LardEhs IV - October 28, 2023

 

When:  Saturday, October 28, 2023 (~9:30am-7pm)

Where:  Royal Hamilton Light Infantry Hall, Hamilton (1353 Barton Street East)

What:  Two time slots of TooFatLardies Games

Who (organizers):  Chris Robinson and Barnaby Ore

Who (attendees):  Anyone!  ($15 for the day [two time slots] and there will NOT be pre-registration this year, it will be first come, first served for signing up for games)

Curry plans are now below!

Morning Session (9:30am-1:30pm)

All Around the Old West with What a Cowboy 
Rules: What A Cowboy
GM: Roger Chrysler
Scale: 28mm
Players: 2-6
Description:  Several scenarios in a campaign will be run, including a Mexican village (GuadaLARDero), an abandoned fort, a mine, and finale showdown in the town of New Texaco. Games are fast and bloody. Each player can control two characters of goodies or baddies.

Mater Tua Tam Pinguis Est...
Rules: Infamy, Infamy
GM: Sean Malcolmson
Scale: 28mm
Players: 6
Description:  Tired of dealing with the Briton’s hit and run tactics that have plagued his scouting and foraging parties, the legate has ordered a tribune to take large force to a local village suspected supporting to rebellion. On approaching the village, scouts return with a report of a significant British force that was mustering near the village. Unfortunately, the Britons are aware of the Romans as well. Happy with the opportunity to find glory in crushing the rebels, the Roman tribune orders his centurions to prepare to meet the enemy. In this scenario, large forces of British and Roman armies will square off to control this tribal region. Victoria ad fortissimum!

Big Chain of Command Training Day - Operation Barbarossa

Rules: Big Chain of Command
GM: Howard Tulloch
Scale: 15mm
Players: 4
Description:  Set on the early war eastern front, this game will be a chance to learn the broad concepts of Chain of Command (CoC), based on the Big CoC expansion rules with each player having either a platoon of infantry or armour.  The game will run continuously and be reset for another game allowing players to opt in/out, change sides, change force type. Observers and later participants are welcome.

First Battle of the Odon

Rules: O Group (Normandy supplement)

GM: Brian Hall

Scale: 6mm

Players: 4

Description:  Phase One of Operation Epsom assigned the 44th Lowland Division (15th Scottish Division) to take the villages of Saint Mauvieu and le Gaule with the support of the 9th Royal Tank Regiment.  As the British believed this was "a lightly held crust" they anticipated that following on from this initial push with Phase Two would then clear the Odon Valley.  Phases Three and Four would cross the Orne and Odon Rivers and successfully establish a bridgehead over the River Odon, thus completing the envelopment of Caen from the west.  As a result, these engagements are also known as the First Battle of the Odon.

Afternoon Session (3pm-7pm)

All Around the Old West with What a Cowboy 
Rules: What A Cowboy
GM: Roger Chrysler
Scale: 28mm
Players: 2-6
Description:  Several scenarios in a campaign will be run, including a Mexican village (GuadaLARDero), an abandoned fort, a mine, and finale showdown in the town of New Texaco. Games are fast and bloody. Each player can control two characters of goodies or baddies.

Big Chain of Command Training Day - Operation Barbarossa

Rules: Big Chain of Command

GM: Howard Tulloch
Scale: 15mm
Players: 4
Description:  Set on the early war eastern front, this game will be a chance to learn the broad concepts of Chain of Command (CoC), based on the Big CoC expansion rules with each player having either a platoon of infantry or armour.  The game will run continuously and be reset for another game allowing players to opt in/out, change sides, change force type. Observers and later participants are welcome.

Battle of Pharsalus

Rules: Strength & Honour

GM: Chris Nokes

Scale: 2mm

Players: 4

Description:  Caesar is outnumbered against Pompey the Great. Will he deliver on his reputation and pull out a stunning victory or fade into history as another of Pompeys conquests? That’s up to you! 

France vs. Austria

Rules: General d'Armee 

GM: Mark Degner

Scale: 15mm

Players: 4

Description:  This will be an introductory game and scenario for those of you interested in giving these rules from Reisswitz Press a try! 

7pm Curry!

In true Lardie fashion, at the conclusion of gaming we'll place a group (or individual) order in for curry and other Asian/Southeast Asian food.  All are welcome to stay.

Refreshments and Lunch During the Day

There are many food establishments within a 5 minute drive / 15 minute walk of the hall.  Beverages will be available from the main bar once it opens.

LardEhs Game Day III - October 2022

When:  Saturday, October 22, 2022

Where:  Royal Hamilton Light Infantry Hall, Hamilton (1353 Barton Street East)

What:  Two time slots of TooFatLardies Games

Who (organizers):  Chris Robinson and Barnaby Ore

Who (attendees):  Anyone!  Pre-registration and payment will be required (details pending)

GMs Wanted?  Yes please! We’re looking to have 6-8 games per time slot - To contact me, please e-mail me at chrisrobinson AT nexicomDOTnet to sign up your game

Cost:  $15 for the full day (two game slots). Complimentary admission for GMs. Please pre-register with payment to the Hamilton Tabletop Gaming Society account at htgsgroup AT(@) gmail.com  - e-transfer or Paypal accepted.

Game Pre-Registration:  Once you've registered for the event, please either send your game choice  (and a backup) for each timeslot you wish to play in with your payment as a note, or to Chris at: chrisrobinson AT nexicom.net.  Your game choices will be confirmed with a reply.

9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Games

A.  Cook’s Mill - 28mm Sharp Practice - GM Roger Chrysler - FULL
October 1814. Due to lack of supplies, the British Right Division has raised the siege of Fort Erie and retreated back to their strong lines at the Chippewa River. U.S. troops are attempting to flank them by crossing upriver. Cook’s Mill has been processing the harvest, so a secondary goal for the Americans is to burn the mill and seize the flour. They’ve thrown a small bridge across Lyon’s Creek but have been detected by scouting Glengarry Light Infantry. Whose reinforcements will get there “firstest with the mostest “?  For four players. 

B.  Rescue the Colonel at Varaville! - 20mm Chain of Command - GM Thomas Sero
D-Day 6th June 1944 - The invasion begins with massive, combined parachute and glider attacks by the allied forces across the battlefield.  The 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion's mission, part of 3rd Parachute Brigade of the 6th British Airborne Division, is centred north of Caen, on the eastern banks of the Orne. C Company’s mission is centred around the village of Varaville.  In the middle of their mission, they receive a radio signal that Lieutenant-Colonel Bradbooke’s glider has crashed northwest of Varaville and needs to be rescued.  The Colonel has with him the plans for D-Day and he and the documents must not fall into enemy hands. The mission for C company has changed the Colonel must be rescued.  For four players.  Canceled - Unfortunately Thomas has had to withdrawn his games.

C.  Beaches of Betio - 20mm What a Tanker - GM Howard Tulloch
The beaches of Betio is our setting as the Honey and Sherman tanks stalk their Japanese foe.  The vehicles had to be light and nimble. The stress of commanding is in managing what you have to do and what the dice say you can do. This will be a continuous demonstration game of up to three scenarios in rotation, games will be about 60 minutes each (allowing for rules overview and game time).  

Scenarios:  

1)  Hit the Beach - all together now!

2)  Weaseling Out the Foe - not so fast!

3)  The Clean Up - yikes, that's a big un!

For four players.

D.  Buon Natale a tutti! - 15mm O Group - GM Sean Malcolmson - FULL
In ‘Bloody December 1943’, Canadian forces came up against the fallschrimjagers of the 1st Parachute Division. Upon reaching the border of the town of Ortona, the Canadians expected the German paratroopers to fall back to a more defensible position. But the fallschirmjagers did not, instead digging in with deadly tenacity. What followed was deadly street to street, house to house & room to room fighting. This scenario tries to recreate a sense of battle that became known as ‘Little Stalingrad’. Using modified ‘O Group’ rules, players will see if the Germans can stand or if the Canadians can push them out. For four players.

E.  Strongpoint Hillman (WN17) - 6mm I Ain't Been Shot Mum! - GM Brian Hall - FULL

The 1st Battalion of the Suffolk Regiment is trying to capture the Pt 61 before last light on June 6, 1944. The first attack failed, perhaps the second will carry the objective?  For 4 or 5 players. 

1:30-3 p.m. LUNCH

3 - 7 p.m. Games

AA. Cook’s Mill - 28mm Sharp Practice - GM Roger Chrysler
October 1814. Due to lack of supplies, the British Right Division has raised the siege of Fort Erie and retreated back to their strong lines at the Chippewa River. U.S. troops are attempting to flank them by crossing upriver. Cook’s Mill has been processing the harvest, so a secondary goal for the Americans is to burn the mill and seize the flour. They’ve thrown a small bridge across Lyon’s Creek but have been detected by scouting Glengarry Light Infantry. Whose reinforcements will get there “firstest with the mostest “?  For four players.  

BB.  Rescue the Colonel at Varaville! - 20mm Chain of Command - GM Thomas Sero
D-Day 6th June 1944 - The invasion begins with massive, combined parachute and glider attacks by the allied forces across the battlefield.  The 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion's mission, part of 3rd Parachute Brigade of the 6th British Airborne Division, is centred north of Caen, on the eastern banks of the Orne. C Company’s mission is centred around the village of Varaville.  In the middle of their mission, they receive a radio signal that Lieutenant-Colonel Bradbooke’s glider has crashed northwest of Varaville and needs to be rescued.  The Colonel has with him the plans for D-Day and he and the documents must not fall into enemy hands. The mission for C company has changed the Colonel must be rescued.  For four players.  Canceled - Unfortunately Thomas has had to withdrawn his games.

CC.  Beaches of Betio - 20mm What a Tanker - GM Howard Tulloch
The beaches of Betio is our setting as the Honey and Sherman tanks stalk their Japanese foe.  The vehicles had to be light and nimble. The stress of commanding is in managing what you have to do and what the dice say you can do. This will be a continuous demonstration game of up to three scenarios in rotation, games will be about 60 minutes each (allowing for rules overview and game time). 

Scenarios:  

1)  Hit the Beach - all together now!

2)  Weaseling Out the Foe - not so fast!

3)  The Clean Up - yikes, that's a big un!

For four players.

DD.   Air Action over Guadalcanal - 1/600 Bag the Hun* - GM James Manto - FULL 
A strike force from Rabaul trues to finish off an American destroyer that was damaged in a skirmish in The Slot the night before. The Cactus Airforce sorties to provide air cover.  For four players.  

* An open game of Bag the Hun may be available in the morning too, and a second scenario with the Americans on the attack will be brought:  A strike force from Guadalcanal seeks to finish off a Japanese destroyer that was damaged in a skirmish in The Slot the night before. 

EE.  Second Day at Gettysburg - 15mm ACW Sharp Practice - GM Chris Robinson - FULL
Before the arrival of Sickles' 3rd Corps on the morning of July 2nd, skirmishing had already broken out. A small patrol of dismounted Union cavalry captured a Confederate prisoner but had to leave him behind with a small guard when CSA infantry pickets started probing the terrain around Pitzer's schoolhouse.  Union pickets were also on their way to start the day's probing for the enemy's lines, and so as dawn breaks both sides are creeping onto the table for a sweep while a couple of troopers and a troublesome prisoner duck down...somewhere.  For four players.

7 p.m. Onwards - Curry!

Prize Sponsors

We will once again have game prize support from Crucible Crush Games, a sponsor for LardEhs II, and joining them will be new sponsors, Red Goblin Printing.

Game Sellers Table

For those not able to make the Hamilton Tabletop Gaming Society's game bazaar, we'll have a table set up for a small bring and buy.  Please label any items you bring with your name and price, and be prepared to make change or only take exact change.

Contact

To contact me with any questions or for more information, please e-mail me at chrisrobinson AT nexicomDOTnet

LardEhs Game Day II

Updated May 16 with some news on which games are full and which have spaces (also one game has been cancelled).

When:  Saturday, May 28, 2022

Where:  Royal Hamilton Light Infantry Veterans Association Hall, Hamilton (1353 Barton Street East)

What:  Two time slots of TooFatLardies Games

Who (organizers):  Chris Robinson and Barnaby Ore, with Mike Peterson helping with the fundraising for charity

Who (attendees):  Anyone!  Pre-registration and payment will be required (details below)

GMs Wanted?  Yes please! We’re looking to have 6-8 games per time slot

Cost:  $15 (GMs receive complimentary entry)  Please pre-register with payment to the Hamilton Tabletop Gaming Society account at htgsgroup AT(@) gmail.com  - e-transfer or Paypal accepted.

Game Pre-Registration:  Once you've registered for the event, please either send your game choice  (and a backup) for each timeslot you wish to play in with your payment as a note, or to Chris at: chrisrobinson AT nexicom.net.  Your game choices will be confirmed with a reply.

Sponsors:

• Cardboard Dungeon Games
• TooFatLardies
• Canadian Wargamer Podcast
• Dan the Dice Guy

Vendors:

• 5 Arrows Figures and Books - 20mm WWII and Ospreys - at a minimum!
• Cardboard Dungeon Games - Won't have a table at the event, but will be able to bring anything ordered from their shop to the event - use the code LARDDAY to remove shipping from your online order! (Note: obviously you must actually be coming to LardEhs for this to work!)
• Crucible Crush - Lee will be there with an assortment of merch from CC and other companies.

Current Game Selection

9:30am - 1:30pm

A. Counter Attack at Fontenay-Le-Pesnel (Big Chain of Command) 

Operation Martlet was part of a series of attacks to capture the French town of Caen after the D-Day invasion. XXX Corps was tasked to capture Raury 20km west of Caen. The 49th (West Riding) Division and the 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division face 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend. The 49th has made progress by taking the village of  Fontenay-Le-Pesnel just to the north of Raury. As was their tactic, the 12th SS counterattacked within days.  Will the counterattack by 12th SS be successful or will the West Riding Division hold?

20mm.  6 Players.  GM Thomas Sero

B. Pennypacket Bridge Part I - The Confederate Morning Attack (1863 ACW Sharp Practice) - FULL
A fictional scenario by Nick Skinner from WSS #115 to look at cavalry in the American Civil War, this opening action sees a Confederate infantry column come up against US cavalry setting a defensive screen on the flank of a Union position.  Can the smaller force in blue hold the river long enough for the flank to be covered?  In the afternoon we'll flip the roles and on the same battlefield see if Confederate cavalry can do the same.

15mm.  4 Players.  GM Chris Robinson

C. What A Burmese Tanker! (What a Tanker) 

The jungles of Burma were not tank friendly. The vehicles had to be light and nimble. The stress of commanding is in managing what you have to do and what the dice say you can do. Up to three scenarios in rotation in each time slot:

1. Yikes that’s a big un!

2. Not so fast!

3. All together now!

20mm.  4 Players.  GM Howard Tulloch

D. Parabellum! (Infamy Infamy)

It is 43 AD, and the forces of Caratacus are fighting the Claudian invasion of Britain, under the command of Aulus Plautius. After months of hit and run tactics by the Celtic tribes that have plagued the legions, the Romans have managed to bring a force of Celtic warriors to open battle. The legionaries are primed for the fight. The warriors of the Catuvellauni have driven themselves into a murderous frenzy at the chance to finally come out of the shadows and strike at Rome.  Parabellum. 

28mm.  4 Players.  GM Sean Malcolmson

E. Frenchtown (1812 Sharp Practice) - FULL

An American force under Brigadier General Winchester have driven out a small force of Canadian militia and First Nations from Frenchtown, Michigan Territory, and occupied the village. 

The British forces under Colonel Procter have force marched from Amherstburg with their First Nation allies under Chief Roundhead to make a surprise "Dawn Attack” on the U.S. forces.

From TFL Games' War of 1812 scenarios by Mike Hobbs.  

28mm.  4 Players. GM Roger Chrysler

1:30pm - 3:00pm

Lunch - There are several locations for lunch within a short walk or drive of the RHLI Hall.

3:00pm - 7pm

AA. Frenchtown (1812 Sharp Practice) - FULL

An American force under Brigadier General Winchester have driven out a small force of Canadian militia and First Nations from Frenchtown, Michigan Territory, and occupied the village. 

The British forces under Colonel Procter have force marched from Amherstburg with their First Nation allies under Chief Roundhead to make a surprise "Dawn Attack” on the U.S. forces.

From TFL Games' War of 1812 scenarios by Mike Hobbs.  

28mm.  4 Players. GM Roger Chrysler

BB. Pennypacket Bridge Part II - The Union's Afternoon Counterattack (1863 ACW Sharp Practice) - FULL

In the morning, Union cavalry had to screen a flank from a CSA probing attack, now after eventually taking the battlefield, Texan and Virginian cavalry are guarding the Confederate rear area when Union infantry reinforcements burst onto the scene.  Without the breech-loading carbines of the north, can the greys come up with tactics to hold off this attack?  Part Two of a a fictional scenario from WSS #115 by Nick Skinner to look at cavalry in the American Civil War.  Playing in Part One not required!

15mm.  4 Players.  GM Chris Robinson

CC. What A Burmese Tanker! (What a Tanker) 

The jungles of Burma were not tank friendly. The vehicles had to be light and nimble. The stress of commanding is in managing what you have to do and what the dice say you can do. Up to three scenarios in rotation in each time slot:

1. Yikes that’s a big un!

2. Not so fast!

3. All together now!

20mm.  4 Players.  GM Howard Tulloch

DD. 30K Ultramarines vs. Iron Warriors (Horus Heresy Chain of Command rules variant by Ioan Davies-John) - CANCELLED

As the Warmaster Horus musters his legions of traitors on Ullanor, the Iron Warriors are mired in brutal fighting on the planet of Krade. Originally tasked with preventing the Ultramarines from reaching the final battle on Terra, the Primarch Perturabo has now been ordered to withdraw and join up with the invasion forces. A small garrison lead by Lt. Soltarn Vull Bronn covers the evacuation in the face of the relentless advance… Can the brothers of iron hold out long enough against the onslaught of Guilliman’s finest?

15mm.  4 Players.  GM Anthony Watts

EE. Wertingen 1805 - On the Road to Austerlitz - FULL

8 October, 1805:  after the Grande Armee crossed the Rhine to deal with the Austrian-Russian Third Coalition, Napoleon's advance guard under Murat caught one of General Mack's Austrian corps by surprise at Wertingen.  The French force under the dashing Murat is heavy in cavalry, stiffened by Oudinot's grenadiers, and historically made short work of the Austrians, but the brave whitecoated infantry might make a better showing if ably led in this re-fight.

This 6mm game is a chance to try General D'Armee, the large-battle Napoleonic rules by Dave Brown published by Reisswitz Press.  

6mm.  4 Players.  GM Michael Peterson

FF. Parabellum! (Infamy Infamy)

It is 43 AD, and the forces of Caratacus are fighting the Claudian invasion of Britain, under the command of Aulus Plautius. After months of hit and run tactics by the Celtic tribes that have plagued the legions, the Romans have managed to bring a force of Celtic warriors to open battle. The legionaries are primed for the fight. The warriors of the Catuvellauni have driven themselves into a murderous frenzy at the chance to finally come out of the shadows and strike at Rome.  Parabellum. 

28mm.  4 Players.  GM Sean Malcolmson

7:00pm+

Curry!  As with the first LardEhs Day in November, we'll look to order in curry (other options are available from the restaurant) for those who wish to stay and have a casual dinner and chat afterwards.

Charity Raffle & Dice:

We'll be having a fundraiser (raffle, sale items) for the McMaster Children's Hospital Foundation, thanks to the help of Mike Peterson, aka the Mad Padre.  The fundraising will include:

• For sale on the day will be official TooFatLardies dice ($2 each), donated by TFL.
• Raffle tickets ($5 each, 5 for $20) will be available and prizes include a 28mm MDF WWII terrain pack (pictured below) courtesy of Cardboard Dungeon Games once again, 12-packs of TFL dice, a set of Zoporozhian Cossack figures from Pulp Figures courtesy of the Canadian Wargamer Podcast, and yet more dice in TFL rule-sized packs of 24 supported by Dan the Dice Guy.

Other News:

• For those coming in from out of town and wanting to make a weekend out of it, on Friday night the Hamilton Tabletop Gaming Society is having their monthly game night at the same venue - you're welcome to join in.
• Please bring cash for any purchases (dice, raffle tickets, entrance fee).
• For our GMs (and to entice more GMs to come forward!), Cardboard Dungeon Games is also offering a set of weathering paints for our GM-only raffle.

To contact me, please e-mail chrisrobinson AT nexicom.net

Take 3 of the LardEhs Game Day in Hamilton - November 27, 2021!

Last Update:  November 15, 2021

I'm recycling a lot from my previous posting for the LardEhs game day Barnaby Ore and I planned for May 2020 (and November 2020) as some basic elements haven't changed as we've finally landed on a date for our third attempt at this inaugural event - November 27, 2021.

Many will already know what a TFL Game Day (aka Lard Day or Lardie Day) is, but it’s basically a game show/convention featuring TooFatLardies rules (and the affiliated Reisswitz Press), and a dash (or more) of adult beverages and hearty/spicy foood. Most (if not all) Lard Days in the UK are standalone events, in the US they’re a mix of standalone or affiliated with a larger convention.

With all the changes going on thanks to COVID, we're now trying this as a one-day standalone event, with two timeslots with a minimum of four games of four players plus a GM in each.  That may get tweaked a bit as we hear about games and GMs, but that's the basic idea.  We're also requiring pre-registration for the event by e-mailing me or contacting Barnaby O. of HTGS, both to get an idea of attendance and to help plan for the safety measures we'll need to have in place.  NOTE - Pre-registration is now CLOSED - if you are interested in going on the waiting list, please contact me at the address below.

We're looking at 20 attendees as our baseline, plus a few helpers, in both of the traditional Broadsword rooms at the hall.  As COVID restrictions ease or tighten we may have to tweak that, but we're working from what we know now.

We plan to have a long lunch break with some socially distanced schmoozing, there are a lot of food opportunities within walking distance of the hall.  If the situation permits, we're looking at a curry dinner too.

Schedule:

Satrday Morning Timeslot (9:30-1:30)

Game A - After Fredericksburg - GM Chris R. - 15mm ACW Sharp Practice - In late 1862, shortly after Fredericksburg, as the Confederates clear out the area around the city, they come across a rag-tag assortment of Union forces trying to keep them out of a small town so their colleagues could continue to withdraw.  Sensing an opportunity, the Confederates decide to drive into town to see if they could life a bit more miserable for the northerners.  

Game B - Hard Brexit, or, Romani Ite Domun - GM Sean M. - 28mm Infamy Infamy - Ancient Britain is overrun by bloody foreigners from Europe. Time to fight back. Chieftain Pidyn Meddal has had enough and has rallied his warriors to strike at the Roman troops under the command of Legatus Media Procuratio. The Romans have been rounding up cattle as 'tax' to feed the legion. Pidyn Meddal has set an ambush to jump the returning Roman troops to recover the cattle. Will the troops of the Roman Empire be able to move the herd back to the camp, thus reinforcing the might of Rome? Or will the warbands of Britain have the time and fury to strike a blow for freedom and independence? Tempus Fugit!

Game C - Frozen Hell - GM Dave L. - 15mm - I Ain't Been Shot Mum! - Christmas Eve, 1939. For more than two weeks, the 163rd Rifle Division of the Red Army has been mired on the frozen road into Suomussalmi. The lead elements captured the village weeks ago, finding only the burnt ruins left by the Finnish defenders. Blocked from progressing any further and starving on a sixteen kilometer long stretch of road, the haggard Red Army men have been subject to nightly terror raids by Finnish forces. On the night of Christmas Eve, the 6th Bicycle Battalion launches one of these now-routine raids, with the objective of carving the exposed column into disparate pockets. A night raid with Finns on skiis and Red Army pioneers with a motley array of vehicles and heavy weapons—come and refight the dynamic and infamous "motti" raids of the legendary battle for Suomussalmi! (up to 5 players)

Game D - A Cold Day in Kharkov - GM Keith B. - 1/56 What A Tanker - German and Soviet tanks hunt each other in the desolate streets of Kharkov.  T-34s and PzIVs and StuGs and KVs – oh my! (up to 8 players)

Game FF - Showdown at Yartsevo 31 July 1941 - GM Thomas S. - 20mm - Chain of Command - It is a little over a month since the beginning of “Operation Barbarossa” and the German Army group centre has almost encircled the city of Smolensk.  The Russian army is doing everything possible to keep the salient open but it does not look very good for them. Zaborye is an important railhead not only for attacking Russian forces but also as a supply depot. Will the Red Army be able to hold this strategic position or will the German Army group centre continue its drive to Moscow? (up to 5 players) 

Lunch (1:30-3:00)

Saturday Afternoon Timeslot (3:00-7:00)

Game E - Raid on McCrea’s House, or, The King’s Cowboys - GM Roger C. - 28mm Sharp Practice - December 1813, Western Ontario is No-Man’s Land after the Battle of the Thames. Local settlers attempt to get the harvest in despite the depredations of U.S. troops from Detroit. A mixed complement of soldiers under Lt Joseph H Larwill have occupied several houses at Chatham, Upper Canada. Meanwhile, Lt Henry Medcalf of the Norfolk Militia Regiment has been given orders to proceed to the Rondeau area to round up stray, abandoned livestock to supply the British forces. To accomplish this he is given flankers from the Norfolks and a small troop of eight Provincial Dragoons. Travelling overland to the Talbot settlement he gains intelligence and allies from the Middlesex, Kent and Essex militias. His informants tell him there are no cattle at Rondeau, but these U.S. ruffians are causing hell at Chatham. He decides to intervene. Will Lt. Medcalf be able to save the day? The U.S. Regulars have been sampling the local hooch, will they respond to discipline? Will the U.S. Cavalry interrupt on time?

Game F - Showdown at Yartsevo 31 July 1941 - GM Thomas S. - 20mm - Chain of Command - It is a little over a month since the beginning of “Operation Barbarossa” and the German Army group centre has almost encircled the city of Smolensk.  The Russian army is doing everything possible to keep the salient open but it does not look very good for them. Zaborye is an important railhead not only for attacking Russian forces but also as a supply depot. Will the Red Army be able to hold this strategic position or will the German Army group centre continue its drive to Moscow? (up to 5 players) 

Game G - Bounce the Seine – The Algonquins attack on Sottesville-Sous-Le-Val - GM Brian H. - 6mm - O Group - The Lincoln and Welland Regiment have created a bridgehead at Criquebeuf, and the Algonquins will attack out of the bridgehead on the morning of the 27th of August. Their task is to capture Sotteville and then exploit NE to Point 88. The Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders will attack on the right and take Igoville, exploiting on to Point 95. The Germans are using both of these heights to direct artillery fire on the Criquebeuf crossing preventing bridging efforts. 

Game H - The Canadians Have an Ace Up Their Sleeve - GM Keith B. - 1/144 Algy Pulls a Fast One - Barker, Bishop, and Collishaw take on a horde of Huns.  Sopwith Camel, RAF SE5a and Sopwith Triplane, Albatros D.Vs, Fokker Dr.Is, Siemens-Schuckerts and more! (up to 6 players)

Game AA - After Fredericksburg - GM Chris R. - 15mm ACW Sharp Practice - In late 1862, shortly after Fredericksburg, as the Confederates clear out the area around the city, they come across a rag-tag assortment of Union forces trying to keep them out of a small town so their colleagues could continue to withdraw.  Sensing an opportunity, the Confederates decide to drive into town to see if they could life a bit more miserable for the northerners.  

Game BB - Hard Brexit, or, Romani Ite Domun - GM Sean M. - 28mm Infamy Infamy - Ancient Britain is overrun by bloody foreigners from Europe. Time to fight back. Chieftain Pidyn Meddal has had enough and has rallied his warriors to strike at the Roman troops under the command of Legatus Media Procuratio. The Romans have been rounding up cattle as 'tax' to feed the legion. Pidyn Meddal has set an ambush to jump the returning Roman troops to recover the cattle. Will the troops of the Roman Empire be able to move the herd back to the camp, thus reinforcing the might of Rome? Or will the warbands of Britain have the time and fury to strike a blow for freedom and independence? Tempus Fugit!

Optional Dinner (7:30+)

Location?
Royal Hamilton Light Infantry Veteran's Association on Barton Street in Hamilton 

Admission:

Play 2 Games - $10
Play 1 Game/GM 1 Game - $5

GM 2 Games - Free!

Accommodations?
Here are a couple of suggestions from the HTGS:
Four Points By Sheraton Hamilton - Stoney Creek
49 Goderich Rd, Hamilton, ON L8E 4W8
905-578-1212

Sandman Hotel Hamilton
560 Centennial Pkwy N, Hamilton, ON L8E 0G2
289-389-7203

Do you still want GMs?
Yes! Please reach out to me (e-mail below) and we’ll chat. Anything from the TFL and Reisswitz Press libraries, or anything from the TFL Specials and Lard Magazine is welcome. If you’ve home-brewed a variant period for one of the TFL systems, that’s welcome too.

Do you want players?
We’d love to meet TFL players, particularly new ones we haven’t crossed paths with before.  However, we are now at our limit of players unless we get some new games offered.

Will there be curry?
Maybe!  

Will there be pints?

Yes, through the Association's bar downstairs.

Will the pre-registration have to be pre-paid?

No, we'll collect payment the day of (cash only please).

Can I pre-register for specific games?

With all the changes going on with COVID, we're expecting the unexpected and may have to have some back-up plans in place to deal with last minute changes in games and GMs.  Currently what we're proposing to do is ask attendees list their favourite TFL rule sets (say a top 3 or 5) and then we'll match folks up on a first-registered, first-served basis as best we can.  We can't promise anything, but we hope this will come close to getting people into the games they like.

What will be the COVID-related requirements for attending?

We'll be following all provincial and municipal requirements, as well as those of the hall.  We currently expect those to include:

• Self-screening prior to attending
• An indoor mask requirement
• Proof of vaccination (two doses plus 14 days since final dose)
• Limited capacity (we'll be well under that for two rooms)

What else will be happening as part of the LardEhs Day?

• We’ll have banners and signage up 
• I’ll be doing photos and social media on the day, feel free to join in, or if you can’t make it, follow along! I’ll be using #lardehs and #spreadthelard on Twitter, and posting on the Frozen Lard FB page. 
• I’ll be doing some interviews with players and GMs to submit to TFL’s Oddcast podcast. 
• We plan on having some sort of raffle or draw for participants. 
• We’ll ask participants to fill out a survey to help guide us in future LardEhs Days.

Raffle and Prize Info:

We're pleased to announce Cardboard Dungeon Games is confirmed as our first sponsor.  Nick W. of CDG has generously provided both GM and raffle prizes, with the proceeds of the raffle going directly to the RHLI Veteran's Association.  We hope your respect for our veterans will have you digging deep for the TTCombat's Tank Manufacturing Warehouse (retails for $119.95)!

The Best Game / GM Prize will be the Cote D'arms WW2 paint set. That's 40 paints with a retail value over $200.

Cardboard Dungeon Games will also be giving us a free shipping code shortly, so attendees can order product and pick it up at the event.

Thank you Cardboard Dungeon Games for your generous support!

What if I’ve love to come but can’t make November 27?
Please reach out (e-mail below) and I’ll let you know what our plans are post-LardEhs Day #1. Barnaby is also available through the HTGS Facebook page. If you’d like to help us craft what future LardEhs Days look like, I can send you the survey for your input. There’s also the Frozen Lard Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/frozenlard/) for fans of TFL in Canada, and we’ll always post any news there.

So what’s this all about really?
Because I’m anal about these things, and sometimes have to write minute-by-minute agendas for media and VIP events, Barnaby and I came up with a mission statement: We are looking to put together a one-day TooFatLardies (TFL) themed event, using TFL rules in games by and for old and new fans of the systems. We are also using this first small event to gauge interest in a future standalone annual Lardie game day based on the UK model for Lard days. We’re encouraging the breadth of the TFL catalogue be brought out as games and welcome forays into a diversity of periods using those rules, including games/variants published in TFL Specials and Lard Magazine.

Links and Contacts:

HTGS Website

HTGS Facebook Page

Frozen Lard on Facebook

To contact me, I can be reached at chrisrobinson AT nexicom DOT net or on the event FB page.

Details - True North LardEhs Game Day, May 30 2020 in Hamilton, Ontario

Updated 20-05-07 - Postponed!  Unfortunately, but not unexpectedly, we've had to postpone the LardEhs Game Day until probably the fall.  More details on the new event will come in the future, for now though I'll leave most of this here so we can all remember how cool it was going to be... (and so I can re-purpose the information in the fall!)

My poor half-abandoned blog finally gets some attention as I’d like to provide a central place for details on a TooFatLardies Game Day Barnaby from the Hamilton Tabletop Gaming Society (HTGS) and I are organizing for this spring.

I expect most coming to this page already know what a TFL Game Day (aka Lard Day or Lardie Day) is, but it’s basically a game show/convention featuring TooFatLardies rules (and the affiliated Reisswitz Press), and a dash (or more) of adult beverages and curry. Most (if not all) Lard Days in the UK are standalone events, in the US they’re a mix of standalone or affiliated with a larger convention.

We’re hedging our bets to start one up here in southern Ontario, so we’re starting with the LardAmerica model and our first True North LardEhs Game Day will be part of the Hamilton Tabletop Gaming Society’s Broadsword 10 convention, running over the weekend of May 29-31, with our LardEhs Day happening on the 30th (Saturday). Eventually we’d like to try a standalone LardEhs Day in the future, but we’re gauging interest with this first one.

We’ve had great support from the TooFatLardies already, and our modest goals of two TFL games in each of the three Saturday timeslots has already been exceeded thanks to some great GMs stepping up as we covertly started talking to people about running games.

So our initial schedule (subject to change and more specifics for all the games still to come) is:
Saturday Morning (9:30-1:30)
What a Tanker (Howard T.)
Chain of Command (Thomas S.)

Saturday Afternoon (2:00-6:00)
I Ain’t Been Shot Mum! (Evan L.)
They Couldn't Hit an Elephant [ACW big battle] (Brian H.)
Dux Britanniarum (Cain C.)
Sharp Practice or Chain of Command (Sean M.)
They Don't Like It Up 'Em! (Lee v.S.)

Saturday Evening (7:00-11:00)
Coastal Patrol (Howard T.)
ACW Sharp Practice 2 (me!)

There’s at least one more game we’re landing on the what and where for. Howard’s games will also be king of the hill/re-spawning type scenarios, so you’re never quite out and people can drop in throughout the timeslot.

We’re still working on other details and a logo is in the works, but here’s a Q&A which will hopefully cover some of what you’ll want to know (and please contact me with any other questions you may have or to express interest in GMing or playing).

Cost?
$15 for the Saturday at Broadsword, which also happens to be the cost for the whole convention, so feel free to come for the whole weekend! There isn’t a separate admission for the LardEhs Day, it’s all included with entry to Broadsword. (admission fee is waived for GMs)

Location?
Royal Hamilton Light Infantry Veteran's Association on Barton Street in Hamilton 

Accommodations?
Here are a couple of suggestions from the HTGS:
Four Points By Sheraton Hamilton - Stoney Creek
49 Goderich Rd, Hamilton, ON L8E 4W8
905-578-1212

Sandman Hotel Hamilton
560 Centennial Pkwy N, Hamilton, ON L8E 0G2
289-389-7203

Do you still want GMs?
Yes! Please reach out to me (e-mail below) and we’ll chat. Anything from the TFL and Reisswitz Press libraries, or anything from the TFL Specials and Lard Magazine is welcome. If you’ve home-brewed a variant period for one of the TFL systems, that’s welcome too.

Do you want players?
Yes! We’d love to meet TFL players, particularly new ones we haven’t crossed paths with before, or those who are coming in from further away to play TFL games. Please reach out to us if you are coming from further away and we’ll strive to make sure you get into the Lard. You’re also welcome to enjoy the other Broadsword games going on.

Will there be curry?
Maybe!  With the three-timeslot day planned and the apparent lack of a nearby curry house, having a group meal won’t work this time around BUT we might be able to get curry on the menu with the canteen's caterer.

We do have plans though to make curry happen, even if we have to get it brought in, for a standalone Lard day.

But in terms of food for Broadsword, the RHLI hall's canteen will have lots of hot food options throughout the weekend, and there is a nearby mall with other options if you’d like to get out for a bit between games. The RHLI is also licensed. So while curry is a bit up in the air at this time, you won’t starve or go dry (but please remember to be responsible if you are also driving).

What else will be happening as part of the LardEhs Day?

• We’ll have banners and signage up to identify our little section of Broadsword, feel free to hang around and chat about Lard! 
• I’ll be doing photos and social media on the day, feel free to join in, or if you can’t make it, follow along! I’ll be using #lardehs and #spreadthelard on Twitter, and posting on the Frozen Lard FB page. 
• I’ll be doing some interviews with players and GMs to submit to TFL’s Oddcast podcast. 
• We plan on having some sort of raffle or draw for participants. 
• We’ll ask participants to fill out a survey to help guide us in future LardEhs Days.

What if I’ve love to come but can’t make Broadsword?
Please reach out (e-mail below) and I’ll let you know what our plans are post-LardEhs Day #1. Barnaby is also available through the HTGS Facebook page. If you’d like to help us craft what future LardEhs Days look like, I can send you the survey for your input. There’s also the Frozen Lard Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/frozenlard/) for fans of TFL in Canada, and we’ll always post any news there.

So what’s this all about really?
Because I’m anal about these things, and sometimes have to write minute-by-minute agendas for media and VIP events, Barnaby and I came up with a mission statement: As part of Broadsword 2020, we are looking to put together a one-day TooFatLardies (TFL) themed event, using TFL rules in games by and for old and new fans of the systems. We are also using this first small event to gauge interest in a future standalone annual Lardie game day based on the UK model for Lard days. We’re encouraging the breadth of the TFL catalogue be brought out as games and welcome forays into a diversity of periods using those rules, including games/variants published in TFL Specials and Lard Magazine.

Links and Contacts:

HTGS Website

HTGS Facebook Page

Broadsword 10 Facebook Page

Frozen Lard on Facebook

To contact me, I can be reached at chrisrobinson AT nexicom DOT net or on the event FB page once it’s up (or the Broadsword FB page).

Quick Post of Gundam WiP

As I prep for running these guys in a convention game at the end of March, here are some pics of the ready teams of Zeon Mobile Suits and their Earth Federation Forces opponents.  With some WWII buildings and Brigade Models UK Martian buildings thrown in for scale.  Also some 6mm (Z-scale?) model train figs I picked up ages ago.  One group looks suspiciously like a bunch of meddling kids...

CanGames 2018

Ok, this is going to be a long one (albeit a late one) as last month I was in Ottawa for CanGames 2018 and played in 7 of the 8 timeslots, only skipping the last session Sunday evening for dinner with family.  A very good dinner from the famous So Good Chinese restaurant.

I used a day and a half off work to get to Ottawa in good time Thursday so I could be bright and bushy-tailed Friday afternoon when things started.

As in my recon run to last year's CanGames, I pre-registered for all my games, just to make sure I had a slot.  It seems like only about 1/3 of the slots get filled that way, a lot of folks seem to wing it, but given I was coming in from Peterborough, I wanted to make sure I got into something.  This year I met a fellow in from Saskatchewan who had the same philosophy, and I know one other gamer also pre-registers for one particular game.

My first game was a old West skirmish using Legends of the Old West rules, each of us starting with 3-5 figures in a 4v4 game in a nicely set up 28mm town.  Our host, Mike, has more up on his blog report. 

My dead pile, soon to be joined by the rest of my guys!

I don't really remember now what my objective was, we were the side of law and order, so it may have been to clear the town of the bad guys, dead or alive.  But spiritually I feel my goal was to get to the other side of town to chase off the mariachi band.

In between games I caught part of this sweet collection of chariots for a racing game that evening that used about 4 tables in a square:

I was playing a game of Blucher, which I'd had fun playing in Chatham with the KEGS guys a couple of years ago, this time re-fighting Quatre Bras, one of my favourite Napoleonic battles.  Somehow this turned out to be the only photo I took, looking across the table at the dastardly French commanders.

We won a razor thin victory, thanks to Bob holding onto that hill on the left of the pic.  Pro Tip:  Don't refight Quatre Bras based on what you remember from Sharpe's Waterloo.

While hanging around Saturday morning, in between bouts of shopping, I got a few pics of Mike's great Helm's Deep set up:

More pics and the game story are also up on his blog I linked to above.

I however had my eye on another prize, getting into Rex Brynen's Trump Tower Zombie Apocalypse game, which follows on last year's game (that I watched a bit of but didn't play in) where the Donald was bitten by a zombie and became the Zombie King.  In this Saturday morning sequel, four factions - Team Mueller (Sean and I), Team Saunders, Team Clinton, and Team White House (who had a ridiculous amount of "Fake News!" cards to play and make us re-roll things) - fought over a zombie-ruled New York City.

My part of Team Mueller:

The Zombie King in his Tower at the start of the game:

You know this showdown had to happen:

Things are hot all over the old town tonight:

Team Saunders had acquired an ambulance, and were using the speakers to promote free health care for all - including zombies!

The last stand of the FBI, as we kept drawing zombies from everywhere.  Guess we should have been quieter.  Our highlight was subpoenaing Sarah H. Sanders out of her barricaded hideout and into the waiting arms of the zombie horde.

Nearing the end of the game, with Team Saunders just hustling off the table with enough victory points to beat Team Clinton (Team Mueller finished last, for the record!).  Unfortunately it was a bit of a pyrrhic victory for them, as a child zombie bit Bernie just as he was escaping.

The afternoon game, which I didn't play in but got an update on later, had four new teams, including North Korea and the Travel-Banned!  My teammate Sean has his take on our game on his blog here.

Saturday afternoon and I got back into the horse and musket period, and the 1762 Battle of Wilhelmstahl, in the Seven Years War, hosted by Nick and the Ottawa Miniature Gamers.  I played in their WAS game last year and had a great time, one of the best tactical battles I've ever personally fought.  This year I didn't fight nearly so well (who said I should be in the role of Frederick the Great!?!?), though things didn't go well for our side in many places on the table.  I would also like to officially blame my dice rolls for slowing my troops down.

As always, the table was huge and impressive, these are my forces in the middle.

My opponents across the table (although Duncan on the far right was on our side):

Our left - I was pretty busy with my guys in the middle, so it was hard to check in on this, it was basically a separate battle, but things didn't go well!

My lines are always beautiful and perpendicular.

Beautiful lines on the left, if not quite as straight as mine:

Just before our lines finally went head-to-head, as Bob's troops deployed to join Robert's against me.  Meanwhile my guys in the centre are still trying to actually move forward!

Saturday I got into a renaissance game of Lithuania/Poles vs. Russia, using the Fire and Sword rules, also hosted by OMG (Tod and Martin this time).  Beautiful figures on a Cigar Box mat, poorly managed by my teammate and I.  I lost control of the Winged Hussars, and hadn't quite figured out how the other troops played out, and my teammate somehow thought our artillery was better on the move than shooting at the stolen wagon train and Cossacks.

My Wing Hussars on the left, before they broke through the Cossacks and never really got under control again...

Sunday morning I brought my nephew Theo out for a game of Mobile Frame Zero, which uses Lego mecha and terrain.  As you'd expect, Theo's first attacks were launched at me, until the rest of the sides got closer and things turned into a free-for-all.  My guys are the two closer ones here:

Theo's mecha:

Theo enjoying lunch!  He also got engaged by a RPG GM and now he wants to try those out too, though I'm not sure how much he really understands about how the games are played!

Great looking pirate-ish game, possibly with monsters, in the Frostgrave: Ghost Archipelago setting:

After dropping Theo off, I got in one final game, the 1918 Battle of Megiddo using Great War Spearhead rules.  Originally this was going to be played with TooFatLardies' If the Lord Spares Us rules, which I wanted to try, but as I also want to get into GWSH (more for early war or the eastern front), this worked too.  Rex Brynen and I were the British, with Rex taking on the cavalry to be the hammer while my infantry was to be the anvil.  Despite taking a beating to hold off the Germano-Turkish force while my second division got into position and across the river, we were able to win in the end.  

The starting positions:

The battle as the British lines get formed up - that's one of my divisions in a beautiful line between the river and hill, with Rex's cavalry going in on the attack on our left.  Further to the left, on our side of the river, the New Zealanders (or Australians, or both) are attacking Turkish fortified positions.  In the bottom centre is my second division, finally getting turned around as we realize where the Germans are coming from (the top right).

Cavalry jumping barbed wire, what could go wrong?

Finally getting ready to cross after most of the first division has evapourated.

So that was it, a pretty intense seven games over 2+ days.  I think next year I'll look at bringing a game for one of the less frantic timeslots.  I'll also try to get Theo out for more than one timeslot, so he can enjoy a full kids' day on the Saturday.

In terms of shopping, somehow I accidentally bought some stuff.  Some fancy fiery-looking d6s, some 20mm odd tanks - Canadian Ram, some Ram Kangaroos, Dad's Army one-offs - for Chain of Command and/or What a Tanker.  And some Ospreys.  Like 8.  They were on sale, it wasn't my fault.  I also bought some Essex landknechts figures without really looking at them (they were like $7 for 7-8 packs) from the Crossed Swords mystery bins, but then when I checked out the codes I found out they were weirdly sculpted Mike's Models figures, which really only go with themselves.  Guess I now have something for the Bring-and-Buy at Hotlead next year!

I've been a bit burnt out on prepping or painting miniatures through June, but now I'm looking at putting something together for Broadsword 6 in August, so I'm starting to get my mojo back.  Will post pics as things develop.