Getting Ready for Oathmark - Middle-Earth Style

My five nights working week did not leave me much time and energy for hobby stuff, but I have been printing some cottages for various purposes (no time for painting, yet), somewhat dressing a table for my first test run of Oathmark, and putting a lot of minis on previously printed trays.

I have brought in my Vikings to play the role of Dunlendings (they are in the far corner), and some painted GW/Warhammer wolves I bought some years ago, in order to bring the Isengarders up to a similar number as the Western Alliance (which is actually from areas east of Isengard, just to make things more confusing...)

Bases are all over the place; I intend to continue basing/rebasing my infantry on 20mm washers, and I really don't think it will have much impact on gameplay - if the system is solid, it will work fine with slighly narrower frontages on some units.

I hope to play a couple of turns tomorrow, and also do a little work on bases for minis not yet present, we shall see about that (I also have to do my 8-kilometer walk, fight some dandelions, and finish painting a certain Mr. Gamgee, so that he can be varnished to keep the contrast paints in place).

I have not worked out points values, as this does not need to be a balanced affair, and I have not added characters of any kind. I aim to get the basic rules worked in, and get a good impression of the way standard situations are handled, then I shall know if this game is what I hope it is: My new go-to battle game to replace God of Battles, which I have found to be too unbalanced for my liking.

Building an Army Worthy of Mordor... or Something.

I had a major hobby disaster yesterday. To cut a long story short, among other mishaps I ended up with two irrepairable Uruk-Hai pikemen, and it made me so angry that I sat down and started speed-painting some replacements.

I finished them today, and this is how they are going to be used in my Oathmark test game, somewhen during the next 4-5 days.

I am not going to do any further work on the bases as I am going to replace them with steel washers, anyway, so for now they will just look like shit.

One good thing came out of it though: I now know that I can get some plastic Uruk-Hai on the table with short notice!

LotR: Second Hand Uruk-Hai WIP

These second hand Uruk-Hai are also among the minis I am clearing away from the prepping station. I already glued them to washers a long time ago, but now I have also started building the bases, so that I can get them moved on. That sword needs to be repaired, yes.

My back permitting, I shall continue work on their bases. Unfortunately, my strained back prevents me from doing any further work today (I had to arrange myself on the couch with some pillows supporting my lower back and the laptop... on my lap (which I hate, because it prevents me from using the mouse) to write these updates).

Blood Eagle: Another Horrible Dice Day

Shortly spoken, I am on the verge of giving up gaming. I am fed up with getting each and every one of my rare gaming sessions ruined by my dice rolling FAR below average, Today, I think I rolled 3 results over 4 on the d10; 2 Initiative Rolls, and one attack, which latter was, by the way, easily saved by my opponents Fate roll. I find that, what ever I do, I just see my troops wither away while I fail to do any damage to the enemy, and it is simply no fun to play anymore.

Today, I even played the Uruk-Hai, exactly the same force that the Rohirrim got creamed by when I was playing them, which just goes to show how awful everything works when I have to roll the dice for it.

Well, here are the pics from the game - might be the last ones I post in a while, as my motivation is now exactly ZERO. Playing a game really should spur me on to get more stuff painted, not drain me of any will to carry on.

We played 'The Raid', and 'the great hall' was the largest of the 3 buildings (not that it mattered, as it might as well have been on the moon).

The Set-up

Uruks charging in

The defenders tried to keep their archers out of charge range, and succeeded, but the arrows they fired had no effect.

Up until now, everything went according to plan - but then soon we started rolling dice...

Two Uruks down...

The defenders now outnumbered the attackers by more than 2 to 1 - and the third Uruk (the closest one) went down.
This is the point where I gave up.
I think we played 3 or 4 turns. What a fun game... Not.

Lord of the Rings Repairs and Rebasing

I have been working on some old LotR models in between toiling in the garden and prepping some Perry plastics.

These Uruk-Hai were from a secondhand lot - and although their former owner started painting them, they have not been cleaned up very well, and I shall definitely have to remove mold lines and re-prime them sparsely before painting them up from start. Well, at least they are on washers, now, only need some filler on the bases after the clean-up.

The Dol Amroth Knight painted as a member of the Order of the Black Swan (my own invention for a kind of 'penal' order for Knights who failed in their sworn duty, used when playing Battle Companies years ago) had to be repaired (shield came off when I toppled a crate with mini boxes in it) - and on closer inspection, I think I shall have to repaint at least his sword.

Lurtz is nearing the stage where I can varnish him (I think I shall remove some of the flock from around his feet, though, and the bowman was another secondhand model that needed a repair, and got rebased as well.

My fiddling with LotR models is a bit all over the place at the moment - I just repair and rebase models to get them off my prepping station when not working on the Perry HYW God of Battles Dol Amroth Men-at-Arms project, and I shall have a lot more space when I have finished all these small side-projects (and I think I shall very soon have to devote a full day off to getting some more of these finished and moved on).

Second Hand Lurtz Rebased

A long time ago, I got this Lurtz as part of a second hand batch, and he has been sitting on my newly re-instituted prepping station ever since.

Now, I have re-based him onto a washer, and I plan to give him a coat of matt varnish when I have finished his base, and then he can be enrolled in my Blood Eagle Uruk-Hai warband (and my Isengard God of Battles Orc army).

The paintjob is not fantastic, but it will do for tabletop standard, until I can paint up my own NIB version of this sculpt (I am pretty sure, I also have the sculpt of him shooting his bow (at Boromir), and I may want to get that one coloured in, first).

This was the last hobby-related task I managed to get done today - I plan to do some repair and/or re-basing on one mini each day, so that I can get some of the clutter away from my prepping station little by little, without just hiding it away in some box.

Lurtz will get some filler on the base tomorrow along with the four Zulu warriors I have assembled over the last couple of days.

Attic Attack IV: Day 2, Blood Eagle

I started Saturday playing my second game of Blood Eagle. Ulrik had brought a homebrewed warband of Gondorians (and a single Dwarf), and they squared off against my Uruk-Hai in another game of Assassination.

I spent most of the game rolling 3s and 4s on the d10, which shows all too well in the pictures below tracking the progress of the game (when I remembered to use my camera).

The game was rather intese, but I was also very frustrated by my many low rolls. Never the less, I managed to dispatch about half the enemy company, before my Leader was downed, but even though I ganged up on the Dol Amroth knight a couple of times, I could not beat his armour.

High Armour values/good Fate should be limited to main characters, I think, and otherwise high Armour should only be used by characters with medium to low Fate, as a character with the first combo can be very hard to dispatch.

As can be seen elsewhere on this blog, I am preparing some members of the Fellowship to be painted for Blood Eagle, and I expect to add Aragorn to my Rohan warband (followed by Legolas and Gimli), which should boost the points and fighting ability nicely.

Attic Attack IV: Day 1, Blood Eagle Part 2

As you can see from the two last pictures from my first game of Blood Eagle, my Rohirrim did not fare well.

We did not finish the game, as Valdemar had to drive back to Fredericia, a 3/4 of an hour's drive from my home, but things were a bit tight for the defenders, and it did not seem as if I could hold out for much longer.

Well, at least I got the rules tried out...

Attic Attack IV: Day 1, Blood Eagle Part 1

Finally got my first game of Blood Eagle played - this time with Valdemar, a new acquaintance met through another gamer's Facebook profile.

I played the Defenders of the East Emnet, while Valdemar took control of the Uruk-Hai raiders.

We played Assassination, as it is a very straightforward scenario, not demanding anything but a designated leader in both warbands.

The Uruk-Hai split up in two groups, one crossing the stream, the other heading for the bridge.

I already made my first tactical blunder here: I should have kept my archers at one flank, adding more bonus to volley fire.
Lesson learned and duly noted.

With the raiders closing in at full speed (running, -3 ranged attack penalty),
my archers could not beat any Armour, even though their lives depended on it.

Battle is joined!

I just realized that I have not edited all the pictures of the game, as some was taken after midnight - and thus I have to finish this AAR in a later post...

Blood Eagle: Uruk-Hai Warband Also Almost Finished!

As you can see, only some base decoration is still missing - and I have to repair the paintjob on the leader's face (I dropped him back at the beginning of this project, remember?), and hair.

If everything goes to plan, both Rohan warriors and the Uruk-Hai will be finished before noon tomorrow - and I have finished painting my first Viking, and am now in the process of doing his base!

Blood Eagle: Rohan/Saxon Warband all but Finished

A few touches more, and these are ready for the tabletop. At least the leader is going to have a tuft or two, and some fallen leaves on his base

Blood Eagle LotR Warbands: Last Stage of the Re-basing has Begun!

Just finished base-coating all the bases with Warzona Trench Brown.

Now they have to dry, before I apply a drybrush of the same colur mixed with white.

It feels as a mighty relief to finally get something done on these, again - this 'instant warbands' project has dragged on far too long by now!

I am now going to thave lunch, and then go for long walk (8 kilometers), before eathing up the potato-rows (if there is time for it, we have to go to a meeting at the school regarding a school camp for Lea's class at 16.30).

Well, at least I feel thatI have done progress, today!

Blood Eagle LotR Warbands: Re-basing almost complete!

This morning, before working in the garden, I slabbed some glue on the bases of these four Uruks, which caused me some trouble when I glued them to the washers.

I should be able to - at least - basecoat most of the bases of the two warbands tomorrow, BUT I still have some work to do in the garden, and I may have to spend some hours outside - unless we get a lot of rain, the forecasts are a bit uncertain.

At least, all the minis are now ready for some brushwork - it took me long enough, methinks!

Blood Eagle LotR: Rebasing Next Phase

All the Rohan warriors and about half the Uruks have landed in the sandpit.

Either this evening or tomorrow morning, I shall get the last Uruk-bases sanded, and start painting the bases already with sand.

Unfortunately, my regular gaming buddy Ulolkish/Duregar does not have time for gaming this weekend, but I guess, we can find time for testing the Blood Eagle rules and these LotR warbands next weekend, although it is in my 5-day night watch period (we just have to game after 3 p.m., so that I have sufficient time for sleeping).

Still Struggling with the Re-basing

I had some problems with the glue on a couple of the Uruk-Hai, so I have not yet completed the re-basing project, but I am close, now!

Tomorrow I shall begin glueing sand on the bases, and then - hopefully - paint most of the bases during the weekend.

Blood Eagle: Re-basing the Uruks

I did some work on the Uruk-Hai warband yesterday. I expect to glue the two remaining members onto washers today, and then start putting filler on the bases.

Blood Eagle, Uruk-Hai Scouts Warband: Shagbug

And, finally, the last member of the Isengard warband.

This evening, I shall start re-basing some of the Rohan/Saxon warriors, and I hope to have both warbands re-based and ready by the 20th, and that I can get a gaming appointment with Duregar/Ulolkish for the weekend, as I really to roll some dice and push some dollies.

The weather keeps showing itself from its most agreeable side, and as long as we have summer-like conditions, I shall have to focus on getting stuff done in the garden, but the forecasts promise colder weather from this upcoming weekend, which means much more indoor activity, so I am confident that a lot of progress will happen!

Name	Shagbûg, Uruk-Hai Scout Swordsman w/Helm									Points Cost
Attributes	Fate	FV	SV	Speed	Religion
Value	5+	+2	+0	+1	(Pagan)					26
Points	2	2	0	1						5
Traits	Endurance		Count Encumbrance as one level lighter							5
Armour	Hides and crude plate (mail byrnie), full helm					Encumbrance	(Medium) Light	Armour Rating:	11	9
Fighting Weapon	Attack Bonus	Hands Required	Fate Modifier	Notes						Points Cost
Sword, long	+3	1	-1							7
Unarmed - unskilled	+0	1	+1							0
Shooting Weapon	Attack Bonus	Hands Required	Fate Modifier	Range	Notes					Points Cost

Blogger is acting up, again...

Blood Eagle, Uruk-Hai Scouts Warband: Maubug

The second 'ultra-light' Uruk. Same sculpt as Bolgnakh, but this one was painted by me.

Also same profile as Bolgnakh, but, as always, included.

Name	Maubug, Uruk-Hai Scout Swordsman									Points Cost
Attributes	Fate	FV	SV	Speed	Religion
Value	5+	+2	+0	+1	(Pagan)					19
Points	2	2	0	1						5
Traits	Endurance		Count Encumbrance as one level lighter							5
Armour	Hides and crude plate (mail byrnie),					Encumbrance	Light	Armour Rating:	9	2
Fighting Weapon	Attack Bonus	Hands Required	Fate Modifier	Notes						Points Cost
Sword, long	+3	1	-1							7
Unarmed - unskilled	+0	1	+1							0
Shooting Weapon	Attack Bonus	Hands Required	Fate Modifier	Range	Notes					Points Cost

Blood Eagle, Uruk-Hai Scouts Warband: Lagog

Another 'semi-light' scout.

I would rather see their heels than their toes, really!

Basically the same profile as Ifhur, but, of course, included for the sake of completeness.

Name	Lagog, Uruk-Hai Scout Swordsman w/Helm									Points Cost
Attributes	Fate	FV	SV	Speed	Religion
Value	5+	+2	+0	+1	(Pagan)					26
Points	2	2	0	1						5
Traits	Endurance		Count Encumbrance as one level lighter							5
Armour	Hides and crude plate (mail byrnie), full helm					Encumbrance	(Medium) Light	Armour Rating:	11	9
Fighting Weapon	Attack Bonus	Hands Required	Fate Modifier	Notes						Points Cost
Sword, long	+3	1	-1							7
Unarmed - unskilled	+0	1	+1							0
Shooting Weapon	Attack Bonus	Hands Required	Fate Modifier	Range	Notes					Points Cost

Blood Eagle, Uruk-Hai Scouts Warband: Ifhur

A semi-light Uruk-Hai Scout, wearing only a helm in addition to the standard hides and crude plate armour.

He would scare me...

Name	Ifhur, Uruk-Hai Scout Swordsman w/Helm									Points Cost
Attributes	Fate	FV	SV	Speed	Religion
Value	5+	+2	+0	+1	(Pagan)					26
Points	2	2	0	1						5
Traits	Endurance		Count Encumbrance as one level lighter							5
Armour	Hides and crude plate (mail byrnie), full helm					Encumbrance	Medium	Armour Rating:	11	9
Fighting Weapon	Attack Bonus	Hands Required	Fate Modifier	Notes						Points Cost
Sword, long	+3	1	-1							7
Unarmed - unskilled	+0	1	+1							0
Shooting Weapon	Attack Bonus	Hands Required	Fate Modifier	Range	Notes					Points Cost