SALUTE 2014

Red Planet Miniatures hosted a game at this years Salute and a selection of the pictures are below.

The scenario was of a Sky Martian leader wanting to defect to the earther forces and he was being transported via train to New Victoria to begin talks, unfortunately for him a few of the Sky Martian clans got wind of this and tried to capture him...

Thank you

The toll bridge

As mentioned in the previous post, the canals of Mars are extensive and several of the major crossings are made via toll bridge.

This is the second piece of Martian terrain I've done with the first being the farmstead. It's certainly a large model and at the moment it's only a third...

As stated, the toll towers are tall, single structures with an attached small temple and are generally 'owned' by a single family.

The construction for this was the same for as the farmstead building but obviously on a grander scale, I was wanting to give the impression of an imposing structure and I think it worked. The ramp goes up to the reverse drawbridge and the passage goes through to a similar drawbridge on the other side which leads onto the bridge proper. The bridge and second tower still need to be made and when I'm better I'll make a start (after Christmas probably). 

I'm am working on designing a vertical ballista that the City Martians use for defence and we are also hopefully near to having the first City Martians ready for release.

I'll leave you with some pictures of the first toll bridge tower...

Thank you

The canals of Mars

As mentioned before, with water becoming scarce on Mars (the reason yet to be determined) the still functioning canals are becoming an increasingly important lifeline to City Martian culture.

The entire surface of Mars was once criss-crossed with canals of varying sizes and lengths but only about 40% still have water and are navigable. The reminder have either dried up, are in hostile territory or, where they have been cut through mountain passes, have been blocked by falling debris from the cuttings. With the Martian population drastically cut when the Great Storm hit there hasn't been the manpower to keep up a continuous repair.

The canals that are still used are kept in a usable state as much as can be and there have been City Martian clan discussions about trying to extend the network and find some of the lost cities. Opposed by some but favoured by others this might become a possibility with the human presence and their ever increasing manpower levels.

The canals tend to be of a standard size all over the planet with enough room to allow two Martian barges to pass with ease. They are stone lined and various smaller branches and docks can be found over the entire network. Martian barges are generally a two story affair with the lower floor for heavier goods and the lighter ones on the top deck. Passengers can also be taken for a small fee or a turn at the punting poles. Humans have even started to take 'pleasure rides' on the barges, much to the amusement and sometimes annoyance of the owners. The barges are propelled with long poles thrust into the middling depths of the canals and along the stone side walls. Fishing sometimes takes place but the levels of fish seem to be dropping with each passing year; again, the reason is unknown.

Toll bridges can be found where land trade routes cross the canals and the toll owners are generally a single family and can be quite heavily defended; not against the trade caravans, who's relation with the toll families is generally a good one, but against the Sky Martians who will quite often prey on the lone bridge stations. The bridge stations themselves consist generally of two large, tall buildings, one on either side of e canal with an attached small temple (a common feature in a lot of Martian buildings), a signal-gem station on top, a ballista or two and the bridge inbetween. There is a ramp leading upto a heavy wooden door with an internal drop-bridge in each tower which can be used to bar passage. Another heavy door on the other side of the tower leads on to the bridge itself which is a high arched stone affair that can generally only allow one barge under at a time. Quite often, a ballista will also be mounted on the bridge.

The water in the canals is a murky green/brown colour and is full of minerals which the City Martians use to drink, although it does need to be strained of some of the larger lumps... Strangely, not many plants can be found alongside the canals as they appear to prefer the purer water from aquifers in the mountains although once the water has been boiled it can be used to water crops.

There are several types of fish that inhabit the canals and these can supplement a barges stores if the journey is long but as mentioned, these seem to be getting less and less in number. The largest is about three-four foot long and is fairly docile but some of the smaller types can leave a nasty bite if unwary fingers are dipped in the waters for too long. There have been rumours of large reptiles or somesuch in the more remote canals but whether this is a tale told by the punters to while away passage or actual fact, who can say.

A word on Martian Askaris

Since the human colonists have brokered contact with the indigenous City Martian population there have been those few City Martians that have wanted to help the humans better themselves on Mars and a recent offshoot of this is the forming of several units of native askari.

These native troops see an advantage of being with the humans in the way that they are able to occasionally see off the ferocious Sky Martians; and with their technology, to possibly put the Sky Martians in their place once and for all. The City Martians have always been prayed upon by the Sky Martians for many centuries but now they feel that the time has come to assist the humans.

Not all City Martians feel the same way; indeed, there are some who would like nothing better than to see the humans return to their home in the heavens but the pro-human movement is becoming larger with the more frequent attacks by the Sky Martians helping to push the waverers over.

Not every Sky Dwelling Martian revolted against the Earther Great Powers during the uprising of 1889. Whether it be a simple blood feud between clans, or forward thinking individuals who looked on the Earthers as their future salvation many turned against their brethren and took up arms in favour of the Earthers. Although the humans have noted that it is best to keep the Sky and City Martians in separate units and in differing areas in case fighting breaks out between them. 

The British and the Japanese have been the first nations to fully utilise the natives into effective fighting units; Querns own Martian Rifles (British) and The Imperial Askari Corp (Japanese) being two units of note. Equipping the Martians is proving to be a slight problem due to the Martian physiology and so for the time being local costume is being worn and supplemented by human head gear and the occasional waistcoat or short jacket. Their fascination with Earth fashion, in particular hats, together with their intense need to retain their native appearance made them a curious sight to behold around New Victoria. They've adopted Earther weapons too, but again clung onto their fierce Martian fighting glaives and blades where they can. This does give the askari a haphazard appearance but they are proving their worth on campaign being utilised as scouting troops and flankers. The other point of note is that the Askari have started to have been given human names as the Martian language can be quite fierce on the throat, a turn of events that they seem to relish. 

Actual equipment is not in vast supply on Mars with normal supply runs from Earth sporadic at best and until the proper foundries and powder mills are set up and running properly the askari have to make do with whatever spare rifles are available; sometimes even primitive muskets have been brought into use.

As the struggles with the Sky Martians continue and the ranks of the askari swell it may turn out that these troops are put in 'front line' roles and even be given command of heavier equipment as and when it becomes available. But only time will tell...

Land caravans

Many trade route criss-cross Mars and these are plied by numerous caravans bringing trade and goods to those who need them and to those that don't. A caravan is always a welcome sight when spotted by a watch tower and it is becoming an ever increasing custom to send out riders to meet the caravan, as a sign of respect and to help protect them on the last part of their journey.

Each caravan is funded and provided by a merchant family with several of the larger families owning a good number of caravans, usually travelling along different routes so as not to saturate an area with the same supplies. This is also good economically as no one family has a monopoly in a particular area.

The caravans themselves consist of several, large sleds pulled by docile herd animals (a treatise on which later) and a good number of smaller sleds that comtain either precious cargos or members of the caravan themselves. Occasionally, an important family member will accompany the caravan on needed business exchanges. There are also several outriders that will scout ahead to see that the way is clear for the sleds and also to check for roving bands of Sky Martians. 

The sleds can be massive affairs of several levels but the typical sled is of the same style as canal barges, two levels with the lower used for heavy or bulky items.the sleds are quite low to the ground to help with the offloading and both sides can be lowered and act as ramps. Awnings are a common feature as it can get rather stifling in the red wastes and the coolness underneath can be a welcome respite. Some sleds are painted in the house colours of the merchant family who owns it and along with bright awnings the caravans can be a colourful sight.

Some families are starting to arm their sleds; or even have entire sleds, with ballistas in an attempt to dissuade the Sky Martian attacks. This only seems to happen for the smaller clans and lone skiffs out for a quick steal but every little helps in the trade heavy City Martian culture.

When a family member joins the caravan they are given much honour and their sled is generally the brightest. Depending on the owner, a caravan might take a bit longer than normal with a family member on board as they find it useful to spend time with the caravaneers to see what the lay of the land is in other towns and cities and to get a taste of the wider world. Quite often it will be a younger member joining the caravan to help with  being trained into the higher levels of the family but sometimes an older member will take the journey to see an old acquaintance. 

When evening comes and the days travel ends, the caravans form a circle with a large fire in the middle and the clan tellers tell tall tales of days past and of the times before the Great Storm. When two caravans meet, even during the day, they will stop and share the fire and stories and sometimes even goods if the trade seems worth it. The circle of caravans also act as protection against some of the beasts that occasionally wander the red wastes and would attack unwary travellers but a good fire and plenty of noise generally keeps them away. As the Sky Martians don't tend to attack at night only a light guard is set once the fire has died down and the City Martians can spread out their awnings at the sides of the caravans and have a full nights rest.

Once the caravan has reached its destination it is lead to a supply holding area where the incoming goods are checked off and a list of the caravans wants and needs is handed over for the residing merchant families assistants to scour the local market and obtain what is required. The goods brought are listed and distributed as and when amongst the local merchants and traders to either be sold to the local populace or another visiting caravan from another city. The stay can be several days as the caravan is resupplied and stocked up for its continuing journey. The longest caravan journeys can last for several months and cover numerous towns and cities but they are usually unfrequent and not the rule. A normal journey will take two/three weeks and include only one or two visits to different locales. 

City Martian farmstead

City Martian farmsteads.

As mention previously, the city Martians have adapted well to the conditions of the red planet using underground aquifers to supply the subterranean irrigation network.

The farms usually consist of one or two family buildings that extend underground and allow limited access to the irrigation system and also help protect the occupants during fierce storms. There are also the crop fields that are protected by screens against the harsh Martian winds. Fortunately, these winds always seem to blow in the same general direction so the screens can be permanent structures.

The main crop is a hardy leaf covered 'vegetable' which looks like bark but once prepared for food it softens and becomes quite palatable. This crop is also bi annual and can be dry-stored for several months. This is useful as if a particular heavy storm season comes then a single yield can be wiped out.

There are also pens and corals for the beasts of burden (more of which later). Simple stakes from the Ous'kaah tree, a thin, straight plant from some of the smaller canyons that have a water supply. This wood isn't the strongest but the beasts are generally docile and easily led.

For the model a vertical card core was made and the angles worked out for the sloping sides. The tube is plastic with a hemisphere on the top and all the corners were blended with fine surface filler. The whole dwelling was coated in textured masonry paint and left to dry. The enclosure to the side was simply made using wooden skewers that were drilled into position with random spacings, there were then painted with a light wood colour and drybrushed.

The building was given a heavy drybrush of white with some pastel shading in the corners and the base was coated with sand, inked and then drybrushed to match the rest f the terrain. The awnings were the last addition and used skewers again with industrial hand towel for the material. The was given several washes of brown ink and drybrushed with a generic tan. 

The coral used the same skewer method and small bits of cork were added to give some height and interest. The awning was constructed in exactly the same way as the house.

The field used raised beds cut from 2mm card blended with filler and little holes were drilled to locate the plants. The plants themselves I've had for a long time and I don't actually know whence they came or what they are but at least I have found a use for them. Again, the awning utilised the same construction as before along with the base itself and there is enough room between the rows to allow figures to move freely.

Thank you for reading :-)

Not forgotten

We will be hopefully previewing some new figures and vehicles in the next month or two but in the meantime there will be a series of posts explaining the culture of the Martians and the ways that they live including religion.

Watch this space :-)

cheers

James