Call To Arms 2011

Hi, All.

This weekend saw Leadwood's first public outing, to Call to Arms at St. Patrick's College, Wellington. And what a lot of fun it was!

I hadn't been to a wargaming convention since I worked for Games Workshop, (twenty years ago!) so I had only a vague idea of what to expect. It was great to see such a turnout, although a number of people commented on the average age of the punters. There were very few youngsters present.

Leadwood was very well received and it was very nice to get the chance to answer people's questions about the model, the design process, techniques and materials I used, etc.

And of course, there were the gunfights!

A party of monks attempts to cross Main Street.

Molly Malone turns her back on Ennio, in search of a better man. A mistake?

We were kept busy all Saturday and much of Sunday with game after game. Thankfully, I had the help of Notorious Greg and Brian Smaller to run the games, so it never got dull. Loads of players joined in, resulting in the biggest games we have had so far. Many protagonists were not familiar with the rules, so it was a testament to Brian Ansell's "Rules With No Name" that everyone picked it up so quickly. (Well done, Wargames Foundry - shame your stuff's so expensive!)

The bullets flew thick and fast and our table was rarely less than crowded. The addition of lots of bystanders and stray-shot rules, Roly Hermans' Maori wars miniatures (who needs a reason? It's toy cowboys, for God's sake - if you're taking it seriously, you're doing it wrong!) a runaway wagon and a vengeful Sheriff resulted in some very silly moments and a hell of a lot of fun.

My thanks to Greg and Brian for their invaluable assistance; to my fellow Kapiti Fusiliers, Roly and Scott; to everyone who joined in and made the games such fun - too many names to remember (sorry!), and to everyone else who just came up to say hello, to chat, ask questions, and for the many compliments and encouraging remarks about the model. I had a great time and it was a pleasure and a privilige to meet you all - keep in touch!

I'll stop babbling on now and let the pictures do the talking. Sadly, I didn't get many good shots (pardon the pun) so anyone who wants to send me their pics of the convention to put up here - please do!

Rifles at dawn - Arizona Frazier steps out of the Attorney's office into Bank Street, only to be gunned down by La Nariz de la Muerte! (The nose of Death)

Adam 'Cactus' Tucker ventures onto the bridge. He was shot down moments later.

Trixie the Whore and Creepy Pete the undertaker discuss a common interest in stiffs... Meanwhile, Lantern Jack seems to be rather too interested in an open window...

Marshall McClure and La Nariz de la Muerte trade bullets, ignoring the womanly charms of Miss Charlotte, batting her eyelids over by the bank.

How The West Was Won... by Maori?

A wagon runs out of control down Main Street.

Granny teaches The Kid a thing or two about manners. He won't see his nineteenth birthday!

Katie Wainright gets Adam 'Cactus' Tucker in her sights. Meanwhile, Maori Toa guns down Wulf Bradley across the river.

Pedro, in a little trouble...

Wahine poses for the camera, while Maori Toa makes short work of Wild Bill Hicock.

Hone Heke and Arizona Frazier face off on Hooper's Lane. The legendary Maori's shotgun made mincemeat of the US Marshall.

Pedro Gordo runs out of bullets - and he still has Stonejaw Monroe to deal with!

All the Best!