Whatever happened to....

....that guy?

Over two years since my last post, and that is primarily because there's been nothing really to report on the wargaming front. Wargaming still interests me, and I still pick up a book now and then, but my campaign has lain dormant these two years primarily because of the rise of free to play MMOs.

The MMO (massively multiplayer online game) was never a temptation for me in the days when each one required their monthly subscription free to play. I had no money for subscriptions. But then Lord of the Rings Online went to f2p (free to play) and suddenly I had a lore I love that was available to me to play in. And I tried it, loved it, and then convinced my parents to try it. And they both got involved. So now it's not only an individual activity but a family one. And then other games followed the lead, so now I have a half dozen or more games I can play for free.

I don't have anyone to wargame with, and lack the space in the house to set out a table and leave it up for playing out a solo game a couple of hours at a time. So the ability to fire up a game in 5 minutes and have players all over the world is currently trumping that. Although I do still have the dream of being wealthy enough to have a house with a dedicated wargame room someday!

Thoughts of the Sea....

I am always thinking and rarely doing of late, where wargaming is concerned. But I have recently succumbed to the temptation of some cheap additions to my modest collection of Wizkids "Pirates" ships. Pirates seem to be cropping up in my conversations and even my computer gaming of late, and having obtained some Barbary Pirate galleys in my new additions, my thoughts are turning towards the possibility of another expedition by Hesse-Engelburg's little navy, this time to rid the oceans of a few annoying pirates.

More on this if I actually accomplish it.

Furst Guntram and the Cavenderian Ambassador

Furst Guntram Blauerwolf of Hesse-Engelburg (on left) in conversation outside a small local church with the Cavenderian Ambassador (on right).

As you can see, Furst Guntram is finally fully painted. He's far from perfect, certainly, but I believe we can declare him my first fully painted figure for Hesse-Engelburg. Only a couple of thousand to go! The Cavenderian Ambassador was of course painted by the talented Geoffrey of Cavenderia.

Hat Feathers?

For a tricorn with a feathered top, what color would you make the feathers for a head of state? Should they be a plain white, or would gold or similar color be appropriate? Did they dye them in the 17th/18th centuries?

Still Alive

Just a notation that I do still exist. Life has been busy, as usual. Hopefully sometime soon I shall take and post a few updated photos.

A picture

Only one as of yet, because I didn't like how any of them came out, really, and ALSO because I actually got another hour in this weekend. This is the picture taken after the first batch. I've not taken pictures of the most recent work, as I'm hoping to do a little more on it yet while I've a little bit of the mood for it.

Playing with Paints

Yesterday saw me actually spend the better part of an hour playing with paints. I gave the Lord a vote of thanks afterwards, for it's rare for me to actually sit and enjoy painting. But yesterday, I had a fun and felt accomplished afterwards.

Total output:

1) One building now has a brown thatch roof. I may change the color later. Perhaps try some of the sage green paint.
2) The Furst has added to his purple coat with a blue waistcoat and blue lapels. Next session, however, I shall keep the blue waistcoat but turn his lapels and cuffs red.
2) The Furstin now has a blue dress.
3) The black-primed and white-primed Minden Miniatures musketeers now both have blue coat and trousers.
4) One WW2 British officer now has brown helmet and uniform.
5) The other seven Mindens, including the officer and NCO, are now black-primed and ready.
6) I have painted skin on the other 8 RSM95 figures for my first company.

If by some miracle I manage to conduct sufficient painting sessions to finish what I've started, I'd have a royal couple, two companies of infantry, and a company of pioneers.