Kaptain Heider

With a look of immense relief upon his face Freikorp Kaptain Heider began to roll up the yellow flag with the black pelican upon it.
It had been a most successful evening - thirty men signed up and all looked like they could handle themselves both on and off the field of Mars.

Kaptain Heider settled into the corner of his chair near the roaring fire,the flag having been placed in the sack under the table , and took out a couple of books from his worn and battered satchel. He opened the copy of Aquinas's Summa Theologica and became immersed in another world...
His thoughts drifted back to the village school he had taught in before he answered the misguided call of adventure. He had been shocked to meet one of his former pupils tonight who had offered his services as a doctor for the company.
A knock at the door brought him back to reality. His face returned to the familiar gruff mask of daily life as he acknowledged his supper with a grunt. Now back to St Thomas and the long hours to read in before the morning brought the problems of another day...

At the sign of the Black Pelican

Taking one wrong turn in the back streets of Tradgardstadt was unfortunate, taking more than one was utter folly...

Those who did so would find themselves in a decaying slum within a slum. They would be lucky to get out alive -obviously without any valuables they possessed!

Towering over all else in the Syldavian quarter was a large inn namely "The Black Pelican." It formed the social,political,religious and cultural heart ( a black one of course) for the community of Syldavian exiles which sought to make a living within the Duchy of Tradgardland.

The inn was large and looked as if it had grown from the putrid earth itself rather than being built by human hands. The sense of something organic was almost tangible . Within, all was stained black by the smoke from the roaring fires and the never extinguished pipes of those who frequented the place. No dog passing the kitchen yard was safe and the yelps of the unwary could be heard frequently by passers by.

Tonight the inn was busier than ever for a Freikorp Kaptain was recruiting - no questions asked, no soul too warped and no rest for the wicked!

Sylvania

Zoe( my eldest) has bought a French dvd of Tintin- to improve her listening skills. It is the one featuring Sylvania- The sceptre of Ottokar. I have been watching it and am most taken with the uniforms . My thoughts have run , amidst visitors& school reports, to what uniforms were worn in Sylvania in the 18th century. Any Tintin aficionados are welcome to make suggestions here...

Mildew...

From my desk all that is important lies within easy reach. The pens, ledgers and detritus of my calling surround me. My needs are simple yet beyond comprehension of those who dwell beyond the glass. I remain the Ducal archivist in spite of those who are ever pressing me to stand down. I answer to no one but Duke Karl Frederick himself as those who have gone before me answered to the Dukes of their time and place. The leather may fade and become covered in mildew, the parchment rot upon the shelf but the House of Tradgardland will never end…

Monday

Gentlemen
Monday once more.. Off today for Monday hol. @ doctors re ankle ( no joy 2 courses of antibiotics and 2 x rays later) still doesnt know what it is or really what to suggest except blood test and physio...
Busy but satisfying weekend of reinstating ,assembly Ikea furniture and the like. Still time to base some figs tho.
Am flocking syw figs today configured in units of around 32 or so inf. It is the "Militia" organisation in Peter Young's Charge Rules circa 1967 . I am increasingly drawn to these rules and the simplicity/fun they point to. Will try solo game soon I fear... off to read Sidebottom and drink coffee to warm up as the central heating is off at present- hopefully reinstated soonish. By the way picture is by Caspar David Friedrich- one of my favourite artists and painter of atmospheric,wondrous pictures .Hope you like it and are inspired to seek out more of his work. Jolly useful to illustrate 18th century blogs too...

In Edinburgh...

Coming home from my ADHD course in Edinburgh I stopped off at the Games workshop shop. I haven't played wab for countless years yet I still like to pop in now and then and see what is happening.

I loved and still remain a fan of the Warhammer Empire army - a fantasy Holy Roman Empire ( which is certainly not holy roman or an empire...as they say)which has some interesting background and truly beautiful figures - many which have non fantasy usage. I came away from the shop with the June "White Dwarf" - Empire special of course and the nifty bases pictured above. The wee bases are 25mm, the bigger 40mm and 1 is 60mm. The other 5 bases ( called biker bases I believe ) will be utilised as cavalry one.31 in all for a fiver - not bad I feel. I also left the shop enthused to paint by the wonderful figures on display- whatever your vies are re fantasy the figures look great...

Have a good weekend one and all! P.S I am rather tempted by the plastic units packs of Empire Infantry- i am sure I would find a use...

Hey Mr Postman....

On the Tradgardland border with the city state of Weltschmerz-Hammerklavier tension is in the air. A patrol of the Tradgardland Militia approaches the border post in fear and trepidation They are charged with delivering a letter from Duke Karl Frederick to the Prince-Bishop. The men are unaware of the contents of the sealed parchment and equally unaware of the implications for Tradgardland and beyond…

Update/Winter Quarters...

Yesterday was spent reinstating the siting room. Myriad books were transported,placed lovingly upon the shelves and the final effect was excellent.Furniture was put carefully upon the new oak floor and the room looks great. There will be a quieter time until the kitchen units arrive from Germany and the decorating completed. We hope all will be finished by the commencing of Advent.

Today (like yesterday) the sun was shining and the grass (long abandoned to its fate due to busy household events of late) was given a couple of cuts.My thoughts went to the lawn's potential for fLW gaming next summer- weather permitting. Sadly I employed the petrol mower rather than the scythe depicted in the Swedish painting in this blog entry. It was a good chance to think about the hobby plans for Winter Quarters:

SYW- games with Bill Protz's rules Tradgardland against the forces of the Imperium currently camped upon the border. Basing to be accomplished and magnetic basing to be employed. Units with be raised for the Duchy from figures I have and I think I will invest in some hussars... A small bishopric may also raise forces - funds and energy permitting...

FLW ( have you seen the super "LittleWars" for the 21st Century rules by Paul wright called "Funny Little Wars"- you must have a look as they are inspirational and witty too.) I will continue to collect 54mm Swiss,sorry Army Red/White, expanding into cavalry and artillery by way of some chalets as scenery. I hope to take the army forward into the age of inter-war mechanised warfare with the odd tank and bicyle towed anti tank guns...I must also finish some army lists for Paul too!! I need to think of an oppostion for Army Red /White too. Those pesky Danes also are rather attractive to model too!

Ancients:still unsure about rules but will probably go down the dbm/dbmm route. Also hope to play test some rules which are period specific. As to which army to finish I am ever torn and go between many, completing none! I am currently reading Sidebottom's newish novel and Sumner's super book on Roman military clothing- I fear they will influence my choice of painting...

1938- A very civil war. Vol 1 of the source book really interested me and I am sooo tempted to dive into yet another period. Vol 2 is out very soon. There is an excellent set of "Old School " rules posted on the gentleman's wargame parlour site for this period which are well worth looking at... not to mention going 54mm and employing FLW.

No doubt I will be derailed from my plans. Already I have been thinking about the sunny and saintly Prince bishop of a small bishopric within the Duchy of Tradgardland. An inspirational 16th century map has really caught my imagination and I feel being sucked into this intriguing and colourful city -state.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend and have fun while the sun shines...

New recruits...

The cheerful and saintly Prince Bishop of Weltschmerz-Hammerklavier has offered to raise a regiment for the Ducal Army from within his Bishopric.
Weltschmerz-Hammerklavier lies within a forested valley within the Duchy of Tradgardland and is an independent ,if minuscule, town proud of it’s ancient traditions . Traditionally remaining aloof from the life of Tradgardland it has been a Europa-wide exporter of carved Nativity scenes for more years than anyone can remember.

Pictured here is the new flag( emblazoned with the arms of the Prince-Bishop) embroidered by the townswoman with care skill and love…

As I have quite a few unpainted figures, which I have found lately , I am going to paint up this unit for the autumn /winter campaign alluded to of late in this blog. I hope to paint a standardbearer (complete with flag) and officer this weekend - work and weather permitting.

My regular opponent has kindly agreed to be my opponent this winter in some syw gaming. Although not really into imaginations he has agreed to command the forces of the Imperium,sorry Austria. We will be using Bill's BAR probably. Camera permitting watch out for some battle reports in the coming months. Phil will command-


Forces of the Imperium on the Tradgardland border:
C in C- Graf von Apfelstrudel
Infantry Regiment Kaiserschmarrn ,Infantry Regiment Schwarzwalder Kirshtorte ,Linzertorte Curaissiers ,Lebkucken Hussars ,Knoedel Grenz Hussars,A detatchment of Schaumrollen Grenzers and elements of theTrain of artillery...