January 20th 2015
My Imaginary World:
{Game Year: 4706 AR - or circa 1750/83 Tanikan calendar}
Using Prince August 40mm Semi Flat Minis... and other stuff
The Adventures of Lord & Lady Bingly
(and a Host of Other Entertainments)
Guest Appearances by Lady Scarlet Blightingdale
and Count Milo De Winter
From the novelette by Stephen A Gilbert
"A Golarion Overboard"
or..... "oh crikey - Splash!"
Being in part... a`Gallic-Golarion & Wendigo War` colonial setting; but based firmly in the time of `The Armorkan & Tanikan Uprising` yet in truth... Ain`t it a part of both the above, with deep smatterings of `Imagi-fiction` besides!
It is...
"Armorkan: A Nation Born"
~ A New Campaign in the Making ~
The success of an Imaginary world lies in all those little details... especially knowing when to leave them out.
The Campaign is Born:
the glint in a parent`s eye
Before I launch full steam into my new `baby`, and romp my way (solo) through the fantastical whimsies of my quasi historically inclined, daydream farcical mind... I would like to roll the title screen and give credit where due to the cast of my warped (and satirically jaded) wargame and role playing extravaganza and pantomime show.
I had originally intended to start my new venture in 54mm, using the superb range of "All the King`s Men" toy soldiers - made by Ken Cliffe. I not only find his range of French & Indian War and American Revolution miniatures very exciting and complete, but the guy is very friendly fellow, and really helpful to deal with on line.
http://www.allthekingsmentoysoldiers.com/ATKMAWI.html
Alas, the great divide of the Atlantic Sea, crippling postage prices from America to Ireland, and my inherent abhorrence of using the automated PayPal purchasing system, meant that in the end I was forced to continue the search for my ideal collection a little closer to home.
In the end I found the perfect solution to my problem, and the ultimate answer to my dreams; strange really that my search for a miniatures company to collect from, should end up being a small factory and shop, practically sitting on my doorstep.
Prince August make the most wonderful 40mm `old school` feel toy soldier moulds for home casting. Effectively meaning you can walk into your shop (only a 40 minute drive away from me), talk to friendly, knowledgeable staff, make a purchase.... and walk away with moulds and bars of metal to make your very own miniatures.... yes that`s right.... you actually make them yourself. How cool is that, huh?
The moulds are made of rubber and can be used over and over again to make as many pieces as you want, and at a mere fraction of the cost of buying miniatures elsewhere in the shops... and you get the satisfaction of making them all using your very own hands.
http://shop.princeaugust.ie/
I spent a very pleasurable couple of hours in the Prince August Factory Shop, and at the end of it, I walked out with about 14 different moulds, and enough lead to make my first 150 or so figures.
You can order on line, of course, and I can tell you, no word of a lie, their on line customer service is incredible. I discovered I had forgotten to purchase a mould I needed for my rapidly growing battalions (actually, a `tricorn` wearing French mounted general which I proposed to use as a generic mounted officer for my imagi-altered quasi American, British and pseudo French armies). Rather than drive all the way to the shop, I decided just to place the order on line, and continue making and painting my new casts while I waited for the postman to deliver my new package. The Mould was 11 euro.... not bad at all: and the postage was a mere 3.50 euro on top.
.... you can imagine my surprise when our posty knocked on our door and delivered the package to me the very next day. I was dead impressed and extremely happy... especially as the mould turned out to make an exceptionally lovely cast..... in fact, I got straight to work that same day, and make four mounted generals, then went on to cast an entire unit of them to double up as a new cavalry squadron for my games (excellent: yet another cavalry pose for my units).
That's anther beauty of the Prince August range... the sculpts themselves are designed by gamers for gamers, and so the poses have been well thought out to provide maximum usefulness to wargamers to utilise in their games (especially the new range of 40mm "Seven Year War" semi flats, which are superb and come with interchangeable tricorn or grenadier heads. Not only useful poses on the pieces themselves, but many of the moulds can be used to represent many different soldiers and nationalities. Absolutely ideal for the starved and hungry Imagi-Nation gamers out there.... like me!
For example, I am planning to play my own Imaginary World games set within an undefined but pre-supposed 18th century civilisation... s-l-i-g-h-t-l-y resembling the `real life` French and Indian Wars, plus bits of the American Revolutionary Wars, welded together into one.... sort of: but then this is where it starts to get interesting, because thrust firmly into the mix is a kind of atypical Dungeons and Dragons style world (actually, Pathfinder rpg to be exact), with an almost Anime and Chibi feel welded to it all. By choosing my moulds very carefully, I have ensured that I can use all of the moulds to double up as appropriate quasi-historical facsimiles, effectively allowing me to `multi purpose` everything... i.e. a French infantryman serves as a standard infantryman, or a grenadier; and not only for the French. I can use a French Infantryman (aka Armorkan) mould to make a British soldier (aka Tanikan), an American Militiaman or Patriot soldier (The Golarion Colonies), even a German Hessian (Gothic Principality States)... or even more importantly to me, an imaginary equivalent of my own devising. Another mould might serve as a French, American, British, or German light infantryman.... and even as a Loyalist "Queens Ranger" infantryman; or again, I can simply use it as a soldier in part of the army of my Imaginary wars.
Painted correctly, you can turn any sculpt into a host of different things for the happy wargamer to enjoy.
This was a must have purchase. This Ultimate Gift Kit contained all the tools I needed to get casting straight away. It also contained 3 double moulds (that's six different types of figures) and enough bars of metal (10 bars) to make about thirty 40mm soldiers. The lady made up my `Ultimate Kit` for me there and then in the shop, and I picked the new Seven Year War special deal they had on, which meant I was able to theme (customised) my purchase to exactly what I wanted and needed.
In the shop, I set about choosing various moulds from across their range... mix and matching as I went, until I had myself a whopping collection of moulds for my much anticipated and forth coming collection of 18th century Imagi-Nation toy soldiers.
This just left me with enough cash still to buy an additional 40 bars of metal (2 lots of 20) so I could really get down to casting my own figures when I got home. I was planning on doing a lot of casting and painting over the coming few months.
Its so easy make your own figures.. and very satisfying too. Gives you a great sense of personal achievement. So much more than just buying your purchases pre-made. But best of all, home casting in this way, amazingly, costs a mere fraction of the cost you would normally pay for a collection like this.
As it happens, I found it quick and easy to make my own soldiers, and I pretty much made over a 150 pieces in a couple of days, then set about basing and undercoating them all.
Painting 40mm semi flats was not nearly as demanding as I feared it might be, and I discovered I can finish and varnish a 15 man unit in about two, 2 hour, painting sessions.
As it happens, I found it quick and easy to make my own soldiers, and I pretty much made over a 150 pieces in a couple of days, then set about basing and undercoating them all.
Painting 40mm semi flats was not nearly as demanding as I feared it might be, and I discovered I can finish and varnish a 15 man unit in about two, 2 hour, painting sessions.
French (Amorkan) General. This mould makes an ideal mounted officer, a general, or even a generic cavalry trooper.
Lord Bingly`s new Shatterford Regiment of foot being fitted and equipped by the army quartermaster (i.e. newly primed, based, painted and varnished).
Lady Scarlet Blightingdale, in the saddle.
Lady Riding: A Prince August 40mm cast.
The Colonies in the Planning:
Lady Riding: A Prince August 40mm cast.
The Colonies in the Planning:
One of the best parts about planning a new Imagi-Nation (or imaginary world if you prefer) is the initial stage of planning.
So often overlooked at the start, all the focus so often tends to be placed firmly on the miniatures... undercoating, deciding which wargame rules system to use (then basing the figures according to the dictates of those favoured rules), painting, and varnishing; all this before even working on the `story`, beyond a vague notion, perhaps, of the period to be enjoyed.
No, a good imaginary world lives and breathes in those quiet moments of cogitation, the daydream contemplations of the mind. The inspiration we hold so dear. Precious and quintessential to the suspension of disbelief, which breathes soul and purpose into our make believe lands of never-where.
Even as I sit and paint, and paint, and paint..... I plan, and scheme, and write (often just little notes to remind myself of important snippets of insight and facets of campaign infrastructure). I like to get started long before the bulk of my toy soldiers are painted and ready. Cameos of every day life, the serious, the humourous, the macabre and the fantastical. Satellites of the shape of things to come.
Welcome to my world.
Please drop back often, and stay tuned to an Imagi-nation in the making. I shall post as often as I am able; and as I have oodles of time on my hands over the next three or four months, I expect this `story` will, for a while, grow slowly. Indeed, I plan to continue this new imaginary world for many years to come, so it will develop and thrive at my own happy pace.
I always love beginnings.
So often overlooked at the start, all the focus so often tends to be placed firmly on the miniatures... undercoating, deciding which wargame rules system to use (then basing the figures according to the dictates of those favoured rules), painting, and varnishing; all this before even working on the `story`, beyond a vague notion, perhaps, of the period to be enjoyed.
No, a good imaginary world lives and breathes in those quiet moments of cogitation, the daydream contemplations of the mind. The inspiration we hold so dear. Precious and quintessential to the suspension of disbelief, which breathes soul and purpose into our make believe lands of never-where.
Even as I sit and paint, and paint, and paint..... I plan, and scheme, and write (often just little notes to remind myself of important snippets of insight and facets of campaign infrastructure). I like to get started long before the bulk of my toy soldiers are painted and ready. Cameos of every day life, the serious, the humourous, the macabre and the fantastical. Satellites of the shape of things to come.
Welcome to my world.
Please drop back often, and stay tuned to an Imagi-nation in the making. I shall post as often as I am able; and as I have oodles of time on my hands over the next three or four months, I expect this `story` will, for a while, grow slowly. Indeed, I plan to continue this new imaginary world for many years to come, so it will develop and thrive at my own happy pace.
I always love beginnings.
January 24th
Where to Start
The first place to start, I think, is with my Tanikan Army Commander in Chief, Colonel Bingly. As my Prince August Toy Soldier Factory 40mm Seven Year War miniatures get cast from my precious collection of moulds, I shall paint the Platoons, Companies and Battalions one at a time until the whole Regiment is ready and fit for on table action. Will my commander be a Scarlet Pimpernel type (Lord Percy Blakeney), or another Harry Flashman? Hmmm, we shall see.
Meanwhile, I want to bring my new forthcoming campaign alive by `breathing life into the beast` while I prepare all the other elements for the game. This can come in a number of guises, such as fleshing out and personalising my commanders and their families. Creating my own made up imagi-nation Regimental flags and banners (I already have my Britanikan or Britanish flags {nowadays, fashionably shortened to Tanika, Tanikan or Tanish... or B`Tanika by scholars of history} worked out on paper... a little like the Union Jack, but not quite. Dull, you may say, very under inspiring you might add? Balls! I reply: I`m having fun with my imaginary world so let me be ^^. But naaa, I want my Ruling Nation to have a very unmistakable British feel to it all), mustering my troops for some snazzy photography, so I can add each new magnum opus to my growing collection and show them off in all their painted glory, here on the site. Also I can indulge in doing something I enjoy immensely - something I like best; namely, writing up short cameos... stories to bring my characters into existence.
I think (for now) I will start by borrowing from Henry Hydes "The Wargaming Compendium". This book has fast become a `gaming bible` to me of late, and is a book I would heartily recommend to any gamer - especially the soloist.
Hardback copy - pages 309 to 311.... a really useful section called: "Adding Personality".
I know already that I want my Lord Bingly... good old "Bingo" to be married, and just coming up to middle age. So I will place him at 38 years old at the start of this existence in my game.
Using my trusty percentage dice (%) to determine my new Colonel`s starting character stats I thus proceed to the following table. I never cheat when I am using dice in my solo role playing or wargames, and always abide by the results no matter what. I have a saying "there are no such things as bad dice rolls... just interesting ones".
Name Intelligence Initiative Courage Charisma Strength Health
Lord Henry Arthur Bingly 33 76 92 37 (95) 87 19
Intelligence 33: okay, Bingo isn`t exactly the brightest cherry on the bush, which fits my minds eye perception of this fellow perfectly. A true blood aristocrat, a bit dim, but as charming as a rather annoying but helplessly dependent puppy. "I sssay.... jolly good show.. wot!"
Initiative 76: A bit ` thick` Bingo may be, but professionally, as a soldier, he is sharp as a blade, and totally on the ball. Probably a card shark, a gambler, and a bit of an amiable rogue, especially with the ladies. He is the type who, if a woman even talks nicely to him, sees this as an `amber light` and a personal invitation into her boudoir. He charges at life head on, with an intuitive zest for life... but never stops to consider the consequences of his actions.
Courage 92: unbelievably courageous, fool heartedly brave, a total madman. A very fine blade and no doubt a champion duellist (slow to anger; due to his low intelligence, he rarely even notices when someone is mocking him to his face or, heaven forbid, insulting his good lady wife). Once roused, he is a nightmare and hard to calm down again. The graveyards are doubtless littered with gentlemen who have come up against his deadly duelling blade or pistols.
Charisma 37 (95): I give this character two separate stats for Charisma, one in his private life, another as a professional soldier. As a private man... a Lord (actually an Earl) he is a bit of an amiable buffoon, a dim witted devilishly annoying fop.
As a Colonel of his own Regiment... i.e. in his professional status... he is capable, respected and trusted by his fellow officers and instils unswerving loyalty from the men under him.
His ravishingly beautiful wife, the Lady Chase Bingly (maiden name Lady Chase Bunting) is equally flirtatious, sexually veracious, and as wanton as her over zealous husband. She travels everywhere with her husband, and loves to inspect the troops... sometimes several times a day.
Strength 87: Built like an ox. Anytime he is in danger of receiving a wound, throw the percentage dice, and if the roll is equal to or below his Strength, Lord Bingly can pretty much shrug off the wound with impunity. "meh! a mere flesh wound.... what!"
Health 19: Sickly as a child, the family doctors predicted he would not live to adulthood. He suffered from endless colds, bronchial congestion (asthma), various allergies and a veritable legion of unhealthy and uncomfortable inflictions. To this day, he can often be found with his head buried in a bowl of steaming hot water, breathing in pungent aromas of eucalyptus and other equally strange and foul smelling medicinal unguents.
While Lord Bingly`s Health is not always the best, his high Strength easily compensates for this defect, and ensures he is a formidable individual to be reckoned with in most things. God bless him, he just needs to stay out of the cold, the damp and the rain *achu!*
.... and avoid feather beds, household dust, animal hair, bird feathers, and.... well, everything really.
The first place to start, I think, is with my Tanikan Army Commander in Chief, Colonel Bingly. As my Prince August Toy Soldier Factory 40mm Seven Year War miniatures get cast from my precious collection of moulds, I shall paint the Platoons, Companies and Battalions one at a time until the whole Regiment is ready and fit for on table action. Will my commander be a Scarlet Pimpernel type (Lord Percy Blakeney), or another Harry Flashman? Hmmm, we shall see.
Meanwhile, I want to bring my new forthcoming campaign alive by `breathing life into the beast` while I prepare all the other elements for the game. This can come in a number of guises, such as fleshing out and personalising my commanders and their families. Creating my own made up imagi-nation Regimental flags and banners (I already have my Britanikan or Britanish flags {nowadays, fashionably shortened to Tanika, Tanikan or Tanish... or B`Tanika by scholars of history} worked out on paper... a little like the Union Jack, but not quite. Dull, you may say, very under inspiring you might add? Balls! I reply: I`m having fun with my imaginary world so let me be ^^. But naaa, I want my Ruling Nation to have a very unmistakable British feel to it all), mustering my troops for some snazzy photography, so I can add each new magnum opus to my growing collection and show them off in all their painted glory, here on the site. Also I can indulge in doing something I enjoy immensely - something I like best; namely, writing up short cameos... stories to bring my characters into existence.
I think (for now) I will start by borrowing from Henry Hydes "The Wargaming Compendium". This book has fast become a `gaming bible` to me of late, and is a book I would heartily recommend to any gamer - especially the soloist.
Hardback copy - pages 309 to 311.... a really useful section called: "Adding Personality".
I know already that I want my Lord Bingly... good old "Bingo" to be married, and just coming up to middle age. So I will place him at 38 years old at the start of this existence in my game.
Using my trusty percentage dice (%) to determine my new Colonel`s starting character stats I thus proceed to the following table. I never cheat when I am using dice in my solo role playing or wargames, and always abide by the results no matter what. I have a saying "there are no such things as bad dice rolls... just interesting ones".
Name Intelligence Initiative Courage Charisma Strength Health
Lord Henry Arthur Bingly 33 76 92 37 (95) 87 19
Intelligence 33: okay, Bingo isn`t exactly the brightest cherry on the bush, which fits my minds eye perception of this fellow perfectly. A true blood aristocrat, a bit dim, but as charming as a rather annoying but helplessly dependent puppy. "I sssay.... jolly good show.. wot!"
Initiative 76: A bit ` thick` Bingo may be, but professionally, as a soldier, he is sharp as a blade, and totally on the ball. Probably a card shark, a gambler, and a bit of an amiable rogue, especially with the ladies. He is the type who, if a woman even talks nicely to him, sees this as an `amber light` and a personal invitation into her boudoir. He charges at life head on, with an intuitive zest for life... but never stops to consider the consequences of his actions.
Courage 92: unbelievably courageous, fool heartedly brave, a total madman. A very fine blade and no doubt a champion duellist (slow to anger; due to his low intelligence, he rarely even notices when someone is mocking him to his face or, heaven forbid, insulting his good lady wife). Once roused, he is a nightmare and hard to calm down again. The graveyards are doubtless littered with gentlemen who have come up against his deadly duelling blade or pistols.
Charisma 37 (95): I give this character two separate stats for Charisma, one in his private life, another as a professional soldier. As a private man... a Lord (actually an Earl) he is a bit of an amiable buffoon, a dim witted devilishly annoying fop.
As a Colonel of his own Regiment... i.e. in his professional status... he is capable, respected and trusted by his fellow officers and instils unswerving loyalty from the men under him.
His ravishingly beautiful wife, the Lady Chase Bingly (maiden name Lady Chase Bunting) is equally flirtatious, sexually veracious, and as wanton as her over zealous husband. She travels everywhere with her husband, and loves to inspect the troops... sometimes several times a day.
Strength 87: Built like an ox. Anytime he is in danger of receiving a wound, throw the percentage dice, and if the roll is equal to or below his Strength, Lord Bingly can pretty much shrug off the wound with impunity. "meh! a mere flesh wound.... what!"
Health 19: Sickly as a child, the family doctors predicted he would not live to adulthood. He suffered from endless colds, bronchial congestion (asthma), various allergies and a veritable legion of unhealthy and uncomfortable inflictions. To this day, he can often be found with his head buried in a bowl of steaming hot water, breathing in pungent aromas of eucalyptus and other equally strange and foul smelling medicinal unguents.
While Lord Bingly`s Health is not always the best, his high Strength easily compensates for this defect, and ensures he is a formidable individual to be reckoned with in most things. God bless him, he just needs to stay out of the cold, the damp and the rain *achu!*
.... and avoid feather beds, household dust, animal hair, bird feathers, and.... well, everything really.
Lady Chase Bingly - riding and hunting side saddle (of course). Here she can be seen accompanied
by one of her favourite hounds "Pixie".
by one of her favourite hounds "Pixie".
"The Hunt!".... or... "That Poor Bloody Fox"
{from the private art collection of Stephen A Gilbert} ^^
{from the private art collection of Stephen A Gilbert} ^^
{from left to right}
Lord (Colonel) Henry Arthur Bingly: Lieutenant Ike Fixit: Lady Scarlet Blightindale (close family friend):
& bringing up the rear... Lady Chase Bingly - resplendent in blue.
Lord (Colonel) Henry Arthur Bingly: Lieutenant Ike Fixit: Lady Scarlet Blightindale (close family friend):
& bringing up the rear... Lady Chase Bingly - resplendent in blue.
Hunting on the Bingly Estate - Dashmoor: South Davnika, B`Tanika.
Hunting Scene (the characters and the animals) are 40mm home cast pieces... the moulds (and metal for making the figures) are available from Prince August Toy Soldier Factory & Shop - based in County Cork, Ireland.
Lieutenant Fixit is a simple (head swap) conversion.
I like my 40mm figures to look nice and shiny, hence gloss varnish. This gives them a real yester-year toy soldier look.
.... and no flock on the bases. I like them looking stark, for that old traditional tone.
Lieutenant Fixit is a simple (head swap) conversion.
I like my 40mm figures to look nice and shiny, hence gloss varnish. This gives them a real yester-year toy soldier look.
.... and no flock on the bases. I like them looking stark, for that old traditional tone.
My trusty percentile dice (D100):
this pair are the first ever (hobby) dice I got - when I was about 15 or 16. I can remember my Dad getting them for me... via mail order; which was still a foreign (almost alien) concept back then... the idea of hobby things being purchased by post, and not from a shop was quite snazzy and cool.
I t-h-i-n-k the dice were for a Western Skirmish game called "Once Upon a Time in the West" which may even have pre-dated the first ever Dungeons and Dragons game available for purchase outside the USA.
this pair are the first ever (hobby) dice I got - when I was about 15 or 16. I can remember my Dad getting them for me... via mail order; which was still a foreign (almost alien) concept back then... the idea of hobby things being purchased by post, and not from a shop was quite snazzy and cool.
I t-h-i-n-k the dice were for a Western Skirmish game called "Once Upon a Time in the West" which may even have pre-dated the first ever Dungeons and Dragons game available for purchase outside the USA.
January 26th
Colonial Gothic:
Colonial Gothic:
So why do I like Colonial Gothic? I`m not entirely sure, certainly there are things about it that bother me; like the shamelessly pro American slant on the entire package, with the British being portrayed as nothing more than callous dogs... blatantly intended to be considered as the enemy, and even the monsters of the whole game. In fact, the entire make up of the huge rules book and its many supplement manuals... (and yes I have them all) assumes the players will be characters on the American side of the Revolution, and even the vast pre-made campaign... "Flames of Freedom" etc... pre-supposes everything from only the Patriots point of view.
This grates with me quite a bit, and is all just plain... wrong! On so many levels.
But get past this flaw (and lets face it, it is a pretty major frickin defect) and what you have here is one of the most amazingly atmospheric, historical role playing and wargame set of rules ever written for the hobby. The campaign material is also top notch and extremely well put together. The History is fairly well researched, if not a little too biased at times... but I cannot fault its historical accuracy on pretty much all counts. Then throw in the game`s main `ace` card, and you have a whole new layer of make belief added to the cauldron - macabre gothic horror, and true monsters... a sort of "what if" quasi history thrown in, but rather tastefully done.
To quote the rules book for a second:
Setting
Colonial Gothic is a world deeply mired in mysteries, secrets, and plots. The sense of darkness and horror your group will want to experience in your game sessions will rely heavily upon both the Gamemaster’s creativity and the players’ imaginations—and this book provides plenty of ideas and resources to stimulate both. Together, the Gamemaster and the players will craft a story in which the characters will face increasing wickedness and villainy in the world, discovering that while some enemies are all too human, others have never been human at all.
Whether your character is a soldier grimly facing the brutality of war in the campaigns of the American Revolution, or a witch hunter relentlessly searching out and battling evil, is entirely up to you.
Colonial Gothic is designed with a simple premise: the occult and supernatural are real and extant within the world. Drawing upon history, Colonial Gothic’s perspective is that of the American Colonists: witches are real, devils and monsters run rampant in the world, and Magic can be worked—usually with terrible effect on all involved. Most Colonists have either chosen to deny the supernatural or rationalize it away, while others have been irreversibly damaged by their experiences with it. But some know and accept it for what it is and act accordingly, willingly choosing to place their reputations, faith, and sanity on the line to fight back. Seeing themselves as the last line of defense against the onslaught of evil, these characters war with the terrifying forces that lurk in the shadows.
Yep! pretty gripping stuff alright.
But so too is Dungeons and Dragons, Pathfinder or a host of other rpg games out there?
No! Colonial Gothic is different. First of all, it operates within the precepts of real life history, and simply adds to it all in a way that is quite delightful, and which I can only describe as `fitting nicely into the Imagi-Nation sensibilities`... which, of course, is exactly what I am looking for here. Secondly, it has an intense military feel to it all, with deep overtures of warfare running through its very core, yet nice and discrete in the background. But thirdly, and perhaps paramount to it all... the premise is sound and fully rounded as a conceptual whole.
Here is real history, real events, and real people, set in the time of a real French & Indian, and the American War of Independence, with all the tensions and atmosphere of, perhaps, the French Revolution, The Scarlet Pimpernel, the essence of Ruritania, The Son of Monte Cristo and the Prisoner of Zenda.... all rolled into one, yet totally separate from the European theatre, set in a New World, away from prying eyes... which allows me to play about with things, alter history, invent new stuff, and generally indulge in an `Imaginary` world of my very own.
I also like the way Colonial Gothic is written. I really enjoy regularly leafing through the many hundreds of pages of material I have accumulated for this package, and it has become like a favourite book I like to read in my study, or take to bed with me to read each evening.
Ordinarily, I would only ever really consider using my own rules (and only my own rules) and I might be inclined to make up my imaginary world from scratch (especially with a new campaign world): but in this case, I am perfectly happy to allow myself to be inspired by this material even as it is written. Maybe this is because it is real history, uses real old 18th century maps, is clear and concise in its presentation, and yet leaves the reader feeling totally in control, and fully able to extrapolate his or her own ideas into the mix to create a perfect world in which to `play about` in.
So would I use the Colonial Gothic rules to play a full campaign. No... oh gosh, never! I really do like the D12 system Colonial Gothic promotes.... or rather, I want to like it, I really do! But the rules are just too clunky, too messy for me ever to pay them any serious consideration. But so as not to `throw the baby out with the bath water` I have used much of the `tone` Colonial Gothic evokes, allowed it to sink into my psyche and to inspire my imagination to kick-start in its own unique directions. I suppose at the end of the day, I am saying that I really like Colonial Gothic for the way it makes me feel, but it does this without giving me any desire to play the game. Its good reading material and a great source of neat ideas.
I actually have the wargame rules I will be using (Maurice `Lite`*) sorted, printed out, and neatly filed away in a nice shiny new folder (but more on this another day). Heck, I`m organised for this... wow, I`m quite impressed at myself. The main role play aspect of my forthcoming campaign will, however, be played using the Pathfinder RPG Beginner Box Set, with lots of the Pathfinder RPG system added in - as and when I need it (i.e. Players Handbook, Dungeon Masters Guide, and Monster Manual). I shall also be leaning heavily on `The Rise of the Rune Lords` game material as well... blended into the campaign with seamless integrity (lol... or so I hope).
*I have since purchased the full Maurice rules and card set ordered - top notch stuff.
This grates with me quite a bit, and is all just plain... wrong! On so many levels.
But get past this flaw (and lets face it, it is a pretty major frickin defect) and what you have here is one of the most amazingly atmospheric, historical role playing and wargame set of rules ever written for the hobby. The campaign material is also top notch and extremely well put together. The History is fairly well researched, if not a little too biased at times... but I cannot fault its historical accuracy on pretty much all counts. Then throw in the game`s main `ace` card, and you have a whole new layer of make belief added to the cauldron - macabre gothic horror, and true monsters... a sort of "what if" quasi history thrown in, but rather tastefully done.
To quote the rules book for a second:
Setting
Colonial Gothic is a world deeply mired in mysteries, secrets, and plots. The sense of darkness and horror your group will want to experience in your game sessions will rely heavily upon both the Gamemaster’s creativity and the players’ imaginations—and this book provides plenty of ideas and resources to stimulate both. Together, the Gamemaster and the players will craft a story in which the characters will face increasing wickedness and villainy in the world, discovering that while some enemies are all too human, others have never been human at all.
Whether your character is a soldier grimly facing the brutality of war in the campaigns of the American Revolution, or a witch hunter relentlessly searching out and battling evil, is entirely up to you.
Colonial Gothic is designed with a simple premise: the occult and supernatural are real and extant within the world. Drawing upon history, Colonial Gothic’s perspective is that of the American Colonists: witches are real, devils and monsters run rampant in the world, and Magic can be worked—usually with terrible effect on all involved. Most Colonists have either chosen to deny the supernatural or rationalize it away, while others have been irreversibly damaged by their experiences with it. But some know and accept it for what it is and act accordingly, willingly choosing to place their reputations, faith, and sanity on the line to fight back. Seeing themselves as the last line of defense against the onslaught of evil, these characters war with the terrifying forces that lurk in the shadows.
Yep! pretty gripping stuff alright.
But so too is Dungeons and Dragons, Pathfinder or a host of other rpg games out there?
No! Colonial Gothic is different. First of all, it operates within the precepts of real life history, and simply adds to it all in a way that is quite delightful, and which I can only describe as `fitting nicely into the Imagi-Nation sensibilities`... which, of course, is exactly what I am looking for here. Secondly, it has an intense military feel to it all, with deep overtures of warfare running through its very core, yet nice and discrete in the background. But thirdly, and perhaps paramount to it all... the premise is sound and fully rounded as a conceptual whole.
Here is real history, real events, and real people, set in the time of a real French & Indian, and the American War of Independence, with all the tensions and atmosphere of, perhaps, the French Revolution, The Scarlet Pimpernel, the essence of Ruritania, The Son of Monte Cristo and the Prisoner of Zenda.... all rolled into one, yet totally separate from the European theatre, set in a New World, away from prying eyes... which allows me to play about with things, alter history, invent new stuff, and generally indulge in an `Imaginary` world of my very own.
I also like the way Colonial Gothic is written. I really enjoy regularly leafing through the many hundreds of pages of material I have accumulated for this package, and it has become like a favourite book I like to read in my study, or take to bed with me to read each evening.
Ordinarily, I would only ever really consider using my own rules (and only my own rules) and I might be inclined to make up my imaginary world from scratch (especially with a new campaign world): but in this case, I am perfectly happy to allow myself to be inspired by this material even as it is written. Maybe this is because it is real history, uses real old 18th century maps, is clear and concise in its presentation, and yet leaves the reader feeling totally in control, and fully able to extrapolate his or her own ideas into the mix to create a perfect world in which to `play about` in.
So would I use the Colonial Gothic rules to play a full campaign. No... oh gosh, never! I really do like the D12 system Colonial Gothic promotes.... or rather, I want to like it, I really do! But the rules are just too clunky, too messy for me ever to pay them any serious consideration. But so as not to `throw the baby out with the bath water` I have used much of the `tone` Colonial Gothic evokes, allowed it to sink into my psyche and to inspire my imagination to kick-start in its own unique directions. I suppose at the end of the day, I am saying that I really like Colonial Gothic for the way it makes me feel, but it does this without giving me any desire to play the game. Its good reading material and a great source of neat ideas.
I actually have the wargame rules I will be using (Maurice `Lite`*) sorted, printed out, and neatly filed away in a nice shiny new folder (but more on this another day). Heck, I`m organised for this... wow, I`m quite impressed at myself. The main role play aspect of my forthcoming campaign will, however, be played using the Pathfinder RPG Beginner Box Set, with lots of the Pathfinder RPG system added in - as and when I need it (i.e. Players Handbook, Dungeon Masters Guide, and Monster Manual). I shall also be leaning heavily on `The Rise of the Rune Lords` game material as well... blended into the campaign with seamless integrity (lol... or so I hope).
*I have since purchased the full Maurice rules and card set ordered - top notch stuff.
February 6th
Pawns
By a cool stroke of good luck, I have found the ideal solution to a small problem I have, of late, been pondering over: namely, trying to decide what I was going to do about adding non military type miniatures to my table top games. Playing in 40mm with semi flats is all well and good, but it`s devilish hard to find those essential bits and pieces of `everyday life` which turns a game into a living breathing thing... maids a milking their cows, market store holders selling their wares to ladies and gentlemen in their morning finery, as they stroll casually through the Friday market. Priests saying Mass (or a fantasy equivalent) to their enthralled congregation, children playing in the street, urchins hanging about darkened doorways, dogs roaming wild through the commons; watchmen vigilantly patrolling their lonely `beats`.... carriages and wagons wending their way hither and thither through the maze of cobblestone lanes etc, etc.
Then it struck me one day as I was browsing through my Pathfinder RPG material... Pawns!
These are thick card, stand up tokens... characters, villains and monsters, used by gamers to stand in for role playing game miniatures (at a nice price tag). Actually, they are very attractive, and because they are flat, thick card tokens, they go rather nicely alongside my Prince August soldiers.... if only they were 40mm.
... but wait!
I suddenly had an idea, and with excited... almost feverish hands, I snatched up one of these pawns (a gentleman merchant in very 18th century looking garb), and rushing into the hall where my glass cabinets full of my latest creations reside, and I placed my pawn beside a painted 40mm drummer, resplendent in his B`Tanikan red tunic.
Oh my goodness!
Because of the slight height increase, due to the plastic slot base the card miniature slides into; my pawn stood, near as damn it, shoulder to shoulder with my drummer. A perfect scale match. By now I was very excited, and returning to my hobby room, I started to forage about in my Pathfinder pawns box for other pieces I might be able to use. By the end of a very pleasant half an hour of sorting things out, I realised I had just found myself a good couple of dozen nice new pieces to add to my games.
I was utterly delighted.
I then went on line and checked out Amazon.uk for additional Pathfinder Pawns, and lo and behold, there were a number of complete rpg sets which might prove ideal for my forthcoming imagi-nation games. I guess we all know what`s now sitting in my Amazon`wish list`.
Pawns
By a cool stroke of good luck, I have found the ideal solution to a small problem I have, of late, been pondering over: namely, trying to decide what I was going to do about adding non military type miniatures to my table top games. Playing in 40mm with semi flats is all well and good, but it`s devilish hard to find those essential bits and pieces of `everyday life` which turns a game into a living breathing thing... maids a milking their cows, market store holders selling their wares to ladies and gentlemen in their morning finery, as they stroll casually through the Friday market. Priests saying Mass (or a fantasy equivalent) to their enthralled congregation, children playing in the street, urchins hanging about darkened doorways, dogs roaming wild through the commons; watchmen vigilantly patrolling their lonely `beats`.... carriages and wagons wending their way hither and thither through the maze of cobblestone lanes etc, etc.
Then it struck me one day as I was browsing through my Pathfinder RPG material... Pawns!
These are thick card, stand up tokens... characters, villains and monsters, used by gamers to stand in for role playing game miniatures (at a nice price tag). Actually, they are very attractive, and because they are flat, thick card tokens, they go rather nicely alongside my Prince August soldiers.... if only they were 40mm.
... but wait!
I suddenly had an idea, and with excited... almost feverish hands, I snatched up one of these pawns (a gentleman merchant in very 18th century looking garb), and rushing into the hall where my glass cabinets full of my latest creations reside, and I placed my pawn beside a painted 40mm drummer, resplendent in his B`Tanikan red tunic.
Oh my goodness!
Because of the slight height increase, due to the plastic slot base the card miniature slides into; my pawn stood, near as damn it, shoulder to shoulder with my drummer. A perfect scale match. By now I was very excited, and returning to my hobby room, I started to forage about in my Pathfinder pawns box for other pieces I might be able to use. By the end of a very pleasant half an hour of sorting things out, I realised I had just found myself a good couple of dozen nice new pieces to add to my games.
I was utterly delighted.
I then went on line and checked out Amazon.uk for additional Pathfinder Pawns, and lo and behold, there were a number of complete rpg sets which might prove ideal for my forthcoming imagi-nation games. I guess we all know what`s now sitting in my Amazon`wish list`.