A Little More of the Same

 I can't always take time to blog. My ministry keeps me somewhat busy... and I'm also lazy. So there.

None-the-less, I continue my interest in the game of The Silver Bayonet. I continue to collect figures appropriate to that game, like the French skirmish team I'm about to showcase. So far, my family and I have put together squads for Austria, Prussia (1807), Great Britain and Canada, the USA, the Lenape people, Irish rebels, Cryptids-and-Things-That-Go-Bump-in-the-Night, and now Imperial France. I have a small box of unemployed Janissaries, so who knows?

This is not Marshal Ney. We wouldn't waste a Marshal of the Empire
on cryptid hunting. He probably ranks as chef de bataillon or such.
The figure was a gift from my friend Ralph.
I really like the look of him.

Troops and specialists:
Flanker Grenadier of the Guard, Infantry fusilier, Sapper,
and a Haitian occultist.

Troopers:
Grenadier of the Old Guard, a young junior officer, and a line grenadier.

A close-up of the occultist.
He's in a "stable jacket" with wild trousers.
Someone remarked that the skull is massive, even for a Vudu implement.
Maybe Yorick was a large guy?

Troopers and specialist:
Line Voltigeur, Artilleryman, Sergeant of voltigeurs, Supernatural investigator
The majority of these French - Warlord plastics - were a purchase
at the Hot Lead convention a few weeks ago.
The grenadiers, the junior officer, and the sapper were bought there as well
but I saw this inscription when I looked under the base - "Stadden." 😁
The investigator is Trent Miniatures.

Death Shroud from Reaper Miniatures
I liked the look of this weird thingee and I'll find a place to use it.

Last but not at all least, the storied Mothman!
My eldest and a friend of their's are fascinated by Mothman stories.
I picked up a GW gargoyle and made some wings.
I've since redone the wings, making them more "moth-y."
I've also ordered a critter from Reaper called "the Fly Demon" who
will make a far better Mothman than my meagre skills could dummy up.
More on that when it arrives,

Since I based my Irish rebel crew on the British list, I'm thinking of using a Galloglaich figure as the "Highlander." Some Sweeny in a mail shirt and broadaxe should fill the bill. What do you think?

All for now. It's Holy Week and Easter is busy enough... plus I've a wedding to witness on top of it all!

Happy Easter to anyone reading who celebrates it and a lovely Spring to all!

Geez, it's deep here!

 

Had I know that the water was this deep here, I'd have worn my big boots!

The Silver Bayonet is a deeper dive than I expected, especially considering the breadth of folklore, legend, and myth of the entire world! I remain amazed that almost anything could be included for the Napoleonic powers to fight, even including themselves!

Well, from the painting table to the podium...

An Austrian Grenz Infantryman in the white coat
Why not? Note he still has his red cloak on top of his pack.
(Perry Miniatures)

The Irish legendary hero, Cú Chulainn in the middle of
his "warp spasm" (Gaelic: ríastrad) which changes his 
appearance... sort of turning him inside-out. A Silver Bayonet
game set in Ireland could include his nibs somehow.
(Alternative Armies)

A avenging angel or some sort of spirit warrior.
Originally it was done with my wife's Kings of War army in mind,
but most anything could be used in SB.
(Whiz Kids D&D range)

The Wee Folk are represented.
I say another blogger/player who had used these figures for Leprechauns and 
I thought they worked well. I have six of them painted.
(Alternative Armies)

"Clue Markers" courtesy of junk I had lying around the painting table.
I'm happiest about the skeletal arm with the scythe rising from the grave.

Not a Silver Bayonet figure, but you never know.
An Alternative Armies selection referred to as a "Psy-paladin."
Almost obvious, isn't it, Darth? I'm hoping to put this guy into a Traveller scenario
some way or another. It's a true 25mm figure.
I flocked the base with my usual grass/pebble mix but I flocked over a coat of 
red paint which gives it a bit of an alien ground feel I think.

I'll be looking to see if any figure could stand in for the "Mothman" of legend. That would be fun to paint!

"Leave the patio light on, Mike. He might show up again!"

I hope to have some games to blog on in the near future as the province of Ontario opens up to "The New Normal." I'll admit that I'll remain cautious about precautions like masks and distancing. I really don't want to get sick. I've had a cousin in ICU from COVID-19 and has recovered for the most part. I've also lost a friend to the disease. Now a another friend of mine -in Finland- is down with it. 

Further into the Deep End

     Well, this hasn't happened on my gaming table... yet. I have no Italian troops for The Silver Bayonet and both Pinocchio and the Carabinieri are from a later date. Still you never know.

     I'm looking forward to playing more games of The Silver Bayonet and to that effect, I've been adding to the figures to be used... by all sides, both for North America and Europe.

"Buddy Cthulu" -- a 3D printed figure given to me by my friend, Martin.
It'll probably serve as an idol in a game at some time.

A gentle Woman riding side saddle -- Very Jane Austin
(Brigade Games)
How to use? No idea, but you can hardly go wrong with a figure like this.

Goblin!
an old GW "snotling" figure

Irish insurgent leader or investigator
Trent Miniatures '98 Rebellion range

A deserter from the Irish militia (Trent Minis)
He'll probably serve as a grenadier since he's "trained."

Irish insurgent soldier (Trent)
Musket? Blunderbuss? Bazooka? I don't know!

Another insurgent (Trent)
The "flower pot" hats strike me as funny.

Irish insurgent officer (Trent)
Stylish and still business-like

Irish insurgent piper (Trent)
I'm still unsure how I'll use him but such a figure HAS to be included!

He's in the Trent catalogue as "Dublin Constabulary.
However, I think he'd make a fine Investigator or Occultist.

For the force of the Crown, an Investigator or Occultist
The Trent Catalogue lists him as a "watchman" or "Beadle"
My Anglican canon friend informed me that a Beadle was an
parish official in charge of watching the parish boundaries to
keep people from "double dipping" on the welfare system
managed by the Church of England.
I think this is a great figure with plenty of character.

Paymaster Miniatures' version of the Sasquatch
A "must-have" for games in North America!
He's a big figure, maybe 30mm+ tall.
Looks grumpy... needs a hot meal.

You know that little thingee that come in your pizza box to keep
the top of the box out of the cheese? Useless once the pizza is eaten?
Hardly! I cut the legs down a bit and turned it into a ritual altar!
It could get messy.

Black Hoof of the Shawnee (Trent Minis)
I'd bet that my wife's First Nations warband will include him at some point.
He is a historical figure and would be a welcome addition to a War of 1812 game.

Tecumseh, chief of the Shawnee (Trent Minis)
A true historical figure I really wanted to add to my collection.
He and General Brock were a force to be reckoned with in 1812.
Tecumseh hoped to lead the tribes in forming an indigenous independent state
in North America under the protection of the British Crown.
It was not to be and Tecumseh died in battle at the Battle of the Thames in Ontario.

My oldest liked this figure and I'd bet they'll include her
in the monster band they intend to put together. She's be a 
worthy changeling! (Brigade Games)

The Silver Bayonet might be the perfect game to use this castle that has been languishing in my garage for a long time. I can imagine SO many possibilities in a European/British/Irish setting.

    So many classic horror/fiction stories could be included. Frankenstein? Sure! Dracula? Why not? The Cu Chulainn cycle? I'd think so!

In the Deep End

     My foray into the world of "The Silver Bayonet" continues and I think I stepped into the deep end. I do like the game and I'm seeing variant versions of it - ACW, AWI, 7YW, 30YW, WWII, Wild West (Wilder West?), Alamo and Texas Independence... and on from there.

     Because of where I live and because of some family connections and because I reenact the War of 1812, a lot of my painting and building is for a North American setting. I'm hoping to do some more gaming using these rules once the Province of Ontario's COVID-19 lockdown in relieved. (Stay healthy, friends!) Until then, I'll paint.

My Austrian Force... an armed friar as investigator (Foundry), Grenz infantry as scout
(all Perry from here on), dhampir in grenadier uniform, Officer commanding, Grenadier
sapper (called a "Zimmerman" in the Austrian forces), Jager, Jager junior officer/Occultist,
Hungarian grenadier  

The "Bench" - Extra figures for replacement or variety
Grenzer, occultist or artilleryman, Jager in 1805 uniform (I like the helmet!),
Jager in 1812 uniform, Infantryman. (All Perry figures)

Hornist used as either an occultist or artilleryman.
The uniform is of the artillery Handlagerdienst, troops who provided
muscle to move the guns.

Infantryman
There are loads of possible facings for Austrian troops

A Jager in the 1805 uniform
(I really like the crested helmet!)

Jager in the 1809+ uniform
The Corsehut is cool too.

I call him "Father Vasili", a Foundry figure from the Cossack range
Hand cross, pistol in belt, staff, and klabok, he's a great Orthodox priest!
My son is considering a Russian force so Vasili may transfer to that outfit.

Highland officer by Vixtrix

Highland soldier by Vixtrix

Highland piper by Vixtrix
Maybe the pipes scare ghosties and ghoulies away.
Maybe they help the troops morale.
No matter what... I HAD to do one.

While scrounging through some boxes of unpainted figs, what do I find?
Enough 1806 Prussians to do a Silver Bayonet force!
L to R - Two infantrymen, Lutheran/Evangalisch pastor as Investigator, Hauptmann
commanding, Occultist with ritual halberd (sounds good to me), Jager rifleman, Pioneer/Sapper
(Manufacturer unknown)

Deer Woman spirit of First Nations lore
Defender of womenfolk, but equally nasty to others
(Paymaster Miniatures)

Flying Head Spirit of Iroquois lore
Seriously nasty and carnivorous
(Flint & Feather Miniatures)

Hairless Bear Spirit - Iroquois/Lenape lore
Also carnivorous (Is there a theme here?)
(Flint & Feather Miniatures)

Wendigo (Paymaster Miniatures)
Carnivorous (again) and ever hungry
It seems to appear in First Nations lore all over.

A pixie with a spear -- who knows what's in those woods?
(Reaper Bones Mini)

Another armed pixie -- loaded for bear, as it were
(Reaper Bones Mini)

Vampire Bat from Games Workshop
We all need a few of these for a game in Sub-Carpathian Ruthenia!

Jo-Ga-Oh from Paymaster Miniatures
It seems the Iroquois had dwarf-ish folk who threw rocks
... a lot!

I'm still working on a Sasquatch and some goblins. I've also looted my D&D and Traveller figures for appropriate "things." And there is a delivery of Irish rebels somewhere out there. So there will be more later!