Christmas Gift of Terrain

   One thing I did obtain that is noteworthy for VSF is some new terrain. GF9 finally re-released their popular Badlands series of terrain, and I got two boxes for Christmas: the Plateau and the Tors. These will fit nicely in as Martian desert terrain, I think, and the best part is they are ready out of the box. I also ordered the Badlands Bluff a few days ago from Amazon to help fill in space.

   Back in October I attended the BROADSIDES! Gaming convention held aboard the Battleship TEXAS near my home. One of the vendors there carried Cigar Box Battle Mats, which I already had purchased one of at Historicon a while back. I really like these mats. I decided I wanted to upgrade my Martian terrain this year, so I bought one of the Red Planet 6'x4' cloths. I like it a lot, though I haven't used it in a game yet.

VSF Project Review

   I've decided after many years that I have simply too many ideas and not enough time. So I am evaluating all of my projects, and determining which ones I shall carry on with in an attempt to complete them and which shall be abandoned in the interest of achieving the previous goal.

   For status, I shall use 'planning' (want to buy minis), 'active' (not playable but I am currently working on it), 'inactive' (unplayable but on to-do list), 'dead' (can't play, not doing anything, don't plan on it), 'playable' (enough to play, still adding to it), and rarest of all, 'finished' (can play, no plans to add to it). Thus far, I have decided:

25/28mm

1. VSF Eureka Pond Wars: dead
2. VSF Lizardmen: inactive
3. VSF/Colonial British: playable
4. VSF German: marginally playable
5. VSF Automaton: finished (lacks one thing from Parroom Station to replace the dog-eaten one)
6. VSF Martian: marginally playable- awaiting Parroom Station's eventual release (I hope)
7. VSF Vardu: inactive
8. VSF French: inactive
9. VSF Russian: dead
10. VSF Japanese: dead
11. VSF Turkish: dead
12. VSF Parrotmen: inactive (possibly dead)
13. VSF Characters (HM Victoria I, others): playable
14. Skyrunners VSF Racing: dead
15. EOTD/IHMN Werewolves: finished
16. EOTD/IHMN Gentlemen: finished
17. EOTD/IHMN Police Constables: playable
18. IHMN Lord Curr's Company: playable
19. IHMN Servants of Ra: playable
20. IHMN Society of Thule: playable
21. IHMN Cowboys and Lawmen: finished
22. Terrain VSF: inactive

15mm

1. VSF/Colonial British: playable
2. VSF/Colonial French: playable
3. VSF Martians: playable
4. VSF Venusian Lizardmen: playable
5. VSF Automatons: finished
6. VSF/Colonial Germans: playable
7. VSF Monstrosities (Dr. Vardu): inactive
8. VSF Japanese: dead
9. VSF Texicans: inactive (maybe dead)
10. VSF Papal States: dead
11. VSF Terrain: inactive

Fleet Scale (smaller than 6mm)

1. Dystopian Wars (DW) Federated States: playable
2. DW Prussian: playable
3. DW Indian Raj: planning
4. Sky Galleons of Mars (SGOM) British: inactive
5. SGOM Martians: inactive
6. Aeronef Italians: dead
7. Terrain: inactive

6mm

1. VSF French: inactive
2. VSF German: inactive
3. VSF British: inactive
4. VSF Venusian Lizardmen: planning
5. VSF Martians: inactive
6. Terrain: inactive

   That's a grand total of 46 projects, including terrain in each scale. Of them, only four are 'finished.' And only about half of the rest are playable. I've definitely decided that eight are dead projects, as far as I am concerned. That means I have about 34 projects still on the boil, either playable or not.

   I'm mad. Bonkers. Crazy. Off the rocker.

The Joy of Six

Six Millimeter, that is!

Whilst journeying through Great Britain the last two weeks, I had the opportunity to attend the Joy of Six gaming show in Sheffield. It was a nice little show, with several interesting demo games, and a good set of vendors, including Baccus, Brigade, and Heroics and Ros.

The most interesting games I saw were a Star Wars game using X-Wing rules for ground combat (an assault on Hoth with truly awesome AT-ATs), and SAGA being played with bases of 6mm figures in place of the single 28mm standard. As far as I could see, there were no other rules changes, though I didn't play in it. It did make it seem more like warbands than the dozen or so figures involved in a standard game of SAGA.

I purchased some figures of Victorian interest from Baccus while there, principally a set of Imperial French for Franco-Prussian Wars. Or, as the case may have it, for my own use as a Legion Extraterrestriale, the extra-solarian forces of La Belle France. I also picked up some Mahdists for use as Martians and some more British for use as, well, British.

I will, of course, get those painted straight away... I figure you will get to see photos sometime around 2021 at the current rate of production. I really need to get some brush time in.

Steam-powered Foo Dog, Anyone?

In case anyone needs one... I think I do. Available here, from Spartan Games.

I imagine it would work in different ways for any scale from 1:1200 to 28mm.

Working on These Projects

My two weeks away from home has seemed to refresh my desire to paint and build, and these are the projects I am prioritizing:

1) Gentlemen's Club for Empire of the Dead.

I haven't played a game of this yet, though I took part in the Requiem Kickstarter. The minis are all very nice, and I have already painted up most of the werewolves. I know I can use them as Adventuring Companies in In Her Majesty's Name as well, which is a really nice skirmish ruleset.

2) Prussian Airships for Dystopian Wars

I bought these back at Christmas time, I think. They are pretty simple to paint up - it just needs doing. Plus, it would be progress! And proof of progress helps to keep me motivated.

3) 15mm Spanish Civil War

My friend Zach is very interested in playing some Spanish Civil War. I have chosen the Carlistas, who supported the Nationalists because the Nationalists supported Catholicism. I picked up several packs of Peter Pig's Carlista requetes while in Weymouth. I'll paint up a few bases's worth and see how they look. You'll be able to follow that project more closely on Scattergun Gamer.

4) New Issue of The Aethergraph

I wanted to get another issue out back in May, hoping to do a quarterly schedule this year. Grad school sort of got in the way of that. But, I think I am ready to try and tackle finishing the issue. Any help would be greatly appreciated, naturally.

   So I am going to work on these projects for the next few days. Hopefully by end of the week I shall have something to share.

6mm Aetherbattalion Assault Team

  This photo was my last entry in the infamous Lead Painters' League contest for 2014. 6mm Baccus infantry, Epic 40K Termites for the assault vehicles, and an odd blue box in the distance...

The Verne Cannon

The Verne Cannon

   A massive cannon, able to launch a shell beyond the planetary atmosphere. The infernal device actually extends well below the ground, with only the final third of the great barrel protruding above the surface. Its range is literally planetary, able to reach any point on the surface of the Earth. The Verne Cannon, named for the visionary writer who first postulated it, acts as a deterrent to aggression against the French nation. One shell could devastate a vast area of an enemy nation - no one dares to risk it.

   In other news of France's military, work has begun on a small French landship, equivalent to a destroyer escort in naval terms, one supposes. More information and photostats will be provided as the work proceeds.

[Editor's Note: This is a Games Workshop Epic 40K "Goliath" Megacannon. I am never going to stat it up, because I only plan on using it as an objective or bit of terrain rather than an actual unit. Why? Because it doesn't work. The French constructed an elaborate ruse to convince the other nations that this cannon devastated a remote island in the Pacific when test fired. They are hoping the bluff will hold out for a decade or so until it can be made operational. Regarding the landship, I have started painting an Ironclad Steam 1 steamtank to act as a French scouting tank. More on that later.]

Swarms of Venusian Lizardmen!

   I found these the other day, and forgot to mention them. I think they are absolutely worth mentioning for anyone considering 6mm VSF, especially if you plan to head to Venus or the depths of the Amazonian or African rainforests. They are produced by Microworld, and like all 6mm figures, are pretty inexpensive for the number of minis you are receiving.

 

Ankylosaur Ballista. 3/$5.50

Armored Brachiosaur. $12.00

Ceratopsid Guard. 2 poses, 20 ea. 40/$10

Command Group. 6 ea., except mounted leader (2) (26 total)/$5

Archer. 60/$10

Spearmen. 60/$10

Triceratops Battlewagon. 2/$6.50

 

 

Optional Shaman Topper for Triceratops (included)

 

Lizard Ogres. 2 poses, 8 ea. 16/$9

Look like Anthropoid Ankylosaur

Closeup of Officer from Command pack

Pachycephalosaurus Cavalry. 2 poses, 10 ea. 20/$10

 

Lizardmen Warriors. 2 poses, 30 ea. 60/$10

 

   After I get back from Historicon, I can foresee a solid $100 purchase here. For that, I imagine I will have an entire army. Not shabby.

 

Some new(-ish) Selections (Hiding in my Drafts)

   I spent a few mintues perusing the Reaper and Wyrd Miniatures online shops, and found the following items which I thought might be of interest. Many of them are suitable for multiple scales as automatons.

Reaper: Dr. Darius Hellstromme, 59003

Reaper: Mad Scientist, 59014

Reaper: Mad Scientist (Female), 59009

Reaper: Xiufang, 50260

Wyrd: WYR1017

 Part of the Guild Faction.

Wyrd: WYR1028

Guild Faction

Interesting as an Automaton bodyguard, perhaps - the large shield used to protect the patron more than the construct.

WYR1029

WYR1030

WYR1037

WYR3035

Arcanist Faction

WYR3040

Arcanist Faction: Soul Miner

   I see this being used for a 6mm large tunneler vehicle.

WYR3041

Arcanist Faction: Large Steampunk Arachnid

      Not my favorite steam spider. But big.

WYR3043

Arcanist Faction

   This fellow could be a major hero for an automaton force. I like others better, but it is certainly a striking mini that would be a centerpiece figure.

WYR3051

Arcanist Faction

An alternate to the original steam arachnid swarm. Personally, I think these are too sleek, more sci-fi than steampunk. But still a nice figure.

Some tidbits from the Interconnected Differencing Engine Network

From Troublemaker Games, a company which I have noticed before, but which has expanded their offerings:

German Steamjet Infantry

Originally scaled as 10mm, I think these could be used for impressive automatons at the least for a 6mm game. Just paint in a metallic scheme, and I think it would work well.

German Foundation Set

This set includes three pieces, it seems. One is a beautiful piece for terrain. One is an armoured vehicle, and one is a piece of high-tech gimcrackery. A British version is also available, as is a Martian one.

German Armoured Infantry

The last piece of German hardware I shall mention here today, it reminds me something of the Bioshock videogame franchise. Still, pretty cool looking figures.

British Heavy Cruiser

This is a nice looking piece of kit. Very VSF feel, especially with the giant raygun - excuse me, an "Unfathomable Energy Projector" - on the aft turret. Note that this is a land vessel. It is resin, and 16 cm in length (about 6 inches).

Finally, the Martian Flying Machine.

I really like this guy. Classic saucer shape, big honking gun, and what looks like a pair of smoke stacks coming up from the rear. At 8.00 GBP, it isn't the cheapest thing out there, but still, it looks good. Also a resin cast, it comes with a clear flight stand.

New Machines

   For the first time in months, progress has been made in the mechanickal works. Pursuit of further education has certainly slowed progress to a glacial pace.

   Our first offering is the Iron Mole. The product of Otto Maton's fevered imagination and advanced mechanicks, the Iron Mole can bore through the hardest stone in mere moments.

The Iron Mole

   Next up is one of a pair (both are completed, with slight variations) of self-propelled field pieces. These can be used in any of the three scales I play in (6mm, 15mm, and 25mm). I purchased them painted over a year ago, in a greenish-black scheme. I touched up the paint, added the brass touches and finished the bases up. I left the two in their neutral paint scheme so that they can be included in any VSF force, however, the bases are not really suitable for a Mars-based game. I need a name for these, too. They were originally designed for the Warmachine game, but I don't want to use their designations. Maybe call them 'Cataphract-class Self-propelled Gyro-stabilised Field Artillery'? Any other suggestions?

????

   So, there you have it. The first content post of 2013. School begins again in a week, so don't expect this to continue too much, but I will try my best to create more this semester.

Some Photostats of Summer Work

   Not entirely sure if I have posted these photos before. This is some of what I did manage to accomplish this summer.

A granary, for Venusians

A French Armoured Dig, for either 6mm or 1/1200

Two stout English lads, on Mars. (Empress Figures)

Doctor Vardu, who manipulates the very thread of life into unnatural weaves...

A heliograph section (15mm, Peter Pig)

The Colonel seems to have something on his coat sleeve. 

"Hmmph. Bloody lazy batman."

OwlCon XXXI: Coming up fast!

  OwlCon is an annual convention held on the campus of Rice University in downtown Houston, Texas. My sons and I have gone for the last three (or is it four?) years in a row.

  I totally forgot about it coming up. I was planning on running a 6mm demo of When the Navy Walked. The "deadline" for registering a game was November 4th! Have to see if I can still get a table! Since I finally got the figures I needed to be able to play (grumble grumble) Now, to paint them and base them and...

  Anyway, the convention is February 3-5, 2012. If you are in the area, come on by!

  Oh, and Happy New Year!

New Landship Sighted!

  As the pre-eminent news source for Her Majesty's subjects here on Mars, we are constantly on the watch for developments which may affect the Empire and its subjects. As such, guardians of the Rights of Englishmen that we are, we feel it needful to point out that Her Majesty's forces have produced a new sort of armoured landship.

  Fitted with a set of rotating tracks upon which it easily and swiftly traverses the rough sands of Mars, the 50' long armoured leviathan also mounts an array of artillery and reciprocating cannon that are sure to daunt even the hardiest opponents of Her Majesty's rightful claims.

   The Colour Sergeant agrees: "Right, you lot, now we follow those lads in the big tin can, and next thing, we're at it with the Hun. They won't like it up 'em!"

[Editor's Note: The model at the top is newly released by a new (?) company that has just started making 10mm VSF. The company is Troublemaker Games, and the models come at 6 to the pack. Each is 55mm long, according to the description here. I'm considering using them in my 6mm VSF project as even bigger landships.]

A few newly finished figures

   I have finally finished Her Majesty (God Bless Her!), Victoria I, Empress of India, Queen of the United Kingdoms of Great Britain, etc., etc. The figure came from Eureka.

She is not amused.

   Next up is Khana Reeyah, the Exalted One. The figure is a Parroom Stations miniature that has been languishing in the bin for a few years, and on the table for a year or so. Finished him up finally. His white robes are a mark of his ritual purity. The blue and gold signify his royal status and House. The golden mask is worn at all times in public.

Khana Reeyah, the Exalted One

   Last, I finished the last touches on a unit of Aetherbattalion in 6mm. I used Baccus British colonials and paint converted them. I mean, really, in 6mm scale, can you tell the difference?

II. Battalion, AR. 1