Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Colonial Adventures => Topic started by: Plynkes on September 13, 2008, 08:49:47 PM
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Or... "Doctor Emin, I Presume?"
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Kili2.jpg)
The Laikipiak Plateau in East Africa, home to the Laikipiak Masai.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Cattle.jpg)
Where the young lads tend to the cattle...
And village life quietly proceeds much as it does the world over...
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/MasaiWomen2.jpg)
"Can you believe her at Number 23, carrying on with the milkman as bold as brass?"
"I know dear, shocking, ain't it?"
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Womanwithlogs.jpg)
There are chores to be done.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Putthecowstobed.jpg)
Time to get the cows in.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Cowscloseup.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Younglad.jpg)
A young lad in ritual circumcision costume. He's got too much of a spring in his step to have just been relieved of his foreskin, I can tell you (believe me, I know). I reckon he is fleeing from the ceremony like any sensible fellow would.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Laibon.jpg)
Here comes the Laibon to find the naughty fellow. Snip! Snip!
(Didn't have anything really Laibonish, so I went with the least unMasai-like witchdoctor I had. During our game he acquired the nickname of "Simon Laibon" of the band "Moran Moran" (Groan...))
Paying no heed to these scenes of pastoral bliss are the Moran, the age-regiments of the Masai.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/MoreMoran2b.jpg)
For they devote all their time to perfecting their skills...
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/MoreMoran.jpg)
...in the noble arts of hooliganism and highway robbery.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Moran1.jpg)
Was in a hurry to get these done for this week's game, so I cut some corners compared to my usual efforts, in an attempt at speed-painting.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Moran2.jpg)
But to be honest they don't look that different to my usual painstaking efforts.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Moran3.jpg)
So maybe I shouldn't bother to do that any more, and always paint like this. That's a little disconcerting really. Not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/MasaiWarriors.jpg)
We made a camp fire,
Far off in the distance
A beautiful mountain.
Kill him!
Kill him! Kill him! Kill him!
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/KilltheSavageLion.jpg)
Kill the savage lion...
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/BeforetheLionKillsYou.jpg)
...Before the lion kills you.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Elephant.jpg)
"Well you needn't look at me like that. That was already here when I arrived."
(This fine fellow was caught up in a nasty case of misbehaving Dullcote this week, along with several others here you may have spotted. Guess I'll have to try again and hope for something less shiny next time.)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Archers2.jpg)
Some non-moran archers (the Moran are forbidden to use such a dishonourable weapon as a bow). Could be chaps too young or old to be moran, or allies (or vassals?) from a hunting or farming people such as the Dorobo.
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(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/EminPashaexpedition.jpg)
Into this pastoral idyll barges Die Deutsche Emin Pasha Expedition.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Peters.jpg)
Its declared mission is to relieve one of general Gordon's beleaguered lieutenants, somewhere in the middle of nowhere. But the "Claim half of East Africa for the Kaiser expedition" would probably be a more honest title.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Explorer.jpg)
At the expedition's head, our old friend, that renowned humanitarian and noted philanthropist, old Charlie Peters. He is determined to prove the villain, and has sworn to cut a path through the lands of the Masai on his way to Uganda. A route long closed to outsiders due to the ferocious reputation for violence, robbery and extortion of the locals. Peters believes it is time to cut them down to size and knock them into line, and so conducts an unprovoked attack on a Masai village.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/VetAskari.jpg)
Peters' trusty Somali askari.
Last night we played a game based on this encounter. I'll probably get around to a proper battle report in a bit, but for now here are a few pictures from our game:
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game1.jpg)
Sickers and Wakey moving their Moran warbands.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game2.jpg)
Masai advance.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game3.jpg)
Charlie hastily attempts to form a makeshift square.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game4.jpg)
Trouble for the porters.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game5.jpg)
"Things is looking pretty bad, Boss!"
Can Charlie triumph against the odds? Will he ever get through to Emin Pasha? Is he beginning to wish he'd booked a package tour with Thomas Cook? Or Perhaps just rented a gîte in the Dordogne for a month instead?
Find out soon, in our next exciting episode!
(Thought as I'm the Colonial Adventures chap, it was about time I contributed something that might provide a bit of inspiration to the cause.)
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Excellent stuff!
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Wow, very cool! You have a great and well painted collection there. The girl carrying firewood is my personal highlight. I also like your write-up. Well done, sir! :)
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Wow, very cool! You have a great and well painted collection there. The girl carrying firewood is my personal highlight. I also like your write-up. Well done, sir! :)
I second all the above.
At last, we are benefited by one new of your adventures in darkest Africa. It is very inspiring to see your work , Sir. Please continue your excellent work!!
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Dear Plynkes,
Will you add this excellent report with the photos in your blog??
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Nice painting. I'm always impressed by people who manage to paint armies to such a nice standard as your Massai.
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Plynkes, if that's speed painting, it's none too shabby.
Lovely stuff. Good old Masai...
Didn't really need to know about your foreskin - but hey, thanks for sharing ;)
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Fantastic Plynkes! I look forward to reading the full report.
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Wonderful!
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Terrific!
I love the Masai warriors. They are excellent mini's you painted them masterfully.
I have some as well which I haven't tried out yet because the shields seem a bit daunting but I must say yours came out verrrrry well.
Overall, a super collection you have there!
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Not much else I can say. Lovely stuff.
How did you build that snow-capped mountian in the first shot? Must've used alot of foamboard for that... lol
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How did you build that snow-capped mountian in the first shot? Must've used alot of foamboard for that... lol
Actually we cheated, and took the lazy way out by moving our gaming table to a bit of open savannah on the Kenya-Tanzania border, because building a mountain seemed too much like hard work.
I have some as well which I haven't tried out yet because the shields seem a bit daunting...
They are a bit, aren't they. On the other hand, my extensive and exhaustive Google research into real Masai shields has revealed that actual living Masai aren't ever going to win any Golden Demon awards themselves. The real thing rarely looks as neat and nice as the ones you see in illustrations or on painted figures.
So when they don't come out so well you can just say "Look, it isn't my bad painting, I'm accurately representing some Masai who can't paint for toffee. Don't you think I carried off that shabbily-done look rather well?"
Dear Plynkes,
Will you add this excellent report with the photos in your blog??
Maybe, or I might just put it in this topic. Haven't decided yet. But if it does go on the blog I'll link to it from here.
Thanks for the kind words, all.
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Hi,
its nice to see one of your new projects. Thanks for sharing.
Björn
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Brilliant looking game ! , what rules are you using ?
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excellent looking game, I particularily like your Masai.
Alos what rules are you using as I am just starting out gaming in Africa
scotty
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The rules we used were "Triumph and Tragedy" by forum members Björn and Christian, with a sprinkling of home-brew additional rules tailored to the scenario.
Those of our gang who hadn't played them before gave them an enthusiastic thumbs up. I was GMing, and to start with it was sort of slow and cumbersome. But they very quickly picked it up and were soon quickly running the game themselves, leaving me to arbitrate rules questions from my umpire's chair, and sit on the sidelines making sarcastic comments.
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As always: nicely painted miniatures (speedpainted ??? :o), inspiring game pics and a good dose of humour to my liking!
:-* lol
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Lovely. Lovelylovelylovely. Just lovely.
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Beautiful stuff. Most excellent speed painting too :)
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Jaw droppingly superb figures. :-*
Can you tell me who makes the cows?
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Let's not get carried away here with the term speed-painting. All things are relative. They were painted in rush by my normally quite slow standards. I imagine it would be regular speed for most people.
The cows are Foundry African cattle. I bought them as part of the Masai collection, which contained all the warriors (the moran that is, didn't include the archers), the civilians, and in those days you got the Masai Prince and the chap blowing his horn as part of the deal too. Not sure if you still do, as there is no longer any mention of those two figures on their website.
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Was in a hurry to get these done for this week's game, so I cut some corners compared to my usual efforts, in an attempt at speed-painting.
But to be honest they don't look that different to my usual painstaking efforts.
So maybe I shouldn't bother to do that any more, and always paint like this. That's a little disconcerting really. Not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing.
A good thing, of course. If I could speed-paint to this standard, I'd be considering playing battle-games, and not only skirmish-games >:D
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Another good inspiration.
I need to paint up my Masai Army, which stands atop my Lead mountain!
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Looks awesome. Any advice on where to get the rules from and an indication of how they play would be great. :)
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That looked like a great game.
Your finish and blending on those figures is nice and smooth. I will try to emulate myself. Its always a bit hit and miss with me.
Good stuff.
Dodge
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Looks awesome. Any advice on where to get the rules from and an indication of how they play would be great. :)
Try: www.miniaturicum.de.
I bought mine from him. Nice and friendly service
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I'd hate to see misbehaving dullcoat droppings at 1:1 scale.
You show a real attention to detail and I loved the narrative. Do you have plans for more East Africa battles...will this build into a campaign? Can't wait to see more.
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Ah, the elephant poo isn't a case of misbehaving Dullcote for once. I deliberately made them like that by painting them with Superglue, for that "Just out of the elephant" shine.
As far as campaigns go, I was thinking about that today, actually. Explorers and Masai are taken care of (though a few more Masai wouldn't hurt), and with another couple of surges like the one I did this week, my Ruga-Ruga and Ngoni skirmish forces would be brought up to a playable level too, and then we could do a four-way campaign.
But then of course, my Great War stuff would have to be put on hold for a bit. Decisions, decisions...
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Your finish and blending on those figures is nice and smooth.
Dodge
There's no blending on any of the African figures, mate. Blending is something I struggle with, and only tend to use occasionally on European flesh, when my normal Dallimore-esque efforts fail me (just doesn't seem to work on pale skin). It's merely successive layers of highlights that are not blended at all. Even when I'm not trying to paint quickly I don't usually blend much. Those Masai were done with highlights straight onto a black undercoat. Normally I undercoat white, then mix up an African flesh tone, and highlight. The quick method takes much less time, and they end up looking exactly the same. Grrr, what an idiot I am! >:(
Looks awesome. Any advice on where to get the rules from and an indication of how they play would be great. :)
Rabbitz, I think they are available from Pardulon, too. My copy was a freebie one that Björn sent me, nice fellow that he is. There is a whole section here at LAF about T&T, and it also has its own site:
http://www.triumph-tragedy.de/index.html (http://www.triumph-tragedy.de/index.html)
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?board=25.0 (http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?board=25.0)
Might give you some idea what its like.
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As far as campaigns go, I was thinking about that today, actually. Explorers and Masai are taken care of (though a few more Masai wouldn't hurt), and with another couple of surges like the one I did this week, my Ruga-Ruga and Ngoni skirmish forces would be brought up to a playable level too, and then we could do a four-way campaign.
But then of course, my Great War stuff would have to be put on hold for a bit. Decisions, decisions...
Just rereading the whole thread, [once again your report/phots is magnificent] I found an excuse to buy and paint a unit of Zulu warriors. Germans at this early stage of their colonial adventure had a tradition of hiring unit, i.e. made use of mercenary units.
One of them was a Zulu Company, another one was "Sudanese Askari" with Turksih officers. Now where I can find turbaned head to convert some askari?
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I think I meant that your highlights are smooth mine sometimes look a bit stuck on over the top no matter how much I thin down the paint >:(
I'm posting my first white russians soon, once I've done the bases you will see my hit and miss nature at work then.
Good stuff though from you :D
Dodge
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The cows are Foundry African cattle.
Thanks for that ;)
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Another good inspiration.
Absolutely - I'm now trying to clear a workspace to make a savannah-board. Think Ill go for a buff desert-look with patches of late autumn/winter static grass - then send an order to Grimm for some savannah grass bases - I remember he made some beautiful ones some time ago - and do some grass bases with plastic aquarium plants and Pfeil & Holing plant picks....
Do baobab trees grow on the savannah or just in the jungle?
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Another good inspiration.
Absolutely - I'm now trying to clear a workspace to make a savannah-board. Think Ill go for a buff desert-look with patches of late autumn/winter static grass - then send an order to Grimm for some savannah grass bases - I remember he made some beautiful ones some time ago - and do some grass bases with plastic aquarium plants and Pfeil & Holing plant picks....
Do baobab trees grow on the savannah or just in the jungle?
A far as I know predominantely in teh savannah.
As to the grass bases: they were the first ones I tried making when I finally had enough guts to try my hand at terrain building. And I must say they're not hard to make and actually are a lot of fun to make as you you can put anything you'd like on them.
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Thanks!
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Looks awesome. Any advice on where to get the rules from and an indication of how they play would be great. :)
Rabbitz, I think they are available from Pardulon, too.
Also availavle in the US from Lon at Brigade Games. That's where I got my copy after Plynkes told me I must.
Allen
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Ooh, you big fibber, Allen. I didn't say that you must do anything. As I recall I said that I must tell you about them, as they are LAF's own set of rules so to speak, and one has to talk up one's home team..
It's no good blaming me if you can't keep your gaming spending in check. :)
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I may have been confused as to exactly what you said, what with all the loud cursing in German, and the way you kept slapping your boottop with your riding crop.
Allen
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Those are great looking figures and game. Your painting is top notch speed or otherwise, very nice. I also enjoyed the read felt like I was on safari, but that elephant dropping reminded me of Goobers Chocolate covered peanuts now I am hungry
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... but that elephant dropping reminded me of Goobers Chocolate covered peanuts now I am hungry
'Elephant Dung Objective Markers' - you get to eat them when you activate them!
:D :D :D
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Hi,
Triumph and Tragedy is available at Battlefield Berlin and Brigade Games.
Maybe Pardulon has one or two books left.
Thanks for the links and support Plynkes.
Cheers
Björn
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.... I was GMing....
Hopefully as the umpire you were GMing the Merciless.
It's much more fun when the umpire shafts everyone equally ;)
Another splendid dispatch from Plynkesland!
As ever apologies for my tardiness due to work >:(
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I was a little merciless. I denied the Masai players their promised reinforcements because they had faffed about too much and displayed a distinct lack of fighting spirit (their excuse was that they were being cunning). I said the hour had grown too late for any more Masai to be drawn into the conflict, and they had only themselves to blame.
Just in the middle of resizing some pictures from the game. I'll post 'em in a bit.
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Excellent stuff. Looking forward to more pics. 8)
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:-* :-* you are genius !!
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(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%201/Pic001.jpg)
As already mentioned, the rules we used for our game were "Triumph and Tragedy."
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%201/Pic001b.jpg)
Which of course meant I had to print out and laminate some more unit cards.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%201/pic1.jpg)
The table set up. A sleepy corner of East Africa at dawn, at the back end of the 1880s.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%201/Pic2.jpg)
At one end the Masai village is just stirring into life...
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%201/pic3.jpg)
...While at the other, Charlie Peters is preparing to chastise those pesky tribesmen.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%201/pic4.jpg)
He is determined to bully them into letting whoever wants to tramp across their lands do so unmolested. He plans to kill or steal some cattle, burn down some huts, and shoot a few people. That'll learn 'em.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%201/pic5.jpg)
His force consists of a trusted core of hardened Somali askari, armed with the latest weapons, plus a larger group of cowardly porters who have had obsolete muzzle-loaders shoved into their unwilling hands. This, he feels, ought to be enough to handle any Masai foolish enough to cross him.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%201/pic6.jpg)
The explorer player Chronoglide (for it is he), decided to open his account by advancing into range in a carefree manner and opening up on the cattle at the water hole. The cad! However, none of his shots hit anything. Not a very good start. The cowherd wisely decided to evacuate the area, and started yelling for assistance.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%201/pic7.jpg)
Pretty soon that attracted the attention of some locals, who took up their bows to defend the cattle. Hopefully the moran, scattered about the plateau in their separate barracks, would answer the call soon too.
And so they did. Sickers, looking increasingly like part of the line-up of Hawkwind, circa 1970, began to deploy his men...
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%201/pic8.jpg)
Don't know how long I've been awake...
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%201/pic9.jpg)
Motorhead, remember me now, Motorhead. Alright!
(I do apologise for this untoward intrusion of Space Rock into the proceedings. It won't happen again.)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%201/pic10.jpg)
Wakey's moran had by this time also arrived. Suddenly, Chrono's cocky nonchalance deserted him. I think his exact words may have been "Oh shit." Maybe he thought he was just going to have to fight some women, children and cows...
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%201/pic11.jpg)
So, rethinking his tactics, he unleashed his secret weapon: A box of fireworks. This "White Man's Magic" totally overawed the archers. It was all too much and they refused to advance. In fact they all remembered they had pressing business elsewhere and that was that. Their contribution to the game was over before they had even done anything.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%201/pic14.jpg)
But the moran were not to be daunted by these flashy parlour tricks, and pressed on with their advance.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%201/pic15.jpg)
Most importantly for the Masai, Chrono's consternation at the arrival of the moran allowed the cattle to slip away to safety in the confusion.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%201/pic16.jpg)
Under cover of the pyrotechnics, Peters began a retreat to link up with some of his straggling troops and take up a defensive position. So ended his bold advance. From now on he would be strictly on the back foot.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%201/pic17.jpg)
But luckily for him, the moran were in no hurry to engage him. Unlike real Masai of the time, Sickers and Wakey seemed mortally afeared of Peters' guns and began an extended series of rushes from cover to cover, to avoid making targets of themselves. They wanted to have to cover the absolute minimum amount of ground when the time for the charge came.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%201/pic18.jpg)
With the plateau teeming with warriors, I had informed them that first wave could be recycled if need be, to try and encourage them to act like Masai who held guns in contempt (only being familiar with poor-quality muskets). But these gamers decided to make caution their watchword instead.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%201/pic19.jpg)
This uncharacteristically timid behaviour gave Chrono the time he needed to reorganise, and he was able to form a makeshift square of sorts.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%201/pic20.jpg)
Here we see Sickers in the midst of a crisis of confidence. He came up with a plan, dismissed it, and then changed his mind again all within about ten seconds. Why were these Masai such a bunch of scaredy cats? Would they ever pluck up the nerve to charge, or instead hide behind bushes all night?
To be continued...
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Fantastic report. Loved it and want the second instalment :-* :-* :-* :-*
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Looking forward to seeing the conclusion. Your table is looking great. :)
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A lovely report, lets hope the Masai charged and wipe out this evil madman lol
dodge
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I never thought it could be possible to combine colonial wargaming, fireworks special effects and Lemmy in one place, but at last it's been done :o :-*
Excellent report, great photos and bags of laughs. Splendid!
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Love the Masai, if those corners are cut the uncut ones must be damned sharp! ;)
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That's just it, they look as good as the ones I took ages over, barring the odd sloppy bit of shield design application that I was in too much of a hurry to touch up. That's why I was annoyed with myself for not using this method all along!
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I never thought it could be possible to combine colonial wargaming, fireworks special effects and Lemmy in one place, but at last it's been done :o :-*
Excellent report, great photos and bags of laughs. Splendid!
I second that and all other comments!
Dear Plynkes.
Have I congratulated you?
If not: Congratulations, fantastic work, nice report, lovely photos, escellent paintjob and everything is marvellous.
[I have a question: always thinking of Emin Pasha, I always fancy HMG armed army. I donot know why. Can anyone explain me this psychological problem I have?]
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[I have a question: always thinking of Emin Pasha, I always fancy HMG armed army. I donot know why. Can anyone explain me this psychological problem I have?]
Yes, you are clinically insane and should only be allowed to play 40K with figures made from sponge lol
No, HMGs are wonderful things and I always try to include at least one if it's at all feasible ;)
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I believe you have congratulated me more than adequately, Argsilverson. You can stop now, else I fear it shall go to my head. :)
There was another "Emin Pasha Relief Expedition", headed by that combined Yank and Welshman, Henry Morton Stanley. He headed towards Equatoria from the Congo side, and Hiram Maxim presented him with one of his new machine-guns to take along and have a bit of a play about with, which I believe was the first one to go to Africa.
Perhaps that's what you're thinking of?
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[I have a question: always thinking of Emin Pasha, I always fancy HMG armed army. I donot know why. Can anyone explain me this psychological problem I have?]
Yes, you are clinically insane and should only be allowed to play 40K with figures made from sponge lol
No, HMGs are wonderful things and I always try to include at least one if it's at all feasible ;)
Yes maybe I am insane. After wargaming, collecting miniatures and modelling for 40 years I think I reached the state not to play any 40K. Your treatment is very harsh.
I believe you have congratulated me more than adequately, Argsilverson. You can stop now, else I fear it shall go to my head. :)
There was another "Emin Pasha Relief Expedition", headed by that combined Yank and Welshman, Henry Morton Stanley. He headed towards Equatoria from the Congo side, and Hiram Maxim presented him with one of his new machine-guns to take along and have a bit of a play about with, which I believe was the first one to go to Africa.
Perhaps that's what you're thinking of?
Dear Plynkes,
Once again very good work. I love your themes/reports/photos and they have inspired myself very much. Now ehere is my Masai figures, I need to find someone to paint them!
HMG: Maybe I don't know. But I would love to see some askaris with MGs included in a similar expedition.
I anxiously wait for the next continuation or new adventure of yours!
[Plynkes, are you really in Valparaiso?]
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Yes maybe I am insane. After wargaming, collecting miniatures and modelling for 40 years I think I reached the state not to play any 40K. Your treatment is very harsh.
Only joking, my friend. No offence intended, so I apologize if I have upset or annoyed you.
After all, as much as we try and argue against it, we all share a sort of insanity, I fear. :(
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That's just it, they look as good as the ones I took ages over, barring the odd sloppy bit of shield design application that I was in too much of a hurry to touch up. That's why I was annoyed with myself for not using this method all along!
And they still look better than my best efforts :-[
You might as well use your new hyperspeed system for the masses and just use the labour-intensive method for the characters. That way you will get more figures on-table quicker and we will hopefully get more frequent battle reports to enjoy.
The figures may not look too different, but at least your conscience will be mollified if your special ones get more loving care and attention lol
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Yes maybe I am insane. After wargaming, collecting miniatures and modelling for 40 years I think I reached the state not to play any 40K. Your treatment is very harsh.
Only joking, my friend. No offence intended, so I apologize if I have upset or annoyed you.
After all, as much as we try and argue against it, we all share a sort of insanity, I fear. :(
No offense, yes we are a bit of insane, me more. But sometimes, since English is not my mother language, I might give wrong impressions.
But let's stop argueing between us, this thread is by and for Plynkes and his marvellous job!
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Great stuff !! love the figures and game report !! would of said so earlier but I just got back from vacation, Good inspiration for my pulp/africa plans Thanks for sharing
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No offense, yes we are a bit of insane, me more. But sometimes, since English is not my mother language, I might give wrong impressions.
But let's stop argueing between us, this thread is by and for Plynkes and his marvellous job!
Quite right!
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(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%202/pic21.jpg)
The careful, ponderous advance of the Masai continued. While very protective of the lives of his men, Sickers' Masai Hero character redeemed his reputation as a fearless warrior with a series of loud challenges aimed at Peters to settle this matter in single combat. Repeated attempts to call him out were quietly ignored by the German.
So the Masai continued with their plan of a simultaneous assault on the enemy from two sides.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%202/pic22.jpg)
However, this hopeful plan quickly unravelled. One group of moran were now extremely close to Peters' undefended camp. The temptation was just too much for them. They failed their "Ooh, presents and shiny things!" roll, and were compelled to put their attack plan on hold while they looted the camp.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%202/pic23.jpg)
Wakey opted to press on with his part of the attack, rather than wait. The thick bush caused him some difficulty in lining up his men for the charge. Peters' musketeers took advantage of this and opened fire. Peters himself joined in with his large calibre hunting rifle. The results were unspectacular, no real harm was done.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%202/pic24.jpg)
And before there was time to reload, the Masai were on them!
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%202/pic25.jpg)
The porters fought bravely...
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%202/pic26.jpg)
...But as more and more warriors joined the fray...
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%202/pic27.jpg)
... the outcome seemed inevitable...
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%202/pic28.jpg)
...Which indeed it proved to be. Finally some glory for the moran: They had massacred some reluctant armed porters!
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%202/pic29.jpg)
This side of the square now seemed wide open. Peters stared doom in the face and met it calmly, strolling towards the milling mass of warriors trying to recover from their exertions.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%202/pic30.jpg)
"Abasi, hand me the 12-gauge, bitte."
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%202/pic31.jpg)
The shotgun did nasty work, but there were still too many of them. Things weren't looking good.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%202/pic32.jpg)
Across the way the other Masai were still busying themselves with looting.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%202/pic33.jpg)
While the laibon stealthily crept through the bushes, looking for victims to cast his magic on.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%202/pic34.jpg)
Peters' ferocious combat with the Masai continued.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%202/pic35.jpg)
Miraculously they somehow still hadn't killed him.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%202/pic36.jpg)
The remaining unit of armed porters, annoyed to see the Masai rifling through their stuff, began taking pot-shots at them. As ineffective as ever, I'm afraid.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%202/pic37.jpg)
What's this? Peters still alive? What the...? Come on you useless moran!
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%202/pic38.jpg)
The Masai Hero at this point played his only real part in the story. He charged up to the Somalis and threw his knobkerrie at them. They shot back at him and missed. Honour was satisfied so both of them called it quits.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%202/pic39.jpg)
Incredibly, last man standing was Peters. Panicked by their seeming inability to harm him, the remaining Masai turned and scattered. Obviously he was a powerful sorceror with many protective wards and charms.
This was an amazing feat of arms, which really deserved a round of applause. I voted Peters as Man of the Match because of it.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%202/pic40.jpg)
Back by the camp, musketry, porters milling about, and looting greeted the eyes.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%202/pic41.jpg)
Then the Laibon jumped out of the bushes and did his funky Juju thing. He was mostly ignored by everybody, but it did put the wind up the unarmed porters.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%202/pic42.jpg)
Finally bored with looting, the moran at the camp managed to reorganise themselves for a charge. And charge they did, smack into the remaining band of armed porters.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%202/pic43.jpg)
This lot were all too quickly overwhelmed.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%202/pic44.jpg)
Now there was a lull. Peters had lost his camp and most of his force (admittedly the least effective part of it). The Masai had looted the camp and killed enough enemies to satisfy honour, but had paid a heavy price for it. The hour had grown late, and both sides were exhausted and had had their confidence dented. So they called a truce. The Masai said Peters could leave. If he did so right away and caused no more harm, he would not be molested and could go freely. This he was very happy to agree to.
Which is pretty much what happened in real life, more or less.
Thus ended our game, with a negotiated settlement, and both sides relieved to see the back of the other. Everybody enjoyed the game, and those who hadn't played T&T before said they really liked it, and wanted to play it again. Bravo! One thing that was very noticeable was just how powerful heroes are in this game, and how hard to put out of action. It's fine if you want an Indiana Jones or Rider Haggard sort of vibe, but if you want a more realistic, historical game, it might be worthwhile toning them down a bit. Perhaps using the normal troops wound table on them for instance, or giving them less wounds, so they aren't quite so tough. Just a thought, personally I quite like having them powerful.
So ends our tale.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/Die%20deutsche%20Emin%20Pasha%20Expedition/Game%20Pics%202/Masaiherd.jpg)
For now, peace reigns once more on the Laikipiak Plateau...
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awesome just simply awesome :-*
Now i really want to play.
dodge
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I never thought it could be possible to combine colonial wargaming, fireworks special effects and Lemmy in one place, but at last it's been done :o :-*
Excellent report, great photos and bags of laughs. Splendid!
I second that and all other comments!
Dear Plynkes.
Have I congratulated you?
If not: Congratulations, fantastic work, nice report, lovely photos, escellent paintjob and everything is marvellous.
What more to say???
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...They failed their "Ooh, presents and shiny things!" roll...
I'm glad I wasn't drinking when I read this! I nearly choked! lol Excellent report and minis. I wish I could discipline myself to paint faster so I could get more minis actually finished. Growing up with 54mm's and oil paints, I find it hard to get away from the tendency to paint everything as an individual figure rather than part of a group. It's a good thing I don't game. It'd be hard to replay something like Rorke's Drift with three painted figures!
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One thing that was very noticeable was just how powerful heroes are in this game, and how hard to put out of action. It's fine if you want an Indiana Jones or Rider Haggard sort of vibe, but if you want a more realistic, historical game, it might be worthwhile toning them down a bit.
We made the same observation in a Darkest Africa game back in July with one hero (He had the 'Fencer'-skill.) used as a main offensive weapon and single-handedly defeating two units in a row. The player on the receiving end went 'Booo! Warhammer generals ...' but I really like the way heroes are implemented in this game.
You have to keep an eye on their potential as simply rolling a random skill as suggested in the rules can seriously unbalance the forces. Since then we always play with a game master over here.
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Great stuff, I can't wait to try out T&T myself.
Chuck
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Just rereading the whole thread, [once again your report/phots is magnificent] I found an excuse to buy and paint a unit of Zulu warriors. Germans at this early stage of their colonial adventure had a tradition of hiring unit, i.e. made use of mercenary units.
One of them was a Zulu Company, another one was "Sudanese Askari" with Turksih officers. Now where I can find turbaned head to convert some askari?
See this site, which should be familiar, I think, to most here: :)
http://www.darkestafrica.de/darkest_africa_schutztruppe.html
..and this:
http://www.germancolonialuniforms.co.uk/
The Zulu company can use the same Copplestone East Africa Company (DOAG) askari figures (which Plynkes has done in their white sailor suits), just with a khaki paint conversion. The Sudanese companies are a simple enough conversion, adding putty turbans to the Copplestone "Schutztruppe Askaris". Or just leave off the turbans; they disappeared by 1891 anyway.
A total madman would consider getting a boatload of both typpes, and swapping the few turbaned heads among the DOAG askaris to the "Schusztruppe" as early Sudanese. this would be a real pain due to the neckcloths in place on the "Schutztruppe" figures.
I am happy to report that I am only partially insane, and have given up on the idea as too much work...
Allen
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I used those DOAG fellows because Chris Peers says Peters outfitted his Somalis in uniforms that were very similar to theirs.
And all the nice girls do love a sailor.
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I used those DOAG fellows because Chris Peers says Peters outfitted his Somalis in uniforms that were very similar to theirs.
Yes, and Peters had a whopping twenty-one of them!
Remember when--ten years ago--Foundry said they'd bring out a full German range to complement the British and Belgians?
http://home.earthlink.net/~cyberkiwi/soldiers/articles.html
Whoops!
Allen
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Sic Transit Gloria Foundri.
Twenty-one? That's far too many for a lazy boy like me to paint, especially as I'll probably never use them again. My six were representing the ...um, nine that had repeating rifles. I seem to have mislaid the rest.
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Now where I can find turbaned head to convert some askari?
Redoubt ACW figures come with separate heads. Some of their Zouave heads have turbans [although wrapped around the "fez" zouave cap]. These might work as a basis for conversion. The figures are slightly larger than Foundry but would fit well with Copplestone etc. I happily use all three together.
They sell separate packs of heads at 50 pence a pack. I think these are packs of 6, based on the fact that the bodies come in sixes.
http://www.redoubtenterprises.com/shop/?page=shop/browse&category_id=87f3a51d4db53d9fd5fc50be228a9668
There are no pics of the heads, but the bodies are :
(http://www.redoubtenterprises.com/shop/shop_image/product/7a57dc99fe1eecde1f3a5fca6c964ec1.jpg)
So you can see they are very nice figures.
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One thing that was very noticeable was just how powerful heroes are in this game, and how hard to put out of action. It's fine if you want an Indiana Jones or Rider Haggard sort of vibe, but if you want a more realistic, historical game, it might be worthwhile toning them down a bit.
We made the same observation in a Darkest Africa game back in July with one hero (He had the 'Fencer'-skill.) used as a main offensive weapon and single-handedly defeating two units in a row. The player on the receiving end went 'Booo! Warhammer generals ...' but I really like the way heroes are implemented in this game.
You have to keep an eye on their potential as simply rolling a random skill as suggested in the rules can seriously unbalance the forces. Since then we always play with a game master over here.
We made the same observation in our test run of the T&T. Björn has said several times that it is very much on purpose and in the spirit of the game design.
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Just rereading the whole thread, [once again your report/phots is magnificent] I found an excuse to buy and paint a unit of Zulu warriors. Germans at this early stage of their colonial adventure had a tradition of hiring unit, i.e. made use of mercenary units.
One of them was a Zulu Company, another one was "Sudanese Askari" with Turksih officers. Now where I can find turbaned head to convert some askari?
See this site, which should be familiar, I think, to most here: :)
http://www.darkestafrica.de/darkest_africa_schutztruppe.html
..and this:
http://www.germancolonialuniforms.co.uk/
The Zulu company can use the same Copplestone East Africa Company (DOAG) askari figures (which Plynkes has done in their white sailor suits), just with a khaki paint conversion. The Sudanese companies are a simple enough conversion, adding putty turbans to the Copplestone "Schutztruppe Askaris". Or just leave off the turbans; they disappeared by 1891 anyway.
A total madman would consider getting a boatload of both typpes, and swapping the few turbaned heads among the DOAG askaris to the "Schusztruppe" as early Sudanese. this would be a real pain due to the neckcloths in place on the "Schutztruppe" figures.
I am happy to report that I am only partially insane, and have given up on the idea as too much work...
Allen
In some earlier version of the German colonial uniforms website, used to depict the Zulu company as "Zulus", i.e. assegai/shield and Zulu regalia. I still remeber it because it was surprising enough to see german units without uniforms!!!
Since in the newer version of the website is not any drawing of the Zulus and not any description, given the obsession do germans have with uniforms, then it could be a very early unit at the first years of the Wissmanntruppen or my memory misleads me.
However I am still trying to find some useful figures to produce a small unit of Sudanese askaris with turbans {even they disappeared very early).
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Bravo!
Well done mate!
An excellent game report, fine terrain and beautiful minis!
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Dear Plynkes,
Just now I found an interesting image, titled:
Meeting of Emin Pasha and Sir Henry Morton Stanley, Kavalli, 1888.
see it here:
http://www.ilnpictures.co.uk/ProductDetails.asp?ProductDetailID=71999
I think it is interesting for you!
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Dear Plynkes,
I come back.
I was excited when I found the image so I posted the link, immediately.
After that while searching the search results there are a lot more interesting images about Sir Henry etc and other of colonial interest.
Search and thy receive!
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Very nice and interesting battle report. I'm not familiar with the rules you were using, perhaps you could enlighten me. Would be a nice excuse to work out making a not-Indiana Jones(and any number of equally suitable hero-types) to lead some guys around with.
Looking forward to any battle reports you might do!
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Thanks, Argsilverson. I didn't reply before because I had a day away from the computer yesterday.
Bako Ikaporamee, the T&T rules are somewhat connected with LAF, and have their own board here. There's plenty of topics and reports that might give you a feel for the rules.
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?board=25.0 (http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?board=25.0)
T&T also has its own website:
http://www.triumph-tragedy.de/index.html (http://www.triumph-tragedy.de/index.html)
I think T&T would be a good choice for Indy-style games, personally. Characters are powerful and can exercise quite an influence on the outcome of the game, ideal for heroic gaming with an Indy flavour.
It has some cool ideas that I haven't seen elsewhere, such as the card activation system that decides who acts at what time during a turn. It's also pretty easy to pick up. Two of the players in our Masai game had never played it before, but after a few turns were running the game themselves, with minimal input from me as GM.
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Ah, I see. Thanks, and good gaming!
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A great report, well finished minis and fun game. What more could you want? Well..more of the same obviously. I hadn't seen Masai played before so good to see something a little different and so well put together.
Are you planning any Tanganika entanglements with those Germans (no pun intended) or perhaps some Ethiopian escapades?
Thanks for sharing.
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The Darkest Africa plans at the moment are to do an Ngoni vs. Schutztruppe battle some time, and after that I'm thinking about doing a campaign. Will be something like the one in the back of the "In the Heart of Africa" rulebook, but probably with a few changes, and perhaps some ideas from "Dark Continent."
Have to finish the armies first though. At the moment I have Force Publique, Masai, Ngoni, Ruga-Ruga, Arab slaver and explorer forces all at various stages of completion, plus Azande and Somali armies that as yet haven't ever seen any paint. Once we have enough up and running I'll start thinking about the details of the campaign.
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Have to finish the armies first though. At the moment I have Force Publique, Masai, Ngoni, Ruga-Ruga, Arab slaver and explorer forces all at various stages of completion, plus Azande and Somali armies that as yet haven't ever seen any paint. Once we have enough up and running I'll start thinking about the details of the campaign.
So not much to do then lol
Dodge
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It's not so bad. There are only four of us, so we don't need all those armies to be finished to get a campaign started. The Masai and explorer forces are pretty much done, and the Force Publique and Schutztruppe too (though I'm not sure they'll be in the campaign, at least not to begin with). Just need a few things here and there to round them out.
Unfortunately my interest in the Great War keeps butting in and slowing down the Darkest Africa work rate.
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[applause !!]
I stumbled across this and had a happy 10 mins reading from start to finish
I have DOAG and Shuttentruppe Askari ... i can feel a Charles Stokes type expedition coming on despite my game-name
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Lovely! Super stuff once again Herr Plynkes!
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You're very kind. I think both my painting and photography have improved a bit since this was done. The paint-jobs are okay, but the photos aren't anything to write home about.
I'm rather depressed that all this time later I still haven't painted those armies I was talking about in the discussion above. One is finished, another is 'sort of' finished, but the rest nowhere near. Shocking. Absolutely shocking bad going.
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Thank you for digging this up Stanley, I hadn't seen it before either.
And don't worry Plynkes, all looks pretty good to me, and no project is ever truly "finished" is it? lol
Wonderful stuff.
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, and no project is ever truly "finished" is it? lol
Wise words. I am a class 'A' back of beyond addict, and need help. 2,000 figures and (still) growing. I really do need help.
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Wise words. I am a class 'A' back of beyond addict, and need help. 2,000 figures and (still) growing. I really do need help.
2000 miniatures is beyond addiction. It's a strategic reserve.
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2000 miniatures is beyond addiction. It's a strategic reserve.
hahahahahahahahahahaha! lol lol lol lol lol lol lol