tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758062612953572120.post7198520059253206075..comments2023-06-24T01:56:21.728-07:00Comments on Despatches from Syldavia: First Despatch from Syldavia!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758062612953572120.post-18955740192482052282009-10-05T09:43:52.666-07:002009-10-05T09:43:52.666-07:00Hi Arthur,
The original plan is on the back-burne...Hi Arthur,<br /><br />The original plan is on the back-burner for now. I suspect that a couple of "real" units will get painted here and there. Eventually this will lead to building fuller armies. It is a long term plan! And yes, I have my eye on the Ottomans as well.<br /><br />JimJiminhohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15163197311165054930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758062612953572120.post-30222059403762323412009-10-03T21:20:04.690-07:002009-10-03T21:20:04.690-07:00Ah yes, welcome to the realer world (anybody readi...Ah yes, welcome to the realer world (anybody reading our newspapers should realize that we are in a very poorly plotted and horrid science fiction story in the "real" world). <br /><br />A couple of quick suggestions: <br />Don't completely abandon the Austrian / Prussian mindset, as a lot of folks paint their figures according to some historical model and call them by their imagination names. I'm not nearly good enough to do that myself, but it's an idea. <br />Also, I really hope that you'll take a gander at building a Turkish army too ... they're very, very colorful and could be a very good "opponent" army for you down there! <br />:)<br />Arthur (the Hurtshog Fhartz v. Frankfurter of Frankszonia) <br />:)Frankfurterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18155625152395130957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758062612953572120.post-61643896707761233322009-09-30T13:20:35.962-07:002009-09-30T13:20:35.962-07:00AJ, I will post my response on your website, alon...AJ, I will post my response on your website, along with a picture of the Order of the Black Pelican<br /><br />JimJiminhohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15163197311165054930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758062612953572120.post-57730803172418139682009-09-30T12:27:09.902-07:002009-09-30T12:27:09.902-07:00Jim, I've posted an excerpt from the Chronicle...Jim, I've posted an excerpt from the Chronicles featuring the arrival of a Syldavian emissary in Hetzenberg. Not being too familiar with Balkan names I've called him Colonel Gavrilio Aliolikos, seeing him as having Greek heritage while being a loyal Syldavian. He'll be heading home accompanied by the new Hetzenberg ambassador. Feel free to use him or not as you wish. I'm not sure what Commander Horngebläse will do when he receives the offer of a secondment, but it is tempting. ;)A Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07834159033854153921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758062612953572120.post-62424697224754247902009-09-29T17:58:22.613-07:002009-09-29T17:58:22.613-07:00Jean-Louis,
It is clear that Hergé really struck ...Jean-Louis,<br /><br />It is clear that Hergé really struck a chord with this story. There are wierd and wonderful references and echoes everywhere. I was aware of the Flemish linguistic link, I wouldn't have thought of the German-Slav dialect by myself! I had seen the youtube newscasts as well, quite strange. I did not know about your other discoveries. <br /><br />As for Greenland, I suspect that the Syldavians would find the place desperately cold and tough. It was to much in the end for the Vikings, after all. Maybe they could wrest the Azores from Portugal...Jiminhohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15163197311165054930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758062612953572120.post-5924759207923878332009-09-29T17:48:28.222-07:002009-09-29T17:48:28.222-07:00Dear Fitz-Badger,
Many thanks, I hope that I can ...Dear Fitz-Badger,<br /><br />Many thanks, I hope that I can follow up with something else of interest. The castle is Olavinlinna Castle in Finland which is reputed to have been the inspiration for Hergé's Koprow Castle. It is indeed a model, I wish it was my own! It is a large model at the Mini-Europe amusement park in Brussels. This is quite the model, take a look at the following two web sites, lots of material for other Imagi-Nations!<br /><br />http://travel.webshots.com/photo/1506961060079648395dMNCfw<br /><br />http://www.brusselspictures.com/category/theme-park/<br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br />JimJiminhohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15163197311165054930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758062612953572120.post-4303961931335261732009-09-29T17:07:05.469-07:002009-09-29T17:07:05.469-07:00Oh, and I love the picture of Koprow Castle! Is th...Oh, and I love the picture of Koprow Castle! Is that a model? Yours?Fitz-Badgerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15510866929782142007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758062612953572120.post-7347088575321798392009-09-29T17:04:34.583-07:002009-09-29T17:04:34.583-07:00A most excellent, entertaining and enlightening en...A most excellent, entertaining and enlightening entrance to the world of ImagiNations! :)Fitz-Badgerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15510866929782142007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758062612953572120.post-18260268804135573492009-09-29T14:01:16.287-07:002009-09-29T14:01:16.287-07:00Jim,
Did a little Googling to refresh my memories ...Jim,<br />Did a little Googling to refresh my memories (I'm retired, with perhaps too much free time for my own good)...<br /><br />Do you know this study of the <a href="http://www.zompist.com/syldavian.html" rel="nofollow">Sylvanian tongue</a>? Interesting suggestion that most of the 'Germanic' roots of Syldavian are actually Dutch: makes sense, Herge was a francophone Belgian but the Flemish half of Belgium (and Brussels) speaks Dutch and Wallons know it well. <br />The few (humorous, given their roots) imports from French come from 'popular' language, e.g. "<i>klebcz</i>" for 'dog' from popular French (arabic, actually but Algeria was French for 130 years) 'klebs'; suggests by similar transposition from Algerian to popular French then to Syldavian something like '"tubibz" for '(medicine) doctor', "bezef" for 'very / much / many / a lot', chuphn" for 'to watch', "chuya" for 'a little (of) / smidgeon', "flucz" for 'money / coins', "kawa" for 'coffee' (in 'French' the drink, not the 'bar' -but then, in Syldavian?)... :)<br /><br /><i>Le Sceptre d'Ottokar</i> first appeared in a magazine as 106 B&W plates (1938) collected in a bound 'graphic novel' in 1939 . I read elsewhere that there are not a few differences between the original B&W printing of 1939 -with a few 'colorized' plates- and the 1947 'definitive' edition (62 full-color pages): for instance in the later Tintin escapes Borduria in a (fictitious, they say) Messeschmitt Bf 109, against a Heinkel 118 in the former; more relevant here, it's only in the 1947 that the Guards of the Tower received their 'Balkanic' uniform, their <a href="http://users.skynet.be/tintinpassion/LIVRES/Livres-pages/08_SCEPTRE.html" rel="nofollow">first appearance</a> funnily (sillily?) combined features of Greek 'Evzones' and English 'Beefeaters'! And at first the pelican was against a <a href="http://lalongue-vue.m6blog.fr/media/00/02/1605571698.jpg" rel="nofollow">*blue* field</a>, against the rules of heraldry (and the requirements of visibility).<br /><br /><br />Discovered several Youtubes -I'm not sure to understand their 'alignment':<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWPtLpxfyoc" rel="nofollow">Syldavian Cultural Exploration Video</a><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foWcItW2gpQ" rel="nofollow">Syldavia Television 29, 03, 2008</a><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBjX5ZOoE98" rel="nofollow">Syldavia Television News - 8 August 2008</a><br /><br /><br />Unfortunately in French, a series of humorous <a href="http://desencyclopedie.wikia.com/wiki/Syldavie" rel="nofollow">articles about Syldavia</a> (including 'traditional' cooking recipes) in a French pastiche of Wikipedia.<br /><br /><br /><br />Given your 'real life' background, could Sylvania have attempted in previous centuries to revive the colony in Greenland -Courland indeed colonized Tobaggo, unlikely as it may seem? <br /><br />Cheers,<br />Jean-Louisabdul666https://www.blogger.com/profile/16172686098173637906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758062612953572120.post-39781514182639446192009-09-29T10:58:15.549-07:002009-09-29T10:58:15.549-07:00Alan,
Try this web site, which accompanies a rece...Alan,<br /><br />Try this web site, which accompanies a recent (and excellent) Smithsonian exhibition:<br /><br />http://www.mnh.si.edu/vikings/start.html <br /><br />They published a book (look on the site) which is packed with good and digestible information on all aspects of Norse culture and history. The web site also has a "teachers" section. I currently have a small project going in Iceland. It does not concern contacts but it might be of some interest. Let me know if you need details.<br /><br />JimJiminhohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15163197311165054930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758062612953572120.post-76172927795664533052009-09-29T10:50:28.618-07:002009-09-29T10:50:28.618-07:00Jim
my class age 9/10 are doing the vikings at pr...Jim<br />my class age 9/10 are doing the vikings at present . Do you know of useful websites educational material pertaining to skraling/viking relations and settlement in the New World?<br />thanks Alan<br />p.s thanks for the positive Slydavia comments...tradgardmastarehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13116967655904601740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758062612953572120.post-61093199590745533892009-09-29T08:36:22.025-07:002009-09-29T08:36:22.025-07:00Alan,
I rushed getting this site together after r...Alan,<br /><br />I rushed getting this site together after reading your Syldavia post, not so much to mark turf as to ensure that the contribution I wished to make didn't become irrelevant before it was made. Now that this is public, please do go ahead with your project as you see fit. <br /><br />I have general parameters in mind for this campaign for the 1730s to the 1750's. I had envisioned a series of episodes where I more or less controlled some of the plot but where random factors (variable production, perhaps diplomatic events, etc) impacted the game in a concrete sense (such as the capacity to recruit reserve troops) and the narrative could thereby follow its own organic course. If, as a solo wargamer, you play the two sides by making each follow a "best" course of action in a given situation with given knowledge, unpredictable outcomes needed for a fun game have to come from somewhere. Randomizing dice and event cards only go so far, so it would actually be very useful to my project if some of these unpredictable outcomes came from real rational (or irrational!) people on the outside. I think that it would be fun if the activities of emigré plotters were not controlled by me, so long as this augments and don't stop the narrative. This is something we can work out as I approach actual battles. <br /><br />As for what goes on in Tradgardland, I see no problem at all with your plans. What goes on in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas, as they say! <br /><br />In my professional life, I conduct research in the Canadian arctic (Inuit archaeology mostly) and in the North Atlantic (Vikings and afterwards). Ironically (or is it logically?), the 18th century is a critical period for my work.<br /><br />JimJiminhohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15163197311165054930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758062612953572120.post-7582481761643872442009-09-29T07:55:03.686-07:002009-09-29T07:55:03.686-07:00Jim
I had started to raise some freikorps etc in 2...Jim<br />I had started to raise some freikorps etc in 28mm as part of my "Black Pelican Inn" thread. Are you happy for me to continue you to do this for inclusion in my own tabletop games? <br />I do not wish to interfere/diminish you work but wondered how you felt about me developing my emigres sympathetically to and with your Syldavians. I had envisaged them playing off one against the other in the Tradgardland versus the Imperium games I had hoped to run. I had wondered about expanding to form an opposition for the Imperium perhaps. Please let me know your thoughts.<br />best wishes<br />Alan<br />p.s I really enjoyed the well thought-out background material. If I can be nosey what period do you specialise in in your work?tradgardmastarehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13116967655904601740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758062612953572120.post-31215693029250012522009-09-29T07:29:42.075-07:002009-09-29T07:29:42.075-07:00AJ: Many thanks for your visit and comments. I...AJ: Many thanks for your visit and comments. I'm hoping that we will all have some fun with this. <br /><br />Congratulations to you for the success of your brilliant Hetzenberg story project this past year. What a great idea! It was a source of great pleasure (and ideas) to me this past year. <br /> <br />News of Hetzenberg's eventful year has reached even as far as the Royal Smoking and Snooker Room at Koprow Castle. The King has ordered me to invest you in the most ancient and noble Order of the Black Pelican as recognition of your achievement and to offer Commander Horngebläse , should he be interested, a command in the small Syldavian navy (no doubt a frigate and a few gunboats); we have a small pirate problem to eradicate...<br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br />JimJiminhohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15163197311165054930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758062612953572120.post-14254529955487123522009-09-29T07:16:16.322-07:002009-09-29T07:16:16.322-07:00Hello all, my sincere thanks for your comments.
...Hello all, my sincere thanks for your comments. <br /><br />Jeff : I will certainly do a photo tour of units from both armies, a bit at a time. The core of my armies will be composed of Eureka 15mm figures, I have searched around for figures from other manufacturers to fill the gaps, in particular for native units. I have been somewhat successful at this and have troops which seem plausible. The relative lack of easily visible detail on a 15mm figure helps me here! However, some conversions have been or will be necessary and naturally I have had to make quite a few comprimises. They at least look like something different!<br /><br />Capt Bill : The King of Syldavia is honoured to receive the esteemed Ancient and Honourable Order of the Tankard. I am empowered by him to invest Reich Duke Wilhelm into the Order of the Black Pelican, Syldavia’s most ancient and noble chivalric order. <br /><br />Tradardmastare : Your sketchy Syldavian inn is a delightful idea. It opens the possibility to involve a Syldavian emigré community (full of nefarious plotting) as wildcards outside my control in this campaign. I’d send in the vice squad and clear the dive out, myself. <br /><br />Tidders : Greetings to Wittenberg and to you, Royal Cousin!<br /><br />Jean-Louis : I have had plenty of time to elaborate the project as a thought experiment while feeding the baby… That said, much of the plan I set out here falls quite naturally out of Hergé’s sketch. I have tried to keep the emphasis on verisimilitude throughout. Also I specifically didn’t want to simply re-create the terribly sad religious struggle that has bedeviled the real Balkans for so long. This would defeat the goals of my project (fun and a light heart), and accordingly I have made both antagonists necessarily pluralist societies, where religion is not the primary origin of drama in the plot. This will depend on the secular twirling of mustaches!<br /><br />The biggest challenge seems to be to find appropriate figures for the project and in many cases their availability has steered my uniform choices. Late Polish Renaissance figures do indeed seem to me to be the best choice available for the Castle Guard. Some conversion will be necessary for this however, something I am not so fond of doing, especially in 15mm!<br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br />JimJiminhohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15163197311165054930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758062612953572120.post-86175679733568959042009-09-29T06:37:23.870-07:002009-09-29T06:37:23.870-07:00Welcome to the wonderful world of ImagiNations! As...Welcome to the wonderful world of ImagiNations! As Jean-Louis said your countries are off to a flying start in background, geography and history. I always thought the Balkans had potential for our 18th century games and it's nice to see you step up to the mark with such an excellent contribution.A Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07834159033854153921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758062612953572120.post-26852598377221030332009-09-29T05:09:09.741-07:002009-09-29T05:09:09.741-07:00Congratulations and thanks for 'translating...Congratulations and thanks for 'translating' Syldavia and Borduria into 18th C. Imagi-Nations!<br />Clearly you waited to have the 'design' of the countries done in depth before 'stepping from behind the internet curtain': one can feel the work and dedication already put in the project. And of course 'real' Syldavia and Borduria are far less different than their toned-down 'all white / all black' comics rendition: for centuries the Balkans saw the confrontation between Catholics and Orthodoxes, Christians and Musilms. Wars with religious overtones are the most cruel, mentalities there are moulded by centuries of hatred: the old local tradition to collect enemies' eyes by the bucket was still honored a few years after the <i>Sceptre</i> was published (1939)!<br /><br /> The uniforms you describe in your comment to <a href="http://tradgardland.blogspot.com/2009/09/sylvania.html" rel="nofollow">tradgardmastare's post</a> are 'logical', 'soundly based' and as 'accurate' as possible at all -and extremely promising: I'm looking eagerly forward to discover them in their painted flesh / lead!<br />As for the Tower Guards, Late Renaissance Polish infantry (the kind with a halberd of sorts used as a musket-rest) is probably what would require less conversions. Their 2Oth C. century uniform is very traditional, but some minor changes along the centuries are unavoidable and can be used to justify minor differences: for instance the tall plume on the cap is a detail that dates at most from Napoleonic times.<br /><br />Best regards and wishes,<br />Jean-Louisabdul666https://www.blogger.com/profile/16172686098173637906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758062612953572120.post-57425123526080829762009-09-29T04:54:33.415-07:002009-09-29T04:54:33.415-07:00The Kingdom of Wittenberg welcomes to the world of...The Kingdom of Wittenberg welcomes to the world of 18c Imagi-Nations ! <br /><br />good luck with your project<br /><br />-- Allanold-tiddershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05055135576841243361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758062612953572120.post-90535815860133631972009-09-29T04:20:04.635-07:002009-09-29T04:20:04.635-07:00Great to see you starting this wondorous work. I l...Great to see you starting this wondorous work. I look forward to following it...<br />best wishes<br />Alantradgardmastarehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13116967655904601740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758062612953572120.post-88559129138250966812009-09-28T22:47:24.493-07:002009-09-28T22:47:24.493-07:00Greetings and felicitations from the Reich Duchy o...Greetings and felicitations from the Reich Duchy of Beerstein. Reich Duke Wilhelm is pleased to invest your esteemed ruler into the Ancient and Honorable Order of the Tankard. We wish your endeavor well!Capt Billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15990089081015713972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2758062612953572120.post-21139564642732853502009-09-28T22:18:04.145-07:002009-09-28T22:18:04.145-07:00Jim,
Welcome to the world of 18th century bloggin...Jim,<br /><br />Welcome to the world of 18th century blogging.<br /><br />You seem to have a very fine start to your project . . . and I know that I, for one at least, would like to see some photos of the figures you plan to use for your native units (they sound interesting indeed).<br /><br /><br />-- JeffBluebear Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07595975572873838050noreply@blogger.com