Blogs of Interest and well worth the viewing!

Let me introduce two fellow bloggers with similar interests. These fine gentlemen are both members of that esteemed online group Old School Wargamers (OSW)! BTW-well worth a look in its own right, a finer group of gamers you'll be hard pressed to find. You will be rewarded with lively debates, friendly challenges and mutual support for our endeavors in our shared hobby. Please check my links for more details.

First; G. Horne, author and owner of the The Duchy of Alzheim!

http://mavisming.blogspot.com/

Greg has posted a number of beautiful pictures of his painted regiments. I'm using his site as an inspiration for mine. Recently, Greg has offered a number of home conversions to his castings that are fantastic. Clearly there is a large amount of material to go thru; however, I have enjoyed his recent posts and slowly reviewing the archives.

Great job Greg!

Second; S. Schwartz, the scholastic historian and archivist of The Grand Duchy of Stollen and its immediate surroundings.

http://grandduchyofstollen.blogspot.com/

So far we have an excellent story with promises of more to come. I find it interesting that we have both chosen the same area of the world to live in, although Vulgaria has the added pressures of the Ottoman Empire to its south. I like that Stokes has decided to add a belligerent neighbor and a few smaller countries to participate in the mayhem. This is something I had thought to do as well. I am eagerly awaiting the promises of maps and pictures of regiments!

The most recent post suggests an alliance between the two Duchies against Frederick of Prussia. Beware your southern front my friend! The Elector Vleg Donislov is known to be a cad and rank opportunist at times!

Awesome start Stokes!

Rumblings to the East

Establishing the correct order of march, please ignore the old fat man by the table!

This is a photo with flash, it gives the pic a nighttime feel.

The massive war machine of the Empress Elizabeth of Russia has come to life! Ok so really only one Regiment, that of St. Petersbourgski, has been painted. It should also be noted that rumors of this were reported on another blog.

Let's start with a bit of history and geography!

The Electorate of Vulgaria was situated somewhere between Prussia, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Russia and the Ottoman Empire. It exists sometime between 1720 and 1790 and was a minor player during a period of titanic clashes between colossal states. I ask the readers indulgence and beg they not become too agitated at the difficulty of placing the Electorate on a historical map or timeline. In that scholarly work, The Universe in a Nutshell, Professor Stephen Hawking has indicated that multiple universes and timelines are in fact a reality! So is Vulgaria a figment of my own over active imagination or a whisper, which I am privy to, from another time in space?

The country is small and mountainous dissected by many clean rivers and streams. Villages are tucked quietly into river bends and surrounded by virginal forest. The current Elector; Vleg Donislov holds his position for life and in fact casts the only vote. The position is bestowed upon a new Elector by the unanimous vote of his predecessor upon his death. There are unsubstantiated rumors that the Elector has had affairs with both the Empress Elizabeth and the Empress Maria-Theresa. These rumors all seem to radiate from the castle at Swinegrad; the capitol of Vulgaria.

The army is small and modern. It consists of seven regiments of foot; one of grenadiers, one of fusiliers, four regiments of musketeers and one of jaegers. The jaegers are only mobilized during times of national emergency from the ample number of forest wardens and border guards. There are two cavalry regiments; one dragoon, one hussar and numerous independant companies of irregular horsemen. The army is rounded out by a few artillery batteries, a company of pioneers and a large contingent of river wardens. The river wardens act as a local constabulary, ferry toll collectors, tax agents and armed marine. Garrison duties at the castle in Swinegrad are provided by the grenadiers and dragoons.