The Race to the Middle of Nowhere

[redzed]

A round table is a inspired idea

 how large is it please?

[Plynkes]

Really? Got any more information on this?

On the expedition to the Lado Enclave: >>LINK<<

The info on the larger Baron Dhanis expedition and its secret orders to conquer Sudan (before collapsing into mutiny) I read in this very informative book:



Specifically the chapter called "The Race to the Middle of Nowhere." 

A round table is a inspired idea

 how large is it please?

66" diameter. It's nice to use for a change now and again. Our normal table is very long and thin, so depending how you place the figures you tend to get a very wide battle with not much depth, or vice versa. Can feel a little restricting sometimes. The round table gives a totally different feel. You have a nice wide play space in all directions. The plan was originally to use it for Rorke's Drift type scenarios where you have defenders in the centre surrounded by attackers on all sides (which wouldn't work too well on our normal table). But we have found it is a fun table for other kinds of game too.


It also comes in very handy if you need somewhere for your order of chivalry to meet.

[Hammers]

66" diameter. It's nice to use for a change now and again. Our normal table is very long and thin, so depending how you place the figures you tend to get a very wide battle with not much depth, or vice versa. Can feel a little restricting sometimes. The round table gives a totally different feel. You have a nice wide play space in all directions. The plan was originally to use it for Rorke's Drift type scenarios where you have defenders in the centre surrounded by attackers on all sides (which wouldn't work too well on our normal table). But we have found it is a fun table for other kinds of game too.


It also comes in very handy if you need somewhere for your order of chivalry to meet.

I am eager to try this.

I wonder what that order may be...? The Illuminated and Most Hermetic Brethren of Funny Headwear?

[oxiana]

The info on the larger Baron Dhanis expedition and its secret orders to conquer Sudan (before collapsing into mutiny) I read in this very informative book:



Specifically the chapter called "The Race to the Middle of Nowhere." 

I'd add another vote for this utterly magnificent book - one of the best out there for this period. It's a fat tome, but a real page-turner. The Sudan and Congo definitely form a core part of the book, but it covers the whole gamut from the mid-1870s to about 1905.

[Lowtardog]

Agreed a cracking book, and one of those present form a family member unexpected and one of the best I ahve received

[Westfalia Chris]

I recently borrowed that one from our University Library (they got tons of interesting colonial stuff, currently reading up on the Boer War in my spare time), but was a bit disappointed - well-written, if almost "Russian Novelist" with all the named protagonists, but a bit too anglo-centric to be used as a standalone book, IMHO.

That said, it is a good read and betrays amazing levels of research. I would just have preferred a bit more on the rival Colonial Powers at times.

[oxiana]

I've just seen the new Wargames Illustrated (the 'Viking issue'), which has a big piece by Gary Chalk on this genre - a mini campaign of five linked scenarios for - colonials, elephants, Arabs, natives, the whole bit. Looks an interesting read.

[Gluteus Maximus]

I've just seen the new Wargames Illustrated (the 'Viking issue'), which has a big piece by Gary Chalk on this genre - a mini campaign of five linked scenarios for - colonials, elephants, Arabs, natives, the whole bit. Looks an interesting read.

Yes, it's a very good article. The basic campaign as described looks like it would be a lot of fun, with plenty of replay value. The best part is that the system itself is very open to expanding and "improving" by having lots of different scenarios and good/bad things happening in the "travel" phases between battles. The card idea is very good and would help keep book-keeping to a minimum and avoid having to fiddle about plotting map moves etc. It would be easily adaptable to other wars or periods, eg the NW Frontier or a Viking raid etc. Possibly even a skirmish campaign for games such as Zorro or Conan.

Deinitely worth looking at as the basis for a mapless campaign system

[Plynkes]

I've just seen the new Wargames Illustrated (the 'Viking issue'), which has a big piece by Gary Chalk on this genre - a mini campaign of five linked scenarios for - colonials, elephants, Arabs, natives, the whole bit. Looks an interesting read.

Got it today. Haven't read it yet but the pics are gorgeous. I WANT THAT TEMBE!!!! 

[Westfalia Chris]

Got it today. Haven't read it yet but the pics are gorgeous. I WANT THAT TEMBE!!!! 

"I WANT THAT TEMBE" - exactly my thoughts as I paged through the article.

Ever since I read the "Traders and Slavers in Nyasaland" WI articles back in 1999, I wanted to build such a structure, but never committed myself enough to actually pull it off. Now that my DOAG Askaris and Marinirkorps are almost done, I think I should focus on some compact terrain.

[Plynkes]

Steve Barber models used to sell one. Unfortunately no longer available. I curse the fact I put off buying it.