| smacdowall | 31 Jan 2014 11:05 a.m. PST |
The book, Eagle in the Snow by Wallace Breem, is perhaps one of the most atmospheric novels of the late Roman period. Not all of his facts are correct and it may be that the Rhine did not even freeze over in the winter of 406/7 but that does not detract from a great story of a classic last stand. I first read the book years ago and recently obtained a new copy to replace the one I lost several decades back.
It seemed only appropriate on a cold January day with the second run of Comitatus fresh from the printers to run a game loosely based on the final chapters of the book which in turn is loosely based on the crossing of the Rhine by the Vandals, Alans and Suebi at the start of the 5th C AD.
Inspired by an article in Slingshot, I first gave the players a number of strategic choices played out by email. These determined the miniatures game that would follow.
The first report is now up on my blog link
More to follow shortly.
The second printing of Comitatus rules is now available from my website
link
Any orders received in February will pay only UK postage rates no matter where in the world they are being shipped to.
Simon |
| Caliban | 31 Jan 2014 11:58 a.m. PST |
Looks intriguing, Simon. The scattering of snow effect works well – odourless talcum powder? |
| smacdowall | 31 Jan 2014 12:17 p.m. PST |
The snow came from Games Workshop and I just sprinkled it over my battle cloth. I hope that when I pick it up and shake it off it will all go away but I am waiting for the rain to stop before trying! |
| artaxerxes | 31 Jan 2014 2:38 p.m. PST |
It is an outstanding novel, one I re-read every couple of years. He wrote two others, a less-impressive Roman one and a very good NWF/3rd Afghan war, which I recommend. |
| Sparker | 31 Jan 2014 2:47 p.m. PST |
Yes agreed, an outstanding novel, perhaps even a once in a lifetime read. The Legate's Daughter, though not quite such an epic as artaxerxes says, is also good. Its on my bucket list to refight the Battle of the XXX milestone at some point, so I found your blog inspirational, thank you! |
LeonAdler  | 31 Jan 2014 2:55 p.m. PST |
Ah, one of my all time favs. Always had in mind to do it 10mm but never been able to persuade my techy wizard Kevin to come up with a way of dong the fireballs arcing across the ice.
On the subject of books just finished Goldsworthy's Cannae, a good read and the Tom Holland Under the shadow of the sword is a must read even if its not your period, absolutely brilliant stuff.
L |
 Dentatus  | 31 Jan 2014 3:45 p.m. PST |
One of the great historical fiction novels. Shame I'm not an Ancients gamer. |
dragon6  | 31 Jan 2014 5:19 p.m. PST |
I found the first edition of Comitatus, from your Late Roman yahoo group very good. The second edition, as listed there, not so much. In fact I found it incomprehensible. How does this differ from that one? |
| 15th Hussar | 31 Jan 2014 9:42 p.m. PST |
…and a very good NWF/3rd Afghan war, which I recommend. The Leopard and the Cliff…I have a HC copy in terrific shape and it's one of the best book's I've ever read. |
| artaxerxes | 31 Jan 2014 11:15 p.m. PST |
He was an officer in the Corps of Guides, NWF Force and later Librarian of the Inner Temple. He seems to have been a self-effacing type, and wrote just the three novels. I've wanted someone to make Eagle in the Snow into a film for many years, all the while knowing that they will right royally f%^& it up in the process. |
| smacdowall | 01 Feb 2014 3:50 a.m. PST |
I found the first edition of Comitatus, from your Late Roman yahoo group very good. The second edition, as listed there, not so much. In fact I found it incomprehensible. How does this differ from that one? Quite considerably. The basic mechanics are more or less the same but it is fully illustrated with lots of examples of play and more complete explanations. |
| smacdowall | 01 Feb 2014 11:16 a.m. PST |
The second part is now up
link
Simon |
| smacdowall | 03 Feb 2014 12:35 p.m. PST |
The final part is now there too with more pics
link
Simon |
| Caliban | 03 Feb 2014 2:00 p.m. PST |
Great looking game, Simon. The twists in the narrative are very effective – the overgame strategic element seems to work really well… …will there indeed be a rematch!? |
| smacdowall | 03 Feb 2014 2:36 p.m. PST |
I think it does indeed deserve a re-match. The strategic decisions made in advance by the players could make it a very different game each time |
| WillieB | 05 Feb 2014 4:40 a.m. PST |
|
| Ten Fingered Jack | 07 Mar 2014 11:56 p.m. PST |
Simon, Is it a 2nd printing or a 2nd edition with revisions of Comitatus? |
| smacdowall | 08 Mar 2014 11:05 a.m. PST |
It is a second printing not a second edition. The only difference with the second printing is that the QRS is integral to the book rather than a separate sheet. But you can download the separate sheet for free from my website
legio-wargames.com
Simon |
