Arquebusier

Arquebusier Vol XXXII Iss IV

Just arrived the other day, much anticipated, was the newest issue of Arquebusier (The Journal of the Pike and Shot Society).
Up the usual high standard of the magazine with the usual divergent articles, including The Olaschin Campaign 1696 (Austrian vs Turks), some interesting period illustrations of landsknecht, Fairfax's Account of the Taking of Bristol, Reviews, Masterless Men 1589 a wargames scenario and a couple of other bits and bobs.
The journal is well worth the society membership fee alone and as membership also gives added benefits of discounts from many well known wargames figure manufacturers and also discounted access to the many society publications, I would recommend checking them out if your interested at all in the Renaissance and wargaming this fascinating era.
You can contact the society through their website; http://www.pikeandshotsociety.org/ Worth taking a look at what the society can do for you.

Welcome to the Gloranthan Army

Welcome to Greg who does a long running blog Gloranthan Army is well worth a visit for all things Runequest and lots more besides. Greg also rune the La Figoblogotheque blog which is a collection of Wargames related blogs, worth a visit to check out some missed blogs from around Europe. Good idea.

'Free' Modelling Materials

Seil Harbour, Argyll

Following a 'Day oot' with the current good weather, me and the guid wife found ourselves at the Island of Seil, just south of Oban. A beautiful drive but the usual west of Scotland single track roads and more English folk than in London, over the 'bridge over the atlantic' we found ourselves at the harbour and did the usual sitting about eating, drinking, enjoying the sunshine etc.

Having mentioned on the drive up that I needed to return to my local haunt (Loch Lubhnaig) to replenish my stock of slate and grit  for modelling purposes, my wife pointed out while we were sitting on the harbour jetty that Seil harbour was once (1881 when the place closed) was a slate quarry, and looking down I noticed that the whole jetty and indeed the whole quay was made from slate.

Finding a suitable receptacle, I duly filled it up and now have a life-times supply of slate chippings of all grades.

'Slate chippings of all grades'

Looking at what I had picked up after a very nice day out, I figure if I'd bought this at a modelling shop I'd have paid something in the region of £28 for a similar amount. Even if you decide to go the cheaper route of picking this kind of thing up at your garden centre or similar it's still going to cost you a few quid.

I've always tried to source my terrain materials, where possible, naturally and therefore free. Admittadly this time I had travelled a reasonable distance but I was going there anyway. Bark from fallen trees, sand and grit from the beach, twigs etc, recycling packaging for card and polystyrene, the list can go on and on, you get the idea I'm sure. Interesting what you can pick up if you keep a weather eye open for opportunities which will save you a fair bit of cash.

Welcome to MiniMike

A warm welcome to MiniMike who's blog is well worth checking out, with lot's of current eye candy for ACW fans.

April WIP

Sometime since I did a WIP post, maybe because there hasn't been a whole lot of progress on my various projects but recently as reported with the new Mordheim campaign at the club I have started putting together my new warband, the Gunnery School cadets;

The Magnificent Seven

Three, "the Cap'n", and the two Marksmen are slightly further on (ie undercoated) and the other four for the Instructor, the Senior Classman "the Old Boy", and the two Under Classmen "the New Boys" are now assembled and ready to rock. With a couple of pennies to spend from their first outing ther might be someone to add soon.

The "Old Boy" and the Cap'n behind him

The Instructor and "the new Boys"

Pleased with the results, now to get them painted.


Also on the painting table after purchasing via ebay are some Grey Knight terminators suitably paint stripped, re-assembled and based.

Grey Knight "Battlesuits"

These are going towards my Witch Hunter army that I have been collecting slowly over the years. They will also double up as Oni Class Battlesuits when playing Urban War.


Speaking of Urban War, I've just last night, (very late last night - yawn) had an experimental game with my mate JTM using the Urban War rules for a near future western hemisphere civil war clash. With similar army stats and even points the game was toe to toe, blow for blow right to the end with me with three grunts defending their corner of a forgotten street from a veteran sergeant and and his corporal where upon JTM chickened out and didn't charge in to face the guns of the grunts, (maybe it was because it was four in the morning and the brandy had run out?). Great game and anybody's right up to the end. Try more of that soon.

Alba World Maps

The World of Alba

The next update on ALBAtwo has finally been done with the Alba Map project finally getting underway. Principally this is the digital recording of all the geographical and political maps of Alba that I have done over the years (mainly some time ago) and get them available on ALBAtwo.


I also aim to update the older maps which are looking a bit jaded and now I have the technology to do this digitally along with detailing previousl;y uncharted areas too.


This is going to be a long term project but one I have been planning for some time and am looking forward to the creative process. You can check out the progress so far here.


Also, a welcome is overdue to Caliban, Pauls Bod's and The Angry Lurker who are now popping into the Warblog. Check out their blogs for lot's of interesting stuff. Hope you continue to find things of interest here.

The Flood Plain Wash Out

Start of the battle on the Flood Plain

This weeks club night saw the start of an occasional Mordheim Campaign with the 'Flood Plain' scenario from the Nemisis Crown supplement.


The protagonists were my Gunnery School cadets, Dave's Scottish flavour Middenheimers, Iain's Skaven, Ken's Mercenaries, and Kev's Reiklander's, fighting over a flooded battlefield which slowed down movement and if you fell knocked down or stunned meant you might drown as an added hazard.


An interesting start to the campaign, albeit a bit slow, as we needed to refresh our memories for the rules, but we soon got into the swing of things. My Cadets took an early bath and after a hefty tussle between the humans, Kev's Reiklander's took the honours.


A new warband to paint up for next time and some interesting modelling opportunities so maybe a bit of spit and polish on the cadets uniforms might mean a better showing next outing.