tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22025804862528412482024-03-18T23:01:13.044+00:00The Waving FlagA personal web logVexilliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568117694302239705noreply@blogger.comBlogger542125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202580486252841248.post-49070677801759588892024-03-18T15:09:00.007+00:002024-03-18T15:26:56.881+00:00DBA Army Design Tool - Update<p>
Late last year I released the
<a href="/2023/09/dba-army-list-builder.html">first version of this tool</a>.
It was a nice data project that I thought would fill a rainy afternoon
and be of benefit to others. Earlier this month Chris Laudermilk left a
comment that lead to a significantly improved v1.0.
</p>
<p>
Via email, Chris contributed a couple of neat formulae. One parsed the
options text removing the need for users to enter the number of elements.
The other selected the troop type where there was only one option; once
again reducing user input. Very efficient.
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH0vVQKg2L5ic2NDwN9sp5xP88eqANIeLiHHjln-3EO7bEas3VC7ZnCRD_kJVxIFGOVveeVrBrlGe6hbhcml3l_zPwq07bJrwpLGQriSZuzOFhBO5uT1eyeWmjoMhB_eJ0AAcCALbT-kwlir22AfveWsbx5o806lwwoht_EAiVrgurwqf22YVOsWErVjGh/s795/20240318%20-%20DBA%20Army%20list%20example.gif"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH0vVQKg2L5ic2NDwN9sp5xP88eqANIeLiHHjln-3EO7bEas3VC7ZnCRD_kJVxIFGOVveeVrBrlGe6hbhcml3l_zPwq07bJrwpLGQriSZuzOFhBO5uT1eyeWmjoMhB_eJ0AAcCALbT-kwlir22AfveWsbx5o806lwwoht_EAiVrgurwqf22YVOsWErVjGh/s450/20240318%20-%20DBA%20Army%20list%20example.gif"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
<b>What's new and what's changed?</b><br />
Unfortunately, there's a drawback with the second formula. When a user
selects an army and enters an option it overwrites the formula. Repeated
use would remove more of the formulae eventually removing them altogether.
</p>
<p>
<a name='more'></a>To make best use of the second formula there needed to be a way of
reinstating the formula each time a new army was created. Therefore,
the new version contains a relatively simple app script (Google speak for a
macro) to do this. The script also shows a notification on screen
confirming the change of list.
</p>
<p>
The
<a href="/2023/09/dba-army-list-builder.html"
>way you write a list remains the same</a
>; you just don't have to enter as much data.
</p>
<p>
<b>Scripting</b><br />
As I'm an amateur programmer, the use of app scripts is a big step. It
means that others have to trust the code I've used. This being so, I've
thought long and hard before deciding to release this version; app script and
all.
</p>
<p>
<b>Get a copy</b><br />
You may be wary of using a spreadsheet containing app scripts. Such
scripts, no matter how benign, raise security concerns but it was the only way
to provide additional functionality. If you want to try the new version
read on:
</p>
<blockquote
style="background-color: #f0f5f5; margin: 15px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; padding-top: 5px; padding: 5px 15px 10px;"
>
<p><b>Disclaimer</b></p>
<p>
The following link allows you to copy a version of the DBA Army Design Tool
v2.0 spreadsheet and associated script to your Google Docs account.
You do so at your own risk and in the full knowledge that it comes
with no warranty whatsoever.
</p>
<p>
<a
href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TCB_ATuGfy-omt6JvAv8USbz81h_26vyK4MHMmkqRN4/copy?usp=sharing"
>Copy to your Google Docs account</a
>.
</p>
<p>
When you first open the spreadsheet you will be asked to authorize the
script. There's a
<a href="https://spreadsheet.dev/authorizing-an-apps-script"
>worked example online here</a
>.
</p>
</blockquote>
<p>
The original, script free, version
<a href="/2023/09/dba-army-list-builder.html">remains available</a>.
</p>
<p>
You need a Google account, and access to Sheets, to use this spreadsheet.
You can download a copy from Google Sheets and use Excel but it doesn't
look as pretty and some errors aren't trapped as they are with the Google
Sheets version.
</p>
<p>
Finally, please leave a comment if; you've used the spreadsheet, you've found
any bugs, or you have any questions.
</p>
Vexilliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568117694302239705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202580486252841248.post-39427997847160612012024-03-04T15:24:00.008+00:002024-03-04T22:07:05.231+00:0028 mm Commanders (Essex Miniatures)<p>
When I placed my last order with Essex I decided to buy a few extra figures to
add some variety to the long slog of painting a 15 mm Hellenistic army.
I ended up with commanders for three of my Art de la Guerre (ADLG)
collections: Hellenistic, Arab Empire, & Ilkhanid Mongol.
</p>
<div>
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0iNyECxZSTPhn83nkeSd_UtsY-Z-wGGvnLpEdGyUxuBNW_UpHHrguxozTLLln6Ezvj3vt6gFTh-Hzntja3AN_RbfJoJmXFLAiTDQamVyjNPBpeviuC8sQftHAYsyGb5I4ILTqOoWlpjKeRj4072As0-0Zc4DQqLNz8AQ6q2Jvd-u0VVcDjk-dgfkQkbEi/s800/20240304%20-%20S8002420f.webp"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0iNyECxZSTPhn83nkeSd_UtsY-Z-wGGvnLpEdGyUxuBNW_UpHHrguxozTLLln6Ezvj3vt6gFTh-Hzntja3AN_RbfJoJmXFLAiTDQamVyjNPBpeviuC8sQftHAYsyGb5I4ILTqOoWlpjKeRj4072As0-0Zc4DQqLNz8AQ6q2Jvd-u0VVcDjk-dgfkQkbEi/s450/20240304%20-%20S8002420f.webp"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
The figure is based on a magnetised 40 mm plywood base which is the same size
as my 15 mm ADLG command bases. My plan is to use them as CinCs during
competitions. Afterwards they will be retired and placed in my display
cabinet.
</p>
<p>
<a name='more'></a><a></a><b>Painting notes</b><br />
When I painted
<a href="/2023/08/28-mm-arab-commander-irregular.html"
>my first 28 mm Arab commander</a
>, I decided to use the same limited colour palette as I used for my 15 mm
figures. This worked well for the larger scale although I tended to use
a slightly lighter final highlight. I stuck with this method for my
second Arab commander:
</p>
<div>
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBf7yRhy8eptDxsOp7fKUeE1gUzHsMMP-I1F1cj5AATw2-HBBx27wlE791XDFntF0B_JGoTRXWqJuA4D6Nta8o1xKxgMxsg1BNNXqQvtnzJoD6w54Tj9EYj4zMktIOFf7aplq1ZTB4lYGMAFkJirQiO20K0-n8yHDEPr0-O1NZ4yF3judxj11ZEHDjzo7/s563/20240304%20-%20S8002426f.webp"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBf7yRhy8eptDxsOp7fKUeE1gUzHsMMP-I1F1cj5AATw2-HBBx27wlE791XDFntF0B_JGoTRXWqJuA4D6Nta8o1xKxgMxsg1BNNXqQvtnzJoD6w54Tj9EYj4zMktIOFf7aplq1ZTB4lYGMAFkJirQiO20K0-n8yHDEPr0-O1NZ4yF3judxj11ZEHDjzo7/s450/20240304%20-%20S8002426f.webp"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
I was daunted by the cloak on the Hellenistic general at first. My first
layers made the many, many folds look far too cartoonish and I had to apply a
few this washes to tone down the contrast:
</p>
<div>
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBGxVPS-yb-vH7bCukQnytPx9Pyna-sPryPe1I8434yxsYCGlVGwtxCpLkt20SINRMoVmdFgfz3M11qdNjyY2yWP7yjc7Es1HdM0jX6mMpeKljJ5CkasNJjypxAz9sgJ3VMs2u2rxS_HXwxR14zzC6O3bmoKIxskeER49GJ4qMCML7wDZZwfPHBrF42kR/s563/20240304%20-%20S8002423f.webp"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBGxVPS-yb-vH7bCukQnytPx9Pyna-sPryPe1I8434yxsYCGlVGwtxCpLkt20SINRMoVmdFgfz3M11qdNjyY2yWP7yjc7Es1HdM0jX6mMpeKljJ5CkasNJjypxAz9sgJ3VMs2u2rxS_HXwxR14zzC6O3bmoKIxskeER49GJ4qMCML7wDZZwfPHBrF42kR/s450/20240304%20-%20S8002423f.webp"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
The Ilkhanid figure is mainly mail, so I changed my palette using a much
brighter selection of colours to emphasise the many small details. The
flat areas of the bow case and quiver proved problematic. I tried a few
patterns before I settled on ones I liked. The painted patterns are the
first things I've done that I wouldn't do with a smaller figure:
</p>
<div>
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVw7u5jJGToRyvg2DoJXQf4nK7wBklK5mPgpra7-avAt2e2KhDX7c4WfhyF_8sE2wtpgoipabZ9qxCSWXRwFYoJHbcGLTRq7daQbQwiu_CiLL4ikpksuF99szWmdS_AQ_oOYbU2IzjeCK84IHmHa687gdeMi_Y0OvBjqubBewp6qAb_aE8M7NuSKHCLM_2/s563/20240304%20-%20S8002428f.webp"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVw7u5jJGToRyvg2DoJXQf4nK7wBklK5mPgpra7-avAt2e2KhDX7c4WfhyF_8sE2wtpgoipabZ9qxCSWXRwFYoJHbcGLTRq7daQbQwiu_CiLL4ikpksuF99szWmdS_AQ_oOYbU2IzjeCK84IHmHa687gdeMi_Y0OvBjqubBewp6qAb_aE8M7NuSKHCLM_2/s450/20240304%20-%20S8002428f.webp"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
<b>Figure review</b><br />
All were very well cast with only minor mould lines and hardly any flash.
Almost all the details were well defined and very easy to paint.
The figures codes are:
</p>
<ul>
<li>
<a
href="https://www.essexminiatures.co.uk/collections/25mm-ancient-macedonian-punic-wars/products/mp37"
>MP37 General on Foot</a
>
(28mm Ancient: Macedonian & Punic Wars)
</li>
<li>
<a
href="https://www.essexminiatures.co.uk/collections/25mm-ancient-arab/products/abr7"
>ABR7 Arab: Officers, assorted poses</a
>
(28mm Ancient: Arab)
</li>
<li>
<a
href="https://www.essexminiatures.co.uk/collections/25mm-medieval-islamic-persian-1405-1503/products/9wp"
>9WP Islamic Persian: Dismounted Heavy Cavalry</a
>
(28mm Medieval: Islamic Persian)
</li>
</ul>
<p>
The Arab figure cae with a separate sword and shield so some superglue was
required. For the Ilkhanid figure I added a brass spear for longevity.
Plus there were some very small "pits" on the bow case that had to be
filled with greenstuff to provide a smooth base for the painted pattern.
</p>
<p>
One thing to note; the figures were not all the same price. The
Hellenistic general was £2.75 and the others were £2.35 each.
</p>
<p>
These were my first 28 mm Essex figures and I was really impressed with both
the quality of the casting and the sculpting. I'll probably buy a few
more. Recommended.
</p>
Vexilliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568117694302239705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202580486252841248.post-21689091631802802992024-03-01T18:16:00.013+00:002024-03-04T09:00:51.662+00:00Revisiting The ADLG Mega Table: Redux<p>
In April last year I posted a second article about the Art de la Guerre (ADLG)
Mega Table (or the table on page 22 as it's otherwise known). In it I
described my reverse engineering of the combat factors in an attempt to hammer
them into my head.
</p>
<p>
This afternoon I was musing on how complex the first round of combat is
compared to the subsequent rounds. Whilst using my reworked table of
combat factors to check a few things I spotted something amiss.
</p>
<p>
<a name='more'></a>In April I attempted to separate general combat factors from those
that only apply in the first round. What I spotted was; I hadn't done
the same for the few "Special Abilities" (from pages 17-20) listed in the Mega
Table (Javelin, Armour, 2HW, Panic, & Impact).
</p>
<p>
To me, it looks like the authors have chosen to list some abilities when the
troops always have it. For example; Javelinmen always have the "Javelin"
ability and so it is listed. Conversely, Light Infantry are not always
armed with javelins so their entry doesn't include it. Sensible really;
up to a point.
</p>
<p>
For my reworked table this causes a slight problem because, for troops that
always possess an ability, the resultant set can be a slightly confusing
mixture: for example Cataphracts always have "Heavy Armour" (all rounds) and
"Impact" (first round only).
</p>
<p>
To rectify this I re-designed the table to fully differentiate between factors
& abilities that always apply and those that only affect the first round
of combat.
</p>
<p>
There are links below to all the posts on this topic and links to pdfs of the
original and updated versions of the combat factor table. Please let me
know if you spot any errors via the comments section.
</p>
<p>
<b>Resources & links</b>
</p>
<ul>
<li>
2024 March, Combat table (<a
href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vTpE4jW7GTjWHoEcaX8ekxC7_F9gHJ6iPqUNnmDDc1mYO_WRmYHOLALxBz31CsMrkTKsXZpakLdEsEs/pubhtml?gid=463181543&single=true" target="_blank"
>web</a
>,
<a
href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iLW566XtyVRRjfaFKT8Md26sV4scYxSx/view?usp=sharing"
>pdf</a
>)
</li>
<li>
<a href="/2023/04/revisiting-adlg-mega-table.html"
>2023 April, Revisiting The ADLG Mega Table</a
>
</li>
<li>
2023 April, Combat table (<a
href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jOOexIe8HS_AieG6Uu9johI0yHG5LfhX/view?usp=sharing"
>pdf</a
>)
</li>
<li>
<a href="/2021/11/tackling-quirks-of-adlg-mega-table.html"
>2021 November, Tackling The Quirks Of The ADLG Mega Table</a
>
</li>
</ul>
Vexilliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568117694302239705noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202580486252841248.post-68662787693380020952024-02-18T17:00:00.002+00:002024-02-19T08:57:21.528+00:00AI, ADLG And The Madaxeman<p>
I'm sure we have all noticed the torrent of news about AI. I've remained
sceptical, but I've found some of the AI image processing tools to be well
worth the trouble. Many of my recent images have been processed with the help
of such tools. But that's not the subject of this post.
</p>
<p>
<b>Introduction</b><br />
I recently, stumbled across
<a href="https://www.perplexity.ai">www.perplexity.ai</a>: billed as an AI
assisted search engine. I started using it to research costume details
for my Hellenistic project and I was impressed. The results are
delivered in sentences with reference links and images (if appropriate).
It also says if it doesn't know the answer; a nice touch.
</p>
<p>
<b>ADLG & the Madaxeman</b><br />
Being curious, I created a few other searches including some related to Art de
la Guerre (ADLG). Of course, they all contained a reference to the hub
of Tim Porter's burgeoning mega-media-empire:
<a href="https://www.madaxeman.com">www.madaxeman.com</a>.
</p>
<p>
Much later, I was looking at Tim's latest battle reports when I spotted a link
to his 2021 appearance on the
<a
href="https://godsownscale6mm.podbean.com/e/episode-39-the-one-with-the-madaxeman-tim-porter/"
>God's Own Scale podcast</a
>
during which Tim describes the history of www.madaxeman.com. So, whilst
painting, I listened to the episode again. The portion where Tim
describes the somewhat random (haphazard?) genesis of his site was
particularly interesting as was the description of his scatter gun approach to
content creation and social media adjuncts.
</p>
<p>
Now Tim's been very influential in promulgating ADLG both in person and
through his website. So, putting two unrelated topics together, I
wondered how the AI would go about rating the influence of www.madaxeman.com
on ADLG and whether it (?) could identify any important factors underpinning
Tim's influence.
</p>
<p></p>
<a name='more'></a><b>What does the AI think?</b><br />
In short: quite a lot. However, the answer presents a completely different
picture to the one Tim describes in the podcast. So sit back, relax, and
read what www.perplexity.ai thinks is behind Tim's influential website and
marvel at the structure and coherent strategy beneath the apparent chaos:
<p></p>
<blockquote
style="background-color: #f0f5f5; margin: 15px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; padding-top: 5px; padding: 5px 15px 10px;"
>
<p>
<b>How influential is www.madaxeman.com?</b><br />
Answer from www.perplexity.ai<br />
Feb 2024
</p>
<p>
Madaxeman.com has established itself as a significant and influential
resource within the ADLG wargaming community. Its influence can be
attributed to several key factors:
</p>
<ol>
<li>
<p>
<b>Comprehensive ADLG Resources</b>: Madaxeman.com offers a wide array
of resources for ADLG players, including detailed army lists, tactical
tips, and information on 15 mm figure suppliers. This makes it a go-to
site for players looking for in-depth information on the game.
</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>
<b>Battle Reports and Wargaming Insights</b>: The site features numerous
battle reports that provide insights into gameplay and strategies. These
reports are not only entertaining but also educational, helping players
to understand the nuances of ADLG and improve their skills.
</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>
<b>Community Engagement</b>: Madaxeman.com's influence is also evident
in its engagement with the broader wargaming community. The site's
creator is an active participant in the community, sharing knowledge and
experiences that contribute to the popularity and understanding of ADLG.
</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>
<b>Accessibility of Information</b>: The site's layout and presentation
of information make it accessible to both new and experienced players.
This accessibility helps in lowering the entry barrier for newcomers to
ADLG and historical wargaming in general.
</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>
<b>Promotion of ADLG Events</b>: By covering ADLG events and providing a
platform for the community to share experiences, Madaxeman.com plays a
crucial role in promoting the game and encouraging participation in
tournaments and meet-ups.
</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>
<b>Influence on Army Composition and Tactics</b>: The detailed army
lists and tactical discussions on Madaxeman.com influence players'
decisions regarding army composition and battlefield tactics. This, in
turn, impacts the meta-game and the evolution of play styles within the
ADLG community.
</p>
</li>
</ol>
<p>
In summary, Madaxeman.com's comprehensive resources, engaging battle
reports, active community participation, and accessible information have
made it an influential hub for ADLG players. Its role in promoting the game,
facilitating community engagement, and influencing gameplay and tactics
underscores its significance within the ADLG wargaming scene.
</p>
</blockquote>
<p>
What more can I say apart from; "well done Tim!" for delivering order out of
chaos, and, as a fellow blogger, I'm truly green with envy.
</p>
Vexilliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568117694302239705noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202580486252841248.post-6309860025034959982024-02-15T18:00:00.017+00:002024-02-16T22:34:02.880+00:0015 mm Agrianian Javelinmen (Essex)<p>
This is the third set of units for my 2024 Hellenistic project. They
follow the
<a href="/2024/01/15-mm-hellenistic-generals-donnington.html">commanders</a>
and the
<a href="/2024/02/15-mm-hellenistic-camp-scratchbuilt.html">camp</a>
off the painting desk. It now feels like the army is taking shape.
Of course, anything I paint before the KITN competition in October is a
bonus as I have
<a href="/2024/01/with-little-help.html">borrowed an army</a>
from a mate.
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjTA9kZ3ebBR0DP0z4FeJCK3kNrNkFFsQN8pac7VyHGo-aEopMW4NJZxNrmv3dr1DDa6lsmNRylJCpzadkaG1muU2iY9apt2UqcFnhC8WZXYhDF-FEArySC7W8ErnAo8Eo_EyD9fZKPoA-xXbx15XO1WbYUHhtDHg6K3i5GqnZwasEh0Y8mTr8vQKpwXW/s800/20240215%20-%20S8002410p.webp"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjTA9kZ3ebBR0DP0z4FeJCK3kNrNkFFsQN8pac7VyHGo-aEopMW4NJZxNrmv3dr1DDa6lsmNRylJCpzadkaG1muU2iY9apt2UqcFnhC8WZXYhDF-FEArySC7W8ErnAo8Eo_EyD9fZKPoA-xXbx15XO1WbYUHhtDHg6K3i5GqnZwasEh0Y8mTr8vQKpwXW/s450/20240215%20-%20S8002410p.webp"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
These are venerable Essex sculpts (<a
href="https://www.essexminiatures.co.uk/collections/15mm-ancient-macedonian-punic-wars/products/mpa20"
>MPA20 Agrianian Javelinmen</a
>). Well up to their usual standard with few, if any, defects and a more
detailed figure review isn't necessary
</p>
<p>
<a name='more'></a><b>Research</b><br />
My usual source for this period is the "Armies of the Macedonian and Punic
Wars" by Duncan Head. Although it was published in 1982 it remains an
invaluable quick reference. Of course, many sculptors have used the
diagrams as inspiration and over the years I've developed the habit of
scanning Ian Heath's drawings as a quick way of identifying figures.
</p>
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href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DE817Telhe6-P3HryL117TQmv8XDvdA_WDSkeFVg2Kdqj6uBP15gvIxZOXVFFZyU6mvJ6IKMQWsTSQ0LGNJqViU9CjVh6HQ9Xe5aGM682WAhz9dVa72BAjeSoBtjSl_Xc_SCq65OteBp87mixRP86VuU5Fh16fAJ4FdMtnHgmVsRcMP9W6leFJJy9XXm/s450/20240118%20-%20Paeonian%20&%20Agrianians.webp"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DE817Telhe6-P3HryL117TQmv8XDvdA_WDSkeFVg2Kdqj6uBP15gvIxZOXVFFZyU6mvJ6IKMQWsTSQ0LGNJqViU9CjVh6HQ9Xe5aGM682WAhz9dVa72BAjeSoBtjSl_Xc_SCq65OteBp87mixRP86VuU5Fh16fAJ4FdMtnHgmVsRcMP9W6leFJJy9XXm/s450/20240118%20-%20Paeonian%20&%20Agrianians.webp"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
Having said that I drew a blank with these but, turning to the internet, I
quickly found the above which is from "Ancient Warfare" magazine. As a
result I decided to do some stripes and a plain bronze shield. I toyed
with the idea of simulating the circular design with a medium grey, home
produced, transfer but decided against it: a step too far perhaps? The
bright blue plumes are pure artistic licence: the real ones would have been a
lot duller.
</p>
<p>Finally, here are some additional photos:</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltFaT6qIQaaOcxPC1cWqN3U0AKOk5WW-sZxJurpYuiBKdH5CnFYKja3puJj_KhSliSIsClJbGX-GB1cR2E8mCS6ScM7hy38UYkpHFBLPPN7qer2YvqfjBzCqAsW5mv4UcHp_IqCoKkVd02-hd8j-rYyQ0g7MzVHwuu8Z0NfcvQcwSm4aRTIVxN8AT6lBf/s800/20240215%20-%20S8002408p.webp"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltFaT6qIQaaOcxPC1cWqN3U0AKOk5WW-sZxJurpYuiBKdH5CnFYKja3puJj_KhSliSIsClJbGX-GB1cR2E8mCS6ScM7hy38UYkpHFBLPPN7qer2YvqfjBzCqAsW5mv4UcHp_IqCoKkVd02-hd8j-rYyQ0g7MzVHwuu8Z0NfcvQcwSm4aRTIVxN8AT6lBf/s450/20240215%20-%20S8002408p.webp"
/></a>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvW9nIImVzExiW-t56tilj2E7Apjdegq3B8pPr5h-FAag68wediVnzC_QkkGDhahtgG56ZmiRFUowj6P_z2Tlky8FYNzv2TXtc_MKAuF5fMgpP7nxeuTq2tCOU5HDt61p63AJZINumaDP08dQF0vM1QL-1_oEjbEINrUdpMgLvuuwmt7PtV0rQYoultEzu/s800/20240215%20-%20S8002409p.webp"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvW9nIImVzExiW-t56tilj2E7Apjdegq3B8pPr5h-FAag68wediVnzC_QkkGDhahtgG56ZmiRFUowj6P_z2Tlky8FYNzv2TXtc_MKAuF5fMgpP7nxeuTq2tCOU5HDt61p63AJZINumaDP08dQF0vM1QL-1_oEjbEINrUdpMgLvuuwmt7PtV0rQYoultEzu/s450/20240215%20-%20S8002409p.webp"
/></a>
</div>
<p><a href="/p/paint-log.html">List of all the project posts</a></p>
Vexilliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568117694302239705noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202580486252841248.post-18266775531202216572024-02-15T13:06:00.004+00:002024-02-15T13:39:18.228+00:0015 mm Hellenistic Camp (Scratchbuilt)<p>
As I continue with my Hellenistic project my mind turned to what I would use
for a camp. Browsing the web for inspiration was a thankless task until
I rediscovered the excellent
<a href="https://baueda.com/fog6.html"
>Hellenistic camp from Baueda (complete with a quote from Polybius)</a
>.
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTFzAAZ8sET9BSkQkbijtrcNOTs98-9NxEql9byy03HPb0wdbDF82g4GcR6W7PnIbVzGjA8sl7eKwFV2NiidrnG-wdR0ihL2S2eeNGMuNs8LkhOHdsCM2Y-YYWfLcPMqbEgO0V_TrKGlPAhITMe1rAGIItJ5N3a85MRNmuIqPlFJDOVIDkd_Ywejoi4re/s545/20240203%20-%20Baueda%20camp.jpg"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTFzAAZ8sET9BSkQkbijtrcNOTs98-9NxEql9byy03HPb0wdbDF82g4GcR6W7PnIbVzGjA8sl7eKwFV2NiidrnG-wdR0ihL2S2eeNGMuNs8LkhOHdsCM2Y-YYWfLcPMqbEgO0V_TrKGlPAhITMe1rAGIItJ5N3a85MRNmuIqPlFJDOVIDkd_Ywejoi4re/s214/20240203%20-%20Baueda%20camp.jpg"
/></a>
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0SNkEI33Y-KM2IvfBiEZgcEzPg02WwXxPVeApt0-L_hEYEZhT03cjAhmht2aWu78G3txphCpG5gryYja-aJZ52OOn_M2SB9Dn9JrniZRAKKI0NxAYx0nuLzzw0XwIlNmLGUkLFeZkaLaEUsBC2tIHNwVAFhHS0yNUY5e0caO4eFgPytkgAU3S53Lgle_w/s545/20240203%20-%20Baueda%20camp%20%28rear%29.jpg"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0SNkEI33Y-KM2IvfBiEZgcEzPg02WwXxPVeApt0-L_hEYEZhT03cjAhmht2aWu78G3txphCpG5gryYja-aJZ52OOn_M2SB9Dn9JrniZRAKKI0NxAYx0nuLzzw0XwIlNmLGUkLFeZkaLaEUsBC2tIHNwVAFhHS0yNUY5e0caO4eFgPytkgAU3S53Lgle_w/s214/20240203%20-%20Baueda%20camp%20%28rear%29.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
The above is 120 x 80 mm and therefore far too big for an Art de la Guerre
(ADLG) camp which is 80 x 40 mm. Nonetheless, I'm sure the set could be
adapted. However, I failed in my attempts to find a UK retailer and so,
inspired by Claudio's excellent modelling, I decided to try and make my own.
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGoO88DW3fBa1H_OqFvV8RsiR0AtN8WDdxT9Vq177b71yemnnh-m5G72k7p6J1EVGVRs4K9XDszqe0NrOZVlaqP0IgtvYDdsjxV6gq01UBNt461dq7lg5wVjZIfP6Z7-oEuRzYZOp8SN4TpHoRvMP34zgMRmesfaweizJPBckmhMQD0LzH4TxfcoD7iZF/s600/20240215%20-%20S8002406p.webp"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGoO88DW3fBa1H_OqFvV8RsiR0AtN8WDdxT9Vq177b71yemnnh-m5G72k7p6J1EVGVRs4K9XDszqe0NrOZVlaqP0IgtvYDdsjxV6gq01UBNt461dq7lg5wVjZIfP6Z7-oEuRzYZOp8SN4TpHoRvMP34zgMRmesfaweizJPBckmhMQD0LzH4TxfcoD7iZF/s450/20240215%20-%20S8002406p.webp"
/></a>
</div>
<p></p>
<a name='more'></a>I also wanted to adapt the design to a more arid and less permanent
look. The latter would certainly be more in keeping with my modelling
skills.
<p></p>
<p>
<b>Bits & materials</b><br />
The core of this piece is a few
<a
href="https://www.alternative-armies.com/collections/15mm-hob-fantasy-buildings/products/hot57-wooden-stakes-now-in-resin-40mm-frontage-480mm-frontage-per-pack"
>wooden stakes from Alternative Armies</a
>. They are not perfect as they have lateral support battens and supprt
struts but they'll do.
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1c5-utOw3Wa59pat263SyPhMA0Nb22WFaT96QNRvLW4Kxdo4aJ3Z75cnazCKZvKaF4MasUjv095K0UyQaQ5C_IwE-uRpGNGScubuWmvloyOfOJhuz-SyN6SFPvsadkov9DaPZaIget0iD1WeA-Xsewt4ArYUkHIb-r_piO5xgpH2fEO_USzod6uUQ_bKZ/s450/20240215%20-%20hot57.webp"
/>
</div>
<p>
Some time ago I bought a
<a
href="https://www.alternative-armies.com/collections/15mm-hob-fantasy-buildings/products/hotw01-walls-bundle-all-five-hot-walls-packs-one-pack-is-free-2400mm-frontage"
>bundle of all their five resin wall sections</a
>
(12 x 5 = 60 pieces) and I had more than enough left to make the walls.
The rest is Milliput, greenstuff, paper and some matchsticks.
</p>
<p>
<b>Construction</b><br />
I didn't want to build a large bank, so I added only enough Milliput to cover
the base of the resin stakes and enough to create a small bank that could be
easily textured. On the inside, I created a platform from more Milliput
and added a step using a cut down matchstick.
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9PNoaIJ-EvYPHWX_UBFpSzYFcPKcVP8P20Z6dIyYrjtj7g7-oSIsR6zitO__IEOW3A1B076NNqJI6Lg5YtKMy8L2SwXLKOzZSHF411rbmLdcUpba7kREmAvMnlD_nOTeI1kfw4C1qQtNocnzV5If-M6EEVr3II0cZqzcVjv7m9bcuNMaK2UbppP6lK4n/s600/20240215%20-%20S8002404p.webp"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9PNoaIJ-EvYPHWX_UBFpSzYFcPKcVP8P20Z6dIyYrjtj7g7-oSIsR6zitO__IEOW3A1B076NNqJI6Lg5YtKMy8L2SwXLKOzZSHF411rbmLdcUpba7kREmAvMnlD_nOTeI1kfw4C1qQtNocnzV5If-M6EEVr3II0cZqzcVjv7m9bcuNMaK2UbppP6lK4n/s450/20240215%20-%20S8002404p.webp"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
The gate was made from matchsticks superglued together. The post is a
from a section of kebab skewer I had lying around. The two were
connected by two paper hinges. The post was secured to the base with
greenstuff.
</p>
<p>
To make a hinge, take a long piece of thin paper, loop it round the post,
stick the ends of the loop together, and finally stick it to one side of the
"door" with PVA. Then add a false hinge from the same paper on the other
side; leave a little excess close to the post and "tuck" it into the gap
between post and door for a perfect false hinge.
</p>
<p>
Compared to the Baueda version my version looks much more ramshackle, and as a
consequence, far less permanent. Job done.
</p>
<p>
<a href="/p/paint-log.html">List of all the project posts</a>
</p>
Vexilliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568117694302239705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202580486252841248.post-23721304645983121572024-01-31T12:10:00.006+00:002024-02-01T09:59:35.051+00:0015 mm Hellenistic Generals (Donnington 'Originals')<p>
This year I will be taking a Hellenistic army to the King in the North
competition in October. As I've mentioned,
<a href="/2024/01/with-little-help.html">I'll be using borrowed troops</a> for
the bulk of the army but to complete the list I will need to paint half a
dozen units or so of Thracians.
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzO1Pfb4wXxlj18V3ioPl45fYmXSNT6slU2uaJ83NlWzolR_-lFhlS2S4IyrGvogz35-9UG5nyaKCfiXgZxmTzIv_D887FwcFzA0pdJuVtqgDSECUKWQatUd2SdZ1apPAG3W_rMv9eCiaRrLuU3LE0wp9MlVpJbu6DI6gi1aRueBhnrM8-WsI1gWgX8ohb/s800/20240131%20-%20S8002399f.webp"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzO1Pfb4wXxlj18V3ioPl45fYmXSNT6slU2uaJ83NlWzolR_-lFhlS2S4IyrGvogz35-9UG5nyaKCfiXgZxmTzIv_D887FwcFzA0pdJuVtqgDSECUKWQatUd2SdZ1apPAG3W_rMv9eCiaRrLuU3LE0wp9MlVpJbu6DI6gi1aRueBhnrM8-WsI1gWgX8ohb/s450/20240131%20-%20S8002399f.webp"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
<a name='more'></a>Before embarking on this mini project, I decided to paint some
generals for the army for a number of reasons:
</p>
<ol>
<li>
Having my "own" generals will make the army feel more like one of mine.
I've never played with a borrowed army before.
</li>
<li>
I've not painted figures from the classical period for over thirty years and
I needed some practice.
</li>
<li>
To experiment with, and settle on, a suitable colour palette &
associated recipes. The period demands bronze, brass & gold as
well as some rich reds and purples.
</li>
<li>
To put as many of the samples I've bought to good use. I want to avoid
"wasting" as few as possible.
</li>
</ol>
<h3></h3>
<p>
<b>Figure choice</b><br />
I spent hours perusing catalogues online: one of the joys of the hobby.
I ruled out Forged in Battle fairly early on, due to their large pack sizes
but mainly because they didn't have Thracians armed as I required. I
will probably use them when I've finished the units I must paint.
</p>
<p>
Eventually, I bought samples from
<a
href="https://lancerminiatures.com/product-category/15mm-ancients/greece-and-macedonia/"
>Lancer Miniatures</a
>,
<a
href="https://shop.ancient-modern.co.uk/the-great-wars-in-the-mediterranean-14-c.asp"
>Ancient & Modern</a
>
and a lot of second hand pike from
<a
href="https://www.essexminiatures.co.uk/collections/15mm-ancient-macedonian-punic-wars"
>Essex Miniatures</a
>.
</p>
<p>
The Lancer figures are nicely sculpted but the phalangites are "large 18 mm"
figures with separate shields (one of my pet hates). On the plus side
they are cast open-handed so adding brass pikes is easy. I decided
against using these. If you'd like these get in touch.
</p>
<p>
Next I ordered enough samples from Donnington to do 2 mounted and 2 foot
generals plus a unit of cataphracts (why not?). Sampling with a purpose
I suppose. The figures are all from their "Originals" range. My
idea was to do a pair of early generals and a pair of later (Seleucid?)
generals.
</p>
<p>
<b>Old school approach</b><br />
The Donnington "Originals" moulds are known not to be in the best shape and
are
<a href="https://shop.ancient-modern.co.uk/donnington-originals-1-c.asp"
>advertised as such</a
>. So I wasn't expecting top quality figures but I hoped for some "old
school" charm. I've bought many Donnington figures in the past (Mongols,
TYW mainly) and really enjoyed painting them.
</p>
<p>
In part, I was inspired by
<a
href="https://smallitalianwars.blogspot.com/2020/08/late-roman-command-group-started-1980s.html"
>this late Roman army</a
>
which features some amazing results using old style figures, brass rod and
Milliput; well worth a look.
</p>
<p>
I knew I'd be doing some remedial work with the figures but I wanted to see
what I could do with really "old school" figures and a bit of modelling.
Overall, I'm pleased with how they turned out especially the officer
figures:
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i>Later Generals (Seleucid?)</i>
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzO1Pfb4wXxlj18V3ioPl45fYmXSNT6slU2uaJ83NlWzolR_-lFhlS2S4IyrGvogz35-9UG5nyaKCfiXgZxmTzIv_D887FwcFzA0pdJuVtqgDSECUKWQatUd2SdZ1apPAG3W_rMv9eCiaRrLuU3LE0wp9MlVpJbu6DI6gi1aRueBhnrM8-WsI1gWgX8ohb/s800/20240131%20-%20S8002399f.webp"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzO1Pfb4wXxlj18V3ioPl45fYmXSNT6slU2uaJ83NlWzolR_-lFhlS2S4IyrGvogz35-9UG5nyaKCfiXgZxmTzIv_D887FwcFzA0pdJuVtqgDSECUKWQatUd2SdZ1apPAG3W_rMv9eCiaRrLuU3LE0wp9MlVpJbu6DI6gi1aRueBhnrM8-WsI1gWgX8ohb/s450/20240131%20-%20S8002399f.webp"
/></a>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKz_7_6lcO0Lw_8cWUCDwtJIoLbpii3E-7kpHF4P2LfSWrx3xbFLPTsn_kEaTyczZFN7X5PCJY5jRw0iZeww1LVlkhs-mBEfSfgzU_bo4Rmo2QsvhUMULj11r0uJbrfRnvCNGI6gm6GAnxJZE53SD9Fb3fiDTd1k6-UZDWC8ZvxSDnA1x_VdJzRiN4nqw/s800/20240131%20-%20S8002400f.webp"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKz_7_6lcO0Lw_8cWUCDwtJIoLbpii3E-7kpHF4P2LfSWrx3xbFLPTsn_kEaTyczZFN7X5PCJY5jRw0iZeww1LVlkhs-mBEfSfgzU_bo4Rmo2QsvhUMULj11r0uJbrfRnvCNGI6gm6GAnxJZE53SD9Fb3fiDTd1k6-UZDWC8ZvxSDnA1x_VdJzRiN4nqw/s450/20240131%20-%20S8002400f.webp"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
It's worth noting that the later geral figure is alot smaller than the other
riders; hence the use of a piece of slate to raise the figure up to hide the
difference in size.
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i>Early Generals (Not Alexander?)</i>
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaZDM0bE6sxJh0OynKJxH5U6G7FMILs6ZxRmPpgAWr8WX064dJ4LIJpI4LgndaMkBClC5lVXZmBhVNhlH89FO85eXsD47i6KM2uo6NJ-Yy5WEdVgGoWETVSpAPJ6gSrb3jWme5as0sBiRboEFAn4bfUhU99P7SceH_LXqeJFu3FMPnHnSPik3ffwVN5yG/s800/20240131%20-%20S8002396f.webp"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaZDM0bE6sxJh0OynKJxH5U6G7FMILs6ZxRmPpgAWr8WX064dJ4LIJpI4LgndaMkBClC5lVXZmBhVNhlH89FO85eXsD47i6KM2uo6NJ-Yy5WEdVgGoWETVSpAPJ6gSrb3jWme5as0sBiRboEFAn4bfUhU99P7SceH_LXqeJFu3FMPnHnSPik3ffwVN5yG/s450/20240131%20-%20S8002396f.webp"
/></a>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV0W80kwpFFrJ38LCB2or1iw3dFDVA2hyphenhyphenfvx26K1iVidxrQYGdyplTQWXRTQL-VsPis9ZS69JA8Qnggy6Jy0Wwm2NCwjB67Xfo7wG9By9CTMLyjZqcT9P3mtpsLrmH9c1G9bO9aJP-HhwQef0WJUzMynA-clkSH-wWUXOnE_zDaNsd3_XnqGYZOye1sN72/s800/20240131%20-%20S8002397f.webp"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV0W80kwpFFrJ38LCB2or1iw3dFDVA2hyphenhyphenfvx26K1iVidxrQYGdyplTQWXRTQL-VsPis9ZS69JA8Qnggy6Jy0Wwm2NCwjB67Xfo7wG9By9CTMLyjZqcT9P3mtpsLrmH9c1G9bO9aJP-HhwQef0WJUzMynA-clkSH-wWUXOnE_zDaNsd3_XnqGYZOye1sN72/s450/20240131%20-%20S8002397f.webp"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
All the cloaks have been remodelled expect that on the later mounted general
which was superbly sculpted.
</p>
<p>
<b>Figure review</b><br />
I'd hoped the Donnington foot & riders would be quick to prepare and
paint, but they weren't. However the horses were superb; so much better
that their riders.
</p>
<p>
I pride myself in being able to tackle almost anything, but these figures
tested both my technique and patience. They will serve me well come
October but I won't be using them to form the bulk of my new Hellenistic army.
</p>
<p>
The preparation involved a lot of work. To give you an idea of how much
I had to do here's a list of the preparatory steps for the late foot general.
I ended up:
</p>
<ul>
<li>
Removing a fair amount of flash. Nothing horrendous but not minor
either. Even after this, some of the edges (around the arms, shoulder
pads, skirt armour etc) were still rough, so sometimes getting a clean edge
seemed nigh on impossible.
</li>
<li>
Making pikes from brass rod, compressing the end with pliers and creating a
point with some diamond files.
</li>
<li>
Using greenstuff to create a proper right (lower) hands as the pike figures
don't have a proper set of fingers.
</li>
<li>
Remodelling the officer's cloak with greenstuff. As cast the cloak had
too many sharp creases and would have been a swine to paint well.
</li>
<li>
Filing down the shields to get a smooth enough surface to take a shield
transfer.
</li>
<li>
Buying some Micro Set and decal paper for my laser printer to print my own
transfers: all the commercial ones were too small. The Macedonian star
designs came from the internet.
</li>
</ul>
<p>
The four figures in the unit only cost £1.60 but I bought what seemed
industrial quantities of brass rod, greenstuff, Micro Set and decal paper.
They'll all come in handy as this project progresses but it seemed a
lot.
</p>
<p>
When painting these, the main problem I had was my inability to compensate for
the sculpting (or lack of it) where necessary. My usual approach in
these circumstances is to create as clean a shape as possible for the details
against a black undercoat which can improve things very quickly. Then I
highlight where possible.
</p>
<p>
This approach requires decent and consistent edges. However, the details
on many of the figures was there but not incised enough making "shaping"
tricky. In some instances there was something sculpted that I didn't
understand: one edge of the infantry baldrics was particularly bad (lumpy) and
seemed to "disappear" well before the waist of the front of the figure.
</p>
<p>
<b>Decision made</b><br />
I decided to stick to the "Old School" approach but to use Essex Miniatures
for my Hellenistic Thracian infantry. Not least because I've already
bought enough Essex pikemen for my chosen army
</p>
<p>
I've now received my order from Essex Miniatures for the half dozen Thracian
units I need to paint plus a few extras. When they been painted I'll
tackle the pike or maybe do some cavalry.
</p>
<p>
<a href="/p/paint-log.html">List of all the project posts</a>
</p>Vexilliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568117694302239705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202580486252841248.post-78378226667900630072024-01-07T15:00:00.005+00:002024-01-08T15:38:01.747+00:00With A Little Help<p>
So far I only have one competition in my 2024 diary as the
<a href="/p/northern-league-index.html">Northern League</a>
dates aren't out yet. It'll come as no surprise to regular readers that
it's
<a href="/2023/08/adlg-king-in-north-york-14-15-oct-2023.html"
>"The King in the North" weekend event</a
>
at Haxby (York) in October. However, my attendance was in doubt until
recently and thereby hangs a tale.
</p>
<p>
<a name='more'></a><b>Not just a competition</b><br />For the last two years, my wife
has travelled with me to Haxby. During the day she visited York while I
played with toy soldiers. In the evenings we frequented the excellent
pubs and restaurants of Haxby. This made a really good weekend break for
both of us.
</p>
<p>
However, last year my wife said she didn't really fancy a third weekend
looking round York on her own: fair enough really. This put my
attendance in doubt because the evenings in Haxby would have been a lot less
sociable and made the accommodation relatively more expensive.
Thankfully, this issue has been resolved.
</p>
<p>
While we were visiting a female friend of ours in deepest Herefordshire, I
mentioned the above and, without any prompting, our friend said she "really
must visit York". On the off chance, I tentatively floated the idea of
her joining us in October so that she and my wife could explore York together.
I was amazed when she and my wife immediately agreed!
</p>
<p>
The trip was back on. All this without any urging or cajoling on my
part.
</p>
<p>
<b>Theme & army availability</b><br />This left the thorny issue of what
army to use. This year's theme is
<a href="http://artdelaguerre.fr/adlg/v3/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10063"
>"The Punic Pond from the Death of Alexander to the Death of Julius Caesar
(320BC-45 BC)"</a
>. Nothing like a snappy title is there? Sadly, I don’t have a
suitable army and there's no way I'll be able to paint a full army in time.
</p>
<p>
I mentioned this to a few people during the last year's event and one of my
opponents offered to lend me an army, which was very kind. In the end
I've secured the loan of a army much closer to home. Thanks to Bill
Skinner, a fellow Nantwich resident, I'll be taking some of his extensive
Hellenistic collection to York later this year. Not only is this is far
more convenient, it means I can schedule a few practice games too.
</p>
<p>
Having created my army list, Bill checked his collection and has most of what
I'd chosen but not all. I need to paint half a dozen units which I
should be able do by October.
</p>
<p>
<b>York here we come</b><br />
Having sorted all this, I quickly signed up for KITN 2024 and reserved our
accommodation. All made possible with a little help from my friends.
Thanks everyone.
</p>
Vexilliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568117694302239705noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202580486252841248.post-54184849022821331132024-01-01T15:00:00.031+00:002024-01-03T10:32:26.667+00:00 Painter's Miscellany #5<p>
It's been a while since I
<a href="/2021/06/painters-miscellany-4.html">posted anything</a> in this
occasional series. This is more a "thought piece" delving a bit deeper
into my approach to painting ancient and medieval toy soldiers.
</p>
<p>
<a name='more'></a>It was prompted by a post by Dave Hollin on the
<a href="https://soa.org.uk/sm/index.php">Society of Ancients forum</a>:
</p>
<blockquote>
<p>
"I have to ... admit that I obsess over the appearance of my figures.
Whether this is [the] accuracy of their clothing (including getting
the colours right), [their] weapons or [their] formation, as well as how
they actually look on the table."
</p>
</blockquote>
<p>
I began to think: to what extent did this fit with my approach to painting
armies? After some reflection I decided that the look is all important,
but not necessarily accuracy because:
</p>
<ul>
<li>
I am heavily influenced by the famous comic artist
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Kirby">Jack Kirby</a> and view
all figures I paint as cartoons with all that implies for simplicity and the
approach to shading etc. I've even been known to paint three fingers
not four (<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphensI-13hR5XIWrotk37kF6Bz7ybQgDoOBXvNEAssj1v0iYP_aZXJy6ZK5AxqcLPM4Ea3RKOsowgvgss7_yHbYQdSzSIO5jORpa8C6006meYPGhdAT16j1tT7Uih6aKLQmEBHilr47j551keTJs6MKI5mSYuAV9IoAMetSBhhTz36cpT6n1qJgonsX065L/s721/20231223%20-%20Thing%20-%20Jack%20Kirby.jpg" target="_blank">if you know, you know</a>).
</li>
<li>
In achieving the above I have been influenced by the likes of Steve Dean
& early Kevin Dallimore. The former has painted some really
<a href="https://www.steve-dean.co.uk/search/label/Seleucid%20Army%2015mm">atmospheric 15 mm armies</a>
which I try and emulate. But this is technique not historical details.
</li>
<li>
With this in mind, I research the period, but only so I can set a suitable
colour palette to give the army the "right look". After that I try to
paint freely within the palette.
</li>
</ul>
<p>
Invariably the final result will not be "accurate" but I aim for something
suggestive, and hopefully evocative, of the period.
</p>
<p>
Of course the final look may be historically based, but it could equally be
based on a film (think Hollywood Romans) or a clichéd toy soldier look that
has stood the test of time (purple & gold for generals etc).
</p>
<p>
I also bear in mind that the figures have to be easily distinguished on a
wargames table during a game. So I use flags and paint to do this
wherever possible. You know the sort of thing: knights with mainly red
and yellow heraldry and pennons.
</p>
<p>
For me this approach has a number of benefits. Firstly, the armies look
different from one another. Secondly, I don't stress too much about
accuracy etc. Finally, I stay well clear of painting every army the same
mix of red, blue & green (the modern curse of contrast paints).
</p>
<p>
After all, you've got to get some pleasure out of painting otherwise you'll go
crackers.
</p>
Vexilliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568117694302239705noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202580486252841248.post-5078498590172986932023-12-08T16:50:00.008+00:002024-02-01T09:59:24.555+00:0015 mm Camel Riders (Red Copper)<p>
We've all done it!. Bought something on impulse that is. In my
case I bought the
<a
href="https://redcopperminiaturess.gumroad.com/l/arabconquestarmypack?layout=profile"
>Arab Conquest Army Deal</a
>
from Red Copper for a mere 30€. The deal includes both 15 & 28 mm
versions.
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdWZaewrbBRvgGIr6tz3_4uodrn5wrnmlzSFd2_tDEVcWqPzI1MWoJMktHI75sv4fMmok1nrroAQ4PWZqYqLlQbWj7D3NNn78G0PhCmJYZsR5MvSlSv2yCnXtIHhXkjFxzrdDzERlblFwIhpKZ5bD8Jnf9as4PMldj1hyphenhyphen2OpYWuuQruz1-sHwa25CPA8i/s1005/20231031%20-%20Red%20Copper%20-%20Army%20deal.jpg"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdWZaewrbBRvgGIr6tz3_4uodrn5wrnmlzSFd2_tDEVcWqPzI1MWoJMktHI75sv4fMmok1nrroAQ4PWZqYqLlQbWj7D3NNn78G0PhCmJYZsR5MvSlSv2yCnXtIHhXkjFxzrdDzERlblFwIhpKZ5bD8Jnf9as4PMldj1hyphenhyphen2OpYWuuQruz1-sHwa25CPA8i/s450/20231031%20-%20Red%20Copper%20-%20Army%20deal.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
I want to make it clear that I do not own a 3D printer nor do I intend to go
down that route due to lack of space in my new home. This makes the
purchase seem somewhat less than sensible, but I do think 3D printing is the
way forward. Somehow, I managed to convince myself this would be a
sensible medium term investment.
</p>
<p>
<a name='more'></a>I also want to admit that I have no need for most of the
figures having recently finished a
<a href="/p/paint-log.html">metal Arab Conquest army</a>. As such, this
purchase represents the apogee of "wargamers' madness", or the "ooh shiny
syndrome". As the addicts say "my name is Martin and I'm a wargamer".
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYkjDYoNPNGpoLDZtseX9VYOjuWguCx8fre1tPh5DQW1LTgO58fO4l597tIhTAxHKBhRS9lWewplDchrKa4xsfp7F08flCKBE1e0WTsCgNRANnqTugLedBYjEEJh5sNM-v62UjQc5cMzb_a1CTBW2oPM-qKXKNtIKbb3AG5ZFHS293DYBrdZQq-Y4MIMwu/s1005/20231127%20-%20Red%20Copper%20-%20camel%20renders.jpg"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYkjDYoNPNGpoLDZtseX9VYOjuWguCx8fre1tPh5DQW1LTgO58fO4l597tIhTAxHKBhRS9lWewplDchrKa4xsfp7F08flCKBE1e0WTsCgNRANnqTugLedBYjEEJh5sNM-v62UjQc5cMzb_a1CTBW2oPM-qKXKNtIKbb3AG5ZFHS293DYBrdZQq-Y4MIMwu/s450/20231127%20-%20Red%20Copper%20-%20camel%20renders.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
All joking aside, I was really curious to see if, in 15 mm, the figures would
be as good as the computer renders (above) when it came to painting them (see
below). I have seen reviews of some 15 mm 3D prints that mentioned
shallow details and resultant difficulty painting.
</p>
<p>
<b>So why buy?</b><br />
Firstly, the files weren't that expensive; not that much more than a few
sample packs of metal figures. Plus there are parts of the deal that I
may use in the future. In particular the named commanders, camp items,
civilians and swordsmen.
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ErcIBcR98-EBnP5fZbBhRKQGBO-2whFRwyEB4NnN6Z-oyhRf53AYyRHIebmMebMZ8BfWkV3IfZgJa0S9BotY-SNUb_AbkMI-MgHRYpjz47Ggiu76rfT7pDck7Usr_rrwQn28UUYI3IZUNtMpek3pD2zeY9EGxKyUy-vuBMXB159vTDdaVIFTCbRGICC8/s1200/20231127%20-%20RedCopper-Tuaregs6.jpg"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ErcIBcR98-EBnP5fZbBhRKQGBO-2whFRwyEB4NnN6Z-oyhRf53AYyRHIebmMebMZ8BfWkV3IfZgJa0S9BotY-SNUb_AbkMI-MgHRYpjz47Ggiu76rfT7pDck7Usr_rrwQn28UUYI3IZUNtMpek3pD2zeY9EGxKyUy-vuBMXB159vTDdaVIFTCbRGICC8/s450/20231127%20-%20RedCopper-Tuaregs6.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
However, The thing that really drew me in was the above photo (amongst others)
of painted 15 mm camel riders. I've been looking for some decent
<a
href="https://blog.vexillia.me.uk/2023/07/15-mm-arab-camel-archers-essex.html"
>camel riders</a
>
for sometime without much success.
</p>
<p>
After all how difficult would it be to find someone with a resin printer
willing to help a friend? In the end one of my recent ADLG opponents, Graeme
Carroll, offered to print a few camel riders for me as a favour. Thanks
Graeme.
</p>
<p>
<b>Initial reaction & issues</b><br />
Prior to receiving these figures I'd only ever painted
<a href="/2022/04/15-mm-confused-general-resin-3d-print.html"
>one resin model</a
>
so I had no idea what to expect. I was sent a photo (below) of the
prints prior to posting. They looked good and I was keen to see them "in
the resin". I also wanted to see how they compared to my Forged in
Battle (FiB) figures.
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86ANnWwHwT3GC5EZkINQT8v7YyfcZqLREzBjF-SKW4FGKm2p_IYC0rBMXh82rjqAi25Ar_5AL3-m-ly-micUNLIXuDLRI3vq31Zb9s27zWsKhr_gm0ecYCweuDKHmz-tbeaRUxT_Oetf11j_LzASbNvcOUXptqj_bL-u6M3HOGgBElvjvyiZL9PAVOH3-/s1000/20231031%20-%20Red%20Copper%20-%20camel%20prints.jpg"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86ANnWwHwT3GC5EZkINQT8v7YyfcZqLREzBjF-SKW4FGKm2p_IYC0rBMXh82rjqAi25Ar_5AL3-m-ly-micUNLIXuDLRI3vq31Zb9s27zWsKhr_gm0ecYCweuDKHmz-tbeaRUxT_Oetf11j_LzASbNvcOUXptqj_bL-u6M3HOGgBElvjvyiZL9PAVOH3-/s450/20231031%20-%20Red%20Copper%20-%20camel%20prints.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
When the figures arrived I was pleased to see that the figures were superb!
They were even better than the photograph. The sculpting is
excellent with lots of clear details. All the poses look great and are
well animated. They fit well with both my Essex & FiB figures.
</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the batch was not without issues:</p>
<ul>
<li>
When the models arrived in the post, I found that quite a few had broken
lance ends, or one of the reins had been crushed in transit. I'd
originally arranged for these to be handed over at a competition but the
arrangements fell through. I've learnt my lesson: no more post.
</li>
<li>
I was able to rescue one figure using superglue but only because the break
was such that there was enough surface area to ensure a strong bond.
In general, broken lances are far too thin to repair; I assume they
are robust enough in 28 mm but they are just too thin in 15 mm.
</li>
</ul>
<p>
Given this, I'm a slightly worried about the lances' durability during games.
So, I've decided to base the figures with all the lances on the inside.
This should reduce the risk of breakages, but only time will tell.
</p>
<p>
<b>Rescue tip</b><br />
One surprising advantage of these 3D prints is it's relatively easy to remove
certain parts of the sculpts with a sharp blade.
</p>
<p>
Because of this, I was able to "rescue" a further two figures by removing all
of the broken lances (and reins on two figures). They simply "pop" off
if pressure is applied in the right way. The lances look to be printed
with minimal contact with the body; attached but not in the same way as a
metal model.
</p>
<p>
<b>Painted samples</b>
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI01ji_z96YXm-dqv9Qi2aDnzchNkUhxIL0tu8f0qwnG5GnvHsz5zwh9d6omwsyBaCpJlxlqw4-UOO732h___KQSok1dtxzdj9xEbQEj7HSv6yfscuOa2BnFtRHLzG_Jk6m13oyMy7M_GQdlJvccJYjP-sR73mUuNvzf8EAl0WDrHwl02wAp0EtPiN6iIV/s800/20231208%20-%20S8002383f.webp"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI01ji_z96YXm-dqv9Qi2aDnzchNkUhxIL0tu8f0qwnG5GnvHsz5zwh9d6omwsyBaCpJlxlqw4-UOO732h___KQSok1dtxzdj9xEbQEj7HSv6yfscuOa2BnFtRHLzG_Jk6m13oyMy7M_GQdlJvccJYjP-sR73mUuNvzf8EAl0WDrHwl02wAp0EtPiN6iIV/s223/20231208%20-%20S8002383f.webp"
/></a>
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLQa_Ieu6VvDzjTfwHqvXXdykB3Gxbkv3F3h4NH9VqXgaXReMeFhh_FupfTLSpEIvO1A_-SJdFbN82rihxrNbY9dYvgaKKiTK9Xdk3WerddberyfWHZVm6Zy_acADXjTFK9U4r9cVA5Fm-alL308wWkF4fcBjeKgHTt_vrk30CWggnusTz0LrIfgx4LM4/s800/20231208%20-%20S8002384f.webp"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLQa_Ieu6VvDzjTfwHqvXXdykB3Gxbkv3F3h4NH9VqXgaXReMeFhh_FupfTLSpEIvO1A_-SJdFbN82rihxrNbY9dYvgaKKiTK9Xdk3WerddberyfWHZVm6Zy_acADXjTFK9U4r9cVA5Fm-alL308wWkF4fcBjeKgHTt_vrk30CWggnusTz0LrIfgx4LM4/s223/20231208%20-%20S8002384f.webp"
/></a>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMjUxy-CDaR2WQb5dgKngFw6qpd50KIDUSnRivp7aL-ccvDhtdAEdMal07lvIGeZvTkV6bC3JJvyE6IK4CpX6JL7OfAL9ow1MQHolQZlEcoMaveiJjYrpqBGFuQm1QBt88AQhWB1wyJm_zxxnEdqf8-lkZ6OGIDdf2L3vCTrilz8fqpp5Lhs62X6gpnqM/s800/20231208%20-%20S8002385f.webp"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMjUxy-CDaR2WQb5dgKngFw6qpd50KIDUSnRivp7aL-ccvDhtdAEdMal07lvIGeZvTkV6bC3JJvyE6IK4CpX6JL7OfAL9ow1MQHolQZlEcoMaveiJjYrpqBGFuQm1QBt88AQhWB1wyJm_zxxnEdqf8-lkZ6OGIDdf2L3vCTrilz8fqpp5Lhs62X6gpnqM/s223/20231208%20-%20S8002385f.webp"
/></a>
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgweISiXpWpMojr_0vn9LxrpnwwNUVeCWh94LwdZUm27VqmoxqugWVZgwYfKemTcB889Sma52IkHx_8SbDaX5dKuMQiTZLpKZBvHGnj8twI2OzXWEf7QPVZaJSW969SW1e8S2k-Yhfry1iR1_tzTcDSu3Zwj3uHqL_sebtjgmL86v1GyOVI9zYwJVuDGE50/s800/20231208%20-%20S8002386f.webp"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgweISiXpWpMojr_0vn9LxrpnwwNUVeCWh94LwdZUm27VqmoxqugWVZgwYfKemTcB889Sma52IkHx_8SbDaX5dKuMQiTZLpKZBvHGnj8twI2OzXWEf7QPVZaJSW969SW1e8S2k-Yhfry1iR1_tzTcDSu3Zwj3uHqL_sebtjgmL86v1GyOVI9zYwJVuDGE50/s223/20231208%20-%20S8002386f.webp"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
<b>Painting notes</b>
</p>
<ul>
<li>
These figures were a joy to paint. They were so good I started using a
new brush to get the best out of the details.
</li>
<li>
I usually use hot glue to attach metal models to an upturned Humbrol tin
which acts as handle during painting. The resin models felt too
fragile for this method so, for the first time, I switched to Blu Tack.
The model was a bit wobbly during priming but was perfectly stable
during painting.
</li>
<li>
Priming with my usual large brush wasn't ideal. I had to switch to a
much smaller brush to work the primer into the depths of the model; there
are so many undercuts and deep recesses (all very realistic) that require
extra attention. I can understand why people might prefer an aerosol
primer for complex 3D prints.
</li>
<li>
The riders are well sculpted with both sharp and smooth folds that are easy
to pick out. All the details sit proud making them really easy to
paint. Things like cloth trim and camel furniture are a doddle.
</li>
<li>
The camels have well defined muscles and joints. The camels' faces are
excellent and rewards extra effort. The tassels on the camels' saddles
are so well defined I painted them really quickly.
</li>
<li>
Finally, I used a wash on one of the camels, mainly to tone down the colour
as I'd over highlighted the coat, and was pleasantly surprised just how much
extra detail the wash picked out.
</li>
</ul>
<p>
<b>Basing notes</b>
</p>
<ul>
<li>
I based the first figures on a metal base to give them some extra weight and
to allow them to be easily transported in a magnetised Really Useful Box.
Time will tell if this works and is robust enough during play.
</li>
<li>
After I'd based the figures, I realised they had a very slight lean.
Next time I'll put a thin card wedge under one side to level the
figures up.
</li>
</ul>
<p>
<b>Closing remarks</b><br />
As a low cost experiment I think this was a major success. Fragility in
the post aside, the figures are a joy to work with and painting is a real
pleasure. In real life, well 15 mm scale, the prints live up to the
promise of the computer renders.
</p>
<p>
I look forward to finishing all the camels I need for my Arab armies and
buying the next release from Red Copper.
</p>
<p>
<a href="/p/paint-log.html">List of all the project posts</a>
</p>
Vexilliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568117694302239705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202580486252841248.post-16971130241204603792023-12-01T17:00:00.014+00:002023-12-01T17:00:00.134+00:00Northern League - 2023 Review <p>
It’s that time again: time to review the state of the Northern League (the
wargames competition scene in the North of England). In fact it's a
little early this year as the organisers seem to be red hot this year.
</p>
<p>
I'm glad to say that this year I managed to participate in
<a href="/search/label/On%20Tour">my increasingly standard two rounds</a>.
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vlmbvB5Pqz_Pdj29FOTnBV5DmgMHvvmAajXL7r4s0Ad9xmqwH3mrjJ2mmtqfoYaiJongGR7jmI8ItR5DkBc05cxnTP3CNwgzNFhRXeR81xNzLH2xqfSOuz9bRSYFg1VK7NXi65o0oGu59wtLXcaTb8OVGz-MDsFdJdwjQ_V77rJnhQXUVOzJJdHZqqkq/s609/20231106%20-%20Northern%20League%20%28UK%29%202006-23.png"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vlmbvB5Pqz_Pdj29FOTnBV5DmgMHvvmAajXL7r4s0Ad9xmqwH3mrjJ2mmtqfoYaiJongGR7jmI8ItR5DkBc05cxnTP3CNwgzNFhRXeR81xNzLH2xqfSOuz9bRSYFg1VK7NXi65o0oGu59wtLXcaTb8OVGz-MDsFdJdwjQ_V77rJnhQXUVOzJJdHZqqkq/s609/20231106%20-%20Northern%20League%20%28UK%29%202006-23.png"
/></a>
</div>
<p><a name='more'></a><b>Observations</b><br /></p>
<ul>
<li>
The league seems to have settled into a stable pattern with average players
per round in the mid to high twenties. Sadly, there's no sign of
increasing attendance for either rule set.
</li>
<li>
Once again the DBMM players proved the most consistent in their support of
the League.
</li>
<li>
The number of ADLG players who attended all five rounds dropped from 6 to 2.
This a big drop. For DBMM the figure was 5, down from 6 last
year.
</li>
<li>
Despite the above drop, the ADLG players managed an average of 3.30 rounds
(up from 2.63) nearly matching the DBMM players with 3.67 (little changed
from 3.80).
</li>
<li>
6 of 23 (26%) ADLG played in 1 or 2 rounds. This compares with 3 of 9
(33%) of the DBMM players. This is lower than last year suggesting fewer
players are trying the League.
</li>
</ul>
<p>
<b>Data Set</b><br />
For those that wish to study the numbers here they are:
</p>
<table align="left" class="general-table">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="7"><h3 align="center">Average Players / Round</h3></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="left"><b>Year</b></td>
<td><b>DBM</b></td>
<td><b>DBMM</b></td>
<td><b>FOG AM</b></td>
<td><b>FOG R</b></td>
<td><b>ADLG</b></td>
<td><b>Totals</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="left"><b>2006</b></td>
<td>58.0</td>
<td><br /></td>
<td><br /></td>
<td><br /></td>
<td><br /></td>
<td>58.0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="left"><b>2007</b></td>
<td>38.0</td>
<td><br /></td>
<td><br /></td>
<td><br /></td>
<td><br /></td>
<td>38.0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="left"><b>2008</b></td>
<td>18.0</td>
<td>7.2</td>
<td>16.6</td>
<td><br /></td>
<td><br /></td>
<td>41.8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="left"><b>2009</b></td>
<td>7.0</td>
<td>11.8</td>
<td>26.6</td>
<td><br /></td>
<td><br /></td>
<td>45.4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="left"><b>2010</b></td>
<td><br /></td>
<td>8.8</td>
<td>33.0</td>
<td><br /></td>
<td><br /></td>
<td>41.8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="left"><b>2011</b></td>
<td><br /></td>
<td>11.0</td>
<td>34.8</td>
<td><br /></td>
<td><br /></td>
<td>45.8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="left"><b>2012</b></td>
<td><br /></td>
<td>11.6</td>
<td>27.4</td>
<td>5.8</td>
<td><br /></td>
<td>44.8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="left"><b>2013</b></td>
<td><br /></td>
<td>12.4</td>
<td>19.0</td>
<td>10.0</td>
<td><br /></td>
<td>41.4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="left"><b>2014</b></td>
<td><br /></td>
<td>12.8</td>
<td>14.4</td>
<td>9.6</td>
<td><br /></td>
<td>36.8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="left"><b>2015</b></td>
<td><br /></td>
<td>13.4</td>
<td>7.4</td>
<td>8.8</td>
<td><br /></td>
<td>29.6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="left"><b>2016</b></td>
<td><br /></td>
<td>11.0</td>
<td>4.8</td>
<td>9.6</td>
<td><br /></td>
<td>25.4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="left"><b>2017</b></td>
<td><br /></td>
<td>11.8</td>
<td><br /></td>
<td><br /></td>
<td>12.6</td>
<td>24.4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="left"><b>2018</b></td>
<td><br /></td>
<td>13.2</td>
<td>3.2</td>
<td><br /></td>
<td>14.4</td>
<td>30.8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="left"><b>2019</b></td>
<td><br /></td>
<td>13.2</td>
<td><br /></td>
<td><br /></td>
<td>18.8</td>
<td>32.0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="left"><b>2021</b></td>
<td><br /></td>
<td>13.0</td>
<td><br /></td>
<td><br /></td>
<td>11.3</td>
<td>24.3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="left"><b>2022</b></td>
<td><br /></td>
<td>12.8</td>
<td><br /></td>
<td><br /></td>
<td>16.6</td>
<td>29.4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="left"><b>2023</b></td>
<td><br /></td>
<td>11.4</td>
<td><br /></td>
<td><br /></td>
<td>15.2</td>
<td>26.6</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br clear="all" />
<p>
<a href="https://blog.vexillia.me.uk/p/northern-league-index.html"
>Index of Northern League reviews</a
>.
</p>
Vexilliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568117694302239705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202580486252841248.post-47594359527363494982023-11-07T10:50:00.005+00:002023-11-27T22:11:50.985+00:0015 mm - Iranian Cavalry (Forged In Battle)<p>
When I began building an "Arab Conquest" era army, in February last year, I
settled on a North African Arab army (132 in Art de la Guerre) not least
because it offers steppe terrain and camel troops.
</p>
<p>
Needless to say I got sidetracked into painting units for other Arab Empire
lists, but I had began to dread preparing the Forged in Battle horses (see
below). So I kept putting off these final cavalry. However, they
are done now.
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWMw45mU_IFIu8Qv20R_N96cy04dMLsgaaGFlslBnu65bx1kWRGfw1fG0U8BY0-ZJdOu9Nm9khHW1DuQQNuATsqoM2GdF1WeLsPdBvikZMLfoVpAtYvbeDq6WhN44RWp5ry6MunRRTU0f6XkaENrD3YSAfWmgmeEGDBkxO2lBIa8A1JGXxdkI1IIb9Fi2/s1200/20231106%20-%20S8002346f.webp"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWMw45mU_IFIu8Qv20R_N96cy04dMLsgaaGFlslBnu65bx1kWRGfw1fG0U8BY0-ZJdOu9Nm9khHW1DuQQNuATsqoM2GdF1WeLsPdBvikZMLfoVpAtYvbeDq6WhN44RWp5ry6MunRRTU0f6XkaENrD3YSAfWmgmeEGDBkxO2lBIa8A1JGXxdkI1IIb9Fi2/s450/20231106%20-%20S8002346f.webp"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
<a name='more'></a>These are Abbasiya (Tunisa 795-818 AD) and are heavy cavalry bow
(in ADLG) which is unusual as most Arab Empire cavalry are javelin armed.
<a href="https://soa.org.uk/sm/index.php?msg=71727">Duncan Head</a>
helped me identify these:
</p>
<blockquote>
"[T]he Abbasiya were a corps raised in Khurasan c.795 by the Abbasids. A
detachment were sent to North Africa with
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aghlabids">Ibrahim ibn al-Aghlab</a> to
uphold Abbasid authority, and stayed on when he began to act independently.
So they were actually Eastern Iranians, not Arabs. You could do
worse than use Ghaznavid ghulam figures."
</blockquote>
<p>
Up until these, my Arab cavalry were painted in somewhat muted tones.
With these I decide to add more colour to mark their Iranian heritage.
Even so, I restrained myself and stuck to a mainly a green/yellow theme
with only a smattering of red.
</p>
<p>
I also took the time to do bright patterns on some shields and all the bow
cases. The latter was for purely practical reasons. I hope the
bright bow cases will be easily visible on the table and differentiate them
from the Arab heavy cavalry.
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnn7OTjo1rxpCl7J4qwrqO5xEsC8G5Iwc77_4m3Zl6PUtMiqxC-4fft1QQTqa_uEFnuBQ5jliJLl7Qvh2O_rw6fnqtnb7HLe8JAtbeH8tECZkhxYxzODG3O0HKHxI8erkOTYhLZUT_MzLZtDM7VN8dgMehiyxL-E8yY4G-SxTBPevWpppTynK3cZ_SEAU/s1200/20231106%20-%20S8002350f.webp"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnn7OTjo1rxpCl7J4qwrqO5xEsC8G5Iwc77_4m3Zl6PUtMiqxC-4fft1QQTqa_uEFnuBQ5jliJLl7Qvh2O_rw6fnqtnb7HLe8JAtbeH8tECZkhxYxzODG3O0HKHxI8erkOTYhLZUT_MzLZtDM7VN8dgMehiyxL-E8yY4G-SxTBPevWpppTynK3cZ_SEAU/s450/20231106%20-%20S8002350f.webp"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
<b>Heavy Cavalry Bow in ADLG</b><br />
These are useful for two reasons. Firstly, they can evade, unlike heavy
cavalry impact. Secondly, they can shoot. This combination gives
them a number of tactical options (advantages?):
</p>
<ul>
<li>
They can approach heavy infantry and weaken them with shooting before
charging home.
</li>
<li>
Against impact mounted they can weaken them by shooting and evade if
threatened (space permitting).
</li>
</ul>
<p>In other words; they can be a right nuisance; if the dice are with you.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgQ1k1MwFIR9fJl9kmps9rJL6Lv5NliM-QcDT-GFNvLNDYPrVsEPHpQxOTQMFZiaQkkCkczfjmm4FpycNBq8xrVsCU0QAoJeHFLZaNDs5JZQX1X72ZDS782mxHJjhvp27sCaF40jOKPe5fyZ0lPEUBxwgmIHIasLN1fOQemgYZm8uGlpO6BfgCoTkFEFz/s1200/20231106%20-%20S8002351f.webp"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgQ1k1MwFIR9fJl9kmps9rJL6Lv5NliM-QcDT-GFNvLNDYPrVsEPHpQxOTQMFZiaQkkCkczfjmm4FpycNBq8xrVsCU0QAoJeHFLZaNDs5JZQX1X72ZDS782mxHJjhvp27sCaF40jOKPe5fyZ0lPEUBxwgmIHIasLN1fOQemgYZm8uGlpO6BfgCoTkFEFz/s450/20231106%20-%20S8002351f.webp"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
<b>Figure review</b><br />
The figures are all Forged in Battle's
<a
href="https://www.forgedinbattle.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=195_200_215&product_id=947"
>WE-AG02 Ghaznavid Ghulam Cavalry</a
>
and are taken from figures 108 & 110 in Ian heath's classic book "Armies
of the Dark Ages 500-1066".
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4l2JKLcXeSJ__wItYPmd_mJeK0RmdwVB6_9Y3MMdT3rZbhpkO8iCNa1T1obeNWCbqRpB3c_qpJOmGGTxDOV_AGaW4WHOYgecve-MhRtm9ZNjzM85M2WFqBM3IPiWIcDBsCcmvA88o4usap7QSle3T5K07rPi4zZvLTyIbONROn43GkCVPXogrSvkypat6/s310/pasted_image002.png"
/>
<img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-Iou_wSTUnJtzbpHGI31P8JN864QUBCcLv2Lnqgz8GuWYUNaLNpqLqw5-WD_qyQ33w-SK808bEkwBeRSw08sYs6XZNAM9csuVXu6bNE8l37W7z7ijUn5MsJpotyacIZNucQN3bK9NLLN-o3TWhBBDuzfKob-pfZsbJ-AHqGoMrQYfpRATqJAoRtEThE5/s310/20231106%20-%20pasted_image004.png"
/>
</div>
<p>
Figure 108 was especially useful when it came to painting most of the riders
as it allowed me to identify the various bits and bobs on the castings;
especially the belts and arm bands. I decided against painting the
pattern shown in figure 110 but it did suggest a more colourful approach would
be appropriate.
</p>
<p>
In general the riders are excellent but the
<a href="/2023/06/15-mm-arab-medium-cavalry-forged-in.html"
>comments I've made earlier about the horses</a
>
apply to these figures. In brief they require a lot of work because of
poor casting and worn out moulds, and aren't as quick to paint as I'd like.
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
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><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYjFiSWixM1OdN6qWZLvg4Z5aE4Hm6vyL9nxlNLyNgLDrwlsw_gTRjGeSfloysf_wllvc8GSvlaFirnnb64r1gUYaOqJyHZPZUtEqDnL-9o-3J9l8hrK_r6-UcVWARH35zJe2oeB31Ik3orAlDPJkfDpVbMGs7wQRKKib4zj11vtGJFTNjyXdfqWytYdL/s450/20231106%20-%20S8002349f.webp"
/></a>
</div>
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<a
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><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76OGImdq9ov7rpJxN0185Ln67a-A8-KwCMEwy1rIQuDhZ7hDViwgPH2iVJtU1h-yiMoxfJYDUocRwrm24aqYmcEXi1szQHKk9WLoIF88B4abUj-W_y-6rJnBLMcWVa6xIXGVcNyBnzDGOoI-P6XSlWKRMnNthzjcxon2576BS10XJDKlRMoFdNxKzWsYH/s450/20231106%20-%20S8002352f.webp"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
Finally, this slightly elevated view below is the one I will see most often.
It shows the colourful bow cases & quivers which should help
identify them during a game.
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqjNkeCsx-LTxVUZ8o__FRvnalazVkupPK2Fd7smO7eOk0avyviB2SZizMaPMtpN0MvdaYyXW3HisQ30R588ZUI6PhfnW71j1imksHYuG_4SciIP5CY8sTNRlsg_twQyEnCg3_GaEcf6AtOKSKS6RyZULMENmUTluiYl5chrXpPIJMft8nxwv7_JccY0N/s800/20231106%20-%20S8002353f.webp"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqjNkeCsx-LTxVUZ8o__FRvnalazVkupPK2Fd7smO7eOk0avyviB2SZizMaPMtpN0MvdaYyXW3HisQ30R588ZUI6PhfnW71j1imksHYuG_4SciIP5CY8sTNRlsg_twQyEnCg3_GaEcf6AtOKSKS6RyZULMENmUTluiYl5chrXpPIJMft8nxwv7_JccY0N/s450/20231106%20-%20S8002353f.webp"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
<a href="/p/paint-log.html">List of all the project posts</a>
</p>
Vexilliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568117694302239705noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202580486252841248.post-90537490303078121702023-10-29T15:00:00.134+00:002023-11-03T14:37:19.144+00:00ADLG: A Personal FAQ?<p>
Hervé Caille, the author of Art de la Guerre (ADLG), & his support team
run a list of official clarifications for V4. The latest version is
dated August 2022. The lack of a more recent version reflects well on
the stability of the new version (V4).
</p>
<p>
Even so, every once in a while something crops up during play, or on the ADLG
Forum, that isn't covered and should probably be in the next official version.
Here are five common situations that have been clarified recently but
aren't in the official version (yet?). For ADLG nerds only.
</p>
<p>
<a name='more'></a><b> Disengaging and Exiting a ZoC</b>
<sup id="fnref:1"><a class="footnote-ref" href="#fn:1">1</a></sup
><br />
The first question deals with a basic omission from the rules. The
answer is simple but isn't given as genral rule and should be included in the
"General priciples" on page 41. The second tackles an issue brought
about by the ambiguous, and confusing, layout of page 37.
</p>
<p>
<b>[Q1]</b> During these moves the rules say stop when meeting a new enemy.
The question is: do they stop in contact or if not how far away do the
stop?
</p>
<blockquote>
<p>
[A1] Contact is not allowed and for all the cases that specify "just before
contact", the unit must stop a few millimetres before the contact.
</p>
</blockquote>
<p>
<b>[Q2]</b> When does the special case (page 37), for mounted with a ZoC to
their rear, apply)?
</p>
<blockquote>
<p>
[A2] This only applies to mounted that cannot evade. Mounted that can evade
must use the evade procedure to leave a ZoC.
</p>
</blockquote>
<p>
<b>Charging in Groups #1</b>
<sup id="fnref:2"><a class="footnote-ref" href="#fn:2">2</a></sup
><br />
This arose during a game against a very experienced player. We played it
his way which turned out to be the wrong way.
</p>
<p>
<b>[Q3]</b> When conforming after contact during a charge, does the whole
group conform or do units not in contact remain where they are splitting the
group?
</p>
<blockquote>
<p>
[A3] Other units in the group may conform (up to 1 UD) to remain aligned as
a group. This is covered by the final bullet point in the definitions
section on page 50.
</p>
</blockquote>
<p>
<b>Charging in Groups #2</b>
<sup id="fnref:3"><a class="footnote-ref" href="#fn:3">3</a></sup>
<br />
The following situations only arise when the units are closer than the minimum
charge move for the charging unit (1 UD for foot and 2 UD for mounted).
The difference between the two is subtle, at least in my view, but I can
foresee important consequences arising from the difference during a game.
</p>
<p>
<b>[Q4]</b> When charging an enemy <strong>where none has evaded</strong>,
must units not in contact move the minimum required for charge movement?
</p>
<blockquote>
<p>[A4] No.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>
<b>[Q5]</b> When charging an enemy <strong>where not all have evaded</strong>,
must units not in contact move the minimum required for charge movement?
</p>
<blockquote>
<p>[A5] Yes and the group may split.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>
After the first contact in both Q4 & 5, units not in contact must consider
continuing their charge. Whether this is mandatory or optional depends
on whether the units are impetuous or not. In both these cases movement
distances are not adjusted:
</p>
<ul>
<li>
The units <strong>may</strong> choose to advance up to their maximum
movement allowance (see page 43, section 8, 1st bullet point).
</li>
<li>
Impetuous units <strong>must</strong> do this but only if they are in
pursuit (as in Q5) or will contact another enemy (see page 43, section 8,
2nd bullet point).
</li>
<li>
If they continue their charge, their total movement (initial & optional)
must be at least their minimum charge movement (this applies only to Q4 as
in Q5 this has already happened).
</li>
</ul>
<p>
<b>Diagrams</b><br />
Here are some animations that may help with Q4 & 5. Click for larger,
full colour versions. The units start 1 UD apart and, in the first two,
are not impetuous. Firstly, the answer to Q4:
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1pRhByh_wR2dSHOVubgudv6VfuOXTIzORBATCfH4X9pbe-IeFkGFJPgMxeOw2QQ3AOHo0V9sVwFzrRGcIy0vlLYZf9er6TJ-_1lT-p58i6dre9zxeDEV6LQF-KgZExfdcCw5Ed7ISkasHUOA0mlXdS-j0wE1HF4nB6Ny_okzJ5fhA13dDfpfH6sltGUyt/s900/20231025%20-%20Charge%201b.gif"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RRGKmHLpSm5qlbcKHKjBQdfxCuuBi-PsIeOU7zHMZbEHiV02Z-iq93MKlLfZH1f3S-WivlZtK9I1KGaxq2jN_SaRf9A87zudPSMW31Df-Ahk4vjX3FTaCUK-vlY-gHZrPWUiLCHlrXNY02ZSUofj-wbn3F8xOKATSgbXPMBfTjHH1He0bQMfm0CMcfRk/s1600/20231025%20-%20Charge%201b_small.gif"
style="filter: grayscale(100%)"
/></a>
</div>
<p>Next the answer to Q5:</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsZ5Ywew2Z1do13u9HL8PRYB8nMSY9S78X-p1N8PiWGO4yZxcx-IEE6lh92mJiro8aN5WEkI2TWhcndUTmwT4FVXNkJZHhgrsSmRF5uHu86PheYF6TyvqkZApxXlYqvSRw1cNlVgBemroX6A7eJ7C1qMpZwj0vz_2SrOjfb9tIa7THoj3z6IFyGHShnU92/s900/20231025%20-%20Charge%202b.gif"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzsNdZyC5az6A99zZbPfALVS_i3O1KrCd-hflMFSpjZUWBQAW3H0ZSuWP5QFA-WTbVXdrZE5M-9aQJ3rbY2aaOKZcuIJjJHrZIZLn5OBMh8yhcvtJ0qP-ogwiY7nc1nq3YQyNe8mtj0GT6byGHOniiw1LALQeqzLOEdbKT6xXZIXhNyPfF4Phqi3Z9BhU/s1600/20231025%20-%20Charge%202b_small.gif"
style="filter: grayscale(100%)"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
Both the above diagrams feature units that are not impetuous. If they
are the answer to Q4 is the same (not in pursuit and no other target in the
example) but, Q5 is different. So here's another diagram for impetuous
units:
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FgrBZf8Ocm0nSKlo1yojZbfrLjMLlLfhDbFZ0WDdwwAHleMtVVw0wIgBCUiklhb3fCekbO6j7sSvbiF-aemOYmqA7VIdmQ6vrONiDI0sXnt93Lpp9tnd6MzkjkY-bNLiF51GW2fB6KpkhJSz-oj9OyivQfq5B2wuaD06eZzIDKLIYhAto37kN47FPr2r/s900/20231026%20-%20Charge%203.gif"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZFrBp1e1TPBJLBkQivjnMVxYYnm16uK_UK5Z8bwAlCoqnIwXfXesR4ibc-AL6coOt21o90Q0antB2foWQJERphk1eU3XU107tDCxhoHt09lJYt_nXsnZwpxUGmYTVzGQ_4AkSXZFm-Iy-OxlbY-MmeSfEYf67abJ1INMLNKKOtpByDIYU7H4qu_Wn-8A/s1600/20231026%20-%20Charge%203_small.gif"
style="filter: grayscale(100%)"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
<b>Closing remarks</b><br />
This post has taken me an afternoon to write. Setting things out in a
clear and logical manner involved many attempts. Don't be fooled by how
clear everything now is (I hope).
</p>
<p>
The final answers may appear obvious, even trivial. However, some
engendered a lot of online discussion (never a good thing) and required Hervé
to provide "chapter & verse". In my view this makes them well worth
recording for future reference.
</p>
<p><b>Notes & References</b></p>
<div class="footnote">
<ol>
<li id="fn:1">
<a href="http://artdelaguerre.fr/adlg/v3/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10007"
>http://artdelaguerre.fr/adlg/v3/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10007</a
>. <a
class="footnote-backref"
href="#fnref:1"
title="Jump back to footnote 1 in the text"
>↩</a
>
</li>
<li id="fn:2">
<a href="http://artdelaguerre.fr/adlg/v3/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9591"
>http://artdelaguerre.fr/adlg/v3/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9591</a
> <a
class="footnote-backref"
href="#fnref:2"
title="Jump back to footnote 2 in the text"
>↩</a
>
</li>
<li id="fn:3">
<a href="http://artdelaguerre.fr/adlg/v3/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10032"
>http://artdelaguerre.fr/adlg/v3/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10032</a
> <a
class="footnote-backref"
href="#fnref:3"
title="Jump back to footnote 3 in the text"
>↩</a
>
</li>
</ol>
</div>
Vexilliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568117694302239705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202580486252841248.post-53836337116364871442023-10-24T17:00:00.024+01:002023-10-24T23:03:09.195+01:00Rankings! What Are They Good For?<p>
This is a follow up to my report on
<a href="/2023/08/adlg-king-in-north-york-14-15-oct-2023.html"
>2023's King In The North (KITN) competition</a
>. In it I noted that KITN attracted a lot of players with high
<a href="https://www.bhgs.org.uk/lart-de-la-guerre-uk-rankings.html"
>UK BHGS rankings</a
>. However, whilst preparing some tables for publication, I noticed
something unexpected concerning the rankings: hence this (rabbit hole) post.
</p>
<p>
Going into the competition, my expectation was that I would struggle against
significantly higher ranked players and that the top places would all be taken
by the highest ranked players. I certainly found the former to be all
too true at KITN 2023 but did the latter turn out to be true too?
</p>
<p>
<a name='more'></a><b>What do rankings really measure?</b><br />
After the competition, and for probably the first time, I began to think about
what the rankings represent. All systems have their quirks. The
BHGS simply add the first six tournament's weighted scores and from then on
the best six scores are retained.
</p>
<p>
This means playing often (up to six tournaments) will improve your BHGS
ranking irrespective of your performance. So, if anything, and for many,
rankings are more a measure of tournament attendance than an indicator of
performance.<sup id="fnref:1"
><a class="footnote-ref" href="#fn:1">1</a>,</sup
>
<sup id="fnref:2"><a class="footnote-ref" href="#fn:2">2</a></sup>
For those that play in lots of tournaments their ranking switches to
representing them at their best.
</p>
<p>
<b>Are rankings predictive?</b><br />
At this point I began to wonder just how predictive the rankings actually are.
To investigate this I ran a simple comparison. I asked how well
did the UK BHGS rankings predict the final placings at KITN? Not in each
game but across the whole weekend.
</p>
<p>
The prediction I used was the simplest I could think of: the highest ranked
player was predicted to finish first and the lowest ranked player would finish
last. Nothing complex.
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2FN85-L1zkO9nei2VPi3bbLILZCHrGHMMEyo5hzw6Ql1ba-nVEDwptJWCzswV8wzGdEfvUbprSj28125XQKvS0W66p7j7epfn6_6gj4jR8Vcr7hmQfYAfPFqQOTR8Q0VQxVpQNGq1-91dllbmUmiToqy2Ws8MxoEiTpiZnxmBvm2ATas5_pqOcFlD-36/s668/Screenshot_2023-10-20_14-59-20.png"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2FN85-L1zkO9nei2VPi3bbLILZCHrGHMMEyo5hzw6Ql1ba-nVEDwptJWCzswV8wzGdEfvUbprSj28125XQKvS0W66p7j7epfn6_6gj4jR8Vcr7hmQfYAfPFqQOTR8Q0VQxVpQNGq1-91dllbmUmiToqy2Ws8MxoEiTpiZnxmBvm2ATas5_pqOcFlD-36/s450/Screenshot_2023-10-20_14-59-20.png"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
In the above you can see how well, or indeed how badly, the top ten places
(Position) matched those predicted by the UK Rankings (Predicted) along with
the difference between the two. Specifically:
</p>
<ul>
<li>
There were only four players in the top ten from the top ten ranked players
at the competition. John Hogan and Gary Lind did significantly better
than their rankings predicted finishing second and fourth respectively.
</li>
<li>
Likewise were there only six players in the bottom ten from the bottom ten
ranked players. Chris Proudfoot and Dave Allen seem to have had particularly
"bad" tournaments (I am sure they enjoyed the weekend).
</li>
<li>
Looking more broadly, there were only four players from outside the top
fifteen ranked players in the top fifteen places.
</li>
</ul>
<p>
<a
href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vTCvjLALV3WLmrFrAVhg3h9HFiryiPO-GGQ_s9ROdYyGv7gkAiQm1KL04LWfuA-Ewd_XnWIKOodHmed/pubhtml?gid=593715067&single=true"
>All the data is tabulated here</a
>.
</p>
<p>
From this you can see that the rankings were not a very good predictor of
performance at KITN. They had some predictive value, as the last point
above demonstrates, but only in the very broadest sense. Certainly not
good enough to make things a forgone conclusion. It's always dangerous
to generalise from just one piece of analysis but I suspect this will always
be the case.
</p>
<p>
<b>Other factors involved</b><br />
Why should rankings be so poorly predictive? Don't high rankings mean stronger
players? I see a number of factors influencing why this might not always
be the case:
</p>
<ul>
<li>
The BHGS rankings favour players who play regularly, and frequently.
But not every good player does this.<sup id="fnref:2"
><a class="footnote-ref" href="#fn:2">2</a>,</sup
>
<sup id="fnref:3"><a class="footnote-ref" href="#fn:3">3</a></sup>
</li>
<li>
BHGS rankings to do not represent the full range of results for players
who've played in more than six tournaments: they represent their best six
results not their overall performance.
</li>
<li>
Players may have chosen an army for fun, and to challenge themselves, rather
than simply picking a "killer" army.
</li>
<li>
The theme may contain a player's favourite army; one that really suits their
style of play. This should boost their chances of outperforming their
rankings. Of course the obverse is also true.
</li>
<li>
The mechanism of the draw usually means that players quickly end up playing
opponents of similar ability (on the day). This makes matches closer
and the result more subject to random factors.
</li>
<li>
Random chance (luck). A few bad dice rolls at the wrong time can sway
a game; especially if the game is close.
</li>
<li>
Players are human and not every player plays at their very best all the
time.
</li>
</ul>
<p>
So it's not a case of rankings being good for "absolutely nothing", things
seem to work out if you look at a broad enough picture but as soon as you look
at the detail they are far less useful. I suppose, after all, they are
just one (slightly complicated) way of looking at previous performance; like
any league table.
</p>
<p>
Finally, award yourself a gold star [sic] if you spotted the
<a href="https://youtu.be/01-2pNCZiNk">Edwin Starr</a> allusion.
</p>
<div class="footnote">
<b>Notes</b>
<ol>
<li id="fn:1">
A player who has attended four tournaments will have a better ranking than
an equally proficient player who has only attended two. Once players have
played in more than six tournaments the situation changes. <a
class="footnote-backref"
href="#fnref:1"
title="Jump back to footnote 1 in the text"
>↩</a
>
</li>
<li id="fn:2">
By June 2023, only
<a
href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vTCvjLALV3WLmrFrAVhg3h9HFiryiPO-GGQ_s9ROdYyGv7gkAiQm1KL04LWfuA-Ewd_XnWIKOodHmed/pubhtml?gid=1810763332&single=true"
>31 (16.8%) of 185 UK players had played in more than six tournaments</a
>. <a
class="footnote-backref"
href="#fnref:2"
title="Jump back to footnote 2 in the text"
>↩</a
>
</li>
<li id="fn:3">
At KITN 2023, only
<a
href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vTCvjLALV3WLmrFrAVhg3h9HFiryiPO-GGQ_s9ROdYyGv7gkAiQm1KL04LWfuA-Ewd_XnWIKOodHmed/pubhtml?gid=1230509485&single=true"
>11 (36.7%) of 30 players had played in more than six tournaments</a
>. <a
class="footnote-backref"
href="#fnref:3"
title="Jump back to footnote 3 in the text"
>↩</a
>
</li>
</ol>
</div>
Vexilliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568117694302239705noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202580486252841248.post-78011812441410119702023-10-19T14:36:00.003+01:002023-10-19T18:00:26.856+01:00ADLG: King In The North (York, 14 - 15 Oct 2023) <p>
<b>Introduction</b><br />
For the second year running I attended this excellent competition. When
the theme was announced I was relieved to see that my recently completed Arabs
just sneaked into the "Vikings!" theme thanks to the Andalusian Arabs list
(ADLG list 133).
</p>
<p>
As it turned out this was a very
<a
href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vTCvjLALV3WLmrFrAVhg3h9HFiryiPO-GGQ_s9ROdYyGv7gkAiQm1KL04LWfuA-Ewd_XnWIKOodHmed/pubhtml?gid=2007970574&single=true"
>popular choice</a
>
with three other players opting to pit Arabs against the even more popular Irish
and Viking armies.
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3DhCVvBXXzXCVdHSDu1xGUBHBm30gN1ept3bNcc9eKWc9X3KH5jRaNk6Myg5dYj01we1xXPDLyyohMeL6ezRgYSI7WbCXq9NXUlbZBAQ2tdXE5TuGmCmc-nUo6IuG1ZPU7ahVOf4vvOLu_WsdttBX8DjXm3PN-zlyL3gnrdMIA-WFT676p2MGvKxMoxnp/s1920/20230829%20-%20Haxby%20Memorial%20Hall.webp"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3DhCVvBXXzXCVdHSDu1xGUBHBm30gN1ept3bNcc9eKWc9X3KH5jRaNk6Myg5dYj01we1xXPDLyyohMeL6ezRgYSI7WbCXq9NXUlbZBAQ2tdXE5TuGmCmc-nUo6IuG1ZPU7ahVOf4vvOLu_WsdttBX8DjXm3PN-zlyL3gnrdMIA-WFT676p2MGvKxMoxnp/s450/20230829%20-%20Haxby%20Memorial%20Hall.webp"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
<b>Travel</b><br />
On Friday the 13th my wife and I set out for darkest Yorkshire in the pouring
rain. To make matters more interesting it was the first long journey in
our new car: new control layout and computer beeps a plenty. Three hours
later the rain had stopped and we had reached our B&B in Haxby. We
were staying in the
<a
href="/2022/10/adlg-king-in-north-york-15-16-oct-2022.html"
>same place as last year</a
>
so finding it wasn't a problem.
</p>
<p>
<a name='more'></a>After a cup of tea we walked into the centre of the village to
check out the parking at the new venue and the bus times into York.
Looking through the windows of the hall revealed a great venue: airy
with lots of space and it looked very well maintained.
</p>
<p>
<b>Event Summary</b>
</p>
<table class="adlg-table">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="95">Event</td>
<td>King in the North 2023</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Date</td>
<td>14th & 15th October 2023</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rules Version</td>
<td>ADLG 4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Theme</td>
<td>Vikings! 790-1049AD</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Venue</td>
<td>Haxby Memorial Hall, York. YO32 3HT</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Army</td>
<td>Andalusian Arab (#133)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Army list</td>
<td>
<a
href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/12MvxkrgPnTu3FH29EN1azali9nyvwRM3/view?usp=sharing"
>133.0.07</a
>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Army date</td>
<td>800 AD</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Entrants</td>
<td>
<a
href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vTCvjLALV3WLmrFrAVhg3h9HFiryiPO-GGQ_s9ROdYyGv7gkAiQm1KL04LWfuA-Ewd_XnWIKOodHmed/pubhtml?gid=0&single=true"
>30 players (all singles)</a
>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>My results</td>
<td>25th of 30 with 203 points. 1 win, 1 draw & 3 losses.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>All results</td>
<td>
<a
href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vTCvjLALV3WLmrFrAVhg3h9HFiryiPO-GGQ_s9ROdYyGv7gkAiQm1KL04LWfuA-Ewd_XnWIKOodHmed/pubhtml?gid=252720068&single=true"
>Final placings</a
>.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>
<b>Quality Counts</b><br />
The competition was a strong one and the biggest I've attended. There
were 30 players from throughout the North & Scotland, but only just.
At the very last minute, a player from Scotland was persuaded by his
mates to attend after a late withdrawal left an odd number of players.
</p>
<p>
The final roster revealed a lot of excellent players. There were 11 with
a UK BHGS ranking in the top 25 and a further 7 with a ranking between 26 and
50. My ranking was 102 and I was one of four with a ranking over 100 (or
no ranking at all). For those interested in such things I have prepared
a
<a
href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vTCvjLALV3WLmrFrAVhg3h9HFiryiPO-GGQ_s9ROdYyGv7gkAiQm1KL04LWfuA-Ewd_XnWIKOodHmed/pubhtml?gid=1540058774&single=true"
>full distribution</a
>.
</p>
<p>
Having looked at the opposing armies and the player's rankings, I decided that
as long as I avoided "winning" the the wooden spoon anything else would be a
bonus.
</p>
<p>
<b>Strategy</b><br />
It was simple. I chose an army with high initiative (4) intending to
control the choice of terrain. Specifically, I wanted to avoid my
opponents narrowing the table by placing a coast. I needed space for my
cavalry.
</p>
<p>
As insurance, I'd chosen a small but powerful mounted command which I could
flank march if I ended up facing a narrow battlefield. I had a strong
heavy infantry command supported by light medium infantry (LMI: bow and
javelin men) and a rough terrain command with more LMI which I hoped would
allow me to contest certain key pieces of terrain (which never happened) or
protect the camp (this didn't happen either).
</p>
<p>
In the end I did control the terrain but all the battlefields were very open
and my poor LMI seldom had anywhere to hide. They were to prove my main
weakness.
</p>
<p>
<b>Game #1</b>
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDI1wsn7OWQVD75M-3h0QuX3pNKGwaUZP1mWHWtPfU6PQNsW0W8SXothT8WKsY7ZmW73SqI9DNLnAMZBU3yejqUqq3oQyKkrPuObvP4vhWI_sJU91NRCbYCDmB9rB4tyPsgDAfUzqrGj1LmyoVRzdNVdoG20xZ-Y-6s72cpnqRp0m0o8K5GeyA1JZrjCmz/s800/20231016%20-%20S8002336c.jpg"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDI1wsn7OWQVD75M-3h0QuX3pNKGwaUZP1mWHWtPfU6PQNsW0W8SXothT8WKsY7ZmW73SqI9DNLnAMZBU3yejqUqq3oQyKkrPuObvP4vhWI_sJU91NRCbYCDmB9rB4tyPsgDAfUzqrGj1LmyoVRzdNVdoG20xZ-Y-6s72cpnqRp0m0o8K5GeyA1JZrjCmz/s400/20231016%20-%20S8002336c.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<table class="adlg-table">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="95">Opposition</td>
<td>Graeme Carroll</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Army</td>
<td>Armourican Breton</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Army number</td>
<td>149</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Initiative</td>
<td>Won</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>My Posture</td>
<td>Defending</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Terrain</td>
<td>Plain</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Game time</td>
<td>1:40</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Attrition Scores</td>
<td>27/25 to 16/29</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Decisive</td>
<td>Yes</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Points</td>
<td>21 to 89</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Result</td>
<td>Loss</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>
Graeme had printed, painted and based his army in two weeks to a really high
standard! He was just as quick to defeat me. He only had three
troop types in his army and they could all shoot and evade. He picked on
my LMI bow and I made a mistake in attacking LH javelin with LH bow. In
the middle of the game I did some damage but not enough to trouble Graeme.
Played in a great spirit and there's no shame in losing to a top ten
player.
</p>
<p>
<b>Game #2</b>
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2qqH0XqCDiGmpL47iH3zmNORuEMLM60ayZdbo0mBviNG956XmH2m-5G8xQTCMIfXpFxOoXvHau3WrsPOZCYUZKjBbEfWQJCnNL6hKyPKzNrCZDWkf_ucCl954YVZsVndfTj3gVokAilmTM-fu7X2bUZIn7i7y8q-C3lgH8Knbld8ShHsKytL42JQ32Eq/s800/20231016%20-%20S8002337c.jpg"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2qqH0XqCDiGmpL47iH3zmNORuEMLM60ayZdbo0mBviNG956XmH2m-5G8xQTCMIfXpFxOoXvHau3WrsPOZCYUZKjBbEfWQJCnNL6hKyPKzNrCZDWkf_ucCl954YVZsVndfTj3gVokAilmTM-fu7X2bUZIn7i7y8q-C3lgH8Knbld8ShHsKytL42JQ32Eq/s400/20231016%20-%20S8002337c.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<table class="adlg-table">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="95">Opposition</td>
<td>Andy Fyfe</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Army</td>
<td>Andalusian Arab</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Army number</td>
<td>133</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Initiative</td>
<td>Won</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>My Posture</td>
<td>Attacking</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Terrain</td>
<td>Plain</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Game time</td>
<td>2:35 (timed out)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Attrition Scores</td>
<td>25/25 to 16/25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Decisive</td>
<td>Yes</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Points</td>
<td>22 to 88</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Result</td>
<td>Loss</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>
A civil that was very nearly a draw. Andy was a canny player and again I
was causing him a few problems but my LMI bow & javelin just weren't up to
it. The competition was using a "hard" dice down to end each game.
The last pair of combat dice gave Andy the point he needed to break my
army. To rub salt in the wound my score was very high. Bugger!
</p>
<p>
<b>Game #3</b>
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxM4mmndgUDreEGhQF4dZYjUQcgk-OJsqviRcLnv9dysv6I5z6W5VUmwcAovM8SOAYpjRYkUq7CaEOp5CG0L5sXgtQ2_6DK0kaheEQZi_TFhZfFkZBeySVwJwUi8nWQjbf2e-taCMHeYWfKyHMfu48Io96bkjS8MtCd9pTBUISwcxUFvffo0UY2du0rmT9/s800/20231016%20-%20S8002338c.jpg"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxM4mmndgUDreEGhQF4dZYjUQcgk-OJsqviRcLnv9dysv6I5z6W5VUmwcAovM8SOAYpjRYkUq7CaEOp5CG0L5sXgtQ2_6DK0kaheEQZi_TFhZfFkZBeySVwJwUi8nWQjbf2e-taCMHeYWfKyHMfu48Io96bkjS8MtCd9pTBUISwcxUFvffo0UY2du0rmT9/s400/20231016%20-%20S8002338c.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<table class="adlg-table">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="95">Opposition</td>
<td>Bob Middlemist</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Army</td>
<td>Andalusian Arab</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Army number</td>
<td>133</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Initiative</td>
<td>Won</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>My Posture</td>
<td>Attacking</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Terrain</td>
<td>Plain</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Game time</td>
<td>1:10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Attrition Scores</td>
<td>20/20 to 20/23</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Decisive</td>
<td>Yes (due to a failed flank march)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Points</td>
<td>24 to 86</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Result</td>
<td>Loss</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>
I've played Bob before and he's always a gentleman. Another civil war
and the only game with a narrowed battlefield. So I sent my cavalry
command on a flank march. Needless to say it never arrived. The
game was very close but Bob took my camp for four easy points. I was
partly to blame as I'd placed the camp in totally the wrong place.
Otherwise we were neck and neck, but the camp and the failure of the
flank march did for me.
</p>
<p>
<b>Game #4</b>
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZ9SbusciNFz4QiuvcoJJ6bOPrPGp5G8HsNdUQYSk9F3jVJyHhSJT5XE1q351cc9kNde8EX0Yr_5-SbWhcvP_q9lQg2wP5dZxPQ3QJYw_bGS9WvruGETm0Cjq14wOSAnABu9Zn2odubmAgncLhZfO70Kl96XoJsQKe0F9ls4LH_JsbWiKslasY-cYuUmb/s800/20231016%20-%20S8002342c.jpg"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZ9SbusciNFz4QiuvcoJJ6bOPrPGp5G8HsNdUQYSk9F3jVJyHhSJT5XE1q351cc9kNde8EX0Yr_5-SbWhcvP_q9lQg2wP5dZxPQ3QJYw_bGS9WvruGETm0Cjq14wOSAnABu9Zn2odubmAgncLhZfO70Kl96XoJsQKe0F9ls4LH_JsbWiKslasY-cYuUmb/s400/20231016%20-%20S8002342c.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<table class="adlg-table">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="95">Opposition</td>
<td>Kev Ellis</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Army</td>
<td>Rus</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Army number</td>
<td>165</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Initiative</td>
<td>Won</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>My Posture</td>
<td>Attacking</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Terrain</td>
<td>Steppe</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Game time</td>
<td>2:25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Attrition Scores</td>
<td>7/25 to 13/25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Decisive</td>
<td>No</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Points</td>
<td>48 to 39</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Result</td>
<td>Draw</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>
I played Kev last year and we enjoyed our game: as we did this year. The
Rus were wall to wall spear with a river (difficult going) on their left.
I got LH all the way across the table protected by the river. They
crossed the river to threatened his camp. I didn't get the camp but it
broke up his left hand command thereby protecting my weaker, and badly
deployed, right. Meanwhile I got my cavalry round and behind his right
flank. When time was called there was still a lot to do; it had taken
far too long to work the openings.
</p>
<p>
<b>Game #5</b>
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglkQCYUukWqWuQ568FgNyFyNEmTrronUjYRIZ0dAzDCo-ETP1smQ1zGhUKNRWbQK9GH37qiWSRzwse0S7e-1PEmM9rWSkwmUeAJGH5FHEnOzqNVlrluWtTBUKqHnxdGK2RG6OCM5c81giprbKAWPxwkMcSJJjfNseM6_Vvp-KRaFzwSVpGEQk8rYm-Dx4e/s800/20231016%20-%20S8002345c.jpg"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglkQCYUukWqWuQ568FgNyFyNEmTrronUjYRIZ0dAzDCo-ETP1smQ1zGhUKNRWbQK9GH37qiWSRzwse0S7e-1PEmM9rWSkwmUeAJGH5FHEnOzqNVlrluWtTBUKqHnxdGK2RG6OCM5c81giprbKAWPxwkMcSJJjfNseM6_Vvp-KRaFzwSVpGEQk8rYm-Dx4e/s400/20231016%20-%20S8002345c.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<table class="adlg-table">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="95">Opposition</td>
<td>Micheal (Ted) Robinson</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Army</td>
<td>Carolingian Franks</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Army number</td>
<td>155</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Initiative</td>
<td>Won</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>My Posture</td>
<td>Attacking</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Terrain</td>
<td>Plain</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Game time</td>
<td>2:20 (timed out)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Attrition Scores</td>
<td>16/25 to 25/25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Decisive</td>
<td>Yes</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Points</td>
<td>88 to 22</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Result</td>
<td>Win</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>
Ted was a very new player. We both made mistakes in deployment but Ted's
were far more costly. I overwhelmed his exposed LH command and took his
equaly exposed camp fairly quickly. I then prepared to roll up his line.
Over on my left his LMI bow did really well against my impact cavalry
while my LMI bow were awful once again. Things got a bit frantic as I
got close to breaking his army. Thankfully, I got the final points with
the last dice thrown before time was called. Kismet for me and bottle of
whiskey for Ted as winner of the wooden spoon (a nice touch by the
organisers).
</p>
<p>
<b>Closing remarks</b><br />
The spirit and general approach of the players was relaxed and friendly.
One amusing incident saw Paul Dawson and Mike Bennett (both top ten
players) have a lengthy discussion about the rules mid-game; rule books and
all. Needless to say, their game ended drawn: to their surprise.
Perhaps my funniest moments involved losing one game, and winning
another, on the very last dice roll: such luck is always good for a giggle.
</p>
<p>
My strategy to control the terrain worked more often than not but I had too
many LMI and they were ridden down far too often leaving big holes in my
battle line. I have already adjusted the list.
</p>
<p>
As to my performance: it was mixed. Last year my Ilkhanid Mongols were
had to beat, but hard to win with. This year the Arabs were a little
brittle, but with enough good troops to make me think I could be more
aggressive than perhaps I should be. The Arabs scored 203 points from
five games (cf 190 in 2022) but I still finished 5th bottom the same as last
year. At least I did slightly better than my ranking would suggest.
</p>
<p>
The best thing I can say about the weekend is that I am disappointed that I
probably won't have a suitable army for next year's theme. It's been
announced as "<a
href="http://artdelaguerre.fr/adlg/v3/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10063"
>The Punic Pond from the Death of Alexander to the Death of Julius Caesar
(320-45 BC)</a
>". The Arabs are my earliest army. Shame really, but I have been
offered the loan of an army so I'll see how I feel in a few weeks.
</p>
Vexilliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568117694302239705noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202580486252841248.post-47823750485186310822023-09-29T20:57:00.007+01:002023-09-29T22:02:24.164+01:00Book Reviews - David O. Morgan<p>
This is something of a first. Instead of reviewing the books I want to
focus on the author. <a href="https://www.bips.ac.uk/david-o-morgan/"
>David Morgan died in 2019</a
>
but left behind a
<a
href="https://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/encyclopaedia-iranica-online/morgan-david-orrin-COM_365268"
>significant body of work</a
>.
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_iS-0qoCugzpu0__vHTPCwcL5Bzlli6pRKiIkn7FD29hXXVyygVSdpdpXeUrTVUHZJtGyNm87CyFR3IYrI9c2htFfWoRbtUxDcqLLTcvcW5ATxSDhJb25X7oSX8j7mAFZGIpi7DZMZdERX2vYinEfr5wh_89Fd0B7cOXFn45-VX9Vl6g0Zag1piOQHCUb/s500/20230929%20-%20David%20Morgan,%20The%20Mongols.jpg"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_iS-0qoCugzpu0__vHTPCwcL5Bzlli6pRKiIkn7FD29hXXVyygVSdpdpXeUrTVUHZJtGyNm87CyFR3IYrI9c2htFfWoRbtUxDcqLLTcvcW5ATxSDhJb25X7oSX8j7mAFZGIpi7DZMZdERX2vYinEfr5wh_89Fd0B7cOXFn45-VX9Vl6g0Zag1piOQHCUb/s340/20230929%20-%20David%20Morgan,%20The%20Mongols.jpg"
/></a>
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV4qve11EMk-vawMK2feb293XmTGiNtmc1T1R22umbo31d2xL4W-Eeb9lCRPNii2pA4AmYwWDh3TKN3Zg4H2cglwferQZgoSNw7nUjyG1L7D0MoLwQs1QQU7VAQxcuxVs4fspMaQEF0eyV2C0n9BOb57dL3kj3Sf77gFSZNPeyvF1aWCBUt1avP-9nird0/s500/20230929%20-%20David%20Morgan,%20Medieval%20Persia.jpg"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV4qve11EMk-vawMK2feb293XmTGiNtmc1T1R22umbo31d2xL4W-Eeb9lCRPNii2pA4AmYwWDh3TKN3Zg4H2cglwferQZgoSNw7nUjyG1L7D0MoLwQs1QQU7VAQxcuxVs4fspMaQEF0eyV2C0n9BOb57dL3kj3Sf77gFSZNPeyvF1aWCBUt1avP-9nird0/s340/20230929%20-%20David%20Morgan,%20Medieval%20Persia.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
I first came across his book on Medieval Persia by chance last year when I was
looking for
<a href="p/the-arab-conquests-632-936-ad.html">books on the Arab Conquests</a
>. Purchased second hand, the first edition was both a bargain and a
delight. With a clear, concise and approachable style the book dealt
with all the rulers of post Arab Conquest Persia with aplomb.
</p>
<p></p>
<a name='more'></a>I have recently re-read the book and enjoyed it just as much as the
first reading. It has really helped me place the Abbasids, the Ghaznavids,
the Seljuks, the Bedouin Dynasties and all the others into a consistent
historical framework.
<p></p>
<p>
His work on the Mongols is perhaps the most famous of his books. So much
so, it's considered the standard text by many. Again I bought a second
hand copy of the first edition in the hope of more of the same and was not
disappointed. There's almost a whiff of mischief about the way he
describes the problems facing historians of the period. The book is both
readable, entertaining and authoritative.
</p>
<p>
Both books have been revised and published in second editions, and I'm sure
things have changed since the late 1980s, but the new editions are not cheap.
My copies of the original editions cost less than £5.00 each, including
delivery. They are ideal for the wargamer and the general reader alike.
Second hand copies are readily available from the likes of eBay and
Abebooks.
</p>
<p>Highly recommended.</p>
<p>
<b>Bibliography</b>
</p>
<ul>
<li>
Morgan, D. (1986). <i>The Mongols (Peoples of Europe)</i>. Blackwell
Publishing.
</li>
<li>Morgan, D. (1988). <i>Medieval Persia, 1040-1797</i>. Longman.</li>
</ul>
Vexilliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568117694302239705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202580486252841248.post-69454775153818287852023-09-21T12:01:00.055+01:002024-03-18T15:12:35.006+00:00DBA 3.0 Army Design Tool<p>
I haven't played
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Bellis_Antiquitatis"
>De Bellis Antiquitatis (DBA)</a
>
for decades, but I do own a copy of the latest version. Who knows I may
use it one day.
</p>
<p>
I built this a few months ago after I spotted a nearly full data set on the
Fanaticus DBA forum. This was just before I left the forum and was
looking for a small data project to occupy some dead time.
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12JY0045OSCKsGMp833j5KDGO6fsqXcl6Qep8zNL0PYLY1zcoP8PL2rjtuQN0ldCrEk9Mgx66sGi3tQTvDhwurrSC75L8D8m97M-r5E24_AaZ-gSk4OTOiGN3fQr_vY_X_AUplTIYMrMllV_AlJwe05pLxigoHBiqzTu4ZfZUXkmsA-17IkrgZ4MiiNWP/s787/20230726%20-%20DB3%20database%20screenshot.png"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12JY0045OSCKsGMp833j5KDGO6fsqXcl6Qep8zNL0PYLY1zcoP8PL2rjtuQN0ldCrEk9Mgx66sGi3tQTvDhwurrSC75L8D8m97M-r5E24_AaZ-gSk4OTOiGN3fQr_vY_X_AUplTIYMrMllV_AlJwe05pLxigoHBiqzTu4ZfZUXkmsA-17IkrgZ4MiiNWP/s450/20230726%20-%20DB3%20database%20screenshot.png"
/></a>
</div>
<p></p>
<a name='more'></a>It's really very simple and should be quicker than parsing an army
list. I've also put together a
<a href="https://youtu.be/XVqHQMeo2QQ">simple video</a> showing how to use the
database, how to reset it and to highlight the check sum feature.
<p></p>
<iframe
allowfullscreen=""
class="BLOG_video_class"
frameborder="0"
height="287"
src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XVqHQMeo2QQ"
width="460"
youtube-src-id="XVqHQMeo2QQ"
></iframe>
<p>
<b>Tech tip</b><br />
YouTube automatically calculates the resolution of videos based on the screen
size of the embedded video and so the above defaults to a low resolution
(360p). To see the video at it's best click the "Settings" icon (Gear
symbol) and select 480p from the "Quality" menu. This is especially
useful if you prefer to watch the video in a "pop-out" window.
</p>
<p>
<b>Get your own copy</b><br />
If you use Google Docs, use
<a
href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1yFMZK204YFp6bQuZZkruD9xlNF46mUtRCm3t7HHoeyA/copy?usp=sharing"
>this link to create your own copy</a
>. If you don't, use
<a
href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1yFMZK204YFp6bQuZZkruD9xlNF46mUtRCm3t7HHoeyA/export?format=xlsx"
>this link to download a copy</a
>. The downloaded version isn't quite as pretty but, in my limited
tests, works fine.
</p>
<p>
<b>Data issues</b><br />
Some lists had to be split into sub-variants (ie not in the official lists) so
that they worked as true logical records. Here's an example:
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rY5R0W8OSd9nzVEQZFIOFfu9EoTtRiCCiZwFG_Hu49c89_V4aPUYV-1XxHcMj6ChK-TGqqO1vTO8bUOeNa7oABxcGawpQxyiamG1sAO-RIq2M7vKXCCNxEiBljWI4ehCPCO2okGSODZaGY3mxCvH7whtrXEsmgLnWLDRCHrQ7QXFcGuxkPuWX9m8AHXF/s686/20230726%20-%20DB3%20Army%20data%20split.png"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rY5R0W8OSd9nzVEQZFIOFfu9EoTtRiCCiZwFG_Hu49c89_V4aPUYV-1XxHcMj6ChK-TGqqO1vTO8bUOeNa7oABxcGawpQxyiamG1sAO-RIq2M7vKXCCNxEiBljWI4ehCPCO2okGSODZaGY3mxCvH7whtrXEsmgLnWLDRCHrQ7QXFcGuxkPuWX9m8AHXF/s450/20230726%20-%20DB3%20Army%20data%20split.png"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
The original data set was courtesy of someone on Fanaticus. Please
report any errors in the comments.
</p>
<p>
An siginificantly <a href="/2024/03/dba-army-design-tool-update.html">updated version is now available</a>.
</p>
Vexilliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568117694302239705noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202580486252841248.post-41611975681710854632023-09-17T12:53:00.010+01:002023-10-11T14:46:18.213+01:00A Painting Injury?<p>
No. Not cutting your fingers with a scalpel or stabbing yourself on a pike.
This is a bit more serious and a cautionary tale for all avid modellers
and painters. Please bear with me as the background is important.
</p>
<p>
<b>Background</b><br />
For some time I've been suffering with a problem with my left shoulder and the
left side of my upper back. In 2019 it got a lot worse and I thought I'd
injured myself in the gym. I had tingling fingers and pains in my left
arm. My GP thought I might have something more serious so I had an MRI
scan and was tested to see if I had
<a href="[https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/multiple-sclerosis/"
>Multiple Sclerosis</a
>.
</p>
<p>
Thankfully all the test were negative and I was referred for physiotherapy.
A set of simple exercises eased, and then eliminated, most of the
trouble with my back and tingling fingers. My shoulder still had the odd
twinge but nothing too serious.
</p>
<p>
Lockdown came and went. I painted a lot; almost every day. The
twinges persisted. I tried all sorts of stretches many of which helped
but nothing really eliminated the problem.
</p>
<p>
<a name='more'></a>Then I moved house. Decorating the new house keep me very
busy and I slept like a log most nights. Once this was done I returned
to painting toys soldiers and going to the gym. The twinges were the
same as they'd always been but my sleep was now being disturbed by pain in my
left shoulder.
</p>
<p>
Finally, I'd had enough. This week I booked an appointment with my new
GP's physiotherapist.
</p>
<h3></h3>
<p>
<b>Diagnosis & likely cause</b><br />
It turns out I have Stage II
<a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/frozen-shoulder/"
>Adhesive Capsulitis</a
>
commonly known as Frozen Shoulder (that's really stage III). So now I
have some really painful exercises to do three times a day for the next month
and I've had a steroid injection to manage the pain while I do the exercises.
Did I mention that everything about this problem seems to be painful:
the condition; the exercises; and the injection(s).
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFp1zFjbfHIU_OcSF9TUiiqZyCr13JOOv4FisGt9PE3vaSZ5jddrV3Qt9Wdre9f6sf14T2Pka6rW-wgPPOvR3B62Jt-DLxlfvRdDpKdlbgO4zgHUoil7swFIOpEwZP-AegrK_Sd7Qc5iGeB1SAFEMICex95lx7ILrqoUvgGOqKtYg29pbPIX2Rb5lPdHOm/s700/20231011%20-%20Frozen%20Shoulder%20%28Sepia%29.webp"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFp1zFjbfHIU_OcSF9TUiiqZyCr13JOOv4FisGt9PE3vaSZ5jddrV3Qt9Wdre9f6sf14T2Pka6rW-wgPPOvR3B62Jt-DLxlfvRdDpKdlbgO4zgHUoil7swFIOpEwZP-AegrK_Sd7Qc5iGeB1SAFEMICex95lx7ILrqoUvgGOqKtYg29pbPIX2Rb5lPdHOm/s490/20231011%20-%20Frozen%20Shoulder%20%28Sepia%29.webp"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
I'm glad to have identified what's wrong and it looks like it's been caught
early. I'm resigned to managing this in the long term but as long I
start sleeping properly I don't mind. Worryingly, it looks like how I
hold things whilst painting may be a contributory factor.
</p>
<p>
Until this week I held the brush in my right hand (not an issue) and the model
on its painting stand in my left. To get the model under my magnifying
glass, and hold it steady, I've developed the habit of placing my forearm on
the desk and leaning forward slightly. I'm told this compresses the
shoulder by transferring weight through the joint. Holding this pose for
a couple of hours on a daily basis is clearly not a good thing.
</p>
<p>
<b>A Change of plan</b><br />
Painting is a big part of my hobby. I have big hobby plans for my retirement.
The thought of having to stop is frightening. Changes will have to
be made if I am to continue painting.
</p>
<p>
I had a chat with
<a href="https://fighting15s.com/">Ian Marsh of Fighting15s</a> about this and
he mentioned a trick he used when he was painting full time. It's simply
to place a box file (or similar) on top of the painting area to create a
raised platform on which to rest both wrists during painting.
</p>
<p>
As luck would had it I have spare box file lying around so I've tried this a
couple of times already. It does improve my posture and resting both
wrists seems to create a stable enough painting stance without putting any
undue pressure on my shoulder. Of course, like all new things, it's
going to take a bit of getting used to. At the moment I'm not 100% sure
I can be as accurate as I was. Time will tell.
</p>
<p>
As an extra precaution I am limiting myself to one hour painting sessions with
at least a two hour break between sessions. It's going to signficantly
reduce how much I can paint but "better safe than sorry".
</p>
<p>
<b>Check your stance</b><br />
My problem looks like it was avoidable. So my advice to all avid
painters and modellers is to check your posture and stance. Do all that you
can to avoid undue pressure on your shoulder(s).
</p>
<p>
<b>The future</b><br />
In retrospect, this problem has been developing for a very long time. I
don't expect it to clear up quickly but the exercises seem to working and I've
only been doing them for a week.
</p>
<p>
I won't post anymore articles about this as other people's aches and pains can
be very boring. However, I will add further comments to this one.
So if you'd like to follow my progress subscribe to the RSS feed for
"All commnets" using the widget in the footer.
</p>
Vexilliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568117694302239705noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202580486252841248.post-19129230471987629092023-09-10T12:58:00.014+01:002023-09-16T09:25:13.767+01:00ADLG: Complex Movement Options<p>
Way back in the days of Art de la Guerre (ADLG) V3 I tried
<a href="/p/war.html">tabulating the various processes</a> involved like
movement, shooting, melee etc. I found the exercise useful but the
tables were somewhat cumbersome in use. Nonetheless the exercise always
helped my understanding the rules.
</p>
<p>
With ADLG I have found understanding is not the same as learning. So,
when V4 arrived I decided to use a different approach and play with just the
play sheet if at all possible. So far I am doing better during games but
afterwards I still can't resist digging into the workings of ADLG.
</p>
<p>
I find this post game, reverse engineering helps my understanding as it often
exposes the complex variations and plain old quirks of the rules; something
I've enjoyed doing since I played DBMM. My reworking of the
<a href="/2023/04/revisiting-adlg-mega-table.html">ADLG mega table</a> is the
most recent example of this.
</p>
<p>
One question that has cropped up regularly during my recent games is when can
players wheel, slide or turn during movement. It's occurred so often
that I have re-worked the table I prepared for V3. I find it useful
because it's a visual representation of rules spread across five sections and
that aren't on the play sheet. You can download it from the
<a href="/p/art-de-la-guerre-v4-adlg-resources.html">ADLG V4 resources page</a
>.
</p>
<p>
<b>Getting tactical?</b><br />
So far I have used a lot of cavalry armies under ADLG V4. As my playing
style develops I've found it useful to know how to exit a Zone of Control
(ZoC) and disengage from combat. These, plus evading, should be part of
every cavalry commander's tactical toolkit.
</p>
<p>
These are amongst the more complex movement options so I thought I'd do a bit
of digging in the rule book and see if I could come up with another
aide-mémoire or table.
</p>
<p>
<a name='more'></a>My well established view of ADLG is that its a series of simple
rule mechanisms combined with a set of case by case exceptions. It lacks
consistency at times. It acquires complexity by the combination of
subdividing the simple mechanisms and the overlay of the many exceptions.
This makes it difficult to remember everything; for me at least.
</p>
<p>
The triumvirate of evading, exiting a ZoC and disengaging neatly illustrates
this view:
</p>
<ul>
<li>
Disengaging is perhaps the simplest of the three. If allowed to, the
unit, or group of units, moves directly back still facing the original
enemy. The distance and cost in control points (CPs) varies by unit
type and whether it is unmaneuverable or not.
</li>
<li>
Contrast this with evading which, when allowed, involves turning (sometimes)
a group or unit, an option to realign after any turn (at the player's
discretion), a variable move distance with wheeling and or sliding to avoid
any obstacles.
</li>
<li>
Exiting a ZoC is by far the most complex with two discrete sub-divisions and
a special case. The special case involves mounted with a slower unit's
ZoC to their rear: they can ride away. Units that can evade make a
variable evade move turning as necessary. Units that cannot evade may
have to pivot in place (note: not turn), suffer a disorder penalty
(sometimes); all this unless they are faster mounted and are a special case.
I nearly forgot: the special case and evading units can do so in
groups whereas the others must move as individual units. The cost of
the moves varies from 0-2 CPs and this can be per group or per unit.
</li>
</ul>
<p>
As I expected, in isolation each rule is both sensible and logical but taken
together there's an awful lot going on. The three moves may or may not
involve a turn or a pivot. The distance may be variable, full,
restricted or fixed depending on circumstances. The move may involve
slides and wheels, be directly forward or straight back. Sometimes units
can move in groups; sometimes as individual units. CP costs vary widely.
</p>
<p>
Now nothing in the individual rules strikes me as unreasonable or unplayable.
They do strike me as complex and a touch inconsistent. There's a
lot to remember and, more importantly, to apply correctly. Imagine
trying to explain these rules to a new player.
</p>
<p>
Once I'd been through the rules I did manage to create a table highlighting
the differences. I do not consider it a suitable playing aid. I
will carry it with me but mainly to jog my (incomplete) memory and for the
page references it contains.
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5g7dH4sKWDi6aJZsC_VsrQMYIPwLgYwxOWpaccbXctzGOFVDxV7t3IhxRuBqxuKhEMWRA6nyWpiqhc2POrcUgDv8ig4vPkNJ4KLo33dXGxzsgq5itHaG9PhnGZLUff8-M0GG9ciSHFnzkk-ln9I3iWXnxwqnmHcGaa96X4UXXWvF_nRiFG5o_F60U0-ER/s952/20230916%20-%20ADLG%20Movement%20Options%20III.png"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5g7dH4sKWDi6aJZsC_VsrQMYIPwLgYwxOWpaccbXctzGOFVDxV7t3IhxRuBqxuKhEMWRA6nyWpiqhc2POrcUgDv8ig4vPkNJ4KLo33dXGxzsgq5itHaG9PhnGZLUff8-M0GG9ciSHFnzkk-ln9I3iWXnxwqnmHcGaa96X4UXXWvF_nRiFG5o_F60U0-ER/s450/20230916%20-%20ADLG%20Movement%20Options%20III.png"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
<a
href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kEXC_9Z56bYbphP0YkpY4kHya3msZY8j/view?usp=sharing"
>Download the table</a
>.
</p>
<p>Let me know if you spot any errors or ommissions.</p>
Vexilliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568117694302239705noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202580486252841248.post-5946106828964974212023-09-06T10:10:00.000+01:002023-09-06T10:10:08.433+01:00ADLG: Northern League Round 4 (Manchester, 03 Sep 2023) <p>
<b>Introduction</b><br />
Eccles is normally the venue for the 5th and final round in November and
<a href="/2022/11/adlg-northern-league-round-5-manchester.html"
>last year it was absolutely freezing</a
>. Thankfully, this year the second Eccles round was held on a beautiful
sunny day in early September. I even decided to wear shorts!
</p>
<p>
I arrived nice an early, got a good parking spot and helped set up the tables
before making the first of many cups of tea.
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yhGKp0izp82m-Ikdperu7fES1dlkT1FYGfVsOpeOdHXGXAN6lEYzanoGy_ZxtYuvGxDEywR1dDQNK8lZwd1EScu0POTcuOJsqN9F2IrJRNe8rc8Gp1vnIJiEfPUuvtFGS7SJ_Hy9XoSw2VvbOACdNfVEL0faW9rJpTf4ts3QEdCy0OpU8GUlElpnz0_P/s600/20230903%20-%20S8002330.jpg"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yhGKp0izp82m-Ikdperu7fES1dlkT1FYGfVsOpeOdHXGXAN6lEYzanoGy_ZxtYuvGxDEywR1dDQNK8lZwd1EScu0POTcuOJsqN9F2IrJRNe8rc8Gp1vnIJiEfPUuvtFGS7SJ_Hy9XoSw2VvbOACdNfVEL0faW9rJpTf4ts3QEdCy0OpU8GUlElpnz0_P/s450/20230903%20-%20S8002330.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<p><a name='more'></a><b>Event Summary</b></p>
<table class="adlg-table">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="95">Event</td>
<td>Northern League Round 4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Date</td>
<td>03 September 2023<br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rules Version</td>
<td>ADLG 4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="vertical-align: top;">Theme</td>
<td>Medieval (1330-1500 AD ).<br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Venue</td>
<td>Magdalene Centre, Eccles, M30 8JD</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Army</td>
<td>Muscovite Russians (Novgorod)<br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Army list</td>
<td>
<a
href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c-h0ZaBh0V9B6FfL13BvrjnvLboN3Kxt/view?usp=sharing"
target="_blank"
>250.1.09</a
>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Army date</td>
<td>1450 AD</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Entrants</td>
<td>
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCjxA1tPmXy5Mq7GEGJaykXgJvqpc5utqFvBROFUdCFugQmTkh8G8TvTqQbUSicI0s7EsiPy2T2Trwq0cPimXVUabf1GRFELtOIRiZjqYfubPGy89kL4fy56MkwsCsDnobE5XMVnO-9hhTp04dTIxLiI1kWBLGCNy4LXZjZdC76L8_xwr7glblEj98vb3U/s634/20230822%20-%20NL4%20R&R.jpg"
>13 players in 12 teams.</a
>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>My results</td>
<td>11th of 12 with 92 points. 0 wins, 1 draw & 2 losses.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>All results</td>
<td>
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNWlvj3PG8huqe7ciTzZsYBzpNdOAqfZ_u9brzBUDtTQ8R6TgO3fJf65uRfLzdJkvFjG0NufCfiyOiK9J_iqTPUdqPy4IKwvKl2-ueTP-fHtXcWdOP2vSWiVQPMik7hbKXEgAc2mQr1BP4rR-JrJVy34HL1bKaclDuIwB61n4zGlOmT5pLA2z3FOB3sPy/s1214/20230904%20-%20NL4%20Results.jpg"
>Final placings</a
>.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>
<b>Strategy</b><br />
The list has two cavalry commands and one large infantry command. The
plan was to hold with two commands and work a flank with one of the cavalry
commands. For this to work I needed the table to be as open as possible
and to avoid terrain offering a waterway (the <i>de rigeuer</i> ADLG way of
securing a flank and narrowing the table).
</p>
<p>
The choice of cavalry command to force a flank was to be left until
deployment. The infantry command contained a lot of shooting and I hoped
this would weaken any attackers thereby supporting the mediocre spear when
combat began.
</p>
<p>
Given the late medieval theme, I knew I'd have to be patient and not be too
adventurous. The army lacks real punch in this period but has a certain
stolidity and would be more mobile than many of the opponents. It offers
the option of quickly threatening the flanks and sometimes this is all that's
required to trouble an opponent.
</p>
<p><b>Game #1</b></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2M8Rhy7cgJFbYRMcg19yhmfbcCWE-Uns-KkdOTvd5bvWyIyvJhEF-O5uScEynYhH38aRJN_kh5pbvw6bURG4hQ2pY5KOqVrM6fPzbYhCHPXyZgU_6yX2zvJN0k4YwGZ57Mi8sdCKUqX0IsADklXK7Z1UwHIBZVo5Np-7o7hxBX2dB6-Rcy-MS4UgRSYrQ/s600/20230903%20-%20S8002331.jpg"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2M8Rhy7cgJFbYRMcg19yhmfbcCWE-Uns-KkdOTvd5bvWyIyvJhEF-O5uScEynYhH38aRJN_kh5pbvw6bURG4hQ2pY5KOqVrM6fPzbYhCHPXyZgU_6yX2zvJN0k4YwGZ57Mi8sdCKUqX0IsADklXK7Z1UwHIBZVo5Np-7o7hxBX2dB6-Rcy-MS4UgRSYrQ/s400/20230903%20-%20S8002331.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<table class="adlg-table">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="95">Opposition</td>
<td>Paul Carter</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Army</td>
<td>Low Countries</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Army number</td>
<td>243</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Army date</td>
<td>1450</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Initiative</td>
<td>Won</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>My Posture</td>
<td>Defender</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Terrain</td>
<td>Steppes</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Game time</td>
<td>Timed out</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Attrition Scores</td>
<td>24/26 to 15/23</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Decisive</td>
<td>No</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Points</td>
<td>43 to 52<br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Result</td>
<td>Draw</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>
I played Paul back in May with a feudal version of this army and I knew what
to expect: wall to wall pike. That's what arrived plus some French
knights. Having the minimum of steppe terrain helped me work a flank or
two. For both of us it was a case of slow and steady. I was able to
neutralize the knights but my infantry sustained lots of casualties fighting
the pikes. The game timed out for the expected draw.
</p>
<p>
<b>Game #2</b>
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9JRu9XctStCuOwASK6nyDNgMtz2M98453KNylFcmv-QAzRwxnu2Pq6VQ-v2w0TEIX2lMXl5g1YRZ5DNzFF7f_moxQPZW_DQ4bW6-os-aNC1YWdg4r4t85ZlRozkifDVnMvjderQasEnLTFUKTp_NG7QywSad85WwqynYp4qTacRPR39APyv85GGFxrEHr/s600/20230903%20-%20S8002332.jpg"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9JRu9XctStCuOwASK6nyDNgMtz2M98453KNylFcmv-QAzRwxnu2Pq6VQ-v2w0TEIX2lMXl5g1YRZ5DNzFF7f_moxQPZW_DQ4bW6-os-aNC1YWdg4r4t85ZlRozkifDVnMvjderQasEnLTFUKTp_NG7QywSad85WwqynYp4qTacRPR39APyv85GGFxrEHr/s400/20230903%20-%20S8002332.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<table class="adlg-table">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="95">Opposition</td>
<td>Gareth Jones</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Army</td>
<td>French Ordonnance</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Army number</td>
<td>245</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Army date</td>
<td>1480 AD</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Initiative</td>
<td>Won</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>My Posture</td>
<td>Defender</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Terrain</td>
<td>Steppe</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Game time</td>
<td>02:00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Attrition Scores</td>
<td>28/26 to 15/23</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Decisive</td>
<td>Yes</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Points</td>
<td>23 to 87</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Result</td>
<td>Loss</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>
I play against Gareth regularly but this was our first competitive game.
Despite choosing steppe, all the terrain fell on one flank closing it to
cavalry. Even so Gareth still had to refuse a flank. My elite
heavy cavalry quickly marched across the table and turned left. This
move worried Gareth but his heavy knights successfully blocked my attempt to
get behind their lines. Right move but a poor outcome for me.
Meanwhile, his pike were chewing through my infantry. Based on our
previous games, I didn't expect to win and I didn't.
</p>
<p>
<b>Game #3</b>
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttyWnZzp7SFWL2D92t5V1dklEPc8YDibh96bAHMRVoYRkTd8lld7HzdMrDnZ16Cz9GseP-SjKB4gPoeeDRKSWtQfSL2KGyZS4_JGU4ZQoMgq_QZyw6DzU1zicAB_bikn_-pqE8xDo0jhvd9dvpOCAZqa9DwuTsopcCCB0YPe3bfMlCmwQu4J4lrl84Yg2/s600/20230903%20-%20S8002334.jpg"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttyWnZzp7SFWL2D92t5V1dklEPc8YDibh96bAHMRVoYRkTd8lld7HzdMrDnZ16Cz9GseP-SjKB4gPoeeDRKSWtQfSL2KGyZS4_JGU4ZQoMgq_QZyw6DzU1zicAB_bikn_-pqE8xDo0jhvd9dvpOCAZqa9DwuTsopcCCB0YPe3bfMlCmwQu4J4lrl84Yg2/s400/20230903%20-%20S8002334.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<table class="adlg-table">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="95">Opposition</td>
<td>Andy Wallace & Martin Routh</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Army</td>
<td>Serbian Empire</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Army number</td>
<td>256</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Army date</td>
<td>1381 AD</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Initiative</td>
<td>Lost</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>My Posture</td>
<td>Defender</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Terrain</td>
<td>Plain</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Game time</td>
<td>02:10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Attrition Scores</td>
<td>27/26 to 16/20</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Decisive</td>
<td>Yes</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Points</td>
<td>26 to 84</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Result</td>
<td>Loss</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>
Before I start I'd like to apologise for the photo. It was the best of
the ones I took: honest.
</p>
<p>
Fun opponents but this game was tough. Two groups of 5 impetuous, elite heavy
knights plus bits and a small flank march. I faced one group with my
heavy spear and the other with my elite, impact heavy cavalry. Neither
did particularly well. However, while the knights were busy I sacked
their camp! If I'd succeeded in rallying a few units in the latter half
of the game I may have held for a draw, but it was not to be.
</p>
<p>
<b>Note to self</b><br />
Spear who are charged get +1 in the first round against mounted to their front
and cancel any impact ability. This means they are 2-1 up against
knights and 2-0 up against cavalry & light horse.
</p>
<p>
<b>Closing remarks</b><br />
I enjoyed the tournament. It was good to give the Russians another try.
Given the theme (knights & pikes) I didn't expect to win many games.
I hoped the Russian's would prove stolid and hard to beat. I
suppose, this was bourne out by the results: there were no easy victories for
my opponents. All the games lasted well over two hours.
</p>
<p>
On reflection I continue to get into very good tactical situations, seriously
threatening my opponent. Too often they stall or don't come off quickly
enough to have any major impact on the game. Perhaps I'm too subtle?
Who knows?
</p>
<p>
I've only used three armies under ADLG v4.0: Ilkhanid, Russian & Arab and
there are mnay similarities. They are all fairly vanilla, cavalry based,
armies without too many "bells & whistles". They are all hard to
beat but they do not have either the size or punch to win quickly or easily.
</p>
<p>
If I ever get the hang of these rules, I will know when it happens: I will
stop losing so many games and start winning more than one in five of my games.
Here's hoping.
</p>
Vexilliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568117694302239705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202580486252841248.post-14925338766485528362023-08-17T12:24:00.031+01:002023-08-31T08:31:30.623+01:00Tournament Preparation<p>
I have a two-day competition in October: "The King in the North" held in
Haxby, a small village outside York. As the day draws near I've begun
getting things ready. To be honest I've been getting ready for a while
now.
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3DhCVvBXXzXCVdHSDu1xGUBHBm30gN1ept3bNcc9eKWc9X3KH5jRaNk6Myg5dYj01we1xXPDLyyohMeL6ezRgYSI7WbCXq9NXUlbZBAQ2tdXE5TuGmCmc-nUo6IuG1ZPU7ahVOf4vvOLu_WsdttBX8DjXm3PN-zlyL3gnrdMIA-WFT676p2MGvKxMoxnp/s1920/20230829%20-%20Haxby%20Memorial%20Hall.webp"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3DhCVvBXXzXCVdHSDu1xGUBHBm30gN1ept3bNcc9eKWc9X3KH5jRaNk6Myg5dYj01we1xXPDLyyohMeL6ezRgYSI7WbCXq9NXUlbZBAQ2tdXE5TuGmCmc-nUo6IuG1ZPU7ahVOf4vvOLu_WsdttBX8DjXm3PN-zlyL3gnrdMIA-WFT676p2MGvKxMoxnp/s450/20230829%20-%20Haxby%20Memorial%20Hall.webp"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
I've been surprised at just how much preparation is required so I thought I'd
record what I've been up to. I suppose one of my former professional
roles, as a project manager, is well to the fore in what follows.
</p>
<p>
<a name='more'></a><b>The theme problem</b><br />
I
<a href="/2022/10/adlg-king-in-north-york-15-16-oct-2022.html"
>played in last year's tournament</a
>
and was pleased to see that I had an army (in preparation) for this year's
theme of "Vikings! 790-1049AD".
</p>
<p>
Lots of UK tournaments are themed, and rightly so, but it's a problem for me
because, until recently, I've only had armies for the Late Medieval and Feudal
periods.
</p>
<p>
The good news is that my recently completed Arab army gives me a Dark Age army
and just sneaks into the Vikings! theme thanks to the Andalusian Arabs (ADLG
list 133). Phew!
</p>
<p>
<b>Booking in advance</b><br />
The theme was announced in February and the venue in late April. I paid
my entry fee almost as soon as the venue was announced; despite not having
completed my army.
</p>
<p>
The early announcement of UK tournaments is increasingly common. This
helps if you are working on an army, if you need to book (cheap?)
accommodation or if you need to travel by public transport.
</p>
<p>
On the downside, I've noticed that many of the bigger tournaments "sell out"
quite quickly preventing last minute entries. Personally, I'd prefer to
be a little more spontaneous. Moreover, I've been wary of making
commitments as I've had far too much else going on (despite being retired).
</p>
<p>
<b>Where to stay</b><br />
Once I'd entered the tournament I booked into the
<a href="[http://www.bankfieldbedandbreakfast.co.uk/"
>excellent B&B we stayed in last year</a
>
and my wife is more than happy to spend another weekend in and around York
while I play with toy soldiers.
</p>
<p>
Accomodation in the UK seems to have become very expensive in the past couple
of years. Of course this adds to the cost of the event but there's no
way round this unless the tournament is a one day event or it is close by.
</p>
<p>
<b>Travel</b><br />
Last year we travelled by car and we'll be doing the same this year.
Sadly, there aren't any viable alternatives. Using the railways
(the next best option) in 2023 is both expensive and unreliable.
Currently, there are frequent strikes and many are called at short
notice. Making an advance booking is a lottery.
</p>
<p>
<b>Figures</b><br />
I've been working on my Arab army since early last year. I finished the
<a href="[2022/02/15-mm-arab-conquest-slingers-forged-in.html"
>first units in February 2022</a
>
and the
<a href="/2023/06/15-mm-arab-heavy-cavalry-forged-in.html"
>last core unit in late April</a
>
this year.
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<img
alt="Arab Heavy Cavalry"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjkggXOBT7MT9CzLQKhnTRH28T-xt7n2Wv1TrDfEChIsmJAzRs1978xpO3OzK6aWotPMYAf8EICV9-m3aq9tENFIv2kZzE10NqSLwzkgtfpJJrtHBCAAO5RqKo_i3E2lqrK9TIIGw-RIi1ZQOwtiPTatw6SbVYeCJzyb2KV-djDtBpl0P8CNKfuf4MQ/s450/20230611%20-%20S8002263f.png"
/><br /><i><small>Arab Heavy Cavalry</small></i>
</div>
<p>
Apart from the normal grind when you're close to finishing an army, there was
a little additional pressure to finish the army early enough to arrange some
practice games.
</p>
<p>
<b>Army list</b><br />
The first time I used an Andalusian list was in
<a href="/2023/05/adlg-northern-league-round-2-manchester.html"
>Round 2 of the Northern League</a
>. I did alright but the list needed a few tweaks.
</p>
<p>
Of course I ended up painting some
<a href="/2023/07/15-mm-arab-black-guard-essex.html">extra units</a>.
</p>
<p>
I've since managed two further practice games, against armies I'm likely to
face in Haxby, where things didn't go so well or could have gone a lot better.
After that the tweaking began in earnest.
</p>
<p>
I have a third, and probably final, practice game coming up at the end of the
month and decided to seek "professional" advice. Enter
<a href="https://www.madaxeman.com">Tim Porter of madaxeman fame</a>. He
kindly made one or two suggestions to fine tune my list.
</p>
<p>We'll soon see if this is to be the list I'll submit in mid-September.</p>
<p>
<b>Troop transport</b><br />
I use a multi-box approach to get everything to a tournament. For
some reason there seems to a lot of things required:
</p>
<ul>
<li>Scenery, road, village, trees etc.</li>
<li>
Bits & bobs like measures, dice, markers,
<a href="/2023/06/hobby-haul.html">dice tray</a> etc.
</li>
<li>Troops.</li>
<li>Rule book, play sheets, army list, notebook & other paperwork.</li>
<li>Camera (no smart phone for me).</li>
<li>Game mat (just in case).</li>
</ul>
<p>
For years I've struggled to reduce the above to the bare minimum but I've now
given up. As long as it fits in my trolley (see below) I'm not going to
worry about it.
</p>
<p>
After much experimentation I use a stack of 4 litre Really Useful boxes.
There are two for the scenery: one for the flat pieces and one for trees
village pieces etc. The bits and bobs are in the third box with an
"organiser" insert:
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<img
alt="A box of bits & bobs"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFNdyk3ctMeKfcj-HK_c_fIQTHlofVTGwmK-ZoCoEGbcZW81XclcceBkBYku42ZIdLp8fhIaVfF7uEj_liuoftQjN-lUQ7hUdGfPk1kDjRfDUl-Dltn1mL2E3idW-luEUbQi3R3-zayIWiavMnhEw9xOE4-D01Wos_JpWDTjoZRNKHOqZeGuVR4tWaxyv/s450/20230817%20-%20S8002324.JPG"
/><br /><i><small>A box of bits & bobs</small></i>
</div>
<p>
In the past, these three boxes have been ruthlessly weeded to remove the
unused "stuff" that accumulated over the years. Where does it all come
from? They are permanently packed, and stored in the garage, ready to
go.
</p>
<p>
The army fits in the fourth and final box. It is lined with heavy duty
magnetic vinyl which ensures the units don't move around in transit. So
far it's not proved necessary to stick the vinyl down.
</p>
<p>
All the above, and a folder containing all the paperwork, fits nicely in a
cheap, collapsible wheeled trolley. All I have to do is I pack the
trolley and place it in the boot of my car. This is my new one:
</p>
<p>
<img
alt="My new wargames trolley"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWDLu_frf8-rHzmGzlFChOoY9_-JS3Lvy7wNWtRduWiKLxoPOEK8_oUeUJc1N9bROj9O-TMcPOSw0KnnPiyySfCtW4XrGnqR3XLZ1QTjQYW50_ogphcZ4o4edNoHkecdXW8v9n-FWIGUSDxzfYVoArJZmgypEHikDn7KAc7v08a16Vw0fxUVdFBDzw71R/s450/20230817%20-%20trolley.jpg"
/><br /><i><small>My new wargames trolley</small></i>
</p>
<p>
It's an eBay bargain I bought yesterday to replace my old one which is
knackered after years of use. Plus this one has a lid (seat?): such is
progress.
</p>
<p>
<b>Closing remarks</b><br />
It's a good job I enjoy tournaments.
</p>
<p>
When you break a weekend away down as I have, and you add in all the hobby
related extras, it does seem a long "todo list" for a short holiday weekend.
</p>
<p>
Perhaps, if I did this more frequently, rather than annually, I'd get in a
groove and things would become routine. I hope so. Here's to more
tournaments in 2024.
</p>
Vexilliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568117694302239705noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202580486252841248.post-60248682492160175492023-08-04T19:00:00.025+01:002024-03-03T14:22:56.226+00:0028 mm Arab Commander (Irregular Miniatures)<p>This is something of a first: a 28 mm figure!</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaAeGFHHP5R1229h9p6ssxqN9kVtaMMzA7CzPpRAMIdSFciDfQ-bsAJHmyl03th4OOUn5YOyKLBzP_YOkxQJTjfT1x8gfB-x1M5NYgWGKm1yXiwcK6OKdnQ1w6NdH8dFq6Tctku7Ur68wEKqILvAOfFW-HIOeX35Ip87N6QY2Fv1w0arvfWbXw6iPUhNHr/s600/20230804%20-%20Arab%20Officer%20montage.webp"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaAeGFHHP5R1229h9p6ssxqN9kVtaMMzA7CzPpRAMIdSFciDfQ-bsAJHmyl03th4OOUn5YOyKLBzP_YOkxQJTjfT1x8gfB-x1M5NYgWGKm1yXiwcK6OKdnQ1w6NdH8dFq6Tctku7Ur68wEKqILvAOfFW-HIOeX35Ip87N6QY2Fv1w0arvfWbXw6iPUhNHr/s450/20230804%20-%20Arab%20Officer%20montage.webp"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
As regular readers will have seen, I usually paint 15 mm figures but for some
strange reason I was overcome by an urge to paint something larger. So,
when I was shopping for a few random 15 mm command figures, I strayed into the
28 mm portion of the web shop and bought a super sized commander for my Art de
la Guerre (ADLG) Arab army.
</p>
<p>
<a name='more'></a>The figure is a Fatimid commander so it doesn't fit incredibly well
with my Early Arab conquest theme but I don't care. It fits a little
better with the later Andalusian army I'll be using in this October's "King in
the North" competition in York.
</p>
<p>
The figure is based on a magnetised 40 mm plywood base which is the same size
as my 15 mm ADLG command bases. My plan is to use it as my CinC during
the competition.
</p>
<p>
Apparently 28 mm commanders with 15 mm rank and file is what the "cool kids"
do these days. After the competition he will be retired and placed in
my new display cabinet.
</p>
<p>
<b>Painting notes</b><br />I decided to use the same limited colour palette as
I used for my 15 mm figures; more out of curiosity than anything else.
It transferred well to the larger scale although I did use a slightly
lighter final highlight. Larger images for inspection:
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8QwPDTAbmBhLH-oLnZrjSgZft87Xp3YbP4oaUj_1KFWHHztHxTbeZrpQxqBj4-IlSIf2Jkzo9YxfY8wAMMRG67Vl124m6afDw4huLaZVKAh52-cQVmWB569QZr_hR6UFhjWdmD5uSv71taW3J2gZDMaJ4XTke9mNKBgUGDumuhvlJRId2fMShUBkDhiR/s600/20230801%20-%20S8002310f.webp"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8QwPDTAbmBhLH-oLnZrjSgZft87Xp3YbP4oaUj_1KFWHHztHxTbeZrpQxqBj4-IlSIf2Jkzo9YxfY8wAMMRG67Vl124m6afDw4huLaZVKAh52-cQVmWB569QZr_hR6UFhjWdmD5uSv71taW3J2gZDMaJ4XTke9mNKBgUGDumuhvlJRId2fMShUBkDhiR/s217/20230801%20-%20S8002310f.webp"
/></a>
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36f7r-xyzaUQJ2AvoOpFD1MoBWyhV-hbVDWlsi7Z6iuRZm4Eg2YLQMn8b2L131fSdvqlOPFXGQAk3gTm7El5nYZ54nBZEtO4faMLTZF56O_kSHzOhC6Xq64hAVDr_hXFl9uhZkE4XQpYfpzNjhZLa0g4yRBwecf9TQPnv42_fNEhFldSbYY2hteHvUAtz/s600/20230801%20-%20S8002311f.webp"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36f7r-xyzaUQJ2AvoOpFD1MoBWyhV-hbVDWlsi7Z6iuRZm4Eg2YLQMn8b2L131fSdvqlOPFXGQAk3gTm7El5nYZ54nBZEtO4faMLTZF56O_kSHzOhC6Xq64hAVDr_hXFl9uhZkE4XQpYfpzNjhZLa0g4yRBwecf9TQPnv42_fNEhFldSbYY2hteHvUAtz/s217/20230801%20-%20S8002311f.webp"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
After painting so many 15 mm figures the detail on this figure was not a
problem. In fact I painted this very quickly; once I'd settled on the
colour scheme. I did have to keep reminding myself to use a larger
brush.
</p>
<p>
<b>Figure review</b><br />
The model is
<a href="https://www.irregularminiatures.co.uk/25mmRanges/25mmFatmidArabs.htm"
>Irregular Miniatures'</a
>
C17 "Fatmid [sic] infantry officer". The figure comes with either a
sword or mace but there's no option to select which weapon. I'm sure a
quick email will help if you require a specific weapon.
</p>
<p>
As with lots of models from Irregular, they are so much better painted.
The model had little or no flash, or mould lines, and was very easy to
paint. My only wish would have been for slightly more definition in the
armour.
</p>
<p>
As to the sculpting, the left arm holding the shield looks just a little odd.
It was unusal enough that my wife drew my attention to it when she
looked at the bare metal. I think it looks a touch too short for some reason;
nothing serious though.
</p>
Vexilliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568117694302239705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202580486252841248.post-47872836803909073622023-08-02T19:00:00.049+01:002023-08-08T12:31:18.252+01:00A Resurgence of Blogging?<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZAg1EbP3AHZrUGio1WYM_Rs_dlELhUun8UF48ldMW-sXaPvvNUN5ERxrzrksUuWMz5F87bqcwjIjEDkSVXTfKdzfmupo3wFr7sEE0XXrup-J97AfxQVxb8w1IZX2-pwVmkWxoZBRZlhoNOPfycHkO5GHreprd8E7tZN70E5Z_HZJF00tEVESYGFcDFLSD/s450/20230612%20-%20question.jpg"
style="clear: right; display: block; float: left; margin-right: 20px; opacity: 0.85;"
><img
class="hoverZoomLink"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZAg1EbP3AHZrUGio1WYM_Rs_dlELhUun8UF48ldMW-sXaPvvNUN5ERxrzrksUuWMz5F87bqcwjIjEDkSVXTfKdzfmupo3wFr7sEE0XXrup-J97AfxQVxb8w1IZX2-pwVmkWxoZBRZlhoNOPfycHkO5GHreprd8E7tZN70E5Z_HZJF00tEVESYGFcDFLSD/s185/20230612%20-%20question.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
In this post, which I admit falls into the category of "a blogger writing
about blogging", I want to discuss the history of, and one possible future
for, blogging from the standpoint of a wargamer and hobby blogger.
</p>
<p>
I'd also like to touch on the impact of the ever changing world of social
media on the popularity of blogs.
</p>
<p>
I know I've been writing about this, and related topics, a lot recently, so if
it's not your cup of tea just skip this post. Normal service will be
resumed as soon as possible.
</p>
<p></p>
<a name='more'></a><b>Introduction</b><br />
Since 2007, when I started this blog, it's been the fashionable thing to do,
then old hat and now may be the next big thing. Plus ça change, plus c'est
la même chose
<p></p>
<p>
For a while blogging was the newest, hottest thing in town. It was even
touted as a way to make serious money (via advertising). Many hobbyists
and wargamers tried it, mainly for its novelty but not for long. They
certainly didn't make any money. More and more got bored (or ran out of
ideas).
</p>
<p>
Even so there was an active, if a touch exclusive, UK blogging community
amongst wargamers. I know this because I used to see pictures of their
annual "get together" at Salute. Then the novelty palled for them too.
However, it's not all bad news: some good blogs survived and I
<a href="/p/blog-roll.html">still follow a few</a>.
</p>
<p>
Some content creators switched to YouTube. I assume because it was new,
the money was better, and reading a script was easier than writing an article.
Some recorded podcasts because it was new and interviewing people is
easier than writing an article. There's now a whole genre of "wargamers
down the pub" videos & podcasts if you're so inclined.
</p>
<p>
<b>Social media & blogging</b><br />
Hobby bloggers, including those who switched to YouTube or podcasting,
increasingly relied on social media to spread the word about their latest
content. Attracting readers could be as simple as a quick post on
Twitter and one on Facebook/Instagram (ideally using free automation tools
like IFTTT.com). The so called "write once, post everywhere" approach.
</p>
<p>
The recent chaos at Twitter has created a problem for hobby content creators
and their followers. First, the free automation tools for Twitter have
gone. Second, it has drawn attention to the long term fragmentation of
social media. There's now: Threads, Bluesky Social, Mastodon, WhatsApp
and TikTok to mention just a few. There certainly isn't "one ring to
rule them all" (as a creator or a follower). Using social media is
getting more complex and time consuming. It's certainly no longer as
efficient as it was.
</p>
<p>
As Monique Judge said in her
<a href="https://www.theverge.com/23513418/bring-back-personal-blogging"
>article for The Verge advocating a return to personal blogging</a
>:
</p>
<blockquote>
<p>
"If what is happening on Twitter hasn’t [already] demonstrated it, our
relationship with these social media platforms is tenuous at best. The thing
we are using to build our popularity today could very well be destroyed and
disappear from the internet tomorrow, and then what? "
</p>
</blockquote>
<p>
<b>The future?</b><br />
On this basis, I hope, like Monique, that blogging will make a return but I
think it'll be different from the first phase. Blogs will
</p>
<ul>
<li>
Be more about documenting progress on personal projects (hobbies, interests,
technology etc) creating a long form journal together with a set of
resources of use to other hobbyists.
</li>
<li>
Be far less dependent on social media for driving traffic; becoming more
reliant on search engines and recommendations from regular readers.
</li>
<li>
Act as a firm foundation for the blogger to use as a base to engage in
whatever social media platform(s) they prefer by posting links etc.
</li>
</ul>
<p>
I have to say this reflects the position I'm been moving towards for the past
year or so; I can only see this trend continuing.
</p>
<p>
I'd like to think that this would all be underpinned by open platforms and
distributed technologies, like RSS feeds and the Fediverse, so that we no
longer rely on a the whims of social media companies <a id="fnref:1" href="#fn:1">[1]</a>.
</p>
<p>
However, I think this view is over optimistic. Not least because, a lot
of wargamers won't keep up with the changes in outlook and technology this
requires and will stay with the like of Facebook and "Wargames Twitter"
<a id="fnref:2" href="#fn:2">[2]</a> as they
<a
href="https://www.howtogeek.com/902791/dont-wait-for-your-favorite-social-media-platform-to-die/"
>slowly contract and decline</a
>.
</p>
<p>As the ancient curse says: "May you live in interesting times".</p>
<p><b>Notes</b></p>
<div class="footnote">
<ol>
<li id="fn:1">
<p>
I'd like like to point out that I'm fully aware of the irony of writing
a plea for open source and distributed platforms on a blogging platform
run by Google. <a
class="footnote-backref"
href="#fnref:1"
title="Jump back to footnote 1 in the text"
>↩</a
>
</p>
</li>
<li id="fn:2">
<p>
This is what wargamers call their little corner of Twitter in the vain
hope it will somehow protect them from the wilder side of the platform.
It doesn't because there's no such thing. <a
class="footnote-backref"
href="#fnref:2"
title="Jump back to footnote 2 in the text"
>↩</a
>
</p>
</li>
</ol>
</div>
Vexilliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568117694302239705noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202580486252841248.post-32313041221547556912023-07-30T12:21:00.000+01:002023-07-30T12:21:44.725+01:0015 mm Arab Black Guard (Essex)<p>
This is another mini-project using figures from my "<a
href="/2023/06/hobby-haul.html"
>Phalanx hobby haul</a
>". It only involves 16 figures but this post is longer than usual.
There are some simple conversions to discuss, and some research into
the Guard and early Umayyad flags to summarise.
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
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><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEkF62bSFBm2BSs06wSy6pCFY6rdQLYEy2D13bXMPd4jdsv6K5yQ6ZtBMzzPpi9LWqORC4zL2E_xC3NcThd-45hYnDusYdT80p5fEz7tSCElu6asyx9BY87qSENjZda53YxsYy7mDVFdshhFySSgj0bKxI5Ho1EPcar2jVtsT__8ng14vSVtTzN_sn2MB/s450/20230730%20-%20S8002309f.webp"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
<a name='more'></a><b>Historical Background</b><br />
The Black Guard is described by Ian Heath in the venerable "<i
>Armies of the Dark Ages</i
>" as follows:
</p>
<blockquote style="margin-right: 0px;">
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<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Z6AIC6tfLBGRYsNUFRDftgFt2ejq-8bvGxWRMBfxPPA_JfGvVQelO92KwuTJXxUrFHVhQhQ-1GNpxcF4m424TtkREQkqtrF6NRaHAs7wRCkLHxFj5NsHbT6Pcnv9W4UnY2EoDU4OhwofPQTtgGpCXq84gkSOQ65PS_PA8TBGQvrqRJMaWJNpxJ8IjVQv/s506/20230728%20-%20%20Dark%20Ages%20104.png"
style="display: block; float: right; margin-left: 15px;"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Z6AIC6tfLBGRYsNUFRDftgFt2ejq-8bvGxWRMBfxPPA_JfGvVQelO92KwuTJXxUrFHVhQhQ-1GNpxcF4m424TtkREQkqtrF6NRaHAs7wRCkLHxFj5NsHbT6Pcnv9W4UnY2EoDU4OhwofPQTtgGpCXq84gkSOQ65PS_PA8TBGQvrqRJMaWJNpxJ8IjVQv/s270/20230728%20-%20%20Dark%20Ages%20104.png"
/></a>
</div>
"Khumarawayh, son of Ahmad ibn Tulun (who had as many as 45,000 Negro ghulams
in his employ at his death in 884 - almost twice as many as he had white
ghulams), maintained a unit of 1,000 Sudanese guardsmen ..."
</blockquote>
<p>Heath recounts the following 11th century description:</p>
<blockquote style="margin-right: 0px;">
"[They wore] black coats and black turbans ... a black sea spreading over the
face of the earth, because of the blackness of their skin and of their
clothes. With the glitter of their shields, of the chasing on their swords,
and of the helmets under their turbans, they made a really splendid sight."
</blockquote>
<p>
<b>Arab Guards in ADLG</b><br />
These are intended for an early Andalusian Arab army (133) where they will be
Umayyad elite heavy spearmen, used to strengthen the main battle line.
As with the
<a href="/2023/07/15-mm-daylami-medium-infantry-forged-in.html">Daylami</a>
only two units are allowed making them an ideal mini-project.
</p>
<p>
At a stretch, they could also be used as Aghlabid Guards in North Africa (132)
and Abbasid (134) Abna. For the latter I'll have to change the, very
inappropriate, Umayyad banners (or just pretend).
</p>
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href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dAxaZqfbw-_9pQk7Gj36BqOjSo7kjjQqtvCtC41YzEjfgJ1nchObLavqaoo56z40dhNDb-5uNLTcFjPZv0gG9diGXHyillvQiTeA1cVaxDyMnf9n5eOVlImgvbrdm5u0zCYby4TiWdNqQI7bxsfUWj2I21bPGqYYr4s_58K2ePj4I_Q9RA4Msv-ax4FD/s1000/20230730%20-%20S8002306f.webp"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dAxaZqfbw-_9pQk7Gj36BqOjSo7kjjQqtvCtC41YzEjfgJ1nchObLavqaoo56z40dhNDb-5uNLTcFjPZv0gG9diGXHyillvQiTeA1cVaxDyMnf9n5eOVlImgvbrdm5u0zCYby4TiWdNqQI7bxsfUWj2I21bPGqYYr4s_58K2ePj4I_Q9RA4Msv-ax4FD/s450/20230730%20-%20S8002306f.webp"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
<b>Figure conversion & painting notes</b><br />
The figures are a right old mixture. There's most of a pack of
<a
href="https://www.essexminiatures.co.uk/collections/15mm-ancient-arab-conquest-arab-empire/products/aea9"
>AEA9 Arab: Command</a
>, a full pack of
<a
href="https://www.essexminiatures.co.uk/collections/15mm-ancient-arab-conquest-arab-empire/products/aea11"
>AEA11 Arab: Spearmen</a
>
and one figure from
<a
href="https://www.essexminiatures.co.uk/collections/15mm-ancient-arab-conquest-arab-empire/products/aea13"
>AEA13 Arab: Hadjis Two Handed Swordsmen</a
>. All are from Essex Miniatures. For extra variety I added two figures
left over from my
<a href="/2023/02/15-mm-arab-heavy-spear-forged-in-battle.html"
>Forged in Battle heavy spearmen</a
>.
</p>
<p>
The figures aren't ideal; they don't have visible helmets and the faces and
beards didn't look right. To hide the faces I added veils with Milliput.
This gave them a distinctly North African look and added to their
dramatic appearance.
</p>
<p>
To add more variety I removed the shield decorations from some spearmen with a
diamond file. This was much easier than I thought it would be.
</p>
<p>
One of the spearmen had a miscast blade so I cut away all of the spear. and
replaced it with a brass rod spear long enough to take a large (14 mm) flag.
Unfortunately, I couldn't save the fingers of the hand holding the spear
and I had to remodel them with Milliput. I couldn't manage to scupt the
fingers but the painted ones look fine.
</p>
<p>
During painting, I decided to blacken the shields (purely for artistic effect)
and used a very dark skin tone rather than my usual tanned skin mix.
</p>
<p>
<b>Flags</b><br />
Finding a suitable flag took a while as the dynastic changes in al-Andalus
over the
<a
href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Muslim_presence_in_the_Iberian_Peninsula"
target="_blank"
>centuries of Muslim rule</a
>
took a bit of untangling. The best website I could find for flags was
the
<a href="https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/Flags/ma_hist.html"
>Flags Of The World page on Morocco</a
>.
</p>
<p>
What seems to be clear is that in the early Islamic empires flags were single
colour, unadorned pieces of material (often silk). Each dynasty chose a
different colour: white (Umayyad), black (Abbasid), green (Fatimids) and red
(post Fatimid rulers).
</p>
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<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIzgAE64AU6vxo0X86HMWfzJFjGRroG-setXA-RldkLZtrfOAZhOtL3hwYR5j_K4hcZKJO3MjyqAhV12_p1sKSXivQ30DRQmI0-LR2EMrWIfQJW2ERLCf_hw1I1KvKjZeEVZc-Rbl9FOpKL1Cg5qk2qzZR6j-kDvoDJRHOHhP58XcN8Lp_UIns9Es74Rw/s690/20230728%20-%20Umayyad%20Spain%20plain_white.png"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIzgAE64AU6vxo0X86HMWfzJFjGRroG-setXA-RldkLZtrfOAZhOtL3hwYR5j_K4hcZKJO3MjyqAhV12_p1sKSXivQ30DRQmI0-LR2EMrWIfQJW2ERLCf_hw1I1KvKjZeEVZc-Rbl9FOpKL1Cg5qk2qzZR6j-kDvoDJRHOHhP58XcN8Lp_UIns9Es74Rw/s217/20230728%20-%20Umayyad%20Spain%20plain_white.png"
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href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6aV9g2i5aR2YtxK_UrPk3zv4X4PHhjjyYNUzTG3y01PwVtWzB36udQ0T3t6FQd_eLBxF_f40R-Epte-Qw5mRz-WwdHthUbuBXtf9XoCaft-Msr2pQYyXRqNFDhTSGjpCdBaQTZ13UJCOudHYUOCOMC_t07xBhIc8Vi1WJ6G7mrCTq_lqoA_Muwa1QCtb/s690/20230728%20-%20Umayyad%20Spain%20plain_black.png"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6aV9g2i5aR2YtxK_UrPk3zv4X4PHhjjyYNUzTG3y01PwVtWzB36udQ0T3t6FQd_eLBxF_f40R-Epte-Qw5mRz-WwdHthUbuBXtf9XoCaft-Msr2pQYyXRqNFDhTSGjpCdBaQTZ13UJCOudHYUOCOMC_t07xBhIc8Vi1WJ6G7mrCTq_lqoA_Muwa1QCtb/s217/20230728%20-%20Umayyad%20Spain%20plain_black.png"
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<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsEzTwDduA11XwxBEn6ypB6gPcYjMLBPUhzKnOnmEvsnZT_DCeC0FHvHTfxhKOonPaaNnlmWnmWCVGt0I0528HK76w5N2e6Vb-8OX_VosG5gyVrJOtwk0e5Ii4v5g82EHlHUGWEp15Ct-Ok38GuaJQfeJyUbHX24qQ1nlehJ2gJ_xNp96eHfvpyzbOAvc/s690/20230728%20-%20Umayyad%20Spain%20plain_green.png"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsEzTwDduA11XwxBEn6ypB6gPcYjMLBPUhzKnOnmEvsnZT_DCeC0FHvHTfxhKOonPaaNnlmWnmWCVGt0I0528HK76w5N2e6Vb-8OX_VosG5gyVrJOtwk0e5Ii4v5g82EHlHUGWEp15Ct-Ok38GuaJQfeJyUbHX24qQ1nlehJ2gJ_xNp96eHfvpyzbOAvc/s217/20230728%20-%20Umayyad%20Spain%20plain_green.png"
/></a>
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7IPzkjx-4rWfiMcqHlU68J21abJf6Y9vopIsM9vLWzysS-kLWF3sfE8pyX-2pTrALCpJ5gMjdzKWypnrFEvPZTLBCZq2ORu5MZtdQ_nXck4R-SwTiRc8SL_KXdMrc6w9eachqmzJ8CHWNHp-8r9r9nwTgI_31ngST0RUtHKeUwRK6WAp_DG-048TdpBX/s690/20230728%20-%20Umayyad%20Spain%20plain_red.png"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7IPzkjx-4rWfiMcqHlU68J21abJf6Y9vopIsM9vLWzysS-kLWF3sfE8pyX-2pTrALCpJ5gMjdzKWypnrFEvPZTLBCZq2ORu5MZtdQ_nXck4R-SwTiRc8SL_KXdMrc6w9eachqmzJ8CHWNHp-8r9r9nwTgI_31ngST0RUtHKeUwRK6WAp_DG-048TdpBX/s217/20230728%20-%20Umayyad%20Spain%20plain_red.png"
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</div>
<p>
The Almoravids (1062-1125) initiated the practice of adding koranic
inscriptions to their plain white flags. During this period the Almohads
also used different coloured flags (white, yellow & red) to identify
different commands within the army.
</p>
<p>
Finally, there's the famous Satrany (chequered banner) of Morocco &
al-Andalus.
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWtWIr5tJEGgkGAaVkrjCWHtGqT99StLTKiFe3OlRlbChTj1VSvnTUtbDMmMz5vR6p49HDK1UE_ONuE-1IZP3iX61uv5-81LkwQ1O5FQYaO406qRztSBEsEO-6wX_o_y2WMed2Yl3hu3nDRcd7NQ5xgg1L0Wy6viq22RdQte8-UPGCPpxhDlYVdEcdl1BY/s764/20230716%20-%20Cordoba%20infantry%20std_red.png"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWtWIr5tJEGgkGAaVkrjCWHtGqT99StLTKiFe3OlRlbChTj1VSvnTUtbDMmMz5vR6p49HDK1UE_ONuE-1IZP3iX61uv5-81LkwQ1O5FQYaO406qRztSBEsEO-6wX_o_y2WMed2Yl3hu3nDRcd7NQ5xgg1L0Wy6viq22RdQte8-UPGCPpxhDlYVdEcdl1BY/s450/20230716%20-%20Cordoba%20infantry%20std_red.png"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
As I'm aiming for the early Umayyad period I settled on a plain white flag for
the main standard and white streamers for the smaller standard bearers.
</p>
<p><b>Slideshow</b><br /></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGYf8Ry6Xmwna4N-f535IZTzimNUq5hEfzRQx0tf1gX2TXYemQkDi8rcurUSYKk8li4JGBP6Or2wToa5tPFSzZpI8fnAILJVL1mMJt03I1wHWARxTt4Pxjq2nXHDoiZBBTTgn_ItSIyzIRUBtmqrVFhCteiRsKB0IYlvYBLbTI3OJg4oMYuvf0FGvCKdBb/s1000/20230730%20-%20Arab%20Black%20Guard.gif"
><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGYf8Ry6Xmwna4N-f535IZTzimNUq5hEfzRQx0tf1gX2TXYemQkDi8rcurUSYKk8li4JGBP6Or2wToa5tPFSzZpI8fnAILJVL1mMJt03I1wHWARxTt4Pxjq2nXHDoiZBBTTgn_ItSIyzIRUBtmqrVFhCteiRsKB0IYlvYBLbTI3OJg4oMYuvf0FGvCKdBb/s450/20230730%20-%20Arab%20Black%20Guard.gif"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
<a href="/p/paint-log.html">List of all the project posts</a>
</p>
Vexilliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568117694302239705noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202580486252841248.post-14491692742065028892023-07-24T19:39:00.010+01:002023-11-12T09:10:34.289+00:00Quality Time<p>
Anyone who spends any time online knows the benefits of using the Internet as
well as the annoyances. The key is to strike a balance between the two,
and ever so slightly in favour of the former.
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a
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><img style="filter: opacity(85%)"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVATJ_ezJfZfUVDw-EZ9rWHvHQutWIdkC7J_O9TQGj8H94AN0iCD7IGA_knmGcpvZMDFZbdwqSt89ZhBhgAdcyIlNJDTBfD0UTBml57r7F7b03S6J6EdLnrZ6cVODchxEuGIOSCBaSzxa_HyGItrRdyTUvVAANaZ3aF1Q8SPV7TwF_OomHhz86wQ6UJXlt/s450/20230729%20-%20S8002305.JPG"
/></a>
</div>
<p>
Recently, I've been
<a href="/2023/05/twitter-rss-feeds-and-getting-life.html"
>reappraising my own use of the Internet</a
>; from social media, through hobby forums, to online chat. This was
prompted by a realisation that sometimes I would be "clicking for clicking's
sake".
</p>
<p>
Here are two things that I've done in the last week to improve the quality of
my time online and free up time to devote to my hobbies.
</p>
<p>
<a name='more'></a><b>Minimum Twitter</b><br />
In the last six months I've written two posts about the demise of Twitter and
what it means for me. It's fair to say that things are still in flux,
but one thing is clear: my use of Twitter has reached a bare minimum.
</p>
<p>
As of today I only use Twitter to do two things. Firstly, I keep up to
date with
<a href="https://www.warringtontownfc.co.uk/"
>Warrington Football club (WTFC)</a
>
and my fellow fans. Secondly, I follow a few hobby "influencers" & some
normal hobby people.
</p>
<p>
Any interaction is by direct messages as I no longer tweet, retweet, like or
otherwise interact via the public interface. Effectively, the vast
majority of my Twitter use is now in "read only" mode.
</p>
<p>
I see this situation lasting for some time as the people I follow are unlikely
to move to the
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fediverse">Fediverse</a> any time soon.
</p>
<p>
<b>A world beyond Facebook</b><br />
I have been a long term member of a small, if well established, hobby forum.
As with all such things my interest has declined over the years, but
until recently I still visited the forum every once in a while; mainly out of
a mix of curiosity & nostalgia.
</p>
<p>
Each visit yielded only a few interesting posts and I have been wondering why
I bothered for some time. Nonetheless, one of the topics I really liked
was the "what have you painted recently" thread.
</p>
<p>
From looking at this thread, it is clear that many forum users are not that
technically skilled. The number of photos posted has declined
significantly since the forum reached its image hosting limit many months ago.
Some users manage to use an image hosting service or post links to their
blogs. Others struggle, reducing the overall value of the thread.
</p>
<p>
Recently, however, the behaviour of one member made me realise that the time
had come to leave the forum. He repeatedly posted image links which lead
to a private Facebook group which shows nothing but a notice saying the group
is private! To cap it all the "author" thinks this will encourage people
to join Facebook and then join their group.
</p>
<p>This is shameful on so many levels:</p>
<ul>
<li>
The link is utterly pointless unless you are prepared to join Facebook, if
you don't already have an account, and then apply for membership of the
group. Talk about deferred gratification.
</li>
<li>
As nothing is visible, the links provide no motivation whatsoever to go any
further. The pictures could show expertly painted miniatures or be of
complete and utter rubbish.
</li>
<li>
Clearly, the poster expects Facebook to act as a content delivery network or
an image hosting service; which it is not. Presumably, this is because he
can't, or doesn't want to, use one of the many image hosting services.
</li>
<li>
Facebook profiles all visitors to their site so you get a
<a
href="https://www.howtogeek.com/768652/what-are-facebook-shadow-profiles-and-should-you-be-worried/"
>shadow, or non-member, profile</a
>
as soon as you click the link. If your cookie security is bad you'll also
get quite few tracking cookies as well.
</li>
</ul>
<p>
This is just plain disrespectful of fellow hobbyists and is probably born from
their limited technical understanding and abilities. Time to move on.
</p>
<p>
<b>Closing remarks</b><br />
That's it. One less forum and minimum Twitter (or should that be X?).
Slowly but surely I feel I'm getting more control of my use of the
Internet. This leaves more time for things like painting and writing
blog articles.
</p>
Vexilliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568117694302239705noreply@blogger.com9