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Miniatures Adventure => Pikes, Muskets and Flouncy Shirts => Topic started by: mikedemana on 28 October 2014, 12:52:03 AM

Title: Song of Drums & Tomahawks available!
Post by: mikedemana on 28 October 2014, 12:52:03 AM: (http://www.ganeshagames.net/thumb.php?file=images/store/cover%20test%20for%20SDT%20small.jpg&sizex=601)

Hi everyone,

Well, it has finally arrived. My set of French & Indian War rules are now available for download at the Ganesha Games site. The print on demand book will be up shortly, too. I have been developing these rules for several years, now. They are a variant of the the Napoleonic skirmish set, "Song of Drums & Shakos." However, they are a stand alone booklet -- you don't need any other product when you buy these.

http://www.ganeshagames.net/product_info.php?cPath=1_51&products_id=267&osCsid=3aego61eb516b6p87ahv9otf02

These are a skirmish set, so each player will control as few as 7 or so figures to as many as a dozen-plus. The constant decision making makes the games tense and exciting. The scalping rules add an aspect of randomness to Indian behavior, and we've found that they are adaptable to any scenario you have in mind. The "traits" rules allows you to tailor your force to represent just about any troop types, and to individualize figures as much as you like.

For $8, they are a bargain. There is a considerable amount of history and background information in the rules. Of course, I would be saying something like that...as I wrote them! lol

Feel free to post any questions or comments...

Mike Demana
Title: Re: Song of Drums & Tomahawks available!
Post by: raif on 28 October 2014, 05:13:40 AM: Wil there be a chance to get a print on demand-version in europe?
Title: Re: Song of Drums & Tomahawks available!
Post by: Whitwort Stormbringer on 28 October 2014, 07:54:30 PM: I would also be more interested in a print version, if one is planned (for the US), but if not I'm sure I'll grab the pdf anyways.
Title: Re: Song of Drums & Tomahawks available!
Post by: Genialjim on 28 October 2014, 10:17:35 PM: Do they work for AWI as well?
Title: Re: Song of Drums & Tomahawks available!
Post by: Whitwort Stormbringer on 28 October 2014, 10:39:59 PM: Quote from: Genialjim on 28 October 2014, 10:17:35 PM
Do they work for AWI as well?

Well, from the game's description, I should think so:

Quote from: Song of Drums & Tomahawks
Warfare in the Eastern Woodlands of America was one of raids, ambushes and sudden violent encounters. These are the skirmishes that Song of Drums and Tomahawks seeks to recreate. The French & Indian War is the most well-known conflict of this period, but these rules cover from the time of the European arrival until the mid-1800s.

I don't know if this is the go-to rule set for AWI skirmishes that wouldn't involve Native Americans, but then again I'm not sure, off the top of my head, what is. I don't own either this or Song of Drums & Shakos (Napoleonics skirmish), but I would think that between the two, you could cover skirmishes for most conflicts of the period.
Title: Re: Song of Drums & Tomahawks available!
Post by: mikedemana on 29 October 2014, 12:53:45 AM: Hi everyone,

I would think the print-on-demand will be available in Europe very soon, too. Ganesha Games is an Italian company, so I imagine they will put this up simultaneously with POD in the U.S. I will double-check and get back to you, though.

These rules would certainly work for AWI or any black powder period. The combatants are identical between the French & Indian War period and the American Revolution. You're not going to be able to refight Cowpens with these rules, of course. But any of the smaller skirmishes -- absolutely...especially as you get out on the hairier fringes of the North American continent.

Mike Demana
Title: Re: Song of Drums & Tomahawks available!
Post by: Poiter50 on 29 October 2014, 01:10:34 AM: Just downloaded here in Oz, now to get a print and have a good read.

If it is as good as your demo/con games, it will be a cracker.
Title: Re: Song of Drums & Tomahawks available!
Post by: Ramirez Noname on 29 October 2014, 12:34:28 PM: Thanks Mike,

Have bought the PDF and looking forward to a game.

RMZ
Title: Re: Song of Drums & Tomahawks available!
Post by: mikedemana on 31 October 2014, 03:35:45 AM: Thanks for the votes of confidence! Expect regular support from us on this project (one near and dear to my heart, as you can imagine, living in Ohio, the tinderbox of the French & Indian War).

Moving into the playtest stage is a campaign book based on "The Beaver Wars" -- you have to love a name like that! This was a conflict fought here in my home state between various Indian tribes over the trapping grounds located here. Also in the booklet will be a wealth of scenarios that I've run at various conventions and for my Sunday night gaming group. In fact, I'm running a new one Saturday night at Game Day at Fort Meigs called, "Will Magua kill 'Gray Hair'?" based on the ambush after the siege of Ft. William Henry.

Feel free to post any questions about the rules, concepts, or historical background.

Mike Demana
Title: Re: Song of Drums & Tomahawks available!
Post by: Mad Lord Snapcase on 31 October 2014, 12:04:54 PM: I can't seem to get on their website at the moment, I'll try again later as I'm very interested in this.
Title: Re: Song of Drums & Tomahawks available!
Post by: M.P. on 01 November 2014, 10:08:32 PM: Looks very interesting, will it work for anglo-powhatan wars?
Title: Re: Song of Drums & Tomahawks available!
Post by: sespe on 02 November 2014, 06:32:49 AM: It should, the musket rules are flexible. It is very similar to Drums and Shakos. Formation movement is removed (smaller scale here) and some nice specific traits added.

Ganesha Games did say their website is down all weekend, something wrong with the Host.
Title: Re: Song of Drums & Tomahawks available!
Post by: mikedemana on 04 November 2014, 02:20:15 AM: Quote from: sespe on 02 November 2014, 06:32:49 AM
It should, the musket rules are flexible. It is very similar to Drums and Shakos. Formation movement is removed (smaller scale here) and some nice specific traits added.

Absolutely, the rules will work for the Powhatan Wars! We intend a follow-up, detailed army list, scenario & background info book on the early periods. Some of the specific aspects of that warfare will need special rules. For example, in the south, some of our drawing board rules are that Spanish horse troops will cause fear in troops unused to them. As will kills and knock-downs by gunpowder weapons. The wooden armor of some early native troops can use Cuirass, but the trait will not count against gunpowder or large "Primitive" weapons. More to come on that, of course...

Quote from: sespe on 02 November 2014, 06:32:49 AM
Ganesha Games did say their website is down all weekend, something wrong with the Host.

Website is back up...just checked it!

Mike Demana
Title: Re: Song of Drums & Tomahawks available!
Post by: Mad Lord Snapcase on 04 November 2014, 01:35:03 PM: Thanks, Mike.

Quote
For $8, they are a bargain.

Absolutely right, just downloaded my copy and reading through now.
Title: Re: Song of Drums & Tomahawks available!
Post by: mikedemana on 26 November 2014, 03:23:10 PM: Quote from: Mad Lord Snapcase on 04 November 2014, 01:35:03 PM
Absolutely right, just downloaded my copy and reading through now.

Thank you -- I appreciate your support. The rules are selling well and have been in the top 3 or 4 "hottest titles" on Wargame Vault, since we put them there. They are also available for print on demand. They come in a really handy 6"x9" "digest size," which is how Ganesha Games is doing its rules books, now. My box of print copies arrived last week (which I will take to the conventions to sell in person). Here's my hand holding the first booklet -- my first published set of rules! lol

(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Native%20Americans/SDT_in_hand_zpsfd328139.jpg)

Here's the link to download them:

On Ganesha Games: http://www.ganeshagames.net/product_info.php?cPath=1_51&products_id=267&osCsid=r1dkch5705si1kpu56jn25h5p5 (http://www.ganeshagames.net/product_info.php?cPath=1_51&products_id=267&osCsid=r1dkch5705si1kpu56jn25h5p5)

On Wargame Vault: http://www.wargamevault.com/product/139714/Song-of-Drums-and-Tomahawks?affiliate_id=23711 (http://www.wargamevault.com/product/139714/Song-of-Drums-and-Tomahawks?affiliate_id=23711)

Thanks everyone for making my first rules writing venture a success!

Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com
Title: Re: Song of Drums & Tomahawks available!
Post by: morrigan on 26 November 2014, 07:10:31 PM: I picked up the rules last week and finally got to sit down and read through them. I'm not that familiar with the other "Song of...." titles, but after going through Drums & Tomahawks once I feel that I can get some figures out and start gaming! Can't say that about a lot of rules that I've read. Great job Mike.
Title: Re: Song of Drums & Tomahawks available!
Post by: mikedemana on 27 November 2014, 05:13:39 AM: Quote from: morrigan on 26 November 2014, 07:10:31 PM
I picked up the rules last week and finally got to sit down and read through them. I'm not that familiar with the other "Song of...." titles, but after going through Drums & Tomahawks once I feel that I can get some figures out and start gaming! Can't say that about a lot of rules that I've read. Great job Mike.

Thanks...I appreciate you saying that. I did take time to rewrite and reexplain the concepts. I'm glad it helped! Feel free to email with any questions that arise...

Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com