A Game, Some Figures and Some New Zealand Scenery

 First up a very delayed "AAR" on our GoT game almost a fortnight ago. I won't be able to recall many details so it's mostly just some pics of Julians nice figures

I commanded the "Free Peoples" army against the Nights Watch led by John, with Julian as GM/umpire

I don't remember this from the TV series and have not read the books - female warriors mounted on polar bears!

She is some kind of specialist personality figure

The Free People had a couple of giants in their army

Let battle commence!

The "pink tree" was some kind of enchanted thing, if my troops were within close range, they got a morale advantage I think

Giants taking on the Nights Watch - who were in general better quality troops then mine - but there were fewer of them I think

The teddy bear girls charge in!

They took out 1/3 of the enemy but took casualties too.

More traditional Free Folk cavalry drove another Nights Watch unit out of the forest

Most of the action took place in the forest and adjacent areas

The Nights Watch dealt out death to the polar bears

Situation three quarters of the way through the game

John Snows Dire Wolf ripped chunks out of the Free Folk cavalry unit

The Polar Bear Girls  was still holding on and there were fewer and fewer Nights Watchmen opposing her!

The two giants were on their last legs - but had almost wiped out John Snows unit. 

We ended here, due to the time - and called it a draw

Now a batch of close ups from John's phone/camera.

Next up are the 16th Chasseurs a Cheval, using Warlord hard plastic figures - not as nice as the Perry version, in almost everyone's opinion, including mine, but perfectly serviceable and I was able to get this packet at half price some time ago (I have a packet of French Hussars, too)

A unit with pale blue facings this time

Officer and his horse are metal (and the musician's right arm!)

I gave the elite company fur colpacks again

I used left over bits from the Perry box plus a Crooked Dice metal head to create this figure, inspired by Henriette Leberton

The Scenario: During the Napoleonic Wars, particularly during the campaign in Spain (around 1810-1811), Masséna was accompanied by Leberton, who was a young woman often described as being in her late teens or early twenties.

The Disguise: To allow her to travel with the army, Masséna had special, tailored Chasseur à Cheval uniforms made for her.

The Incident: Eyewitness accounts suggest she rode with the army, though she frequently fell from her horse during difficult terrain. Her identity was often known, but the uniform was used to permit her presence in the camp.

Legacy: She is sometimes referred to in historical anecdotes and wargaming lore as a "Chasseurette" or "Masséna's mistress in uniform". 

While searching for the details above, I came across this too - so I will have to see if I have a spare dragoon body..... 😉

Marie Anne Eugénie Renique (1780–1836) was the long-term mistress and companion of Marshal André Masséna, accompanying him during campaigns between 1801/1806 and 1811. Known for dressing in dragoon uniform, she was present during the 1810 invasion of Portugal, which caused scandal and distractions, prompting Masséna to later regret her presence. 

Key details regarding Renique:

Identity: Originally a mistress known in some accounts as a young ballet dancer from the Paris Opera, further investigations identified her as Renique, who used aliases like Madame X or Henriette.

Military Presence: She was notably present during the Peninsular War, disguised in uniform.

Impact: Her presence was believed to have distracted Masséna and caused friction with his staff.

Finally, a few images of the first day of our trip to the bottom of teh S Island, known as "The Catlins" 

Road bridge at Balclutha

Nugget Point Lighthouse

Old railway tunnel

One of several waterfalls we visited

We spent a lot of time of roads like this on the first couple of days - the car was filthy an hour after we picked it up at Dunedin airport!

Our first night accommodation - a "tiny home" - it was actually very cool!

The main "town" of the Catlins is Owaka - this is it, viewed from the place we had dinner

The red building is where we ate - we were lucky to get in, as all 30 or so tables were booked - in a one-horse town on a Monday night - because despite appearances, it really is the main town of this busy tourist area!

That's it for tonight - lots more to come in the next few posts!