Painting Drought and other Thoughts

I am in a serious painting drought, although I have gotten some figures painted for me. I think that when I get back from Historicon, I will be re-energized and get some solid painting done. But it has been almost six weeks since I held a brush with intent to paint. Sad, really.

Also, I am looking into some 6mm figures as well. Gonna check them out at Historicon. Probably buy a few strips, kick the tires, that sort of thing. Why? It has to do with Secret Project X. Which I think I am going to spill the beans on in a bit. When its done. Hopefully by month's end. There is stuff going on. Really. Just not out in the open. Frustrating, innit?

Starting work on Aethergraph issue 2. I have a couple of submissions, but would love more. Look for stuff from Hive Queen and Country, and hopefully a few other rule sets and settings as well. Still, send more submissions to me at aethergraph@gmail.com!

It Only Looks Quiet...

You see, ladies and gents, things around here only look quiet. In reality, I've been a very busy boy the last few weeks. I am working with an author as editor on a new set of Victorian Science Fiction rules. I won't announce anything here just yet, but the editing is nearly complete on the core rules for the game. I am hoping that something will be finished by the end of this week.

I'm not getting paid for this in anything but rules and credit, but who knows? It may lead to some paying gigs as an editor in the future!

Happy 4th of July!

Today is the day those rebellious rascals in the Colonies signed their Declaration of Independence, written by that radical, Thomas Jefferson.

Hard to believe it, but they have managed to survive on their own. So, Cousin Jonathan, best of luck, old boy!

To our distinguished American readers, enjoy your holiday celebrations but do so with care: fireworks can be dangerous, and the fine for setting them off in our locality is $2,000!

[Editor's Note: All joking aside, today is the day we citizens of the United States celebrate our independence. 234 years ago today, 56 men literally signed their own death warrants because they believed so strongly in the cause of Liberty. I wish I could say that I would have been as brave and steadfast. We truly stand on the shoulders of giants. Happy Independence Day!]

Colonial Adventures, Anyone?

   Last Saturday, I ran a short game of The Sword and the Flame, in 15mm. A simple scenario, and the British, after a couple of hours and two key mistakes, ended up washing the spears of the Zulus. Except for the ten infantrymen that ran away.

   Anyway, having a bit of extra time, we went ahead and tried out the rules "Colonial Adventures". with some 1/72nd Italeri plastics another fellow had brought. Same scenario - get to the other end of the board. The net result was that forty of Her Majesty's worst (very green) were slaughtered in the first turn, killing only four Zulus in return. Game over in fifteen minutes. Very unsatisfying.

   I think, however, that the primary problem was in lack of knowledge of the rules. I had never played them, the other player had never played them, and the guy running it seemed as if he had never played them, though he claimed to have. He certainly didn't know how unbalanced he had set the forces.

   I'm willing to give the ruleset a second chance. But I was wondering how any of you feel about them?

Zulus Sighted!

About a hundred of 'em! Actually, a hundred and one. I knew I was never gonna get these fellas painted, so... I farmed the work out. I paid someone to do 40 of them. I liked his skin tones, and the way he did the induna's cloaks as leopard print was very cool.

The remaining 60 I did in trade: four battalions and two guns of painted AB Napoleonics (one French, one Austrian, and two British, with the guns being Austrian) for painting on 60 Zulus.

The Zulus were not hard to paint, but... just not interested in doing it. However, with them painted up, we did play a game of The Sword and The Flame this past Saturday as well.

The scenario was a simple enough one: the British patrol, consisting of a platoon of infantry, a troop of cavalry, and one general supply wagon needed to cross the Somewheresi River at the ford. The Zulu tribesmen did not wish them to do so.

I wish I had kept notes or something, or taken more than a few token photos. I used the terrain boards my friend Dan gave me a few months back. They looked great! The result of the battle: well, I'll try and put together a more coherent report.

Photos of the Zulus once I finish getting them nicely based. Promise! Maybe as early as Wednesday...