A Blogger's Tale

The 'Old Year' is steadily ebbing away, leading to a strange mixture of emotions, of melancholy reflection on Hobby times past and exciting anticipation of the Hobby times to come. Perhaps here you have detected a seasonal overexpossure to A Christmas Carol, in several iterations, over Christmas time. So, with that firmly in mind its the Spirit of Games Played which gets first turn...

Over the course of the year I have managed to play 47 games, either here in GHQ or over with Phil at Olaf’s HQ. Of those I won 23, drew 5, and lost 19: as ever  living up to my truly average persona as a tabletop battlefield general! In all of this of course I was aided, or otherwise, by...those capricious 'dice gods', whose allegiance seems to vasilate between gamers almost from one cast of the dice to the next...  

As the Bayeux Tapestry might have had stitched into it ~

But, whatever the result of any game,I'm confident that⁹ this second 'extract' sums it up rather aptly for all we GHQ Irregulars ~

And that's really the whole point of it all for us: a challenging game played on decent terrain with passably coloured in little mens amongst like minded friends! Might not be everyone's hobby choices, but its definitely the choice of we GHQ Irregulars. 

Turning now to a review of my efforts wielding the Brush of Doom and reducing the volume of the legendary Lead Pimple, my records show I painted 814 28mm figures over the course of year.  Early in the year I was completing figures for my Late Roman, Punic War and Crimean War collections. These lead into painting my Kickstarter purchase of Matt Bickley's Vikings for Footsore. Enjoying those so much I went on to add some Welsh to the 1066 & All That collection,  also by Matt: not forgetting a dabble in Fantasy Vikings with Bicca Biccasson of course! I guess many visitors became heartily sick though of seeing endless Wars of the Roses figures in the second half of the year, but the small project is almost at a close now...almost. I would have done more but Karma has struck me in the form of a RSI from wielding the Brush of Doom so frequently! So, no painting in the dog days of 2025 while I rest my hand and hopefully recuperate ready to go again in 2026!

Probably the saddest news of the year for me was the announced demise of WMMS in what would have been the year of its 50th iteration! It was one of only four Shows which I managed to attend over this year, the others being Hammerhead, Partizan, and The Other Partizan. Next year looks pretty sparse without WMMS, with Hammerhead in March now the first event planned. 

Turning lastly then in the company of the spirit of my Hobby Yet to Come in the year ahead and my 'Vague Aspirations', once more I find I have even less to offer... I'd obviously hope to finish my Wars of the Roses project, there are just 6 mounted MAA figures left to tackle, unless more are en route that is! GHQ is looking increasingly crowded, so if anything new is to appear then something older and little played needs to move on to a new home: Darkest Africa anyone, Pulp Adventures, Cold War Gone Hot? All could move on at the right price. Right now as I finish this post I have neither firm plans nor vaguest aspirations to work towards, perhaps age has finally caught up with me? We shall have to see if...

...I'm heading off towards a Wargamers' Hobby Valhalla or if I shall rather KBO? I hope it will be the latter obviously!

Time will tell,  of at least that we can be certain if nothing else.

Despite this somewhat melancholy ending to the hobby year I have enjoyed time in the company of my friends, both here in GHQ and beyond. I must endevour to take a leaf from old Eberneezer's conversion and plunge right in to our wonderful hobby and see what comes along.

Finally, once again I've managed to furnish many of my friends with a wall calendar on which they can hopefully record their many hobby high points in the year ahead and perhaps remember something they especially enjoyed here in GHQ or found an interesting read on this blog even. And on that note I'll conclude these ramblings and wish all my friends, followers and casual blog visitors a very...

A Hobby Christmas!

 Well, the season's festivities are behind us and we can look forward to our Hobby Time once more. Just one last nod to Christmas, in that I got three hobby related gifts ~

From Aly, for use with the Saga of Bicca Biccasson games with my grandchildren hopefully.

From long time chum John Aston; on theme as always John!

And From Sue, the latest Old School Wargamers' Annual! I also got a Book Token from Ruth which I shall hopefully exchange for the latest Warlord Games Black Powder supplement, Into The Valley of Death, for the Crimean War.

So a Hobby Christmas was had! Here's to a Hobby New Year too!

'Black Geordie'

I mentioned previously that I had sorted through the metal figures in Aly's surprise gift parcels and made up a command stand for the Scots mercenaries serving in my Lancastrian army. I'd originally 'named' him Black George in honour of a good friend having a difficult end of year. I was persuaded by the same towards 'Black Geordie' as more appropriately Scots. I was also provided with a version of the family Heraldic Banner to add to the look of the vignette! See what you make of him ~ 

As the festivities edge ever closer I'm still managing to wield the Brush of Doom intermittently, though I've finally had to deploy a new incarnation! I buy my brushes from ABC Brushes, usually at Partizan. The Series 40 Sable Rounds have proved their value. One brush has painted all of the Wars of the Roses collection with no special care beyond a wash in clean water at the end of each session! Does the job for me at 3 for £7 the last time, if I recall correctly that is! Meanwhile, Merry Christmas one and all! Back after the festivities I hope...

Not forgetting my favourite genre at Christmas, a momento gracing our tree...

The King Takes Counsel

One of the small issues which is a disproportionate irritation to me is those odd figures in packs which just don't fit in to the overall look of the group. Back in the day when figures were almost universally sold individually those could just be ignored, not now though. I have paid for them, so being a typical wargamer understandably I want to find a use for them on the tabletop! In the case of my Wars of the Roses project this has lead me to combine three Lancastrian personality figures with a spare standard bearer to create a small vignette, a table decoration if you will, depicting Henry VI taking Counsel with his close advisors, Edward, the Prince of Wales, and the Bishop of Bath and Wells {?} - for Black Adder fans. Perry Miniatures figures, Freezywater Publications Royal Standard and base from Warbases of course ~

Again for the heraldry on the Standard Bearer I've opted out of necessity for suggesting the Royal coat of arms as my right eye has recently been giving me some issues on close focus. On the tabletop battlefield here in GHQ I'm confident it will pass unremarked on!

I have managed to clean up the remaining metal figures I had for this project: 3 mounted MAA; yet another mounted Warwick; and a final MAA as a Standard bearer. While from Aly's gift parcels I've processed a Command base for my Scots mercenaries, a second unit of Scots spearmen, and a command base featuring Richard III. They can be spray undercoated after I finish typing this blog entry as the persistent rain has finally given over, for a day or two anyway, and the sun is shinning!

John Clifford, 9th Baron Clifford

The second of the two new Command stands I have been working on for my small Wars of the Roses project has finally been completed. The figures will represent Clifford, sometime known as 'The Butcher', and two knights from his Household, one bearing his Heraldic Banner and the other his Personal Standard. The figures are from Perry Miniatures, the flags are from Pete's Flags and the base is from Warbases as ever! As a slightly different look for this base one of the knights is depicted on foot raising the Standard in salute to Clifford, who in turn acknowledges him by raising his helm in response. Well, that's how I see it anyway! Nothing much else needs saying by now, so here they are ~

The project had very nearly reached its conclusion, at least for now, and just in time for the festive season wind down too. I had four metal foot figures ready for painting remaining in the Lead Pimple: Henry VI, Edward, Prince of Wales, the Bishop of Bath and Wells {for fans of The Black Adder of course}, and a MAA  bearing the Royal Banner. All could be grouped together it seems to me on a vignette base which can provide a bit of interest beyond the battlefield action. Hopefully these will be finished well before Santa calls! In addition there were 3 mounted MAA, a MAA standard bearer and yet another Warwick! I've no idea at present as to when those figures might reach the head of the painting queue for their encounter with the Brush of Doom! And that would have been it, honestly, but for an unexpected parcel which arrived on Friday afternoon!

From Aly Morrison as a surprise gift, no doubt excavated from amongst his Lead/Plastic Alp during the move into his newly refurbished wargaming quarters. Lots of figures to sort out and put to use, but my favourite piece has to be the Snowman figure painter. It now has pride of place on my desk!

With all this mention of gifts I should end with a sincere Christmas greeting for all who visit this blog, but especially those who take the time and trouble to leave some words of encouragement. 

Now, there's still time to sort through all those new figures and see what new units and characters can be added...A Happy Christmas!

A Desperate Defence!

To end the year's gaming here in GHQ Phil and I decided on a return to the Sub-Continent and to our Tales from Pendawar imagination games, pitting Lord Rawnsley and the forces deployed to the Pendawar Presidency against the rebellious and cunning Typoo Bykha, the Tygre of Pendawar! The scenario I developed sees Typoo with very much a scratch force caught napping by Lord Rawnsley's bold advance. In 12 Turns Typoo must prevent Rawnsley exiting one Regular Unit through the gates of the Old Red Fort, while also avoiding outright defeat if possible! As usual, an annotated photomontage follows hopefully capturing for the reader the tension generated by both General's attempts to wresting a win to end the year ~

Lord Rawnsley deploys his small Light Cavalry Brigade supported by his Light horse Artillery to cover his left flank. Scouting has not revealed any enemy to his front and he is hopeful of getting behind Typoo's right flank.

His main thrust will be by his two infantry Brigades, the Pendawar Presidency's Brigade on the left, his Regular Brigade on his right. They are supported by elephants drawn 12lbers. His objective, the Old Red Fort, can just be seen in the far distance.

Typoo has been caught unprepared by Rawnsley. Hurriedly he has mustered whatever forces are locally available. He has one stroke of fortune in that Rawnsley's scouts have not been able to penatrate his right flank. The Great Gun of Bhyklabad and the Voluntaires de Bykli are not quite alone...

Bhurpa hill tribesmen are luckily in the area. Gold changes hands and they mount their hardy hill horses ready to join the fray...at least for now.

Typoo's best chance lies in directly opposing Rawnsley's infantry advance in terrain which favours his bands of fanatical Badmash and more Hill Tribesmen. They have few muskets but many wicked looking two handed swords and the like!

The Hill Tribesmen are sent by Typoo to protect his left flank, where a break in the inhospitable forest may allow formed infantry to turn his flank.

What Rawnsley's scouts have failed to detect are elements of the Raja's Guard ~ his foot and mounted Household Guards and Heavy Artillery on Typoo's right blocking any planned attack in that area.

Typoo is heavily out gunned and outnumbered, so decides attack is his best option. Coordination of such a motley force is of course a serious problem, but every check to Rawnsley's advances buys Typoo more time.

Discovering too late that his left flanking move is opposed, Rawnsley deploys his Light Horse Artillery to drive off the enemy gunners. The Pendawar Peacocks stand ready to take advantage while the 20th Light Dragoons protect their flank from surprise attack.

Typoo sends elements of the mounted Hill Tribesmen attack the advancing Native Infantry. Although Disordered by ragged closing fire they charge home! Sadly they cannot break the Sepoys and fall back!

Their losses were not in vain though as a band of Typoo's fanatical Badmash smash into the fragile Sepoy line, which breaks under the whirlwind attack!

Buoyed up by bloodlust the Fanatical Badmash rush headlong into the South Essex who fail to deploy into line. Vicious hand to hand fighting sees the South Essex Broken. Rawnsley's attack is breaking down all too soon.

Threatened by the Badmash's victories the Heavy Artillery withdraws towards safety on the left flank leaving the wavering Native Infantry unsupported as they press their attack.

The Voluntaires de Bykli drawn up in Firing line emerge from the undergrowth blocking their line of attack. Despite being outnumbered Typoo's defence is proving resilient and frustrates Rawnsley's plans at every juncture.

A firefight between the Voluntaires and the leading elements of Rawnsley's infantry proves drawn out and indecisive. Losses mount slowly for both sides, losses Typoo can sorely afford.

Despite his considerable numerical advantage Rawnsley just cannot get the breakthrough he seeks. The dogged defence of the Voluntaires is aided now by the Foot elements of the Raja's Household Guards. 

Despite successes against the Native Infantry the Badmash fanatics are caught exhausted by the Pendawar Native Grenadiers. They have little fight left in them and are destroyed in a brief but bloody fight. Rawnsley is at last making progress towards his goal of the Old Red Fort.

His Heavy Artillery can now deploy ready to support the final attack which Rawnsley hopes will break Typoo's resistance and open the route to victory.

Typoo throws the last of his reserves in the centre in a mad, headlong attack to break the advancing enemy. The mounted Hill Tribesmen fail to charge home!

And the remaining Badmash fanatics are beaten and driven off in route. Typoo has lost his first Brigade and his centre is open to attack.

Rawnsley's attempt to turn Typoo's left flank has not gone as well though. The Hindoostan Regiment has been caught in column by will charging Hill Tribesmen.  They regulars fight with grim determination, but cannot drive off their foe!

In an extended melee the Hindoostan Regiment are steadily driven back. Rawnsley is spared from defeat though as the heavy fighting in the centre finally sees a second of Typoo's Brigades Broken, and with it his resistance crumbles. 

It is Turn 10 and Rawnsley has two remaining Turns to exit a Regular Unit through the Old Red Fort and claim a decisive win. His nearest unit needs five moves in two turns. The dice roll and, would you believe it, a Blunder? One move to the right ends their and his chances of reaching his objective and claiming a hard fought win. So, despite loosing his army, Typoo claims a Draw by preventing Rawnsley achieving his objective. A desperate but enthralling defence indeed and a splendid day's wargaming with Phil to end the year here in GHQ!