Showing posts with label El Cid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label El Cid. Show all posts

Sunday, July 24, 2022

AAR on an El Cid Game

 I’m reallly behind in posting this, but here are some photos of a test game using El Cid figures and terrain and the upcoming Midgard rules. 





Details are fuzzy after three months but the key features that my aged brain remembers are as follow.
  • It was a Valencian attack on a Zaragozan defended hill.  Rodrigo El Cid was off table with Zaragozan reinforcements.
  • I made archers waaaaay too powerful.
  • Curt’s Valencia’s caballeros had atrocious activation roles and reactions.  See the markers noting Curt’s personal reactions.
  • Under the rules, heavy cavalry is very strong but brittle, and the two prior points meant that the attackers main attack force was neutered early on.
  • Infantry scrums worked well and a counterattack was dealt with well.
  • The attackers were toast before the Cid came on table.

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

AHPCV 28mm Andalusian Archers



So in between singing sea shanties and rinsing the salt from my shorts (see the comments on Miles’ earlier post), I completed a unit of 12 Andalusian archers for my El Cid era armies.  These are Gripping Beast figures and are old friends.  Others seem to have issues with some Beastie Boys figs, but I like theses ones.  The one slight quibble is the bows are trick to attach to some figures.  However, good poses and clothing and they paint up nicely IMHO.



Over time I have waffled between giving my Ancient/Medieval units “uniforms”, sometimes opting for a Heinz 57 variety and others going for common clothes.  For recent units I am tending to unit “theme” colours, such as the red theme for these archers.  I’ve used three different shades for the tunics, or neutrals with red turbans.  On the theme I can vary to trims, sashes and turbans and accessories.   It may not be historical, but it makes the units far easier to group together during set up and take down.

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

AHPCV Hot Round Andalusian Naffatah with Nasty Sticky Flaming Goop


'Curt's Analogue Hobbies painting Challenge had one of it's theme bonus rounds due on Saturday, and I got my sh*t together and offered up these guys as my submission.  And darn it wouldn't you know that AlanD submitted the same figures.  I feel the socialite who has turned up at the fancy ball to find someone else in the same dress!


For the hot round I have a set of 6 Andalusian Naffatah 'Fire troops' in 28mm using figures from the Perry Crusades range.  These are very nice figures and ones I had wanted for a while, so I was happy that the Hot round gave me a rationale for acquiring them.  They were painted with my normal artist acrylics with heavy use of washes.  They have been based simply on washers for now, but I will likely revisit the basing later.

Naft was the Arabic equivalent of Greek Fire, and was delivered by a number of different ways.  Four of these figures hurl ceramic grenades while two use hand held syphons or flame throwers if you will.  WAB classified these trops Naft is "Nasty, sticky, flaming goop" (NSFG) which I think sums things up nicely.  I have another set of 6 Naffatah using Gripping Beast figures but much prefer the Perry figures, or maybe it's my paint job is better on these ones.

I really enjoyed painting these guys, and they made a nice change from the more troublesome Hat figures that I had been working on earlier.  These is nice movement, especially in the dude with the staff sling.  I am also amused by the range of clothing that in which the manufacturers dress their Naffath.  Gripping Beast's are wrapped up with cloths across their faces, while two of the Perry figures and going topless and shoeless.  Personally if I was working with NSFG, I'd want to be covered up but in clothes that I could get out of quickly is the spam hit the fan.  The chainmail coif worn by one of the syphoners seems like a recipe for disaster to me!



Oh yes and in keeping with the NSFG theme, I would like to note that the figures were stuck to their bases using a Hot Glue Gun which I figure is the modern crafting equivalent of Nasty Sticky Flaming Goop!

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

AHPCV Moorish Horse Archers



OK, it has been several weeks since my last posting.  Part of this was due to illness, part due to a hectic time at work (relatively speaking, my work life is still way simpler than it used to be) and part due to problems with this @#$%&* unit!!

Anyway we have an 8 man unit of 28mm Berber Light Cavalry mercenaries to fight alongside my Andalusians.  The figures are by Hat and produced in a hard plastic, and as such as a little "lighter" than metal 28s.    But the effect isn't bad if one keeps the figures in separate units.  And as I noted on a prior posting, the horses have a very nice fine boned Arab look to them.  The plastics don't paint up as well as metals since the detail is not as clearly defined.  While the plastic is harder than Airfix or Ecsi it lacks the crisp details of the Perry or Victrix plastics.


Anyway I ran into two issue with these guys, both of them originating between the seat cushion and the paint brush.  Issue one was I decided to go with a black primer since there was to be a lot of white on the figures, and I thought it might bring some crispness.  This worked really well with the horses, as the leaving a thin line of black primer gave a very good shading effect and highlighted details.  But it work less well on the riders since it required a lot of second coats with lighter colours (like whites, creams and yellows).  And before anyone asks, I am a "fix the riders on the horses and paint them both as one casting" kinda guy.  Therefore the idea of priming the horses in black and the riders in white isn't gonna fly.


Issue two came when I decided to go for a "Berber Indigo" colour on some of the cloaks and head wear.  Great idea, but an Epic Fail on initial execution.  I used a "primary blue" acrylic with Black washes, and the end result was aptly described by my better half as "too shiny".  So I got grumpy and sick for a while and contemplated binning the lot, but fortunately thought better of it after a while.


One of the advantages of working on campus is that there are neat resources available, like an on site fine art supply store that gives me a staff discount.  So I pottered off to chat up the store manager for ideas.  Her solution for Berber Indigo was a mix of Ultramarine Blue and Carbon Black, plus an optional dab of Dioxazine Purple.  Those are the names given to the Artists Acrylics shades that I work with, but I am sure that GW and other modelling lines have similar shades available with gaddawful names at three times the price (end of rant).  It turned out that my Purple had been binned a while back so I went with the Black and Blue mix but it greatly improved the figures and I rather like the effect.  It also got the approval of my at home colour conscious quilter.  I don't what the visual equivalent of "perfect pitch" is, but she's got it.


The flag is free handed based on Moorish tile designs plus artistic (sic) license.

I am not super enthused by the photos, they came out very dark and I had to play with the exposure and thus messed up the colours a bit.  But these guys are off my to finish list and on the blog roll!

Saturday, January 3, 2015

Painting Challenge - Moorish Horse Archers



OK no regular posts for 3 weeks and now two in one day – but it took me til the 26th until I could get painting.  I have completed a unit of 8 Moorish Horse Archers in 28mm to add to my El Cid hordes.  I think that this gives me 80 points towards my very far distant goal….


The figures are hard plastic and produced by Hät, who mostly do a wide range of 20mm figures.  I picked up 3 boxes of 12 figures each on my last business trip through Vancouver in June at Imperial Hobbies, which is a well-stocked store and is conveniently located when traveling by Skytrain to the airport. 


These were the first Hät figures that I have painted, and they in the end produced reasonable results (to my eyes anyway).   The detail is not a clean as found on metals, but the plastic is neither bendy like Airfix nor brittle.  They are also a little lighter in build than metals, but that doesn’t hurt for a LC unit.   In particular the horses are very nice and have the look of fine boned Arabians.   I painted them in my artist acrylics with generous washes. 



The shields and flag are free handed, because that’s how I do them.   I may redo the flag later but I am mostly happy with my results.  I’ll toss my thoughts into the forum on free hand vs. bought flags and shields.  Which is I see no point in paying good money for products that are more frustrating and time consuming than DIY, especially as the results never seem to be worth the bother, cost and time.   Yes I am an old fashioned curmudgeon but my first ancients army was Hoplite Greeks and I handled that so can handle anything else.  As for flags, free handing ancient banners is quick and for Horse’n’Musket I get them free from Warflag, or in some cases DIY on the MacBook.  So if you are buying flags and shield designs, you need to grow a pair and get on with doing it the real way!


Tuesday, November 25, 2014

More El Cid Photos


Going with my strong suit here.  I've got lots of Sean's superb pics and he's making my figures look better than they have a right to.

A lot of action going on here looking from the Castillain side.  On the left, Count Sancho's Hidalgos are in melee with El Cid's.  This would lead to the Campeador and followers being swept fro the table to be followed up by Sancho.  Meanwhile the militia in the centre and Sean's right wing advance.  Note that Sylvain has position his Cavalry for a flank charge on the far right.

Curt and I deal with the Light Cavalry melee on the far left.  The Andalusians were victorious and followed up into the militia. .


The Bishop on top of the Church

Two units of Morrish LC crash into Jeremy's militia.  Blood stains mark the hits.  The peons did very well seeing off multiple attacks.

Add your own caption - what it Curt saying?

Andalusian HC charge Castillian militia MC, while Hildalgos come through the orange groves.

If you go down to the woods today...


Having seen off the militia MC, Sylvain's HC crash into mercenary HI.

Blood trails follow Sylvain, but look to your flanks boys!







Monday, November 24, 2014

Photos From the Recent El Cid Game

I had meant to post these a while ago, but I plead real life (it's down to the last 2 week of term and I had a ton of marking to get through).

The superb quality is once again down to having our artist gamer Sean take the photos.   Don't expect anything I take to be anything near as good as these!
Castillian right wing.  I should have deployed the Hidalgos in front of the militia cavalry (instead of behind), in all fairness to Sean.

Zaragozan defensive position

I am either sneezing or confused or possibly both!

Close up of the Castillian cavalry

Same spot, different focal point.

Andalusian infantry with Sylvain moving elusively behind.

Castillian right wing slingers with Cavalry and militia in the background.

Muslim light cavalry with Sylvain doing his Flash imitation beyond.  He's obviously bent on raiding the bottle of red wine on the counter.

An idyllic scene ti you notice the Castillian army in the distance.

Sylvain moves his Andalusian heavies through an orange grove.  

Oh my gosh Sylvain slowed down enough to be in focus!

The bishop Jeromino looking less saintly!

Charge!

Countercharge!



Monday, November 17, 2014

El Cid Alliance Game Objectives, Forces and Roles

Zaragozan Overview

Your force has just completed a successful raid of the Christian Kingdom of Castile.  The Castilians have raised the militia and have caught up with you as you escort your booty to the south.  You have taken up a defensive position on a low hill.

Your objective is to hold the hill line and prevent the Christians from moving south and recapturing the loot.  Your forces are organized as follows.

1.     Commander Rodrigo Diaz El Cid Set up on the middle 1/3 of the table
a.     One unit of Christian mercenary knights  (HC)
b.     One unit of armoured spearmen (HI)
c.      One small unit of mercenary armoured crossbows (LI)
d.     One small unit of mercenary archers (LI)
e.     One small unit of Naffatun (LI) with nasty sticky flaming goop (unfortunately these were left out of the box and didn't show up)
2.     Ibn ‘Ammar Set up on the left 1/3 of the table
a.     One unit of Andalusian Cavalry (HC)
b.     One unit of Andalusian spearmen (MI levy)
c.      One unit of Berber mercenary spearmen (HI)
d.     One small unit of Andalusian archers (LI)
3.     Yusuf the Moor Set up on the right 1/3 of the table
a.     3 small units of Andalusian light cavalry (Jinettes) (LC)

Rodrigo Diaz (Curt)

Since you went into exile you have done well serving the Taifa King of Zaragoza.  You have earned his trust (and his gold), and now command this raiding force.   Your personal objective is to serve you employer well and return south with your force intact and your booty in hand.  The bulk of the loot lies to your southwest beyond the woods and scrub.
  • You have a good working relationship with Ibn ‘Ammar, although you consider him a bit of an old woman as he tends to be cautious.  Ibn ‘Ammar commands the Taifa King’s personal troops and holds the left of your position.  In last night’s council of war he seemed very concerned about the security of the loot.  You are not sure if he is interested in the gold, the goats or certain books containing graphic illustrations of an explicit nature…
  • You speak Arabic quite well and can communicate with most of your commanders and units quite easily.
  • Yusuf the Moor is relatively unknown and works hard to make sure it stays that way.  He speaks Arabic with a rough Berber accent and does not always seem to understand what you (or the Zaragozans) say to him.  Nonetheless his is a tough fighter who knows his trade.  He wants to stay on the plains where his light cavalry feel safe and is leery about moving into mountain terrain.  He seems less concerned with the security of the loot, presumably his saddlebags are stuffed as full as they can get.
  • As a prominent Castilian exile in the service of an Andalusian state, you may find yourself a marked man among the more hot-blooded Hidalgos in the Castilian army.

Ibn ‘Ammar (Sylvain)

You command the Taifa King’s personal troops and hold the left of your position.  The bulk of the loot lies to your southwest beyond the woods and scrub.  Your personal objective is to protect the security of the loot, by holding the road exit to your southwest.
  • You have a good working relationship with Diaz, although you consider he a bit of a hot head.  He does speak Arabic well for a Northerner.
  • Yusuf the Moor is relatively unknown and works hard to make sure it stays that way.  He speaks Arabic with a rough Berber accent and does not always seem to understand what you (or Diaz) say to him.  Nonetheless his is a tough fighter who knows his trade.  He wants to stay on the plains where his light cavalry feel safe and is leery about moving into mountain terrain.  He seems less concerned with the security of the loot, presumably his saddlebags are stuffed as full as they can get.
  • As a prominent Castilian exile in the service of an Andalusian state, Diaz may find himself a marked man among the more hot-blooded Hidalgos in the Castilian army.

Yusuf the Moor (NPC)

You do not understand these Iberians- either the Northern Infidels or the so-called Moslems of the pleasure-loving south.  However, the gold is good and the opportunities for you are many.  Your personal objective is to keep you light cavalry intact and protect their exit to the southeast where the ground suits your forces.  You really do not care about the loot, but it lies to the southwest beyond the woods and scrub.  Your saddlebags are full and Zaragozan goats seem as tasty as Castilian goats.
  •        The commander Diaz knows his trade and is an able leader.  He seems to let his blood get hot at times and is too involved with petty politics for your taste.
  •      Ibn ‘Ammar is a pleasure loving deviant who has fallen from Islam’s true path.  He is far too concerned about his own wealth and prestige. 



Castilian Overview

A Zaragozan raiding force led by the notorious Castilian exile has caught you by surprise and has captured much booty including sacred relics from a local monastery.  You have raised the militias and caught the raiders red handed as they try to escape.  Your objective is to break through to the south to recapture the relics of Santiago Matamoros (Saint James the Moor-slayer).

Your forces are as follows.
1)   Count Garcia (CinC) Set up on the right 1/3 of the table
a)    One unit of Hidalgos Caballeros (HC Knight)
b)   One unit of Militia Cavalry (MC)
c)    One unit of mercenary spearmen (HI)
d)   One unit of mercenary crossbows (LI small)
2)   Bishop Jeromino Set up on the middle 1/3 of the table
a)    Three units of militia spearmen (MI)
b)   One unit of militia crossbows (LI small)
c)    Two units of slingers (skirmishers)
3)   Count Sancho Set up on the left 1/3 of the table
a)    One unit of Hidalgos Caballeros (HC Knight)
b)   One unit of archers (LI Small)
c)    Two units of Spanish Jinettes (LC small)
d)   One unit of javeliners (skirmishers)

Count Garcia (Sean)

Your personal objective is to deliver justice to the traitor and exile Diaz. 
  •        Count Sancho is a young hotshot who needs to be kept in check.  He is likely more interested in glory and in tactics
  •        The Bishop is a venerated figure, but bluntly an idiot.  He is however, a well-connected idiot and needs to be treated with respect.  He is very concerned about recovering the relics (and also apparently certain books containing illustrations of a less religious nature).


Count Sancho (NPC)

Your personal objective is to achieve glory so that the troubadours will sing of your exploits for generations to follow (and to get girls). 

  • Count Garcia is an old ninny who thinks you were born yesterday.
  • The Bishop is a venerated figure, but bluntly an idiot.  He is however, a well-connected idiot and needs to be treated with respect.  He is very concerned about recovering the relics (and also apparently certain books of a less religious nature). 

Bishop Jeromino


Your personal objective is to recovery the relics of Santiago.  It also appears that certain other materials were captured that you were prefer not be made public (the illustrations in these books may not reflect well on your Saintly image. 

  •        Count Sancho is a young hotshot who needs to be kept in check.  He is likely more interested in glory and in tactics
  •        Count Garcia interests lie in more secular pursuits.  You need to remind him of his duty to serve the church’s interests (or at least your interests) as well as the King’s.