Continuing Simarillion

Now to the men allied to King Fingon and the High Elves. From Brethil, came the men of Haleth under Haldir. I took a figure from the Classic LotR line of the 80s.

The following three photos of old Minifigs filling in for the men of Brethil...

This is another figure from the Classic LotR line of the 80s representing Hurin himself, leading the men of Dol-lomin...

Huor, Hurin's brother is next, yet another Classic LotR...

The following four photos are a collection of old Heritage, again from the 80s, these specifically were Riders of Rohan. I liked the idea they were now men of Hurin...

The entrance into Angband with Thangorodrim in the background. The model was constructed out of foam board and a lightweight plaster purchased at Hobby Lobby. The background is a painting downloaded from online. The orcs in the foreground are from Games Workshops' Urak-hai...

The final three photos depict orc captains (with the first being an early Classic LotR Azog)...

Well, that completes the Western Army led by Fingon at the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, and some examples of the first Orc horde that would tempt the opponents from their hiding places on the slopes of the Ered Wethren (Shadowy Mountains). Next up will be the game recreating this first phase, as the Fingon's Army fights to the very entrance of Angband...

More Silmarillion

As part of the Gondolin forces, arguably the greatest warrior of the age is Glorfindel. The figure is from Games Workshop

Ecthelion, another Elvish hero of Gondolin. Miniature I believe I picked up from Bones.

A Captain of Gondolin, also from Bones.

This and the following two photos, show soldiers form Gondolin, all from GW LotR line.

And the King of Gondolin, Turgon from Bones as well.

A couple of very old Minifig High Elves, filling in for the Elves of Fingon and Hithlum

GW Elves of Lothlorien standing in for more Elves from Hithlum.

Purchased from eBay but not aware from whose line. They represent more of Fingon's Elves form Hithlum.

GW's King's Guard, doing same serving Fingon.

GW's Nomad Prince that I loved for Fingon himself.

Another view of above.

Some more of the Orcish Hordes, these were from the 80s, inspired by Ralph Bakshi's animated film.

More examples as above.

Some of the newer GW Isengard Uruk-hai.

So to finish the latest installment, here is an overall view of Fingon's Western Army, drawn up around the fortress of Etihel Sirion (center). Starting from the right we have Elves from the Falas; then Nargothrond; Elves from Hitlum; men from Brethil under Haldir (not photographed yet); and finally men from Dor-lomin under Hurin and Huor (again not yet photographed).

Stayed tuned more to come

The Silmarillion

Being a serious Tolkien fan, having read all his books several times, watched every movie made, and looking forward to Amazon Prime's new series, its time to return to the gaming table.

I collected LotR miniatures as far back as the 70s and 80s and still have them. Watching the Tolkien Biopic inspired me to reread the biography I had as well as the Silmarillion. That naturally, lead me to wanting to put one of the great battles of the First Age on the table. Because it has it all, Elves, Orcs, Men, Dwarves, Trolls, Dragons, and Balrogs, the choice was easy. It is the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, or the Battle of Unnumbered Tears.

Of course a major stumbling block is there really aren't many figs out there made for the First Age. Well, I decided to go back to my original collection of figures to fill in some needs, while diving into GW's collection of LotR for some more, and finally just grabbing up some High Elf types from various manufacturers. GW Age of Sigmar became my source for Elves of the six sons of Feanor. Granted, this isn't perfect, but so far it is providing me with the miniatures to stage this incredible battle.

To give a brief intro into the project, here are a few photos to wet the appetite.

Filling in for my Elves from Nargothrond, are some figures that are so old, I don't even remember where they came from, but I had just enough to fill out this contingent. A new paint job, inc the kingdom's symbol on the shield, and they're ready to go.

The leader of the above force was the Elf Gwindor, and here is my rendition. It is an original Mithril miniature (before they were even Mithril!) I think he was a city guard of Tharbad, but what the heck.

This fig I picked up from Bones I believe, and is filling in for my commander of the Elves from the Falas (perhaps even Cirdan himself)

This and in the next photo I picked up from NorthStar's Oathmark Elvish warriors. Both of these are the Elves from the Falas

The Falas image I downloaded from the internet and then attached it to the shields. You will see other examples later. Now, a few images of the enemy:

Since the need is for countless Orcs, I dipped into my earliest collection. These are ancient Minifigs mounted in groups (again, because of numbers needed)

These are again, I believe, Minifig,  goblins this time, but again needing vast numbers, they get pressed into service.

Some more 'ancient' figures. Bit of a mixture here, with some "Snaga" orcs with the grinning faces, Der Kriegspielers,  (a couple of orc characters from Minifig, and more Minifig as earlier illustrated.

Well, that's it for now, more will follow. Hope you will enjoy the tour.

Gettysburg: Day One. the Final Moves

View from the SW with Gettysburg in upper right and Seminary, top center

On the Yankee right, Devin is passing the Culp's farm. The models of this farm are from Buildings in Conflict again) You probably notice the change in the mat. On the right is Cigar Box. Needing to expand southward (always wanting more) I purchased some fabric at Hobby Lobby (original color seen in lower right), and have hand-painted another 4'x12' section. The professional is nicer of course, but I'm very pleased with my creation

Troops (some routed...regiment in lower right with a red cap for example), pouring into Gettysburg. Some I Corps troops seen in upper left. The bottom half portion of the mat here is my own.

One of Kyznowski's regiments (top left center) rolls snake eyes on a morale check (instant rout in the rules), leaving his defensive line a tad shaky. Ironically, his men routed one of the Rebs' units who rolled the exact same result! General Avery's Brigade is outflanking the Federals anyway on their right (right center)

As the XI Corps has collapsed on the right, I Corps is pressing into Gettysburg as well. This one turn illustrated quite well the difficulties the Union experienced at this point in the battle with so many crowding the streets in their attempt to reach Cemetery Hill

The Confederates reorganize and push into Shieds Woods at the southern end of Oak Ridge. The 58th NC (top right) has successfully charges and force the Yankee artillery and a small regiment to retire near the Thompson House (This would be used by General Lee as his HQ for the rest of the battle)

The struggle intensifies at the Seminary as both sides lose a full stand in the exchange (left side of photo, note the gaps in both lines)

And Gambles troopers take position at the west edge of McMillan's Orchard. You can clearly see the Cigar Box mat on the left, and my own on the right
The game ended at this point with the Confederates about to enter Gettysburg from the north, and the Yanks preparing to abandon Seminary Ridge. The rules Across a Deadly Field were for the most part, effective. A few changes I think I will work on with only the overly complicated Charge Rule I believe I will throw out or heavily modify. Im hoping to try out this game with the club members in the near future and then again in BCon this September, so well see. Thanks for visiting.

Blood and Plunder: Privateers against a Treasure Galleon

Ever since Firelock Games introduced Blood and Plunder several years ago and I bought in totally to their second Kickstarter, I wanted to try out my massive Galleon produced by Old Glory. Because of its immense firepower (25 gun broadside!), we decided to run three Privateer vessels against her. A French Sloop (6-guns) commanded by the infamous Francois L'Olonnais; an English Brigantine (8-guns) lead by Henry Morgan; and a Dutch Flyut (14-gun) captained by Diego the Mulato, would try to bring the Spanish low. The mats are produced by Cigar Box which I highly recommend. The figures are mostly from Firelock with a handful from various other manufacturers.

The wind is coming from the south (right photo) with the Galleon anchored under the guns of a Spanish fort (seen in next photo). The French Sloop is seen approaching at bottom right, while Morgan's Brigantine is advancing (seen at top right). Diego's ship hasn't made it's appearance yet.

The view from above the Spanish Fort (housing a 64pounder (!), two 12pounders, with the Galleon at top. Morgan at top left and L'Olonnais top right

As the French Sloop moves to rake the Galleon's stern (it was hoped for anyway), it came under fire from two guns in the Spanish fort. While the smaller gun missed, the massive 64lb made an incredible die roll (needed a 10 on 10x!) and put some hurt on the French although amazingly, no casualties. The Spanish commander (Juan Corso) has raised his anchor and put on minor sails to begin inching forward. The Dutch Fluyt as arrived as well, hoping to occupy the enemy's attention thus allowing his cohorts to rake both bow and stern.

Disaster for the Privateers! The wind changes and now comes from the east (right photo). Good for Morgan (upper right), but both the Sloop and Fluyt are in trouble. L'Olonnais was just getting ready to fire on the stern and now is pushed into the surf. No real worry about grounding he thought, only a roll of 10 will affect the low draft vessel. The French roll a 10! Paying a doubloon (like a get out of jail card in the rules), the French get a second roll...and another 10!! Finally, spending yet another doubloon, the Sloop doesn't ground. But now she is out of the fight. Morgan is forced to lower sails to reduce speed so he can attempt to turn inside the Galleon and stay on her bow. But that port side broadside is getting prepared to lower destruction on the English. Diego is facing a very difficult decision. Does he turn with the wind (to port) and into the Spanish broadside, or to the starboard and try to tack.

While the French Sloop has lowered his sails and is using his sweeps (2" a turn) to bring itself back into the fight, and the Fluyt struggles against the wind, a collision occurs which does heavy damage to Morgan's Brigantine. A number of Spanish guns pound away as well, and the English are in serious danger!

Morgan is gone! Spanish guns pulverize the unlucky English, sending her to the bottom. While the Sloop continues its sweeps, the Fluty is now in an unenviable position. Her only hope (and a bad one at that) is to maneuver down the starboard side of the Spanish Galleon and take her chances she can survive the guns. She is already taking a pounding from the forward guns of the Galleon. But it doesn't turn out that way. The two ship's rigging become fouled and the Fluyt cannot escape. She too is sunk beneath the waves!

L'Olonnais would have been better off simply turning with the wind and fleeing the battle, but he had loyally stayed with his allies and eventually brought his ship around. Unfortunately in the time it took, Corso brought his Galleon down onto the poor Sloop! The collision and bow chasers brought down both masts of the French vessel. The one advantage the French had was that they were on the Spanish bow and dealing serious damage down the length of the enemy ship, including starting a fire!

The only hope the French have is that they remain entangled so they can continue to blast their cannons into the defenseless bow. But it wasn't to be as the Galleon cuts away the wreckage and when she moves slightly forward again, the damage done to the Sloop is too much and she goes down as well. Great day for the Spanish!

The game was enjoyed by all (especially the Spanish player as he had not won a game in B&P yet!) That huge Galleon is quite the powerhouse