Irregular Wars Wargaming

The last of my three planned factions for swashbuckling games, I finished up my generically indigenous pulp native war party this week. Although I took  inspiration  from the indigenous populations of Mesoamerica, northern South America and the Caribbean, there is nothing intentionally specific about these gentlemen and no cultural disrespect is intended. The figures are all from a single plastic sprue of Frostgrave Ghost Archipelago natives, so they have more than a touch of fantasy about them.

The final part of my swashbuckler diversion will be five 'trope' natives. They are all built off a single plastic sprue (again from Frostgrave Ghost Archipelago), and are not overly historical. However, they fit the bill for generic natives as featured in in the likes of George MacDonald Fraser's The Pyrates , and the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. I got as far as finishing the cacique above, and started to feel a twinge in the back, so am going to have to pause painting for a few days. For less culturally insensitive inspiration I conducted a quick search for Arawak, Taino and Carib images. I can't guarantee which of the images below genuinely show these peoples (I suspect some show indigenous people of the Amazon), but I know the first one at least is an 1813 painting of a Carib family by Stedman. 

Following on from Gideon Brown's blue crew , this week I completed my second group of five swashbucklers, Captain Samuel Blood and his red crew. Like the blue crew, Capt. Blood and most of his buccaneers are built from a Ghost Archipelago plastic sprue with a North Star's resin conversion kits. The lady pirate with attitude is from Black Cat Bases.   Even with the distinct colour schemes - obviously intended for tabletop recognition more than historical accuracy - I'm pleasantly surprised how easily the figures from the two crews work together. I have tried to use a mix of skin tones and as many piratey tropes as I could manage. Parrot, check; monkey, check; eye patch, check; bottles of rum, check; Arab pirate, check; black pirate, check; saucy Latina pirate, check; cabin boy; check. About the only things missing are a hook and a peg leg. Oh, and natives. But more of them next.

While I wait on more Baccus 6mm Austrians to arrive, I've been diverted by a small pirate project. I have set out to do 15x 28mm figures nominally divided into three groups - a blue crew, a red crew and 'natives' (more Pulp natives than any specific culture). Capt. Brown's Boys are all from North Star Miniatures: the boy is a metal 'Jim Lad', the others are all made up from a Ghost Archipelago plastic sprue with North Star's resin conversion kits.  There are a range of games that they could see action in: Song of Blades and Heroes , Song of Drums and Tomahawks or Flashing Steel are all options from Ganesha Games. I have also picked up En Garde! from Osprey which looks very promising.  

  My wee lad and I have had a good few games of Song of Blades and Heroes over the last few weeks. I've been keeping the warbands pretty simple, but he's becoming quite adept. Taking advantage of the sunny weather, we took our 200 point game outside this weekend for a clash between his knights led by Sir John the Magpie, and supported his ghost (with the Terror special rule - I have decided to call him Terry). I ran out a warband of four dvergr led by Thorfinn Hardluck and supported by two trolls. Making far too much use Terry the ghost (I forgot to give him the undead special rule, so we reasoned he was just a bloke wearing a sheet), my lad took an early lead, eliminating my two dvergr archers. However, I then counter attacked with Thorfinn and the trolls, sweeping up over a hill (if stunty legs can 'sweep') and attacking his axeman and Sir John. Despite knocking the axeman down, my Scandi trolls failed to finish him off. Sir John then charged the right-mo...

A final(?) two men have enlisted to serve in the early 13th century retinue of Sir Guillaume le Fauconnier. Built because I still had bits on my Fireforge sprues (the bow arm is borrowed from elsewhere?), and and idle mind. What I really need now is to get them on the table! Below is the full retinue in all their yellow and blue glory 

Over the Christmas break, I manage to get a bunch of 28mm miniatures done up to compliment my Shadow of Sherwood collection - I'm almost ready to start using them in earnest. These villagers are all from Midlam Miniatures - technically they are from a fantasy range, but they are as historical as the rest of my Robin Hood stuff! Pack-donkey Rat-catcher Washing maid Crippled crone Thug Forester (I cut the sword down into a dagger) Also from Midlam Miniatures, I got this Hiberno-Norse looking chap in a quilted bernie with a Dane axe. He could join the late 12th century Sherwood bandits if he chose, or (as in the photo above) he can team up with some Anglo-Danes and the like to take on slightly earlier Norman types. ... and my axe! For my we lad's (slowly growing) retinue, I created a sergeant with a Dane axe out of left over Fireforge bits.  ... and also my axe! ... and in a scene to warm any wargaming daddy's heart, h...