Song of Arthur and Merlin

It was the Duke's birthday and the castle was festive in preparation for the event. The household knights had been in training for weeks to put on a grand melee. The twins Cadlew and Connor watched from the parapet as the retainers and house men at arms assembled on the melee field. Gwynfannon and his band was an easy favorite.

Gwynfannon (right) would prove his mettle this day on the field. Surrounded and being assailed on all sides he would sweep the opponents from the field and cause wiser men to rethink even to cross lances with the castle champion.


Sir Tyllid surveys the field and tries to send in his lance to his advantage.
The day went well for Tyllid and his warband but the strength and prowess of the castle champion became too much. In fatigue and disgust Tyllid retired from the field to try and fight another day.

The height of the action. 90mm wargame fun in the Lion's Den using Ganesha Games, Song of Arthur and Merlin.

Napoleonic 5MM Battle of Knieffer-Haffen

The Lion's Den Wargamers convened for an evening of Napoleonic warfare using the DBA period variant DBN. The rules are DBA with element alternatives that depict Napoleonic troop types and weapons. Very easy to adapt to if you are familiar with DBA. The download from Fanaticus prints out on 3 pages with combat factors and outcomes listed for the variety of new elements during this period

These images are of new troops in uniform from my scratchbuilding 5mm activities. The figures are made from needlepoint knitting plastic. They are based on 40mm element bases as per DBA.

Our game pitted myself and Carl vs. the Napoleonic afficianado Nick. Nick commanded the British in their attack of the Belgium commercial center of Knieffer-Haffen. Nick won by demoralizing two of our divisions and commanded a successful river crossing in the attempt.

Aerial view of the battlefield showing the Knieffer river and tributaries leading into the city.

My left flank division crossing the river to try and outflank the British.

The British cross unopposed and gain the foothold that would threaten the center of the French defense.

This is an early disposition shot after turn two or three.

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Pre-battle.

Troops on manuever.

Aliens - This Time It's War 54mm Sci-Fi

The Secondhand Lions converged on the Lion's Den this Thursday the 1st of September 2011 to prepare our convention presentation at Recruits September convention. We did a practice run through the Aliens Leading Edge title "This Time It's War." This is a recreation of the movie reactor room scene where the colonial marines face the xenomorph in an attempt to get the hell out of the alien hive. Double click images for a heads up display.
"Hicks check your helmet cam.."

For those about to Rock We Salute You!!!!


Initial deployment screens with fire.

Xenomorph encounterd and neutralized.

Being watched.

The retreat is cut off.

I played Crowe and was about to be consigned to the bagage column. This xeno incapacitated me and next thing I knew was waking up in the APC on the way back to base.

A view of the reactor room.

Our left flank is wave attacked by multiple contacts!!!!!

My other marine, Dietrich was to remain behind for close personal contact with the new alien species. She did in the course of the retreat whip 2 xenos off of Apone. Only to be the last marine in the hive firing away with the flamer as she was covered in acid and dead bodies of the aliens....

7 marines made it to the awaiting APC for a complete marine victory. I however was down 50% and wounded.

Wilson's Creek 150th Reenactment August 14th

Union forces.


12 pounder called "Thunder". This gun shook my teeth!

View of the assault on bloody hill.

View from behind the Missouri lines.

To our right was the confederate artillery.

Out front was the Federals on the far hill.

Confederates moving into line.

Pre battle muster.

Total tourist. I bought the caps at Gettysburg and my son Aaron and I wore them to root for our favorite side. Here we pose before a confederate gun. Got the tourist program, and t-shirt along with a bullet from Stones River battlefield.

Had a really great day with my family and enjoyed the event.

The Battle of Wilson's Creek August 10th, 1861

The Secondhand Lions celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Wilson's Creek this last Thursday and played our 54mm reenactment game featuring significant battlefield terrain and positions of troops at the outset of the battle.

This image shows the battlefield and Confederate bivouac. We used the club's VBACW rules that were written and compiled back in 1993 which are a chromed version of J. Morschauser's rules.
In this image we are looking northwest across Wilson's creek at Sharp's cornfield and Bloody Hill.

This image shows Sharp's cornfield looking north at the valley of camped Confederates. The scenario required the Confederates to roll a 1D6 and score a 6 to come out of bivouac and be able to move. Subsequent turns the needed score was 5,6 and then the next turn would have been 4,5,6. The Confederates activated two regiments on the very first turn!! This allowed for a quick reaction to the federal attack.

As the Federal attack begins the Missouri troops are called to action.

Formed troops turn toward the hill and see the attacking Fed's coming into view over the rise.

Franz Sigel's battery opens up on the Texans camped in Sharp's cornfield. The battery was to get off three turns of fire into the troops before they could roll their activation and begin to fight off the bombardment.

Another view of Sigel's battery bombarding the cornfield.

The Pulaski Arkansas battery lies in ruin in this fight and was put out of action by the federal artillery on Bloody Hill!

This image is a pretty neat recreation of the battlefield.

Description: Brig. Gen. Nathaniel Lyon’s Army of the West was camped at Springfield, Missouri, with Confederate troops under the commands of Brig. Gen. Ben McCulloch approaching. On August 9, both sides formulated plans to attack the other. About 5:00 am on the 10th, Lyon, in two columns commanded by himself and Col. Franz Sigel, attacked the Confederates on Wilson’s Creek about 12 miles southwest of Springfield. Rebel cavalry received the first blow and fell back away from Bloody Hill. Confederate forces soon rushed up and stabilized their positions. The Confederates attacked the Union forces three times that day but failed to break through the Union line. Lyon was killed during the battle and Maj. Samuel D. Sturgis replaced him. Meanwhile, the Confederates had routed Sigel’s column, south of Skegg’s Branch. Following the third Confederate attack, which ended at 11:00 am, the Confederates withdrew. Sturgis realized, however, that his men were exhausted and his ammunition was low, so he ordered a retreat to Springfield. The Confederates were too disorganized and ill-equipped to pursue. This Confederate victory buoyed southern sympathizers in Missouri and served as a springboard for a bold thrust north that carried Price and his Missouri State Guard as far as Lexington. In late October, a rump convention, convened by Governor Claiborne Fox Jackson, met in Neosho and passed an ordinance of secession. Wilson’s Creek, the most significant 1861 battle in Missouri, gave the Confederates control of southwestern Missouri.

Fourth of July Dawn Patrol 2011

The Dawn Patrol game for the Secondhand Lions was played as per tradition on the morning of the 4th. We began at 8:00 with mimosas on the patio. Flying sorties began around 8:30 featuring Jasta 11 vs. Squadron 60. The German planes were dominant this year despite repeated jamming of the guns. All three allied planes were destroyed and forced down.

I am teaching at a summer camp this year and have passed the tradition of clothespin aircraft on to the next generation.

Best regards to all readers and happy fourth of July.

Song of Arthur and Merlin Song of Blades and Heroes

King Vortigern had given the summons to call out the retinue. All artificers and craftsmen had been summoned to build a tower of refuge for the king. The land was invaded and loyal house knights must earn their keep and pay homage to the usurper king and try and keep their fief controlled and free of invading looters.
Sir Gafannon, Sir Tylyd, and Sir Tywain and the men at arms that were in the vicinity of Lincoln castle began a progress of the fief looking for invaders. Duke Aeron knew that being so far to the north of London it was not likely that a large army was in the area...

Near the perilous chapel an enemy patrol was encountered. Saxons mounted on horseback and a fyrd levy were looting the local countryside.

The Song of Blades was commenced.

Sir Tylyd and Tywain charge in amongst the fyrdmen. Hacking and slaying the enemy.

Sir Tylyd pokes the Saxon Rider right in the eye!!
The evening ended with one of my favorite kinetic adventure games. Dragon Strike MB.

and I got the Dragon's eggs out of the cave and won.

Cheers.