Gangs of Rome, Market Stalls
Posted: July 27th, 2018, 4:01 pmGangs of Rome sells market stalls, two for 15 British pounds (nearly $20) which doesn't include the shipping cost. The oversized looking tables are actually stalls which need a simulated partial tent covering(not included) across the top and hanging partially down on the sides to provide shoppers with shade. The smaller pieces are tables to go under the stall.
Although I was momentarily tempted by the convenience of this purchase, I decided I didn't care for the uniformity.
Having spent 8 years in the Middle East where market stalls (souqs) are still common, I knew from personal experience that while the construction of stalls will be similar, size and dimension will vary. I decided to make my own using PVC plastic signage as a base. I used a sculpting tool to punch holes for the posts. The posts were made using wooden kebab sticks that I cut to size. The cross beams were made using thinly cut PVC signage. Since this plastic signage is a corrugated layer, it was easy to slip a cross section over the vertical poles.
Here is the first stall I designed. The table was made using PVC signage with cork legs. The produce was made from clay. The tent covering was made from a paper napkin. Pictured in the foreground is a Roman in a white toga. The figure came from mob pack #2, Gangs of Rome. The figure in blue is from Ral Partha(DM-041 Female Civilian in Wrap). I liked the fact that this figurine was already wearing a head scarf. the hemline of her dress was below the knee. I used a paper napkin to extend it to just above her feet.
Here is another stall. This one was slightly larger. I built compartmentalized storage for a spice merchant. The figure here is also from mob pack #2, Gangs of Rome.
The tent cover was made with construction paper. I'm thinking of gluing a paper napkin over it since the paper napkin looks more fabric like. The construction paper looks too stiff in comparison.
Since I wanted to include animals, I built this holding pen. The animals are on order from a company in the U.K. The middle pen will be for cows. The pens on either side will be used for sheep and pigs. I will also have some goats tethered on the concrete sidewalk along with some chickens in a wooden cage.
The hay was made using Woodland Scenics yellow grass coarse turf. The stone walls were made from styrofoam.
My ultimate goal will be to add a few more stalls with a meandering path through the marketplace that's just wide enough for 1 figurine. This will make an interesting battlefield for the players as the twisting path and the presence of stalls will obstruct line of sight for ranged weapons like slings, javelins, and bows.
I am basing the design of this marketplace on my expat experience in the Middle East. Pictured here is an Arab souq in the Emirate of Bahrain. This souq is actually more ordered than others I have seen. Most of the souqs I've visited in places like Al-Khobar, Dammam, and Hofuf (all in Saudi Arabia) were much more chaotically organized with twisting narrow paths between stalls.
I think it's interesting how similar the stall designs are to the ones that were used in ancient Rome. I particularly liked the stall in the foreground. The people seated around the stall are eating, so while I wait for the rest of my Gangs of Rome figurines to arrive, I think I will craft a wood burning stove along with pots and crockery for my next stall.
Although I was momentarily tempted by the convenience of this purchase, I decided I didn't care for the uniformity.
Having spent 8 years in the Middle East where market stalls (souqs) are still common, I knew from personal experience that while the construction of stalls will be similar, size and dimension will vary. I decided to make my own using PVC plastic signage as a base. I used a sculpting tool to punch holes for the posts. The posts were made using wooden kebab sticks that I cut to size. The cross beams were made using thinly cut PVC signage. Since this plastic signage is a corrugated layer, it was easy to slip a cross section over the vertical poles.
Here is the first stall I designed. The table was made using PVC signage with cork legs. The produce was made from clay. The tent covering was made from a paper napkin. Pictured in the foreground is a Roman in a white toga. The figure came from mob pack #2, Gangs of Rome. The figure in blue is from Ral Partha(DM-041 Female Civilian in Wrap). I liked the fact that this figurine was already wearing a head scarf. the hemline of her dress was below the knee. I used a paper napkin to extend it to just above her feet.
Here is another stall. This one was slightly larger. I built compartmentalized storage for a spice merchant. The figure here is also from mob pack #2, Gangs of Rome.
The tent cover was made with construction paper. I'm thinking of gluing a paper napkin over it since the paper napkin looks more fabric like. The construction paper looks too stiff in comparison.
Since I wanted to include animals, I built this holding pen. The animals are on order from a company in the U.K. The middle pen will be for cows. The pens on either side will be used for sheep and pigs. I will also have some goats tethered on the concrete sidewalk along with some chickens in a wooden cage.
The hay was made using Woodland Scenics yellow grass coarse turf. The stone walls were made from styrofoam.
My ultimate goal will be to add a few more stalls with a meandering path through the marketplace that's just wide enough for 1 figurine. This will make an interesting battlefield for the players as the twisting path and the presence of stalls will obstruct line of sight for ranged weapons like slings, javelins, and bows.
I am basing the design of this marketplace on my expat experience in the Middle East. Pictured here is an Arab souq in the Emirate of Bahrain. This souq is actually more ordered than others I have seen. Most of the souqs I've visited in places like Al-Khobar, Dammam, and Hofuf (all in Saudi Arabia) were much more chaotically organized with twisting narrow paths between stalls.
I think it's interesting how similar the stall designs are to the ones that were used in ancient Rome. I particularly liked the stall in the foreground. The people seated around the stall are eating, so while I wait for the rest of my Gangs of Rome figurines to arrive, I think I will craft a wood burning stove along with pots and crockery for my next stall.
