Celt Armoured Cavalry

I have painted up the Celt Armoured Cavalry - 3 Renegade (Essex horses) and 3 Victrix. 

Still some experimenting with various speed and contrast paints. 

Generally quite happy - probably not as quick as I would like - hand painting the shields is a bit of a pain - geometric and knotty aren’t that easy to get right. 

The tartan/stripey experiment isn’t quite there yet. I need to remember what brown speed paint I am using for wood colour. 

I have assembled the rest of the Celt infantry to be stuck on sticks for undercoating. I suppose I should assemble the rest of the army too …

Morts 

Snake-eyes Half-Century Twilight Imperium

This weekend was Snake-eyes’ 50th Birthday celebration - so the collective (sans Cylon) who apparently had better things to do with the day) gathered and played Twilight Imperium (twice within a month). We were trying for an early start (therefore an early finish - Snake-eyes was saying late afternoon … but we knew that wasn’t going to happen, but it did appear briefly that it might). 

At 10am (after sausage baps) we were ready to go - the races were:

Steedo - The Clan of Saar (Black).
Snake-eyes - The Nekro Virus (Red).

Tiger-King - The Nomad (Pink).
Morts - The L1Z1X Mindnet (Blue).

DK - The Titans of Ul (Purple).

Tiger-King had asked to keep the Nomad, as he wanted to get his head around them, the rest of us rolled off - but in the end I kept from the last game L1Z1X, as it gave more space around the table. This left our two most successful players (DK and Steedo) with apparently the two most successful races in the game.

The starting places …

Steedo made an early attempt on Mecatol Rex and a very quick lead - I was struggling with gaining command tokens, mainly because DK kept taking the strategy card.

Below the scores at 14:00 - DK and Snake-eyes trying to keep up with Steedo on 7 points. 

DK had made a run on Mecatol Rex and forced out Steedo - and was complaining that no one else was stopping Steedo … but I think DK wasn’t quite getting the fact that Tiger-King and myself were so far behind, our interventions wouldn’t improve our game position … if you lose it doesn’t really matter who wins - although letting Steedo win two games in succession wouldn’t be great.

My move on Mecatol, using the hero ability …

Mecatol is mine … any I have some points in the bag … in fact moved into 3rd just a point behind the leaders … we had some fun with agendas, by voting for the leader to get points … but with joint leaders, they got nothing  - Ha ha. However, during an agenda phase a law was passed which led to a key part on someone’s victory - this was down to Tiger-King, deciding that rather than hamstring DK’s faction ability with structures, he would stop myself, Steedo and Snake-eyes getting a little boost off riders we had played …

In the final turn, the game had moved to preventing DK winning as the first two 2 point public objectives revealed were about having a certain number of structures in play … which was DK’s faction ability and he could score … I launched an assault on DK’s home system … but unfortunately DK’s structure’s did for me … although I did manage to rebuild some. Then Tiger-King made a speculative attack on Steed, who had been quiet for the last few hours … much to Steedo’s annoyance … “I’m not the threat” … however this attack was perfectly justified as Steedo had lined up a possible winning plan … this sort of deviousness is Steedo’s MO, so a good call.

But it was not to be … my efforts came to nought and DK was able to claim the win.

The final scores:

1st DK - 10 points

2nd Steedo - 8 points

3rd Morts - 7 points 

4th Snake-eyes - 6 points 

5th Tiger-King - 5 points 

A deserved win, although a bit lucky win the 2 point objectives to DK - Steedo, so close. A much improved game and attention from Tiger-King. I could have taken DK’s home world, I might have been able to snatch a victory … and hopefully a good day for Snake-eyes the birthday boy!

Morts

Almost Giant Killing …

Due to a bit of luck I managed to snag a last minute ticket to watch the mighty Grecians (18th in league one - which is the 3rd tier of English football) play Forest (4th in the premier league). And what a cracking evening I had.

The game kicked of and to be honest I thought that City might be in for a long night (which it turned out to be), as Argyle had beaten Liverpool on Sunday, so Forest might want to avoid another Devon banana skin. Anyway after about 6 minutes City scored - the home fan went wild … I did think was to too early…

And sure enough Forest pulled it level after about 10 minutes, the n they went ahead at 37 minutes… the giant killing dream was fading…

But wait the tale isn’t over yet … 6 minutes into the second half the Grecians were level! Game on. It was frantic stuff, Exe trying to catch Forest on the break and nearly managing it just before the final whistle for full time. But also having to defend and block deep against faster, fitter and more skilled players. 

At the death of full time Exe had a debutant sent off for a straight red (a poor tackle by all accounts) and a clash with the Exe keeper laid out a Forest striker for 10 minutes. But Exe held on for extra time.

Extra time was tough as the 10 man Exeter team held off Forest from scoring for another 30 minutes.

We were onto penalties - my first (and probably only) penalty shootout at a ground. The Exe captain stepped up and scored the first penalty … unfortunately the next 2 Exe players missed theirs and Forest didn’t miss any. 

Forest go through 4-2 on penalties.

But the Grecians can hold their heads high, as they took a team 54 places higher than them all the way - a brilliant evening!

Morts 

A hat-rick out on the Moor.

Not much doing on the painting or gaming sides things - I have made some progress on the Celt cavalry, but not much as I have also been applying for jobs. My contract ends fairly soon, and there has been much talk of an extension, but not sign of it becoming a reality. 

However I have managed 3 weekends on the bounce out on the moor. Below shows the walk 3 weeks ago,  from Wilsworthy to Row. TL - High Wilhayes from Wilsworthy. BL - flitter up to Hare Tor. TR - Yes and High Wilhayes from Kitty. BR - Yes and High Wilhayes from Dinger.

A fortnight ago it was my birthday and Thing 1 (whose birthday is a couple days before mine), got me a night in a hotel on the moor (this was partly to get me and the good lady out of the house, so she could have friends over). Obviously I plan a couple of little walks. The Saturday saw a circular walk from Manaton, over Hayne Down to Jay’s Grave, to Easdon Down back to Manaton via Luckdon and Manaton Rocks. 

Below, TL - the rocks up to HayneDown. BL/TR - more rocks on the top of Hayne Down. BR - Bowerman’s Nose, the named rocks on Hayne Down. 

Below, TL - Jay’s or Kitty Jay’s grave (sorry here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay's_Grave). TR - the trig point at Whooping Rock on Easdon Down. The views from here were great even on a cloudy day. BL - the view of HayTor and Hound. BR - Easdon Tor (I think). A really nice walk - although the good lady wasn’t to pleased with the climb over Manaton rocks at the end. 

After a cracking breakfast at, we made for Mardon Down. The top to pictures attempt to show Giant’s Grave. The remains of a burrow, unfortunately in the 18th or 19th century its stones were taken to be used a road foundations. BL - the Headless Cross - but I have no idea if it ever had a head. BR - the view over to an overcast Haytor and Hound Tor. 

Yesterday saw a trip to Haytor vale (but I didn’t take a picture of Haytor, up close). Top show Bonehill Rocks in the fog. Bottom is part of Hound Tor - still in the fog. 

Left show the rocks as you leave Hound Tor medieval village heading down to Becca Brook. TR the rather pretty footbridge over the brook. BR - some rather nice mossy stones at the bottom of Black Hill.

So three quality weekends and 4 walks out on the moor. The last one was interesting as it was very foggy and navigating was a challenge. 

I also a got the following for my birthday, which was nice. Thing 2, got me the Celts and the rules, my brother the FW190 (always thought it was a cool plane). Steedo very kindly got me Perudo (I will have to make sure I get the rules right - I don’t want a DK moment). The good lady got me a Garmin watch so I can measure my walks, activities and sleep - eek.  

 

I plan to build the FW190 before my brother comes over in July - nice to have a target to miss. 

Of to look at jobs now.  Oh joy - not!

Morts

Stuff which I have missed …

Before Christmas we had a little go at Heroquest - without DK, but because we needed to keep the campaign ticking along a spare Elf was drafted in from an expansion.

I have to say this new Elf was much more amenable to the wishes of the group and helped the team succeed in 2 quests without wandering off and causing confusion … 

Recently I have been playing with speed paints again and preparing Celts.

Regenade and Victrix noble cavalry and Renegade and Warlord skirmishers ready for paint. 

The skirmishers finished - generally happy with these, but the crusader flesh looks a bit grey - especially on the Frostgrave Wizards (these 2 may get the faces redone). I did try painting some checks and stripes  on some of the clothes before applying the speed paints - I think I need to make sure there is enough contrast between these base coats to make it work.

I get some pretty good results from speed paints sometimes and some disappointing ones on others - I will continue to practice. I have put together some Warlord Games celts - with a few spare heads from the Victrix cavalry… some look a little bobble headed. I’m sure that with a bit of paint they will look ok. 

Morts 

Twilight Imperium 2025

This weekend saw the collective’s annual trip to Cornwall for an epic Twilight Imperium game. We started in the usual fashion of getting a hearty full English breakfast at a farm shop to ensure we had the strength to endure the game. 
We rolled off for picking races;

Steedo - The Naaz-Rokha Alliance (Green).
Snake-eyes - The Yin Brotherhood (Purple).
DK - The Nekro Virus (Red).

Tiger-King - The Nomad (Blue).
Sylon - The Yssaril Tribes (Black). 
Morts - The L1Z1X Mindnet (Pink).

The board as set up by Snake-eyes - allegedly via some website to make as fair as possibl

The board with fleets in starting positions, apart from DK’s, because he was doing something … not sure what (looking at a butterfly or something), but delaying the start to the game. 

As Snake-eyes picked last he was the starting speaker - and things bimbled along as we tried to carve out are own little part of the galaxy. After about an hour or so Tiger-King, announced that he had just got his faction abilities and could we start again, as he had made a few mistakes - obviously the answer was no. After this he sort of checked out the game on and off … I don’t think he actually attacked anyone throughout the whole game. 

About 5 pm (so 5 hours into the game) - Snake-eyes had made a run at Mecatol Rex and was in quite a strong position. Sylon had decided to challenge him … the scores on the doors were DK and Sylon in the lead … with Steedo, Snake-eyes and myself on the chasing pack. 

About 8:00pm - Sylon and Snake-eyes were still duelling over Mecatol Rex, but Snake-eyes faction ability was making it difficult to get his troops off the planet. 

2230 - in the final turn, Sylon and DK had gone into the final round on 7 points, with myself, Steedo and Snake-eyes on 6 points. DK had announced that he could win in this turn, so Snake-eyes committed himself to thwarting this, with mass attacks … reducing DK’s influence to 1 below the threshold for a 2 point score, and all of us stopping DK picking up 1 trade good - although Tiger-King did wake up at this point gave Snake-eyes flash backs of last years controversial win (just ending the game by using support for the throne card - which had been removed from the game this year). 

Sylon made a run for Mecatol again, but was forced back by Snake-eyes flagship … which has a really nasty reaction to being destroyed!

I was watching Steedo, because he is a cunning player, he had got Snake-eyes to thwart DK and Sylon - I was planning to take his home world - using my faction hero’s ability - move your flagship and any dreadnoughts to any system without an enemy ship in it - Steedo’s was available … but he won’t be able to 4 score this turn ….

Unfortunately, I waited and passed, there would be another turn … then Steedo had a secret objective which scored in turn. He now had the points to score the final 3 points needed for the win in the Status phase … game over man! If I had taken his home world he wouldn’t have been able to score the public objective … another second place! 

The final board!

The score track.

Steedo -  10 points, The Naaz-Rokha Alliance (Green).

Sylon - 8 points, The Yssaril Tribes (Black). 
Morts - 8 points, The L1Z1X Mindnet (Pink).

DK - 8 points, The Nekro Virus (Red).

Snake-eyes - 6 points, The Yin Brotherhood (Purple).

Tiger-King - 2 points, The Nomad (Blue).

Overall, a good game, very close and generally played in good spirits (although DK had a couple of cross moments with Snake-eyes over some rule interpretations … but played the Virus really well). But a game which takes this much effort and time does require all players to stay in the game, as you have to account for their actions and ships. 

Welcome to Steedo on another win! 

I will continue to be the bridesmaid in this game - I think 3 consecutive seconds …

Morts

The Battle of Chotustiz - a Maurice Game

Steedo and Tiger-king came over for a game of Maurice. Maurice is a favourite of mine and Steedo likes it (I think), and Tiger-king had been asking to play a war game. So while my wife and sprogs were away I thought it would be a good time. 

After a bit of hunting around I decided on the battle of Chotustiz - at early battle in the career of Fredrick the Great. So Prussians versus Austrians, but in this case Bavarians versus Saxons. In the real battle the Prussians won mainly with their infantry.

The boys didn’t get free deployment - I had basically set up as shown on a map, infantry in the centre and cavalry on the flanks but allowed them some redeployment. We were playing to break each army. As it was Tiger-king’s first game, I did give him more help than Steedo. 

The initial deployments - Bavarians under Von Steedo on the left and Koenig Tiger’s Saxons on the right.

The game started, with some bombardments - the Bavarians getting the best of it, breaking a Saxon foot regiment and damaging a unit of Saxon hussars. Then Von Steedo started moving his cavalry on the right flank - the Saxons steeled themselves on the top of the hill. 

The initial Bavarian charge was absorbed, then the counter charged by the Saxons swept most of the Bavarians away…

The Saxon cavalry then moved to destroy the Bavarian batteries, however their charge was hampered by some previously unknown broken ground at the bottom of the hill. Unfortunately they had to retreat down the hill, with the intention to rally and try again. 

With the cavalry engagement on the flank, going in favour of the Saxons, but Koenig Tiger unable to exploit this, but Von Steedo then advanced his infantry in the centre - partly to protect his infantry and regain the initiative. 

Both sides infantry moved forward - this broke the Saxons cavalry who were threatening the Bavarian artillery.

Unfortunately for the Saxons, there seemed to be a problem with their power as a number of their volleys didn’t to the damage expected. The Saxons morale was also ebbing away, more quickly than the Bavarians - even though the causalities taken by both sides were are about the same. 

The Bavarians continued to put pressure on the Saxon centre, but a charge did relieve some pressure.

Unfortunately for the Saxons the continued Bavarian infantry pressure broke another Saxon unit, which caused the army’s morale to crack … a win for Von Steedo. 

Well I had fun running the game and Steedo was obviously pleased with the result. However I got the impression that Tiger-king, wasn’t as keen - he said that the card mechanics were interesting, but felt that it was a bit random - which I don’t think is correct. Now I accept that Tiger-king was rolling poorly, well more accurately low when in combat/shooting, when high is good and high when low is good - army morale. The frustration was visible - but this is part of all wargames, as the dice rolls are used to manage the unknowns and imponderables which crop up in war which can’t be accounted for. 

A good evening’s diversion for two of us, but perhaps not for the 3rd.