The Mat arrived! And other ideas.

Well, my mat from Hotz Artworks arrived. I was suitably impressed, though the wife referred to it as a "piece of felt". The mat was solid, no bald patches or discolorations and it glided! Figures are going to move like butter on that thing...eventually, I will get a desert mat for Djazlah. Sometimes, I wish she was a bit more understanding of the hobby, but I understand her POV...we're a bit cramped. And yeah, I might be culling the collection again at some point, when that is? Dunno. In any event, right now, I am happily assimilating some DLD Productions Komodos I managed to acquire. It's a shame the guy isn't making the stuff anymore, he did some AMAZING work. They're going to go with the DLD I already had to make up the core force of the Emir's army(Be nice if I could get some more Bengals though). If anyone out there has other DLD stuff they want to get rid of in 15mm, lemme know. I'm always on the lookout for it. Same goes for the old Grenadier 20mm figures for Twilight 2000.

There's some other gaming related stuff that's going on for me right now. I can't talk about it..NDA's involved you know. Needless to say, it's very cool. I am enjoying my hobby again...it's been a while. My painting is VERY productive and Jage is really spurring me on with his own work. Now if I can get some time to get my OWN Sahadeen done!

Yes, I know the 20mm has taken a back seat, but right now, it's the 15mm that's showing some promise. Not only that...I'm thinking of getting my Modern US and Stargate stuff done for October. I think a Zombie themed game would for October's meeting WOULD ROCK HARD!

Djazlah, French forces in the Field (Short post)

Sketch by George, The artist (George) reserves all rights to this work, and it is used here with his permission. You can contact him at jagethebrain@gmail.com. More to come soon.


An charcoal and pencil image drawn by a French War artist of a I/REAI trooper on a sweep through the lower Northern highlands after a successful Sahadi ambush of a Caliphate supply column. The sweep turned up a single contact with four local force Sahadi, none of whom were taken alive.

The figure is carrying the FAR-27 bullpup rifle in 7.5mm Short, but is missing the clip on 35mm grenade launcher that is usually standard. The "curiasse de tactique" is camouflaged with local paint stocks, a usual expedient as the "bleus" and the Kepi de combat stood out for Sahadi snipers like a sore thumb. This troops seems to be buying trouble, as he is defiantly wearing the Kepi Blanc.

Started on the Combat Cars and got some custom decals

I am proving to be very productive of late. I am working on the Hammers Slammers Combat Cars, and I should finish them by next week at the latest. They are a fast paint job, being monochromatic. Heck, I think the weathering and the stowage add some color to what would be some very drab vehicles otherwise. But, that's the way Drake wrote them, and they seem to work for the unit. But, I gotta say, the next unit I paint is going to be a bit more lively.

I am working on color scheme ideas for both the Caliph's Army, as well as the Emir's. As i got custom decals to go with the flags I worked up. They're roundels that match the flag colors. I am liking the shape and unique scheme of the roundels, they have a sci-fi look to them for sure.

I have also been working on detailed TOEs of late, and I'll post them as soon as I have the time. I promise to keep more coming with Djazlah. It's proven to be a popular idea and I want to game it as soon as I can. I have and am getting the figures for the place. 15mm Sci-fi is proving to be quite the place to be in wargaming these days. That's all for now.

Djazlah, a Primer, Part 2

These are the positions of the combatants on the inhabited Eastern continent on Djazlah. There are small, independent settlements between and outside these controlled areas, and all combatants range outside their home areas into both the uncontrolled areas, and each other's "secure zones".

The Western continent has not been settled, and the only expedition that set out for the land mass was lost ten years ago just before the outbreak of civil war. Rumors of intelligent indig life or prehistoric monsters aren't seen as realistic by any scientific authorities, but the French Light Cruiser in orbit sends a recon drone or three over every couple of weeks to be on the safe side.

Flags and Armies of Djazlah, Part 4

French forces on Djazlah:

12e Demi-Brigade de la Légion Étrangère (Provisionale)

I/Regiment Etranger de Aero Infantrie (from Regiment Etranger De Aero-Infantrie)

II/1e Regiment Etranger Parachutiste (from 2e REP)

III/1e REC (from 1e Regiement Etranger de Cavalrie)

II/5e REI (from 5e Regiment Etranger de Infantrie)

1 company from II/6e REG (Regiment Etranger de Genie)

1 battery from II/1e REA (Regiment Etranger de Artillerie)

The II/5e REI and the III/1e REC spend most of their time running patrols and convoys along the roads and wadis of the lowlands on Djazlah. The I/REAI and II/1e REP are held in readiness as strike forces against enemy concentrations and often work in conjunction with teams from 1e RIPMa against identified targets in the highlands and northwest lowlands.

Equipment is French Army standard, including the blueish-gray "combat bleus" but the troops wear the "Kepi de Combat" which is a dark green instead of the conspicuous "Kepi Blanc". However, many units still stubbornly wear the Kepi Blanc, even in action. The helmet is the standard Mle 2200, with flip down HUD goggles and "Net de Tactique" tie in.

Flags and armies of Djazlah, Part 3

The Sahadi movement on Djazlah is a new sect of Islam with shadowy origins amongst the Af-Pak refugees living mostly in the highlands. These people were never very open with outsiders either back on Earth, or here on Djazlah, and this recent development hasn't changed anything.

What is known is this. They are led by a man only known as "The Sahadi". He is surrounded by a dozen members of his "Black Guard", men, and surprisingly, women who have sworn loyalty to the death to him and to the tenets of the Sahad way.

The "way", as it is referred to often by believers, seems to be made up of the following tenets:

1) Equity of all before god, this includes women. However, all good Muslims must recognize Sahad as continuing the work of Muhammad and Ali, Muhammed's first cousin. Therefore, Shia are considered fellow believers, if a bit deluded. Sunni are despised. Other religions are treated with benign neglect, as dhimmitude is frowned upon as "unworthy of the people of Sahad".

2) Jihad against apostates is the highest form of service to God, however, the time of your sacrifice is fixed by God, not by you, or someone else, therefore, suicide is considered an act of apostates.

3) Djazlah is for the faithful. Others of the book may live here, but they must acknowledge and respect that the world is for the faithful.

Oddly, for a guerrilla army, prisoners are often treated well and are released unharmed after a time. The Sahadi are often compared more with the 19th Century desert tribes than more modern terror groups. They do not surrender themselves, and will often fight to the death when cornered.

Uniforms tend to be long flowing cloaks with goggles and respirator masks. The colors tend mostly towards browns and grays, but the "Black Guard" wears blacks and greys and often carries pistols, shotguns and blades, and excels at infiltration of enemy positions. Weapons are a mix from several sources, but predominantly Manchu, Russian and Japanese of Caucasian War surplus vintage.

The French have identified some 12 main force battalion groups amongst the guerrillas, and another three battalions of the Black Guard. The French believe there are also 15 more battalion sized local force groups that remain fairly static and defend the mountain strongholds against raids from the French and the Caliph's troops.