Phalanx St Helens Demonstration/Participation Game

Chris and I were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to put on a demonstration game of Blood and Plunder at Phalanx, in St Helens, a great event run by the Spartan, the St Helens Wargaming Society and a very friendly and enthusiastic group.

We set up the board for aesthetics, and ran three units on three for those looking to roll some dice. Chris took charge of that, while I chatted with the many interested hobbyists and enthusiasts about Firelock, the game, the period, ships, figures, buildings, etc. I mean Chris did this too, but he is a better teacher than I and friendlier looking host, so he ran the demonstrations...

The board set up

My Spanish flag  and the lighthouse

The "Leon de Oro" in all it's glory. Heard some wonderful comments about this ship, and as its the only model I've managed to paint in the last 6 months due to new job. Worth the effort, Firelock surpassed themselves with this piece of kit....

Chris had a fully crewed Brigantine squaring up against the Spanish Sloop

The "English" flag (Sorry, my natural bias just cannot contain itself sometimes) Chris calls them Privateers and I'm sure one day he'll have his own Letter of Marque...

The doors aren't even open yet but Chris has some collared some interest already...

Some close ups of Chris's lovely English

And French and Native Caribs

I have more Spanish in the form of Cavallerios, Soldados and Pikemen but need to get them on the painting table...

Milicianos and Lanceros in cover

Pablo the Pilot leans on the Lighthouse balcony, surveying the ships...

The Firelock Galleon, pride of my fleet...

Before the visitors had arrived, Chris had already been over chatting to Ben from 4Ground and picked up a pair of his pre-painted English style houses. 

 
Ben at 4groundpublishing https://www.4groundpublishing.co.uk/index.php?route=common/home
has some really good stuff, including Inca/Mayan Altars, thrones and towers (in the Things from the Basement section under Indie designs), in addition to the English buildings Chris got. Great to chat to Ben, as he was telling us he has some new Spanish/Caribbean stuff in the pipeline. Will deffo be keeping an eye out for that...

As soon as the doors were open, the table drew quite a bit of interest...

Don and Pete Jardine were over early too, and came back later after exploring for a game...

Chris is really enthusiastic about the game. So am I, but apparently I'm naturally dour looking. I am Scottish, so don't take it personally...

The addition of the 4ground buildings will enable us to expand the fishing village into a small port

Chris finally had a break and managed to take a picture of me looking dour and passing on Firelock information ( to a chap who is building an American Civil War dockyard)

By hiding my face, I no longer look dour...

Another interested party...

Yes, the above caption is funny (As Jan and Bob above are fellow Ribble Warriors)

Don and Pete Jardine fought French v English. The French lost 75% of their force while the English lost about 5%...

I'm looking forward to using these building in other systems. Chris already has the massive Hotel Complex for Bolt Action, as well as some of their terraced houses. It was a great day all round, though very tiring. Hope we can get to some more shows around the UK, as it's great meeting so many like minded enthusiasts...