A Tangled Mass Redux. . .

For our upcoming tabletop game, the Young Master and I will use the latest version of our own home-cooked and half-baked rules that we call A Tangled Mass: Comfortable Rules for Games of Glossy Toy Soldiers in the Old Style.

Without doubt, you'll recognize that we have borrowed from and been inspired by many of the hobby greats past and present in our approach. We claim neither originality, nor innovation.

While our rules -- suggestions really -- are very gamey in approach and style, our aim has nevertheless been to reflect some of the confusion and frustration of trying to get our troops to comply with and accomplish orders issued to them at the start of the game. Or subsequently once we realize that some hotheaded one and a quarter inch dolt in command of X regiment, battalion, squadron, or battery of guns has misinterpreted (or flat out ignored) our instructions.

Imagine the consternation!

In any case, the summer campaigning season is afoot. Will my son continue to roll high and sweep my colorful lead and plastic men from the field in short order as has happened so often in the past? Or have I somehow magically acquired a wee bit of tactical skill since last we faced each other across the table?

Stay tuned for further developments.

-- Stokes and Young Master Paul von Stollen

Comments

Rob said…

My money's on the Young Master.

7:20 AM

WSTKS-FM Worldwide said…

Sadly, Rob, I too fear you are correct! Young Paul just has a way with the dice. Stay tuned for further developments.

Kind Regards,

Stokes

10:51 AM

tradgardmastare said…

I hope you both have a splendid time together, one that is a mixture of excitement, fun and bonding over lovely lead.

12:57 AM

WSTKS-FM Worldwide said…

Thank you! We still have a few details to work out, but we're excited by the prospect of, as they say, gettin' the lead out.

Kind Regards,

Stokes

7:52 AM

Here's an RSM Painting Update

Here's a picture illustrating my (S-L-O-W) progress with the second company of Stollen's Leib (Grand Duchess Sonja's Own) Grenadiers. You can see I'm doing things a bit differently this time, altering the painting process to keep it interesting basically. This evening, I'll do the white gaiters and, if that goes reasonably quickly, and time allows, the red breeches. Still lots to do, but I like the way these fine fellows are shaping up along side the completed 1st company that's standing in formation just off camera, to the left here. Until tonight then!

Presenting the Anspach-Bayreuth Kuirassiere!!!

Here they are, with the rearmost nine figures still drying, three squadrons of the Anspach-Bayreuth Kuirassiere, now in the service of the Grand Duchy of Stollen. And now, it's onto that artillery!

Having a "No Day". . .

F or the almost 20 years that she lived in Mexico, one of my late mother's Irish friends frequently mentioned having a "No Day." A day with no social obligations, chores, tasks, or other work that interfered with whatever personal interests took one's fancy on the day in question. Since today -- a gray and chilly Saturday -- is Mom's birthday, the Grand Duchess is out with friends, and the Young Master is ensconced on the sofa in the TV room with a cold, yours truly is taking his own such No Day. I think Mom would approve of my decision to make the world go away, as the old Eddie Arnold song intoned, even if only for a little while. So, I will spend Saturday afternoon focused on that first squadron and small regimental staff of Eureka Saxon cuirassiers. These have stood waiting untouched over on the painting table for almost three weeks while we skied and otherwise gadded about with snowy, winter outdoor activities. I hope to share a painting update Sunday...

The Grand Duchy of Stollen

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