I am really, Really, REALLY looking forward to seeing how this unfolds. In addition, I am both honored and humbled to provide the viewpoint of His Imperial Highness Meltzer I, Broman Emperor! If it's "Good to be the King!"; it's "Even better to be the Emperor!". Since it is a Medieval timeframe... I see him more as a Holy Roman Emperor, than an Ancient Julian/Claudian type. Due to the increasing number and range of Orcish raids from the North recently, the Broman Emperor has determined that the time has come to strike back! They've just gotten too froggy and have come over the border often enough, that they have attracted the Imperial Attention. If, at the end of the campaign, Orcish numbers are reduced, any lands added to the Empire, and/or The Great Orc Khan is eliminated... thus leading to a (probably) extended period of squabbling, before another, weaker, "Khan", emerges from the internal struggle... it's all good. Plans are made. Messages sent. Sermons preached. Supplies gathered. Taxes raised (Of course!) Troops mustered, and the countdown begins! Glory and Promotions by the bucket await the Bromans! Thanks for sharing this with us, Jon!
Death to the man - people! Long life and strength everlasting for the Khan! a plague on he who interferes with the Orc Peace! Go play down your own end Bromans!
@@TheSapperjoe I now can't get that image out of my head!! In the Star Trek book, "How Much For Just The Planet", the Human refugee natives tell the Enterprise Landing Party, that is in competition with a Klingon Landing Party, to keep their eyes on the Doughnut... and not upon the hole! (I'll have to find some way to work that one in... if I get a chance!) Thanks for the chuckle, Joe!
Two orc captains left the Great Khan's abode. "Did you see them?! Did you see them?!" hissed one to the other, urgently. "See what?" "The skulls! The skulls! are your eyes painted on? On G.K.s big map!" "What of it?" "It means ... Were the bad guys!" "Don't be silly. They just tell us where to go. I've got skulls on my banner." "You've got what?! Are you mad?" "Don't get so agitated. it's just a heraldic device. " "Bad omens! that's what it is! We've had it. Once you start messing with skulls you're on the losing side!." "Why, what do your lads use?" "A scimitar ... few drops of blood ... some mildly offensive sigils..." "This is going to be a long campaign..." groaned the captain, quickening his pace and leaving his comrade to ponder his allegiance.
Watching the process is fantastic. You explain your process well. I like that you make decisions quick & let a storyline/plot or even the mapping process, guide itself.
If I counted correctly, the call to mobilize went out on June 16th, the southwestern corner of orcs had consolidated by the 18th, and the first battle is taking place two days after that on the 20th... Which puts it on my birthday!
Sounds like the Bromans may want to hire a David and his Mighty Men - veteran warriors all, known for their giant slaying. Again, it's these interesting wrinkles thrown in where I see the RPG coming out of.
slightly disconcerting use of the word "pot" hoping it's a term for a pool of resources / slaves and whatnot, but I suspect it's more a reference to giant cuisine!
@@bobiojimbo it was our host who said it. I've watched twice and shuddered both times! I'd suggest its only cannibalism if the big lad decides to eat another giant.
Fantastic to see more campaigns on the channel! I really enjoyed the Black Powder ones. Also, I do have to complement you on your sense of stationary style, and in particular on you choice of pencil!
I don't have much use for the random generation of cities on an already established map, but the other random aspects of this generation will be a fascinating and useful tool to play with in my Cepheus campaign.
The book does recommend taking an existing map, and the signing the classes to extant villages, towns, and the cities. It also includes some advice for designating some towns as foundries or ports, to give you more reasons to give non-Capital cities a strategic value as well.
This looks like it is going to be a cool campaign to follow. What about supply chain mechanics? Does this system take supply resources and food for the armies into consideration? Not trying to overcomplicate matters, but campaigns are often lost because of a lack of supply and not because of strength of the armies.
Kind of? You'll see how it models supply chains when we get to a siege. We also use the simplifying assumption common in hex and counter game; armies need to trace a line back to a friendly town.
I haven't used the book for a little while but I think Sylvester acknowledged this was an approach favoured by some gamers, but that it was outside the scope of the publication. Although, yes the logistics in the siege setting are king, and can kill your efforts off before you've assembled your first trebuchet!
My nostalgia meter is off the scale! I haven't done a map campaign like that in, well, decades. I've done many campaigns since then, but they all have been basically scenario generators for tabletop games. Interesting, interesting stuff, but there's something to be said for the old school Tony Bath way. Really looking forward to more battles for your Chainmail campaign. But please don't skimp on the map videos! By the way, Silvester's book is great, but you may also want to look at another new book, by the veteran Jim Webster called Hellfire Campaigns, available on Amazon. Lots of great stuff for world building, economic systems, politics (internal and external) and reasons to fight wars.
Never heard of it, but I'll check it out. I'm also very interested in Reading Henry Hyde's book on campaigns, if it ever comes out. Nothing I'm getting impatient, but I ordered that sucker before I got locked down. Just saying.....
Oh, and since you mentioned Tony Bath, his Hyboria campaign played a significant role in steering the #brosr towards patron level play in D&D. Reading about that was a real eye-opener, and changed the way I look at tabletop RPGs.
Read the kindle version and yeah, there is a lot of great stuff in there. Just enough to inspire and really get the noggin joggin. The economic aspects of the hard sci-fi campaign a particularly interesting. His example keys into the way that would appears to be inevitable in the history books is often the results of a host of small decisions. Sometimes we lose sight of the million little decisions that made sense at the time that led up to the big breaking point. And I think, particularly today, we need reminders that conflict has a way of taking on a life of its own.
Glad you liked Mr Webster's book. I'm was rather taken with his Mogul Empire example. I just reread The Solo Wargaming Guide, and Hellfire - tons of great ideas in both of them! But I think both owe, and acknowledge, the debt to Tony Bath. A classic, but the newer works are more solo friendly. Again, really interested to see where your campaign ends up going!
A lupine dilemma in the shape of 18 bases of 2mm Irregular wolves just came through my letterbox. They occupy more space on 20 X 40mm bases than I have than I had allowed for. This means if I use my planned spacing I have 9 bases, 3 seperate units. I can accommodate them in my 2mm battles, but the question is whether I squeeze the models onto 6 bases where they just fit or whether I go for a full slavering wolf battle line. (if I throw in a stiffening of wolf riders, I have an unbroken frontage of about a mile in 2mm scale!)
A custom chart, as you say, to give a more natural distribution. A listener suggested there should be more of the smaller villages and fewer of the larger ones. That made too much sense not to use. A = capitol B = 10 C = 8-9 D = 5-7 E = 1-4
Not mine, but I couldn't tell you who invented it. A number of old D&D blogs used it for things like dungeon and village map design. Here are a few links: followmeanddie.com/2014/11/07/dice-drop-generators/
Upadte: I have that book. I also started collecting 1/72 minis for my Hyborean fantasy campaign and I got my hands on some Chainmail rules (also the 1 hour wargames rules), I think I'm set.
I am really, Really, REALLY looking forward to seeing how this unfolds. In addition, I am both honored and humbled to provide the viewpoint of His Imperial Highness Meltzer I, Broman Emperor! If it's "Good to be the King!"; it's "Even better to be the Emperor!". Since it is a Medieval timeframe... I see him more as a Holy Roman Emperor, than an Ancient Julian/Claudian type.
Due to the increasing number and range of Orcish raids from the North recently, the Broman Emperor has determined that the time has come to strike back! They've just gotten too froggy and have come over the border often enough, that they have attracted the Imperial Attention. If, at the end of the campaign, Orcish numbers are reduced, any lands added to the Empire, and/or The Great Orc Khan is eliminated... thus leading to a (probably) extended period of squabbling, before another, weaker, "Khan", emerges from the internal struggle... it's all good.
Plans are made. Messages sent. Sermons preached. Supplies gathered. Taxes raised (Of course!) Troops mustered, and the countdown begins! Glory and Promotions by the bucket await the Bromans!
Thanks for sharing this with us, Jon!
Death to the man - people! Long life and strength everlasting for the Khan! a plague on he who interferes with the Orc Peace!
Go play down your own end Bromans!
You are really missed the opportunity to look towards the heavens and yell in your best Shatner voice, "KHAAAAAAN!"
@@TheSapperjoe I now can't get that image out of my head!! In the Star Trek book, "How Much For Just The Planet", the Human refugee natives tell the Enterprise Landing Party, that is in competition with a Klingon Landing Party, to keep their eyes on the Doughnut... and not upon the hole! (I'll have to find some way to work that one in... if I get a chance!) Thanks for the chuckle, Joe!
Two orc captains left the Great Khan's abode.
"Did you see them?! Did you see them?!" hissed one to the other, urgently.
"See what?"
"The skulls! The skulls! are your eyes painted on? On G.K.s big map!"
"What of it?"
"It means ... Were the bad guys!"
"Don't be silly. They just tell us where to go. I've got skulls on my banner."
"You've got what?! Are you mad?"
"Don't get so agitated. it's just a heraldic device. "
"Bad omens! that's what it is! We've had it. Once you start messing with skulls you're on the losing side!."
"Why, what do your lads use?"
"A scimitar ... few drops of blood ... some mildly offensive sigils..."
"This is going to be a long campaign..." groaned the captain, quickening his pace and leaving his comrade to ponder his allegiance.
Watching the process is fantastic. You explain your process well. I like that you make decisions quick & let a storyline/plot or even the mapping process, guide itself.
If I counted correctly, the call to mobilize went out on June 16th, the southwestern corner of orcs had consolidated by the 18th, and the first battle is taking place two days after that on the 20th... Which puts it on my birthday!
Happy bloody birthday then?
Orc birthday cake?
This is such a cool system for generating a whole campaign. I'm gonna have to get me that book
Sounds like the Bromans may want to hire a David and his Mighty Men - veteran warriors all, known for their giant slaying.
Again, it's these interesting wrinkles thrown in where I see the RPG coming out of.
slightly disconcerting use of the word "pot" hoping it's a term for a pool of resources / slaves and whatnot, but I suspect it's more a reference to giant cuisine!
@@johnscarr70 I made no such reference. Giant stew is abominable, as cannibalism is abominable.
@@bobiojimbo it was our host who said it. I've watched twice and shuddered both times!
I'd suggest its only cannibalism if the big lad decides to eat another giant.
@@johnscarr70 oh, yeah, the hum sacrifices to the giant forgot about that. Equally abominable.
@@bobiojimbo it's not looking good.
Time to shop for the solo wargaming book. An early Father's Day gift for myself?
it's a superb publication.
Fantastic to see more campaigns on the channel! I really enjoyed the Black Powder ones.
Also, I do have to complement you on your sense of stationary style, and in particular on you choice of pencil!
it tends to make an appearance around Valentine's Day, I've noticed ..
What book are you reading Chainmail from? Looks cool
It's a bound copy of several PDFs printed up at Lulu.com.
I don't have much use for the random generation of cities on an already established map, but the other random aspects of this generation will be a fascinating and useful tool to play with in my Cepheus campaign.
The book does recommend taking an existing map, and the signing the classes to extant villages, towns, and the cities. It also includes some advice for designating some towns as foundries or ports, to give you more reasons to give non-Capital cities a strategic value as well.
That campaign generation method is awesome! This is really inspiring me to make one too!
You totally should, and let me know how it goes. We love hearing about our fellow wargamers successes in the House of Wargaming.
Always enjoyed your map campaigns
Looking forward to this campaign. For the glory of Brohome!
I'm for the orcs!
What was the hardback book that had your Chainmail rules in it? Death Dealer on the cover?
Let Barbarian kill Barbarian, I say. How could one replicate the sabotage of relations between the rival Orc tribes?
This looks like it is going to be a cool campaign to follow. What about supply chain mechanics? Does this system take supply resources and food for the armies into consideration? Not trying to overcomplicate matters, but campaigns are often lost because of a lack of supply and not because of strength of the armies.
Kind of?
You'll see how it models supply chains when we get to a siege. We also use the simplifying assumption common in hex and counter game; armies need to trace a line back to a friendly town.
I haven't used the book for a little while but I think Sylvester acknowledged this was an approach favoured by some gamers, but that it was outside the scope of the publication. Although, yes the logistics in the siege setting are king, and can kill your efforts off before you've assembled your first trebuchet!
My nostalgia meter is off the scale! I haven't done a map campaign like that in, well, decades. I've done many campaigns since then, but they all have been basically scenario generators for tabletop games. Interesting, interesting stuff, but there's something to be said for the old school Tony Bath way.
Really looking forward to more battles for your Chainmail campaign. But please don't skimp on the map videos!
By the way, Silvester's book is great, but you may also want to look at another new book, by the veteran Jim Webster called Hellfire Campaigns, available on Amazon. Lots of great stuff for world building, economic systems, politics (internal and external) and reasons to fight wars.
Never heard of it, but I'll check it out. I'm also very interested in Reading Henry Hyde's book on campaigns, if it ever comes out. Nothing I'm getting impatient, but I ordered that sucker before I got locked down. Just saying.....
Oh, and since you mentioned Tony Bath, his Hyboria campaign played a significant role in steering the #brosr towards patron level play in D&D. Reading about that was a real eye-opener, and changed the way I look at tabletop RPGs.
Read the kindle version and yeah, there is a lot of great stuff in there. Just enough to inspire and really get the noggin joggin. The economic aspects of the hard sci-fi campaign a particularly interesting. His example keys into the way that would appears to be inevitable in the history books is often the results of a host of small decisions.
Sometimes we lose sight of the million little decisions that made sense at the time that led up to the big breaking point. And I think, particularly today, we need reminders that conflict has a way of taking on a life of its own.
Glad you liked Mr Webster's book. I'm was rather taken with his Mogul Empire example. I just reread The Solo Wargaming Guide, and Hellfire - tons of great ideas in both of them!
But I think both owe, and acknowledge, the debt to Tony Bath. A classic, but the newer works are more solo friendly.
Again, really interested to see where your campaign ends up going!
Hell yeah! Looking forward to this!
A lupine dilemma in the shape of 18 bases of 2mm Irregular wolves just came through my letterbox. They occupy more space on 20 X 40mm bases than I have than I had allowed for. This means if I use my planned spacing I have 9 bases, 3 seperate units.
I can accommodate them in my 2mm battles, but the question is whether I squeeze the models onto 6 bases where they just fit or whether I go for a full slavering wolf battle line. (if I throw in a stiffening of wolf riders, I have an unbroken frontage of about a mile in 2mm scale!)
Mr. Wargaming what was the website you use to print and bookbind your pdfs like your Chainmail book
Lulu.com
I see on p10 the class designations. What chart are you using to determine the d10 assignment (1-4 being E, 10 being A)?
A custom chart, as you say, to give a more natural distribution. A listener suggested there should be more of the smaller villages and fewer of the larger ones. That made too much sense not to use.
A = capitol
B = 10
C = 8-9
D = 5-7
E = 1-4
Was the dice “towning” method your own idea or from some other source?
Not mine, but I couldn't tell you who invented it. A number of old D&D blogs used it for things like dungeon and village map design.
Here are a few links:
followmeanddie.com/2014/11/07/dice-drop-generators/
@@TheJoyofWargaming thanks, you are so kind
The paper you were drawing on looked very squared is that something that an art store would have or...
Odd. It's just plain old printer paper. Must be a camera artifact.
@@TheJoyofWargaming ok. When you get older lots of things play tricks on your eyes.
Awesome
I need to have that book! o0
Upadte: I have that book. I also started collecting 1/72 minis for my Hyborean fantasy campaign and I got my hands on some Chainmail rules (also the 1 hour wargames rules), I think I'm set.