The vigntte/command stand put together for our Waterloo Day |
One of the great things about the web is the ability to seek out the images and ideas of many very clever wargamers and modellers around the globe. What I have increasingly noticed is the wonderful use of what one would traditionally call "vignettes" in games to help add some style and character to tables.
Some of the very good ones that I have seen also go a step further and allow the base to also be incorporated into a very real part of the game in the form of a command stand.
I have seen such wonderful ones from modern style gamers such as Tarletons Quarter, JJ's Wargames, Von Peter, Chris Gregg and Djokers wargaming etc.
I have also been gaming long enough to vividly recall and have images of, the wonderful vignettes from Peter Gilder, John Ray, Doug Mason, Bill Gaskin and Dave Thomas to mention too few!
The Generals ADC's look like they are high on decorations, perhaps less so on strategic suggestions. |
This was the intent with one of my cuirassier divisional stands.
Taking advantage of the wonderful, characterful figures from the Perry French 1815 range, I wanted to depict some decision making at a strategic level by a General whilst his senior staff assisted. In addition, his escort were to be on the base, being depicted by hard, veteran troopers and NCO's used to "Hurry up and wait" orders from senior officers their entire military lives.
One of the Emperors staff rushes into the scene. |
I also wanted to depict one of the Emperors couriers or aides rushing up to the scene and quickly dismounting in order to deliver an urgent message to assist our brave general in his next decision.
Had a lovely beer and met some very friendly locals at Brane L'Alleud. |
"We all told him that there is a bloody big ditch over there but does he listen?" |
I think that the mix of figures works well without being too busy and tells a story in itself which was my objective from the start.
The size of the command base for gaming purposes is not all that relevant as I tend to measure command radius from the head of the general in all my games to encourage colourful, characterful command stands. However, there is a point where one can go to "big" of course however we haven't come across that yet.