MWWBK Batrep 22 October 24

Rob and I had a game of Men Who Would Be Kings.

Robs army consisted of 3 Veteran Warriors and 3 Warriors with Fierce Charge.

Robs tribal warriors on the move.

I was using an Egyptian army that consisted of three Irregular Askaris, a regular infantry unit and a regular machinegun team.

My left flank. Instead of dicing for Unit leaders I have made up the 36 options on cards which are dealt to players. This means you can only have one of each type of leader on the table which we prefer. If you want a copy of these you can download them from Guru Pigs website.

The tribal warriors are moving to concentrate their attack on the Egyptian right flank. The unit on their right has suffered a casualty and has two pin markers effectively keeping it out of the fight. The closest unit has suffered seven casualities of their 16, and are now almost at half strength.

Having seen off one charge the Egyptian Askaris fight like demons and see off a second!

On the other flank tribal warriors and Askaris are dancing around each other.

The Egyptian Right Flank is currently holding off all comers with their still intact battle line.

Down to only 6 of their sixteen figures the right flank tribal unit is almost out for the count. At which time the bar was calling and called it a night!

As always Men Who Would Be Kings gave us a great game.

Hellhounds of Khorne (3)

The last of the big red puppies!

Flesh Hounds are surprisingly large (seriously, their model size is like your brother-in-law’s fish story), towering over many other creatures in the Warhammer universe like they just stepped off a bodybuilding stage.

Each one isn’t just bigger than a fully armored Space Marine; they could probably give a horse a run for its money in a race, leaving it eating their dust while they flex those powerful muscles!

With their fierce demeanor, they exude the raw, untamed essence of chaos, kind of like that wild uncle at family gatherings. sporting a flashy Collar of Khorne around their neck—it’s like the ultimate fashion statement for chaos aficionados, enhancing their savage instincts and making them Khorne’s most loyal (and rowdy) fans.

These relentless hunters aren’t just fearsome adversaries; they’re like the world’s most annoying door-to-door salesmen, bursting with the kind of chaotic enthusiasm that makes their quest for dinner seem like a slapstick comedy—imagine them in tiny capes with a catchy theme song, ready to wreak havoc at your front door!

Picture this: they knock, and instead of pitching you overpriced knives or vacuum cleaners, they’re trying to sell the latest craze in hunting tips, complete with wild hand gestures and ridiculously exaggerated tales of their “giant” catches.

With every overzealous rant, they puff out their chests as if showcasing some grand trophy, turning a peaceful evening into a chaotic stand-up routine, all while blissfully ignoring the confused faces of their bewildered prey.

All three of the Fleshhound together.

I have now been tempted to finish off the rest of the Daemons of Khorne so more to come.

Hellhounds of Khorne (2)

More Khorne puppies. Cuddly creatures aren’t they!

Flesh Hounds are like the overenthusiastic cheer squads of the hunting world, zipping through the landscape with all the grace of a caffeinated wombat These furry fiends are strong, fast, and utterly convinced that every creature is a potential snack.

With every bounding step, they leave behind impressive claw marks that might as well say, “This way to the snack bar!” Their relentless chase could make even the fastest marathon runner reconsider their life choices—because who doesn’t love a little blood and thunder with their daily cardio?

Magic users trying to pull a fast one on daemonic creatures might as well prepare for a magical disappearing act when Khorne’s fury kicks in. The ground shakes like it’s got a bad case of the jitters as the Hounds come strutting in, and you can practically cut the dread in the air with a butter knife; good luck surviving the chaotically comical chaos these furry fiends bring!

Flesh Hounds are like the hyperactive puppies of the underworld, fast, deadly, and totally convinced that every wannabe sorcerer is just a chew toy waiting to be annihilated. Whether you’re into Warhammer 40,000 or Warhammer Age of Sigmar, these ferocious furballs are perfect for turning your opponent’s beloved characters into yesterday’s leftovers or performing surprise party tricks that end with a flanking attack—because who doesn’t love a dramatic entrance? Me I will use them for other game systems!

One more uinit of puppies to come.

Silver Bayonet – Highwayman Galloping Dick Ferguson

Galloping Dick Ferguson is the last of my Wargames Foundry Highwaymen/woman for use with Silver Bayonet, but is another miniature that will fit in with most period games.

Richard Ferguson was a close friend of Jerry Abershaw, who introduced him to highway robbery during a time when both sought adventure. At their meeting, Ferguson was a postilion, having lost previous jobs due to troublesome situations often caused by poor decisions. His friendship with Abershaw marked the beginning of a thrilling new chapter in his life filled with daring escapades.

Ferguson, who was involved with Nancy, a high-class prostitute unaware of his low status, found himself held up by highwaymen, one of whom was the notorious Abershaw, whom he recognized from Nancy’s house.

After the highwaymen escaped, Abershaw waited for Ferguson at an inn, where he bribed him for silence and arranged to meet again the next evening, knowing their lives had taken a dangerous turn due to their unexpected connection.

Nancy lost respect for Ferguson after learning he had a common job. When he visited her boasting about newfound wealth, she felt disappointed and decided to close the door on him, valuing her dignity over a superficial encounter.

Ferguson partnered with Abershaw, believing it would bring wealth, while also acting as a postilion and sharing details about travelers for Abershaw’s robberies.

Their camaraderie flourished until Ferguson was fired for unreliability as his work attendance decreased, coinciding with Abershaw’s arrest, which disrupted their operation and made Ferguson reconsider his choices.

Following Abershaw’s execution, Ferguson actively took to highway robbery himself, and survived for another 5 years on the road, partly due to his skills as a horseman which gave him his nickname.

He was finally apprehended by the Bow Street Runners, tried at the Aylesbury Lent Assizes in 1800 and executed shortly thereafter. 

I will paint up something a bit different tomorrow.

Druid for SPQR or Infamy Infamy or Dux Britanniarum or…………………(2)

A second druid painted up. I intend to paint a third and maybe a fourth down the track to add to my “Grove” of druids!

Photo AI generated

As I indicacted in my first Druid post, they were complex characters. A combination of priest, healer, scholar and spiritualist, the Druids inspired loyalty and great feats of arms in their Celtic charges.

The Romans hated and feared the Druids in equal measure, singling the Druids out as public enemy number one when they returned to the shores of Britain.

From a game sense they are not very useful, but they certainly add colour, even if most of it is white!

I will gradually paint more of my Ancient British skirmish figures over the next few months.

Hellhounds/Fleshounds of Khorne (1)

I have been rummaging though the cave looking for something to use as “black dogs” or “hell hounds” for Silver Bayonet and remembered I had these very old school GW figures. In fact I had a whole box of Khorne Daemons! Really old ones as befits a Guru of mature years.

I picked eight of them because Khorne’s sacred number is eight—yes, folks, not a lucky seven or a tempting ten! This is a key fact in chaos lore, like how every pizza needs cheese. You’ll spot this number popping up everywhere, from Khorne’s Daemonic armies, the Blood Legions (they really should think about a name change), to the syllables in a Khornate Daemon’s name, each dripping with rage and fury that could likely give even the chillest worshipper a minor existential crisis!

It turns out that I only had eighteen of them so I dug out six other “puppies” that I think are Dark Eldar “Warp Beasts” (but I am not sure), to make up three units of eight!

Flesh Hounds, the overly enthusiastic doggos of Khorne, prance around the chaotic plains like they’ve just sniffed a particularly exciting kangaroo. Chasing down anyone who dares to ruffle the feathers of the Blood God, they mistake their chaotic rampages for an epic game of fetch. With a flair for mischief and an impressive ability to wreak havoc, these scaly enforcers leave a delightful trail of destruction, all while thinking they’re just having a grand old time!

Flesh Hounds are relentless pursuers, humorously likened to overzealous relatives at a reunion, hunting their prey across the universe with unwavering determination. Their eerie howls can terrify even the bravest beings, inducing fear and despair as if it were a new dance trend in the cosmos!

Just as the victim feels the weight of hopelessness settle in, the sharp, merciless teeth of the Hounds sink into their flesh, delivering a swift and brutal end to the chase. The very presence of these creatures instills a profound sense of dread, marking them as truly formidable hunters in the universe.

What remains of their victims, especially their skulls, are brought back to their unholy master, to add to the uncountable others that make up his massive throne.

The stories about Khorne’s blood-red hounds make them sound like the worst kind of canine companions—imagine scaly, soul-hungry beasts that skip the dog park in favor of chasing after just about anyone! These four-legged terrors seem to thrive on creating mayhem, turning peaceful picnics into spooky horror shows, complete with a soundtrack of their spine-tingling howls, which could easily double as a horror movie trailer! So watch out—if you hear that spine-chilling serenade, you might want to think twice about taking a stroll in the park, because these pups are definitely not looking for belly rubs!

With their twisted crimson frames, these rather enthusiastic creatures scamper through the Warp and the not-so-great lands, on the scent of their clueless prey. Fueled by a bloodlust that could rival any over-caffeinated hunter, they’ve made it their mission to track down cowards, traitors, and anyone foolish enough to upset Khorne—talk about taking things personally! Their mere presence is enough to give a case of the jitters to anyone who crosses their path, as these relentless hounds ensure that no one gets away without a good chase and perhaps a few embarrassing howls.

I will finish off the other two units and maybe even start work on the rest of the Daemons. MAYBE!

Third Afghan War – Afghan Regulars (1)

These figures will augment the Empress Miniatures I have for the Third Afghan Wars. Again I plan on using the Men Who Would Be Kings rules.

The Afghan army during the Third Anglo-Afghan War in 1919 was a formidable force of about 50,000 soldiers, organized into groups that demonstrated their strength and skills.

They had 280 artillery pieces for serious firepower and logistical support for tough battles. In addition to regular troops, the Afghan leaders could rally around 80,000 tribesmen who knew the rugged terrain well, allowing them to execute clever tactics and surprise attacks.

Potential deserters from the British side added unpredictability to the mix, affecting strategies on both sides. This combination of regular soldiers and tribal fighters highlighted the challenges faced by foreign powers attempting to control the region.

The Third Anglo-Afghan War began on May 6, 1919, when Amanullah Khan led an attack on British India. The war ended with an armistice on August 8, 1919. Some outcomes of the war included:

  • Afghanistan became an independent nation
  • The Durand Line was reaffirmed as the political boundary between Afghanistan and the British Raj
  • The Afghans agreed not to cause trouble on the British side 

The British forces were significantly larger than the Afghans, comprising eight divisions, five independent brigades, and three cavalry units. They were well-supported with logistics and advanced weapons like light machine guns and hand grenades. Armored cars and motor lorries enhanced their mobility, while camels provided valuable transport in challenging terrain, demonstrating their adaptability in military operations.

A key event in the war was the British seizure of the Afghan fortress of Spin Baldak on May 27, 1919. This capture lowered the likelihood of an Afghan invasion through a main route into Afghanistan.

Silver bayonet – Egyptian Contingent – Bedouin Raider and Native Scout (2)

The Bedouin Raiders (p8) are skilled troops with a special ability. With the introduction of “Terrain and Special Rules” their skill of “Experience in the Desert” allows them to ignore penalties from harsh conditions such as heat or sandstorms, making them invaluable in difficult terrain.

Native Scout with sword on the left and Bedouin Raider on the right

At eighteen points including the “combat rider attribute”, musket and close combat weapon, they are a must in the Egyptian environment.

Those countries with large empires that include many overseas territories such as Britain, France, and Spain are able to employ ‘native’ people as scouts, guides, and militia.

More often than not in their own country, but occasionally one of these natives may be brought to Europe specifically to serve in a specialist unit.

Their closer connection to nature and to the spirit world tends to make them very resilient when facing the supernatural.