Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => The Conflicts that came in from the Cold => Topic started by: Olsson on June 14, 2017, 05:17:14 PM
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I've been meaning to get into more scenario based wargaming for awhile now, and I picked up the Spectre book and it seems pretty ideal for that. So been trying to figure out the logistics of making this happend, and I'll be having this thread in a attempt to motivate myself to actually get working. So the biggest initial challenge for me is my lack of modern terrain, as I have historically either been playing sci-fi or fantasy games.
So for my initial scenario I was inspired by one of the fantastic dioramas made in the Spectre book.
(http://www.beastsofwar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/The-Command-Phase-394x278.jpg)
- Image from Spectre Miniatures, linked from Beasts of War.
So in essence my idea is a meeting between a cartel leader and a terrorist banker in the US set out at some isolated cabin for privacy while discussing how to smuggle various threats into the United States. A Special Activities Division team is sent in by the CIA to capture the terrorist banker, and either capture or kill the cartel leader. In essence I want to play this as the cartel and terrorists being both controlled by what in essence is a GM, and while both against the SAD forces are not quite on the same side so could potentially come into conflict with eachother.
So in essence the current writeup looks something like this.
Operation Cabin Fire: Capture & Extract HVI.
An asset has informed the Agency of a time and location for an exchange between Erasto Kaar, the banker for Asad Kaahin and Santino Rivas of the Sosa Cartel. The exchange is said to be about Kaahin making use of the cartel's smuggling network into the United States. The meeting is to take place at a hunting cabin owned by Santino outside of Boston. Both parties are expected to bring armed escorts. Intel suggests one Amid Hajjad, former South African Special Forces is present, connected to several terror acts in the MENA regions and suspected lieutenant of Kaahin.
Mission:
SAD
Primary Objective: Capture Erasto Kaar
Secondary Objective: Capture Santino Rivas, Kill Amid Hajjad.
Tertiary Objective: Kill Santino Rivas, Leave no man behind.
Terrorist
Primary Objective: Escape with Erasto Kaar.
Secondary Objective: Kill all SAD forces.
Cartel
Primary Objective: Kill all SAD forces.
Secondary: Escape with Santino Rivas.
FORCES
SAD:
x1 Elite Commander with Assault Rifle, Red Dot & Laser Sight, Med Kit, Long Range Comms, Frag, Stun, Smoke, Pistol
x4 Elite Fighters
x1 with Assault Rifle, Red Dot & Laser Sight, Med Kit, Comms, Frag, Stun, Smoke, Pistol.
x1 with Assault Rifle, Red Dot & Laser Sight, Med Kit, Comms, Frag, Stun, Smoke, Pistol, Trauma Kit, Stim Kit
x1 with Assault Rifle, Red Dot & Laser Sight, Med Kit, Comms, Frag, Stun, Smoke, Pistol, Breaching Tools
x1 with Assault Rifle, Scope, Med Kit, Climbing Gear, Comms, Frag, Smoke, Stun, Pistol,
Cartel:
x1 Trained Commander with Pistol, Long Range Comms
x2 Militia Squad Leader, x1 with Machine Pistol & Frag, x1 with SMG & frag.
x10 Militia with Assault Rifles
Terrorist:
x1 Civilian with pistol, long range comms
x1 Elite Squad Leader with Assault Rifle, Under Barrel Grenade Launcher, Body Armor, Long Range Comms.
x1 Trained Squad Leader, Combat Shotgun, Body Armor, Frag
x4 Trained Fighters, Assault Rifle, Body Armor, Frag
Board: 4x4
Terrain Type: Forest, Cabin, Hunting Tower, Cars.
Visibility: Night? Day?
Alertness: SAD begins Alert, Criminal and Terrorist Unalert.
Initative: SAD begins with the Initative.
Other: Elite Squad Leader mentors Trained Squad to Professional.
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Sounds interesting. Please keep us informed about your progress. :)
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Another Spectre player! Looking forward to seeing how this project goes along!
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Great scenario :)
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Looking forward to seeing this. Just one quick thought though. in the Alphabet soup that is US intelligence agency, domestic ops would most likely be handled by FBI, DEA, DHS along with Federal marshals, local police and possible Military being brought it.
With such a small group, I would think a joint op with FBI, DEA with local Marshals going into make the arrest/shoot every one and county Sheriff's or police department providing a cordon.
Or if it is a quick scrabble op then say FBI or DEA trying to do a quick grab before the meeting breaks up. With the Baddies trying to get away before the more law enforcement arrives and cuts off their escape.
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So far my biggest challenge seems to be getting my hands on the reccomended 20mm bases, Spectre Miniatures just sold out before I was gonna put in an order for them and the bad guys. Do the rest of you who play Spectre use the 20mm bases or 25mm ones since that makes the models also useable in various other systems as it is a more common size? I do quite like the tokens they have that fit around the base.
And a fair point commissarmoody! Mostly I want to make use of the lovely Deniable Operators range from Spectre (https://www.spectreminiatures.com/collections/deniable-operators) which to with their utter lack of uniform to me spoke of something maybe not fully on the books. Perhaps something military would be more suitable? Although I am also a bit inspired by a lot of media I'll admit, not being american myself where the CIA often take quite some liberties with the whole "not meant to operator domestically" or I could just make this take place in say, Europe or something and change out the cartel for some mob.
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I use 25mm bases with no issues. The only downside is figures take up a little more space and the tokens fit on the base rather than around them.
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Renedra do 20mm round bases (they also come in the Perry WW2 sets).
I have used 25mm bases for my starter set because that is what I have used for my other moderns. I have used Warlord lipped flat bases for them (urban bases).
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Some mishaps with my first primer had me all covered in black paint, but managed to atleast start to paint one of the guys today. Not sure I am entierly done yet, my attempt to make a dark leather jacket I am not happy with. And it feels like he might be too dark. And pictures always makes it all seem worse to me.
My first miniature in a few years now, and the more realistic style of Spectre is so tiny compared to most of what I am used to. I'm thinking perhaps brighter, more contrasting colours. Suggestions are most welcome.
(http://i.imgur.com/ooyhP4w.jpg)
Better picture with my camera, somewhat less flattering.
(http://i.imgur.com/Q072Q0F.jpg)
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For non military paint jobs, I would suggest having a look through the following:
https://opponent-theory.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Walking%20Dead (https://opponent-theory.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Walking%20Dead)
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I honestly usually just use metal washer for bases.
And No problem, I was being a little to serous last night when I posted. Dudes can totally be CIA acting domestically using deniable assists. Could lead to a cool problem say in a campaign where other government agencies don't know who they are and try to take them down.
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Of course, if you have watched Quantico, anything goes.
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Starting back on this a bit, been doing some painting recently.
It's my first time working a lot with non-plastics, and the more realistic anatomy of the Spectre miniatures are a challenge! But it's fun.
Mostly done with a few of the SAD team and two of the cartel members.
(https://i.imgur.com/wZC2uXD.jpg)
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Looking good!
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Very nice!
AMAZON sells LiTKO's clear round 20mm bases. ;)
https://www.amazon.com/1-5mm-Clear-Miniature-Bases-Circular/dp/B00MNMKA6W (https://www.amazon.com/1-5mm-Clear-Miniature-Bases-Circular/dp/B00MNMKA6W)
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Great paintjob! :)
I also use 25 mm bases with no problems...
I like you posted your scenario and armylist! There are so many ideas all around here, we should have a dedicated thread where to share all these infos... :P
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They look good.
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On the note of bases I did eventually when Spectre stocked up buy some 60 20mm bases from them which hopefully will last awhile. But it's good to know the 25mm ones work just as fine for people.
Found a little time in today to paint more, so did the last two of the Deniable Range from Spectre. I've all my primed things done now so will have to turn to the next bits, some militia and a ranger who will be my first forray into painting camo.
(https://i.imgur.com/9uGj8FQ.jpg)
Inspired by Chargeblog among others I have been toying with the idea of an imagination of some sort as I feel that really can apply to the sort of narrative gaming which I enjoy, so been going through various pratical elements such as terrain. Desert terrain has an appeal in its simplicity among other things, you can get away with a lot less in the way of trees and other flora in contrast to say a jungle, or even a more temperate forest.
One idea I've been playing with is a American imagination, something in the vein of Mexico but smaller. A nation which has become unstable due to the prominent cartels in the area,a goverment which is fighting to stabilize the nation, with a close relationship with the USA and Mexico who both have an interest in stabilizing the region. I feel it might limit me too much, to largely have the enemy be in the form of criminal elements, although powerful, rather than nation states or similar organizations.
I'm mostly just throwing ideas at the wall to see what sticks currently, but hopefully something more concrete will come to mind eventually.
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One idea I've been playing with is a American imagination, something in the vein of Mexico but smaller. A nation which has become unstable due to the prominent cartels in the area,a goverment which is fighting to stabilize the nation, with a close relationship with the USA and Mexico who both have an interest in stabilizing the region. I feel it might limit me too much, to largely have the enemy be in the form of criminal elements, although powerful, rather than nation states or similar organizations.
I'm mostly just throwing ideas at the wall to see what sticks currently, but hopefully something more concrete will come to mind eventually.
I like this idea very much!
Looking forward to see how it develops!
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/54/Bot%C3%B3n_Me_gusta.svg/1200px-Bot%C3%B3n_Me_gusta.svg.png)
In a "Banana Republic"-type Imagi-Nation you can have narco criminals, revolutionary guerrilla, local militia, government forces (including paramilitary "death squads"), CIA folks, DEA agents, Special US Operatives (as military "advisors"), PMC forces from several different countries/companies, UN troops/helpers, etc...
And of course the Evil Mastermind in his secret island/volcano base... :D
Check it out: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BananaRepublic (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BananaRepublic)
And this blog entry has a very nice example of game in such a country, with lots of things happening at once in the same table: http://jjwargames.blogspot.com.br/2016/12/viva-los-locos-just-another-day-in-san.html (http://jjwargames.blogspot.com.br/2016/12/viva-los-locos-just-another-day-in-san.html)
;)
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Renedra do 20mm bases (I use them for 15mm figures and other things).
My main source is Perry WW2 sets, though you should be able to get them direct.
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(https://i.imgur.com/gmLEXdP.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/tjqnSW5.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/C2vR0tF.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/0ZC9I9t.jpg)
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So I've been reading a bit on the Spectre Rulebook and considering Off Table Assets I had a question. It makes note that once you call for the support you mark an impact point and the turn wait. How do people who play usually handle this? Both the option of putting down a marker and making a note on a map and keeping it secret are mentioned. If a marker is used the other play is obviously well aware of that.
So do people usually play for it openly? Saying what you are calling in, if you fail/succeed, mark down where it is and how long until it hits and count on people to not react to such "out of character" information? Seeing as they would have no idea you have called for whatever Asset you are using.
Or do people keep all or some bits of it secret and play on a honor system?
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Or do people keep all or some bits of it secret and play on a honor system?
We do this way, because we feel that the secrecy and surprise fits the mood of the game perfectly.
Never had a problem with what you call a "honor system", because non-honorable people know better to stay far away from our games table! :D
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Looks great! I also think the idea of a Latin American Imagination sounds interesting...
Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Miscellaneous/LPL_bades_zpsl7op2jaz.jpg)
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Looks great! I also think the idea of a Latin American Imagination sounds interesting...
And they can be fun as hell! lol
Take a look: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BananaRepublic (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BananaRepublic)
(lots of links and folders to be open, but GREAT stuff!)
;)
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And they can be fun as hell! lol
Take a look: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BananaRepublic (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BananaRepublic)
(lots of links and folders to be open, but GREAT stuff!)
;)
Anyone who clicks on that link will not get any work done,let alone any hobby stuff.
(https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/tab_explosion.png)
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Anyone who clicks on that link will not get any work done,let alone any hobby stuff.
lol lol lol lol lol
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So I've been writing up my imagination and settled on a few factions, since I am not gonna be in the MENA area I was gonna ask if people have any suggestions for where to find miniatures for civilian clad rebel/militia-esque miniatures without the traditional middle east-signifyers. So far I mostly know of some of the Spectre ones for that as even their MENA aren't all turbans.
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So I've been writing up my imagination and settled on a few factions, since I am not gonna be in the MENA area I was gonna ask if people have any suggestions for where to find miniatures for civilian clad rebel/militia-esque miniatures without the traditional middle east-signifyers. So far I mostly know of some of the Spectre ones for that as even their MENA aren't all turbans
LOTS of very cheap Western civilians of all kinds from Heroclix! ;)
Take a look: http://x-actoscience.blogspot.com.br/2013/05/heroclix-your-best-source-for-modern.html (http://x-actoscience.blogspot.com.br/2013/05/heroclix-your-best-source-for-modern.html)
Some of them are really good sculpts, easy to convert, scale perfectly with Spectre miniatures and can look AWESOME with the right paint job!
(Ok, this Drax repaint is a now Cartel sicario (hitman) and not a proper "civilian", but you've got the idea! lol):
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Spectre has their Latin American range.
Hassefree has a vast range of excellent modern miniatures.
Crooked Dice has a number of "Programmes" that might meet your needs plus the always useful Minions range (as used by Chargedog).
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x6BY4OaPMPU/ViUy0-RVwKI/AAAAAAAABAY/b06PyQNr9B4/s1600/WilliamKillan1.png)
I will post some links and pictures later.
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Hasslefree adventurers
http://www.hfminis.co.uk/shop?category=modern-%26%0D%0Apost%252dapoc~modern-adventurers (http://www.hfminis.co.uk/shop?category=modern-%26%0D%0Apost%252dapoc~modern-adventurers)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DaDQQE_K4uc/WRokUpAGYdI/AAAAAAAACQ8/LxO2u1YOfewKNt2SsqAGnMrnb1nNEnwrgCLcB/s1600/pulse1.png)
Pulse
(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ll2pmr62AYU/WTL3kQI6xgI/AAAAAAAACUo/UWbWaXisoBId_lg-saRV6uAw3XcNlGcGwCLcB/s1600/vic1.png)
Vic
Modern troopers
http://www.hfminis.co.uk/shop?category=modern-%26%0D%0Apost%252dapoc~modern-troopers (http://www.hfminis.co.uk/shop?category=modern-%26%0D%0Apost%252dapoc~modern-troopers)
Modern civilians
http://www.hfminis.co.uk/shop?category=modern-%26%0D%0Apost%252dapoc~modern-non%252dcoms-%2F-civilians (http://www.hfminis.co.uk/shop?category=modern-%26%0D%0Apost%252dapoc~modern-non%252dcoms-%2F-civilians)
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ohbdZYQpzTM/VaDNm6xrWKI/AAAAAAAAA5g/k9wOJmzDpFo/s1600/gina.png)
Gina
There is a nice unit of US Special Forces armed with P90s.
http://www.hfminis.co.uk/shop?product=spec-ops-squad-%285%29~hfa130&category=modern-%26%0D%0Apost%252dapoc~modern-troopers (http://www.hfminis.co.uk/shop?product=spec-ops-squad-%285%29~hfa130&category=modern-%26%0D%0Apost%252dapoc~modern-troopers)
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Crooked Dice.
Cops (specifically Lawmen, Hero Cops, Tough Detectives, Detectives and LowLifes)
http://www.crooked-dice.co.uk/wp/product-tag/law-and-order (http://www.crooked-dice.co.uk/wp/product-tag/law-and-order)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KVirotVR_24/WiWH62QzHXI/AAAAAAAACuM/iBIyX3bX12w77iiqSlQyVWaCZyo9vb8uACLcBGAs/s1600/sheriff-1.png)
Hero Cop A
Minions
http://www.crooked-dice.co.uk/wp/product-tag/minions (http://www.crooked-dice.co.uk/wp/product-tag/minions)
Minion with SMG converted to Thompson SMG, Minion with pistol with MF3K pistol
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YPxUmKt0WX4/UOlU0MXIhsI/AAAAAAAAAYo/5XcX1W1wVq0/s1600/tankcrew1.png)
Minion with SMG and Westwind US head.
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dLgXmhQh4x8/UYH-C5YlH8I/AAAAAAAAAfE/GGF2HfrE8IE/s1600/ustroop3.png)
Department X
http://www.crooked-dice.co.uk/wp/product-tag/department (http://www.crooked-dice.co.uk/wp/product-tag/department)
(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NsyMTuDXONg/V0ADssYM6dI/AAAAAAAABdI/64bhXuBDDLUasL76W287cHqFUsMHqwjCQCLcB/s1600/agentssupport1.png)
X-Commandos and Hasslefree Ekaterina.
Time Lift Security (mainly the Man From 3000)
http://www.crooked-dice.co.uk/wp/product-tag/time-lift-security/ (http://www.crooked-dice.co.uk/wp/product-tag/time-lift-security/)
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ln766mH0BDo/U3mPQPYryUI/AAAAAAAAAww/8gaPxkXXrA0/s1600/sceneofcrime.png)
Female Scientist and a MF3K based detective.
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jg2AnGl2NnA/Tj7UXhoumfI/AAAAAAAAAEA/WZ7i823NC_E/s1600/agentsredandblue.png)
More MF3K
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Wargames Factory or Warlord Games Male Survivors.
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X4sbsmQshtQ/Udi3UqlqN4I/AAAAAAAAAgw/ZpVUyPk5N3s/s1600/apocalypsemen1.png)
The guy on the left is at a slight disadvantage, the Empress British infantry man has a base. The two L85s are similar size. William Killian for scale.
Female survivors
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AlOztN9ggHM/UiwhMl2D0sI/AAAAAAAAAhk/fX4nVjfHIFU/s1600/survivors2.png)
May Killian for scale.
They are multipart plastic figures.
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Many thanks for the suggestions. Been playing around a bit of how to take better pictures, but seems getting focus is the problem. Either way I have soon put paint on all the Spectre miniatures I own, so will have to order some new ones soon!
(https://i.imgur.com/Z83DYvM.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ZqrqLdI.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/eEjtV2O.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/e1WJ6fC.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/7FdmnH2.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/fxOzRjo.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/UglSEuD.jpg)
I've also written up my imagination mostly, although contemplating if I should wait with posting that until I have more actual material to show for it.
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I have an elderly digital SLR that I use. It has an option to set the point of focus which helps if the autofocus decides that it prefers other things in the view.
Nice looking paint jobs.
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Been sketching on an imagination for a little while based on latin america and figured I'd toss up here what I have so far, if nothing else for me to look back on later. As discussed above I wanted to try and make for a compelling imagination not settled in the middle east area and after reading up more on the drug wars in the Americas that took my interest although I have come into some challenges far as appropiate miniatures and terrain is concerned. But below is what I have so far. Also much kudos to ChargeDog for being willing to let the Argo Corportation expand into Baja.
The Republic of Baja California (Baja)
History
The Republic of Baja California was formed during the chaos of the Mexican Revolution during the 1910s when a group of revolutionaries managed to seize the population centers Mexicali and Tijuana in the northern parts of the region. Establishing a revolutionary goverment with a liberal agenda they quickly went to secure the new border to Mexico going along the Colorado River by saboutaging the railways and bridges. Through the years 1912 to the 1917 signing Constitution of Mexico there was irregular conflict between the new republic and the federal forces of Mexico as Baja extended its influence throughout the peninsula. It is believed the young republic was receiving indirect support from the United States, who were hoping to annex the Baja California Peninsula.
In 1920 a ceasefire was agreed upon by both nations, allowing them to try and stabilize their respective regions. Baja entered into trade agreements with the USA, largely concerning their mining operations based in the southern peninsula and formed an official military with their aid as they starter gaining recogniziton as a new nation, with their capital Mexicali renamed Baja City. Through the following decades Baja continued to strengthen its relationship with the United States whose influence spread over the nation through to the 1950s. Domestically a section of Mexico-aligned revoutionaries calling themselves Ejército de Unificación Mexicano (EUM) based largely in the more sparsely populated southern peninsula had grown into a problem which culminated in a civil war between Baja and the EUM in the late 50s.
This outdrawn conflict lead to an increase in military spending within the nation, and in 1967 General Raul Arista who was a member of a party who were concerned about the increasing American influence lead a military coup where he killed or replaced much of the sitting goverment and installed himself as President before starting to sever relations with the United States. With the rising tensions with the United States, Artista approached the USSR fearing military action as had been seen in Cuba in 1961 and began to receive funding which allowed him to increase his military power and brought the Baja military into the modern age. Following this Baja became a hotspot for the duration of the Cold War, its location just at the border of the United States making it of interest to both world powers. Espionage became rife within the military dictatorship, sections of the goverment taking payment from either or indeed both sides as corruption grew and Arista tried to balance on a knife's edge to not commit fully to neither side to avoid coming into a military egagement with either side.
This shadow war and military tension continued through the next few decades with a number of politically charged incidents taking place on Baja soil. Arista was assassinated in 1983 and the perpetrator was never caught, a topic which remains charged in the nation to this day. EUM, USA and Mexico all popular candidates. Arista was replaced by Pedro Diaz Pezuela, a General of the Baja Armed Forces. Pezuela proved to not have the popularity of Arista among the nation's elite and what followed was an era of rampant corruption and conflict with the democratic minded revolutionaries calling themselves Partido Demócrata Baja (PDB). It is here many of the oldest cartels in Baja trace their history back among them the Baja and La Paz Cartels.
Following the Soviet Union's colapse in 1991 Pezuela lost the last of his influence in the goverment and was deposed in 1992 after a short short conflict and PDB came to power calling for a free election, with the backing of the United States and other countries in the western world. Since 1992 Baja has had a slow process of becoming a democratic nation, elections are held every six years although the goverment is considered weak in the face of the violent factions still present in the nation. The relationship with the US is a growing one, and Baja joined in with the United States and Mexico in the Drug War in an attempt to fight the powerful cartels who have been established since the 80s.
Present Day
Baja is considered an unstable nation and has the highest crime rate in North America. Several violent organisations remain in the country, Pedro Pezuela after having escaped execution in 1992 gathered a faction made up of defectors from the Baja Armed Forces that call themselves the Ejército Nacional (EN) who seek to reinstate Pezuela as the head of state. The EUM remain in the southern peninsula and still seek unification with Mexico while the various cartels of which the Baja and La Paz cartel are the largest remain active. The UN keep a peackeeping force in both Baja City and La Paz since 2007, and the United States and Mexico both collaborate with the Baja goverment in the War on Drugs with US law enforcement and military present in Baja to instruct and support.
As the violence in Baja continues the people have started forming local militias around the nation, to arm and defend themselves against the various rogue groups which has also lead to conflict with the state and cartels alike. Baja's economy is largely based on mining in the southern peninsula and manufactoring in the north which has become a special economic zone in an attempt to boost trade which sees many global actors present. With the violence present these global interests also commonly hire private military contractors to see to the security of their assets.
Factions
National Forces
Baja Armed Forces (BAF)
BAF is the official military of the Republic of Baja California and saw reform in the wake of the 1992 revolution, they are under constant severe scrutiny by the goverment. The majority of the army is still equipped with Cold War-era soviet weaponry, with some of their special forces having been supplied with equipment by the United States.
Baja Federal Police (BFP)
The BFP is a paramilitary law enforcement organisation which was created after the military was forbidden from acting against the civilian population after the 1992 revolution. Trained by US and Mexican law enforcement they are the Baja goverments main tool against the cartels.
Baja Local Police (BLP)
The local police in Baja is known for its corruption, many of them on the books of the cartels, sympathizers with the EN or EUM. Generally poorly trained and equipped, with an exception generally believed to be the police departments in Baja City and Tijuana.
Foreign Forces
Mexican Naval Infantry Force
The infantry of the Mexican Navy has had a long history with Baja around the Gulf of California. Since 2010 they have on occasional been seen in Baja taking part in anti-cartel actions linked to both Baja and Mexico.
US Military
The United States military is officially present in Baja mainly to instruct during the reforms of their Armed Forces. On occasion they have been seen working together with Baja forces against the local rebel and criminal groups. It is confirmed the US Special Forces are present in Baja.
UN Peacekeeping Force
The UN have been present in Baja from 2007 when after a series of bombings and attacks in Baja City and La Paz by the EN. The force today is said to be in the low hundreds and consists mainly of United States, United Kingdoms and Russian troops.
Irregular Forces
Ejército de Unificación Mexicano (EUM)
The Mexican Unification Army is a rebel group in Baja which has a history back to the early 20th century. Mainly operating in the southern peninsula which is historically closer tied to Mexico than the north they have become known for attacks on the mining operations which are a big factor in the national economy. Rumors remain that they are supported by Mexican interests.
Ejército Nacional (EN)
The National Army is a rebel group which was formed when the military dictator Pedro Diaz Pezuela escaped execution after having been deposed in 1992. A section of the Baja Armed Forces defected with the General and have been trying to set up the circumstance for a return to power ever since. It is rumored the EN is supported by interests in Russia and Cuba.
Local Militia
Local communities have started to create their own militias to protect themselves as the violence in Baja continues. These groups are extremely varied in their equipment and goals but generally keeps a distrust for the state and have been known to attack police and other goverment officials who they deem corrupt.
Intelligence
SVR
It is generally believed SVR remain in Baja following their long history with the KGB, although now against the goverment's approval. Of interest due to their close proximity to the United States, it is a common conspiracy theory that the SVR are in contact with the National Army to overthrow the democratic goverment.
CIA
The CIA are known to be present in Baja as part of their work against the drug cartels. So far they have remained outside the eye of the public and little is known about their operations in the country.
Corporate
The Argo Corporation
Argo was drawn to Baja during the creation of the special economic zones in 2008 and has since then also expanded into mining operations in the south. Following attacks by the EN their security has been increased and it is believed they look to expand further.
Crime
Baja Cartel
The largest cartel in Baja it was founded in Baja City in the 1990s following the death of Artista seizing initative during the unstable years following the dictator's death. Their operations include drug, arms and human trafficking as well as kidnapping and extortion and has expended into Mexico and the US. Currently lead by Carlos Martin Méndez.
La Paz Cartel
The second largest cartel in Baja, founded in La Paz in the 1990s. Set in the more sparsely populated southern part of Baja they are known for their smuggling into Mexico and the US via the sea. Their leader was killed last year and thus far it is unknown who leads the cartel now.
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Looks good! Nicely written, lots of factions for a scrap and plenty of background for any scenarios. Bring on the games!
one minor point, unless a chain of UK stores has formed a corporation, it's the Argo Corporation, not Argos
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My bad! Fixed.
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Seems I missed a lot, really like your idea for an imagination. Looking forward to your take on Mexican Naval Infantry. And don't forget China might like to get its fingers into the Pie That is Baja. ;)
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Run into a bit of a hurdle for now, I seem to have painted all the modern miniatures I have. Which is a first in any gameline, I made a sizeable order of some 30 miniatures in early December which are yet to arrive that I am starting to be wondering if they will at all, I don't recall any of my earlier orders taking so long although who knows how much of a mess things were over the holidays.
Been looking at a few guides for terrain and hoping to maybe get that going in the near future.
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Love the alternate history! I especially like the factions you've created...very believable world creation.
Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Miscellaneous/LPL_bades_zpsl7op2jaz.jpg)
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Love the alternate history! I especially like the factions you've created...very believable world creation.
+1 !!!
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/54/Bot%C3%B3n_Me_gusta.svg/1200px-Bot%C3%B3n_Me_gusta.svg.png)
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Sounds good. I am sure that your package will arrive soon. The holidays play hell with international shipping.
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And of course the day after I mentioned the package it arrived. Way the world works! Managed to find the time to rinse and scrum them down a bit now, glued the reinforcements for the irregular forces to bases today, basing to do!
(https://i.imgur.com/0YGEYXq.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/vnDR2xE.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/7ZilZtP.jpg)
So gathered most of the more basic cartel/african/MENA range to work as cartel and various rebel forces. In total that element now conists of something around 18 assault riflemen, 3 machine gunners, 2 UGL riflemen, 1 sniper, 2 commanders. I also put in for 4 hostage miniatures and I have the sniper and dog w/ handler from the new British Special Forces kit, with the normal troop one to follow. Just figured I'd take the dog and sniper while avaliable since those always seem to sell like cake.
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Heh, I keep putting off orders with Spectre due to their stock issues. "Oh I can't justify the shipping costs now as x is out of stock" - x comes into stock "damn, can't order x as the thing I originally wanted is gone". They said they're sorting it out soon at least.
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Yeah, it's a bit of a back and forth! Also why I bought like 100 bases when they were finally avaliable, atleast they seem to be a popular and thriving company! I still need to figure out exactly what I am gonna use the British Special Forces for, as so far atleast I havn't put much of a british presnece into my imagination, but I love the kit. Also need to get some more "good guys" in general, the deniable assets guys can work for just about anything as well.
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I'd use the British as PMCs, or private security. I assume that they're armed with SA80s though, which doesn't see much service outside of those affiliated with the British military (...usually).
That or a limited UN effort, or possibly some guys about the British embassy (having been brought in for security after threats). Going for an external presence may escalate things beyond what you're looking for here though.
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The new SAS guys? If you've gone for the CT Response (civies and facemasks) they'd work pretty well for any sort of well equipped PMC or direct action team (throwing kit on top of their street clothes). The Rural Guys are a bit more standard SF - with the right camo scheme they'd work as any western SF team (with slightly longer format carbines)
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Yeah was the Counterterrorism Response squad with the civilian clothes I snatched up the support guys for. And fair, they do work for any sort of well-equipped PMC. The SAS guys Spectre use there actually use the C8 carbine rather then the SA80 which does make it a bit more interchangeable. Looking it up it seems Sweden's special forces makes use of that one too, which is more than I knew.
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Oh, if they have C7/8s then they'll easily work for contractors. I'd imagine an AR platform would be preferred in North America over the AK in that sort of use (at least judging by how common M16s are in Narco hands). In 28mm its not like you can tell the difference between a C8 and any SBR M16.
They're probably too fancy for a police force or the like. Just use them to bulk out one of the sides with enough money to afford that kit. :)
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Picked up at this a little bit again awhile ago, has been slow as it seems real difficult to lure people into trying out something other than Warhammer 40.000 but I keep at it. Two new cartel members.
(https://i.imgur.com/DOlk0lb.jpg)
Still need to figure out how I am gonna base my stuff, any suggestions?