Jeff's Computer Down --

The problems I've been having with my computer are more severe than first thought. It now looks like the hard drive will have to be wiped clean and a new operating system installed.

I'm writing this from a friend's computer because mine can no longer connect to the Net. So for perhaps the next week or so I will be unable to do much.

Furthermore this will delay my Stagonian game with Stokes. And prevent the awful nastiness resulting from the Vile King's encounter with the Duchess from coming to light for a while . . . who knows what evil lurks in their hearts?

Sadly we will have to wait . . . because right now my job is to try to copy all of the files I need before my poor machine is wiped.


-- Jeff

"Small 25mm" Colonial Problem --

Responding to my last post, a number of you suggested selling my Old Glory Colonials or eBay.

Well, the problem with that is my Afristan Campaign. This is a campaign that I'd like to run on a fictional mini-continent in the Indian Ocean. (Note -- click on graphics for larger versions).

I would like to have not only the British, but also Germans, French and the Ottoman Turks (as well as a bunch of native tribes).

Now my Ral Parthas can supply the British (and their Sepoys), the Natives (both African and Islamic) and the Ottoman Turks (by using the Egyptians and Sudanese) . . . but they don't have anything usable as Germans or French.

If anyone can point me in the direction of reasonably priced "small 25mm" figures of Colonial Germans and French Foreign Legion troops, I'd appreciate it. And I live in Canada so figures that don't have to cross the pond are preferred.

Of course with the much larger Old Glory figures, I wouldn't have any problems. And with their "Army Deal", the figures would be reasonably priced. . . . But I don't like them as much.

Today's photos are of some of my Ral Partha Sepoys. As before I don't have full units on display . . . and there is a "base up" figure behind each unit to let you know what they are.

The first photo is an "over view" of these "Colonial" troops. Further photos show some closer looks . . . and, as always, 'click' on the photos for a closer look at the troops.

Above are the 3rd Gurkha and 2nd Gurkha units.

Above are the 23rd Sepoys and 20th Sepoys

Above are the 6th Eygptian, 45th Sepoy and 31st Sepoy units.

-- Jeff

My British Colonial Foot --

I had a request to provide some photos of some of my Ral Partha Colonials. Well there are far too many to put into a single post . . . but I thought that I'd give you a bit of a taste of them.

While I started out using "The Sword and the Flame", I later gravitated to "G.A.S.L.I.G.H.T." (although without the "steampunk" additions).

Eventually I ended up writing my own rules, "Khyber Knife". which used elements of both of the above and some ideas of my own.

Anyway, my units are all of ten figures (although I just use a few for these photos -- not whole units). Remember too that if you 'click' on any photo you will see a larger version of it.

Next to each unit I have placed a figure on its side so that you can see how I base them.

All rank-and-file are on pennies while the leader (usually a non-com, but occasionally an officer) is based on a nickel.

The bottom of the base of each figure is painted in the unit's 'facing color' with the unit number written with a sharpie.

The first couple of shots are sort of "group shots", but those following are of individual units. The fort and houses are built of foamcore and are very light and durable. The palm trees started life as 'cake decorations'.

Now for some individual units:

Above are some men of the 4th Foot -- the Royal Lancasters

Above are some men of the11th Foot -- Devonshire

Above are some men of the 24th Foot -- South Wales Borderers

Above are some men of the 36th Foot -- Worcestershire

Above are some men of the 42th Foot -- the Black Watch

Above are some men of the 57th Foot -- Middlesex

Above are some men of the 1st Royal Artillery

Above are some men of the 58th Foot -- Northhampton

Above are some men of the 78th Foot -- the Seaforth Highlanders

Above are some men of the 92th Foot -- the Gordon Highlanders

I also have several unit of 'Colonial' foot (mainly Sepoys), as well as a few mounted units. However since the move the only "enemy" troops that I have in Ral Parthas are Pathans. But pictures of those are for another time.


-- Jeff

My Health & a Colonial "Fix" --

Firstly, today the doctor said that my lungs sounded much much better . . . and I feel a lot better . . . but I still run out of breath with almost any type of exertion. In other words, I'm past the pneumonia but still need to take care for a while.

Then tonight I got a "Colonial Fix" with two Korda Brothers movies. The first was the 1938 film "The Drum" (also known as "Drums") -- difficult to catch all of the dialog due to the various accents, but great images of the Northwest Frontier including a mountain gun being set up.

The second was Korda's wonderful 1939 version of "The Four Feathers" . . . still the best version of this story. This one I'd seen before of course (indeed I have it on DVD too) but since it was on TV without commercials I watched it again.

And, yes, of course these make me want to do some more Colonial gaming.

But there's a problem. I started my Colonial collection with Ral Parthas (as did my California buddy, Bill S.); but when I moved to Canada all of his troops stayed in Califormia . . . and suddenly there were no Zulus or Mahdists.

Ral Partha was no more . . . so I ended up ordering a ton of Old Glory Colonials . . . and I've painted a bunch . . . but the two manufacturers do not mix! And I don't enjoy painting the OGs.

Now I've discovered that Great Endeavors has picked up the old Ral Partha Colonial line . . . and I'd like to get some . . . but then what to do with a few hundred Old Glory's (some painted, some not)?


-- Jeff

Cautious Optimism ---

The new antibiotic (Levaquin) that the doctor put me on seems to be getting the upper hand on my pneumonia. As my sife says, I'm breathing a lot more easily and not coughing nearly as much.

Of course as soon as I try to do anything (like walk to the next room) I run out of breath . . . but not as badly as before.

My thanks to all of you who have wished me well and a speedy recovery.


-- Jeff

PS, it is a good thing that I'd purchased a gift and a card before I got sick. Today is my wife's birthday and I was able to give her something even though I've not been out (except to see the doctor) for close to two weeks.

Pneumonia Sucks ---

I've not been posting nor doing anything fun for a while. I'm now on my second course of antibiotics designed to clear out the infection in my lungs.

It isn't so much that I hurt, since I really don't. It is just that I run out of breath whenever I do anything . . . and it starts me coughing and then I can't stop for a while . . . and it is exhausting.

So hopefully this newest drug will work and I'll soon be back on my feet.


-- Jeff

Wittenberg's Ambassador Robbed --

Count Wilhelm Hatzof, the Kingdom of Wittenberg's Ambassador to the Principality of Saxe-Bearstein and his military attache, Major-General Heinrich von Bose of the Duchy of Fenwick were accosted and robbed while passing through the Kingdom of Stagonia.

The Count (pictured at left in the gray coat), flanked by Maj. Gen. von Bose (in the red coat) recounted their harrowing experiences to the Cavendarian ambassador, Monsieur Dashiell Jeansonne (in the brown coat), while the Lutelande grenadier, Nils Norberg (green uniform) listens in.

Due to the violent rainstorms that had flooded the Spoilwasser, they had been forced to detour through the vile kingdom.

At the border, their coach had been "searched for contraband" resulting in their purses and luggage being confiscated. Then, after crossing through that blighted nation, when they reached the far border, their coach was confiscated "for exit fees" and because the horses would be needed for Stagonia's coming campaign.

Thus they arrived in the Principality of Saxe-Bearstein on foot without credentials, luggage or transportation. Fortunately Gen. von Bose was known to several of the Principality's generals, so based upon his word, Furst Bruno von Ursa has accepted the Count as Wittenberg's ambassador.

Further, he has granted both the Count and General a line of credit so that they may not lack for anything until they can arrange for the transfer of their own funds.

Details about Stagonia's "coming campaign" are very sketchy . . . but it is believed to be aimed at the Grand Duchy of Stollen, which has recently been defeated three times by the Electorate of Zichenau.


-- Jeff