Three Day Weeekend - rehearsals, mini painting, some wargaming, and a cold.

This weekend was supposed to be a 4 day weekend for my family and I. We had planned to go up to Seattle and hit up the Viking Fair we went to last year when we came back from our vacation in Leavenworth, WA. This did not happen.

I had committed myself to The Telling: Oregon - a spoken word performance I am doing with 7 other vets in September. My weekends are now dedicated to rehearsals for this performance. Mini-vacation cancelled. I still took today (Monday) off.

Plus, my wife and child are getting over colds. Somehow, I never caught the full virus. Feeling lucky, I'm usually the sick one in the family.

Sunday is a five hour group rehearsal and it was our first where all the cast were present and our stories we are telling of our military experience fully realized. Our stories are rough, quite emotional and very powerful. It was also emotionally draining.  I was pretty pooped by the time I got home yesterday and needed some quiet.

It's nice to have a day with barely any plans. What DID I do? Painted minis of course. Here's what I did today:

Egil Skalligrimsson, not speed-painting this one. Getting close to done, just need high-edge highlights.

Harald Hardrada, same as Egil above. Three color highlighting going on here.

For contrast, the Gripping Beast Harald mini in it's three stages so far.

My wife Gretchen is in a gaming group that is playing a Lahnkmar campaign. She is a noble elven knight. She got a mini for the game as well as one for Angelique, her buddy, that is playing an elven rogue type charged with making sure the elven knight comes to no harm. I had them primed this morning and here they are currently:

Initial base-coats. An obvious parallel to Fafnrd and The Grey Mauser. 

Final base-coats down, the rogue decided to go blond instead to match the knight.

It's almost dinner and I have blogged enough. I'm off to water what's left of my flowers.

Sagas - Vikings lose to Anglo-Danes over a farm

Played at Guardian with Kyle. He and his Anglo-Danes and me with my Vikings. Six points and Clash of the Warlords scenario.

The farmers of the stead were busy in the fields while Halfdan and his warriors took to their daily duties. THEN THE ANGLO-DANES CAME!!

Those evil Anglo-Danes coming upon a peaceful Viking immigrant farm from the north, OH NOES!! Viking defenders form up in the foreground, l-r farmhands with slings by the pig pen, Halfdan and his bodyguard, the infamous Val'Serkers who were visiting for the weekend, and 2 units of experienced shield-warriors.

Kyle's ADs moved into the farmer's house with his archers. Warriors moved to the right while the AD Warlord and his 2 retinues (one bristling with hard hitting axes) moved to the left from behind the farmhouse.

Halfdan and his bodyguard shifted left towards the pig-pen while the farmhands climbed into it to calm the pigs and take some cover as the Anglo-Danes were coming at them and arrows were coming from the house. The warriors on the right formed up about the cabbage and berry patch.

The ADs decided to focus their attack at the pig-pen. The farmhands held bravely but finally gave it up. Two of the brave farmhands, Ortlieb and Svar-Dan, doughty and strong of back, died but took an Anglo-Dane axeman with them. A few more fell to arrows.

Halfdan and his Vikings moved in to spill AD blood at the pig-pen. The pigs had all escaped already as the Anglo-Danes not only killed farmhands but vandalized the fence and knocked a chunk down (actually, I did that when I picked it up and put to much pressure on it.... but the Danes did it!). The fight at the pig-pen was furious resulting in pushing the ADs back and on the defensive. The AD warlord lost all his Axemen and the warlord himself moved back to the remaining 4 warriors he had, his remaining forces far to the right squaring off with the Viking shield-men by the cabbage/berry patch.

THEN the Val'Serkers showed up! (a bit late as Kyle had used AD Intimidate to hold them back a round).

 

Kyle had a tough decision and did the unexpected... he  full-attacked with everything he had on my Viking warlord. I, mistakenly, thought he would retreat. His desperate attack paid off and got him a win. He loaded up his board with bonus attack dice and used his Warlord's determination, we obey, and side-by-side. It worked out for him as my warlord could only use 2 of his retinue to take hits.

My loss did not sting as I played it well and had Kyle on the ropes by round 2. He said that he was desperate and it worked out in his favor.

In other news we are looking at holding a regular Saga game day at Guardian Games. This might turn into a regular historical day. Who knows? Not going to push it, just going to go play Saga and let things happen. 

A lot of people came by our table to watch us play. Many questions were asked and answered. There is a lot of interest in Saga. 2 of the guys there have rulebooks and minis already just didn't know there were players.

Miniatures and Role Playing

Played Brandon's Savage Worlds: War of the Dead campaign last Sunday and had a lot of fun. We had dinner too, Jason and Karin cooked up some chicken on the grill, Gretchen and I brought corn and salad. Grown-up time!

The game saw our group trying to get the passenger ship running again as it was dead in the water with it's 3000+ passengers and crew. Things went down hill from there and the "disease making people crazy" is spreading fast. We did find some military guys on board though - not on leave but on a mission. Why? Don't know... as we got mobbed by a jillion "sick people". So we all ran away. As we left it we are barricaded in a theater on the ship. We'll take a breath here and figure out what is going on and then we can find our way back to shore and get some help.

All we need to do is get back to the shore... everything will be OK then...

Anyways, got some painting going here:

l-r: base-coated Varangian in "disco" configuration (Old Glory Viking Command 25mm), HassleFree bikini lady, Gripping Beast Harald Hardrada base-coated, GB Egil Skallagrimson base-coated.

This Saturday, after rehearsals, I'm playing Saga with Kyle at Guardian Games. We've got a table for a few hours and will probably get 2-3 games in.

Miniatures - Tying up more miniature projects

Finished up my Norman Knights I painted a few months back - just needed to flock bases and give a dull coat to them. All done.

Warlord and Banner Bearer.

Finished up some EXTREMELY speed-painted zombie for a game on Sunday, that game being Brandon's Savage Worlds: War of the Dead. It'll be our second session and we are looking forward to it.

These are all Wargames Factory Vixens and Zombie Hoard.

Base-Coated some Old Glory Space Mercenaries (the free pack you get for joining the Old Glory Army). I wanted to do some "desert troops" that could be used for any fictional "soldier" modern to future/sci-fi.

I base-coated them in Armyh Painter Army Green colored primer. I painted the boots, armor and helmets in a mix of Vallejo cork brown and golden yellow to get a tacticool "coyote". Goggles and guns in Vallejo German grey. That ought to be enough other than skin colors. Next I will quick shade them and finish the bases in some way. I might add some detail to show that one is an officer.

These are some extras I had on my table. I decided to work on some darker skin, which 4 of these are. The guy on the bottle cap (Reaper) may be my future character in the SW: War of the Dead game. We'll see how that plays out. I thought the female fig (Hassle Free) was a good candidate for a darker skin. Then the last 3 of my Old Glory Space Mercenaries. I'll do these in a "urban" theme and give them black and grey high-lights maybe.

Last but not least I finished  up this Hassle Free Miniatures bikini lady. I'm trying to figure out what to do about the base... sandy beach?

I had this figure lying around for over a decade. He was part of a Ral Partha "Beowulf and Grendel" set. I used the "Beowulf" for an NPC in my Doomhounds D&D (3.0 and 3..5) campaign I ran for 7 years. He was an NPC named Besso that was a friend of one of the player's characters, Otis' "Kronnic", that turned on them due to evil influence of an evil artifact. I never used the "Grendel" half.

I based it in white primer, base-coated in Vallejo aqua marine. Dry brushed on some AP necro flesh... dipped in in AP quick shade Dark Tone... and I got this:

I also detailed out the severed leg in Vallejo medium flesh. From naked mini to this in 24 hours total. It can be a troll or something.

Saga - current painting projects: Normans and Varangians

Just a quick one here - finished up 8 Norman infantry, speed-painted of course. This will fill out my Norman Faction Ranks to 7 points. Many tournaments want you to have 7 points, 1 point being put aside as a sideboard.

These Normans are from Old Glory, "Heavy Norman Infantry". I could also use them as Flemish Mercenaries which I do not have the rule-set for right now.

Old Glory Heavy Norman Infantry 25mm. Mounted on 1" steel washers.

Base coat is Army Painter Platemail.

"Dipped" (literally) in Army Painter Quickshade Dark Tone.

Hand-Painted shields. I'm no pro. Don't drink too much coffee before you do that. 

Next series are the bare beginnings of  Hero of the Viking Age Harald Hardrada and his bodyguard of 12 Varangian Guardsmen. Harald is the Gripping Beast model. The Varangians are Old Glory Viking Command 25mm minis.

Harald Hardrada re-based on some rocks. He was already a head taller than the Old Glories so I said screw it, let's make him grand.

Harald and some of his Varangians.

Old Glory Viking Command as Varangians. Mounted on 1" steel washers.

Closer look.

I ordered a pack of OG Viking Command as they have some utility use as opposed to the OG Varangians they have available. Harald can have up to 12 Varangians and they, in turn, can be armed with either Dane Axe or standard. As per the Saga rules Dane Axes improve hitting but lower armor. As is the legend with Old Glory it's just hard to see the sculpt details... trust me they are good. Rather "old school" as opposed to more modern miniatures but I think they look great and with my discount for being in the "Old Glory Army" are quite affordable. 

By the end of the year I plan to also be fielding Pagan Rus and Rus Princes factions and hope to be able to supplement them with some Steppe Rider mercenaries. I'm pretty much planned out for the rest of 2014!

WASSAIL!!

Saga - The Battle of Seacourt Anglo-Danes v. Vikings

Friday night wargame night at Spencer's. We decided on my Vikings vs. his Anglo-Danes. THE VIKINGS WIN this time... my first "clean" win. (my rules on "clean" being experienced opponent, no major rules "oops"). The scenario used was "Challenge", warlords get 12 wounds and start in the center of the table while armies start near the edges. Killing a warlord is victory or warlord with most wound points left at the end of 7 rounds is the winner.

Being used to Clash of the Warlords scenario I did not immediately see much of a difference in tactics and strategy. I was wrong.

The lineup for the night:
VIKINGS
Warlord
Val'Serkers
Hirdmen x8
Bondi x10
Bondi x10
Bondi x4

ANGLO DANES
Warlord
Hearthguard x6 (Dane axes)
Hearthguard x6
Warrior x12
Warrior x12

Drink of the night - Red Hook Long Hammer. 91 degree day = need for something refreshing.

We set up terrain, an easy hill on Viking left, a rock quarry on the Viking right, pretty open field. Warlords, as per scenario rules, set up center while our respective armies set up along long edges of field.

Anglo-Danes way back there, my Vikings in the foreground. Warlods front and center face to face.

First, I'm experimenting with making a more detailed after action report here. I took most photos after every player's turn and also took notes round to round. I hope these pics and my notes are able to translate onto this blog and give a detailed account of how and why things happened. I love to read other blog's AARs but they seem to lack in details on how and why things happened which is what I need to learn to be a better player. Well, that and playing.

Spencer and his Anglo-Danes went first.

Round 1

Anglo-Dane Warlord immediately broke negotiations and pulled back one move. His large Warrior units moved forward and the AD WL's retinue of Huscarls move up to screen the chief.  

On the hill on my left flank were his banner and the other Hearthguard unit. ADs were nearly center field.

The chess game begins - Anglo-Danes move forward with intent to menace.

Vikings also move forward and adjust, bringing their Warlord to the rear (angered that he could not open with a few licks on the AD Warlord) and matching the AD line.

Jealous the ADs took the hill, Viks react and mirror.

Round 2

ADs adjust more. Played "Trapped" on my Viks and handed out some fatigue. WL and his HG move compleltey behind his large line of warriors.

Viks shift to their right and forward and get ready for a wheel maneuver as the AD warlord has shifted left. Expecting an attack by ADs.

More Chess Moves!! The Viks hunger for blood!

Round 3

AD shifts line AGAIN and dresses up their shield wall. Uh Oh.

Viks dress up lines via War units. Make a shield wall. WL, Val'Serkers, War screen unit move right. Vik Hirdmen with banner pull a grand move and go right leaving the hill to the ADs.

 

Round 4

ADs sit and wait defensively. WL and Huscarls move left a tad.

Viks play Njord and drink up some of that fatigue. Viks send right flank of warriors into the AD flank opposite and get creamed. x10 War unit now down to 4 (lose 6) while AD War unit of 12 loses 0. Viks use both Heimdall (3 more dice) and Ullr (reroll misses). ADs use some defensive Saga abilities that just beats all the hits the Viks score. x4 Vik War disengage and retreat to center.

Left flank Vik warriors move forward just short of engagement hoping to pin and screen opposite AD War unit. To make up for hole left by right flank Hirdmen move forward and Val'Serkers move left to prepare for launch.

Forward! Attack!

Yaaa! Clangity bang pow!

CRAP!

Round 5

ADs take the offensive after kicking Vik ass. Left flank ADs attack my left flank, warrior vs. warrior. My warriors were outnumbered but held out exceptionally well. ADs lose 3, Viks lose 2. ADs must disengage. They attack a second time and fail even worse with ADs losing 5 and Viks losing 1. ADs disengage and his Huscarls fill the gap.

Viks use defensive dice to lower the attack dice and raise the amount of dice in the defensive pool. This works to Vik's advantage.

AD Warlord and his axemen attack and do some damage band wipes out the Vik Warlord's retinue of Hirdmen. Attacked surviving Vik Wars disengage to center... leaving Vik Warlord open!!

Viks Counter attack with Hirdmen unit. Straight dice used, no Saga abilities. I lose 2 Hirdmen, AD loses 9 warriors. A major success but still no wipe-out. Vik Warlord is exposed.

Vik Val'Serker unit waits for orders as the time is near.

NOTE: I am failing to mention how Spencer's Anglo-Danes are judiciously using Trapped (handing out fatigue) and the other AD power of canceling activations. I counter with judicious uses of Njord (activate and take off a fatigue from Warlord and all units within 6 inches of him). I am finding little to no use for abilities that increase attack dice finding Ullr, re-rolling misses, WAY more useful. 20 dice can still come up misses. 10 dice with 2 chances to roll hits is much better in my opinion and experience.

Round 6 - AKA "let's get some hits on them Warlords now that rank and file soldiers have been thinned out."

ADs have successive attacks on Viking Warlord and his new bodyguard unit of 5 warriors. Things work out well for Viks.

Now, things get kind of mixed up, my notes tried to make sense of it. Let's just say the Vikings tried all kinds of moves to close on the exposed AD Warlord. The first few attacks flop ( I lose a unit of 4 warriors to the AD Warlord). ADs use abilities to hamper movements as well as spend fatigue but I, LUCKILY, am still able to get my Val'Serkers and Warlord into the fray face to face with the Anglo-Dane Chief!

It was a glorious fight.

Val'Serkers activate Ullr to re-roll all misses of there 16 attack dice. The Vik Warlord will add his 5 attack dice to the mass. The results?

Count them up, that's 17 hits total - 15 (of 16) hits from the Val'Serkers, 2 more from the Vik Warlord. Fatigue was spent to get the AD Warlord's armor down to 3. AD Warlord saves 5 of them hits. He ends up losing his Huscarl bodyguard except the one that was out of range and taking 9 wounds bringing his score down to "3".

Viks lose 2 of the 4 Val'Serkers. Vik Warlord loses 0 wound points. 

Round 7, the last round

ADs know that the score is AD Warlord 3, Vik Warlord 12. He's got to muster up what he can and do as much damage as he can. AD Warlord musters up his remaining Hearthguard and attack. AD's Saga dice were not the best though, leaving him with restricted activations. The ADs attack the Vik Warlord with 2 Val'Serkers nearby to help soak some hits. Many hits are scored - Vik Warlord soaks one, sacrifices his last Val'Serkers, and takes 6 wounds.

The score stands at Viks 6 - ADs 3. ADs just don't have the activations to pull off more attacks as well as the Vik warlord disengaging next to his last 5 Warriors. 

Viks, being wise, roll Saga Dice (3) and decide to do nothing ... winning the game 6-3.

Yep, that's right. I won a game fair and square. I'm happy.

Again Ullr proved way more useful to me than any ability that adds attack dice. I'd rather have more hits with 10 dice than less hits with 20 dice. Njord, the ability to drop fatigue, came in handy against the pesky fatigue handing out Anglo-Danes. Many of my moves were cancelled also by AD ability but I for-saw that and put up extra Saga dice to cover that situation.

Edit:
Almost forgot that Spencer wanted to start naming our battles. I think a fair way (and historical) to do it is let the winner name it. So, I named this The Battle of Seacourt. I edited the title to follow suit.