Condottiere: the Dogs of War: Renaissance Mercenary Warfare Rules & Campaigns

KEYNOTE: . Brand new rules set for re-creating the glorious battles of the Italian mercenaries of the Renaissance era and the Middle Ages In the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance, the great cities of Italy enjoyed a growth in wealth and power. As they absorbed the smaller villages and towns around them, they became true city-states, and inevitably came into conflict with each other. As the communal militias of the cities were amateurish and largely ineffective, the princes of the cities turned increasingly to mercenary captains to provide armies of experienced veterans. The contract with them was called a condotta, and so the military leader who worked under such a contract was a Condottiere. Condottiere allows you to re-fight battles from the Age of the Condottieri. The game aims for a high degree of playability and fun while still addressing the real tactical and leadership challenges of that age. The battle rules allow you to play pitched battles at a club meet or between several friends. But the campaign rules allow a larger group of players to conduct a series of battles, and gradually build up their forces. True to the spirit of the Condottieri, the campaign rules also provide many opportunities for deceit and betrayal, and only a clever combination of tactical skill and duplicitous double-dealing will enable the player to line his pockets with gold and build his reputation as a great Condottiere. The need for cunning and deceit, of course, makes it a nearly ideal pastime for a typical group of friendly gamers. Colour illustrations throughout

About the Author :
Here it is at last; Kevin Dallimore's fully comprehensive guide to painting miniature models! If you're entirely new to painting then this guide will help to get you started, and if you have painted before you'll find it full of useful tips and new ideas. With the aid of numerous fully illustrated stage-by-stage examples Kevin describes every aspect of his celebrated painting style, from a quick and simple method designed to get you painting single models and armies to a high standard, to more advanced techniques that will help you get amazing results from your models. All areas of the miniature model painting hobby are examined in detail, with sections covering the equipment you'll need, the preparation of models, designing and painting shields, using transfers, painting horses using oils, varnishing and basing. There are also features on creating dioramas, converting models and painting vehicles and buildings plus hints and tips from some well-known guest painters. Illustrated throughout with a vast number of painted examples featuring Kevin's stunning work, this guide should inspire miniature model enthusiasts everywhere to pick up those paint brushes!

Review :
The need for cunning and deceit should make playing this wargame a ton of fun for a group of trusted friends.