Still waiting for the RSM95 figures to arrive. But in the meantime, I had a few minutes last night, so I decided to get out a couple of the Warrior Frogs that I received from Greg Horne (Thanks, Greg!) and try my hand at them. First try at painting figures with acrylics and real brushes (I used model enamels with toothpicks on the few figures painted in the teen years). It's also my first time trying to paint metal figures. With the exception of two souvenir Highlanders brought back from Scotland by a friend, I've never owned any metal figures before.
The frogs seem fun, and should give me a less than critical item upon which to develop my skills. They also remind me of the Wind in the Willows, and the Battle of Toad Hall, from my days of childhood.
Check my other blog (http://www.snickeringcorpses.com) for a photo of the first pair in progress.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Winning Goatherd Attacked by French Troops!
Maurice Bouchet, the French-born goatherd who won the recent Gruaerhimmel Fair "Best in Show" award for his prize goat Louise, has apparently been attacked at his small farm by a small party of French troops. Details are sketchy at this time, but it is believed that a group of 4 French musketeers attempted to kidnap Maurice as he was leading his herd to a nearby lake. An alert patrol of the Borderers is believed to have come to his aid, assisted apparently by a 70 year old woman who was gathering mushrooms nearby, and is reported to have downed one of the Musketeers with a blow to the head from her mushroom-filled bucket while he was engaged in an argument with Bouchet.
If details prove to be as initially reported, this would represent the second incursion of French troops into Hesse-Engelburg in recent months. Down at the SiebenZiegen in, speculation runs that perhaps the first party intercepted was after Herr Bouchet as well. Alte Ludwig, famed talebearer, disagrees, holding forth that the Frenchmen were in fact after some of Hesse-Engleburg's prize goats, in a move to counter the clear advantage these fine goats have given the principality in the production of cheese.
If details prove to be as initially reported, this would represent the second incursion of French troops into Hesse-Engelburg in recent months. Down at the SiebenZiegen in, speculation runs that perhaps the first party intercepted was after Herr Bouchet as well. Alte Ludwig, famed talebearer, disagrees, holding forth that the Frenchmen were in fact after some of Hesse-Engleburg's prize goats, in a move to counter the clear advantage these fine goats have given the principality in the production of cheese.
Friday, April 6, 2007
Minister of State Extends Invitation to Szlachta
Burgraf Heinrich von Waffenschmidt, Minister of State for their Graces, has reportedly extended an invitation to Filip, szlachta of Mieczyslaw, to join him at Their Graces' hunting lodge in the Fuchswald. This is believed to be an effort to foster understanding between Hesse-Engelburg and Mieczyslaw in the wake of the exchange of ambassadors between Mieczyslaw and Saxe-Bearstein.
Winner of Grauerhimmel Fair Goat Contest Announced
After several days of deliberation from the judges, the Grauerhimmel Fair has finally declared a winner of the Best in Show prize for the goat competitions. After the disqualification of 4 goatherds for fighting, the prize has been awarded to French immigrant Maurice Bouchet for his goat "Louise". Herr Bouchet has been a resident of the principality for several years with a small farm in the Rotwildsenke region.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Thoughts on upcoming troops
Stepping out of news reports and correspondences into the real world thoughts, I've been pondering some more regarding the structure of my units. I haven't even begun to consider artillery...we're still in the stage of dealing with infantry and cavalry.
Here are some planned strengths:
Standard fusilier/musketeer battalion: 24 fusiliers/musketeers in 4 line companies of 6 figures, plus 1 grenadier company of 6 figures. The grenadiers will, of course, be able to be grouped with other grenadier companies to form combined grenadier battalions if needed. Total figures if the grenadiers remain: 30. This dovetails well with the size of the RSM95 bags of 7YW infantry (36 figures gives me 1.5 battalions per bag), and should allow for later splitting up of bags between battalions if I wish to increase the strength to 60 total, or even to 60 line.
Every 2 bags, I'll be able to form 3 battalions, with the assistance of a command set for the third battalion and 18 grenadiers.
A single bag of grenadiers (also 36) could supply grenadier companies for 6 line battalions, or be split between a standing grenadier battalion and 1 or more companies.
Cavalry squadrons: While I might vary these if I feel it needed, I believe I'm going to standardize on a squadron of 4 figures. Since the RSM95 cavalry figures typically come in bags of 12, this will be evenly divisible, giving me 3 squadrons per bag.
Cavalry regiments: I really remain indecisive on these. I'm seriously considering 4 squadrons in size, but I may go with the 3 squadrons per regiment that would allow each RSM95 cavalry bag to produce one regiment. I'm strongly tugged towards the idea of slightly larger regiments however. I really think 16, or perhaps even 20, would look lovely on the table. 16 might be the simplest, and would make some sense, as horse regiments needn't have grenadier companies, and therefore their 4 squadrons would parellel the 4 company formation of the infantry battalion. It would also mean that for ever 4 bags of cavalry (if all the same type), I'd be able to form 3 regiments. Being able to form 4 regiments of 12 would be more economical, but I think I'll enjoy the look of 4 ranks of 4 on column of squadrons better.
Here are some planned strengths:
Standard fusilier/musketeer battalion: 24 fusiliers/musketeers in 4 line companies of 6 figures, plus 1 grenadier company of 6 figures. The grenadiers will, of course, be able to be grouped with other grenadier companies to form combined grenadier battalions if needed. Total figures if the grenadiers remain: 30. This dovetails well with the size of the RSM95 bags of 7YW infantry (36 figures gives me 1.5 battalions per bag), and should allow for later splitting up of bags between battalions if I wish to increase the strength to 60 total, or even to 60 line.
Every 2 bags, I'll be able to form 3 battalions, with the assistance of a command set for the third battalion and 18 grenadiers.
A single bag of grenadiers (also 36) could supply grenadier companies for 6 line battalions, or be split between a standing grenadier battalion and 1 or more companies.
Cavalry squadrons: While I might vary these if I feel it needed, I believe I'm going to standardize on a squadron of 4 figures. Since the RSM95 cavalry figures typically come in bags of 12, this will be evenly divisible, giving me 3 squadrons per bag.
Cavalry regiments: I really remain indecisive on these. I'm seriously considering 4 squadrons in size, but I may go with the 3 squadrons per regiment that would allow each RSM95 cavalry bag to produce one regiment. I'm strongly tugged towards the idea of slightly larger regiments however. I really think 16, or perhaps even 20, would look lovely on the table. 16 might be the simplest, and would make some sense, as horse regiments needn't have grenadier companies, and therefore their 4 squadrons would parellel the 4 company formation of the infantry battalion. It would also mean that for ever 4 bags of cavalry (if all the same type), I'd be able to form 3 regiments. Being able to form 4 regiments of 12 would be more economical, but I think I'll enjoy the look of 4 ranks of 4 on column of squadrons better.
Rumor: Goatherds Spying for Saxe-Bearstein?
Word has circulated within Grauerhimmel that the two local goatherds involved in the incident have left their flocks in the care of relatives and chosen to make their way on a journey to allow the flames of anger to die down a bit.
Unsubstantiated rumors claim that the goatherds may in fact have gone to the Duchy of Mieczyslaw in order to watch the recent maneuvers, possibly even at the behest of the government in order to provide information for Saxe-Bearstein. Other rumors even suggest one or more of the goatherds may in fact have joined the Mieczyslaw armed forces. Official sources have refused to confirm or deny the matter, stating only that rumors are common in a time of militarization and uncertainty.
At the SiebenZiegen Inn, local innebriate Alte Ludwig claims that the Eisenhügel goatherder most closely involved in the original dispute has run away to join the forces of Mieczyslaw, and the Grauerhimmel goatherds have gone to bring him back. Frau Linkmeyer, the cook of the SiebenZiegen, feels that the events are much less sinister. "Those old fools? They've run away to join the circus, or maybe the gypsies. Irresponsible louts the lot of them. And that's *before* their first beer. After they get some beer in them, there's no end to their idiocy. Good riddance, I say."
Unsubstantiated rumors claim that the goatherds may in fact have gone to the Duchy of Mieczyslaw in order to watch the recent maneuvers, possibly even at the behest of the government in order to provide information for Saxe-Bearstein. Other rumors even suggest one or more of the goatherds may in fact have joined the Mieczyslaw armed forces. Official sources have refused to confirm or deny the matter, stating only that rumors are common in a time of militarization and uncertainty.
At the SiebenZiegen Inn, local innebriate Alte Ludwig claims that the Eisenhügel goatherder most closely involved in the original dispute has run away to join the forces of Mieczyslaw, and the Grauerhimmel goatherds have gone to bring him back. Frau Linkmeyer, the cook of the SiebenZiegen, feels that the events are much less sinister. "Those old fools? They've run away to join the circus, or maybe the gypsies. Irresponsible louts the lot of them. And that's *before* their first beer. After they get some beer in them, there's no end to their idiocy. Good riddance, I say."
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Grauerhimmel Fair Erupts in Anger
The annual Grauerhimmel Livestock Fair erupted into an open riot Friday after three herders from Grauerhimmel accused an Eisenhügel herder of having shaved a French fleur de lise into the sides of their prize goats during the night to hurt their chances in the competition. A fight erupted between the Grauerhimmel and Eisenhügel herders, drawing in additional villagers and citizens from both towns until the small brawl erupted into a full-scale riot. After the better part of an hour, the riot was finally quelled by the Grauerhimmel Fusiliers, quick-marched from their barracks under the direct command of their regimental Inhaber Colonel von Schlichter.
Briefed by the Fair organizers, who were hiding from the riot on the top of a haystack, the Fusiliers marched to the center of the crowd with lowered bayonets, parting the way without having to injure any of the citizens, and arresting the central figures who started the matter. The goatherds at the center of the controversy have been barred from the competition for the next two years, and ordered to pay fines to help clean up the damages generated. Approximately 30 additional crowd members who joined in the fighting have been issued fines as well, commensurate with their level of involvement.
Briefed by the Fair organizers, who were hiding from the riot on the top of a haystack, the Fusiliers marched to the center of the crowd with lowered bayonets, parting the way without having to injure any of the citizens, and arresting the central figures who started the matter. The goatherds at the center of the controversy have been barred from the competition for the next two years, and ordered to pay fines to help clean up the damages generated. Approximately 30 additional crowd members who joined in the fighting have been issued fines as well, commensurate with their level of involvement.
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