AWI Hidden Movement Marker

[TheWeasel]

After playing a few games of Sharp Practice in an AWI setting, I was convinced that something more photogenic than cards was needed to represent the movement of hidden troops within the fog of war.

Since I like this kind of project anyway, I am using this "need" to justify making some vignettes representing signs of a hidden enemy trying to outmaneuver you through the forests of the North American theater. These hidden movement markers could be useful in other games, such as Musket and Tomahawk, which use similar mechanics in game.



The first of the blinds is the age old hat-on-a-stick decoy.





And here's a shameless "action" shot:



I'm looking forward to making some more interesting blinds in the coming weeks. So far I am thinking of animals, and abandoned campsite, and possibly a burned out wagon. What do you think? Would these make good markers, and/or am I missing any ideas that would make for good scenic blinds?


[Edit] Also, the build process and more inane rambling on my blog here: http://weaselminis.blogspot.com/2013/10/sharp-practice-blinds-hidden-movement.html

[OSHIROmodels]

That's a great idea 

Maybe a scarecrow or two with shabby uniforms on them 

cheers

James

[TheWeasel]

That's brilliant Jimbibbly! Does anyone actually make that as a miniature, or will this need to be a sculpting project?

[OSHIROmodels]

I'm afraid it would probably have to be a sculpting project. You might find the odd normal scarecrow figure around but given the unkempt nature of them it shouldn't be too hard to do 

The other one you could have is a base of dense bushes with Indian feathers sticking out of the top.

cheers

James

[Quirkworthy]

If it's winter you could dress up a snowman

[Barry S]

Great idea!

I made some quaker guns some years ago for ACW games but I prefer the hat on the stick idea much more

Cheers,

Barry

[TheWeasel]

Thanks guys! I really do appreciate the suggestions, and I'm now trying to figure out how I could do the scarecrows... Love the idea for the snowman, by the way, but sadly my table's not set up for winter.

For now, I'll probably move on to some of the easier blinds options, like the remains of a campfire or wagon tracks in the mud...

[FramFramson]

Another idea are some based wild animals. Someone else here put some together for using as hidden movement markers for woodland skirmishing and I have to say I thought the idea was brilliant.

[TheWeasel]

I think I have a wolf on hand somewhere, but could you recommend any suppliers of deer, bears, beavers, etc? (I'm gaming mostly in the black powder era in North America, so American woodland creatures would do me best.)

[H.M.Stanley]

Another idea are some based wild animals. Someone else here put some together for using as hidden movement markers for woodland skirmishing and I have to say I thought the idea was brilliant.

We use wild animals for hidden movement markers for FIW