Legionary and Orc

A couple photos from our small event today.

An Imperial legionary with an orc. Are they friends or foes?

I guess that answers it.

Anyway, I am really pleased with the look of my legionary kit.

More pics on Facebook.

LARP Distractions

Thought I'd do a quick update. I haven't been gaming because I've been distracted by LARP.

Practices Have Returned

We resumed back in September. Recently, we've been getting some interest so we are planning to return to weekly practices.

Legion Website

I don't know anything about making websites, but I am comfortable with blogging. So I did an experiment where I used Blogger to make a website for my LARP group. Check it out - Chimera Legion LARP.

Still No Action

On the tabletop front, that is.

I've been doing prep work for the next season of our LARP. As a result, I haven't had much gaming time.

I visited another group's practice last Saturday. I got some photos to use for a recruiting flyer. I'm in the last picture.

Fiddling Around

I don't have any game reports but I've been busy.

LARP

LARP has taken most of my time lately. Last weekend, I organized a small event, complete with feast. I made a delicious potato and leek soup from the D&D cookbook. 

This weekend I am heading to central Florida for a full immersion LARP called Mythic Adventures. I've been busy prepping for the trip.

Napoleonic Project

I made some progress with my 2mm Irregular miniatures. I nearly finished the first batch of Austrian and French infantry. I just need to do the flags.

The Austrian infantry

My first batch will give me enough troops for One Hour Wargame armies - 4 line infantry, 2 skirmishers, 2 cavalry, and 2 infantry for each army. I intend to expand the armies, perhaps to double size.

I'm still considering counters, however. I put together some new counters, adding more files per base.

I like how these turned out and will likely proceed with putting them together. I'm thinking of getting Litko plastic bases in each army's primary color, such as white for Austrians. It should help in identifying troops on the board.

Battles of Medieval Britain

I did play some games; I just did not photograph them. I pulled out Battles of Medieval Britain for a couple quick games.

Previously, I kept playing a scenario until I won. However, I have been stuck on one scenario for some time and was bored with it. I decided to take a new approach. I am now playing each scenario once, starting back with the first one. I am recording the results and we'll see how I do. With this new approach, I am 0-3. :(

The Purge

I am preparing to purge some of my unwanted miniatures from my collection. There is a large batch of unpainted Magister Militum 3mm ancients, some incomplete galleys from Outpost, and a collection of miscellaneous 15mm sci fi. I plan to post the listing after I return from Mythic Adventures.

Kill and Grill

On Saturday, I hosted a cookout for some local LARP friends. I forgot to take pictures. :(

The highlight was the "feast" that put together. I decided to replicate it with some leftovers.

The feast included:

• Appetizer - crackers and cheese (provided by a friend)
• Main course - Bratwurst with grilled potato wedges and an onion gravy
• Dessert - Sansa's lemon cakes
• Libations - Dragon "wine" (aka Gator Ade)

I made the onion gravy and lemon cakes and was quite pleased with the results. 

Both recipes came from the Official Game of Thrones cookbook, which I've mentioned before on this blog.

As I mentioned back in 2013, the cakes are more like cookies, but still delicious. I messed up the onion gravy at first, making some substitutions and getting proportions wrong. I was able to fix it, however, and liked it a lot. It tasted like French onion soup, albeit a little thicker as expected for a gravy.

After a very pleasing afternoon, I'm already thinking about another feast. Perhaps a Yuletide celebration!

A LARP Update

It's been quiet on this blog because I've been occupying my free time with LARP preparations.

Last time, I mentioned that I've been pondering changes to my group, which hopefully will stimulate more interest. Over the past couple of weeks I have been writing down my ideas for rules enhancements (e.g., spells) and setting notes.

I also worked on a flyer for the group. I'd like to get a photo that will show different character classes. Something like this, but live action.

Picture from https://nerdarchy.com/is-there-a-best-way-to-build-a-dd-party/

I invited some LARP players from the local area for a photo shoot and am bribing them to come with a cookout. My initial thought was to grill some hot dogs. I've been toying with something a bit more thematic, however, which leads to this.

I purchased Heroes' Feast on Kindle months ago, but never bothered with any of the recipes. They are clearly modern rather than historical medieval (some include potatoes) but should work for medieval-ish fantasy. Just ask J.R.R. Tolkien. Anyway, the dwarven bangers and smash may be a perfect substitute for hot dogs!

I also spent some time yesterday fixing some weapons - a couple of swords and a mace.

Anyway, this is a long-winded way to say that I haven't been playing any games.

LARP Thoughts

Much of my free time lately has been consumed by thoughts of LARPing.

We haven't had much luck drumming up recruits so I have been pondering changes to make the group more appealing. One thought is to change the setting from Byzantines to something more fantasy oriented.

I posted some of my thoughts on my LARP blog.

• Inspirations - I talk about a couple of LARPs with ideas I like
• The Chimera Legion's Empire - an idea for a new setting, a fantasy faux-Europe
• The "New" Chimera Legion - how the Legion fits into the new setting.

As a preview, here is a map I drew for our new setting.

It's Been Quiet Around Here

I haven't been playing any games so no updates on that front.

My spare time has been dominated by LARP doings. Here's a photo showing one of my completed LARP projects - a lamellar cuirass.

I've been working on the armor in fits and starts since May of last year. I finally managed to finish it and got to try it out last weekend. I purchased the plates from Plastic Lamellar.com and then laced them all together

I went with plastic lamellar because I wanted something lighter. It weighs in at 6 pounds, which is actually not that much better than the 7.5 pound leather brigandine I currently have.

Me in my leather brig

I also fixed up a polearm a couple of weekends ago. It actually began as an axe, but I was not happy with the cover. I cut down the axe head and then slipped a sock cover over it. Done.

Last weekend, I sparred with a friend and I. We ran a scenario where we fought a chimera. I posted the story on my Paladin's Path blog.

This weekend, we are holding a cookout, hopefully we can use it to recruit a few new players.

Return to LARP and other happenings

Return to LARP

You'll notice that my game posts have started to drop off. That's not unusual. My gaming tends to be active in January - February then tapers off. But there is another reason this year.

As Omicron abates, I am able to return to the LARP battlefield. Last weekend was my first time out since before Christmas. I also may be working on some LARP projects, which will curtail my gaming time.

Some Painting Progress

I managed to complete some Turks before my momentum wore off.

I have some Imperialists on the painting table. We'll see how long it takes to finish them.

No Bull

Wow, I have been silent for far too long.

I have been busy with LARP preparations and so have not done anything wargame wise.

Last weekend, this was our LARP opponent.

I spent a bit of time making the axe. The costume was simple. Some brown clothing combined with these horns.

Alas, I forgot to take a picture of the Minotaur.

Anyway, we initiated a couple of new players into the fold. I posted our story on my Paladin's Path blog.

LARP and more (or is it less)?

LARP

LARP has been dominating my time lately.

Recently I created a buckler using a foam kickboard.

It measures approximately 17 x 11 inches. I slapped the X (actually a chi) on with duct tape. It's just a placeholder until I paint something.

I did a photo shoot last weekend. I really like how this kit came out.

Our group is inspired by the Byzantine Empire so this is my attempt at a (somewhat) inexpensive kit. The tunic and pants cost <= $20 each. I made the helmet from a cheap Halloween costume item. The brigandine was a bit costlier, but not really needed for the game. It's something I already owned and thought it would look good.

Gaming

It has been a month since my last Tweedle adventure. I have the basic idea for the next one, but haven't got around to playing it. This is largely because I want to illustrate it with miniatures like last time, but the figures need to be painted. This is one of the drawbacks to minis in roleplaying games; you can quickly run out of figures unless you already have a large inventory of monsters.

Family Game Night

We did manage a family game night last weekend. We played Castle Panic, and just managed to stop the invading horde. We were left with just two towers and one wall.

We left the TV on downstairs, which distracted our cat Onyx and let us play the game in peace. Our cat Thomasina was happy.

The Chimera Legion Returns

Not much mini gaming going on lately because I've been preparing for the return of my LARP group after another COVID-driven shutdown. 

Just this year, my group switched organizations (Way of the Sword) and theme. We are now Byzantine-inspired unit known as the Chimera Legion.

As leader of the group, I've been making preparations. I need some loaner weapons so I built some swords (pictured here with a javelin)

I need some shields but don't have access to the proper foam just yet. Instead, I ordered a couple ready-made ones. I also created a welcome packet for new players. Here is a shot of the first page of the packet.

Our first meeting on Sunday was small but enjoyable. We only had 4 fighters show up. One was a newbie, so it was great to show him the ropes. Another made the trip all the way from Jacksonville (about a 5 hour drive!). He donated some cool gear to the group.

I meant to take some pictures but I forgot. :( Next time.

Looking forward to next week!

A Week of GADD

Since my last post, I have been busy. It just hasn't been entirely gaming, though.

Scroll down for my latest wargame ponderings.

LARP Projects

On the LARP front, I have made progress on a few projects.

I decorated a shield cover.

The sigil represents my new LARP unit, the Chimera Legion.

Onyx had to inspect it.

I also made a dragon sigil.

It's for a tabard.

I whipped this up due to a recent change in the Amtgard rules, which opened up eligibility for the paladin class. Paladins who have not received an Amtgard "knighthood" display a white dragon to indicate their class.

This dragon sigil came from a LARP realm called Dragon Coast, which I helped to found back in 2009.

Wargame Thoughts

Recently, I've been in a mood for a skirmish game, which got me thinking about doing a Byzantine themed project in 10mm. Two different approaches came to mind:

• a small-scale affair with 5 individually based figures, or
• a larger skirmish with about 20 or so figures, probably based in small groups

What to do? What to do?

It dawned on me that I could combine the approaches. Have leaders and specialty figures based individually with grunts combined on bases.

Here's what I'm thinking for organization:

• 1 commander
• 2 units of spearmen with 6 figures + 1 officer each
• 1 unit of archers with 6 figures + 1 officer
• 1 unit of light cavalry with 3 figures including the officer

Each unit of infantry will have 1 base each of 3 figures, 2 figures, and 1 figure. Cavalry will be individually based.

My player "warband" will be Byzantines. What about the enemy? I plan to use fantasy bad guys. I'd like my warband to run into minotaurs, chimeras, and other classical monsters. I'd also like some Greek-themed hordes, but I'm not sure what. Amazons? Satyrs? I haven't decided yet but I will say NO ORKS!

LARP Distraction

No gaming posts recently because I've been distracted by my LARP hobby.

Here's my latest project. Can I turn this cheap, plastic Viking helmet into a proper Byzantine helm with aventail?

Find out at the Paladin's Path.

LARP Construction

My Latest Distraction

I've been in a bit of a wargaming lull because LARP is starting up again. We were supposed to hold our first get together last Sunday but it got postponed until tomorrow.

Over the past few weeks I have been busy preparing for the game by doing a bit of "foam-smithing," i.e. crafting weapons out of foam and fiberglass. Here are a couple finished products.

On the left is a spear. A friend gave me the pole, which already had a pommel. I just had to craft a new spearhead. I am particularly pleased with the weapon on the right. It represents a Byzantine knife called a makhaira. Mine is more like a short sword, being about 26" in length.

I have some more projects in the works - a couple javelins, a mace, and some plumbata.

On the Wargaming Front

In the meantime, my chariots are sitting half-painted on my workbench. I have been playing chariot races on my virtual version. I'll recreate the races in miniature and post the season results once I finish painting.

Also, I managed to place an order for some miniature galleys from Outpost Wargame Services.

More Byzantine Business

I'm still on a Byzantine kick, although I haven't managed to squeeze in a game. I was looking at the army lists from Neil Thomas's Ancient and Medieval Wargaming and think I can do a Byzantine battle with the 3mm figures I currently have. The Byzantines will be light on cavalry and I'll have to combine my blue and black armies for the enemy (I'm thinking Sassanians), but a battle is still doable. Just not this week.

So what have I been doing? Making plans for LARPing. 

I'm scheduled to get my first COVID vaccine shot tomorrow, so I see a light at the end of the tunnel and hope to be back on the field sooner than later this year. When I do, I am considering forming a branch of Way of the Sword, a LARP organization in my home state of Florida.

Branches in WoTS are expected to choose a historical theme so I selected, naturally enough, the Byzantines. To this end, I have been researching force structures, clothing, armor, and weapons. I began to put together a guidebook with the fruits of my research. Here is a sample illustration that I did.

I had previously formed a short-lived LARP group that used the chimera as its sigil. I want to resuscitate it as our new unit's symbol and call us the Chimera Legion (yes, I know that Byzantines did not use the term "legion," but it sounds better than tagma and it emphasizes Byzantium's connection to Rome).

Anyway, stay tuned for more information on the Chimera Legion, and hopefully a Byzantine battle report!

The Byzantine Path of GADD

In all my wargaming years, I have to say that GADD (Gamer's Attention Deficit Disorder) is rather common occurrence. By GADD, I mean that I am in the middle of one project only to have my interest piqued by another conflict or period. I then go rushing off into a new project, abandoning the old one.

Well, my latest bout of GADD has to do with this:

Basil II Bulgar Slayer

Yes, I'm on a Byzantine kick now. How did that happen?!

It Started with Armor

As COVID vaccines are rolling out, I have been thinking about returning to my favorite hobby - live action roleplaying (LARP). I've posted before about this hobby (here's a post about my kits over the years). Anyway, I began thinking about armor.

Here is my current set. I love the look, but right now my lower torso is exposed, and the cuirass is difficult to put on by myself.

I also have this faux brigandine made of leather and steel rivets. It is easy to put on, but it is a bit heavier than I like.

I began pondering armor because I have a bunch of these lying around. With 4 cats, I tend to order a lot of pet supplies.

It dawned on me that these boxes would work great for making armor templates. I decided to experiment.

My Armor Experiments

I'm interested in making a brigandine coat with plastic plates. I found a simple pattern and set about doing a test version out of a Chewy box and a t-shirt. It faltered, however, when it came to riveting. I began to look for something easier to make.

This led me to lamellar armor. In this type of armor, the plates are laced together (which is a lot easier than riveting). I decided to try it out and began searching for patterns and instructions.

Historically, lamellar armor was not widely used in western Europe. It was more prevalent in Asia (e.g. samurai armor) and eastern Europe. What intrigued me most was references to Byzantine lamellar armor (kind of like what ol' Basil is wearing above). I was disappointed to learn that Byzantine lamellar was riveted to a leather backing. Oh well, I may try to make some Byzantine-inspired lamellar without the backing.

Which Leads To

Anyway, this has now led me into research on Byzantine military equipment, which has led to research into Byzantine military history, which has inspired an interest in gaming some Byzantine battles.

I have another horse & musket battle to post, but don't be surprised to see some Byzantine battles in the near future.

Steampunk Battles

As I mentioned last time, my LARP friend and I are working on new LARP rules inspired by TankLarp. Things are proceeding well - we have the basic combat rules (essentially a mash-up of Amtgard and TankLarp) and even an outline of class rules. I don't know when we'll get to playtest; COVID is just too rampant in my neck of the woods right now to risk meeting.

But this latest craze of ours has me thinking about a new miniatures project. Given that our current setting is more turn of the century, I started poking around with steampunk rules. While I do have In Her Majesty's Name, I don't want a 1:1 skirmish. I'm looking for something with 1 base = a squad or 1 vehicle.

I recently picked up Land Ironclads. I'm still perusing it.

It may be more armor-heavy than what I am looking for. I primarily want infantry battles (like our LARP) with a smattering of heavy weapons / armored contraptions. I will probably end up modifying Age of Heroes but hope to use LI's unit stats as inspiration.

Rules are one quandary I'll need to solve, but the second involves miniatures. I am really tempted to get period-specific miniatures. This flies in the face of my generic army approach, but I am haunted by visions of steampunk walkers and tanks clanking across the battlefield while infantry scurries from cover to cover. I am pretty sure I'll do it in 3mm, although 6mm or 10mm are tempting. I just feel that vehicles will be too large in those (comparatively) larger scales. I do like the LI vehicles offered by Brigade Models, or I could just get some WW1 figures and give them a paint conversion.

I am also thinking of a new (actually old) approach to the battlefield. Lately, I've been using flip mats with dry erase markers. However, I am now in a mind to creating a felt battlefield like I used to use. Here is an example:

Felt field, pot scrubber woods, cork hill (upper right), and a village made of cardboard and balsa wood.

Stay tuned as I ruminate about this new project.

TankLarp

A friend and I have been working on the rules for a new LARP when he decided to throw a curveball at me.


It's inspired by this - TankLarp

If you watch the video, you'll see that TankLarp is a curious mash-up of medieval and modern. And they do have armored vehicles (armored personnel carriers actually). We wouldn't do that.

My friend's initial idea was a LARP using World War I level technology. That has us off and running. Here is a quick backstory I ginned up.

Many years ago, the inhabitants of the northern continent of the planet developed advanced machine age technology. However, two great alliances formed – the free states and the evil empire. War broke out. In the bitter conflict, the evil empire was defeated, but the entire continent was devastated. 

The few survivors took the remnants of their technology, fled to, and settled the southern continent. There, they encountered an array of cultures, predominantly of a medieval technological stage of development. With limited access to materials necessary for machines, a hybrid society developed where modern firearms supported rather than supplanted old-fashioned hand-to-hand combat. 

But as this new society stabilized, a new threat emerged. A reborn evil empire has arisen in the east and is slowly conquering its neighbors. The evil empire has sent agents into its opponents’ nations to foster discontent, stir up conflict between nations, and foment armed insurrection.

This gives us an excuse to mix medieval and firearms. I'm now on a steampunk / dieselpunk kick. I added firearms (i.e. Nerf blasters) to the combat rules and am researching garb. I think early 20th century (especially Boer War and Boxer Rebellion) uniforms would work well for muggy Florida. Stay tuned for more developments.

Storing Armor

No, not little tanks.

Sorry if it seems that I am turning this blog into a LARP blog, but that's what I've been up to lately.

I now have some nifty "plate" (actualy plastic) armor (pictured here), but needed a way to store it. The manufacturer recommended an armor stand.

I did a little research and found some useful videos on YouTube

Armor Stand from PVC Pipe

How to PVC Stand

As the titles indicate, these stands were made from PVC pipe. I figured it would be an easy way to build. So last weekend I ran to the hardware store, picked up some supplies, and went to work.

Here is the result, with armor strapped on.

I am very pleased with the final result. As a bonus, I had to clean up my garage so I could find space for the stand. Win! Of course, it did not give me any gaming time.