And here I thought July was big...

So July showed 8,051 visitors and I was was pretty excited because that was more than 3000 hits more than my next highest month.  Now August is winding down and I have over 12,000 so far! (with a few more hours to go).  This is a quantum  leap in readership over the last two months.

So I am left wondering how this is happening.  One thing I am pretty sure is not happening is spam bots.

There are a few things that might account for this.  1) Naval Thunder, this is a new game to me and its had me posting the Steel Dreadnoughts Forum and that seems to have gotten me some new traffic. 2) My jump into Frostgrave introduced me to the Lead Adventure forum and another new pool of readers. Some of the traffic here definitely part of the enthusiasm for this new game.  3) I've gotten a few shout outs from War Games Recon's podcast I have not seen any referrals from his webpage but there has been a jump in web searches for "Fencing Frog" so this may have a roll. So thanks Jon 4) Throwback Thursday, this has gotten some response here and on Facebook. 5) I am sure there are other contributors I haven't pick up on.

How ever you new people got here I am glad you dropped in and I hope you stick around.  I would also like to invite any new readers to send me your blog(if you have one) so I can follow you check you out and follow you if its anything that interests me (and my interests are pretty broad as you have probably noticed).

Electronic Brigadier Freeman's Farms(2)

 I decided to give AJ's new game system a try from the British side.  I was Pared with Bregi and faced off against Time Paul and another gent who's name I cannot now recall (sorry).  

 I had command of the Von Reidessel Hessian Brigade and Hamilton's British Brigade.

 Directly opposite me was Tim with Poor's brigade of New Hampshire and New York Continentals.

 Hessian Light troops lead the way and get an early shot on the 1st New Hampshire as they try to deploy.

 My own men are a little pinched by a grove of trees and a stream (to the left out side the picture.)

 Bergi has the British Elites and is facing Learnards Brigands

Hamilton;s men move against the New Yorkers and militia in the center.

 There is a bit of pile up partly this was by design but mostly it was the terrain (I found out about 3 tuns in the fences were considered low wall and not obstacles).

 Bergi has a nice line formed up

 Artillery get on line and starts hamming the New Hampshire and New York men

 Bergi orders a charge but it doesn't really work out

 we are now hammering them and getting hammered in turn

 Paul send Morgan's rifles on my right

 and Bergi gets charged by two units...

 and like that the British right is crumbling...

 I'm starting to make progress as the 1s New Hampshire breaks under fire

 In we go with the bayonet

 and the 2nd New York breaks

 Again the bayonets charge...

 and the Hessians exploit the hole

 And for a brief moment it looks like I will break through...

 But my own men are breaking and though Bergi is recovering its not enough

 the fine battle lines are broken and several hessian units break for the rear...

 Tim charges my gun and my gunners give them a blast of grape...

 and then run away.,,

The following data is nicked from AJ's Blog and it along with the last picture give you a sense of things.  This was an American victory though we took fewer casualties than the historic British Commanders.

British Forces

• Army cohesion: 82.1%
• Total Casualties: 418 / 3709 (11.3%)
• 4 units dispersed
• 1 shaken units

American Forces

• Army cohesion: 84.1%
• Total Casualties: 269 / 3740 (7.2%)
• 2 units dispersed
• 1 shaken units

Sinking Sister Sara: Hobby Bunker Game day

So No matter how you playtest a game on the day itself there are two things you can't control.. 1) the dice 2) the tactics you players will use. 

Curt out Lead Japanese admiral (he was joined part way through by Ben Gross) and the Japanese fleet Two Battle Cruisers, 4 Cruisers, and 4 Destroyers

The American Fleet lead by Rich Clayton begins its advance.

And take the Japanese fleet under fire... but no hits are scored.

Haruna and Kirishima under fire.

The fleets begin close so far the Chester has taken some damage bu no seriously hits are yet recorded.

Now we are at knife range after only 3 turns the quickest closing of the two fleets so far in fact this looks more like tow fleets of galleys charging straight at eachother.

Chester and Chokai are both burning Chokai was hit by the Washington and hit hard.  Chester took frie form Haruna and various cruisers. Chest is the first major ship to sink.

As you can see both sides have lost several destroyers but two Japanees destroyers are in the right pace and launch their fish...

Washington is hit by 5 Japanese Torpedoes and three punch through her armored belt... massive amounts of water is pouring in and US damage control is soon hard press.

Quincy is hit and loses two main guns.

Japanese cruisers aim at Saratoga...

Washington hits the Haruana hard with her last volley doing major damage... but return fire takes her down...

Saratoga is hit by multiple gun shots and three torpedoes hit her as well

The Japanse ships close isn 

More torpedoes fine the Saratoga and she sinks... The US was a total loss in the battle and the Japanese didn't lose a shingle ship.  Haruna and Kako were badly hit enough that one or both of them might have sunk on the way home but this was the most decisive Japanese victory of them all.

Wascally Wabbits and an Otter.

More Anthropomorphic animal adventures from Darksword Critter Kingdom kickstarter

 Here they are five Wabbits err... Rabbits two spell casters and three warrior types ready to give Mr. Mcgregor a run for his money with an Otter Cleric to help out.

 With this fellow I was sort of going for an easter bunny look but then I saw the scull at his throat and we went with it any way.

 Maybe I should have given him a white cotton tail but... I went for a single fur color.

 The Rabbit Wizard or maybe hes a high official with a staff of office. The Staff has two surpants around a globe and interesting emblem for a rabbit

 I am really pleased with the detail on the book and the leather wrap on the staff.

 the cloak also really cam out well too and the skull cap is an interesting detail

 Our first rabbit warrior with some odd heraldry but hey we put animals we eat on shields so why shouldn't her put a carrot on his shield

 Hard to get a good shot at his face but I like this pose because its a very realistic fighting stance

 Great details on the helmet and leather armor and earrings!

 Our very Christian knight rabbit, the cross is interesting as a choice but hey its also pretty normal on shields

 Ready to hammer the opposition in his Chainmail covered by studded leather armor.

I like the one up one down ears.

Now we have our ranger rabbit ready to scout out the tenderest vegetables.

The cloak is glued on and came off once during painting hopefully that won't happen again.

Last off all we have the otter cleric, I am not sure how a fish loving otter teams up with a bunch of veggie hunting rabbits but his mace and fishbone holly symbol are ready to help the cause

Looks like he gasing up to heaven and smiling to his diety.

I really like the armor  and details on his leather work and the second holly symbol hanging from his neck. I don't usually do white robes but they just seemed to fit this guy. These guys are ready to explore Frostgrave