A Local Gaming Convention --

Well this past weekend we had our local gaming convention here in the Comox Valley (Vancouver Island, BC, Canada).

In some ways it was rather disappointing . . . and, in others, quite satisfying.

Overall the con was disappointing in that there were substantially fewer attendees than there were last year. This resulted in a lot fewer games being played.

On the other hand, I personally made out like a bandit. I was fortunate enough to play in a number of very enjoyable games . . . and it turned out that I was voted "Best Overall Player" at Dak-Kon XIII.

Yes, that fat fellow pictured above is me holding the wall plaque I received for my win. I don't know if you can make it out, but there is a gorgeously-painted mounted figure gracing the plaque.

I also received a bunch of "loot" . . . six boxes of Mongoose Publishing's "Battlefield Evolution" (three tanks and three of troops) along with the Player award (as well as a tee shirt which my wife claimed for her own).

I also won two boxes of "Star Wars -- Alliance and Empire" Booster Packs in one of the games I was in . . . and, to top things off, I won door prizes both days -- a bag of Old Glory Romans and one of Command Decision tanks.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do with all of my goodies (other than the Romans) but I certainly was lucky.

On the other hand, I'm dealing with another bout of "kidney gravel" (small stones) moving through my system right now . . . so I'm drinking LOTS of fluids and am mentally muddled with the pain pills.

It certainly wasn't a dull week.


-- Jeff

Unter-Schweingau Comments

First of all, Murdock has provided an excellent write-up of the battle with some marvelous photos on his blog.

So I won't attempt to duplicate his account. My task was a different one.

As the person who wrote the rules ("Tricorne Wars"), I was looking to see how well things worked.

And, in some ways, the rules worked very well. I continue to love the "fog of war" that my "command and control" mechanisms cause.

Anyone can be a decent general when everything goes as planned . . . but what about when orders are sometimes misinterpreted? What happens when messengers are intercepted? What do you do when the orders just don't seem to be acted upon?

What I did not love was the "town fighting". I need to re-examine it . . . and I do apologize here to Pete for not having looked at this before . . . although this is actually the first time we've had small arms fire inside a town.

Anyway, it is something that I need to address for version .20 (which I'm currently working on).

Another issue that was raised by Stokes was where I got the buildings. Well, Stokes, they are ceramic "Christmas Village" type buildings that I picked up for a couple of bucks each during Holiday sales.

Sure, they had roofs covered with patches of fake snow. But by repainting the roofs different colors (thus covering up the snow) and also repainting the garish Christmas garlands, they look quite normal.

If you look closely, you will see that there are actually three pairs of buildings (i.e., pairs that are exactly alike -- except for the new roof colors). By repainting the roofs and turning them to different angles, you don't notice that they're the same unless you know it.


-- Jeff

Progress Report --

Well let's see, what progress do I have to report?

Sunday was another "painting day". Pete came over and we both got quite a bit done. Except for basing, I've now finished another three units (eight units if I "cheat").

The foot guard unit is finished as well as two cavalry units (one cuirassier and one "galloper"). I also cheated and made duplicate standard-bearers for the four "blue coat" battalions which sometimes serve as extra troops for Pete (and sometimes as vile Stagonians).

In addition, I've cut some bases for a second "grenzer" unit . . . well, okay, they aren't really grenzers, but they are some odd irregular troops (mainly GNW Russians) that I'll base as Grenzer substitutes.

This means that when I've finished basing, I'll be able to field:

• 11 "line" battalions -- 5 red coats, 4 blue coats, 1 gray coat and 1 yellow-coated
• 2 "grenzer" battalions -- well irregulars at least, based in my LMI diamond configuration
• 12 companies of foot skirmishers
• 10 mounted regiments -- 4 "Heavy Horse", 4 Dragoons and 2 Hussars (really Cossacks)
• several artillery pieces and crews
• assorted Generals and Brigadiers

All-in-all, I'm pretty well pleased . . . particularly since these are only "stand-in" troops until I can paint my RSMs later this year.


As for the battles, I don't know if the Duchy of Pfalz-Kognat-Obersayn battle took place this past weekend or not . . . presumably there will be a report soon if it happened.

As for the Landgraviate of Ober-Schweinsberg civil war proxy fight, Murdock and I are set to fight it out next Sunday if we get some clarification on a few details from Jonathan. Murdock will supply the troops and I'll set up the terrain.


-- Jeff

Two New Battles Due --

Well, it looks like there will be two upcoming battles using my "Tricorne Wars" rules.

One is the "proxy battle" that we will be fighting for Jonathan involving the warring brothers (Asgar and Arnold) in their battle for control of the Landgraviate of Ober-Schweinsberg. At the moment, it looks like February 17 is a possible play date for that one.

The other battle will be taking place elsewhere as a scenario involving troops from the Duchy of Pfalz-Kognat-Obersayn. It seems that they want to give my rules a try. (I don't know when that one might be played).

However, for the Ober-Schweinsberg battle Jonathan has not only provided a map, but orders of battle and information on uniforms and flags as well.

Of course we won't be able to match things perfectly -- not having all of the proper colors of uniforms -- but we should be able to get enough troops onto the table top.


-- Jeff