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Author Topic: The Beaver Wars in Ohio <-- updated 7/6/15  (Read 24039 times)

Offline oabee

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Re: The Beaver Wars in Ohio
« Reply #15 on: 03 December 2014, 10:59:40 PM »
Mike: your plans are well thought out and should work well!

Have you ever made it to Drums Along the Maumee? Nothing beats running one of my games there, when players can turn around and see the palisades of Fort Meigs outside the window and a short walk away...!


I made it two years ago, but just visited. Well, not quite, I did play a game of Uwe Eikert's 1812. Uwe was in our wargaming group back in the day, and still lives in the area, and was at the con that day. Didn't have to pay admission due to my Ohio Historical Society membership!  :D I took about a 15-year hiatus from wargaming for various reasons, and have gotten back in with my local group for the past three or so years. I'm building up miniatures and scenery for French and Indian War and for In Her Majesty's Name, and have my eyes on investing in Old West skirmishing down the road, and fully intend to start hosting games at conventions once I get everything painted and assembled. I love Muskets and Tomahawks, but also just picked up Song of Drums and Tomahawks and find much to like there also!

Back in the day, I used to host games at Michicon in Detroit and Tolcon in Toledo (mainly Johnny Reb ACW in 15mm), and fully intend to get back to the convention circuit, hopefully this spring. Drums along the Maumee is definitely one of my goals, and maybe--maybe--I can get something together in time for this year's convention.
I was talking aloud to myself. A habit of the old: they choose the wisest person present to speak to; the long explanations needed by the young are wearying.
Gandalf

Just because you're paranoid, it doesn't mean there isn't an invisible demon about to eat your face.
Harry Dresden

Offline mikedemana

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Re: The Beaver Wars in Ohio
« Reply #16 on: 04 December 2014, 12:42:11 AM »
I did play a game of Uwe Eikert's 1812. Uwe was in our wargaming group back in the day, and still lives in the area, and was at the con that day.

Uwe is a friend of mine! I chatted with him for quite a bit at the Games Day in November.

intend to get back to the convention circuit, hopefully this spring. Drums along the Maumee is definitely one of my goals

That's great....! Welcome back to wargaming! I'm glad you like Song of Drums and Tomahawks. Different scale than Muskets & Tomahawks, but both provide a good feel for the period. Hope to see you in May at Drums!

Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com

Offline mikedemana

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Re: The Beaver Wars in Ohio
« Reply #17 on: 12 January 2015, 04:32:46 AM »
The rules are written and are now in the playtest stage! I have started a page on my blog which will document each turn of my gaming group's playtest. Check it out here:

http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-beaver-wars-in-ohio-campaign-for.html

And here's a sneak-peak at an early version of the cover...


As always, the rules are available for download on both Ganesha Games site and Wargame Vault. Links are here:

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

Wargames Vault: http://www.wargamevault.com/product/139714/Song-of-Drums-and-Tomahawks?term=song+of+drums+and+toma?affiliate_id=23711

We have played our first turn of the campaign, so expect a new update in the next couple days. Hope you enjoy it...!

Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com

Offline morrigan

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Re: The Beaver Wars in Ohio
« Reply #18 on: 13 January 2015, 12:07:09 AM »
Looking forward to this!

Offline Bowman

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Re: The Beaver Wars in Ohio
« Reply #19 on: 13 January 2015, 01:17:53 AM »
Is this part of the Huron-Iroquois wars that started before the arrival of Europeans? Of course, the demand for Beaver pelts just exacerbated this old standing rivalry, and I'm sure the white people exploited the existing situation.

Anyway, this is a fascinating topic. I would recommend the book, "The Orenda" by Joseph Boyden.

I'll be picking up "Songs of Drums and Tomahawks" tomorrow. Looks good and I love the basic game mechanisms.
« Last Edit: 13 January 2015, 01:23:37 AM by Bowman »
"This I have known ever since I stretched out my fingers to the abomination within that great gilded frame; stretched out my fingers and touched a cold and unyielding surface of polished glass." 

H. P. Lovecraft, "The Outsider"

Offline mikedemana

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Re: The Beaver Wars in Ohio
« Reply #20 on: 13 January 2015, 03:29:03 AM »
Is this part of the Huron-Iroquois wars that started before the arrival of Europeans? Of course, the demand for Beaver pelts just exacerbated this old standing rivalry, and I'm sure the white people exploited the existing situation.

Yes, the selling of guns to the Iroquois by the Dutch really unbalanced the situation in the Eastern Woodlands. They already had a significant advantage with their confederacy which allowed 5 tribes to act in concert, for the most part. Throw in superior weaponry, and they were a hurricane that left a path of destroyed, fleeing, or assimilated tribes in their path. The campaign covers their advent into the Ohio Valley. However, since it is such an interesting period, it is actually 3 campaigns in one. The early phase, 1660-1690 is the "classic" Beaver Wars, with the Iroquois kicking butt. The middle phase, 1690-1720, actually was much more fair of a fight, and features French-armed and allied tribes pushing the Iroquois back. The final phase, 1720-1750, is what I call "The Vacuum." The emptiness of a war-ravaged, depopulated Ohio, drew a number of tribes to it that were looking for a place to escape pressures elsewhere. All 3 of the campaigns will feature rules for a "Historical" versions and "Fair" versions.

Anyway, this is a fascinating topic. I would recommend the book, "The Orenda" by Joseph Boyden.

I'll be picking up "Songs of Drums and Tomahawks" tomorrow. Looks good and I love the basic game mechanisms.

Thanks for reminding me! I told myself to buy it a few weeks back when someone first recommended it. Then I promptly forgot. I'll will grab it from Amazon ASAP! Oh, and thanks for purchasing the rules, Bowman!

Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com

Offline mikedemana

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Re: The Beaver Wars in Ohio
« Reply #21 on: 13 January 2015, 11:57:39 PM »

Ottawa ambush a Miami trading party on Turn 1

Hi everyone! We played turn one of our playtest of the Beaver Wars in Ohio campaign rules that I've written. I've posted the report to my blog. Check it out here:
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-beaver-wars-turn-1-report.html

Report includes an explanation of how the campaign system works, along with what each player's tribe did that turn.

Image of the campaign map for Turn 1

The players seemed pretty pumped up about it. One of them has been inspired to start his own blog chronicling the trials and travails of his Miami tribe. His blog entry contains a really interesting passage about a historical raid by the Iroquois on the Miami Indians during the period the campaign covers. Check out my friend Keith's blog here:
http://orcafinnbasement.blogspot.com/2015/01/game-reports-beaver-wars.html

And once again, if you're interested in purchasing the rules, they can be obtained on Ganesha Games and Wargame Vault. Here are the links:

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

Wargames Vault:
http://www.wargamevault.com/product/139714/Song-of-Drums-and-Tomahawks?term=song+of+drums+and+toma?affiliate_id=23711

Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com

Offline Aaron

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Re: The Beaver Wars in Ohio
« Reply #22 on: 14 January 2015, 12:14:52 PM »
I am looking forward to checking both blog reports out, Mike. Sadly I didn't manage to get a game in over the holidays (hard to pry my son away from the shiny new Lego sets for long enough!), but I did read through the rules and I really like them. I think they are going to breath new life into my dusty French and Indian War figure collection.

Offline Black Burt

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Re: The Beaver Wars in Ohio
« Reply #23 on: 14 January 2015, 03:13:08 PM »
Looks very interesting, just starting to get into this period with some FIW figures, when I get some bow armed figures I might give this a go.

Offline mikedemana

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Re: The Beaver Wars in Ohio
« Reply #24 on: 14 January 2015, 11:03:48 PM »
Looks very interesting, just starting to get into this period with some FIW figures, when I get some bow armed figures I might give this a go.

If you play the third version of the campaign, "The Vacuum (1720-1750)," nearly all figures should be musket armed by the end of the period. Remember, that is the "historical" version -- nothing will keep you from moving the campaign forward half a century or so and having all troops armed with muskets. Same concept, and an interesting "What if...?"

Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com

Offline Arthur

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Re: The Beaver Wars in Ohio
« Reply #25 on: 15 January 2015, 02:48:50 AM »
Fascinating thread and a decidedly off the beaten track subject  8)

Offline Marine0846

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Re: The Beaver Wars in Ohio
« Reply #26 on: 18 January 2015, 02:40:17 AM »
Very interesting start.
Read both blog reports, love them.
Even if not much happened, still very cool.
I look forward to see what comes next.
Very nice Indian playing cards, have to pick some up.
Semper Fi, Mac

Offline oabee

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Re: The Beaver Wars in Ohio
« Reply #27 on: 18 January 2015, 07:39:07 PM »
Really like the card system for turn order, logistics, and income, plus the various campaign choices--including the Pow-wow for trading cards. The use of trade income to raise the bow-to-musket ratio is simple and elegant.

Great start. Look forward to further development of the campaign!

The Miami skedaddle from the Ottawa ambush is fascinating....very interesting how one's combat inclinations change in a campaign setting rather than in a one-off wargame!

Offline Marine0846

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Re: The Beaver Wars in Ohio
« Reply #28 on: 18 January 2015, 09:28:13 PM »
Mike,
I went to ebay looking for the Indian cards you used in your game.
Had no luck in finding them.
Do you have a link for them? Thanks.

Offline mikedemana

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Re: The Beaver Wars in Ohio
« Reply #29 on: 19 January 2015, 05:04:13 PM »
Sure thing! I bought them off Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Native-American-Playing-Cards-Set/dp/1572816198/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421686921&sr=8-1&keywords=Native+American+cards+playing

If the link doesn't work, search for "Native American playing cards"

Let me know if you have any trouble....

Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com

 

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