20 March 2016

Emirs on foot join the Mahdist ranks

This seems like as good a place as any to play "peek-a-boo" with the infidel British!
One of the effects of Random Event and Mahdist Reinforcement decks in the game "The Sands of Sudan" is on occasion a force is called for which also has the presence of a local Emir.



These cards come with the rules...great fun and certainly add an unpredictable edge to the game


Out of the wadi the Hadendowah leap through the scrub and hopefully onto an unsuspecting
column or supply train...certainly quite a few of them!

These Emirs can be mounted or on foot depending upon the formation that has arrived and the Umpires discretion.  I distinctly recall seeing many great photographs  of Peter Gilders collection and his games where these particular Emirs appeared on round bases to the fore of these masses of brave native warriors.



Another angle of our friends

Theses are once again Connoisseur Miniatures available through Bicorne Miniatures in the UK.  Wonderful castings with excellent service and no, I am not on commission...you cheeky blighters :^)


Resplendent in coloured necklace, brightly adorned jibbah and glistening sword this particular Emir
will add +1 to troops about him in combat and is quite a fierce foe in our scenarios.



  

23 comments:

  1. I remember seeing these miniatures in magazines back in the 80s. What a trip! Great stuff Carlo.

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    1. Thanks Brian - those same images inspired the collection mate. Cheers

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  2. Most impressive pictures and figures...excellent!

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    1. Cheers Phil - they do come up ok for such old castings which is a testament to the original designer in PG and the excellent work of James at Connoisseur/Bicorne.

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  3. Very nice, I think I have a few kicking around in the pile still to do!

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    1. Look forward to seeing them painted up Dave.

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  4. What a superb set-up and lovely figs!

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    1. Thank you Gordon - the collection does provide a lot of enjoyment mate.

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  5. Oh yes, a blast from the past! I saw them surging across the WGHC table many a time. Nicely done, Carlo.

    For those who don't know, Emirs can be a real game-changer for the Mahdists. They affect morale in significant ways. Where a horde of Mahdists without such a leader might take a "sloshing with Martinis" and decide to go elsewhere, a horde with an Emir can be persuaded to go and have a little word with those infidel. Emirs can also affect the direction a Mahdist force takes once it appears on the table, always to the detriment of the Imperial player. Useful chaps - if you're a Mahdist.

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    1. Thanks AJ - being a veteran of the old Sudan games at the WHC can you elaborate on the extra rules for the aEmirs please mate? You have me very curious indeed.

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    2. Carlo, Emirs alter the result on the Mahdist reaction chart up or down one letter to the one most favourable to the force that's testing.

      For instance, a Mahdist force without an Emir that's testing for 'Unknown enemy' (due to the sounds of a firefight out of their line of sight, perhaps) gets a dice roll of 3. The result on the chart is 'E - Head for nearest high ground.' With an Emir in command that result could stay the same, or go down to 'D - Head for firing,' or up to 'F/D - Head for known friends/firing,' whichever would cause most pain to the Imperial player.

      It gives the Mahdists a little extra flexibility in their deployment on the tabletop, and makes the Imperial players sweat a bit more - always a good thing! ;)

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    3. Now that is interesting - particularly for the Mahdists if in combat and looking to "stick" the next round in elee where their numbers can make a difference.

      Thanks AJ.

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    5. ah ha.. now thats interesting, and also sounds like a classic Gilder I will make it as i go along to fit the current situation rule!

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    6. Doesn't it Dave? Interesting though. I will give it a play test shortly mate to see how she runs.

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  6. Lovely Carlo thank you for the post. I may just have to play another Sudan game when I am home next.

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  7. Your figures and terrain certainly have the right look about them and the cards look very professionally done.

    Carlo, may I ask your advice please. I know very little about publishing and as you have had some experience with this, could you tell me who you use to print your books and what is the minimum amount of copies you would get printed off? Also I guess it varies with how many pages are in the book and how many colour pictures, hard or soft cover and so on?
    Maybe you would be able to send me an email at my wife's address www.kerstinsmith@ntlworld.com
    Cheers,
    Pat.

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    1. Hi Pat - thanks for you kind words mate.

      Have sent you an email so leg me know your thoughts and any other questions. Sounds like a great idea!

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  8. Lots of lovely pyjamas Carlo. How very apt.

    Salute
    von Peter himself

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