Formerly Regiment Games  | 02 Sep 2007 6:07 a.m. PST |
Down Styphon is a set of minis rules from 1977 by Mike Gilbert from Fantasy Games Unlimited. It is based on the H. Beam Piper book Lord Calvan of Otherwhen. It is basically an ECW rulebook with some extra elements added (which can be left out) based on the book. The rulebook mentions a range of figures specifically created for the rules. They were to have ECW figures as well as character figures from the book/rules. They were designed by Mike Gilbert (the rules author) and to be available from a William Murray in New Hope, PA. I have discovered that Mr. Gilbert died in 2000. Other google-ing does not turn up any info. Does anyone know any more about these figures? Were they really made? Thanks! |
| Nick Nascati | 02 Sep 2007 8:18 a.m. PST |
Wow, this brings back memories. Many years ago (pre Internet), I undertook the same search. I started by contacting the fellow who has penned some continuation books (forget his name at the moment). Apparently, the figures do/did exist at least as masters, but the line never saw the light of day. My suggestion would be to pick up "Great King's War", or any of the other post-Piper Lord Kalvan books, and contatc the author. |
| hurcheon | 02 Sep 2007 8:35 a.m. PST |
I was corresponding with Mr. Gilbert just before he went into hospital. He went into hospital for a heart op, but there were complications in surgery. I don't know, I'm sorry, if any figures were ever produced. |
| hurcheon | 02 Sep 2007 8:37 a.m. PST |
Roland Green wrote the book Great Kings' War, along with John Carr |
| The G Dog | 02 Sep 2007 8:42 a.m. PST |
That takes me back. I remember seeing a copy of those rules in The Compleat Strategist in Manhattan back in…'84? Wish I'd picked them up then. John Carr wrote at least one follow on book published with an insanely small print run and high price tag. |
 Der Alte Fritz  | 02 Sep 2007 9:01 a.m. PST |
I used to enjoy Mike Gilbert's illustrations in Empires, Eagles & Lions. His Bill the Cat and The White Menace characters were classics and they gave me a good laugh. He was a talented illustrator with a tremendous sense of humor. He is missed. |
| PK Inc | 02 Sep 2007 4:26 p.m. PST |
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| Gonsalvo | 02 Sep 2007 4:51 p.m. PST |
I highly recommend the original H. Beam piper book, Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen. I enjoyed the sequels by John Carr very much as well – Great King's War, Kalvan Kingmaker, and the Siege of Tarr-Hostigos. They retain much of the flavor of the originals, and the battle scenes are particularly memorable and excellent. John is a wargamer as well as an all around nice guy. The books aren't inexpensive, but they're quality hardcover titles published with love for a niche audience. Well worth the cost if you enjoyed the original as much as I did. Peter Anderson |
| Dennis | 02 Sep 2007 5:03 p.m. PST |
John Carr is definitely the followon guy. Roland Green dropped out of the projects years ago for various reasons. Carr has a web site-try googling "Down Styphon" I think. He also moved to Pennsylvania within the last year or two, nearby the location of the original book IIRC. Dennis |
| hurcheon | 03 Sep 2007 1:06 a.m. PST |
Actually the ORIGINAL of Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen is a Federation story with High Tech guys help out a human population on a newly discovered world, the fact they are human being a surprise to the Federation types. It seems to have inspired a Pournelle story or two. |
| The G Dog | 03 Sep 2007 7:17 a.m. PST |
Ah yes, the unification of Freya. Nothing like a little contra-gravity to help in storming the castle. |
| Nick Nascati | 04 Sep 2007 11:22 a.m. PST |
Yes, John Carr, that was the name I couldn't remember. I actually had a regular correspondence with him many years ago.
Those illustrations of the "figure line", were very neat, ECW but slightly different. |
