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Richard Cruadhlaoich

@locounterpane.bsky.social

77 followers 61 following 190 posts

Sheffield-based wargamer and blogger. TheLandOfCounterpane.blogspot.com

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Richard Cruadhlaoich @locounterpane.bsky.social · Jan 15

Just giving this Bluesky thing a whirl.

Here’s an article I did about designing wargames scenarios.

thelandofcounterpane.blogspot.com/2025/01/desi...

Designing Historical Scenarios

What follows is an article I originally wrote for Lard Magazine. In the end I didn't submit it because I decided I'd be preaching to the alr...

thelandofcounterpane.blogspot.com

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Richard Cruadhlaoich @locounterpane.bsky.social · 19h

A friend of mine lives in his constituency. Apparently he’s known locally as “Slimy Bob”.

Richard Cruadhlaoich @locounterpane.bsky.social · 1d

I’ve created a blog post about how I made a load of markers for 6mm scale games. It’s specifically for TacWWII but may have some utility for players of other systems.

thelandofcounterpane.blogspot.com/2025/10/home...

Homemade TacWWII markers

The TacWWII rules originally came with an A4 sheet of tiny (7mm x 4mm) counters for you to cut out and use with the game. They were printed...

thelandofcounterpane.blogspot.com

Richard Cruadhlaoich @locounterpane.bsky.social · 1d

Contrary to half of the scenarios in the rules, Sharp Practice isn’t at its best when used for stand-up battles. It needs a narrative-driven scenario. Escort a waggon, rescue a spy, search the district for the general’s missing niece.

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Richard Cruadhlaoich @locounterpane.bsky.social · 2d

Woohoo! My new, personalised Steel Lard polo shirt has arrived from @glenbrookgames.bsky.social
Thanks Matt!

Richard Cruadhlaoich @locounterpane.bsky.social · 2d

Having stayed in Tynemouth a couple of times this year that area’s become a new addition to my list of favourite places.

Richard Cruadhlaoich @locounterpane.bsky.social · 3d

Very nice! I’d go for MERD-C Americans; they’re fun to paint.

thelandofcounterpane.blogspot.com/2022/07/joy-...

Joy of Six purchases

I didn't take any pictures at Joy of Six last weekend because I was too busy running Cold War Commander participation sessions. I did have ...

thelandofcounterpane.blogspot.com

Richard Cruadhlaoich @locounterpane.bsky.social · 4d

I had a brief but passionate affair with X-Wing a few years back. It’s a fun game. I must get it back onto the table some time if only to justify the cash I spent!

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Richard Cruadhlaoich @locounterpane.bsky.social · 4d

Barnsley?

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Richard Cruadhlaoich @locounterpane.bsky.social · 4d

Engineers preparing it for demolition. He was made from spare parts left over from various sets. He had a hammer but it seems to have got lost.

See this blog post for more of my frugal approach to building extra figures.

thelandofcounterpane.blogspot.com/2025/09/maki...

Making the most of spare parts

Since I first got into making models as a kid I've always followed the advice (from books and magazine articles) that you should hold onto a...

thelandofcounterpane.blogspot.com

Richard Cruadhlaoich @locounterpane.bsky.social · 4d

Write up and pics of my last pre-Steel Lard test session can be found here:

thelandofcounterpane.blogspot.com/2025/10/runn...

Running from Bull Run Again!

This afternoon I had a very productive run-through of my Running from Bull Run scenario prior to next weekend's Steel Lard. The objective w...

thelandofcounterpane.blogspot.com

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Richard Cruadhlaoich @locounterpane.bsky.social · 5d

The bridge over Cub Run comes under Confederate artillery fire.

Richard Cruadhlaoich @locounterpane.bsky.social · 5d

It’s the feared Black Horse Cavalry!

Richard Cruadhlaoich @locounterpane.bsky.social · 5d

Members of Congress observe the Union rout.

Richard Cruadhlaoich @locounterpane.bsky.social · 5d

It’s just a week until Steel Lard. This is probably the final play-test of “Running from Bull Run”.
#SpreadTheLard

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Richard Cruadhlaoich @locounterpane.bsky.social · 5d

I think I remember first hearing about “battle tourism” in the context of some 18th century actions.

Richard Cruadhlaoich @locounterpane.bsky.social · 6d

Like this one?

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Richard Cruadhlaoich @locounterpane.bsky.social · 6d

A feature of First Bull Run was the presence of parties of civilians who went out to watch the battle. Several members of Congress were caught up in the retreat.

I needed a Deployment Point for my own retreating senators so here’s their picnic blanket.

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Richard Cruadhlaoich @locounterpane.bsky.social · 8d

There is no f&@king “e” in the Sharp bit of “Sharp Practice”. Fix it or I’ll be forced to revoke your invite to El Paso!

Richard Cruadhlaoich @locounterpane.bsky.social · 9d

Inspired by Charles Grant, I once made some in 6mm scale!

Richard Cruadhlaoich @locounterpane.bsky.social · 10d

Union stretcher bearers and hospital steward for “Running from Bull Run” at Steel Lard.

Richard Cruadhlaoich @locounterpane.bsky.social · 10d

Union ambulance and stretcher bearers under way.

Richard Cruadhlaoich @locounterpane.bsky.social · 11d

1st Corps having delivered, I’ve increased the amount of discarded equipment I can strew alongside the Warrenton Pike.

Richard Cruadhlaoich @locounterpane.bsky.social · 13d

Hi Simon.

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Richard Cruadhlaoich @locounterpane.bsky.social · 13d

I have a rather nice plait of fog for sale. You can find it at the sign of the wall-nailed-jelly. Be careful though; it’s guarded by a very well-trained herd of cats. In other news, allocation of players to Steel Lard games is complete. #SpreadTheLard

Richard Cruadhlaoich @locounterpane.bsky.social · 14d

Nailing jelly to the wall, plaiting fog, herding cats, and allocating Lardy Day players to their preferred game sessions; all stress-inducing!
#SpreadTheLard