Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Telamon Not

Having pushed a dozen Celtic warbands through the painting queue in 2019, my goal was to field enough forces to recreate the Battle of Telamon.  The fielding of forces goal was accomplished.  I even deployed the armies onto the gaming table.  What happened then we all can see unfolding before our eyes.  Quarantine, lockdown, and shelter-in-place are now commonplace and almost universal. 
Celts back-to-back
Elements of Regulus' Roman army
Given the current situation, I decided to clear the table of the Telamon armies and consider a tabletop game more conducive to solo play.  Could I have fought Telamon solo?  Sure.  With the large battle size and To the Strongest! the rules of choice, I decided to save Telamon for a day when my comrades could gather around the table once again.
Cavalry clash on Poggio Ospedaletto
Aemilius' army looks upon the Celtic hordes to its north
Elements of Aemilius' army
As a taste of what might have been, below are the deployments of the troops for battle.  I take the position that the cavalry battle was fought on the western side of the battlefield upon the Poggio Ospedaletto.  Some hold the cavalry clash took place on the right.  The Celts find themselves sandwiched between two Roman armies.  At least each Celtic force has its rear covered!  Still, the Celts fight to prevent extermination.
Telamon Battlefield
But Telamon is for a another day when the world returns toward normalcy.  While I await that day, perhaps the Telamon armies could be augmented?  A couple of additional Celtic chariots would be nice and I have two lingering in The Lead Pile.  An increase in the Roman armies might be useful too.  Unfortunately, no Roman heavy infantry remain in inventory.  Perhaps, an Aventine restock is in order?  While some UK manufacturers are still shipping to the USA, not all are during the current crisis.

What will replace Telamon?  How about something more tropical and topical since two elements of Spanish infantry for the Spanish-American War recently mustered from the painting desk?
What do you suppose will be happening down there on the table? 

53 comments:

  1. Excellent looking set up Jonathan! I'm looking forward to seeing this play out when they open the doors again.

    Christopher

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    1. Thanks, Christopher. One day, Telamon will return!

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  2. Not familiar with Telemon, but it looks epic! Good call to have a "band of brothers" on hand to experience it. Noticed the new pix of grenadiers on your blog opener: very nice!

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    1. Yes, much better to have a "band of brothers" on hand for a game that could handle four players.

      Glad you noticed the header switch!

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  3. Telemon looks epic! So probably not suited to solo gaming, I await the new game with bated breath!
    Best Iain

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    1. I could have played Telamon solo but it will be more fun with the guys around the table.

      Still pondering a challenging solo scenario for this SAW set up.

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  4. Like the celts a lot but the Spanish-American game has the more interesting battlefield!

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  5. A good idea to wait until normal life resumes and you can get a memorable game in with your friends. I like the look of the table in the final 'photo and am intrigued as to what game will get played.

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    1. Righto! I should not have ALL of the fun at Telamon.

      The jungle in Cuba will be better suited to solo play.

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  6. Telemon looks a fine set up with your Impetvs style bases. I would have thought the TtS rules would give a good solitaire experience, given the game is in effect one of frontal assault. Your next game looks intriguing, from the point of view of fighting amongst what I am guessing is light woods.

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    1. TtS! can be played solo but I would be hopping back and forth around the table. It is much easier and quicker to have at least one other player moving troops and flipping cards.

      The next game will transport you to the jungles of Cuba circa 1898.

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  7. The Telamon setup is very impressive! One for the future and understandably at that.

    Will be interesting to see your fun with the Spanish-Amercian war. I honestly don't know much about it.

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    1. Telamon is one the future, for sure.

      For the SAW game, I plan to dig out an old set of rules not seeing the table in close to 20 years. I will need a brief(!) refresher before play can begin.

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  8. Some really nice stuff there Jonathan, Aventine are among the best. We are all floundering now, and the virus is now being reported in this area.

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    1. Not as nice as your beautiful collections! Aventine figures are great. I wish they made Carthaginians.

      UK seems to be having a particularly vicious time at present. Best wishes in staying well.

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  9. A great looking set up and the beutiful figures on display are testament to your productive year at the painting table Jonathon. I like your new header picture too by the way, the German grenadiers look very flash with all that yellow!

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    1. Thanks, Keith! Glad you like the new header. I decided to change it up a bit. Since these grenadiers recently crossed the painting desk, why not these fine gents?

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  10. Very impressive, and this will be a spectacle when you finally get to play it. Whenever I think of Telamon I always think of Gaesatae stripping off so they wouldn't get caught on the thorns. Not something I would have done.

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    1. Telamon will be a fun exercise once it makes it to the table again. Not many naked Celts in my armies, though...

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  11. Very impressive getting so much painted.

    Regarding the table, how 'bout some more Tigers at Minsk? ;)

    V/R,
    Jack

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    1. Thanks!

      Although you cannot see the end of the gaming table in the photos, the Tigers at Minsk board is still set up. I am thinking of transporting the game from 1940 France to 1940 Norway in the next battle.

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    2. Norway, eh? Now that's very interesting. I always thought Norway would be fun as a combined, intertwined air-land-sea campaign.

      V/R,
      Jack

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    3. Norway has always been a fascinating "sideshow" to me as well. There are a couple of great boardgames on the topic that provide excellent starting points for gaming the campaign.

      Looking into a few scenarios now. I would not be surprised to see a small TaM scenrio soon.

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    4. Excellent, I look forward to it!

      V/R,
      Jack

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  12. Nice Telamon setup Jonathan and nice new header! Curious about the SAW game. I see the Spaniards defending the hacienda with the Rough Riders & Co charging across the river. Or no?

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    1. Mike, you should be either a screenwriter or fortune teller! I was thinking of a very similar scenario. With your direction, I will follow your lead.

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  13. I look forward to both games. Cuba should be interesting.

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  14. A splendid looking table full of toys Jonathan... something to look forward to indeed...
    An action in the Cuban jungle sounds very interesting.

    All the best. Aly

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    1. The Spanish-American troops have not seen action in years. It will be enjoyable to return them to the table.

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  15. Still a great looking game Jonathan!

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    1. Thanks, Mike! You will see it in play once the world returns to normal.

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  16. Splendid figures and excellent looking game Jonathan!

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  17. Nice refresh on the opening graphic Jonathan. Whose figures are they?

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    1. Figures are Minden Miniatures now sold by Fife & Drum.

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  18. Impressive set up. But it’ll have to wait. Way to roll with the punches. 😀

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    1. Yes, Telamon troops will be brought out for an engagement on another day.

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  19. Fantastic setup Jonathan, looking forward to more!

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  20. The Telamon game looked super, but like MacArthur, it will return. He was a little late for the Spanish American War, though!

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    1. Telamon must wait for now...One day you will see it back on the table. Hopefully, with a small crowd of gamers!

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  21. Nice to see them all out, hope to read a battle report on the other side of this.

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    1. A battle and battle report on the other side sounds like a good goal!

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  22. Very impressive size of a battle. Hope to see the battle.

    Cheers,

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  23. Now that is exceptional Johnathon!

    Cheers
    Matt

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