Slitherine

Hi All,

I've been having a look at my wargaming armies, and am amazed when I look at the Geography of the armies that I favour.
For instance, the following armies I have an interest in:
Bactrian Greek, Hepthalite Huns, and the Ghurids.
If we do a brief study of their Geography we find that they are all in the same location - Afghanistan.
Drawing a bit of a long bow, we can also throw the Palmyrans in the same location (I know it's not really that close, but it's closer than Rome )
In addition to this, I'm interested:
New Kingdom Egyptian, Ptolemaic and Mamluk Egyptian. I've got an interest in Napoleon's Egyptian Campaigns.
Now, I'd vaguely undertand that if I had Afghan or Egyptian blood, but I'm a Celt.

It would be interesing to know if anyone else follows the same geographic limitations.

I had a friend who wanted to build (back in 7th Edition) an army from each book, and also have a Rennaissance, Napoleonic, WWII and Modern army. Well, going from 'Swifter than Eagles' you'd be limiting your range if you also only picked one geographic region, but what could you have if you selected 'Egypt': - Old Kingdom Egyptian, New Kingdom Egyptian, 26th? Dynasty, Ptolemaic, Mamluk Egyptian... They're all pretty different armies too. This is an economical way to build an army too, you'd save on camp... you'd only need to build one PYramid

ravenflight wrote:Well, going from 'Swifter than Eagles' you'd be limiting your range if you also only picked one geographic region, but what could you have if you selected 'Egypt': - Old Kingdom Egyptian, New Kingdom Egyptian, 26th? Dynasty, Ptolemaic, Mamluk Egyptian... They're all pretty different armies too. This is an economical way to build an army too, you'd save on camp... you'd only need to build one PYramid

You missed out the Persians, various Roman and Byzantine armies and the pre-Mamluk Arabs

ravenflight wrote: I had a friend who wanted to build (back in 7th Edition) an army from each book, and also have a Rennaissance, Napoleonic, WWII and Modern army.

I sort of have a "geographical" bias but that is because I love the steppe nomads - from Cimmerians of the late Neolithic - early Bronze age to the Cossacks with gunpowder and steel.

As to your friend's concept I once had the determination to do armies of all of the larger historical groups mentioned by Herodotus. The Scythians are done, and the lead is bought for the Persians, Greeks, Thracians, Celts - but not the Carthaginians, Egyptians, and Spaniards. The idea still appeals, but honestly the likelihood of finishing such a project is slim, especially since I wish to do the Seelie and Unseelie Courts as well . . .

These 'concept' strategies are fairly unweildy ideas. I have started and abandoned several - civil wars among the English speaking peoples, communist civil wars, etc. Fun research, but avalanches of lead and painting.

The Herodotus model is appealing though . . .

. . . and I do have most of the leads . . .

Skullzgrinda wrote:. . . and I do have most of the leads . . .

Well, you're not a true wargamer unless you have purchased your own body weight in unpainted lead.

No, a true wargamer has his body weight in unpainted lead he will 'one day get around to painting', but never does.

As I once said in an arguement to my ex-wife...These figures were there before you, and will be there after you.

Scrumpy wrote:As I once said in an arguement to my ex-wife...These figures were there before you, and will be there after you.

Said that to the wife, unfortunately she'll probably e-bay them when I die

philqw78 wrote:

Scrumpy wrote:As I once said in an arguement to my ex-wife...These figures were there before you, and will be there after you.

Said that to the wife, unfortunately she'll probably e-bay them when I die

On a serious if morbid note, our leads, craft materials, libraries and finished armies represent significant emotional and financial investments. These things should be provided for in wills (anyone older than 30 and intestate is a fool), or at a minimum some notes left to whoever will have the burden as to the best ways and approximate values to disperse one's hoard.

I have observed extreme examples in handling this situation; sad dispersals for trifling amounts, and informed sales to actual gaming friends of the decedent, where the minis etc. remain in use and are fond remembrances of the original owner. One situation led to shifting a lot of cheap junk (as it was valued) to utter strangers, the other to a form of legacy which provided real assistance to the widow and a measure of consolation to the man's friends.

Scrumpy wrote:These figures were there before you, and will be there after you.

Hense the 'ex wife' bit

ravenflight wrote:

Scrumpy wrote:These figures were there before you, and will be there after you.

Hense the 'ex wife' bit

On a misery/joy cost/benefit analysis, minis do very well. They also do not demand that you listen to them.

Skullzgrinda wrote:They also do not demand that you listen to them.

Well, that's exactly the point... mine NEVER listen to me.

"Fight well boys"

Oh, look, a handful of 3's!

Well, that's exactly the point... mine NEVER listen to me.

Mine don't listen well either sometimes, Superiors who roll a handful of 2's....

I can field British / English armies from every time period.