Up the Denge...

Between the convention, holidays, and vacations it has been awhile since we were able to get together for a Friday night of gaming. As it was it was just Dewey, Joey, and I. Rob is off in the Pennsylvania countryside and none of the semi-regulars showed.

I have been having fun reading Darkest Africa, Henry Stanley’s exploits during one of his expeditions through Africa. This inspired me to research a little bit more about what was going on in Africa at the turn of the century. So I pulled together some different exploits and came up with a scenario.

I call it, Up the Denge without a paddle. The border between the Belgian Congo and the German territories was always a source of confrontation. In this scenario some German Explorers have wandered across the border to loot..err explore an old temple. The local tribes fearing the Germans were looking for captives, or worse, headed off to the local Belgian home office to report this incursion. The commander smelling glory quickly rounded up what forces he could and set off to run the Bosche off.



We used the Space 1889 colonial rules with a few modifications. Dewey played the Germans, a company of Sea Battalion, a Gatling gun and 2 units of Askaris. Joey played the Belgians with 2 companies of regulars, 4 companies of Askaris and a warband of tribesman. I played the German civilians.

The Germans needed to get their porters from the temple to the boat. A smaller unit of porters was detailed to chop wood and load it on the boat for fuel. Dewey decided to protect the porter temples with a unit of Askaris and the Gatling gun. The Belgians came on the board in several locations. The regulars came up the middle with the Askaris on the left flank and the Tribesman on the right.





Things went wrong for the Germans right from the start. Apparently the porters were in absolutely no hurry to carry their heavy burdens. So they shuffled along at a most pedestrian pace.



Then the Askaris showed up and with a remarkable display of marksmanship wiped out the crew of the Gatling gun. Then when the Sea Battalion opened up on a unit of Belgian regulars all they managed to do was rile them up into a frenzied charge that nearly wipe the Sea Battalion out.


On the other flank things went a little better as the Tribesman came out, got shot at , decided they had enough and dove back into the jungle.

Eventually, they charged the encampment and picked on the civilians a little. The Germans were able to get back into the boat with a few goodies, but overall it was a victory for the Belgians as they had seen the cabbage eaters off.

Here is my current project. These figures are from the Spanish American War range. I will be using them to represent the various local forces in my Banana Wars campaign.
Two company's of troops and a gun crew.

Back from Historicon and it was one of the better cons in some time. I managed to get into 2 WWII games, one Victorian Sci Fi game, and one of Patrick Chambers Road Race games. In between I spent about an hour talking with Jason Salkey (aka Rifleman Harris) from the Sharpe Series. He was a very nice man, very down to earth. It was really interesting discussing the series with him and how much they all learned about the Napoleonic Era. He brought quite a few props from the show including the big multi barrel musket that Sgt. Harper carried.

It was the 25th anniversary so there was a party and a nice cake from the Ace of Cakes. Dewey and I fought are way through the masses to get a piece of the famous Charms City cake. The cake was quite good but the icing was that funny, kinda play dough icing. It tasted better than play dough but the consistency really kinda took some getting used too. I took a picture with my cell phone but it is a little too dark to post. As soon as someone posts a better pic I will link to it. The general idea was some toy soldiers and a cannon on a green field, but then there were two hands coming up out of the cake and I have no idea why. Something about bridging two blah blah blah. Also, I got to flirt with the Yuengling girls which was great fun.




So I can't go to a con without adding to the pile of unpainted lead in my game room. I was actually pretty good in that I only bought what I really need right away and I am pretty sure I will paint them up within the next month. So, from the flea market I got a great deal on some Foundry figures. I got close to 30 figure for around $20. They are rifle armed Rugga Rugga, and some native command and witch doctor figs that I need for my Darkest Africa Campaign. The other figs are Central American forces for my Banana Wars campaign. Both of which are current games in progress and so they need to get painted up right away. HAHAHAH OK I tried to say that with a straight face.




This piece of awesomeness was created by Paul Fasciana. I had no idea he was putting this together but when he gave it to me I was speechless. Then I practically had to fight off everyone who walked by me. I was literally stopped a half dozen times on my way through the hotel as everyone wanted to see it, and ask me where I got it. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA it your hearts out suckers! Paul has volunteered to make a Tramp Steamer for me next.



Yes, that is a soda machine surrounded by barbed wire. No, I have no clue what I am going to do with it. But, it was only $2 bucks so how can you pass it up. The picture really doesn't do the detail on the soda machine justice.

Dewey and I also played Subbutteo two nights and managed to attract quite a crowd both nights. We also managed to sell 4 out of 5 sets with potentially 4 more sales via the web. We should be able to host our World Cup tournament next year.

I won't even go into the board meeting and all the nonsense over the move. I will say that this move to Baltimore idea started over 3 years ago and these people needed to voice their objections long before now. I think it will be a great move and I am looking forward to the increase in space and all the new dealers that should be able to make it now.

Fall In game registration should be soon. The theme is the last days of WWII. Naturally Nick will have some adventure to get into. Now I need to go get some painting done.

So I have one new villain for Nick to encounter. The fat man, obviously the Fat Man from the Maltese Falcon. I have decided on a white suit as he will spend most of his time in the tropics. What I need is a back story for this man. Maybe some associations or associates in the underworld for him to be involved with. And is he maybe a guy on the wrong side of the law but in a position to help Nick because it suits him, or just on the opposite side of Nick.

The other figure is either going to be a new Professor Knobsnockers or perhaps an associate. Feel free to send suggestions.

Battle of Bungstarter (tip of the hat to Maj. Gen. Tremorden)

Trouble was brewing in the jungles of Africa. Colonel Blythely Smythe was just back from a successful safari when the local natives took umbrage to his presence on their land.


"Death by Unga Booongaaa!" was the cry that went up in the villages as the war drums started their endless beat.


The expedition started to get just a little concerned. They would need to march through the veldt and then pass through some jungle to get back to the river and safety.



Meanwhile, back by the boats the highlanders decided that the drums could only mean trouble. Deciding it was better to take a look around the Highlanders land and start to search the local village.












But the village and local wood shed were empty. Needing fuel the Askaris are assigned to start cutting wood and moving it to the boats.





The Askaris at the wood shed were quickly overwhelmed by a band of natives pouring out of the woods. Meanwhile the other company of Askaris and the Highlanders made their way to Bungstarter station. On the way they too were met by angry natives pouring out of the woods. The Askaris were the first to be set upon by natives. But with a sharp volley they were able to see the natives off in short work. However, before they could regroup they were hit in the flank and quickly surrounded by Natives.

The party of hunters quickly made it to what they perceived safety between the Highlanders and Askaris. However, the Highlanders soon found themselves surrounded as well. With a quick volley of muskets they chased off one band and then need a quick about face to get stuck in with their bayonets as another warband charged home. It was hard work with the bayonets and very touch and go. In the end the Highlanders and Askaris were left standing while the natives scurried back into the jungle. Some quick work back at the boats to clear off the remaining natives and fix the damage they had done to the boats and it was back down the river to safety.