the Legion in Mexico

Last night the Foreign Legion valiantly held out against greater odds, and died, as they should, to a man.
We played a modified version of Fistful of Lead to incorporate the single shot muskets being used. The scenario had 2 players controlling 5 Legionnaires apiece, defending the barracks against an onslaught of 15 Mexicans.

The Legion prepare for battle

The Mexicans advance

The first casualty

The Mexican casualties pile up

The last stand

A little more info

I've been asked a couple times about my medieval games. Here's some answers:


The figures are 28mm Old Glory. One of their better ranges and cheap compared to others. They may be getting some Perry reinforcements soon.

My table is 8 x 6, but we played this on a 6 x 4 area.

My base sizes are 60mm by 60mm (litko) with 8 heavy foot, 6 for bows, and 3 for cavalry figures mounted a base. This gives a bit of a diorama feel, and a sense of mass.

Each roster fits in a card holder so you can mark off hits with a dry erase marker. Each roster has a picture of the units corresponding flag (to tell them apart), the type of unit, their number needed to hit vs foot and vs. horse, and finally boxes to mark off casualties with the morale roll in each box, so the player can see what roll they need right away.

Finally, commanders need to keep track of the Battlelust of their troops. To much aggression and your troops get tired. Sit around doing nothing, and your troops lose heart. To keep track I have tiny d10s that sit on the commanders base. Pointing towards the enmey is a positive number. Towards you, negative.


Easy, no clutter.
In fact, battlefield clutter is against the Basement Generals credo and will not be tolerated!

Different units

Example of a roster and it's unit

A close up

Hope this helps.

The Council of Electors vote

Outside, the capital was cold. But not as cold as the mood inside the Council Chambers. Unkerlant had been at war with itself for  nearly six months, with no end in sight.
One by one the Electors voted. Count Ludwig of Graveholm, sat in a shadowed corner, cadaverous as ever. He was flanked on either side by Borogravian Hussars, instead of his fearsome Black Guard. In a hollow voice he voted. "Graveholm votes for Prince Ruprect."
The proud General Wolf was given the honor of giving the Arch Duchess's of Volborg's vote. Sneering at the assembled Electors he said,"Our beloved Duchess, humbly accepts Volborg's vote for Queen."
Count Ernst Von Wusterberg stood next. He was disheveled and a bit sheepish looking. He glanced nervously and his newly appointed "advisor" from Borogravia. His trusted sister was nowhere to be found.
"I,...we..proudly vote faa, faaa, for Prince Ruprect.
Elector Hans Leopold Jones of Middelheim stood, "The people of Middelheim, the council of Guilds, and the minor nobility,... abstain".
Then it was time Styrland to vote. Elector-General Freidemene, resplendent in his medals and spotless uniform, cleared his vote. "I, humble put forth my own name, in this time of troubles, to be king".
Finally, the head Councillor, Elector of Koenigstadt, and head of the Civic Militia, General Rolf Von Stern stood. "The Elector of Zlobenia, Duke Sigmund, has his vote in forfeiture, owing to fact his capital is in the hands of Franistoverian troops. Therefore, Prince Adelbert has been offered himself as a candidate. As for Koenigstadt, we abstain until a stronger candidate steps forward."
And so, the war waged on the next Spring.

Spring moves coming soon!

Medieval Thursday

Last night I threw together a quick game of "Flower of Chivalry". When rolling for random command values, one side got "Buffoon" to the other side's "Brilliant". This would normally mean a death sentence, but it turned out to be a real nail biter as both sides were one unit away from breaking. In the end, Brilliance won out.

The set up

The king marches forward

The enemy takes the high ground.

Units break up during an ill timed charge.

The end is nigh...

Hrothgar's Folly

For those who don't know (or care) I've been part of a online Old School D & D sandbox campaign run by Lead Addict (see link). My character, Hrothgar, just reminded how brittle first level characters can be:
http://hrothgarsfolly.blogspot.com/

the Fury Rodents

That's right, "Fury" not "Furry". I painted up a few additions to my son's Blood Bowl team. Elvis is the name he gave the Rat Ogre. And, since his Gutter Runner earned the "spikes" mutation, I added some to the figure via some tooth picks. Sorry the two headed guy in the foreground is blurry, but I don't have the money for a decent camera.

Winter is coming...

Spring and Summer have given way to Fall and soon Winter in Unkerlant. It has been a bloody campaign year for some, and a war of maneuver for others.
The Archy Duchy of Volborg has fallen back to it's traditional borders and allies. The loyal troops of Durmwald and the pious people of Helmgard will now join the Duchess in next year's campaign.
Zlobenia and Franistover have lost their earlier gains and now sit in each other's capital, unable to collect taxes or recruit for next year's battles. Will a diplomatic solution be in the making?
Prince Ruprect and his invading army of Borogravia have profited the most by our horrible little war. No less than seven of Unkerlannt's lands lie beneath the boot of of their Borogravian oppressors. But, in true Unkerlantian fashion, they recognize a strong leader when they see one, and will no doubt provide troops for next season's fighting.
When the Council of Electors meet over the winter, Borogravia will hold 2 votes, Volborg 1, and Franistover another. It takes a majority of 4 to elect a new monarch. It will interesting to see how the "non-allied" nobles vote.