Just got home after attending our annual "big" convention, Enfilade. This was the first year we've gone back to the usual Memorial Day weekend time-frame since 2019 (pre-Covid). Our friends and allies from Canada showed up in force since border crossing requirements have eased up. Attendance was up from last September's ad hoc convention - there were about 300 attendees and around 120 games. A bit less than our record high in 2019 - around 400 attendees and 140 or so games. I was able to host four games: two Black Powder La Haye Sainte games and two Pike & Shotte Marston Moor games. There were 6 players for each Black Powder game and 8 players for each Marston Moor game. I managed to retain most of my voice through Sunday morning's game. Pints of Guinness Stout during and after games (except this morning) helped to fortify my resolve. Here are some pictures from the games I ran and also some of the great games others hosted.
French infantry broken into smaller detachments shooting and fight around the barn. The scenario had units represented by two stands once they reach the outside of the farm complex. |
Royalist cavalry led by Prince Rupert on their right wing. A unit of Rupert's red coated commanded shot screening their advance. |
A view of the Royalist left flank. Their cavalry facing the Parliamentarian cavalry led by Thomas Fairfax. |
Center of the Allied army with regiments of Scottish foot holding the line. |
Royalist cuirassiers supported by cavaliers charging into Parliamentarian commanded shot. |
Royalist foot arrayed along the hedges and ditch running the center of the battlefield. |
Dismounted dragoons from both sides engaged in the rough. |
Parliamentarian right attempting to advance. |
Cromwell with his remaining Ironsides. It was a close Royalist victory in both games. |
Aspern-Essling - General du Corps |
Ancients game hosted by White Rock Gamers from B.C. Canada. |
Skirmish at the Walnut Grove Mill - AWI - Muskets & Tomahawks |
Lena Lamont and the Jungle Fortress - Congo rules |
Battle for Richmond, 1862, ACW, 28mm, White Rock Gamers |
Chain of Command "Serafimovich 1942:Battle of the Sunflowers" |
Alpine Fury -Tyrol 1809 - The Third Battle of Berg Isel - Black Powder |
The Sand Pebbles |
Gnome Wars |
The Fall of the Philippine Republic: Battle of San Pascual - The Men Who Would Kings |
Pulp Alley: La Playa de Parador |
Circus Maximus - Chariot Racing |
Black Seas |
Duel of Aces - Wings of War WW1 |
Con Sonar |
Kursk - The Second Day |
Wagram using Shako 2. This was the last game being played on Sunday - most of the players were from Canada and were staying until Monday. |
A lot of great looking games, Dean. Did you win Best of Show?
ReplyDeleteNah, too many other great games. The theme for this year was "Pulp". So, not even in theme :) It was fun and great to see all the usual suspects though. Kindest regards, Dean
DeleteGreat report, Dean. Had a great time, glad for you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Alexey. I had a great time hosting the four games - somewhat exhausting, but well worth it in the end. Kindest regards, Dean
DeleteGreat photos Dean and some great looking games!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mike. There really were some great games - as usual for the con. That said, I was mostly preoccupied with running my four games, and I could only take a few quick photos of the other games going on. Warm regards, Dean
DeleteLooks like everyone should have had a great time. You did well hosting 4 games! I'm glad you had the Guinness to sooth your throat and belly.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ray! Yes, I knew the loss of voice would happen - the norm when the convention hall gets up in numbers. Warmest regards, Dean
DeleteWhat a great looking show!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for a photos!
Thanks alot, Michal! It was a great gathering - everyone had a great time over the weekend. Lots of good gaming and camaraderie going on. Warmest regards, Dean
DeleteBoth games looked great, but I love the MM set up. So nice to see something that looks that good at the end of it all.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Markus! Yes, it was great to get both games in the con. They were both put together during the last year or two during the lockdown, so very satisfying to have them gamed at a big gathering. Kindest regards, Dean
DeleteGreat looking show Dean. Sounds like you had a busy but enjoyable time. Loved the look of your Marston Moor game.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, Richard. Yes, I feel quite satisfied being able to host those two games which I'd worked on over the last year or two. Warmest regards, Dean
DeleteSplendid looking pair of games that you've put on, well done! Couple of 1809 campaign games too I notice!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thanks, Iain! Yes, my buddy ran his Alpine Fury (Tyrolean Rebellion) game using Black Powder and someone else ran a big Aspern-Essling game using General du Corps (which I've never played). Oh, and there was a big Wagram game using Shako 2 on Sunday. I'll add the image to this post.
DeleteKindest regards, Dean
Thanks for posting the photos here (and on Facebook). I'm glad to hear the convention went well and that attendance was good. Did you get a chance to play anything or were you just a GM this year?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dave. Glad to have posted what pictures I could. Didn't get all of the games, for some reason or another. As for playing in games - no. I had Friday night and Saturday morning free, but chose to help out with James Sagen's Alpine Fury game. No problem as I enjoyed GMing and assisting a lot. Missed seeing you and Bruce M. too. Kindest regards, Dean
DeleteVery nice report, a lot of ideas for making new types of terrain etc!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the interest and kind words, Vladimir! Best regards, Dean
DeleteGreat report, Dean! Very cool event 8)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visit and kind words, Denis! Warm regards, Dean
DeleteI seem to have missed this post a week back Dean....don't know how that happened! Your game looks wonderful and definitely worth all the effort you put into setting it all up. There are a lot of other fantastic games there too...must have been a great event to attend!
ReplyDeleteHey, Keith! Thanks for the visit and nice words as always. No worries, I've been off the blog trail myself for awhile too. Kindest regards, Dean
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