Every so often, a hobby idea takes hold that’s just too exciting to ignore. It creeps into your thoughts at odd hours, sparks spontaneous Google searches, and suddenly your browser is full of tabs you swear you'll get back to later. Well, one of those ideas has officially taken root—and I’m turning it into a full-blown hobby project.

This is not just another army. This is not just a new setting. This is a complete, ground-up hobby journey—not into a new historical era, but a return to one that I’ve loved before. I’m revisiting the Sengoku Jidai period, a setting I stepped away from after co-creating Test of Honour with Graham Davey back in 2017. Now, with the arrival of The Barons’ War Second Edition, I’m diving back in with fresh eyes, new goals, and a whole new approach.

Welcome to my Sengoku Jidai x Barons’ War hobby project, which I am giving the working title Warring Clans. I'm affectionately naming it after the first full range of miniatures I ever commissioned—back when I launched the original line for Footsore Miniatures & Games. To tie the past to the present, I’ve even had the old Warring Clans logo reworked to serve as the banner for this new phase. What began as a line of miniatures is now growing into something much bigger: a complete, dedicated ruleset built on the foundation of The Barons’ War system.

The Premise: Warring Clans and the Evolution of a System

With the release of The Barons’ War Second Edition, I’ve been itching to dive back in. I had previously started tinkering with force lists of Samurai and Ashigaru for Feudal Japan using version one of the Barons' War rules—focusing on the iconic Sengoku Jidai period, a time of warring clans, cunning generals, and samurai warfare at its peak.

But time moves on, and so does the game. Second Edition has brought a whole new level of depth and refinement, and with it comes the perfect opportunity to refresh those original force lists. Even more exciting is the intended inclusion of two new retinues to choose from—the Sohei warrior monks and the rebellious Ikko-ikki, giving even more flavour and variety to the period.

This new rules update presents me with a clean slate—a chance to revisit, rebuild, and reimagine everything from the ground up. But this time, I’m not just writing a supplement or tweaking lists—I’m developing Warring Clans as a fully fledged hobby project in its own right, using the Barons’ War system as its mechanical backbone, but tailored specifically to the flavour and tactics of Sengoku-era warfare.

Why Warring Clans Is a True Hobby Challenge

This time around, I’m setting myself a hard rule: everything must be new. No dipping into the bits box. No calling in favours. No raiding the terrain shelf for that one temple that “kinda looks Japanese if you squint.” I’m starting at zero—just like anyone picking up a new period or system.

That means:

• Buying brand new miniatures, specifically chosen to reflect the aesthetics and warfare of 16th-century Japan.

• A completely scratch-built themed gaming table to capture the spirit of the Sengoku era—think shrines, rice paddies, villages, and weathered stone roads.

• Hand-built or freshly bought terrain and scatter, with no reuse from my existing collections.

• Detailed, thematic force lists, lovingly crafted to balance historical flavour with Warring Clans gameplay.

This is going to be a true hobbyist’s project—warts, triumphs, setbacks, and all.

The Vision for Warring Clans

I want this to feel like a living slice of history. The goal isn’t just to play games—it’s to create immersive storytelling on the tabletop. I want every game to feel like it could have happened, every mini to belong in that world, and every piece of terrain to whisper its own tale.

If all goes to plan, I’ll end up with:

• Multiple Sengoku-era forces—rival clans with distinct playstyles and visual identities.

• A gorgeous, detailed board that transports players to the mountain passes and village outskirts of 16th-century Japan.

• A series of blog entries chronicling every step of the journey, from the first miniature to the final showdown.

• A fully realised ruleset—Warring Clans—born from The Barons’ War engine, but shaped by the unique demands and dynamics of samurai-era combat.

Join the Journey

This is just the beginning, and I’d love for you to follow along. Whether you’re here for inspiration, encouragement, or just to see how deep the rabbit hole goes, there will be regular updates, photos, thoughts, and probably more than a few moments of hobby madness.

Got tips on Sengoku-era modelling? Know a great source for Japanese terrain? Just want to geek out about samurai, ashigaru, or tabletop design? I’d love to hear from you.

So sharpen your swords, prep your brushes, and let’s bring Feudal Japan to life through the lens of Warring Clans.

Let the journey begin.