wargamesdiary   A diary of war games and board games

Faramir and his rangers set out to ambush the haradrim as they make their way to join forces with the dark lord.

This was a fun scenario that pits two Mumakil and their escort against a strong force of rangers who lie in ambush.

Good set out his forces equally split between the north and south edges with Faramir and the hobbits to the north. The Haradrim need to travel across the board with the Mumakil whilst the escort are free to engage the ambushes.

This was a good way to learn the war beast rules.

In the first turn there was a free ambush attack. This had little effect because the Mumakil have thick hides and the two captains driving them have good courage so avoided a stampede.

More to come….

Having completed the tower I began crafting a hill using foam. Something I have never really done before. I made it more complex by then creating woodland scenic rocks with Link and then cutting gaps in the foam to glue them into.

My glue took a long time to set which might be why after adding the woodland scenic plaster cloth it has warped slightly underneath and one rock has slipped down vertically needing some correction. I have now glued a card base underneath to see if I can achieve a more flat look when it is on the table.

I have sprayed it black then dry brushed some household grey paint I have leftover onto the stones. I am then going to make my own nuln oil wash and apply that. Just need to sort out this base issue first.

Our two hobbits are sleeping after the breaking of the fellowship. Gollum sneaks up to them and attacks Frodo who is prone but survives using heroic defence. Then they both attack the next turn having won priority and inflict three wounds thus subduing Gollum.

Upgraded my ziterdes marsh board by adding deeper resin.

I think it looks better. It will also be easier to play on which is important.

Have painted up two pools/ marshes terrain pieces. This time I used clear epoxy resin which I found easier but stickier to use. Slower to dry but gives a clear finish.

Decided to add some deeper water to my river boards. See the original page.

Used Woodland Scenics EZ Water. Had it for a long time.

Heated it up – tried outside but it really needs a high flame so had to use the stove.

It dried hard and quick but with a yellow tinge I was not expecting. The river is a bit darker I suppose. Certainly my river is now deeper and wider. One thing I did not expect was that it warped my boards. As it dried it twisted the Ziterdes boards. If noticeable I might have to add some batons. Overall I think they do look better.

Have tried with some realistic water effects to see if can lessen the curve at the edge of the water.

Am currently working on some marsh bases. The first time I did these I was unhappy with the final result as the diorama marsh water I tried simply looked like green gloss paint when it dried. Now I have added some epoxy resin having built up the sides. Will see how it goes.

Edit – update the realistic water has still not fully dried after 24 hours.

Bormir retreats up the hill fighting his way through any scouts. He kills the Caprtain and then Lurtz. Aragorn watches him fall and then takes out Lurtz as Gimli rushes to his aid. Legolas deals with the archers from cover as he has been heavily injured by arrows early on in the scenario, narrowly surviving when caught out in the open. Victory for Good.

Eventually Boromir has fallen and the halflings taken to Isengard. The Fellowship lies broken but what of the Ringbearer?

Darryl (British), Spain (Phil) vs Mike (North French), Michael (South French)

1st Turn played.

Wow what a tense and difficult game that was!  So close and lots of hard fought battles.  Now the South French are planning on taking on Wellington with a mega army whilst the North French look to defend France from invasion across the Pyrenees whilst holding on to Madrid!  Those Southern Spanish keys look poorly defended too but never underestimate the French who rolled a fantastic reinforcement roll whereas the Brits and Spanish rolled 4 ones for our own between us! War without end meant no peace roll and impossible to conquer Spain at the end of Turn 1.

Some commanders to boost my Easterlings ready for War in the North perhaps. Amdur Lord of Blades leads a Dragon Knight Captain. On foot a war priest in service of the Dark Lord with a modified Captain and a Banner Bearer. I modified the Captain so he looked different to my other by moving his Glaive to the front. The figures arrived badly bent but I was able to straighten everything nicely using boiling water. The Captains weapon broke but I was intending to move it around any way and used a rod to fix the weapon head on.

All painted with contrast paints and then the metal added. Nuln oil wash applied after that and some gold highlight in parts.

I also painted a harbour landing quay. No picture until I find a use for it! One day the Corsairs will raid Gondor and need it to dock perhaps.