Do not worry, PBI is top of the pipe followed by AK. No firm plans after that as life can throw randoms?
Anyway now is a good time to chuff about Robin Hood as we all enjoy that topic(I am really not sure ?).
I think it is out of copyright? Howard Pyle 1883. He did all those wonderful pirate illustrations etc.
The game would be based upon VIETNAM.
This means the initial idea is a rural setting with hamlets and other buildings.
No Nottingham castle.
The table need not be covered in trees. There might be marshes, ponds, ruins, glades, church, farm, inn, dark woods etc.
The Sheriff's men search for taxes, booty and villains in the modern sense.
These would be horse and foot . Some of the foot might be huntsmen/shooter types.
Robin's merry bunch would be archers and other woodsmen.
We need to include.
Guy of Gisburne. Mounted knights.
King Richard. Somehow.
Robin Hood. Several?
Bad bishop
Friar tuck. Unit leader.
Maid Marian. Unit leader.
Sheriff of Nottingham. Commander.
Alan A dale (VC unit leader)
Will Scarlet (VC)
Little John (VC)
etc.
Sheriff will have a points system to build a force from the options available.
Try to keep within the original novel/book hence no dragons, ships magic.
Hopefully adult players will still enjoy being the wicked Sheriffs men?
With lots of classic stupidity and abuse. They can rob houses, way lay good people, get tricked, swear.
Any character might get killed (except Robin?).
A range of about 10 packs.
I hope this makes for some good chat rather than a start to the rule set.
martin :)
This is a most excellent topic for chat, Martin :)
Simon
Yes that sounds good, the Sheriffs men would also make an additional army range for CK ?
Miles
Yes depending on the sculpting style they could be Anglo Norman between about 1100 to 1200 or Feudal English from 1200 to 1300. The dates are very approximate.
John
I agree with the historical references but Martin's first sculpting choice will be choosing the balance between history and popular legend (Men in Tights, Robin's "famous" bright green, pointy hat etc) Maybe one pack could be "personalities" and be slightly off-history? Then there's sculpting time, moulds etc v sales. Best of luck Martin.
Derek of Cambridge
This certainly sounds like an interesting theme.
Looking forward to seeing where it goes.
regards,
Nick
Probably later crusaders.
martin :)
I would see this as a fast, furious and fun, Hollywood-esque game, rich in narrative and chaos, and high in chance. I don't feel that it needs to be big on the "historical" side of things.
Simon
Praise be!
Are you just intent on replicating the Airfix boxes of your youth Martin? ☺
Can we expect the Guards Colour Party? ☺☺☺☺
Neil
Those boxes were my first figures. John Niblett. Superb, even by today's standards. Great poses.
Next will be the astronauts pack??
The marching box will only need a few poses?
https://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/Review.aspx?id=24
martin :)
I found an original box of those in my Mum's garage the other day, Martin :)
Simon
I have found many lovely figures for this. Only problem they all seem to be 25/28mm
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1754337593/robin-hood-collection-full-set-dnd?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_uk_en_gb_b-toys_and_games-toys-miniature_toys-role_playing_miniatures&utm_custom1=_k_CjwKCAjwreW2BhBhEiwAavLwfJEKeu4EbmGeJeni0qMOYUqL5-7jfpNxRmwSNKhCDjA-_nZGmFyQ5BoCeKcQAvD_BwE_k_&utm_content=go_12603394277_122381130400_508814528867_aud-1184048147899:pla-317092176223_c__1754337593engb_472260097&utm_custom2=12603394277&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwreW2BhBhEiwAavLwfJEKeu4EbmGeJeni0qMOYUqL5-7jfpNxRmwSNKhCDjA-_nZGmFyQ5BoCeKcQAvD_BwE
Just an example
Derek
I was only a kid when the box of Astronauts came out but bought them (from Woolworth's) largely because I had every other box of figures Airfix produced. I remember being disappointed at the lack of weapons. Only a couple had pistols (cameras?) and a few more had muskets which they were loading, (I was clever enough to know that not every weapon had a Hollywood supply of ammunition. Probes for samples was an unknown). The standard bearer was obvious as was the man with two huge grenades. At least you got decent transport.
Derek of Cambridge
It is certainly a well travelled road.
The VIETNAM frame will make it enjoyable and in theme.
martin :)
I also poached the larger scale for suitable woodsmen sculpts as proxy 'rangers of Ithilien' in my Middle Earth forces. They also turn up sprinkled amongst my Westerosi Northern and Riverlands banners. I am sure the Merry Men and characters in 15mm will resurface being used in many other fantasy and role playing situations... There is a lively 15mm fantasy fraternity out there.
Will RH look like John Cleese and Neil McCarthy as Marion from 'Time Bandits'?
Just so long as they don't lapse into song like they did in 'Shrek'.
Neil
Quote from: sukhe_bator (Neil) on September 06, 2024, 08:19:25 AMI also poached the larger scale for suitable woodsmen sculpts as proxy 'rangers of Ithilien' in my Middle Earth forces. They also turn up sprinkled amongst my Westerosi Northern and Riverlands banners. I am sure the Merry Men and characters in 15mm will resurface being used in many other fantasy and role playing situations... There is a lively 15mm fantasy fraternity out there.
>
Neil
My thoughts echo this. A few varied sets of late C12th/ early C13th styled figures would be happily plundered by skirmish, RPG and historical gamers alike... a very useful resource, in addition to it's 'official' intended purpose.
More like Robin Hood - Men in Tights
Derek
The Hollywood approach is the way to go for me. Lots of opportunity for intrigue, moustache twirling and tights wearing.
Sounds like it could be a quick turnaround project!
Im preperation, Im now reading Angus Donalds Outlaw, the first in his 10 book Robin Hood series. I expect it to be a bit like Bernard Cornwell.
I did look for some Disney types. Foxes and bears vs Snakes and boars but no luck.
Derek
As with Vietnam the figures will probably be in groups of 2 or 3.
When we get to this project it will probably all change?
Figures I expect the influence to be a crossover of late crusade and Airfix.
Maybe some buildings too?
martin :)
Building sound great
Include Nottingham castle with long tables to fight on?
Stewart
Quote from: martin goddard on September 04, 2024, 05:51:58 PMThe game would be based upon VIETNAM.
This means the initial idea is a rural setting with hamlets and other buildings.
No Nottingham castle.
The table need not be covered in trees. There might be marshes, ponds, ruins, glades, church, farm, inn, dark woods etc.
Keep up at the back there, Stewart ;D
Simon
I'll get my coat
What will be needed.
The minimal number /types of figures. It is easy to create a huge list but more difficult to create a smaller list.
Figures
1. Mounted knights
2. Foot men at arms.
3. Common folk archers
4. Common folk billmen
5. robin hood et al
6. Guy of Gisborne et al
7. Priests. Could use the Longships ones.
8.Casualties.
This then would be the minimum.
Some packs from the Longships range can be used.
The Longships range might also supply the buildings.
Trees. Plenty about.
Cloth. 5x3 of any green type.
Templates. The usual wooded, building and marsh types.
This would give enough for play testing?
martin :)
Initially, you could use Saxon levy from Longships in place of the common folk billmen? And maybe the Carolingian archers instead of their common folk equivalents, Martin?
Casualties could be borrowed from other games in the meantime, cutting things down to just 4 packs = 12 figures to sculpt Initially?
Simon
Quote from: martin goddard on September 28, 2024, 01:02:30 PMWhat will be needed.
The minimal number /types of figures. It is easy to create a huge list but more difficult to create a smaller list.
Figures
1. Mounted knights
2. Foot men at arms.
3. Common folk archers
4. Common folk billmen
5. robin hood et al
6. Guy of Gisborne et al
7. Priests. Could use the Longships ones.
8.Casualties.
This then would be the minimum.
Some packs from the Longships range can be used.
The Longships range might also supply the buildings.
Trees. Plenty about.
Cloth. 5x3 of any green type.
Templates. The usual wooded, building and marsh types.
This would give enough for play testing?
martin :)
This all sounds promising.
How the heck you sculpt men in tights I don't know, but I'm sure they'll be lovely 😊
It is those interesting bulges that need good sculpting Sean.
If overdone they might cause some of us with a delicate constitution to faint?
To remind players of the old Airfix Robin hood, maybe wee need a pack of 4 maid Marians?
To reinforce the nostalgia, the horses pack might come with a bases that only 1 hoof contacts?
martin :)
Good thinking Simon.
An easy start point.
Especially for playtseting
martin :)
What about a King Arthur type pack or two to go with the Romans ? Any of British heroes and associates to lead in mainly CK and Longships games please ? Just to add some flavour to the tables ?
Personally would love to do an Asterisks type Gaul force ? Also a "Great Heathen Army" with the associated Viking Legends ! Because a lot of these heroes cartoon or not are based on some "real" style personalities somewhere in that countries history and folklores ?
Miles
Yes Miles, some ancient characters would be good.
We have done Charlemagne and Alexander as named characters so far.
At the moment I am working on Zebras.
martin :)
Good news, Martin.
I am looking forward to King Zebra, Lord Zebra and Sir Zebra, as we go through the ages.
Simon
Don't forget "Stripey, the Aussie Zebra" Simon.
John
Good point, John.
I'm expecting Zebra LMG, Zebra RCL and Zebra RPG teams eventually too, of course.
Simon
Well, you may joke, but those packs are on the way.
There, I have said it in black and white.
martin :)
This sounds cool but to be honest I would prefer this to be not too specifically themed as Robin hood...By all means use that but this can also be used for many ranges of figs and periods.
Let me explain. You could have all the same thing for a 'bandit hunting' or dealing with a raiding/suppressing force encounter any time up to the recent time. Everything from the AWI through Korean invasion (and Chinese Water Margin period games) to the wars of the roses/hundred years war and then to Robin hood and even earlier such as the all had quite similar encounters. That would allow use of the Samurai figs for a Korean war style game without issue.
Having multiple options for winning would allow different scenarios and even a simple campaign system. So by all means keep Robin Hood as the driver but I can see an easy conversion to other would be great.
A medium scale 15mm encounter/search/raid style ancient game would be great.
Good logic Mark.
I think we can include some extra notes in the rules to detail options players might enjoy.
martin :)