Some ancient heralds, and some ancient Space Marines

 I had two leftover cavalry I decided to make into stand-in heroes, and stand-in couriers (which can be used to guarantee command rolls once a game) for FSF.

Given the cheap Horus Heresy Mk6 space marines all over eBay I grabbed a few sets to make some marines for possible 2nd edition games in the future (my buddies and I have been talking about doing some cooperative bug hunts).

Not overly stoked with the results, but Space Marines are Space Marines.  Amusingly the very first "expensive" thing I bought at age 14 with my first job was a painted squad of the original RTB01 Beakie marines from a local hobby shop.  They happened to be painted red, so this is all coming full circle now.

Just getting some stuff out of the queue...

As the year draws to a close, I find myself, for the first time in many years...with a slight "pile of shame".  Normally I'm pretty good about buying - opening - assembling - painting - playing.

I don't open packages, or build stuff ahead of my painting schedule, etc.  I only have one small shelf of "stuff to do", but that shelf has been a little heavier than normal lately.  So I'm now trying to make genuine progress toward clearing out boxes.

Most of this is simple; I just have too many projects on the boil at the moment...something I rarely find is the case.

 So, I wanted to build and paint something quick - threw these FoW 15mm Valentines together yesterday - primed and painted and finished them this afternoon.

 

A slow death by MDF...and some horsies.

I've been missing for a bit on my own blog due to spending several weeks gluing together MDF terrain (a backlog that had been building).  No pictures until that stuff starts to get painted/finished.

Having reached a suitable stopping point, I've gone back to finishing some models (and working on a new secret project - not a game this time!).

Some more light cavalry for the "not" Dacian force, and some army pics (some of which came out blurry, sorry).

Some FSF test stuff arrived.

I've been busy behind the scenes doing terrain and rules, but I received some more playtest materials in the mail for Famine, Sword, & Fire.

A test print of the neoprene 'game mat' for keeping score and tracking agents and seasons.

 

Mini-decks for unit commanders as well as army generals.

 

Examples of some of the unit commanders - generally providing buffs or penalties to the unit's Command and Loyalty values.

 

The generals add two additional values; diplomacy and strategy --- used for starting the game and for campaign encounters mainly.

 

Another test game of FSF

 Had a larger test game today for Famine, Sword, & Fire.  Just a few pictures.

My army advances against the foe!

My skirmisher archers run into my opponent's skirmisher archers int he middle of the woods.

Middle of the game.

A large unit of levy light infantry manage to defend a hilltop while flanked.

Skirmish cavalry for FSF.

 A small unit of skirmish cavalry.  Bashed together from Dacians, Gauls, and Iberian light cavalry.

A word on customer service...and how to do it.

 

A quick story.

Many months ago (I believe late May), I made an order for some products from TT Combat, a company in the UK I've used for many years.  I have a heap of TT Combat products and I like them, etc.  I spent around $150 USD.

Fast forward 5-6 weeks and I feel like I should have received the order, so I poke around on the FedEx link.

Turns out the package has been seized by Customs some weeks back (without informing me, of course).

Contact FedEx.  "You need to fill out some forms".  Hmmm, okay, if it's something simple, no big deal.

FedEx then sends me papers to declare the chemical composition and origin of the MDF in the package, etc.  What?  I respond that...I'm not required to fill that out but I will forward it to TT Combat.

TT Combat receives it, gets in touch with FedEx and sends them the completed forms, even if they're a bit baffle as well.

No progress.

Waiting several weeks I get back in touch with FedEx.  "You need this new CBP form, and you need to create an Importer Account with CBP, etc."

Nope.  I tell them to fuck off, and I instruct them to return the package.  I inform them I'm not required to fill out the CBP form (as it's only used for commercial importers and products over $2,500 in value, etc.).  I used to be in the CBP so I'm not falling for this nonsense.  Someone at CBP or FedEx is completely mistaken and thic package was wrongfully seized.

FedEx agrees to return the package.

No progress.

TT Combat is in touch with FedEx and contacting them as often as I am, etc.

Eventually TT Combat files a flaim for a lost package, seeking reimbursement.  The finally get reimbursed and contact me, offering to re-send the package, this time via DHL. I received the package today.

Over the course of roughly four months, TT Combat stayed on top of this nonsense, and always responded to my emails and was working with FedEx trying to resolve this issue (one they don't encounter normally).  Meanwhile FedEx is not communicative, loses the package, and wants me to fill out unnecessary forms (with heaps of personal information) and then send them to an unverified customer service email, etc.

In short, TT Combat stuck with it this whole time, and got me the products I ordered.  It would have been dozens of phone calls and emails between all of us, and they kept to it.  I didn't need to hassle TT Combat myself to see if they were still working on it, etc.  They aggressively sought resolution from FedEx (who suck ass), and really went above and beyond.

 If I wasn't already a solid TT Combat customer, I sure would be now.

Fun Fact: During these four months I ordered and received two other packages from TT Combat, same value, shipped via FedEx, etc.

Playtesting FSF with...skeletons!?

Got a playtest in with the new FSF tokens.  We used my buddy's fantasy sksleton army (as it slotted in nicely and could be converted over quickly to the normal ancients rules).

Punched out and cleaned the new test tokens.

My buddy's Light Cavalry advancing on the first turn.

A large melee erupts on the right flank.

The melee is joined by my heavy cavalry, chariot, and berserkers while my opponent throws in skeletons to help his cavalry.

Later in the game, one of my chariots tries to withdraw from combat but fails and breaks.  It is harrassed by enemy archers as it flees.

On the right flank the skeletons break, as my own chariot leaves the combat and the enemy light cavalry work on killing off my heavy cavalry.

Late in the game the two main combats start causing casualties en masse.

Some skeleton light infantry break, and nearby skeleton archers are forced into open order by my archers.

The combat on the left flank escalates rapidly.

My light infantry skirmishers hang back, dropping arrows on any enemy unit out of combat.

For some reason I think it's a good idea to charge a light missile chariot into combat...

When my buddy's two skeleton units split up, I charge one with my larger light infantry unit.

Units moving early in the game.

My buddy runs two skeleton units up the center of the table to deal with my large infantry unit.

Early in the game a small detachment of my heavy cavalry seize an objective.

Early deployment and moves on the first turn.

I decide to tackle the center with my largest light infantry unit.

My Soviet village becomes a Soviet town!

Wanting to expand my 15mm terrain options, I ordered a batch of FDM printed buildings from Patrick Miniatures on Etsy.  They're 15mm/Soviet design.

I prefer resin for printed stuff, but these turned out to be pretty solid.