd like to apologise for the lengthy gap is posts.  Sorry about that.  I've been very busy working on a 7TV game set in 1970 Philadelphia, and have been conducting research and making visits into the same. I should be able to work up a crossover scenario or two for the Victorian (or at least Edwardian) era as a result.

In fact, it was due to the dearth of posts that I decided to pick up some of Askari Miniatures "Beau Geste" personality miniatures.  At least give'em a review. I'm also working on finishing some of the Martian Trieste Company miniatures for IHMN/S:1889. Now on to Fort Zinderneuf:

Ali Ibn Maurer and Askari miniatures have done an excellent job in capturing the personalities of the protagonists of "The Last Remake of Beau Geste", which is, of itself, a film that is perhaps, more funny than not. Rumour has it that constant studio interference dulled the humour, and having seen the film years ago, I'm inclined to agree.  That said, the figures are excellent.

Figures by Askari Miniatures

Animation: 4.5

Detail: 5

Proportions: 5

Variety:5

Overall: 4.75 out of 5

The only missing item is the Ann-Margaret miniature.

- finis - 

"Sédition dans le Souk!" IHMN:1889 for the French on Mars

Sédition dans le Souk (WIP)

The noted French anarchist, Julius Sébastien Lazare, is rumoured to be on Mars. French Constabulary, acting on information from the Martian Office of the Súreté, are searching a native Martian market square in Idæus Fons for clues to the rapscallion's whereabouts. The inspectors are backed up with some muscle from the native Gendarmes.

The Native Market at Idæus Fons

This will be a clues/information gathering game with occasional outbursts of native resistance. The closer the player-inspecteurs get to collaring Lazare, the greater the likelyhood of a violent confrontation.

Updates soon.

Cheshire Circus from Brigade Games

After a dismal posting record for 2016, my New Year's resolution is to post at least once a month in 2017, for both my miniature wargame blogs. This will include works-in-progress.

Cheshire Family Circus from Brigade Games

For the next IHMN project on my table, the Cheshire Circus Family from Brigade Games was selected to represent a "Cirque de Sang", which will be troubling my Police Métropolitaine de Paris.

Sword Swallower, Fool, Strongman, Ringmaster

The English-style Cheshire Circus was selected because it more closely represents a European circus, especially with the "Punchinello-esque Fool/Clown and the "Arabian" characters of the Knife-thrower and Strong man.

Knive Thrower, Jester, Juggler

 Miniatures are cleanly cast, with good detailing and animation. 

Bearded Lady, 2-headed Man, Contortionist

These miniatures also work for any period from the 19th Century to the mid-late 20th, and thus will be performing double-duty, as part of a 7TV adventure on my Sci-Fi Blog.

Brigade Games Cheshire Family Circus
Animation: 4.5
Detail: 4.5
Proportions: 4
Variety: 5
Overall: 4.5 out of 5

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Société Impériale Martien de Trieste

Here's a little writeup, designed to introduce the Hapsburgs into Space 1889/IHMN

The Imperial Martian Society of Trieste is an Austrian commercial enterprise, based in Trieste, and offers passenger and cargo service between Trieste and Mars.  This is often through leased tonnage on British, French, Russian or German ether flyers.

The Austrian Government is primarily concerned with thwarting Russian ambitions in the Balkans, and as a result of this lack of interest, Austria has no territorial concessions on Mars. Austrian commercial factors trade through the Martian enclaves of friendly countries, especially Prussia, Russia, Britain and France. The Martian Trade consists of exported foodstuffs such as wheat, rice and flour and finished goods such as metal tools and cookware. The Trieste Company also trades (by special order) in heavy machinery: locomotives, boilers, pump and drive engines.  

The Trieste Company is currently looking toward expanding their interest in the Hesperian/Cimmerian Basin, an area relatively untouched by the other Great Powers.

Troops: The Trieste Company has few regular troops, instead relying upon hired irregular bands of Hesperian or Cimmerian Canal Martians, commanded by officers of the Royal and Imperial (KuK) Austrian Navy, along with some mounted contingents. These are occasionally stiffened by a company or platoon of sailors from the Imperial (KuK) Austrian Navy.
 
Uniform: Crewmen and Officers wear a version of the Imperial Austrian Postal uniform (itself based on the army pattern): dark blue tunic with light blue trousers and a low-crowned shako. Working/field order consists of a white, naval-style jumper with a white field cap or dark blue beret.

Weaponry: Single-shot breechloaders (M1867 Werndl/Holub) or Lorenz rifled muskets for the European troops. Pattern 1842 Augustin muskets or rifled muskets for company/martian troops. 

Miniatures available: Any good Martian figure for the local troops. Any good late 19th century Austrian sailors for the "on loan" company troops. Use Austrian naval officer miniatures for the Postmaster/Officers.

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Additional French Law Enforcement for IHMN

Juggling projects: here are three more models for my IHMN French Police.

Chief Inspector Dupin. A very nice miniature by Artizan Designs (PLP063 - Gaspar Toucan) in their Thrilling Tales line, and captures a certain Suchet-ness, n'est pas? The bow tie and handkerchief are actually a deep pink, which the camera was unable to capture.

Next are two of the Parroom Miniatures Victorians range (VEP_12). The line is currently on hiatus, so neither of these latter miniatures is presently available.

Parroom Assassin. I was painting the face of this model when I suddenly realised what it was (probably) supposed to be - a certain anarchist with a Vendetta. If the line ever goes back into production, I might buy this mini again and paint him with his "Guy Fawkes" face. He would be fun to chase across the roof-tops of Paris.

Assassin and Anarchist

Parroom Anarchist. My least favourite miniature of the three. A hunched, closed off miniature makes for very little character and rather difficult to paint satisfactorily.  The round, black bomb is neat. The non-descript nature of the model was doubtless intentional, and for an IHMN game, I would allow this model to blend into the crowd, only to spring out and hurl his bomb at any player's or passing Austrian Arch-Duke's miniatures.

-finis-

Incident at a Martian Farmhouse: IHMN 1889

Megz and I had our first test run of In Her Majesty's Name.   Since I don't have enough dedicated figures for my desired factions, I decided to try a scenario set on Mars in the universe of Space:1889.

The Mad Guru: Incident at a Martian Farm House

(This scenario is based on the Mad Mullah scenario from Soldier's Companion, using the "Bring Him Back Alive" objectives from In Her Majesty's Name.)

British authorities in Syrtis Major have learned of a new Martian rhabmahg, or holy-man, named Sootamon Khal, who has been preaching the end of British rule in the Syrtis Lapis region. The Intelligence office in Syrtis Major orders the Royal Martian Constabulary to bring in this "turbulent fakir'...

Acting on a tip, a section of Martian constabulary, led by their sergeant and a political-wallah, make their way to the isolated farmhouse where Sootamon Khal is rumoured to be staying.  They make their approach just before sunrise...

(Of course, the Martians know the British are coming - they've been tipped off by any number of sympathisers working near or within the ranks of the constabulary...)

Crown Forces

Type	Pluck	FV	SV	SPD	Equipment	Talents	Cost
Lt. Bertie	3+	+1	+1	6”	Pistol Sword	Stealthy Leadership 2	28
Sgt. Arglux	3+	+1	+1	6”	Breechload Rifle Bayonet	Bayonet Drill Leadership 1	30
8 Native Constables	4+	0	+1	6”	Breechload Rifle Bayonet	Bayonet Drill	161
							219

Crown Objectives: Capture or disable the "Mad Guru" and bring him to Red Newgate in Syrtis Major, to be detained at Her Majesty's Pleasure.

Martian Forces

Type	Pluck	FV	SV	Speed	Equipment	Talents	Cost
Sootamon Khal	3+	+1	0	6	Staff	Fanatic Inspirational Leadership 2	34
Khalifam Arsdulla	3+	+1	+1	6”	Pistol Sword	Leadership 1	17
5 Bodyguards	4+	0	+1	6”	Rifled Muskets  Fighting Knife	Fanatic	95
5 Bodyguards	4+	+1	0	6”	Swords and Spears	Fanatic	75
							221

Martian Objectives: Protect Sootamon Khal from the aliens, disable the earthman leader, defend the farm house.

Turn 1: The constabulary troops crept up to a ridge behind the farmhouse.  No sign of activity was observed..

"Dice are rolling - the knives are out..."

Turn 2: Perhaps fearing an ambush, the advancing troopers began to move to their own right flank.  Suddenly, a shot rang out, followed by another and puffs of black powder smoke issued from the near farmhouse windows.  One constable went down. It was a trap, after all.

(The muskets the Martians were using only had an 18" range, and as the constables began to shift to flank the farm house, they were moving out of range. The Martian sentries decided to take a chance...)

Turn 3: The troopers were split into three groups - two had crossed the open ground and were now in the high weeds behind the farmhouse, while the rest of formed a ragged line and fired at the martian musketmen popping up on the farm house roof.  From atop the steep hillock, Lt. Bertie encouraged the lads with shouts of "get on with it, then..."

At one point, a Martian bullet found our Bertie, and I thought we had the Red Offworlders without a leader, but he was saved by his "Stealthy" skill, and survived to move, prudently, to better cover.

They've winged Bertie! Or is he laying doggo?

Martian casualties mount...

Turn 4: Clashing their spears upon their breastplates, a band of five Martians charged out of the crop fields on the far side of the farm house. The constables attempt to fall back and form ranks.

Martian cutters burst out from the bundu...

Turn 5: Harassed by sporadic fire from the farmhouse, the constables form a ragged firing line, while the Martian cutters close in.

Turn 6: Contact. Despite their desperate fire, the constables couldn't break the Martian charge (a volley fire rule here wouldn't go amiss). The band of cutters would have their chance for revenge.

Turn 7: Melee. The cutters drop four of the constabulary, while losing only two of their own.  Victory is within our grasp. However, on turn 8, some hot dice rolls on Megz's part turn the tide of battle against us.

Turn 9: Sootamon flees.  While the Martians had inflicted some serious damage on the colonial constabulary, Sootamon decided to take no chances, and slips out through the back garden.

"Right lads, off we go!"

It actually took the Khal three turns to flee the farm house and exit the map - the Constabulary were caught up in the melee and were unable to interfere.  The Hunt for the Mad Mullah would have to continue...

Post Game Thoughts:

I LIKE these rules. They are excellent for a small-scale engagement, move quickly and give a good result. This scenario felt like a skirmish level Soldier's Companion game.  The lack of morale rule is a minor issue, and it would be easy to set a morale test level for a warband - say 50 - 75% casualties, or when a leader catches it. In fact, most of the Soldier's Companion morale modifiers can be imported with little conversion.

Some other minor mods might be a modifier for the target charging straight at the firer, possily with a pluck roll to have the shooter stand fast.

British firepower was telling (as it should be), with Martian muskets firing every other turn. The Martians had an advantage in melee, but there were still constables shooting while the melee raged, and eventually, the Martial cutters either fled, surrendered, or were shot down.

Because the miniatures are individually configurable, it's possible to give some specific flavour to the units, and therefor, the scenario.  The slightly sneaky Lt. Bertie being just one example.

I'm looking forward to introducing In Her Majesty's Name to the Friday Night Pals, soon.

Coddling CHOP! to the FACE!

 - finis -