Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => VSF Adventures => Topic started by: Chairface on 27 September 2010, 06:13:28 AM
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Yesterday a few LAF'ers and friends got together to celebrate the birthday of our good friend Sterling Moose. In attendance besides myself and Sterling Moose were JamesManto, Hitman and a few non LAFers, although we won't hold it against them :)
The quiet of the dawn was broken by the clang of steam engines working overtime as the two very different armies moved across the Venusian valley. On the one side, the Dutch-Russo Alliance thundered into view, some mounted on fantastical steam powered contraptions, led by King Willem III himself with the blessings of his great grandnephew the Tsar. Facing them was an unusual assortment of Americans and Brits, desperately banding together in an attempt to avoid feeling the wrath of the angry monarchs. How did this happen?
This continent of Venus had been long ago divided and ruled by the friendly Russian and Dutch governments while the Americans and British had spent the majority of their efforts building their empires on Mars. Now a large strike of Unobtanium had been discovered in the mainly uninhabited southern plains of the continent and the British and Americans now wanted in. Arriving separately, the Americans under the command of renowned Martian fighter General George Armstrong Custer and the British under Colonel Haig each landed on the plain and set up covert mining facilities. Custer immediately made his headquarters in the ruins of an ancient Parrotmen temple, just the first of his many mistakes on Venus…..
The mightly Dutch and Russian Armies take to the field
Cavalry, Panther Panzers and a steam carriage prepare to blitzkrieg the English left flank, supported by Dutch Parrotmen sepoys and Marines
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/Chairface/Petesbirthdaybash/DSCF1675.jpg)
Black Dutchmen march next to Princess Wilhemina's women's brigade, with Jagers skirmishing ahead. Note Colonel Flashman, torn from the comfort of his place in the back of the field with the high command with orders to take the temple at any cost.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/Chairface/Petesbirthdaybash/DSCF1676.jpg)
Dutch Sailors, Marines and experienced KNIL troopers follow another Jager unit. The high command looks on
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/Chairface/Petesbirthdaybash/DSCF1677.jpg)
Russian hired Askari's start are tasked with holding the middle
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/Chairface/Petesbirthdaybash/DSCF1678.jpg)
The mighty Russian Warhost stretches on as far as the eye can see - Cossacks, troopers, mercenaries.....
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/Chairface/Petesbirthdaybash/DSCF1679.jpg)
Steam powered battle suits, and the most feared unit of all, the Cossack Scorpion riders
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/Chairface/Petesbirthdaybash/DSCF1680.jpg)
General Custer surveys his troops with confidence from the towering Parrotman temple ruins. How could a group of serfs and wooden shoe wearers triumph over his glorious Americans and his British allies?
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/Chairface/Petesbirthdaybash/DSCF1686.jpg)
The left flank:
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/Chairface/Petesbirthdaybash/DSCF1685.jpg)
Some exquisitely painted Empress British hold the centre
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/Chairface/Petesbirthdaybash/DSCF1687.jpg)
While American troopers are entrenched around the temple
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/Chairface/Petesbirthdaybash/DSCF1688.jpg)
Meanwhile Roughrider Colonel Teddy Roosevelt, distrustful of the rash and reckless Custer's command abilities, cautiously places and organizes his roughriders, sailors and rocket unit
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/Chairface/Petesbirthdaybash/DSCF1690.jpg)
Roosevelt's ace in the hole? A steam tank, previously concealed from Custer
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/Chairface/Petesbirthdaybash/DSCF1691.jpg)
So there is the setup. Time for bed. Action shots tomorrow!
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I like what you've done with those Mage Knight technocat figures. Look forward to those action shots.
By the way, Dutch Oven, lol.
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Custer leading a VSF American army is a great idea. I can just imagine his last stand against thousands of whooping Parrott men.....
Looking forward to more photos. ;D
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haha Custer caught picking his nose :D
cool stuff you have there
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Ohhh....
Big battle coming. Some great mini's on that board.
Looking forward to the see the action!
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I recognise that basement! A truly epic scale game with lots of goodies. Going by the UK time I was chatting to Sterling on Sunday morning you guys had fun!
Bbring on the next bit!
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Custer leading a VSF American army is a great idea. I can just imagine his last stand against thousands of whooping Parrott men.....
Looking forward to more photos. ;D
It's funny that you said that..... ;)
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Good to see the Hinterland figures on Venus.
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Nice looking troops. Are those Empress Dismounted Natal serving as Americans? Great idea.
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The Dutch mission was slightly more complicated than just removing the Americans and British from their territory. Custer's act of occupying the Parrotman temple had huge ramifications for Dutch rule on the continent. While many of the Parrotmen were now good Calvinists thanks to decades of a successful missionary program, the sacred nature of the temple made it revered to King Willem's Venusian subjects. The Dutch had to remove the Americans to prevent a total revolt.
The mighty Russian horde advances
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/Chairface/Petesbirthdaybash/DSCF1692.jpg)
On the other side of the field the Dutch war machine advances
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/Chairface/Petesbirthdaybash/DSCF1682.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/Chairface/Petesbirthdaybash/DSCF1689.jpg)
First blood goes to the Russians as artillery reigns down on the Roughriders, killing four in a bloody mist (in an ominous roll of the dice the American player roles four ones to save.....)
All in all very little of real importance happens in the first turn - the bulk of the Dutch are inching forward through the dense Venusian jungle, the Parrotmen visibly agitated as they near the great temple. The rest of the armies move into place....
Turn Two
The action starts with the Dutch calvary and Panther Panzers crashing into the British naval units stationed on the left flank. The Panthers are cut to shreds as they charge up the hill to meet the sailors. Four make it into hand to hand combat and take their revenge on their enemies. Sabers and mechanized claws glisten with blood as the sailors are torn apart, the remainder of the unit breaking in fear. The calvary, still at a strength of eight after the charge, breaks the marines
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/Chairface/Petesbirthdaybash/DSCF1696.jpg)
On the other side of the field Russian walkers engage the American steam tank with less effective results.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/Chairface/Petesbirthdaybash/DSCF1697.jpg)
In the centre, Dutch troops engage an American tank, temporarily stopping it from moving, but they could not silence the barking maxim gun
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/Chairface/Petesbirthdaybash/DSCF1698.jpg)
Cossack scorpions engage the American sailors, again suffering the fate of charging cavalry as they are torn apart by gunfire before most could reach their target
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/Chairface/Petesbirthdaybash/DSCF1700.jpg)
The British hold the centre - not really doing anything, but damn, nice models. ;)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/Chairface/Petesbirthdaybash/DSCF1699.jpg)
The end of turn two - time for a birthday cake break and some admiration for the rabbits :)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/Chairface/Petesbirthdaybash/DSCF1701.jpg)
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Good to see the Hinterland figures on Venus.
I agree. I was very happy to get them on the table. And as you're about to see, they behaved beautifully later on
Nice looking troops. Are those Empress Dismounted Natal serving as Americans? Great idea.
No they are serving as Brits. It was something of a grand coalition. Beautiful beautiful minis.
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Gordy the rabbit did seem to enjoy nibbling on the stray Player Aid Sheet he got hold of. :D
Well, David, you're doing just fine with the AAR. I may just direct readers of my blog to here.
Everyone's got sailors now, even the Yanks. I'm starting to get Naval Brigade envy!
James
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Well, David, you're doing just fine with the AAR. I may just direct readers of my blog to here.
James
I was hoping to see your unique take on the game James. You write them up so much better than I do.
I'm glad Gordy enjoyed his snack. ;)
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My blog posting about it is here: http://rabbitsinmybasement.blogspot.com/2010/09/unexpected-party.html
You're getting the blow by blow details a bit better than I am though. Stuck out on the Dutch right I missed a lot of what was going on over on the Russian side of the table.
I totally missed a lot of what happened. Did the Rocketmen do anything?
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I totally missed a lot of what happened. Did the Rocketmen do anything?
Embarrassed to say that I'm not sure. I'll have to ask Pete
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That's an amazing collection of forces and companies. Of course I'm delighted to see Hinterland among them. Thanks for posting.
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:-*
Nice!
Mechanical Butler, eh... o_o
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Which ruleset were you using?
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While the fighting was already hot and heavy on the Russian side of the board, the Dutch side had been fairly quiet as the Nederlanders slowly made their way through the jungle, inching their way towards the temple. Finally they emerge
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/Chairface/Petesbirthdaybash/DSCF1702.jpg)
The normally stoic parrotmen have a crazed look in their eyes as the sacred temple comes into sight
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/Chairface/Petesbirthdaybash/DSCF1703.jpg)
The British centre finally see the whites of the Dutchman's eyes and prepare for action
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/Chairface/Petesbirthdaybash/DSCF1704.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/Chairface/Petesbirthdaybash/DSCF1705.jpg)
Dutch Marines, Sailors and Jagers prepare to emerge from the jungle
The Americans guarding the temple are waiting for them, raining fire down on the Jagers, decimating the squad to two.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/Chairface/Petesbirthdaybash/DSCF1708.jpg)
The remaining cavalry, fresh from their success in their great charge, tries to replicate their success against the final group of sailors (who had thus far spent the game huddled behind a steam tank) guarding the British/American left flank. This time they are soundly rebuffed, and while not broken are forced to move towards their lines and regroup. One Panther is captured by the British.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/Chairface/Petesbirthdaybash/DSCF1710.jpg)
The parrotmen, filled with a beserk rage, ignore the bullets whizing around their heads and charge the American's guarding the temple
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/Chairface/Petesbirthdaybash/DSCF1711.jpg)
Unfortunately, in their fury the parrotmen are fighting poorly, savagely attacking the temples defilers without thought for their own personal defense. After the initial flurry of battle only one parrotman is left against six attackers. Amazingly he goes into an almost trance like state as the spirits of the temple fill him. One after another he cuts down five of his enemies cooly and efficiently until only one American is left - General George Armstrong Custer......
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/Chairface/Petesbirthdaybash/DSCF1712.jpg)
The battle between the two is epic. Custer hurls insults as his avian opponent, seeking to distract him in vain. (the dice rolling was fairly amazing here - the two tied over and over and over again) Finally Custer was able to slide his calvary saber though the heroic parrotman's guard and the last parrotman, bleeding the last of his blood over the sacred ground of his people....
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/Chairface/Petesbirthdaybash/DSCF1713.jpg)
Custer screamed in victory, raising his saber in triumph! Finally he looked around to see why no one was cheering with him. While he was in combat Dutch troops were moving into the temple complex. Princess Wilhemina's Women's Brigade calmly and methodically removed the remaining two squads of Americans from the hill. On the other side of the temple the British in the center were decimated by a combination of Russian and Dutch fire. Custer was alone. It was his last stand. Frozen in his state of victory, Custer watched as the entire squad of black Dutchmen raised their riffles opened fire, his old civil war comrade Harry Flashman watching him slump to the ground from wounds in a half dozen different places..... The dying parrotman smiles as his spirit leaves his body. Vengeance has been served....
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/Chairface/Petesbirthdaybash/DSCF1714.jpg)
On the opposite end of the battlefield the Russians were moping up the remnants of the British forces. After Colonel Roosevelt's earlier setbacks he had fought a careful battle and emerged with most of his men intact, having acquitted themselves admirably. Hearing of Custer's folly, Roosevelt ordered a general retreat, determined to fight again another day. The remaining British on the field under General Haig followed suit.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/Chairface/Petesbirthdaybash/DSCF1715.jpg)
Colonel Flashman was the first one to reach the Parrotmen temple and was awarded with admiration from his fellow soldiers and a commendation from the king. Little did they know that Sir Harry's main motivation was to avoid the final sniping from the vanquished foe. King Willem and his general staff inspected the temple, dedicating the battle to his Venusian subjects
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/Chairface/Petesbirthdaybash/DSCF1717.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/Chairface/Petesbirthdaybash/DSCF1718.jpg)
The battle was a resounding victory for the Dutch -Russo alliance. While colonel Roosevelt handled himself well and with honour, the incompetence of Custer erased any chance of glory from the battle for the aspiring politician. The British and American forces were forced off of the continent and their Unobtanium mines were taken over by the alliance.Political turmoil by the Netherlands Venusian subjects was averted and the king is more popular than ever. A portrait of the King and the saviour of the Temple, Sir Harry Flashman is very popular and hangs in many parrotmen homes....
Some cracks in the Dutch-Russo Alliance have appeared though, as they each eye each others share of the Unobtanium mines. How this is played out in time is anybody's guess......
A line of weary looking American and British marched towards the positions that their respective aeroneff squadrons would pick them up for the long ride to friendly soil. A great deal of the soldiers were wounded, limping along supported by comrades or clutching battered arms to their sides. Bandages were everywhere, the white cotton turned red and black from a combination of the wounds received and the acrid coal smoke that seemed to follow them from the battlefield like a sentient fog. One battlefield reporter noted that day "The choking presence of smoke embodied the weariness etched onto the faces of all the brave men leaving the field today. It is as if metaphorically and physically they have all been through a Dutch Oven...."
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That's an amazing collection of forces and companies. Of course I'm delighted to see Hinterland among them. Thanks for posting.
You know that I'm a huge fan of your minis. I only regret that my command companies have yet to be painted. They behaved beautifully too. They killed a huge number of troops and came under fire twice without a single casualty.
:-*
Nice!
Mechanical Butler, eh... o_o
A very pretty and easy conversion made from a mageknight whirling golem, a heroclix penguin and a bunch of paperclips. I'll take a better picture later.
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I think you followed the turnings of the game fairly well, although since we were on one end we (and the camera) tended to forget what was going on in the Russian sector!
The rules were Ricco's own concoction. He GMed and provided some of the British forces (British Naval Brigade and RMLI). Sterling Moose provided the Russians and some more Brits (the Empress Natal Carabineers and Pontoonier figures). Keith got his Americans finished that very day to participate. Mike B. brought out his 7th cavalry. Hitman played on the Russian team. I helped Chairface push about his Dutch, made coffee and took pictures with Chairface's camera. Walter and Dan ran the British.
Seeing Chairface's Hinterland Lady Hussars in action has set me daydreaming about an Austrian VSF army (again!). At this rate I may have to sell a kidney to raise the cash...
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I think you followed the turnings of the game fairly well, although since we were on one end we (and the camera) tended to forget what was going on in the Russian sector!
Yeah, at some points it was almost as if there were two separate games going on. If Pete, Keith or Dan have anything to add let us know!
Which ruleset were you using?
The rules were Ricco's own concoction.
Froggy, Ricco (fellow LAFer) developed his own set of VSF rules that works well in large battles. We typically use them several times a year when we get together for BIG VSF games. For instance on the Sunday morning of Hotlead we generally have a huge VSF game which can have participants numbering in the teens. Its a good, simple ruleset that simplifies the chaos of big games. Ricco also likes to add some almost role playing aspects to a game - for instance it was Ricco who decided that the Parrotmen would go beserk when they reached the temple. It definitely adds a dimension to the game. When we have smaller games Gaslight has been used, although we've been itching to try out Valour Steel and Flesh. If you would like a copy, PM Ricco and I'm sure he'll be happy to share.
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It was an epic battle.
The Rocketmen were my mobile reserve, ready to swoop in on the crumbling Russian troops and send them scampering for home. However, there was no crumbling of the Russian lines, nor were there any holes in the American lines, so the Rocketmen will have to wait for a future trip to Venusia to be blooded in battle.
The Russian mechanical suits did a very good job of carving up my steam barrel. But the mechanical spider riding cossacks were their usual miserable selves.
And Roosevelt never cared for Custer anyway.
Keith
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Keith, welcome! Glad to see you on LAF finally. It's a shame that the rocketmen didn't make it into action. Beautifully painted minis. I just wish that I had taken a better picture of them.
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I wanna play so bad. This might surprise you, but I have never played a wargame. What I wouldn't give to get a force of Hinterland into battle. :'(
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Very nice, lovely models and terrain, nice to read a VSF thread, I don't do it often, but when I do I'm always pleased.
Keep it up.
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Hey Dave
There will be more chances to get pics. They are chomping at the bit to get into some action. I might have a couple more surprises in the Amercian ranks for Cold Steel.
Keith
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I wanna play so bad. This might surprise you, but I have never played a wargame. What I wouldn't give to get a force of Hinterland into battle. :'(
You're welcome to come to Ontario! We'll make something happen. :)
Hey Dave
There will be more chances to get pics. They are chomping at the bit to get into some action. I might have a couple more surprises in the Amercian ranks for Cold Steel.
Keith
Fantastic. I'm hoping for Buffalo soldiers!
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I'm hoping for Buffalo soldiers!
I'm hoping for Buffalo chicken wings!
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Splendid figures.
Grand sounding game.
But...
Only one rabbit picture ?
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Lovely figures, models and battle report! Well done, sir! :)
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Hey Sterling Moose....
Do you mean KSP...Kentucky Steamed Parrot will be replaced by Buffalo wings next time???
Chairface...awesome report. It read as if I was there...oh wait....I was there!! lol
JamesManto...your Blog was also nicely received by my readin attention. Well done!!
Keith, good to see you on LAF as well. great place to meet. How is Teddy doing after skulking off??
Regards,
Hitman
8)
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Excellent report and great incentive for me to get back to painting 19th Century stuff!
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:-*
Well done all!
So many different and very kewl mini's packed into one game. o_o
'Tis why I love VSF. :D
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Thanks all! In the next game, or the game after that I'd like to incorporate some Nefs, maybe some flying units on the Dutch side. Here's work in progress:
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=22794.msg278502#msg278502