LPL 10 - Round 3 - Frozen City Fashion

As I try to motivate myself to post my pictures before 2016 ends... here was my third round entry! It was a nice mix of Wargames Foundry Renaissance orcs, combined with a GW Stone Troll with a sculpted Santa hat.

These were photographed on my Frostgrave board, and were probably some of my favourite figures from the whole contest!

Also, Merry Christmas (Orcmas?) everyone!

More goblins for the warband...

I know I am slow at painting, but I did not finish this last batch of Orcmas goblins 6 months late.  It was only 4 months late, it just took me two months to post them!  These were the last of the goblins I had planned to paint.  They still need another coat of matte varnish, but I am quite pleased with them!

These old figures have so much character, I look forward to painting some more of them (at some point).  Here is a shot at a slightly different angle:

I hope you like them!  That's the last of the Orcmas theme for at least 4 months!

Some more Orcmas Orcs!

As promised, I have painted five lovely orcs to add to my Orcmas warbands.  These are from the currently discontinued Wargames Foundry line of Kev Adams orcs (my fingers are still crossed that they are re-released in the future!)  These were some of my favourite sculpts from the entire line, so I am glad I was able to purchase them before they disappeared.

As you can see, the character and goofiness of these figures is amazing.  I had some closeup photos of each orc on his own, but I think I will have to save those for another post to give a little backstory to each one.  Personally, I think they deserve it, don't you?

Enjoy!

Goblins join the fray!

In my ongoing efforts to finish projects I have started, I have been plugging away at my Orcmas themed miniatures.  This past month, I finished a few goblins, which I finally got around to photographing this past week.

The goblins are Kev Adams sculpts, classic stuff from the 90's!  These guys have been sitting in my stash for a couple years now, so I was very happy to finally get some paint on them.

The jester goblin is actually from the currently discontinued Wargames Foundry line, while the rest are GW night goblins.  The double-based goblins are squig prodders.  I experimented a bit with the fleshtones on these, with some receiving a more green-yellow-brown shade, and the others using the Wargames Foundry Moss Green palette (Triad 29).  I find the Moss is great for goblins, but a bit too pale (IMO) for orcs.

Here are the little blighters with their Boss, Gobbo Clawz:

What I have left for this project: five foundry orcs (painted but not posted) and six more GW goblins (just waiting to be primed).  I hope you enjoy these little guys as much as I did, any feedback is appreciated.

Two More Orc(mas) Guards

As promised, here are two more orcs to go with the Orcmas theme.  I know, Orcmas is long past, so we can just appreciate these guys as orcs.  These being from the Foundry mercenary 'orcs' range rather than the 'ogres' range, they are a tad smaller than the previous two (though not by much).  Their sculpts were a bit more simpler, so the painting progressed a little bit easier.

I was quite pleased with the brown fabric on the orc on the left, I had a good time with those highlights.  The expression on his face is also quite appealing.  The orc on the right looks cool with his big book (I assume it's the Naughty or Nice list, though orcs can't read, so...).

I have almost finished  a few goblins to go with this project, so you can hopefully expect those pretty soon.

Santorc's nemesis

Orcmas just would not be orcmas without some uppity git trying to usurp the coveted title of "Santorc" (or whatever other clever name you can concoct.  The position has long been coveted by this sneaky gobbo.  Time and again he has been thwarted by bad luck, stupidity, or the business end of Santorc's bell.  Regardless, this rascal has managed (miraculously) to survive as a constant thorn in Santorc's side.

I present to you, Gobbo Clawz!

This cheeky fellow is the 2007 White Dwarf subscription model Night Goblin Boss.  I took the liberty of sculpting some more fur trim on his cloak, as well as adding pom poms to his hat.  I think they look swell.  Being smaller and simpler than the other figures, he painted up pretty quickly.  Now he just needs some minions, as he is somewhat outgunned at the moment, wouldn't you agree?

This seems to be the last figure I will get painted in 2014.  For my loyal readers, thanks for your readership!  I wish you all a very happy New Year full of miniature adventures!

Santorc's Guards

While Orcmas many officially be over, I am still plugging away at the few figures I wanted to complete this season.  As you saw last time, I had a teaser of two WIP figures - Santorc's festive guards.  I finally finished them, and I am quite happy with the results.  These are some of the Wargames Foundry Mercenary Ogres.  They were sculpted by Kev Adams.  Very challenging figures to paint, with all of the puff and slash, but it is a nice effect when it is finished.

The blacklining on the clothing for the guard on the left took me forever.  After roughing in the colours, I went over each patch with some vallejo black ink, watered to about 60% with water and some flow improver.  Afterwards I had to redo the highlights and brighten up the white, but I really like the use of blacklining in figures like this, as it makes a nice border between the colours.  The other fun part was the gem on the right of the right-hand orc.  It's always fun trying to paint gems.

Finally, I will leave you with a shot of the terrible triad.

Kinda makes you wonder whether you should have made such a long Orcmas list, eh?  I still have a few more figures on the painting table which will hopefully make it in before the New Year.  Namely, I have a couple guards to do, as well as Santorc's biggest rival! (cue menacing music...)

Merry Orcmas!

Well, the day of Orcmas is finally upon us.  My most anticipated piece from this little project shall now be revealed to you.  You might have been thinking that my Orcmas tree looked a tad barren, but like a wise grot you did not mention this to Santorc.  Good job.

Well, Santorc does not plan to disappoint!  You see, a few years ago I ordered a few of the lovely Scibor Christmas bulbs and they were the real inspiration for this whole project.  I have the dwarf bulb unpainted still, but lets leave that for another year.

Here they are, I will start with some pics of them hanging on a WIP tree for the rest of my scenery.  From this you can get a nicer closeup:

These guys were a blast to paint, the detailed bits are very well defined so they respond well to washes.  I started these with my airbrush, more for fun, and was able to get some cool highlighting effects with my limited skills.

Now, where do these critters fit into Orcmas?  Well, even the lowliest grot knows that Santorc stuffs dwarfs inside of the bulbs, then the Orcmas squigs  arrive and try to crack them out.  There is supposed to be a feast afterwards, but the squigs usually eat it all first.

Time for a shot of the lovely tree with Santorc and the bulbs:

Finally, to show you that I have not finished, here is Santorc with his two most loyal bodyguards.  They are still a WIP, so no closeups yet.  They are almost finished, so hopefully I can share them with you in the next day or two.

Until then, Merry Orcmas, and Merry Christmas!

Orcmas Part Too!

I hope you enjoyed Santorc as my first Orcmas entry.  If you didn't well, keep it quiet, as he does come visiting to uppity grots, and his big bell ain't made of pillows, hur! hur!

Moving right along, you might ask what good would Orcmas be without an Orcmas tree?  Well, Santorc would agree with you, so long as you don't ask too rudely :P

Of course, the Orcmas tree is the second piece I would like to share with you this season.  The Orcmas tree is a longstanding tradition - it is fought over year after year by ambitious greenskins looking to claim the title 'da Boss of Orcmas.  'Ol Santorc has defended his title for years uncounted (since orcs can't count!) and will be the Boss for who knows how long.  It is a massive, ancient growth.  Scarred from dozens of previous battles it always manages to sprout branches anew, even when it seems to be nothing more than a scorched ruin!  Santorc defends the tree proudly, ready to take on all comers as he rings his bell across their heads.

Behold, the Orcmas tree!

Initially, my plan was to shape it like a traditional Christmas tree.  That, however did not seem as interesting, and I am happy with the results.  Here it is with Santorc proudly defending it:

The more astute among you have noted that Santorc's base is snowy and the Orcmas tree has no snow.  I am still undecided on whether to make the tree snowy or not.  I have no other snow-covered terrain, so I think the tree might look out of place among the rest of my scenery and would not be suitable for multi-purpose use.  Any suggestions would be appreciated!

I hope you like the Orcmas tree.  Perhaps you even want to claim it.  I am sure Santorc would welcome the challenge!  Perhaps next I will describe how I made it...

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like....

Orcmas!!

For the past couple years, I have had some Christmas-themed greenskin figures kicking around my storage room... some free figures, some intended purchases.  Every fall I seem to muse about assembling a nice little festive vignette.

Well, in my hobby-absence over the past couple months I have been plugging away at making the bespoke musings a reality.  While my ambitions have outpaced my production speed (as usual), I should have completed a few things I hope you will enjoy, which I will reveal over the next week or two of Christmas festivities.  Luckily the great festive occasion of Orcmas roughly coincides with the more popular Christmas season, and the two have some passing similarities.

For today's entry, I present to you 'da Boss of Orcmas himself, Santorc!

This is a Wargames Foundry figure, and if you place an order from them in the next two days, you will get him free (according to the website)!  I got him free a couple years ago and he has been patiently waiting, menacing me with his giant bell.  I even sculpted him a slightly squished gift out of greenstuff.

What's next, you ask?  Well, I would not think that Orcmas would be complete without the Orcmas tree, woudln't you agree?

Clan Kraven's first battle - Mordheim AAR

I suppose I should introduce you a bit more to my Mordheim warband.  Here is the introductory prose I wrote up for them:

Lord Sneekz fumbled at the chain fastening his cloak, he could feel the yellow beady eyes of the rats on him. Clearing the phlegm from his throat, he addressed the horde,

"Fellow Children-Rats of the Mighty Horned One! Cursed man-things and green-things and Fat-Short-things are trying to steal-claim the shiny treasure-stones that are our inheritance!

Who will brave-venture to sneak-steal into the cursed city to bring-retrieve the mighty treasures back to our glorious clan?"

Silence descended on the audience as the rats looked sheepishly around them, waiting for one to gain the courage to volunteer. A panicked Skaven released his fear musk, the pungent aroma putting the whole audience on edge.

Rolling his eyes, Sneekz nodded to his Black guard. Whips cracked and rats shrieked as "volunteers" were chosen from the group.

"Most good-great! Our mighty warrior-slave rats will bring much success-victory to clan Kraven. The city-ruin of Mordheim will herald our ascension!"

Clan Kraven is a subservient clan to clan Eshin, sending out its assassins and scouts to do the great Eshin's bidding.  Lord Sneekz, twice as paranoid and thrice as cowardly as your typical skaven (in close combat, at least) has sent his minions to Mordheim to bring him treasure and glory.  My starting warband is as follows:

Gutterklaw (Assassin Adept).... 105gc
Fighting Claws, Helmet

Skritch (Black Skaven)..... 65gc
Flail, Helmet

Skratch (Black Skaven)..... 100gc
Weeping Blades, Helmet

Greytail the Fumbling (Sorcerer)..... 60gc
Club, Sling, Helmet, Dagger

Stranglifink (Night Runner)..... 25gc
Sling, Club, Dagger

Stabbak (Night Runner)..... 32gc
Sling, Sword, Dagger
Henchmen:

The Broken Tails (Verminkin x3)..... 69gc
Club, Dagger

Kraven Fodder (Verminkin x2)..... 44gc
Sling, Dagger

 
Clan Kraven's first battle was against the Orcs of Knurr.  Their warband is as follows:

Dalruk White-Eye (Orc Boss)....................125 gold
Sword, Shield, Light Armour, Helm

Karrok the Despoiler (Shaman)..................50 gold
Great Sword

Redluk Gnarlmane (Orc Big 'Un)...................80 gold
Great Sword, Light Armour, Helm

Drasht Fellmark (Orc Big 'Un)...................110 gold
Sword, Shield, Light Armour, Helm, Crossbow

Gnasha (Orc Warrior)....................60 gold
Sword, Shield, Light Armour

Krokh (Orc Warrior)....................40 gold
Sword, Shield

Franklin (Orc Warrior)....................35 gold
Battle Axe, ShieldThe following is a tale of their encounter.

"Lord Sneekz has sent-given a message, there are rumour-tales of wyrdstone in the northeast quarter!"  Stranglifink twitched his nose nervously as he shared the orders with Gutterclaw.  The assassin said very little, but was quick to lash out if he was displeased.  With a commanding shriek, the band of ratmen fell in as they sidled along alleys and ruins.  As they approached a ruined watchpost, Greytail (the Fumbling) stopped.  

"The wyrdstone, it's here-there!" The wizened rat pointed a bony finger towards several ruined buildings.  A faint green glow emanated from the shadows, betraying the presence of the magic stone.

 "Not-its-not the only thing-enemy here.  Green-things!" Stabbak the Night Runner squeaked as he pointed excitedly towards a hulking band of orcs.  The craven reek of fear musk pierced the stale city air...


Dalruk White-eye cuffed one of his boyz across the back of the scalp.  "Yooz sed dems mejic roks woz in deez partz maggit.  Weez bin turnin stonez an' smashin' houses wot fer hours an aint findz nuttin!"

The clamour of Dalruk's knuckles rapping on iron was silenced as a deafening shriek filled the air.  The murine call was not one of despair, but a powerful magic, summoning powers to his bidding.

"Dats wun uv dem ratties shamanz boss.  Sounds like deys cryin fer 'elp, hur hur.  Mebbe weez shuld go give em sum, eh boss?" Karrok the Despoiler, the magpie orc shaman smiled a toothy grin.

"Indeed.  Ize bin 'ankerin fer a good krumpin.  An deez ratties wot knows wer dem majik roks iz 'idin.  Ize say weez 'ave a wurd wiv em, den take der shinies, hur hur.  Boyz, form up!  Time ter show 'em wots WAAAAGH!"

Start of battle.  Scenario is Wyrdstone hunt with three wyrdstone shards being placed among the ruins.  Greytail casts "Children of the Horned Rat" and successfully summons three giant rats to join there warband for the duration of the battle.  The starting deployment:

With a series of whistles and clicks, Gutterklaw positioned his rats.  Having seen the greenskins first, the rats seized the initiative to race towards the precious wyrdstone.  Their natural speed allowed them to cover a great amount of ground in little time.  As they scrambled towards the buildings, the orcs took up positions near the rubble at their end of the street.  Redluck Gnarlmane, one of the orc Big'uns circled to the right were a ruined building housed a valuable shard of magical stone.

Drasht Fellmark, an orc Big'un tried a test volley aimed at the cloaked skaven assassin, but at such a long range, the bolt stuck to a piece of charred lumber in the street, harming nobody.  In turn, the skaven scrambled closer, those armed with slings clamoring to find a vantage point from which they might rain death on the intimidating greenskins from afar.  The rats on the right flank raced towards the stone tower, eager to grab the unprotected piece of wyrdstone.

Hoping to avoid being pinned by the crossbow fire, Gutterklaw urged the closest rats to break cover and head towards the decrepit building where Redluck was lurking.  He would not take the shard uncontested!  Seeing the rats coming, Redluck muttered to himself, "Iz me lukky day!  Lookit dem rattiez comin straight to my big choppa!"  Patting his two handed axe, he hauled himself up onto the building, waiting for a rat to come close enough...

Meanwhile, on the main street, Karrok's eyes began to glow green.  Focusing his gaze on the closed rat, a lowly verminkin armed with a club, a powerful surge of green energy shot from his forehead (successful cast of zZap!).  The green energy engulfed the rat who let out a gargled shriek as he slunk to the ground, blood oozing from every orfice as his legs twitched slowyly (out of action).  The orcs had struck first blood!

As the orcs celebrated raucously,  Skratch the black Skaven the opportunity to grab a shard of wyrdstone, while urging the group of giant rats to charge the clustered orcs.  As the rats closed in, scratching and biting, no orcs were felled.  In the counter attack, one rat was knocked down but the others managed to dodge the crushing blows that were sent against them.

On the other flank, Skritch, the other black Skaven, rushed into the decrepit house and seized the final piece of wyrdstone as Gutterklaw and a verminkin secured the path of retreat.  As he grabbed the glowing stone, he was startled by a warcry from above.

"WAAAGHH!" Redluk hurled himself in a diving charge towards Skritch, his greataxe poised for a victorious, crushing blow.  The orcs small red eyes were filled with fulfillment as he envisioned the rat's head on his trophy rack.  Whether it was luck, or a lifetime of dodging daggers in subterran caverns, or perhaps the slowness big brutes' axe, may never be known.  What was known, was Skritch clenched his flail and landed a timely blow on the orc's head, sending him to the ground stunned before his axe could be swung.

In the street, Karrok moved up to try and zap another rat.  The smelled of burned fur still lingered in the cluttered laneway.  His second attempt was less successful and ended only with the orc getting a headache.

Meanwhile, the skaven in the buildings slung stone after stone at the orcs, but not one managed to find a mark.

With all of the wyrdstone shards secure, the skaven made on final push.  Gutterklaw and a verminkin rushed the orc shaman in the street, felling him under their combined blows while Skritch finished off the stunned Redluk.  On the far flank, Skratch, seeing that Dalruk had circled the tower to try and catch him off guard charged in to assist the giant rats.  As he held off two of the big beasts, the smaller vermin were able to overwhelm and subdue one of the great green brutes.

Seeing his boyz fall to such weak creatures made Dalruk's blood boil.  The blood pressure rose and his head felt like it would explode.  As he opened his mouth to roar his defiance, he began to take in the sheer numbers of the force arrayed against him.

"Zoggit!  Boyz, dis ain't no proppa skrab wiv little weaklins like deez!  Les get outta 'ere an find sum proppa scrappin!"

With that, the orcs disengaged, leaving the skaven to their spoils.

Result: Victory to the Skaven!  The orcs were forced to retreat when they failed their break test.

Lessons learned: Skaven are fast.  They definitely have an advantage in search-and-find scenarios when most of them can move 50% faster than most other races.  It was a very fun game though, and that zZap spell of the orcs is pretty scary.  Luckily it was only successful once.