Hill Martian Gashant Cavalry

 

Hill Martian Gashant Riders

Hill Martians are the race of Martians that live nomadic and pastoral lifestyles, living from the saddle as they herd and raise their livestock across the plains and steppes of the Martian hinterlands. Their culture is tribal and traditional, and are technologically primitive, fighting with spears, hand weapons and bows.

Each region of Mars features individual and unique tribes and clans, in Mars' Central Basin the Riders of Nepenthes-Thoth inhabit the steppes to the north-east of Sytris Lapis, and are known for their gashant-riding prowess. To the west of the crown colony, is the vast Western Desert, the homeland of the Wagon Masters of Meroe, and the Kel Avashim, who fiercely resist imperial expansion by the British and Oenotrian empires.

Unit of 10 hill Martian Tribal Cavalry

Here's my first completed hill Martian gashant cavalry, which will be fielded as Tribal Cavalry using TMWWBK rules. As tribal cavalry, they are spear armed and are used as a very mobile melee unit, but I've also included a number of models armed with bows, so I can choose to field the unit as armed with Mounted Bows and give them the Sharpshooters trait for +1 point.

They could be fielded with my tribal infantry units as a complete hill Martian force, but I would need to expand that force with some more units. More likely, I will field them as mercenary units, to reinforce my other forces (British or Oenotrian) in their fights against each other, or against the high Martians.

The models are kit-bashed: the gashants are toy dinosaurs with Green-Stuff sculpting for the gashant beaks and crests, the riders are made with Victrix Numidian cavalry for the bodies and the heads from Oathmark elf light infantry, and the weapons are mixed from the Numidians, elves and Wargames Atlantic Goblins. Also to note, the shields are from the Numidian cavalry sprues, cut into hexagonal shapes, as the Space 1889 books mention this as being carried by native Martians.

The leader figure, with the war-flag, is mounted on a real RAFM gashant metal miniature, and is again a kit-bashed Numidian cavalry rider, including a cape from the Victrix kit. He's the only model armed with a firearm, strapped to the side of his mount.

Overall I'm very happy with how the unit came out, I think the models have a variety of colors and equipment, giving them a irregular and tribal look, yet the style of the models is similar enough to still keep the unit looking cohesive and like a team. Waiting to base them all together and with the same basing materials really helps the unit cohesiveness.

The kit-bashed gashants were a lot of work, but I quite quickly worked out how to expediate the sculpting process, so the second half of gashants came out much quicker than the first ones. Basically, a small triangle of Green-stuff gets draped over their head, which I can sculpt into the beak, eye socket and horn shapes. Then a second small semi circle of Green-stuff, with two small cuts into it, gets stuck to the back of the neck and sculpted into the neck crest.

Looking to the future, I'm planning two more Martian cavalry units, one as royal canal martian heavy cavalry, and another as colonial cavalry. I don't know if I will try to sculpt an entire unit of gashants out of toy dinosaurs and Green-stuff again, as it was quite time intensive. I've been working on using silicone molding to cast copies of RAFM gashants to build up new squadrons, and also sculpting a brand new gashant model, that I can also mold and copy, which will be great because RAFM have only ever released two gashant models, which doesn't give a big variety of poses.

Martian Native Forces

Martian history stretches back millions of years, and what was once a thriving, water covered planet, suffered enormous climactic changes, transforming the planet to the dry and barren desert it is today. From over 33, 000 years ago to today, empires and civilizations of Martian people rose and fell. 

From  ancient beginnings, technological advancement reached a peak around 25,000BC, before catastrophic drought and global warming stripped the fertile lands of water, and forced the Martian peoples to work together and complete the global canal-building project. Over 10,000 years of collective work resulted in the magnificent canals seen on Mars today. These canals, sometimes a mile wide, allow water from the natural ice caps to be distributed all over the planet, and maintain the life and vitality to Martians all over.

Following the success of the canal-builders, war and devastation followed; over 10,000 years of war plunged Martian civilization into the Dark ages, where technology and knowledge was lost forever. In 3000BC, King Seldon rose and conquered large parts of Mars, and produced a dynasty stretching for over 30 generations. This era of the Seldon Empire saw rediscovery of lost ancient knowledge, repairs to essential canals falling into disrepair, and rebirth of lost cities. 

The era of success ended with the mad King Seldon XXX1 (31), who waged a war against technology, destroying much of the recently re-gained knowledge, and leading to a civil war between those for and against technology. It wasn't until the reign of Seldon LVII (57) that the wars cam to an end, and technology became a focus of mysticism and religion. The last of the line, Seldon LXVII died in AD1 with no heir, leaving his nephew to inherit the throne, however his rule was widely unrecognized. The empire fractured into individual city states, and scientific development stagnated mars-wide.

Mars today features city dwellers known as canal Martians, desert tribes known as hill Martians, and savage cave dwellers known as high Martians. Access to limited resources drive rivalries between the hundreds of cultures and traditions that exist across the planet, and now the arrival of humans has shaken once again the state of affairs on Mars.

All of my Martian units in a combined force.

The units available to me today, to fight on behalf of Mars. I've built models that represent a diverse range of Space 1889 Martians, and in lore terms, they wouldn't necessarily always work side-by-side, so in the future I'm planning to expand on all the factions. As usual, the units are organized to fight with The Men Who Would Be Kings (TMWWBK) rules.

Finding models to represent Space 1889 Martians isn't that easy, only RAFM specifically make them, and the range isn't that large, so I've kit-bashed a lot of my models to build up the diversity.

Oenotrian Legionnaires (Choppers)

Finding themselves head-to-head with the British invaders are the ground forces of the Oenotrian Empire. This is a canal Martian civilization with a strong military tradition that structures its soldiers into Legions, with half-companies of Choppers - armed with vicious melee weapons - and Shooters - armed with martian firearms.

These Choppers include a few RAFM figures, two Ironclad leader figures, and lots of kit-bashed spearmen. The recipe for these includes Victrix Spartan bodies, arms and weapons, and Wargames Atlantic Goblin heads. I think the pointy ears and painting them yellow gives a good Space 1889 appearance. 

Oenotrian Shooters

Here are the Oenotrian Shooters to back up the melee fighters. They will fight in tandem with the Chopper soldiers, I'm picturing a similar fighting style to the pike-and-shotte tactics seen on Earth. Their firepower is not good for modern earth standards, utilizing obsolete Martian muskets. 

My models include RAFM and a Mirliton/Grenadier Shadow-Elf. Some more kit-bashed recipes too:

> Agema Republican Roman body, head + Perry Firearm Zulu arm, weapon.

> Wargame Atlantic goblin body, weapons + Perry Afghan tribesmen head.

I'll be adding more of these Shooters to bulk up the Legion, which will come from the Agema Roman/Firearm Zulu kitbash, and an actual RAFM Legion model set.

Six Cities Militia

This group of Irregular Infantry can be used to represent any canal Martian faction, and has been painted deliberately non-specific to allow so. In my current games, they are representing levied allies of Oenotria, and will be fielded with some sort of handicap, such as poor shots, or unenthusiastic.

The models include an RAFM swordsmen as the leader, Ironclad Martians, and kitbashed extras.

> Perry Afghan bodies, weapons + Perry Zulu heads (or any bald head) + green-stuff molded pointy ears. 

Canal Martian levy infantry

Some extra infantry I built and painted up without much thought to what unit they are part of exactly.  The swordman in white is RAFM and usually represents a unit leader in my games, while the others are Perry Afghan kitbashes. I think I'll create more melee armed canal Martian models, and field them as a unit of Tribal Infantry, perhaps levied farmer and tradesmen from the canal villages.

Canal Martian gashant cavalry

The first Martian riding a native Martian mount (the gashant). The gashant is a plastic toy dinosaur with a bird-like beak and bony faceplate added with greenstuff. Crafting all my gashants like this is a bit laborious, but is a money saver considering the cost to buy on ship each model from Canada-based RAFM. The rider is a Grenadier/Mirliton Elf rider I managed to find on eBay as a rider-only model (so perfect for me).

I plan to eventually add an entire unit of Oenotrian imperial gashant cavalry (probably fielded as Irregular Cavalry with 8 models). In addition, I would like to have a unit of hill Martian Tribal Cavalry, canal Martian imperial guards/lancers and a unit of colonial gashant mounted infantry. So yeah, a lot of toy dinosaur conversions to do...

Also to note, I don't like the rectangular bases, I think I'm going to try basing my cavalry models on 32mm round bases from now on.

Rummet breehr team weapon

In addition to the gashant, the rummet breehr is a species native to Mars, and has been domesticated and utilized by the Martian peoples for millennia. A strong hauling beast, with tough skin and angry temper, its military applications have been recognized by some civilizations. Directing this beast into war is best left to the experts, but under the command of talented handlers provides a flexible platform for waging war.

This model is completely scratch built, based off a plastic triceratops toy, and crewed by kitbashed soldiers (the usual parts, goblins/afghans/spartans/zulus, etc.). I have some photos taken during its construction, so could share some more details on that another time.

In the game, I've not decided how to field it. Its homebrewed rules will probably be inspired by the Elephants special rules found in Hail Caesar, but it could also be fielded as a troupe of 3 and called Irregular Cavalry with each model given 3 hit points. Lastly, it could be called a Team Weapon by game rules, albeit more mobile. Happy to hear any suggestions how it could be fielded in game.

Hill Martian Tribal Infantry

The Hill Martian tribesmen often live a nomadic lifestyle from the saddle, also fighting from gashant-back. But this unit represents a dismounted contingent, armed with a range of rustic but dangerous weapons. Tribal Infantry in TMWWBK are 16 model strong units, that fight primarily by charging and attacking in melee. They can be upgraded to have an improved ranged attack, by arming them with bows and obsolete muskets. My group has a few ranged attackers, but ought to have a few more models made up to properly represent a unit like this on the gaming table.

They are all kitbashed, utilizing pieces from Perry Afghans/Zulus/Sudan, Wargames Atlantic Goblins/Aztecs and some greenstuff additions for ears and big toes, to give a reasonably Martian appearance. 

For future hill Martian models, I plan to use Native American and Plains Wars models, perhaps Foundry, as the Space 1889 illustrations shows the hill Martians often wearing leggings and attire similar to the Native Americans.

Sanwar tribesmen armed with jezails

The Sanwar tribes of Mars are underground dwellers, hiding under the desert sands to escape the blazing sun and heat. Talented crafters and tinkerers, they are skilled at building crude but powerful firearms from materials they have scavenged and raided.

Technically Sanwar aren't mentioned in Space 1889, but I loved the look of the models on Ironclad, and ordered a bunch of them. Regardless, I think they could represent well any one of the diverse tribes and communities of the Martian hinterlands. I field them as Irregular Infantry. To expand on the faction, Ironclad also offer a range of melee weapon armed Sanwar.

Sanwar rocket artillery crew

Fanatical producers of gunpowder and pyrotechnics, the Sanwar use scratch built rocket artillery to bombard enemies for base defense, and on raids. The models are all Ironclad again, and actually the figure with his big staff is the Sanwar Shaman.

In game terms, I use the standard team weapon gun rules for the unit. But the Bolt Action style rules for the Nebelwerfer rocket launcher could be an exciting addition. In that game, the weapon would always only hit on a roll of 6, but can simultaneously target all other enemy units within 12cm of the primary target unit, thus the player rolls for a 6 to hit on each targeted unit. On a hit, the player then rolls for damage as usual.

A fearsome crew of kraag warriors

The high Martians are a evolutionary distinct sub-species of Martians. Their lineage separated eons ago, and today they maintain a primitive appearance along with wings and an ability to fly. The live filthy and violent lifestyles, raiding canal and hill Martians alike, and residing in cavernous rock hideouts, called kraags. The strongest and most alpha of the tribe ascends to the position of leader, until he is challenged and displaced.

These models are the original RAFM Kraag Warrior metal figures. I have another units-worth of these models unpainted and stored away to expand the faction one day.

In TMWWBK rules, I field them as Fierce Tribal Infantry, with a unique ability to move through difficult and impassable terrain at no movement cost (on account of their flying ability). Additionally they can attack an enemy unit behind an obstacle at no disadvantage (envisioning them swooping and diving to make their attacks).

Conclusion

So that wraps up my current collection of Martian forces. In the future I'd like to expand quite heavily, into different directions. I have at least 3 distinct factions I would like to build up (Oenotrian, hill Martians, and high Martians). I've also recently come across a very dangerous range of Martians made by Ral Partha Legacy (dangerous in the sense that I may spend all my money on it). They have very suitable models for martian militia, musketmen, artillery teams, royal infantry, cavalry riders and civilians).

To Build list:

• Oenotrian Legion. To paint up a bunch of RAFM Legionnaires, including shield gunners and all that lovely stuff. Will continue to paint them in the red and orange colors I've decided on for Oenotria.
• Oenotrian Native artillery crew.
• Hill Martian Tribal Cavalry. Will kitbash and greenstuff my way to 10 gashant mounted tribal warriors.
• Second unit of high Martians.

Long term ideas:

• Oenotria imperial gashant cavalry (armed preferably with carbines or lances).
• Second unit of hill Martian tribal cavalry, based on native American riders.
• More canal martian factions (Shastapsh, Tossia).

Battle report: Martian assault on the British outpost

 

After a furious few months of painting, ordering miniatures, and more painting, I was ready to pit my first full scale battle on the Martian steppes. I play the Men Who Would Be Kings (MWWBK) ruleset, and have put together a British force and a mixed Martian force. 

My miniatures are a huge mix of brands and manufacturers, the core of my units are based on the original RAFM metal miniatures for Space 1889, but those figures are expensive and not easy to get in France where I am based. So to fill out the ranks on the martian side I have used a mix of Perry and Wargame Atlantic plastics to kitbash and headswap dozens of hill martians, canal martians and Oenotrian regulars. In another post I will go into lots more detail of the models I'm using.

My British are mostly Warlord Games british regulars for the Zulu-wars. In addition I have few Perry Sudan war plastics, and some Perry metal NCO's. 

I set up the game as described in scenario C of MWWBK (To the Last Bullet), in which the regular forces are holed up in a small amount of fortified cover (a ruined farm compound), and pursuing Martian forces must attack the settlement and take out the British units. The leader of each unit has their leadership rating rolled at random before starting the game; this rating is the target to roll on unit orders tests, pinning tests and rallies. 

The army lists were as follows:

British (Defenders 18pts)

x3 Regular Infantry (6pts each), all Leadership 6.

Martian (Attackers 24pts)

x2 Regular Infantry Oenotria 2nd Legion (5pts each)* Leadership 6 for "Shooters" and 5 for "Cutters".

x1 Irregular Infantry Six Cities League, rating 7, 4pts.

x1 Irregular Infantry Sanwar, Poor Shots, rating 7, 3pts.

x1 Tribal Infantry hill Martian, rating 7, 3pts.

x1 Tribal Infantry high Martians, Fierce, Flying**, rating 5, 4pts.

*A Martian classic legion company is formed in two "half-companies", one armed with martian muskets (obsolete to humans), the other armed with only melee weapons. The homebrewed rules I'm using for this unit will be explained in detail in another post.

**High Martians are a tribal, sub-species of the martian race, capable of flight. I determine they are limited to short bursts of flight (like a chicken) and can hop over obstacles usually considered impassable or difficult. In game terms, I allow them to pass through difficult terrain or low lying impassable terrain at full speed, and when attacking a unit defended by low obstacles or terrain the defender does not receive any of the usual defensive bonuses, as the high Martians use a hop, flight and diving attack method of attack.

All the forces on the table.

Three units of British Regular Infantry holed up in the abandoned Martian farmhouse.

The coalition of martian forces gathered under Oenotrian 2nd Legion command were to pursue the isolated company of British Infantry spotted in the region, and destroy them or force them out of the area completely. Oenotrian 2nd Legion 1st Company approached the farmhouse and decided to split their auxiliary forces to each side, while the legion would hold back ready to exploit a weakness once broken through.

To the left flank they sent canal martian irregulars with high-martian tribal infantry, and to the right they sent Sanwar irregulars and hill martian tribals. Orders were to set up the irregular infantry into firing positions in the small vegetation cover, lay down some pinning fire, then attack each side with a tribal unit, attempting to storm the British unit firing from the farmhouse corral barricades.

The attack of the right flank by the Sanwar/Hill units is is marred by inaccurate firing from the Sanwar unit as well as poor unit leadership that is unable to maneuver the Sanwar irregulars quickly into firing positions from the Martian shrubbery. The Hill Martians take a few casualties from the British, who take none at all.

On the left, the preparation is much better, the canal Martians are able to take a few British casualties, as the high Martian unit goes to ground out of range of the British rifles.

High Martians suddenly appear from the scrub, screaming, running and sailing through the air towards the British position! They all make diving attacks at the humans behind their barricades and launch a fierce flurry of blows and axe swings - the attack is a bloodbath for the British, who are forced to fall back from their positions.

2nd Legion decide now to follow the high Martian attack and enter the battlefield taking aim at the left flank. The shooters form the from of the legion, the cutters at the rear.

The center British unit lay down accurate rifle fire on the legion first ranks, whilst the Oenotrian shooters have little success of their own. But the legion commander remarkably keeps his men's order and continues the march, shrugging off pins and casualties (leadership rating 5).

The kraag warriors finish off the last of the western British platoon, and prepare to leap and fly over the ruined farmhouse building, and storm the British centre platoon's position.

The legion company finally reaches the British barricades and launches their fierce attack of pike and spear thrusts. But the human defense is vicious, and wipes out the legion down to their last man.

The high Martian warriors immediately start their attack on the British centre unit, and fly over the ruins into the courtyard. Meanwhile the 3rd British unit, receiving so far no pressure from the ineffective Martian right flank, decide to move into the courtyard in support of their countrymen.

Hill martian tribesman capitalize on the open position and surge forward into the now undefended eastern cattle corral. Their Sanwar allies continue to flounder in the rough ground behind. 

The kraag attack is brutal, and even with sustaining heavy losses, forces the British centre unit into retreat out of the compound. The eastern British unit (still at full strength with 12 riflemen) take their skirmishing shots through the green oasis overgrowth, and the kraags are down to their last 2 warriors.

The retreating British riflemen from the centre unit fall under long-range fire from the canal-martian levies, still perched in hard cover out in the steppes. The conscripts have refused repeatedly to move from the relative safety of their hard cover.

Hill Martians swarm into the compound, and assault the British rifle unit. Fighting through a small opening, I decided to fight the attack with 2 dice per side, as the opening was only about 2 models wide. I would make this attack a multi-turn affair, after 5 turns of combat between the two sides, the side that had lost the most casualties, would finally retreat from the lost combat.

The result of the melee went towards the Martians, who forced their way inside the compound, and the British into retreating against the southern barricade. The remains of the British defense were now split between sides of that southern barricade, as the Martians pressed from all sides.

Another brutal attack from the steppe Martian warriors against the already pinned British finishes the unit to its last man, Sergeant Barkley, who retreats through a compound door.

At last the Sanwar have escaped the viny undergrowth and make an advance on the remains of the British. They open fire on the unit...

Along with their canal-martian allies from the west, and the effect is brutally effective, wiping out the British unit.

With the defense a complete disaster, the lone British survivor Sergeant Barkley runs for the hills, hopefully he can live to fight another day!

Overall a very enjoyable game, the preparation to the attacks felt quite tense, and the tribal attacks required good cooperation and planning to have a chance to beat the European regulars. Some of my home added rules will need some clarifying and tweaking, but it was a great game! Clearly a major victory for the Martian side.