IN THE DAYS OF KING ARTHUR

14 Nov 2009

40mm Dark Age Wargames Inspired by Hal Foster's Prince Valiant    

I've been a fan of Prince Valiant and of Elastolin's 40mm figures for as long as I can remember. A few years ago I decided to start slowly collecting them and now the kits are available again. Now its just not right for me to go making up new adventures for Prince Val so he will be restricted to the occasional cameo, instead, there will be the adventures of Prince Michael of Valdur, a long lost kingdom on the western shore of Loch Lomond. He is the son of King Malcolm and Queen Lillian and through the queen, grandson of Count Hubert, Commander of the last Roman garrison on the wall, left behind when the eagles flew from Britain's shore. The rules will be Medieval Mayhem written by Rob Dean and myself for a 100 Year's War game. It won't take much to adapt them for the sort of mixed up post Roman world shown in Foster's comic strips where knights tangle with Saxon, Viking, Hun and Roman. For more on the rules check out Battlegames Issue 6. 

This project has been somewhat hijacked by the Game of the Week  where Prince Michael has now appeared in 5 games and is due to appear in 2 more. The story line will have to be updated next year to reflect what has happened and then I hope to commence with a series of adventures and hope to have him re-appear at Coldwars 2011. Meanwhile here are a few of the characters who have emerged:

Duke Stephen, Eldest son of Count Hubert Brave Sir Jeffery, a knight in Stephen's household. (and yes that's 'brave' as in "bravely ran away" "no I didn't") The camera shy Prince Michael Preisages The Sarmatian, Captain of Count Hubert's
 mercenary cavalry.
 
Dearg Mor, A  Pictish Cheiftan Some Pictish raiders  

 

Episode 1. Hubley Vale. Word has been received that Queen Lillian's mother is ill. King Malcolm decides that it is high time that his youngest son earns his spurs and puts him in command of the escort. After a week's travel, the party is near to Count Hubert's stronghold at Caer Brooklyn. They have only to make the passage through the narrow vale of Hubley to be safe but unbeknownst to them, Helgin, the Saxon pirate chief, is lurking in the hills, waiting.  (based on CS Grant Tabletop Teaser: Ambush!)  

 

More to follow. Meantime here are 2 shots of an Elastolin spearman, one as factory painted in the '60's, the other painted by me.
 

  
   
   
   
 

 

 
   
 
 

THE END