Tea, biscuits and wargaming the multiverse

 Bit more downtime here, making sure those close to me are ok, focusing on family.  A couple of days thinking of wargaming and getting inspiration should cure my blues.   Why and where does this “funk” come from I have no idea.  Sure things are tough at the moment but I’m coping, mainly I have to I’m a parent, secondly because I know I have something hobby related to do.    It seems like us “creative types” get this a lot, this does seem to be a thinkers problems and with out being rude “non thinkers “ do not seem to have the same problems, I envy them for their obliviousness. Of course you have the wonderful attitude of “screw it” I envy them too for their nonchalance. I’m told that exercise is a great cure, so I need to start some basic exercise and I fancy shadow boxing.

  Winning the way to Hun Loa, Bloodknot VC has been ordered to take the Bridge at Chou River and the Village of Bollo, thus enabling The Company to perform the siege of the city. The closing stages to Bloodknots and Bangwollops second scrap The losses from the above, Bangwollop suffering more than half his force in losses has no choice but to withdraw. Securing the siege.  Bangwollop is back to hound the Burgundy Company. With Bloodknot at the fore the Company roll forward wining the bridge and then ready to take the town, by this point the Zhang have already taken enough losses to signal defeat, but this is an objective fight!  The dust clears from the action on the right, Bloodknot can be seen galloping toward Bangwollop!  Company secures the bridge and makes its way into Bollo, non the wiser of Bloodknots coming fate. The Company secure the locations unfortunately Bloodknot does not live to see this victory and badly wounded Bangwollop is helped to escape. ( at the end of the game I

  More action a la Morschauser’s Frontier rules. After the stalemate at Moa, Bloodknot recovers to make his way to Hun loa.  Securing the far right with swift cavalry action, he advances his men. Reminded that I had a stack of graph paper and that 2 A4 sheets equal an A3 sheet…. (I know Archduke Piccolo…I know). I’m up to turn 4 and it’s working out really well, of course it would it is Morschauser’s.  The thing is what I should say is that it has seemed to round out play a little better, as quick play goes, Morschauser’s is/can be very blood thirsty.  Not only this but you get more of a feel for the tactical movement. Might take a little longer but at least it can be left in Alcove HQ.   Now hopefully I can get together enough of these wood squares to have a go of the other periods, but for now game on!

 Alcove HQ is a space which I have claimed by the  staircase. It’s not much but it’s my little get away to do my thing.  When things get better I suppose I can get to something I’m more accustomed to having, but do I need to?  If anything I could at little cost go up in size to A3 maps,  will the Alcove fit it?  More than likely,  but need over want et all. I have really been enjoying the Morschauser’s games. Apart from the frontier rules, there are a few more “trays” that make up the forces in the musket, shock and modern games.  It would be nice to see them in action, at A3 I will be able to accomplish this, but also see the effect in a proper game. The maps will require more work, but also being that most A3 sized sketch pads do not have the grid, I will have to be careful marking out the play area.  I guess it’s another “suck it and see” situation.   I’ll give it a go when I can.

Time for some Morschauser’s gridded, when the chips are down it’s time to relax and get into something familiar. The Zhang (blue) and Burgundy Company (red) Trying out the frontier rules from the Morschauser’s book published by John Curry.  Which is a first, as usually I use portable war game for this period.  Normally if I play Morschauser’s I go for shock or musket period gridded, but I fancied a change.  I’ve had to shrink the game down to fit my space and create a couple of likely forces.  The Zhang from Inchin have had enough of the Burgundy Company and are giving them a hard time, the company lead by Blooodknot VC has been confronted by a force lead by Bangwollop. They are in the farming district of Mao, with Bangwollop taking position near the village Ang. I am quite excited to give this a go, it’s all set up in Alcove HQ, waiting for the right time for shenanigans.

 Recently in checks at charity shops and similar establishments all have drawn a blank.  I suppose like some addicted sop, I am awaiting my next big score.  For now my chits and maps are doing me fine. My testing of “Barker squared” goes ahead, it’s not going bad, just with one size fits all you miss on the subtle nuances, ie; if recoiling they will definitely be Destroyed if not able to pass through.  The different base depths give an added chance for good management. On grid it’s a very static experience so far. Viking vs Breton. Having a look through my humble game selection for the next big thrill.  It will have to be simple and quick, maybe a bit of sham-style battles?  Still got the D&D stuff, but that’s a bit intense for where the brain is now.   On the Radar: Noticed some quirky figures from Ral Partha Europe newsletter, which inevitably lead to a window shop. Not very cost effect buy for me, (given the circumstances very frivolous),  an attempt at making the laundrette exp