Billhookery

The past couple of months have seen me dive into a fresh army for Never Mind the Billhooks (NMTB), and last weekend they got their first outing on the table.

Being a Warwickshire lad, it had to be...

I added a twist to the army in the form of one of the Ward commanders being the fictitious "Mortimer of Arden", sporting a variation on the red livery by adding some light blue and a golden lion (ok, so you will have already guessed the football reference, I'm sure).

There are a few more units to complete for the army, hopefully in the next two months.

Andy and John visited last weekend (Steve being unable to join us due to lurgy, flu, and general pestilence). We had a 180 points a side game in which my 'half' army joined up with Andy's almost complete Lancastrians to face around 180 points of John's Yorkists. The benefit of doing a Warwick army is that they can legitimately be used on either side, of course.

Anyway, here are some snaps of the action...

It was a keenly fought affair, with plenty of laughs, and all three of us putting in performances worthy of the infamous Old Berks Wooden Spoon...
My own dice rolling for the Bonus card draw was atrocious; one of Andy's companies changed sides mid-battle courtesy of John playing the Treachery card; and John's own army collapse was precipitated by a series of about four consecutive dice rolls of 4 (on 2d6) which saw a general rout along the line, just at the point when he was about to deliver a potentially devastating blow to our centre.

An enjoyable way to spend the day.

You will notice the use of my latest terrain acquisition in the form of a Geek Villain mat. The lads liked it, but for me it seems a little 'fussy' and the jury is still out on it. Not sure. Comments welcome!

Other news... it has been a 'mixed' few months... Lisa's brother sadly passed away, and shortly afterwards my Dad passed on too. But, the sadness has been tempered with a desire to do more with the time that is given to us (as a wizard once said), hence the painting and gaming has come to the fore. This was made even more acute when I learned of the passing of a long-standing wargaming friend of well over 30+ years, Peter Nicholson, who many will know as one half of The Iron Brigade who put on such splendid games at shows in Scotland and frequently at Partizan too. Peter will be sadly missed on the hobby circuit, that's for sure, and my condolences go out to Kevin (his hobby partner) and to Dawn and Peter's family, and to all who knew him. 

As for 2024 as a whole, and looking ahead to 2025, I have to say, I am inspired by the number of projects and periods which currently appeal, and the myriad rules sets that are coming out to bring zest to the hobby... Billhooks, yes, but also NMT Matchlocks (more of which soon), and Midgard - the latest fashion, and deservedly so.

It's looking like a bright festive period, and a positive 2025.