Frostgrave. A place of wonder

Hi! Salvo here.

We finally made it to Felstad. The walls were 30 foot in height so we had to walk far to find an entrance. And what an entrance!

It was blue. Covered in Lapis Lazuli with pictures of beasts inlaid into the brickwork. A thing of beauty.

And as we approached the frozen trees came alight!

Such a wonderful, magical scene!

The frozen trees glowed with a magical light

The ground around had not been disturbed as we entered and going through several sections with the towering walls we felt a sense of awe at the building of this wonderous place.

Sister Rosa led her apprentice Samira, Mimi and I towards an elaborate entrance which appeared to be a place of worship or a tomb. 

I asked 'Can you see anything?'

Sister Rosa said:-

Yes, wonderful things!

Salute 2021 buys

 Hi!

I thought I might share a few pictures of the goodies picked up at Salute this year.

These walls by Tablescape

These are to go with the BumBum Ishtar Gate. Not exactly Mesopotamian but the closest I could find that were actually available.' In the Grand Manner' have a nice set, ideal, but have not been available for a long time sadly.

Tablescape (tablescape)

Wall sections from Fenris Games

Fenris Games (fenrisgames)

The future Saga and Sara, Shieldmaiden Champions

I'm naming two of my female warriors for Frostgrave (see last game played) Saga and Sara. These two, as were the others, are from Bad Squiddo games. As time progresses they will become more experienced and will be upgraded from soldiers.

Bad Squiddo Games (badsquiddogames.)

Walls from Urban Construct

More walls for Frostgrave. I small set from Urban Construct. They should make a nice ruin.

Urban Construct Miniatures (urbanconstructminiatures)

This may be my last UK wargames show for a long while. I am planning on going to the States. 'I am just going out. I may be some time'

Frostgrave. The Map of Felstad

A departure from Sister Rosa and her adventurous band.

Here we have the Summoner, Rustam the Ruthless and his apprentice Ruba along with his band of two soldiers a thief and an archer.

You will notice the two Bad Squiddo female warriors, newly painted, and the female thief, Shamima, with staff and veil. Almost an all female warband.

Also, the Necromancer Silus the Black and his apprentice Malek along with his band of two soldiers, a crossbowman and a thief.

They are here to find a map, that purportedly shows the whole of Felstad. Especially the major wizards' abodes where the choicest magical treasure might be found thereby giving them an advantage over other roving bands.

The 'red herrings' scenics would be used for the treasure points, three in total. Each spawning a creature of the level one creature creation coming on at a board edge by dicing for location.

And what an epic encounter!

The initiative went to-and-fro mostly which saved some warband members at times and put some into trouble at others.

Spells were cast succeeded and failed giving frustration and relief, joy and sorrow.

Overhead picture of the layout

The following pictures are the starting viewpoints of the warbands

Silus

Ruba

Rustam

Malek, well hidden behind a house

Silas 'Raised Zombie' and Ruba countered with 'Summon Imp'

An overview after turn one

Malek moves ahead 

Rustam's thief reaches treasure and a ghoul wanders on near Malek's bowman who had climbed the stairs for better sight of the enemy. The ghoul climbed the stairs and ate a hearty lunch! But is killed by Rustam's crossbowman

Silus' soldier picks up treasure and two Zombies enter the field only for Malek to Control Undead and one kills the other.

Third treasure found and two skeletons march to the sound of clashing swords and spells.
Malek is fighting the Demon in the background and the raised zombie is still fighting the imp

Then Malek is assaulted by the skeleton and zombie too!

Silus is attacked by the skeleton adding to his troubles!

The Demon does for Silus, with the skeletons help, and also kills the skeleton. Shamima the thief,  with a treasure, is almost leaving the scene

All Silus' warband are out of action except this thief who almost made it to safety. The thief was stopped by an imp cast by Ruba, then was caught by a soldier and Ruba's demon. He killed the demon and severely wounded the soldier. Both soldiers were down to 1 health when he succumbed to his wounds.

A overwhelming victory for the Summoner warband

All Rustam's warband made it safely out of the skirmish. All three treasures were secured.

It turns out, all three were maps of Felstad. Rustam felt they would all turn out to be fakes. He wasn't wrong.

The Summoner succeeded in summoning a demon and an imp, as did Ruba.

Silus summoned a zombie and Malek controlled undead.

I haven't named all the soldiers yet but I'm thinking of doing it. I just have to find suitable names for all 5 wizards. Yes, I have an Elemental wizard. And I would like a Chinese wizard with suitable figures, from Scotia -Grendel I think.

This was a second attempt at this game.

The first saw a blood bath of a game

The Necromancer was the only figure of his band still standing.

The Summoner and two soldiers making it out of the battle zone. And the Summoner got all three treasures.

Plenty of spells were cast which enlivened the game.

The Necromancer was down to one health when he cast 'Drain Health' on the other remaining soldier in the village. Luckily it worked as the Zombie, a roaming creature which had attacked him, attacked again. This time losing and falling.

Talking of creatures. Each of the treasures spawned one creature. A zombie, skeleton and a snow leopard. Each came from a different table edge which was good.

I did forget some things along the way.

The Necromancer and apprentice cast Elemental Shield on themselves and I forgot to add when in combat the first times. I also forgot the +2 in multiple combat situations the first time also. And the disengage when winning the combat. This last wasn't as important as it seems but may have been with different circumstances.

I have some way to go before all the elements sink in.

Walls for Frostgrave

 Hi!

I was looking at Kickstarter and saw a cavern set and thought I could do with some like that. Then it reminded me I should make a couple of walls for Frostgrave for the spell 'Wall'.

And, as you know, I want to make a colourful Frostgrave and not the monotone one that gamers usually use.

Now, The Terrain Tutor I most definitely am not (The Terrain Tutor). But...

I did two, 6'' X 2'' and thought, that doesn't look too bad! I think it's eye-popping! Not in the quality, but in the impression it gives. They are made with 3mm foam board, the wrong type with coatings on the sides. I got them not knowing which foam board people were on about more than a year ago. But, needs must...

So I made some more. And two with doors. Now I'm thinking of doing more for the below ground Frostgrave scenarios like 'Into the breeding pits' and 'Thaw of the Lich Lord'. Perhaps even others where walls are required. And I also think they will be good for games other than Frostgrave.

I would love to try my hand at some frescoes but I'm not that great an artist. I would think it would 'make' the scenery really special though. Especially if it was a sorcery type of fresco. I might try it after doing some more walls.

Also looking to do some columns for the none existent ceilings.

Cheap and cheerful to be sure, bit saved me £100 at least!

Thanks' for dropping by.

Zombies on the loose!

This is a special news announcement.

Over to our local reporter in Milton Keynes.

Around 1pm yesterday, in a suburban area, Zombies escaped from a house in Milton Keynes.

These zombies were in an insecure area (a box on the back step airing after spraying) when a gust of wind liberated them from their flimsy confinement,

After a quick search 5 were rounded up and confined more securely.

After a further search in the grounds 3 more were captured and confined similarly.

There are two still on the loose with no sightings or mutilated corpses yet reported. 

The police have put out a public warning not to approach them as they are highly dangerous 'Kings of War' zombies. Further, they advise not to enter derelict properties and be careful in wooded or bushy areas where they can easily be hidden from view until the last moment, and surprise anyone passing by. These zombies are highly aggressive and will attack on sight. If seen report to the local police or your nearest zombie hunter.

A picture showing what the zombies will look like if encountered

But this raises the question of why zombies were in a suburban area at all. 

It is believed that Kings of War' zombies, bred for war, are currently being used to fight pillagers in Felstad, that frozen city thawing in the far north These, on the other hand, were being prepared to fight pillagers in Zombicide, in suburban settings.

When asked why the army are not called in to deal with this a police spokesperson said 'Have you never watched a police series or 'Dirty Harry'? From Dixon of Dock Green through The Sweeny,  Cagney and Lacey, or The Wire? We always get our man, woman, zombie'.

The householder is helping police with their ongoing enquires.

It must be said, there are a lot of pillagers currently throughout the UK, and indeed, throughout the world.

Since the dawn of roleplaying zombies have roamed many games and have been the cause of many deaths to those entering places where it is forbidden to enter. Now, they are being used to prevent pillagers and looters in open locations but at some risk to the world at large.

Your local reporter in Milton Keynes

I shake my head

 Hi!

I want to air a few things with you and see if you agree or not.

The first thing is eBay policy of forcing you to use their payment method if you want to sell on there. I can understand they want to maximise their profits but if they drive people away is that the best option for them?  

Personally, I was happy using PayPal. I only buy occasionally on there now. I have not sold anything on there for almost two years and it's 8 months since I bought something. And I was a regular either buying or selling.

Also regarding eBay, but not about them. What lunacy is happening with the prices?

People wanting top dollar for very old style figures. Figures from the '70s, '80s & '90's. You want me to pay almost the equivalent of new figures when they cost 50 pence or a little more? It isn't going to happen!

Similarly with GW epic figures £30+ for a model that cost around £6? And 6mm armies, and not a great amount of figures either, and they are asking £70+. Yes, they are painted after a fashion but you are not being realistic in the least.  There's a bike. Get on it!

And again with board games. £100+ some rising to £380! for a board game? A new one will cost£ 75.

And it's not as if they are 'rare', 'oop' and similar. There are loads of them on sale. It's all a joke I'm sure. Because looking you see the same figures and games going unsold and are there week after week after month.

I shake my head and log off

So I'll keep my money for the new stuff thank you

Frostgrave. The Evil in the church

 Hi! Salvo here again.

As we got closer to our goal the air was becoming cooler, as if winter was coming. Yet it was the height of summer.

In the distance we saw a village and looked forward to a rest in a fine bed. With good food and ale. As we got closer we saw it looked a little ramshackle. Perhaps even deserted. Closer still we saw bushes and weeds in the main street.

We decided to camp outside as it was getting late. A good defensive position amongst some rocks. 

We settled down for the night.

But we were awakened by a spectre!

Sister Rosa assured it it wasn't malevolent. And explained the ghost had been disturbed by a great evil that had come to the village, trapping unwary travellers few though they had been for many years.

After hearing her pleas, Sister Rosa was determined to lay her to rest again. And defeat this unknown evil.

We woke none too early as we were not going anywhere other than the village. We began our search. me with the apprentice and Mimi with the boss. Mimi told me later that as we moved into the village he saw shapes moving in the distance. Probably not human.

On each side of the road, we moved from house to house. Searching.

The sister and Mimi find some Imps! Sister Rosa casts Banish!
The spell was good but the Imps laughed maniacally

Mimi steps in and smites the first Imp
He's attacked by the second and the ruin is cleared

The Apprentice and I step into the church. I wished we hadn't!
One demon and two imps. I had Goosebumps!

The Apprentice cast Push! And the Demon was pushed out of the church. I stepped forward to the closest Imp

I hurt it but not enough.
The second Imp set to with the Apprentice

The Demon, feeling the power of bigger fish went for the Sister. She cast Banish! It had no effect

 the first time. Mimi stepped forward  and into the fight. It dragged on with Mimi getting the worst of it

Meanwhile, I killed the Imp but it took a while. The Apprentice held out until she tried to cast Banish! Then she fell.

The Sister cast Banish! Sister Rosa, Demon Slayer!

And the Demon was gone!

Mimi came to my aid and we hurt that Imp between us. Then the Sister stepped in and finished it off with her staff.

After seeing to Apprentice Samira who was recovering, it was the exertion of casting while injured that floored her. Sister Rosa did a blessing to cleanse the church and laid the spirit to rest.

We rested overnight and for the next day so Apprentice Samira and Mimi could recover a little more. It was all peaceful.

At least we now know the Sister is casting good spells now. My faith is somewhat restored.

What a tense encounter.

Five times the Sister cast Banish! And each time the Imps and Demon saved, except for the last time.

The party all suffered damage.

Apprentice down to 0

Mimi down to one health

Salvo down to five 

The Sister down to 10 (mainly due to 2 points of health to boost a spell)

The encounters were generated under the wandering monster rule though only Imps were on the sheet for encounters. . The Demon in the church was scheduled should they reach it

1-6 generated 1 Imp

7-12 generated 2 Imps

13-20 generated 3 Imps

Two generations of 2 Imps. I was quite satisfied with that. It was just unlucky that 2 were in the church with the Demon

Thanks' for dropping by. I hope you enjoyed the encounter

French and Indian Wars. A musket and Tomahawks aar/battle reports. Mustering of the New Hampshire Provincials.

This is a first time outing, and my own first game, of Muskets and Tomahawks for the figures I've been painting for the last year or so.

The French Canadien Militia were tasked with searching along the river to find a good passage for a larger force. Having no knowledge of the area the militia took no chances with their advance.

The Canadien's consisted of 18 figures and 1 officer

As can be seen by the pictures there are a few blue markers. Are these pickets? Indians? Other?

The Canadiens advanced slowly using the cover wisely.

The Militia form up

Advancing cover to cover

The view from the Provincials side

They are spotted! Alarm is raised

The New Hampshire Provincials form up

The Provincials inflict the first casualties

The Militia recoil from the heavy fire but they'll come back

A fire fight ensues and the militia again comes off second best

Another recoil from the French

The Provincials follow up but the French decide to retreat.

The markers were possible pickets or native scouts. I diced for each one as the French approached. The front three proved not to anything. Then the 6 came up and it was a picket and the alarm was raised. Just in time! Had it not the Provincials would have been caught unformed.

Surprisingly they kept winning the fire fights and the morale checks 

Eight Militia fell to only three Provincials.

The Militia haven't found the route they were expected to.

But why were the Provincials mustering?