Portsmouth, New Hampshire 2

Hi!
In Portsmouth, New Hampshire is a game store, Diversions, puzzles and Games.
As you can see from the pictures it has boxed games a plenty and tables to play, or test, games on. Not shown, unfortunately, is the main shop area where games can be bought. But if you look at the 2nd and 3rd pictures, at the far end you will see the steps to the main shop area.
There were some Dr Who figures amongst others but, sadly, not the type of wargame figures which I was looking for. I was also hoping to find something to use as scenery in any of my games. Not quite what I had hoped but if you are in the area it may be a stop worth checking out.

Romans vs Ancient British 6mm AAR/Battle report

 Hi!
A short battle report with our current favourites Romans, led by Legatus Lucius Valerius Flaccus
The Romans are well known for getting their revenge. After the attack on the convoy a retaliatory response was necessary. You can't let the natives get too boisterous.

The force was assembled:-
2 x Cohorts of Legionaries (each cohort of 2 elements)
2 x Auxiliary cohorts (each of 2 elements)
1 x Equites Alares (2 elements)
1 x Psiloi (2 elements)

Its aim:-
To drive the tribe from the hill fort and destroy as many enemy as it encounters.

The tribe was not in a state of readiness.
The chieftain, Brennus
It boasted:-
12 x Foot warriors
3 x Naked fanatics
3 x Psiloi

These were split between the town on the hill protected by earthworks. (Actually, ECW earthworks as a stand in!)
Two small villages.
And a force sent for from another town.

Who was successful?

As usual, dice were used to determine some outcomes for placement of troops and whether/where they appeared.

The Romans

The Ancient British in the hill fort

The Roans advanced towards the town, wary of the woods on either side.

The British muster in the town.
The plan is to defend it using the earthworks to fend off the attack.

The Romans advance then split to attack the nearest village.

The warriors in the town go impetuous and stream out of the town!

First blows are struck

Implacable Romans advance.

British split as the ardour of some warriors for battle subsides.

The Romans come to blows with the villagers. A gallant but foolish stand by some fanatics. The psiloi seeing more sense flee.

The Romans address their lines as one part of the British is still impetuous. 

The psiloi make a mark on the warriors but they keep coming. The warriors attack and the psiloi flee.

The Legionaries advance and show the warriors their skill with the blade.

Short sharp shock for the British.

The ardour for battle is gone from the remaining warriors.

An easier victory for Rome than imagined


Initially, I had another 5 cohorts down to attack the town. The five would be in reserve to help if required. Points wise, this would put the Romans at double the British total so not a fair fight.
Fanatics, warriors and psiloi from the village behind the hill didn't materialise. Neither did the 2 elements of foot warriors form 'another town' close by. Were they paid off by the Romans?  Treachery? The dice will decide if a feud is starting between these tribes.

But today Roman control is restored and treasure and slaves captured.
It's a night on the oppidum with vinum et mulieres et canticum


Revenge is sweet so they say.

New Hampshire, USA

Hi1
Returned yesterday from my trip to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, USA.
I was pleasantly surprised by the small town nature of Portsmouth. I expected a larger conurbation, it being on 'old town' historically. I'm wondering what made Boston the 'big city' in the area as opposed to the state. A better harbour maybe?
Any way, I was there to celebrate a wedding which went well, lots of sunshine during the outdoor wedding ceremony. Then at the out door reception it turned so cold you felt you would freeze to death! Such is the vagaries of living on the Atlantic coast.

But I came across this house in my ramblings in the town. A 1725 house just right for French and Indian Wars gaming. 

At last

Hi!
At last!
I have been waiting to acquire a set of Muskets and Tomahawks rule set for sometime. Nobody seemed to want to sell their copies even though it seemed they were not using them.
First one set appeared on eBay and it set of a trend for selling the rules. I managed to snag a copy.
Now I have 3 sets of rules for the French and Indian Wars!

Soon I can start painting the British and French regulars I had bought for me. Also, I have a sprue of the  AWI (American War of Independence) militia that was attached to the cover of Wargames Illustrated.

Salute 2019 part 2 and ECW catch-up

  Hi!
I bought a few things at Salute. More impulse buys than planned. Although I knew some of the traders attending through looking at the website it was unknown traders, unknown to me, that had my interest.

First in the lucky bag at the door:-

Two fantasy figures and a Salute die. OK. One or two people may have slightly different items but nothing to complain about or set my world on fire.

My purchases:-

Oriental bridge for Ronin

A Tori gate that may not be suitable for Ronin.

Following on:-

A colourful ruin for Frostgrave

My Frostgrave is going to be a riot of colour if I can find the pices. Far too much grey around in most Frostgrave games don't you think?


Lastly, a two sided 4' x 4' mat. One side snow which, I hope, I can use for Frostgrave and the winter French and Indian Wars

The other side 'old grass'.

A couple of close ups.

 This is how the Napoleonic Austrians look on the mat:-

And the ECW cavalry and dragoons from both sides. The bases still need finishing as do the guidons/standards.

The dragoon elements. More foot required

Parliamentary horse

Royalist horse

Another shot of the Parliamentary horse

It feels like I fairly batted along with the cavalry/dragoon painting. There are plenty of foot still to do but, added together it is a much bigger army than either of the Polish or Turkish forces.  Now to breakdown the figures into units before painting.

That about sums it up.
My favourite has to be the ruin for Frostgrave and second the mat.

I hope to game the Romans v Ancient British before the Easter break is over. There must be recompense for attacking Roman soldiers in pursuance of their lawful duties!

Salute 2019, first thoughts

Hi!
I attended Salute 2019.
It was the first time in around 30 years that I have attended the show. The last time was in Kensington Town Hall.
And still Stingray was on! I think the figures for the Stingray game were smaller than the original in the 80's. I may be wrong.

The trip down was uneventful.

The first surprise was the price of entry on the door. £20. Really?
You could still buy online which would save £10. But why have such a high door price when contact less is in use? What if someone who was attending another event wanted a look around? It would certainly put them off.
The queue wasn't long and as 10 a.m came it was only a few minutes until I was inside. It wasn't what I was expecting. I was expecting a long wait and slow grind. Thankfully it wasn't.

The queue at 09:59

I took a tour of the outer trade stands, which was my main reason for attending the show. To see what I had been missing manufacturer wise. There were many familiar names on show. I bought a few things (which I'll catalogue in the another post) and began the a tour of the inner tables and trade stands.  A few which I will check out in the near future ste pictured below.

I took a couple of photo's of some games I liked the look of.

How could you not like Mammoths?

The Skirmish at Stablethorpe. An ECW game.

A few pictures of the Battle of Lutzen by the Friends of General Haig

The Black River Debacle by Gringo 40's. My choice for best looking game.

At 12:00, I met up with the Bloggers near the painting competition. Big Lee, Postie Ray, Tasmin Peter , Alistair and Miles. Some of who's blogs I have read frequently and some I hadn't. But I will now!

After a pleasant chat we went our separate ways.
I went to lunch then continued where I had left off with my tour of the hall.
Yes, it was tiring. But I wanted to be certain the see everything.

A surprise was that some merchants were cash only. They lost my sale on the day. I don't carry much money on me nowadays.

After an interesting day it was time to leave. I enjoyed meeting the Bloggers and seeing the displays and participation games. Many were well presented. Some had spoilt the display with coffee cups and other clutter as can be seen in the pictures.. I thought those days were over at big shows.

A last picture before I left the show.

It is only a few weeks until Campaign in Milton Keynes which I will attend. Hopefully, the wargames bank balance may be back in the black by then!

To come. A few pieces picked up on the day.