Preparing for Market Day

Supplies are arriving for my "Sédition dans le Souk!" IHMN game, scheduled for the Christmas break.  Today, I received the 28mm Town Square Fountain from Rob Rumfelt at Novus Design Studio.

Fountain by Novus Design, 25mm Bobby by Grenadier

This is my second fountain from Novus Design - I like that they arrive finished (just need a shot of dull-cote - make sure you cover and protect the "water") and ready for play. Looks like they're darkening the plastic/resin for the stonework, which suits me. The good folks at Novus might consider in future of offering their product in two or three shades of stone. This would reduce potential need for painting the stone.

Also received today is the "Sandy Cobblestones" mat from Mats By Mars.  This was a lucky break, as I wanted something to represent the cobbling of a Martian city (or Egyptian), and for less than $20 for a 2' x 2' square, the price was right. This is my second mat from Mats by Mars, and I'll certainly be buying again in the near future.

Market Square with "Sandy Cobblestone" Mat by Mars

In the case of both these products, the item went from ordered to my doorstep in under a week. That's gold-star service. Well done, Novus Design Studio and Mats by Mars.

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"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.

WIP - French Cloudship on Mars

Ironclad Miniatures in the UK have a nifty small Martian Cloudship available that I'm modifying for use by the French on Mars.

To begin, the French colony doesn't have the ship building capacity which the British enjoy in Syrtis Major. With a limited ability to build modern aerial gunboats, the authorities in Idaeus Fons must improvise, and the French-Martian Colonial Airfleet is comprised mostly of native, wooden designs in French service.

Resin bits by Ironclad Miniatures

Since my cloudship was going to be retrofitted with steam, dans la méthode des Américains, I wanted extra space for the steam engine, so I replaced the deck supplied with a new deck, cut from light balsa and basswood. The lower hull will remain the same, save for the addition of an air-screw or two.

Miniatures by Askari

Depicted for the reader's gentle delectation are four French Naval artillerymen, from Askari Miniatures. I am debating placing a half-height deck house/covered hatch in the centre, but have yet to find a model I like....

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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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Elves as Steppe Martians

Hat-tip: The Miniatures Page

Picture from Combat Zone Chronicles:

 Here's a link to a nice article by Canadian wargame enthusiast Gisby, proving that when the main miniature manufacturer let's them down, the Fans Will Find a Way:

http://combatzonechronicles.net/cozoxc/1889.htm

Well done, Gisbs!

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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!

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Legio Skorosiam

Just finished to 95% (once again, I still need to put it the eyes) but well pleased with the colour scheme of this Skorosian company of the XXth "Dauntless" Legion, miniatures by RAFM.

The original GDW text called for russet as their distinctive colour - I went a trifle redder than russet and gave them a white base uniform.  Rather Roman, innit?

Seen below parading near the Grand Canal of Skorosia (or else larking about the front garden).  The shield-gunners are still massed with the rest of the shooters, as the Kaiser's advisers have yet to retrain this legion for the Sturmtaktik.

These are part of my Fadathi War Soldier's Companion campaign project, which is still slowly building.

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Æronef vs. Ærial Gunboat

Discussion on The Miniatures Page encouraged me to descend into the crypt and dig out my old 25mm aerial gunboats.  These had been used for a single game of Sky Galleons of Mars back in the mid-to-late 90s.

Above is a comparison of the Ironclad Aeronef vs the smallest British "Aphid" - although I think I was building the "Penelope" as I note the plethora of Hotchkiss Revolving Cannon and a rather prominent ram.

These are made of card stock and foam core on blue DIY/Dow insulation board formers, with thin wood decking. Ship plans are available in GDWs "Cloudships and Gunboats", now available from Heliograph Publishing Inc.

I am a little embarrassed at the poor quality and lack of important detail on these scratchbuilt models - my only defense is, in may callow youth, I was rushing to finish and we only played once, because we had issues keeping the stands upright. 

Later on, a friend of mine welded the pipes to steel railway washers, which gave them more stability.  Adding a few more washers, usually of a larger size, also increased stability - though these stands shown are not yet safe for any kind of carpet. A larger 4" OD washer is needed.

Being older and wiser, nowadays I would use a flange and pipe arrangement, or else cut these from clear Lucite. I will probably exchange the black rods for clear Lucite ones.

"Look Sarge, he didn't even paint the stacks..."
"...typical..."

The current project will be to refinish this and bring it up to spec, along with several others that are currently languishing in mothballs.

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28mm Aerial Steam Launch from Ironclad Miniatures

Pictured is a 28mm aerial steam launch from Ironclad Miniatures - picked up by yr humble correspondent back in 2008 (have I mentioned lately that I work slowly?). This model holds a special nostalgia for me, as back when we played the Space:1889 RPG, our British Army player-characters operated from one of these, along with our new allies, the Royal Navy.

The reader may be amused when I write that I primed this model about a year ago, and that it has gone away with me on vacation with every intent to paint it at least twice, but I could not decide upon the colour scheme.

The problem I had was that the Royal Navy (of which Britain's fledgling Aerial Service is part) have peacetime and wartime livery for Her Majesty's Ships. Peacetime vessels are painted with black hulls and buff upper works, while wartime paint is a mid-to-light grey.

Ironclad Aerial Launch - pictured are two RAFM Historicals for scale.

In the end, I went with a very dark grey hull with light grey upperworks, adhering as it were to the wartime colours in the peacetime scheme. I don't know why, but it works for me. I also found some vertical pipe-stands used in some of our old 25mm Sky Galleons of Mars games from the 1990's, one of which made for a handy flying stand.

This is a resin-cast model that is a joy to assemble. There were almost no bubbles in the resin, and they were confined to the underside of the deck. Nicely detailed with just the right amount of rivets. It does weight a respectable amount, and I'm probably going to add a larger base to the pipe-stand supporting it.

Armament consists of a single 25mm Hotchkiss Revolving Cannon miniature by Richard Houston - now available again from The Virtual Armchair General. This is labelled as "37mm" which translates to the 1-lbr HRC in Soldier's Companion.  The weapon is swappable with other miniatures, such as a Nordenfelt or Gardner gun or even a rocket tube, which would make for quite a nasty surpise for a wooden, Martian ship.

Let that be a lesson to the three-toed, yellow pongos...

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28mm Martian Blockhouses

 Here's a nice eBay rescue:

These foam core buildings were picked up from eBay. They arrived painted dark grey with a kind of $40K look about them.  I repainted them and gave them a nice flocking.  Now I have some actual Martian-style buildings to use, instead of recycled Northwest Frontier adobe huts.

For Mars, I tend to prefer green flock to red flock, since in the Space:1889 environment, most combat is going to take place in the canal zones, where the vegetation is. To paraphrase the film Laurence of Arabia: "There is nothing in the desert, and no man needs nothing."

 Figures by RAFM, artillery by Parhoom and Old Glory

Also included are some scratch-built artillery risers - made of polystyrene/styrofoam with cocktail sticks and coffee stirrers as planking.  These are useful if your terrain has non-standard walls.


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Raid on Kraag Sagonaar - La Part Deux - The Raid Commences

French Militia skirmishes with Hill Martian Mercenaries

L'armée Coloniale de Mars arrived in two parts - the main body, comprised of the Native Tirailleurs and Militia, arrived after a day's march across the Eastern Tempe Steppes. There was no rolling for fatigue, as le indigènois were already acclimated to the Martian environment.

The Marines and Sappers arrived via flyer - we deemed it logical that the best troops would protected until their superior firepower and fighting quality could be brought to bear.

View of the approaches from the Royal Kraag

 Turn 1, 2: The Tirailleurs and Militia entered the board while the aerial flyers headed straight for the objective (the peak with the special sirdique liftwood).  Dicing for wind direction gave the French the wind they needed for a straight run toward the peakwith the kite. We weighted the dice slightly in favour of the French for the wind direction, for the first turn only, because we decided they wouldn't launch an attack with the wind against them, élan be damned...

Tirailleurs in blue and Militia in Khaki advance toward the objective

French aerial flotilla under fire

 The hidden High-Martian batteries atop the surrounding peaks opened fire - usually needing a 6 to hit due to the height and speed of the cloudships. The High Martians crew their guns with captives, which doesn't help for accuracy, and they were armed with a mix of power grapnels, heavy guns, rod guns and rogue guns.

When a power grapnel hit, the speed of the target ship would be reduced, giving the larger guns a better chance to hit.

Throughout the game, the French Commander, Colonel Montrie, kept the gunboats moving, and minimalised the damage taken.  There was very little damage done, while Le Rapier shot up the Martian batteries with shrapnel, Hotchkiss shells, and bullets from mitrailleuse and Lebel rifles.

The Objective - the red fronds are the Special Liftwood

Turn 3, 4:  In the playtest, the French assault suffered a setback when the kite was grounded about 12 inches from the objective - this was not repeated in the convention game.  The French kite sailed right up to the peak where the sirdique grew, tossed grappling lines, and indigenous Martian sappers began to clamber down the ropes.

Up to this point, the High Martian players were unaware of the French objective - they could be coming to rescue the numerous slaves, both Martian and Human, who worked the liftwood groves.  Or they might be attacking the Royal Kraag itself, in an attempt to capture King Xaathgar.  Once the kite came aside the peak, the French intentions were made plain.

Flying Martians rally before a charge

Turn 5, 6:
Bands of flying martians began to issue from the Kraags,  while down on the ground, warbands of slave-soldiers, including captured humans, began to fire on the advancing Tirailleurs and Militia.  

Slave troops are a distraction at best: they fire as green - you don't want to shoot your own potential rescuers, their morale is Green, and if they fail a morale roll, they break and surrender to the nearest European troops...and wouldn't you?   

They did give the advancing ground troops something to worry about, which is all we really wanted.

Tirailleurs and Militia form back-to-back

 As the pressure built up, the Tirailleurs and Militia fell back, formed two double lines in open order and fought "back-to-back".

They held off the hordes of Martian Bazingers with Gras rifles and old rifled muskets (probably the Minié, though Chassepots would make more sense).


Coming Up Next: The High Martian Fleet arrives...

Post Game Thoughts:

We probably should have had the ground-based troops dice for fatigue and drop outs - if only for realism's sake.  The trek across the steppe would make an excellent role-play scenario, as the Franco-Martian troops attempt to evade High Martian scouts (with the help of some cloudships) while dealing with the local fauna and the semi-disgruntled Militia.

The slave troops were Bob's idea - and while I didn't like them at first, Bob convinced me that for a convention game, everyone must be kept busy.  In retrospect, I think we'd use some Hill Martian mercenaries, working for gold or weapons.