Pleasant Surprise 2015

Once again this year I participated in the Pleasant Surprise exchange over on the Warhammer Empire forum.  Every year it seems harder for me to find the time to create a nice surprise with my growing list of adult responsibilities, but I managed to paint up a figure this year nonetheless.  My recipient received his figure this past week, so I figured it was a good enough time to post some photos here.

I chose one of my favourite Empire figures from the 90's - a hero with sword and pistol.  I remember seeing him painted up in the army book when I was a kid, and I always wanted one.  Well, as a grown-up collector, I have managed to find one and even had a spare who is now with his new owner.

My recipient did not have many posted pictures of an army, so I got creative and chose this bold purple and green scheme.  I was quite happy with the results.  Every year it is a bittersweet tradition... I tend to paint figures I wanted to paint for myself, only to send them away for someone else.  I guess it is better to give than to receive, is it not?

I hope my recipient likes this figure as much as I did, and that he finds a memorable place in his collection!

The Halfmen of Westfalia

A few months back, I was following the design and sculpting of some stellar fantasy halflings by Westfalia Miniatures when I was given the opportunity to obtain some sample casts.  Naturally, I jumped on the opportunity and a few weeks later I had the figures in my hands.

Westfalia has decided to go with resin for these figures, and while I am typically partial to pewter, I was quite impressed with these.  The detail was crisp, there seemed to be just enough bend to the material without it being either flimsy or brittle, and mold lines were very minimal. My young kids even managed to grab a hold of the figures and were playing with them for a while without my knowledge, and nothing managed to get broken. I gave the figures a good wash, primed them, and finally finished them this past weekend.

These really are lovely little figures, and they paint up quite easily.  The leader with the hammer seems a shoe-in (or should I say shoeless-in?) Tyrion Lannister.  If only there was an unhelmeted version bearing the likeness of Richard Dinklage...

In homage to the halfman, I painted these guys in typical Lannister colours.  I hope you enjoy them, I even got creative with my background! Westfalia is planning a Kickstarter to fund the production of a large range of these little guys, and it is set to start around Dec 16, or so I am told.

Here are a couple more shots for your enjoyment:

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!

A Foray into Necromunda!

Ok ok, I am still here.  Just got busy with the birth of my third child a couple months ago!  Everything is going well, thanks for asking.

Now, this is an interesting topic.  Necromunda, scifi... something I had sworn not to do (Gorkamorka doesn't count!)  I constantly looked at my crowded crawlspace and vowed not to get into a new genre of miniature collecting.  Then a friend of mine suggested we start a Necromunda campaign.

I've never actually played it.

Lots of folk say it's great.

What could I do?  It really is my friend's fault...

I started by saying I would do it cheaply, convert some plastics, keep it simple.  Oops...

Here we have seven glorious metal Cawdor gangers.  They were painted using mostly inks and washes with a few opaque highlights.  I did them a bit more quickly, so they are not my highest quality but I am happy with them.  For the bases, I used some pieces from a gorkamorka trukk, some drywall tape, sand, floral wire and some odd bits of plastic.  I think they look suitably gritty!

Here is a shot of the boss and a few of the other gangers, up close and personal:

Hmm, I just noticed that I didn't wash the leader's pendant.  I will do that soon.  I hope you like them, I have a few more that need painting.  Then there are scavvies and arbites... :P

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.

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!

Some civilians... with a bear!

Time for something a little different.  I decided to paint up some civilians.  In this case I made a begging troupe with a dancing bear.  The bear and the pipe player are from Pro Gloria Miniatures and the beggar and guitar player are from Lead Adventure Miniatures. I would like to think of them as a ragtag group of washed up entertainers.  Perhaps the poor legless chap used to be the pipe player for the bear, but one day the bear got hungry and/or tired of dancing.  They were quite fun to paint up, and I must say the Pro Gloria figures are a pleasure to paint up, along with the always-entertaining LAM stuff.

Here is the group, along with them performing in front of the Merchant's House:

Here are a few more closeups on the group as well:

I should add that Pro Gloria is planning on eventually running a kickstarter for hard plastic landsknecht soldiers.  Based on the quality of their metal figures, I think this is something that will be a very nice product for both historical gamers, and human fantasy gamers as well - they will likely be great alternate troops for warhammer empire players.

Hope you like the Bear Beggars.

Clan Kraven's additions

I have made a bit of progress on my rats.  Firstly, I based all of the old figures I had painted years ago.  I find it quite striking the difference that a bit of sand and static grass can make.  I would say they almost look presentable, lol.  The basing job for most of them was quite simple - glue some sand, paint it brown/grey shades, glue on some yellow/dead grass.  A few if them had some other bits added - broken balsa wood, hirst arts ruined bricks. 

My assassin adept got a bit better treatment though.  I used a hirst arts barrel, and pinned him in a jumping pose from the barrel.  It looks more assassin-esque if you ask me. I just hope my mordheim opponents don't insist that he can't hide behind a low barrier now!

In addition to this, my wizard's spell is "Children of the Horned Rat" which grants up to 3 giant rats to your team at the start of the battle.  I figured this warranted painting up a few giant rats, as they will be included in each match.  I chose to paint mine in a white scheme, since they are "magical"


 

Next up, my warband has played a few battles and accumulated a few coins, so now they can afford a fearsome rat ogre!  This guy is still a WIP - some more highlights are required, and the basing is not yet finished.  Nevertheless, I am pleased with him thus far:

I hope you enjoy them!  Gaming night is tomorrow, so I look forward to trying out the big beastie.

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.

Some old Mordheim paintjobs

So my local gaming club has decided to start a Mordheim campaign.  I have many fond memories of Mordheim, and it is a setting that I find very engaging.  I am busy with a few other projects at the moment, so I decided to save myself some painting time and use the skaven warband I painted a few years ago.  I returned to miniature painting in earnest about 6 years ago, and these were some of my first efforts from that renaissance.  The paintjobs are not up to my usual standard, so I might add a few highlights here and there.  They all need to be based though, which should not be too big of a job.

First up is the assasin adept, two black skaven, and my sorcerer:

Next we have the rest... I kitbashed these from the previous plastics - night runners, clanrats, and possibly a few other bits.  Two will be used as night runners, and then I will have a bunch of henchmen.

My first game is supposed to be today, here's hoping it goes well!