I was introduced to these 2021 rules at the Axes and Ales Wargames Club the other week. They are fast play very easy to learn and yet have tactical decisions players need to make. I really liked them. The may even replace my favourite set of rules for this period, “Fist Full of Lead“.

The rules can be downloaded for free from here.

At the beginning of a turn, each player is dealt five cards from a standard poker card deck. Choose one card at the beginning of a turn and place it face down on the table.
The cards are turned over and revealed simultaneously.

The highest card goes first, allowing that player to take actions with all of their models. Other players activate in sequence, ending with the lowest card. Ties are decided by suit: Spades, Hearts, Diamonds, and lastly, Clubs.

The turn ends when all models on the table have taken two actions. If a “3” was played for initiative, that player may choose to discard any number of cards remaining in his hand at the end of the turn. Players end the turn by each replenishing their hand back up to five cards. Some cards have a special bonus when played.

In addition to determining initiative, cards can also be played throughout the turn to resolve Snap Shots, Get Your Courage Up, and brawling in Fisticuffs. Some cards have special bonuses when played.

At the end of each turn, both sides roll 1d10. If the roll is less than or equal to the number of your characters currently dead, Lily Livered, or Unconscious, the remaining men skedaddle and the game ends!

A great set of fun rules that are “beer and pretzels” to learn, fun to play, and marry this well by posing interesting challenges throughout the game.

See the Little Wars review here.

I haven’t been doing much reading of late as I have been preparing a few articles for journal submission. I have just finished this one which is considered by most the definitive work on the Japanese attack on Darwin.

The bombing of Darwin on 19 February 1942 is the battle Australia tries to forget. Although there was much to be proud of that day – courage, mateship, determination and improvisation – the dark side of the story lingers: looting, desertion and a calamitous failure of Australian leadership.

The Japanese struck with the same carrier-borne force that devastated Pearl Harbor only ten weeks earlier. There was a difference: they dropped more bombs on Darwin, killed more civilians in Darwin, and sank more ships in Darwin than in Pearl Harbor. It remains the single deadliest event in Australian history. Yet the story has remained in the shadows.

Absorbing, spirited and fast-paced, An Awkward Truth is a compelling and revealing story of the day war first came to Australia, and of the under-armed and unprepared soldiers and civilians who faced their toughest test on home soil.

Thoroughly recommended.

These two figures, Agent Lake and Dr Klomp, are from the Thrilling Tales range by Artizan Designs.

They are just a few more of the “Why did I buy these” figures in the cave.

Still with the plethora of game systems out there these days I will find a use for them.

Agent Lake I have painted up as depicted, but I have decided to veer away from the “Nazi” depiction of Dr Klomp.

More figures painted just because they were THERE!

With lots of horror, weird war, and even Bolt Action being played these figures will certainly be used.

The Father Sweeney model is from the Thrilling Tales range by Artizan Designs.

The Thrilling Tales range is perfect if you are looking for that odd (in both meanings of the word) figure

I have had this famous Copplestone Casting, “Bio Mech Alien” for “yonks” and decided I just needed to get it finished.

It is just one of Mark’s all time classics.

Don ‘t you just hate it when the close-up pics show all of your painting errors! Oh Guru has always said, “I am a fast painter for looking at a distance (about 2 miles) not a good one”!

I am about a week ahead with my posts to enable me to keep up with the frenetic pace of Christmas, but here is what I currently have on my plate.

The rest of my US WW2. Another squad and their Halftrack, some odds and sods US, and the last two of my cultists (I think!).

I have been remiss in not sharing this advent calendar with you until now. It is Baroom Brawl from Mantic Games and will fit in well with today’s tavern post.

Here is me letting loose today’s (17th) pick – some counters for the game.

Here is the furniture and figures I have “unleashed” so far. The furniture is great and much that I already have, as are the figures. More on this one tomorrow.

Here is the other side of the painting area with some mounted highway men for Silver bayonet, some aliens, a blast from the past with Inquisitor Miniature Brother Josef, some more CP Models aliens, some British modern drone operators, Scooter bandits, and some odds and sods including ghost, Hussar Officer and dead horse (and I don’t mean Aussie slang for “sauce”).

The pièce de résistance is certainly the Mark 1 Sphere Tank from fellow blogger Mark Morin.

More cultists

A “Free Folk” Mammoth almost completed, and has been for months.

Great Escape Games “Hungarian” cavalry to complete the last of my Greek WW2 army.

Some 54mm Roman Command from Irregular Miniatures.

A robot toy picked up for a small coin at a Thrift Shop.

These have been on the shelf all year – three old school Imperial Guard walkers and four “Free Folk” giants.

The “cave” is still full of unpainted stuff – here.

And here! But whose counting! At least it is now well organised.

I have sold heaps of stuff over the last six months that would never have been used, but there is a lot more still to go!

I picked this one up recently from TTCombat to go with the Midlam Inn folk.

The only problem with a lot of TTCombat mdf buildings is that the detail lasering is far too shallow. Most times an undercoat and one layer of paint can obscure the finer detail of the model.

This time I decided to take no chances and just used very watery paints straight on top of the mdf. This used up a lot of paint as it soaked in but none of the detail was lost.

Not as good if standard techniques were used, but I am happy with the outcome.

The furniture is from various “Mantic” Terrain Crates left over from a previous project.

Hugh Bard and Mister Dreggs behind the bar.

Thomas Cooper bringing fresh supplies

Camra Tankard at the bar

Eva-Rehonne Bard working hard.

Missus Grubbs bringing sustenance to Uwe D’Limit

Toran Rango, the Cloaked Stranger, in the corner.

Mister Bit cleaning up

I have some seated guests to add to the picture, when I finally find where they are!

Boozin’ Susan can be seen at her spot at the bar as normal!

I would like to add a storage area and kitchen behind the bar and some thunder drops to add some character and amusement.

The City of Midlam is like many others. It has its rich and wealthy elites who live like kings and queens, who have never known hunger or homelessness.

And then, there are the people at the bottom, the people who have been dealt a bad hand, or, through a mix of ill fate and fortune have found themselves destitute.

Beggars are an ever-present sight in Midlam. It is not illegal, as such, to beg for money. But that won’t stop the guards from moving you on, and if you’re found begging without the money for a night’s lodgings, you risk being cast out of the city.

You are also prey to thugs and petty villains who will rob you of your next meal.

But help can be had. For a penny, you can join the Guild of Beggars, and as long as you pay your dues, they will find you a pitch, they will protect you from the guards and the the petty thieves.

They will deal with the unscrupulous and officious men who sell the begging licenses.

“The Shadowman” – Spectral Figure

“Old Rover” and “Henry” – Faithful Owner and Faithful Hound.

“Dancing Jimmy” – Street Entertainer

“Dazwir Alfdang” – Mysterious Stranger

“Rondolph Ratweezle” – License Officer

Beggars are an ever present sight in Midlam.  It is not illegal, as such, to beg for money. But that won’t stop the guards from moving you on, and if you’re found begging without the money for a night’s lodgings, you risk being cast out of the city.  You are also prey to thugs and petty villains who will rob you of your next meal.

But help can be had.  For a penny, you can join the Guild of Beggars, and as long as you pay your dues, they will find you a pitch, they will protect you from the guards and the the petty thieves.  They will deal with the unscrupulous and officious men who sell the begging licenses.

And, at their great meeting, held in the old sewers of Midlam, should they ask you to step up and spin the great wheel of fate, that can bring nobles low, and raises beggars up from the street, then who are YOU to refuse?

If, in return, they should also ask a favour or two from you, then what of it?  You might take a message to this street or pass on a package to man who throws a crooked coin in your bowl.  

“Baron Pennypinch” – Guild Lord

“Duchess Threadbare” – Guild Lady

“Sir Downanout” – Beggar Knight

I find this one a bit strange. This Knight is wearing a suit of chainmail armour and a sword. Very few knights were unable to find employment, and with armour worth eight pound and a sword worth two pound the equivalent in today’s money would be about one hundred and eighty thousand pounds. Hardly down and out!

“Dazwir Alfdang” – Mysterious Stranger

“Hit the track Jack” – Travelling Man

“Mystic Megan” – Wise Woman

Tomorrow the rest of the Beggars Guild.