A Colonial Affair
A Quasi-Historical 19th Century Imagi-Nation World
(using my own homemade rules)
A Quasi-Historical 19th Century Imagi-Nation World
(using my own homemade rules)
An alternative title for this thread could easily have been "Barsoom or Not to Barsoom... that is the question?" Effectively, I hummed and hawed whether to include the Edgar Rice Burroughs world into my game; but in the end, I found a happy compromise... which you`ll get to see later on (once the actual campaign game gets underway).
.... anyway, onto the thread.
.... anyway, onto the thread.
October 6th 2013
Well, I`ve finally gone and done it!
I know I shouldn`t have, but it`s too late: the urge was upon me and the Irregular Miniatures on-line catalog (full of yummy pictures) was simply too delicious to ignore... I guess you could say the guys over at Irregular Minaitures made me an offer I couldn`t refuse *damn you, damn you all*
Elsewhere in these pages, I`m sure I have mentioned my ongoing romance with all things Victorian (including Steampunk)... especially the Colonial aspect. Well to recap briefly (so as not to bore anyone too much... I could enthuse for hours about things I am passionate about, as anyone who knows me well can testify) I think pretty much ever since I saw the film "Zulu"* as a kid, I have been love struck by the entire notion of Zulu-ism, Red Jacketed Brits, and the vast expanse of the African veldt.
were inve
* My parents were both poor and unable to comprehend the massive importance of things such as `going to the movies` when I was a kid; and so I had to wait until this masterpiece came on telly until I got to see it... naturally, they only had an old black and white TV back then. Gosh, can many people alive today even remember the old days before colour televisions were invented?
But my imagination was fueled by much more than just the Zulus, Redcoats, and the heroic fighting aspect of it all. No, I was equally interested in the romanticism of the colonial era. The married soldiers wives and camp mistresses; upper class ladies in all their finery, sipping tea on the smooth green lawn back at the barracks, sitting together and planning their next grand ball (to relieve the tedium of endless drudgery .. while being waited on hand and foot by servants); White missionaries preaching the word of God to the indigenous heathen masses (haha), all of it sparked my interest passionately. Later on in life, I added to these romantic notions in my head, by dreaming of the great explorers searching for the source of the Nile. Archaeologists, Adventurers, Great White Hunters and their decimating African Safari`s... even King Solomen`s Mines and Tarzan got into my mind`s eye of this intensely amazing, romantically beautiful genre... just right for the gaming table. I think the Spielberg series "The Young Indiana Jones" sealed my fate and forced me to think about finally doing something about all this.
Couple all this with my love of Pulp and pre-WWII especially Weird World War gaming gaming (a sort of "what if" history and fantasy combined), and I have my ideal combination of imagi-nation gaming pleasures to pursue. But not content to stop there, I have added post modern Zombie Apocalypse to the mix; thrown in a mature and slightly macabre version of Dr. Who... time travel (to link all the genres together) and I have my perfect balance. The big question (for me) will one day inevitably be whether to add Martian Barsoom (aka Edgar Rice Burroughs "John Carter of Mars") and maybe even a bit of a Space 1889 to this campaign... or not?
Bear with me, I know this strange mix sounds absolutely frightful as described so far. But trust me, I will deal with it in subtle ways which I think will surprise and delight even the most sceptical gamer (assuming the above mentioned genres are of interest, of course).
Naturally, to capture everything on the table in miniature, was going to take some considerable planning . Only, I never really had the chance back in the early days of my hobby. There simply wasn`t anything to purchase for this period back then. Sadly, even Airfix didn`t cover the range that I wanted at all; and so, as the years went by, I became more and more committed to other periods of interest, and so my love of all this was closely confined to books and the occasional film viewing on TV... sadly these were too few and far between.
I guess, into my first graying locks of hair, settled domestic felicity with a wonderful partner, family, and home... it slowly dawned on me that it was now or never...
... and so I chose now!
With two complete armies, plus a myriad of additional sundries winging their way to me now in the post; I am finally set to realize this dream come true... after half a life time of just imagining it all in my head. I have finally decided to indulge myself and enjoy e-v-e-r-y moment of the weeks, months, and years ahead; and so I find myself lost in happy cognation... everything from deciding the scale I will collect in, carefully planning the purchases with meticulous precision (tailoring the new collection to indulge all my romantic whims): and of course drawing my Imagi-Nation maps of a quasi-colonial type world: to deciding the rules I will use and the back story narrative for... what will effectively be... my new long term miniatures rpg and wargame campaign.
I also plan to play this whole thing out in two separate scales. 28mm, which will allow me to use my exquisite Bob Murch "Pulp", "Artizan Designs" and "Pax Limpopo" Eureka Miniatures for close up and personal skirmishes and some decent photography to help make my stories come alive. A campaign journal of everything I do for this new venture will be one of the main parts of the attraction I think, as much for my own amusement as for anyone else to enjoy. Collecting and gaming in 15mm as well will of course allow me to have hours of fun with much larger table top endeavours, and so I hope to be able to wield my games between scales as smoothly as Napoleon manoeuvred his cannon.... that's the idea anyway, fingers crossed *gulp*.
More later........
The spirit of `old school` painting and modelling
-----------------------------
October 10th
Christmas Has Come Early:
Wow, that was quick - less than a week! I walked out to the post box a little earlier today and discovered the postman had managed to drive up and put a parcel in the box without me so much as noticing; even the dogs didn`t bark to warn me. So all that loveliness must have been sitting outside, unopened, totally unloved, for an hour or so... shocking ^^
Also, a rather cool book arrived at the same time: an order with Amazon that I had placed on the same day "To The Heart of the Nile" which I am really looking forward to getting my teeth into. The true story of a husband and wife who went in search of the source of the Nile, back in the great Victorian age of discovery.
Amazing, I brought the book as a second hand purchase; but it looks pretty new condition to me. But best of all, it only cost a penny! Incredible really isn't it. I`ve never understood how Amazon can sell books like that and make a profit?
But back to the main event. The miniatures are absolutely stunning. I`m so glad I chose "Irregular Miniatures" for starting my collection of 15mm Colonial. It might have been tempting to have gone with one of the newer companies out there, assuming that the quality of the sculptures might be of a higher standard than these old veterans. But I decided to go with Irregular Miniatures for three reasons (was never really a serious consideration to look elsewhere in any case). A) I have dealt with them many times before, having purchased pretty much my entire 6mm collection from them in the past when I was a wee nipper... I find them to be polite, courteous, friendly, helpful and prompt. B) I like the sturdy and solid poses of their miniatures... nothing flimsy of fragile about them; and C) their range is huge, so I will be able to add and add and add to my collection without having to look elsewhere to other companies for future purchases when it comes to `fleshing out` my magnum opus. Having said that, some of Rebel Minis are an absolute must to add to my 15mm collection.
This is my first 15mm buy from Irregular Miniatures (my first 15mm purchase anywhere for that matter) and so I had a little trepidation going on in my mind "what would they be like: would I be disappointed: would I find the scale too small... once I saw them close up?" I needn`t have worried. The miniatures are sublimely wonderful, and I am utterly delighted with every last one of my choices.
Actually, I cannot begin to tell you how worried I was (as I paced, waiting for them to arrive in the post). You have to remember, living in the wilds of Ireland, I don`t have easy access to game stores.. and those there are tend to be a long drive away, and are more like Games Workshop stores than real wargame shops. Effectively, I was buying blind! I had absolutely no idea whether I would find 15mm too small for me to enjoy. I was familiar with 10mm miniatures, and I knew that (despite my love of 10mm fantasy dungeon crawls) inside I never quite fell in love with my little guys in the same way I did with their much larger 28mm cousins, and I was praying and praying the difference between 10mm and 15mm was as pronounced as I believed it to be. 10mm was too small, and 28mm was too big.... I had a lot riding on my hope that this new scale would be the one for me.
It was.... I was delighted, and overjoyed.
This is my first 15mm buy from Irregular Miniatures (my first 15mm purchase anywhere for that matter) and so I had a little trepidation going on in my mind "what would they be like: would I be disappointed: would I find the scale too small... once I saw them close up?" I needn`t have worried. The miniatures are sublimely wonderful, and I am utterly delighted with every last one of my choices.
Actually, I cannot begin to tell you how worried I was (as I paced, waiting for them to arrive in the post). You have to remember, living in the wilds of Ireland, I don`t have easy access to game stores.. and those there are tend to be a long drive away, and are more like Games Workshop stores than real wargame shops. Effectively, I was buying blind! I had absolutely no idea whether I would find 15mm too small for me to enjoy. I was familiar with 10mm miniatures, and I knew that (despite my love of 10mm fantasy dungeon crawls) inside I never quite fell in love with my little guys in the same way I did with their much larger 28mm cousins, and I was praying and praying the difference between 10mm and 15mm was as pronounced as I believed it to be. 10mm was too small, and 28mm was too big.... I had a lot riding on my hope that this new scale would be the one for me.
It was.... I was delighted, and overjoyed.
It all goes to prove the old saying, its not the young man who finishes last. Irregular Miniatures have been at this game for a very long time, and the quality of my new purchase has just proven that point most poignantly. The pieces are delightful to the eye, well proportioned to the scale, and most importantly they LOOK right.
10 out of 10 to Irregular Miniatures yeeey!!! I`m a happy chappie :-)
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October 15th
Okay, this (for me) is fast becoming the biggest project of 2013.
To start with, the rules I would ultimately be using for my 15mm games were obviously going to matter a lot. I knew already (as is usual for me) the main thrust of my gaming in this project was going to be campaign driven as opposed to one off games; so the style of rules I finally decided to stick with were going to have to reflect all this in their versatility and staying power. In the end I chose to go my own route.... and create my own rules as opposed to adopting someone else`s ideas. How I came to this decision was very much by stumbling from chance to chance.
Earlier this year I discovered Richard Borg`s American Civil War Battlecry miniatures boardgame and was immediately blow away by it`s sheer visual appeal, and I soon spotted its potential and decided to `keep it in my pocket` for a rainy day... knowing I would not have time (any month soon) to paint the minis and get my hands dirty playing the game enough to do it justice. The initial test game (Bull Run) I did play, taught me enough to know I was absolutely going to love this game; but I was good, and forced myself to store it away for later perusal.
About the same time I got madly into HBO`s "Game of Thrones" and subsequently, I purchased the novels, the DVD`s, and then the boardgames plus all the supplements to go with it. I bought the game based on the fact that Fantasy Flight Games seems to have done a deal with Richard Borg for total rights to all his material... Battlelore, Battles for Westeros, Battlecry, etc etc. Soooo, at first I took Battlecry (my favourite of all his games, mostly because of its elegant simplicity), combined it with an online resource I had discovered called "Afriboria" and made up my own hybrid set of rules much in the flavour of Battlecry, but I really needed to inject a deeply quasi-historical Colonial and Pulp Imagi-nation feel to it all (a sort of "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" versus "Sky Captain & the World of Tomorrow"... with scope for modern horror zombie flicks thrown in). The bulk of the work was already done for me in an adaptation of "Command and Colours" so it wasn`t hard for me to sink my teeth into my very own unique version of the rules.... converting them so they worked perfectly for my needs. So it was all a matter of stumbling from A to B to C, and in the end I had a set of rules I was really happy with. I needed to be sure, as I plan to be playing with my 15mm Colonial stuff for a long long long time to come.
However, as time passed, I slowly came to realize there was still something missing. I was pining for the `old school` element I so badly wanted to include in my games; and so I ended up doing a complete U-turn on myself and set about writing an entirely new file of rules for myself... from scratch.
The next part was the labour intensive bit... painting everything and making the terrain. The painting is the easiest part (relatively speaking). It just takes tenacious spirit not to give up half way, but to keep slogging away... a figure... a unit... at a time until every last miniature is painted and ready for play. No the hard part was going to be making the terrain come alive so that ultimately the game would feel right. Nothing is more sure to kill the best planned out wargame or rpg project than bad terrain... it absolutely cripples enjoyment, slaughters atmospheric suspension of disbelief, and makes the whole experience seem flat and uninspiring; unless that little extra effort it put into getting this aspect right from the very beginning.
Initially, for me (when I was planning to use the Afriboria idea) the choice of how to go about this was easy. I would use the terrain tile overlays that come with Battlecry and Wattles of Westeros, and build up on them (using DAS modelling clay) to create 3 dimensional hills, woods, buildings, rivers, roads, etc . For the battle boards themselves I would be using the hex terrain boards from the Battles of Westeros sets. A plus to these is the way they can be combined side by side to create an even bigger playing area if I want them to. They are also aesthetically pleasing to the eye... and best of all, they don`t have the Fantasy Flight Games company logo splattered all over them, effectively making them nice and generic.
10 out of 10 to Irregular Miniatures yeeey!!! I`m a happy chappie :-)
-------------------------------------------------------------
October 15th
Okay, this (for me) is fast becoming the biggest project of 2013.
To start with, the rules I would ultimately be using for my 15mm games were obviously going to matter a lot. I knew already (as is usual for me) the main thrust of my gaming in this project was going to be campaign driven as opposed to one off games; so the style of rules I finally decided to stick with were going to have to reflect all this in their versatility and staying power. In the end I chose to go my own route.... and create my own rules as opposed to adopting someone else`s ideas. How I came to this decision was very much by stumbling from chance to chance.
Earlier this year I discovered Richard Borg`s American Civil War Battlecry miniatures boardgame and was immediately blow away by it`s sheer visual appeal, and I soon spotted its potential and decided to `keep it in my pocket` for a rainy day... knowing I would not have time (any month soon) to paint the minis and get my hands dirty playing the game enough to do it justice. The initial test game (Bull Run) I did play, taught me enough to know I was absolutely going to love this game; but I was good, and forced myself to store it away for later perusal.
About the same time I got madly into HBO`s "Game of Thrones" and subsequently, I purchased the novels, the DVD`s, and then the boardgames plus all the supplements to go with it. I bought the game based on the fact that Fantasy Flight Games seems to have done a deal with Richard Borg for total rights to all his material... Battlelore, Battles for Westeros, Battlecry, etc etc. Soooo, at first I took Battlecry (my favourite of all his games, mostly because of its elegant simplicity), combined it with an online resource I had discovered called "Afriboria" and made up my own hybrid set of rules much in the flavour of Battlecry, but I really needed to inject a deeply quasi-historical Colonial and Pulp Imagi-nation feel to it all (a sort of "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" versus "Sky Captain & the World of Tomorrow"... with scope for modern horror zombie flicks thrown in). The bulk of the work was already done for me in an adaptation of "Command and Colours" so it wasn`t hard for me to sink my teeth into my very own unique version of the rules.... converting them so they worked perfectly for my needs. So it was all a matter of stumbling from A to B to C, and in the end I had a set of rules I was really happy with. I needed to be sure, as I plan to be playing with my 15mm Colonial stuff for a long long long time to come.
However, as time passed, I slowly came to realize there was still something missing. I was pining for the `old school` element I so badly wanted to include in my games; and so I ended up doing a complete U-turn on myself and set about writing an entirely new file of rules for myself... from scratch.
The next part was the labour intensive bit... painting everything and making the terrain. The painting is the easiest part (relatively speaking). It just takes tenacious spirit not to give up half way, but to keep slogging away... a figure... a unit... at a time until every last miniature is painted and ready for play. No the hard part was going to be making the terrain come alive so that ultimately the game would feel right. Nothing is more sure to kill the best planned out wargame or rpg project than bad terrain... it absolutely cripples enjoyment, slaughters atmospheric suspension of disbelief, and makes the whole experience seem flat and uninspiring; unless that little extra effort it put into getting this aspect right from the very beginning.
Initially, for me (when I was planning to use the Afriboria idea) the choice of how to go about this was easy. I would use the terrain tile overlays that come with Battlecry and Wattles of Westeros, and build up on them (using DAS modelling clay) to create 3 dimensional hills, woods, buildings, rivers, roads, etc . For the battle boards themselves I would be using the hex terrain boards from the Battles of Westeros sets. A plus to these is the way they can be combined side by side to create an even bigger playing area if I want them to. They are also aesthetically pleasing to the eye... and best of all, they don`t have the Fantasy Flight Games company logo splattered all over them, effectively making them nice and generic.
All this is just for my 15mm project.... doesn`t even touch the rest of the work space and other (simultaneous) projects I have on the go right now hehe.
15mm Colonial gun boat in the making... made from DAS clay)
Undercoated and drying
The first Boers finally based... always nice to get the first batch on their way to being fully finished and ready :-)
More homemade terrian in the making
All my 15mm minis are "Irregular Miniatures"
I`ve stuck with them for years with their 6mm stuff, and saw no reason to change now.
I`ve stuck with them for years with their 6mm stuff, and saw no reason to change now.
Mountains of lead.... and still more ordered and on their way.
Hmmm, Sir Henry`s wife, perhaps? I like that "Irregular Miniatures" have such a complete range for this period. Means I can add to the collection for years to come.
Using the 2D terrain overlays from the Battles of Westeros game... as a base for my own home made 3D tile overlays... was one of my better ideas I think. Dunno if I`ll ever use them as I have taken an entirely different direction with my rules; but the tiles still look kinda cool... even if they are now academic.
I`ve started with the Boers (plus a couple of wagons and a few personality types for variety) and am reading up, and watching DVD documentaries on "The Boer War" as I go, to maintain interest and keep me focused and enthused. After this I will move on to the Zulus, and then eventually, to the noble forces of Her Royal Majesty (God bless her).
Incidentally, I call the Boers in my Imagi-Nation World "Witts".
Incidentally, I call the Boers in my Imagi-Nation World "Witts".
November 3rd.
Finally have a chance to get on track with a few projects. I aim to play my first ever tentative game using my new 15mm Colonials as soon as I find time (with Christmas and New Year fast approaching... I have a feeling this will not now be before Easter 2014). I sent away to Irregular Miniatures for a second batch of minis (funny, no matter how thorough you are about putting together a mass order for two complete armies... there`s always something you completely overlook in your plans, or simply plain forget to add first time round).
So I`m skipping about a bit at the moment, finishing up paining the last of my Boers and my first big batch of Zulus; then I will pick bits and pieces throughout the collection (not something I would normally advice) and get those finished off so I can put together a decent game. I`m really keen to play so I`m not too fussed about flitting about with my painting this week. Normally I like to finish one complete force before I dare move on to another to ensure I maintain momentum and focus. But like I say, I`m impatient to get a game under my belt.
The second thing I MUST do soon is move back to my 28mm Steampunk, and write out the complete battle report of the game I plan to play out for "In Her Majesty`s Name" **. Not enough hours in the day by far... if only I could find a magic potion of "non sleep".
{** Afterthought... July 2014: sadly, I never did find time to do this}
January 1st 2014.
Happy New Year everyone.
Yeeeey!!! my lovely partner went and bought me a complete 15mm Colonial era Arab army (from Irregular Miniatures) to add to the collection. Oh my goodness I have a lot of painting ahead of me.
Okay, soon back on track I hope, and lots of enthusiasm to get cracking again. I always find January and the start of the new year a time for great changes... many things (larger and small), and a sort of `clearing away the cobwebs` to make way for new ideas, find fresh inspiration.... and even a time to `get rid of` things you simply know you`re never going to complete due to a waning interest or shifting views.
I feel good about 2014, and think this will be a good gaming year for me.
More later.....
July 18th 2014:
A long break later, and so much has happened in the meantime I bet ya think I got nothing done? na na na na naa naaaa.... yer all wrong ^^
I have been spending the best part of the last several months madly painting figures by the hundreds, making terrain, and totally planning the new campaign.
Bear with me, and please watch this space regularly from now on, for I will be updating content all the time... probably pretty much on a weekly basis for some considerable time. I dunno exactly, but I found it impossible to stay focussed on painting and doing this website at the same time.... I was on major burn out from writing and needed a break from I while I forced myself to get down to the necessary job of `preparing the toy soldiers`. In this I am amazingly lucky to have a wonderful partner who is not only beautiful and adventuresome: but also shares my hobby with a passion almost as intensely... and on par with myself in all things.
In fact, she paints models better than me... makes nicer terrain than me... and (embarrassingly) often seems to comprehend complicated rules better than I do. Took me simply ages to learn the rules to FFG`s "Arkham Horror". After several read-throughs of the manual, hours sat glued to you tube tutorials, and a solo trial run... nope... I still don't get the game! and then she comes along; reads the rules in an afternoon, plays a solo trial game the next day... plays a full game with `the boy` a week later, and by now totally understands the game.. the same game that had eluded me for months... uuugh!}
Yeah, suffice to say, she`s pretty special, and I'm one hell of a lucky dude ^^
I only wish I`d taken loads of photographs of this massive figure painting and terrain making journey... because the sheet bulk of things painted over the last few months is quite staggering.
Let The Games Begin:
Chapter 1:
The story so far....
In January 1827, disturbing news was beginning to filter out of the Cango Basin... desperate accounts from the settled Witts concerning the recent disappearance of livestock, vast areas of the jungle suddenly emptied of all wildlife, as though some mad exodus was forcing the indigenous inhabitants to flee the (normally teeming) region. The situation was becoming increasingly critical, due to the unexplained disappearance of several Witt families from along the upper shores of the Northern Reaches.
Eventually, Governor Rhodes was no longer able to ignore the growing reports of unrest, and dispatched four companies of the newly formed 11th Afribo Light Foot (under Lieutenant General James Clarkson*) to investigate the situation. These were to march `lively` up the south bank of the Cango, eventually joining up with the "Margareta" and a company of Naval Marines (under the command of Captain Thomas Cookson) at the Can-Can Mission Station just south of the central Cango basin.
* {this character was played by my daughter`s boyfriend and my good friend and role playing buddy... Jack}
In addition to the crew and the Marine detachment, the Small Britannic Gunship also carried a number of specialists... scientists and explorers, specially chosen to investigate the troubled region for information concerning the nature of the recent troubles bothering the settled Witts.
The situation was somewhat exacerbated by the fact the Sydanese Muhdi (Mohammed Ahumm) was currently active in the Upper Cango and in a particularly militant frame of mind**
** {The Witt`s obsession with Gold was of especial interest to the Muhdi, who was for ever scheming of new means to maintain and finance his large growing army.
Typical Witt Homestead
Finally uniting at the Can-Can, the 11th Afribo and the crew of the Margareta are disturbed to find the mission is totally deserted. The animals left behind in the fields look pallid, sickly, and agitated.
2nd Lieutenant George Arthur Pethergwy leads a detachment of Gordon Highlanders along the north (left) road; while lieutenant General James Clarkson rides at the head of his redcoats on an intersect road.
Artillery slowly brings up the rear
Jack (Clarkson) checks, and ponders his orders
The advance through the jungle terrain is slow and extremely laborious; and Clarkson is beginning to get very worried just how strung out his men have become... as they march in column along the narrow road.
Jack (Clarkson) and Ryan (Pethergwy) sit opposite the table, discussing tactics.... meanwhile the game God (me) silently watches their progress onto the board with keen interest.
Clarkson nervously puts out a few feelers (skirmishers) left and right along the road to cover the advancing column... just in case.
Pethergwy covers the rear of the column with a platoon of his khaki clad veterans.
Suddenly! a large raiding party from the Muhdi`s Cango army rushes from the jungle undergrowth... attacking the Britannic forces from the rear. Simultaneously, brave (untried) young warriors charge the thin red lines of Clarkson`s infantry from the flank. Clarkson is beginning to curse his lack of cavalry presence {it had been decided the terrain was not suitable for this excursion}.
More Muhdi forces flow onto the board from the other flank... a mass cavalry threat... just south of the northern most Witt homestead.
The Brits rapidly find themselves beleaguered and massively outnumbered.
inside this seemingly deserted homestead... a Witt family stands ready to defend their home. Every window and every entrance hides a deadly firearm, a blade, or makeshift kitchen implement. Men, women and children understand all too clearly the price of defeat in this terribly harsh climate, and stand ready to defend their home with their lives.
Muhdi cavalry prepare to attack the Britannic forces advancing up the road. But when 2nd Lieutenant Pethergwy forms squares with his lead most companies {right between the Muhdi horses and the columns on the road led by Lieutenant General Clarkson} the rebel cavalry decide to go for easier pickings, and instead concentrate their wrath on the Witt farmstead.
There ensued a short but savage fire fight from the homestead while the cavalry surrounded it and throw fire brands at the roof in the hope of smoking the inhabitants out... but the intense and accurate rifle fire from the homesteaders (coupled with the arrival of the jungle horrors) soon resulted in the Muhdi cavalry melting away.
There ensued a short but savage fire fight from the homestead while the cavalry surrounded it and throw fire brands at the roof in the hope of smoking the inhabitants out... but the intense and accurate rifle fire from the homesteaders (coupled with the arrival of the jungle horrors) soon resulted in the Muhdi cavalry melting away.
A gun battery opens fire on a unit of exposed Muhdi camel riders, causing heavy casualties; but instead of panicking the rebels, it seems to incense them with new jihad zeal. The camel riders charge a Britannic unit {situated in front of the guns}... smashing into the platoon and causing them to rout soundly.
Lieutenant General Clarkson stands firm beside a platoon of redcoats, and prepares to face the young Muhdi warriors appearimg from the jungle on their flank.
A lone naval machine gun (Maxim) pours fire into the mass ranks of Muhdi infantry clambering over the bridge to the rear of the Britannic column.
A pathetically small detachment of navel marines {led by Captain Thomas Cookson} stands resolutely upon the bridge... hoping to stem the tide of rebels pouring across from the rear.
Heroes... the stuff of legends {Captain T Cookson}
... and then...
....... everything turned to horror!
Out of the jungle canopy.... out of the mud dried holes along the river bank... giant swarming insect hives belched forth hundreds of monstrosities, which began attacking the humans with cold impunity.
Instantly, the scientists understood the signs they have been reading all along. The earth quakes, the unusual volcanic activity in the region, the strange blight in the indigenous vegetation; and the unusual growth in the local fauna and flora.... and the huge monsters now attacking them from every quarter. It was all being caused by the forces of nature within the volcanoes deep within the jungle. Somehow, it was causing the insects to grow to immeasurable size, and increasing their aggression along with it. Spiders the size of ponies, and ants the size of large dogs were literally tearing soldiers apart and devouring them.
... and then...
....... everything turned to horror!
Out of the jungle canopy.... out of the mud dried holes along the river bank... giant swarming insect hives belched forth hundreds of monstrosities, which began attacking the humans with cold impunity.
Instantly, the scientists understood the signs they have been reading all along. The earth quakes, the unusual volcanic activity in the region, the strange blight in the indigenous vegetation; and the unusual growth in the local fauna and flora.... and the huge monsters now attacking them from every quarter. It was all being caused by the forces of nature within the volcanoes deep within the jungle. Somehow, it was causing the insects to grow to immeasurable size, and increasing their aggression along with it. Spiders the size of ponies, and ants the size of large dogs were literally tearing soldiers apart and devouring them.
Almost overrun! Thoughts turned to saving both the King`s*** and the Regimental colours.
*** {King George... called "The Mad King" by most... has been deposed and placed in an asylum - during a period of troubled time (the news papers had liked to call "the gentle coup"). This coup d'état saw the young ten year old Germana Princess Victoria Angelica Constance of the House Tumultuous the next in line for the throne.... but she was considered too young to take on the full mantle of power and office; and so it was jointly agreed in both the house of Lords and the house of Commons that the young Princesses empire would be governed by her Prime Minister and Parliament until she `came of proper age`.
Regiments in the Britannic Colonial Forces still (for the time being) carried the Kings colours into war... not those of the young Victoria.
*** {King George... called "The Mad King" by most... has been deposed and placed in an asylum - during a period of troubled time (the news papers had liked to call "the gentle coup"). This coup d'état saw the young ten year old Germana Princess Victoria Angelica Constance of the House Tumultuous the next in line for the throne.... but she was considered too young to take on the full mantle of power and office; and so it was jointly agreed in both the house of Lords and the house of Commons that the young Princesses empire would be governed by her Prime Minister and Parliament until she `came of proper age`.
Regiments in the Britannic Colonial Forces still (for the time being) carried the Kings colours into war... not those of the young Victoria.
A small section of marines from the Margareta rushed bravely forward to plug the gap where it was most vulnerable... this bought he redcoat soldiers valuable time to reinforce their shaky line with elements from the reserve column.
Somehow, the line was holding.
Petty Officer Norris was swamped by spiders... and after a resilient struggle, he vanished under their weight of numbers... was pulled to the ground and savagely devoured.
..but, amazingly, the Britannic line withheld the might of the giant insect attack.
Wave after wave of insects rushed the line of soldiers under the command of Lieutenant General Clarkson; and every time... somehow... by the skin of their teeth, the soldiers managed to break the monstrosities with bayonet and bullet, and the hive like waves were pushed back time and time again.
The ants died first. They were the smallest and easiest to kill. But the spiders took some considerable skill and bravery to dispatch. Yet eventually the soldiers prevailed and the field was won... over a mass grave of arachnid carapaces, hairy black clawed legs, sharp mandibles and green gore.
In the confusion and horror, the Muhdi`s forces had melted away into the jungle... and were gone.
..but, amazingly, the Britannic line withheld the might of the giant insect attack.
Wave after wave of insects rushed the line of soldiers under the command of Lieutenant General Clarkson; and every time... somehow... by the skin of their teeth, the soldiers managed to break the monstrosities with bayonet and bullet, and the hive like waves were pushed back time and time again.
The ants died first. They were the smallest and easiest to kill. But the spiders took some considerable skill and bravery to dispatch. Yet eventually the soldiers prevailed and the field was won... over a mass grave of arachnid carapaces, hairy black clawed legs, sharp mandibles and green gore.
In the confusion and horror, the Muhdi`s forces had melted away into the jungle... and were gone.
Surviving scientists and solders stand about, shaken and stunned in the aftermath of the bloody fight.
When all was over, nearly 19% of Lieutenant General Clarkson`s relief column lay wounded, dying or dead upon the field. 3 scientists had also, most regrettably, been torn to pieces.
History would one day name the fight: " The Battle of Can-Can".
-----------------
When all was over, nearly 19% of Lieutenant General Clarkson`s relief column lay wounded, dying or dead upon the field. 3 scientists had also, most regrettably, been torn to pieces.
History would one day name the fight: " The Battle of Can-Can".
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I used a simplified version of my Victorian INRADIC rules to fight this table top battle... a free copy of which is provided above. I can send a full set of the rules on PDF {please contact me if you wish to own a complete, full colour, and lavishly illustrated 40 page copy of my rules}.
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Chapter 2:
Meanwhile: far away in Britannia...... on the other side of the globe, strange things were transpiring which, at first glance, would appear to have no obvious connection with one another.
The Game (session 1: quick re-cap):
Lady Amelia comes up with a plan to follow Mr M to see where this might lead; the hope is that she can dig up some dirt on the horrible little man... maybe track him down to his home, where she can break in and look at/steal any incriminating papers he may have hidden there - thus freeing her father from... whatever Mr M is using to maintain a strangle hold over the aging scientist. Amelia informs her two co-conspirators (Cousin Ignatius William Gray and his strange elusive androgynous friend Mr. Armand - Vampire) of her plans, and together they came up with `a plan`.
However, the plan went wildly astray when Gray decided to confront Mr. M in a very unusual manner just as he was leaving his meeting with Amelia`s father - Professor Potts... pretending they knew one another of old, which somewhat startled him... this in turn intimidated him (whether intentionally or with malicious conviction, Amelia was unsure) into violent intent against the three companions. At any rate, Gray`s approach during this episode certainly alerted Mr. M to the (before now unknown) existence of `snoopers' in his affairs... and the barely veiled aggression that was directed against him.
M got in a four horse carriage and journeyed through the foggy night... the three heroes followed in a second cab {a Hyde Park cab driven by Nobby Banks}. Mr. M looked out of the rear carriage window and immediately spotted he was being followed. But Mr. M was also not alone in the carriage (an important fact the following party were unaware of)... his fellow comrade Ebon Von Leibewitz (sadistic torturer) was also in the conveyance.
The carriage drove past the Alfred Barkley Museum and Pertend (pro=Pert-ou) Art Gallery, round the back of Hollydock and the Houses of Parliament Buildings... across the Hyde Bridge and headed to the Jekyll Park (soon to be named New Hyde Park, after the new Botanical Gardens main sponsor)... the area is known as Chelsea (pronounced chel-SEA-a).
The carriage stopped, and Mr. M got out and walked into the gardens {his plan was simple: get the antagonists to follow him down into the sewers... and eventually emerge at B Dock Warehouses {on the Water Side of Holly Dock... under the old abandoned Pente Cost Station}; meanwhile Leibewitz still in the carriage would zoom ahead and round up some of `the Maine gang` and set an ambush at the pre-planned location Mr. M had chosen - near B Dock. The carriage then drove on and out of sight. The heroes followed Mr. M. on foot (never once thinking to follow the carriage).. who walked to the greenhouse, and used a lock pick to get into the hot house. The heroes followed... M went into a sewer grate and the hero vampire followed. (the others were slower)... Gray got talking to a shifty man (Fred Dibner) who paid him a shilling and three pennies to accompany him into the sewer (left fork) to look for the body of his friend Toby (Miers). They found the body with a head wound... hit from behind (head caved in)... valuables not stole, but a sheaf of papers missing. Gray took a fob watch and a cigarette case from the dead elderly man. The man was Dr. Hugh Mortimer... visiting dignitary, teacher and lecturer (Ancient Amazonian Languages) at the Miskantonic University at the end/crossways of Baker & Parnell Street.
Gray accused Fred of killing the old man... and Fred ran away. Later Fred surfaced from a nearby sewer grate and returned to his previous location, and sat with Amelia... he said he was waiting... hoping to get some help to accompany him down the sewers to find his son Toby (changing his story from friend to son).
In Truth: Fred is a “fence” and was a go between for Dr Mortimer in acquiring cadavers (body snatching) . He was accompanying the Dr. to a place where new `materials` were to be picked up, when they were attacked by three people who wanted the papers he was carrying about the reanimation of life.... the rat kin are were-rats in the employ of the Ivaldi family, who are very interested in Dr. Mortimer`s work... the rats got too enthusiastic and killed Mortimer, instead of just taking the papers.
Dr. Mortimer was a Necromancer, and the Ivaldi`s needed his `skills` to make sense of a treasure map (full of magical traps) which required highly skilled arcane knowledge to unravel. Fred (who has run away when the Dr. was attacked... but who had worked out a lot of the plot in his head) did not want to incur the wrath of the Ivaldi`s, and was desperate to determine whether the dead Dr. still carried valuables on him that he may be able to use to appease the Ivaldi family... should they catch up with him.
The Vamp hero Armand follows the (centre fork) sewer and stops at a catch basin and spots some bricks missing high up in the wall and assumes... correctly... M has taken this path. The others catch up and all three of them follow M`s fresh trail.
In the ensuing ambush... Amelia is wounded in the thigh of her left leg by a ricochet revolver bullet = Serious wound -4 stats {the whole of this game session is actually recorded on video and audio}.
Her dress (originally a beautiful cream colour) is utterly ruined with blood, grime, soil, sewer detritus, and coal soot. Her shoes/boots are likewise ruined.
The in game time of the session ended at 03:00 (middle of the night) now Saturday, January 22nd.
---------------------------------------------
Here follows {pages from} the personal journal of Lady Emilia Reinhart Potts.
Dear Diary,
Having been abandoned by Cousin William and his friend Armond in the docks area of the city (Roarkes St.) at 3:00 am in the morning, filthy, bleeding and with a gun shot wound to the leg (that`s another strange story), I was rather dismayed to find myself alone, injured and in dire need of a friend.
Luckily, who should I bump into coming out of the Theatre in Holy Dock, other than Mathew Whitestaff.
Thank God Mathew has his medical bag with him... that's all I can say; and he was able to patch me up there and then {while I semi swooned on a grimy public bench by the side of the road}.
Thankfully, Lord Portishead and his family who were leaving the Theatre at this time, didn't see me due to the dimpsy light and the heavy mantle of city mist... or there might have been a frightfully embarrassing scandal.
Mathew covered me in his cloak and we summoned a cab to return to his medical rooms in Baker St.
Confessing Cousin William`s lark to Mathew, it seems he {Mathew} has run into Mr. M himself. We discussed father`s involvement at some length and it seems that Mathew is a "Defender of the Realm" in secret and has been watching father for some time now, and is trying to help free him of the blackmail threats from Mr M.
Whilst Mathew readied my bath, I confess, some private papers, which I had spied on his desk, happened to fall into my lap (which I read.... quite by accident of course) regarding the comings and goings at home. Hmmm! what has father been up to... to have caused such interest?
Returned home, undetected, through the west wing a got a few hours sleep. How kind Mathew is. Jane, his fiancé, is very lucky.
Lucas {servant} awakened me at 6:00 am uuugh! There is a new housemaid called Lucy who bought me breakfast at 9:00am. So much for trying to sleep!
On coming downstairs I find that father has been up all night in his lab. Lucas has been left to clean the study. I feel suspicious of everyone right now and discuss with him his entry into the family years ago. I am unsettled and can`t help looking out of the window often... jumping at shadows and spying danger everywhere.
Desperate to talk to father , I go to the door of his lab, but hearing all the strange noises inside... I leave again.
In an attempt to find out more about this strange business, I open the black door near father`s lab (family tradition maintains this door and what ever lies beyond, remains always sealed). Inside it is cold and creepy, and the room is full of crates and boxes. At the far side of the room is a window into another room beyond... but all I can see it darkness staring back at me. Crates of bottles with all their tops broken off lie about the edges of the room and as I step further in, I notice broken glass scrunching noisily under my feet. I stare again at the window ahead of me, and I see a terrible face stating back at me. Turning and rushing back to the door I entered from... it closes shut of its own accord with a loud "click", and no amount of persuasion from my grip can make the handle turn or the door open for me.
The door firmly closed, the room I find myself trapped in is now pitch black. I feel, rather than hear breathing behind me, and as sheer panic threatens, any moment, to force a scream from my throat... I am much relieved when the handle finally turns and I fling open the door... slamming it shut behind me, I lean against the passage wall... shaking and breathing hard.
Will have to be prepared next time - more careful.
Tea in the library. Mathew arrives and says there are spies in the grounds and on the street outside the estate. So I ask Lucas and Lucy to lock down the house.
Mathew has a surprising trick to get us out of the house unseen (an apportation spell), and we hold a tête-à-tête in his`safe house`. We discuss Mr. M, Germania and Impervious Suits*
* {its a long story.
I may be invited on a journey - as I need to disappear for a while.
At around noon I was perusing the books in Mathew`s office... lots of maps, books about guild, crests, the police, army, etc. I heard a noise, as of someone behind me. Turning quickly I came face to face with the gorgeous Mr. Gambit. He was fair of face and physique, and my goodness, did he know it! I introduced myself as Mathew`s colleague, and we exchanged small talk for a while.
Mathew returned and we chatted about the masked ball to be held at the Mainfaire Hotel later this evening (This Hotel was `the lair` of Mr. M, I had subsequntly discovered from Mathew). It will be an exciting night as it is planned that I will set 2 minor explosive devices... and then taking advantage of the distraction, will enter M`s room in the Hotel, steal the offending papers (about father) and together with Mathew, will disappear out of the window.... all accomplished in a ball gown.
Shortly after out chat, Mathew introduced me to a pretty oriental woman called Hu Saan Yan. She helped me to change my appearance in her amazing room of many disguises. I then went out shopping in my new disguise. Even though I spotted my old school friend Miss Marsha Bidden (and her pet poodle Sally), she didn't see me! Looks like she had been shopping too.
Whilst Mathew readied my bath, I confess, some private papers, which I had spied on his desk, happened to fall into my lap (which I read.... quite by accident of course) regarding the comings and goings at home. Hmmm! what has father been up to... to have caused such interest?
Returned home, undetected, through the west wing a got a few hours sleep. How kind Mathew is. Jane, his fiancé, is very lucky.
Lucas {servant} awakened me at 6:00 am uuugh! There is a new housemaid called Lucy who bought me breakfast at 9:00am. So much for trying to sleep!
On coming downstairs I find that father has been up all night in his lab. Lucas has been left to clean the study. I feel suspicious of everyone right now and discuss with him his entry into the family years ago. I am unsettled and can`t help looking out of the window often... jumping at shadows and spying danger everywhere.
Desperate to talk to father , I go to the door of his lab, but hearing all the strange noises inside... I leave again.
In an attempt to find out more about this strange business, I open the black door near father`s lab (family tradition maintains this door and what ever lies beyond, remains always sealed). Inside it is cold and creepy, and the room is full of crates and boxes. At the far side of the room is a window into another room beyond... but all I can see it darkness staring back at me. Crates of bottles with all their tops broken off lie about the edges of the room and as I step further in, I notice broken glass scrunching noisily under my feet. I stare again at the window ahead of me, and I see a terrible face stating back at me. Turning and rushing back to the door I entered from... it closes shut of its own accord with a loud "click", and no amount of persuasion from my grip can make the handle turn or the door open for me.
The door firmly closed, the room I find myself trapped in is now pitch black. I feel, rather than hear breathing behind me, and as sheer panic threatens, any moment, to force a scream from my throat... I am much relieved when the handle finally turns and I fling open the door... slamming it shut behind me, I lean against the passage wall... shaking and breathing hard.
Will have to be prepared next time - more careful.
Tea in the library. Mathew arrives and says there are spies in the grounds and on the street outside the estate. So I ask Lucas and Lucy to lock down the house.
Mathew has a surprising trick to get us out of the house unseen (an apportation spell), and we hold a tête-à-tête in his`safe house`. We discuss Mr. M, Germania and Impervious Suits*
* {its a long story.
I may be invited on a journey - as I need to disappear for a while.
At around noon I was perusing the books in Mathew`s office... lots of maps, books about guild, crests, the police, army, etc. I heard a noise, as of someone behind me. Turning quickly I came face to face with the gorgeous Mr. Gambit. He was fair of face and physique, and my goodness, did he know it! I introduced myself as Mathew`s colleague, and we exchanged small talk for a while.
Mathew returned and we chatted about the masked ball to be held at the Mainfaire Hotel later this evening (This Hotel was `the lair` of Mr. M, I had subsequntly discovered from Mathew). It will be an exciting night as it is planned that I will set 2 minor explosive devices... and then taking advantage of the distraction, will enter M`s room in the Hotel, steal the offending papers (about father) and together with Mathew, will disappear out of the window.... all accomplished in a ball gown.
Shortly after out chat, Mathew introduced me to a pretty oriental woman called Hu Saan Yan. She helped me to change my appearance in her amazing room of many disguises. I then went out shopping in my new disguise. Even though I spotted my old school friend Miss Marsha Bidden (and her pet poodle Sally), she didn't see me! Looks like she had been shopping too.
Miss Marsha Bidden
Hu Saan Yan {MoD Mistress of disguises}
........ will the real Miss Hu Saan please stand up?
........ will the real Miss Hu Saan please stand up?
I went to the boutique `Marshelle` and bought some clothes, shoes, cloak and mask for tonight. Young Jac helped me carry my parcels back to the Gun Smith {Snyde}, and I bought a gun and a throwing knife... though heavens only knows what I will do with either of these dread implements?
Mathew showed me how to shoot in the range. On the whole I wasn't very good. I shot my gun and it jammed so badly that we had to return it to the shop for a different one. That could have landed me in a sticky situation if I had need of it tonight.... but Mathew came to the rescue again and offered me a replacement while mine was being sorted out. I took aim at the target (which seemed a frightful long way away... Mathew later told me it was 20 paces) and I must have fired and reloaded* twenty or thirty times; but I only managed to hit the target three times... only one of which was actually within the circle I needed to aim at.
*Mathew made me re-load each time myself, as he said I needed the practice. I was not terribly amused by this.
I think I must make a list of other "adventuring gear" to buy, as.... thinking about it.... my whole life is about to change and I have simply nothing to wear!
Mathew showed me how to shoot in the range. On the whole I wasn't very good. I shot my gun and it jammed so badly that we had to return it to the shop for a different one. That could have landed me in a sticky situation if I had need of it tonight.... but Mathew came to the rescue again and offered me a replacement while mine was being sorted out. I took aim at the target (which seemed a frightful long way away... Mathew later told me it was 20 paces) and I must have fired and reloaded* twenty or thirty times; but I only managed to hit the target three times... only one of which was actually within the circle I needed to aim at.
*Mathew made me re-load each time myself, as he said I needed the practice. I was not terribly amused by this.
I think I must make a list of other "adventuring gear" to buy, as.... thinking about it.... my whole life is about to change and I have simply nothing to wear!
I Awoke refreshed and eager for the small but necessary act of reprisal to be carried out on Mr. M {MacEnroy}, in regard to the top secret papers he had blackmailed from father.
I had tea with Gambit in the library where he showed me the layout of the Mainfaire Hotel and told me generalities of the plan. Apparently MacEnroy had a female companion staying in a room adjacent to his own!
Mathew came in and explained the plan in detail.
9:55 pm I am to create a diversion using stinky smoke bombs in both of the ladies latrines. During the ensuing chaos I will slip upstairs... meet Mathew and retrieve a room key from a potted plant on the landing outside M`s suite. Then we will go into the room, locate the safe (supposedly hidden behind a painting over the bed) and make off with the papers.
All set in gorgeous new evening wear and butterfly mask, we set off through the brick tunnel that brings us unseen to the grassy area behind the Hotel. I notice as we journey, just how labyrinthine these tunnels under the city really are. Londeus really is a vast place... above ground and below.
I had tea with Gambit in the library where he showed me the layout of the Mainfaire Hotel and told me generalities of the plan. Apparently MacEnroy had a female companion staying in a room adjacent to his own!
Mathew came in and explained the plan in detail.
9:55 pm I am to create a diversion using stinky smoke bombs in both of the ladies latrines. During the ensuing chaos I will slip upstairs... meet Mathew and retrieve a room key from a potted plant on the landing outside M`s suite. Then we will go into the room, locate the safe (supposedly hidden behind a painting over the bed) and make off with the papers.
All set in gorgeous new evening wear and butterfly mask, we set off through the brick tunnel that brings us unseen to the grassy area behind the Hotel. I notice as we journey, just how labyrinthine these tunnels under the city really are. Londeus really is a vast place... above ground and below.
We split up and make our way to the entrance. I am feeling quite confident as I have my ray gun (a found treasure from my adventures with Cousin Gray), pistol, and a knife hidden about my person.
One of the ticket collectors on the door I recognize from the ambush last night. Luckily I have a mask on as well as my new disguise, although he takes a very close look at my ticket. I see a tipsy woman and I pretend to know her to get past the doorman. Inside I manage to escape the woman`s drunken chatter and I enter the ball room.
One of the ticket collectors on the door I recognize from the ambush last night. Luckily I have a mask on as well as my new disguise, although he takes a very close look at my ticket. I see a tipsy woman and I pretend to know her to get past the doorman. Inside I manage to escape the woman`s drunken chatter and I enter the ball room.
Seems a shame to miss all the fun, so I think I will have a dance or two. But who should be the first to seize the opportunity... but that odious Philip Snyde! The awful man steers towards me like a galleon at full sail... swoops upon my dance reservation diary, and drools his name into my book. As I have no other assignations written in there, it seems I must oblige.
The creature holds me in its arms and steers me around the dance floor and I try not to breathe too deeply, for fear of swooning at the smell of moth repellent and whiskied breath.
The creature holds me in its arms and steers me around the dance floor and I try not to breathe too deeply, for fear of swooning at the smell of moth repellent and whiskied breath.
I suffer two dances with him, and another from an eager young man who (poor thing) went at it with extreme vigour, but no style... a little like a gallop at the fences. It was over soon enough. But it all left me a little breathless and wanting more; yet my time was running out. Checking the clock I noticed it was getting late. My moment had come. Time for me to plant the first device.
Walking swiftly to the other room, I enter the ladies toilets and slide the smoke bomb along the floor from my cubicle so that it travels all the way to the far end stall... I hear a muffled squeak, but the package meets no hindrance. Not exactly as planned, but my first duty has been discharged. So far so good. As I leave I hear a loud hiss as the stinking bomb ignites.... followed by a horrifying screech and the ensuing stench of sulphur, but I don't look back as I march to the second toilet and repeat the performance... this time managing to place my package just behind the bowl of the toilet.
Retracing my steps to the foyer, I reach the staircase and ascend as confidently as I can.'
My retrieval of the key goes smoothly. Its right where Mathew said it would be... courtesy of Gambit, no doubt... who I know is dressed as a waiter at this function (indeed I had briefly spied him earlier with a silver drinks tray in his hand).
This was all terribly exciting.
I found Mathew and together we set to trying to open M`s door. Then we encountered our first snag. The key... which was supposed to open his door, didn't seem to want to comply with our wishes. So we moved along the corridor to the other door (belonging to his woman friend). The key worked perfectly for this door, and we cautiously entered the Hotel suite. Of course, the room was empty, almost everyone was downstairs enjoying the ball. But we were careful never the less. Mathew searched the room for the safe, then proceeded to open it with his bag of tools; I took the opportunity to steal an illicit look through this unknown lady`s boudoir. I noticed that the only clue to this woman`s identity lies in a vanity case with the initials MF monogramed into the lid. Unfortunately, neither of us spot M as he enters and pulls his gun.
Mathew is quick on the draw and pulls his own weapon with lightning speed. There is a classic stand off. I retrieve my own gun (hidden down my stocking top) and then there are two against one.
Mathew hands me the papers from the safe while he talks to M. Luckily he had found the right papers only moments before M walked in)
I back towards the door, as indicated by Mathew, and once in the corridor I open the window at the end of the passage. Right on queue, Hu Saan is there at the bottom, in the shadows, witing to catch the papers as I throw them down to her. (She is with petty officer Playford, who I do not yet know... obviously one of Mathew`s men).
Meanwhile, Mathew has told M he only wants the papers on Potts... this time... and tells him to stay away from my family, and insists he leave the area for 4 months. Effectively, a short truce.
M, realizing what`s at stake here.... a big public function, no doubt with many of his employer`s `friends` and big wigs attending, his own employer celebrating his daughter`s birthday down below, and business deals taking place even as they stood talking... a fight right now (no doubt involving police, maybe a running gun battle, definite embarrassment, and maybe long term loss of respect for his benefactor... M has no choice but to agree to Mathew`s terms.... and we leave.... walk out as cool as cucumbers, through the window; while M puts away his gun, turns round and walks back downstairs.
Instead of going back down the tunnel as I suspected, we go up! Up to the waiting steam zeppelin called "The Blue Beyond".
This man Mathew is full of so many surprises!
Mathew has another surprise for me.
Father, Lucas, and Lucy are all aboard. Father is so happy that the blackmail is over, and so sorry for his error. We all decide to go with Mathew on the Blue Beyond to Afriboria {Afribo as it is fashionably called by many}.... and to unknown adventures!!!
Mathew the dear boy, burns the offending documents, and father, at last, is truly free of his past.
Walking swiftly to the other room, I enter the ladies toilets and slide the smoke bomb along the floor from my cubicle so that it travels all the way to the far end stall... I hear a muffled squeak, but the package meets no hindrance. Not exactly as planned, but my first duty has been discharged. So far so good. As I leave I hear a loud hiss as the stinking bomb ignites.... followed by a horrifying screech and the ensuing stench of sulphur, but I don't look back as I march to the second toilet and repeat the performance... this time managing to place my package just behind the bowl of the toilet.
Retracing my steps to the foyer, I reach the staircase and ascend as confidently as I can.'
My retrieval of the key goes smoothly. Its right where Mathew said it would be... courtesy of Gambit, no doubt... who I know is dressed as a waiter at this function (indeed I had briefly spied him earlier with a silver drinks tray in his hand).
This was all terribly exciting.
I found Mathew and together we set to trying to open M`s door. Then we encountered our first snag. The key... which was supposed to open his door, didn't seem to want to comply with our wishes. So we moved along the corridor to the other door (belonging to his woman friend). The key worked perfectly for this door, and we cautiously entered the Hotel suite. Of course, the room was empty, almost everyone was downstairs enjoying the ball. But we were careful never the less. Mathew searched the room for the safe, then proceeded to open it with his bag of tools; I took the opportunity to steal an illicit look through this unknown lady`s boudoir. I noticed that the only clue to this woman`s identity lies in a vanity case with the initials MF monogramed into the lid. Unfortunately, neither of us spot M as he enters and pulls his gun.
Mathew is quick on the draw and pulls his own weapon with lightning speed. There is a classic stand off. I retrieve my own gun (hidden down my stocking top) and then there are two against one.
Mathew hands me the papers from the safe while he talks to M. Luckily he had found the right papers only moments before M walked in)
I back towards the door, as indicated by Mathew, and once in the corridor I open the window at the end of the passage. Right on queue, Hu Saan is there at the bottom, in the shadows, witing to catch the papers as I throw them down to her. (She is with petty officer Playford, who I do not yet know... obviously one of Mathew`s men).
Meanwhile, Mathew has told M he only wants the papers on Potts... this time... and tells him to stay away from my family, and insists he leave the area for 4 months. Effectively, a short truce.
M, realizing what`s at stake here.... a big public function, no doubt with many of his employer`s `friends` and big wigs attending, his own employer celebrating his daughter`s birthday down below, and business deals taking place even as they stood talking... a fight right now (no doubt involving police, maybe a running gun battle, definite embarrassment, and maybe long term loss of respect for his benefactor... M has no choice but to agree to Mathew`s terms.... and we leave.... walk out as cool as cucumbers, through the window; while M puts away his gun, turns round and walks back downstairs.
Instead of going back down the tunnel as I suspected, we go up! Up to the waiting steam zeppelin called "The Blue Beyond".
This man Mathew is full of so many surprises!
Mathew has another surprise for me.
Father, Lucas, and Lucy are all aboard. Father is so happy that the blackmail is over, and so sorry for his error. We all decide to go with Mathew on the Blue Beyond to Afriboria {Afribo as it is fashionably called by many}.... and to unknown adventures!!!
Mathew the dear boy, burns the offending documents, and father, at last, is truly free of his past.
For some strange reason I keep thinking about.... or rather, worrying about Cousin William. So, not liking loose ends, I take one of the new trainees from the ship {Ryan}, and together we go to the Theatre (where I am pretty sure Cousin William will be tonight.. following up on the Mortimer lead).
I feel I should keep an eye on William.. oh dear!
William, as it happens, has us all run into trouble again. We are chased by monsters in the Boneyard, and rats and all sorts - another wild goose chase, ending embarrassingly at the Miskatonic University!
The sooner we reach Afribo the better, before his strange behaviour involves us in any more scandal... and we end up with our reputation soiled beyond redemption.
----------------------------------------
Exert from a Londeus newspaper article... written only hours after the first session of the campaign concluded... and the heroes retired (undetected) from the scene.
I feel I should keep an eye on William.. oh dear!
William, as it happens, has us all run into trouble again. We are chased by monsters in the Boneyard, and rats and all sorts - another wild goose chase, ending embarrassingly at the Miskatonic University!
The sooner we reach Afribo the better, before his strange behaviour involves us in any more scandal... and we end up with our reputation soiled beyond redemption.
----------------------------------------
Exert from a Londeus newspaper article... written only hours after the first session of the campaign concluded... and the heroes retired (undetected) from the scene.
THE MILLER`S GAZETTE
January 22nd: 1827
Shocking discovery... mutilated bodies found in Roarke`s Street: Police say murders took place in the small hours of this morning!
In what the Police describe as a savage and frenzied attack, which left the streets of Londeus swimming in pools of blood, at least four people were butchered in the middle of the night amidst the docklands of Chel`sea. Saturday 22nd of January has become a dark day for the city; as Police remain baffled as to the identity of the frenzied killer - who remains at large within the urban jungle he has now made his personal hunting ground.
January 22nd: 1827
Shocking discovery... mutilated bodies found in Roarke`s Street: Police say murders took place in the small hours of this morning!
In what the Police describe as a savage and frenzied attack, which left the streets of Londeus swimming in pools of blood, at least four people were butchered in the middle of the night amidst the docklands of Chel`sea. Saturday 22nd of January has become a dark day for the city; as Police remain baffled as to the identity of the frenzied killer - who remains at large within the urban jungle he has now made his personal hunting ground.
one of the butchered victims lying under a blood stained blanket.
Police Detective Frances George Abberlynn seems unclear how many people were left dead at the crime scene last night. It would appear that body parts still have to be accurately matched to each victim... not an easy task re-assembling a human jigsaw of remains!!!
Police Detective Frances George Abberlynn seems unclear how many people were left dead at the crime scene last night. It would appear that body parts still have to be accurately matched to each victim... not an easy task re-assembling a human jigsaw of remains!!!
Miss Fanny Hill (street worker) was the first to discover the horrific carnage. But Police officers arrived on the scene shortly afterwards and soon took control of matters. Fanny commented that she needed ` something stiff ` to steady her nerves. Police Detective Abberlynn abstains from further comments at this time.
My "A Colonial Affair" RPG Rules
I figured it was about time to share the role playing rules I use to conduct my own game sessions. I have already posted my wargame rules for this campaign, but I thought it might be nice to share the rpg ones as well. They are only the `guidelines` I use for my own games... so don`t look with too critical an eye at the layout, as I really do like (and tend always to use in my own rules) the `old school` format of just making tables and charts... with no real effort to tidy it up in a neat order or anything. Anyway, the rules are all pretty intuitive and easy to follow. I`m a bit of a magpie really, and have tended to pick up a host of ideas here and there over the years... so you may well find yourself recognizing bits and pieces as you read on; Dungeons and Dragons, Warhammer, Colonial Gothic, Cartomancer, and many of my own earlier creations such as Battlechain, Dungeon World, and earlier versions of INRADIC, etc, etc. Please feel free to download and use the following rules file if you wish... with my complements.
colonial_affair_to_copy.pdf | |
File Size: | 850 kb |
File Type: |
My first Peter Pig 15mm Barsoom (John Carter of Mars) minis arrived in the post yesterday. This was actually a last minute decision purchase from me... proving the point that, just when you think you`ve got your whole collection worked out, there`s always something else to buy.
In this instance, I had just finished ordering the last of my bits and bobs from Rebel Minis... actually a couple of 15mm Martian Tripod Machines and some Pirate Hunters (aka AWoI and SYW looking American Colonists) still winging their way to me in the post... and I realised (after re-reading the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen graphic novels) that I really needed some Barsoom minis, just to give a touch of salt and pepper to my finished collection. Hunting about on the internet, I quickly realized that Barsoom choices in 15mm were going to be p-r-e-t-t-y limited, and I was interested in Peter Pig stuff anyway, so this was my first opportunity to purchase a few... and so, I bought John Carter and Dejah Thoris (naturally... unthinkable not to); and a bunch of infantry and mounted Tharks... including a mounted officer who might just be able to double up as Tars Tarkas.
Well, they arrived and I am VERY happy with them; from the excellent packaging, the speed of delivery, and ultimately to the look of the pieces themselves: 10 out of 10 from me on all counts. I shall most certainly be buying more from this guy... in fact the huge Paddle Steamer model {which includes guns, crew, and deck trimmings} are most definitely on my "can`t live without... soon to buy" wish list.
I simply had to paint John and Dejah, practically the moment I opened the package (cant see much in the photo above I`m afraid). Rebel Minis Amazons will double up nicely as Red Martian proxies... though I think I will definitely now be buying some of Peter Pig`s authentic human Martians as well.
A small part of my 15mm collection... some Zombies... WWII zombies... 10 & 15mm D&D... Colonial British, Arab, Africans... and Dr.Who.
I do believe I shall step in and become John Carter of Mars from now on... or rather, John Carter will represent me "Stephen Gilbert" from now on in all my games (where he/me is present)... means I get the lovely and delectable Dejah Thoris all to myself ^^ mmmmmm!!!
Ok, time for a quick Dejah Thoris day-dream (perv) moment.......
Ok, time for a quick Dejah Thoris day-dream (perv) moment.......
Incidentally, I also managed to get my hands on a copy of "World of Mars" graphic novel.. which is an official prequel to the "John Carter" movie. Best of all, I got it second hand on Amazon.uk for one penny (with postage - about 4 euro). It was a second hand copy, but was like new (just a nasty sticky mark on the back and front cover where a label had been... but my partner used nail varnish and managed, in seconds, to remove the stickiness completely, leaving me with a perfect copy).
I`m well happy ^^
I`m well happy ^^
Sooooo, what's all this got to do with Victorian and Colonial Wargaming and RPG, I hear you ask?
Well......
........ Steampunk, Martian invasions, and LOTS more options.....
..... wiiiiiiiicked!!!
more later, of course -
Well......
........ Steampunk, Martian invasions, and LOTS more options.....
..... wiiiiiiiicked!!!
more later, of course -