Moving Along to a new campaign

No sooner had the Nipoor invasion of the Troman Islands reached the point where the Hardicans were obviously not going to prevent an overrun than I have decided we will put WW2  on hold for a while.

The issue with starting in that period for gamers (especially who are playing remotely for the first time in this kind of scenario) is that WW2 has (a) far too many weapons to think about, (b) far too many technological advantages to consider (c) way more complex logistic arrangements to consider and (d) is so far reaching that we will need the whole mythic world map to continue sensibly.

The first three are good enough reasons. The last is a very large piece of work which I am only part way through.

All in all, a good reason to put it on hold and return at a later date.  Also, a four cornered game in a simpler time zone with all four starting with the same resources (more or less) is a better introduction to a complete campaign than one tilted by political considerations and long established positions.

So, what to run?

My first temptation was to backtrack to ancient.  I love the period and it is the proper starting point. BUT... I have too few armies to offer and those I have won't suit everyone.

So, while I rebuild the past, I think we ought to get into a period from which I have a decent sized 25-28mm collection. ECW/30 Years War was my original key period and I am fortunate to have retained something in the region of 4-500 troops of that period and thereabouts.

A small selection above although the sharp eyed will pick out at least a couple of figures from an earlier age hanging about.  With a little flexibility in weapons and armour stored away in castles, keeps and old houses, there could be a few men out there sporting less traditional 16xx gear. Why not?

And it'll be colourful with a lot less types of weapons, tactics and details to consider.  Each player will start with so many resource points, base settlement will deliver x points/turn and all other settlements will have a value, too.  Then, we can have one off caches to discover, merchant ships to impound with a value on board and other similar extras.

The setting will be Hardica, thus introducing one of the big powers in later years. The Hardican Empire is the equivalent in my little mythic world of the British. Hardica's history and temperate climate are all geared to a very British/English kind of place.  So this is 1603 and the 2nd Hardican Civil War is about to break out (in truth, it's about the 4th but the others had different names.)  Having put a king off the throne and sent him into exile, the leaders of that rebellion have split on how the government is to be run (after ten years of frustration).

Hardica is a big enough land to accomodate some manouvering and strategic decision making.  One square = 50km square.

For those familiar with my late Sigil RPG, Hardica was the seat of the Dragon King/Queen of the Isles holding all of Tromania (what at that time was Gwythaor and the other islands of the Ducal group) Remember Goric "Blimey, the king's a lass" ;)

Hardica is about to become part of a much larger world as this conflict is the springboard to a new age of exploration and conquest.

The blog will, of course, report on progress.

Attack on Rabbavul Airfield Pt2

Inevitably, holding the stronger suit, the Nipoor assault proceeded successfully against a less than ready Hardican force.

The PAK38 gun on Windward Hill came under fire from the airfield defence but the shells fell short. Soon after, the Hardican gunnery team switched back to attempting to halt the advance without any success having been reduced by half when the PAK38 scored a near miss. Moments later, a shell fell just behind the Hardican 2pdr, taking out the remainder of the team.  The Hardicans cut their losses, hitched the gun and started moving it off the airfield.

Meanwhile, Major Yamada, having reached Windward Hill in his light tank was able to oversee the surge forward by his forces as the light tank guns swiftly knocked out lmgs in the tower and other firing positions, allowing Nipoor forces to flow forwards.

There was a brief attempt to counter the assault as Lieutenant Pryce Parker, the green and over enthusiastic officer led his squad into a firefight they couldn't win but when he went down, Corporal Freddie Haynes ordered the remaining men to retreat, most piling into the command vehicle which fired up engines and rammed a fence to escape the advance.

The retreat of the Hardicans was covered by Mick Sims and his squad but at a heavy loss as the Nipoor attackers took out bren gunners and snipers as they fell back.

The Nipoor attack had been successful and their losses, low. Supported from the Ruins where their machine guns and mortars had been able to carry out a continuous stream of fire on the airfield defences, the Nippor light tanks had spearheaded a swift victory.  With the airfield secured, the Nipoor vice closed on Rabbavul itself.

It was abundantly clear, now that there was no realistic way that the Hardicans could hold onto the islands of South and North Troman.

Receiving the news of the failure to hold the airfield, Captain Jack Rowlands, overall c/o in Troman ran a hand over his head, thoughtfully before advising the governor to pack his bags. The unexpected arrival of a small Memmonian motorised unit under their commanding officer, Richie Stewart gave Rowlands an option. Sending the governor with Stewart, he requested that the Memmonians get the governor to safety, exiting the island at Takena. He would order the Hardican destroyers to that location to pick up the Memmonians and get them away.

Richie Stewart, chewing on some hard gum scoured the map and the few flag markers representing the remaining allied force. He nodded his head, "It makes sense. You might as well put up a little resistance on the edge of Rabbavul and then fall back to join us. I'll try to get our destroyer, Bairnsdale around there, too. We'll leave a ship to wait for you."

Rowlands smiled, sadly; "We're Silverstream Guards, Captain. We don't retreat. I was charged with holding the governor's residence which represents Hardican soil.  We'll give the Nipoor a fight if they want to take it.  My men may have been about to retire but they won't want to end their careers running from a battle.  If we do our duty, maybe I'll see you on the other side of this war.  If not, go out there and win it. I wouldn't like to think the Nipoor flag would fly over these islands forever.   Good luck Captain."   Rowlands offered his hand. Stewart shook, silently and respectfully then saluted the aeging captain; "Good luck to you, Captain Rowlands. I'll see you on a brighter day and buy you a drink."
"Aye, I'd like that."  So saying, the old captain opened the wardrobe and began taking out his bright red dress uniform and black bearskin busby.
"I think we'll go into battle in our regimental colours. That'll put the wind up the Nipoorans."

As the roar of Stewart's motors could be heard as the Memmonian trucks and armoured car pulled away, Rowlands squad stood straight and proud for inspection, brass buttons gleaming on their scarlet jackets;
"Don't worry Captain Rowlands, sir"  said private Dickie Dance, "we'll give 'em hell"

Back at the craft table

So, the table is in use with the first skirmish in a minor campaign as a test.  Of course, in parallel, I am working on nineteen things at once, trying to get more done before tiredness overtakes me. 

I'm pretty happy with the churchyard, now.  I wanted an uneven English style hedge and some suggestion of old gravestones.  The current tile is 90% done.

I want to add a tree beside the porch but that will be about it. I may add something on the other side of the road if only fencing or a low wall. 

I have been trying to create some tiles and stands of trees, too.  I want to be able to scatter woodland or just a few trees on the table without committing too much space. These two are a tile and half tile, the latter being designed as some kind of overgrown feature, perhaps an old redoubt or some building, swallowed by the wood.

Currently, I am working on another tree scatter in the form of a small slope, a low desert hill/ridge and a proper redoubt that can double as a foxhole.  Under consideration is a quarry. That could be a colourful challenge with steep paper mache sides and an old pool.

By contrast, I am currently painting some ancients.  I have been putting together some classic Greek armies with a mix of spearmen, auxiliary swordsmen, psiloi and light cavalry.  I have a few chariots and other troops, too so it ought to be possible to compose Spartan, Athenian and others as well as Theban for whom I have a full army count.  I also recently acquired a whole (minimal) Persian army of the period to enable that classic match up. I hope to put some of those on the table, soon.

I am planning something else for the players' next campaign.  That can wait for now to be revealed but suffice to say that colourful armies are ready and waiting in the wings.

Attack on Rabbavul Airfield Pt1

Shortly after lunch, maybe a three hours after the Gladiators lost connection with control, the steady drone of aircraft engines announced the approach of the Nipoor assault. Zero fighters swooped and dived, strafing the aircraft on the ground. Somehow, a lone Gladiator cleared the hedge and buzzed away, hugging the ground but the other aircraft on the runway were soon smoking wrecks as Val dive bombers joined the attack. Several small bombs scattered across the runway, one hitting the barracks and control offices. The gun crews survived the initial attack, keeping well down in the emplacement on the airfield while the guard tower sent out bursts of fruitless machine gun fire in response.

As the sound of aircraft receded, motors could be heard as Nipoor light tanks began to move in. Short on fuel, the Hardic vehicles were waiting for a delivery that would be covered by their left wing under Lance Corporal Mick Sims.

The first two Nipoor squads moved onto Bayliss Ridge while the third seized Windward Hill and established a PAK38 artillery piece in place.

 Meanwhile, the Hardic forces were rushing to get into defensible positions before it was too late.  The 2pdr gun took a couple of pots at the light tanks as they crossed the ridge but all that it managed was to kick up a shower of mud and stones.

While Sims and his men went cautiously along the wall, using it for cover, Lieutenant Pryce Parker made a swift advance from Telfer's Farm into the airfield grounds.

Meanwhile, the light tanks made a rapid advance, using the lines of hedge and wire to partially conceal them as they moved in using light and heavy mounted machine guns. Hardic casualties went down under the fire although the tower held up well. Mortar fire rained down on the gunnery position causing further casualties although not in the guard tower which was holding its own.

The ambulance crew were being kept busy as more men went down wounded from gremades launched by Nipoor mortars and from raking machine gun fire. An lmg opened up from the East foxhole, bullets pinging off the barbed wire.

As the Nipoor troops advanced, the 2pdr was hit causing light damage and another crew member went down with shrapnel wounds.  Only Pryce Parker was still advancing blithely, urging his men on with words to inspire a fight against the enemy.

From the command tank, Major Yamada gave the order; "move to Phase 2".       

Alternate Earth Proves Too Constrained

You might think that it would be easier, taking existing maps and settlements, cultures and history and using those but try finding maps on the same scale, imposing grids on them, selecting out settlements, trying to recreate real places with very limited resources, having to provide players with sub standard maps and support data.

So, in the end, the Alternate Earth is going to be a fantasy one.  Here's a map of what was New Guinea Zone now as New Tromania. Hardly too far from what was being fought over but so much easier on us all.

It just looks and feels so much better.  The factions will have to change, of course. The British Empire becomes the Hardican Empire, a pretty similar setup and at this stage of the imperial lifecycle, in decay with apathy much as Britain's 1940s Pac Rim looked.  Nipoor replaces Japan, slightly more powerful by comparison but with much the same issues.  East Indies Fed stays as it fits the setup.  As for the others, well some to be revealed but we can safely assume that Nordovic will be there in some form along with the High Archon and his Cardinals, Templar States and own armies.  And Ant's old favourites, the Montemarians will be butting in, I'm sure.

My idea is to run campaigns from different times in the fantasy world history that will introduce our players (and readers) to the world and its fantasy-history but also allow us to gallop through some colourful periods including ancients, medieval and pike and shot, three of my favourites and so much less complex in terms of the sheer number of weapons we have these days.

I do have modern 1/300 to release on everyone as well, beware :)

Meanwhile back to New Tromania.  The news is out that Nipoor has made an undeclared attack on Hardic Troman, landing troops SW  and NE of Rabbavul as well as N and S of Kathvong. Nipporian aircraft are reported to have shot down Hardic Gladiator biplanes and raided Rabbavul airfield, strafing aircraft on the ground.

There are early, unconfirmed reports of naval clashes in the Straits of Troman.

Alright....cameras rolling, action!

Finally, the advancing Japanese fleet was spotted. As the small warships scrambled to get out of Rabaul harbour, it was already too late for the half dozen Gloucester Gladiators that had overflown the Japanese Battle Group in D16. 

Zero fighters swarmed from the decks where they had been readying. Like angry hornets they fell upon the hapless Gladiators and within a few short minutes, all six were shot out of the sky. More aircraft poured skywards as Val Dive Bombers joined Zeros here and in G19 where a second carrier group now revealed its presence.

At Rabaul airfield, preparations were now frantically under way. The news was filtering through that landing ships were inbound.  The platoon allocated to defence of the airfield was on the move but would they be in time?  Some were saying the Japanese had already made landfall.

A command unit screeched into the airfield yard, delivering Corporal Freddie Haynes and his team to add their strength.  The signals man was busy keeping the command truck informed about the other squads.

To the rear, Platoon Commander, Lieutenant Pryce Parker enthusiatically led his squad in a sweep around Hammond's Farm to ensure the area was secured.

While on the left wing of the battle zone, a bedford truck dropped off another squad under Lance Corporal Mick Sims.  They begun looking for positions as they realised that their current position would be too vulnerable to aerial attack.

It was only an hour or so after dawn.  If the radio messages were right, Japanese aircraft were heading this way.  There wasn't long to find cover.