These are sky-clad flying Runepriests and WindLords of Orlanth, and a Sylph, from my Gloranthan armies.
Foundry minis, and a lovely old Citadel elemental. Click for tattoos!
Looking at these, I find myself thinking how good they would look as a larger unit. Much of my Glorantha stuff was done as single elements for HoTT, but these days I like units with bigger footprints and may return to expand them at some stage.
Thursday, 15 October 2009
Wednesday, 14 October 2009
Very Very Heavy Cavalry
Dinosaurs ridden by Dragonewts
Triceratops family
Brontosaur with Sartarite crewman
These are a few shots of some of the dinosaurs from my Gloranthan Collection, which last saw action at Salute in 2006 with Greg's Dwarf Mine terrain. The top two are Schleich, many of whose dinosaurs are very convertable to 28mm gaming (see also my Triceratops on the Glorantha thread).
I keep finding old models I forget I even made; perhaps the War of the Ring rules will help me to get them onto the table, soon...
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
Newer Numidians
Here is the latest unit of my burgeoning Numidian army. This is one of two projected units of Numidian "Auxilia"; troops in a slightly denser formation than the previous light infantry.
14 of the 18 minis were painted by Greg and retouched by me, I painted the other four. The minis are a mixture of Foundry, A&A and Crusader (the eagle-eyed will spot that a couple of Foundry Spartans and Greeks have crept in; the Greeks were nekkid so I gave them greenstuff robes).
I've now finished 68 of the 200-ish Numidian/Carthaginian foot. I'm managing about 30 a week, so there must be at least another month's retouching/basing to go...
Monday, 12 October 2009
War of the Rune
These are pictures of a game we played last week, using my Spartans and Assyrians as Lunar Empire surrogates, to clash with Ian Notter's Praxian Sable and Bison clans. All the pics are clickable.
We used GW's War of the Ring rules. I'm cautiously impressed with the old school nature of these; massive units, buckets of dice. Not rules to be taken especially seriously, but the potential for a fun game there; the huge units looked damn good, too.
The outcome? I had some success against the Bison clan, but the Sables shot me to pieces during the approach.
Praxians on the left; Lunars force marching forward on the right.
Massed Bison Rider clan
Pesky Sable Clan, with their nasty bows
My one success was managing to catch the stationary Bisons with my Phalanx
We used GW's War of the Ring rules. I'm cautiously impressed with the old school nature of these; massive units, buckets of dice. Not rules to be taken especially seriously, but the potential for a fun game there; the huge units looked damn good, too.
The outcome? I had some success against the Bison clan, but the Sables shot me to pieces during the approach.
Sunday, 11 October 2009
Euglyptus the Fat and Fazzur Wideread
In this Gloranthan HoTT element, Fazzur Wideread, the veteran Lunar general, is remonstrating with his superior, Euglyptus the Fat, during the Battle of Building Wall. Due to Euglyptus' incompetance the Lunars went on to be soundly defeated; I rather regret not adding the barrel of eels in which Fazzur subsequently drowned him!
I am pleased with the Euglyptus conversion, which is from a GW 40K scribe. Some figures I actually painted myself, for once! Not something you see every day.
I am pleased with the Euglyptus conversion, which is from a GW 40K scribe. Some figures I actually painted myself, for once! Not something you see every day.
Saturday, 10 October 2009
Baboon Troop
This is one of my old Gloranthan units, the Baboon Troop. They are one of the smaller tribes that roam the plaines of Prax.
It is composed of the old Citadel 25mm baboons. I'd really like to redo it sometime, with the newer, larger Lance and Laser baboons...
It is composed of the old Citadel 25mm baboons. I'd really like to redo it sometime, with the newer, larger Lance and Laser baboons...
Friday, 9 October 2009
A few Spartans more...
Thanks for all the visits yesterday!
Today I'm posting the balance of my Spartan army. Together with the Tegeans, cavalry and peltasts (shown in earlier posts), I suppose that I have roughly 200 miniatures, the majority of which are Foundry WotGs, superbly painted by Nick Speller. All the pictures are clickable.
Phalanx 1
Phalanx 2
Ekdromoi (younger Spartans trained to run out of the phalanx to catch enemy peltasts)
Ekdromoi detail
Allied Hoplites (some painted by Andy Bryant, and some by myself)
So what I need, next, is time enough to paint a similar size Theban (or Athenian) army for them to fight. Ideally I also need a manufacturer of larger 28mm minis to conveniently produce a range of hoplites in Peloponnesian War helmets, such as Pilos and Thracian, to flesh this hypothetical opposing army out! Ideally with vertical spears, because the figures in the attacking poses are so hard to rank...
Thursday, 8 October 2009
Aventine and Empire Models Elephant Size Comparison
Mithridates on TMP was asking how the Aventine http://www.aventineminiatures.co.uk/catalog/ and Empire elephants compare sizewise.
Accordingly, I've bluetacked the Aventine Royal elephant together, sans trunk and tusks. It is supposed to be rearing, but I've put all 4 feet on the ground for comparison purposes; it is the unpainted model at the front.
Accordingly, I've bluetacked the Aventine Royal elephant together, sans trunk and tusks. It is supposed to be rearing, but I've put all 4 feet on the ground for comparison purposes; it is the unpainted model at the front.
From the above view, you'll see that they are both pretty well the same size to the shoulder; roughly 53mm.
The build of the two elephants torsoes is not dissimilar. The legs and feet are similar sizes. The Empire body is rather longer, at 58mm to the Aventine's 49mm.
The big difference between the two is in the heads. The volume of the Empire head is perhaps twice that of the Aventine, largely because is is very much broader, with a bigger forehead and eyes set wider (perhaps rather too wide) apart. The elephant has a very large helmet and crest on the beast. I prefer the smaller Aventine head, but can live with the bigger head on the Empire model because it is such an imposing beast overall, with excellently depicted armour.
Broadly speaking, the two elephants would work well together. I'll be adding Aventine elephants to my Seleucid elephant corp as soon as they can sculpt them, and I can get around to painting them!
30 Spartans!
Mercenary peltasts
Spartan Cavalry
All the minis are Foundry World of the Greeks. Nick did a great job on them!
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
Jar-eel the Razoress
Jar-eel the Razoress is the principle super-hero of the Lunar Empire, and incarnation of the Red Goddess.
Another Gloranthan mini from around 5 years ago, this is a Hordes of the Things "Hero" stand. Although the painting is not the best, I'm really pleased with the composition of this piece. Jar-eel was built up on a dolly.
Tuesday, 6 October 2009
Oldie but a Goldie
Over the next few days, I'm going to post a few shots of miniatures from my pre-ancients obsession; Glorantha. These were some of the first 28mm minis I painted, around 6 years ago, and depict battle mages of the Lunar Empire, summoning Lunes (madness elememtals). Essentially Gloranthan artillery. If this inspires you with nostalgia for Runequest, have a look at Greg Privat's site: http://gloarmy.free.fr/
The minis are Eureka cultists with an old, converted Citadel Mage. They aren't bad (I'd do better today). I used to use the ghastly Miniature Paints acrylic matt varnish, which gives the minis a slight bluish tint and leaves them a bit glossy. Unfortunate...
The minis are Eureka cultists with an old, converted Citadel Mage. They aren't bad (I'd do better today). I used to use the ghastly Miniature Paints acrylic matt varnish, which gives the minis a slight bluish tint and leaves them a bit glossy. Unfortunate...
Monday, 5 October 2009
Hellenistic Army Progress
Nick Speller has painted another 32 Thureoporoi for me, which has enabled me to expand my units of Thureophoroi to 24 each. I also show the Galatians here, as they are likely to serve in the same army:-
What I could do with, now, are a couple of units of Tarentines, some Companions with xyston or maybe javelins and shields, and a whopping great phalanx!
The Boars (Foundry conversions)
The Bulls (Foundry and Polemarch conversions)
The Macedonians (Crusader)
The Victors (Crusader)
The Ravens (Galatians) (BTD, Foundry, A&A conversions)
What I could do with, now, are a couple of units of Tarentines, some Companions with xyston or maybe javelins and shields, and a whopping great phalanx!
Sunday, 4 October 2009
Polemarch Thureophoroi
Despite my reservations regarding their relatively high price, I bought a dozen Polemarch Thureouphoroi at Salute, and Nick Speller has painted them beautifully for me.
I replaced the Polemarch shields with Old Glory shields mailed to me by Allen, because I don't like the shape of the ones supplied with the minis. Four of the figures in the unit are from the Foundry World of the Greeks range (also by Steve Saleh), which I think blend in extremely well. The WotGs are numbers 1 4 and 5 from the left in the (clickable) front rank, and number 2 in the rear (below).
This is another unit that almost looks better from behind! I think the new Polemarch figures are extremely nice... I'd certainly like lots more. However, where there are WotG equivalent figures, I'll have to use those because I can buy them so much cheaper on eBay (and because I have perhaps 500 hundred, unpainted!). I'll be delighted to use the Polemarchs where there aren't, though, for the Successor cavalry, for example.
Tomorrow I'll post photos of all 4 completed units of Thureophoroi. All of these will be used as pseudo-Carthaginian militia, at Salute.
I replaced the Polemarch shields with Old Glory shields mailed to me by Allen, because I don't like the shape of the ones supplied with the minis. Four of the figures in the unit are from the Foundry World of the Greeks range (also by Steve Saleh), which I think blend in extremely well. The WotGs are numbers 1 4 and 5 from the left in the (clickable) front rank, and number 2 in the rear (below).
This is another unit that almost looks better from behind! I think the new Polemarch figures are extremely nice... I'd certainly like lots more. However, where there are WotG equivalent figures, I'll have to use those because I can buy them so much cheaper on eBay (and because I have perhaps 500 hundred, unpainted!). I'll be delighted to use the Polemarchs where there aren't, though, for the Successor cavalry, for example.
Tomorrow I'll post photos of all 4 completed units of Thureophoroi. All of these will be used as pseudo-Carthaginian militia, at Salute.
Friday, 2 October 2009
Zama To Do List
Things I need to make for the Gamesday (not including things that are being done by other people).
Essential
18x4 foot table
Command stands; Hannibal, Scipio +2
Paint/Base Remaining 5/7 Allied Legion (80 minis)
Paint/Base Roman Legion (maybe Nick’ll come to the rescue on this one) (112 minis)
Paint and base 18 Numidian cavalry
2 elephants
Finish and base 150 Numidians/Carthaginians
Strongly desirable
Backdrop
Finish and base 48 Bruttians
Olive trees
Nice to Haves
9 Carthaginian cavalry
9 Roman cavalry
Elephant & other casualty stands
Essential
18x4 foot table
Command stands; Hannibal, Scipio +2
Paint/Base Remaining 5/7 Allied Legion (80 minis)
Paint/Base Roman Legion (maybe Nick’ll come to the rescue on this one) (112 minis)
Paint and base 18 Numidian cavalry
2 elephants
Finish and base 150 Numidians/Carthaginians
Strongly desirable
Backdrop
Finish and base 48 Bruttians
Olive trees
Nice to Haves
9 Carthaginian cavalry
9 Roman cavalry
Elephant & other casualty stands
Thursday, 1 October 2009
New Numidians
Here are the first units of Numidians for the Zama project. Of the first 50 shown here, 30 are finished and 20 need snagging and basing. Roughly 40 of the 50 were painted by Greg (Merci beaucoup!) but I did highlighting, retouching and the basing.
I'm really pleased with them! There are still the better part of 150 foot remaining to retouch and base though. Fortunately Greg's hard work means that they roll of the production line pretty rapidly!
I've completed my Dissertation, and hope to be able to get back to paitning and posting daily, now.
Sunday, 27 September 2009
Dungeon Crawl
Yesterday we played a further installment of my D&D campaign, and my eldest boy kept a rough narrative of the events, in cartoon form. Above, Cassander the cleric leads Derck the thief, Paxmanicus the mage, brave Sir Titus and Dorian Fingertoes the other thief back towards the Palace of Tyresius.
The party's expert thieves scale a tall tree in order to reach the top of the battlements; and fall. Some might say that two thieves in a party of five... is two too many.
Encountering a barred door, and seeing an eye peering through a spyhole, Dorian carries out some "keyhole surgery", with a skewer. This initiated an orgy of violence as the party stormed into what turned out to be a Kobold stronghold, through a defensive barrage of darts and crossbow bolts.
Sir Titus (above) spent most of the afternoon trapped in a net, surrounded by a pack of Kobolds who fortunately experienced considerable difficulty piercing his magic platemail armour with their clubs and spears. In the end, he had to be cut loose by the halfling! Once he was freed, the party made swift work of the survivng enemy.
The party successfully ethnically cleansed this area of the former palace. Unbeknownst to the heroes, who had blithely ignored the religious symbols scrawled on the doors to their section of the dungeon, the Kobolds had long before been converted to the lawful worship of St Cuthbert by a saintly Dwarven priest. Above, a kobold warrior bids farewell to his family and marches off to his doom.The party (above) were very (briefly) troubled by the realisation that they had sacked a Lawful Neutral temple, and slaughtered both priest and congregation. There was some discussion about whether it would be safe to donate the holy books to the Temple of St Cuthbert in Hommlet; "We found them in a sacked temple." And whether they'd get much money for them.
Later, during the night, a red apparition of a hag materialised and chased Sir Titus hither and thither around the room. Sir Titus, who had decided (after due consideration) to spurn her advances, was saved by a barrage of holy water phials.
This week we had only four players, which seemed to help; the adventure rolled along very swiftly. Hopefully we'll play again next week.
Saturday, 26 September 2009
Brasidas
Brasidas was a very effective Spartan General in the Pelopponesian war, whe opened a "second front" for the Spartans in Thrace, and who fell, fighting in the front rank of his victory at Amphipholis. Foundry minis, beautifully painted by Nick.
If I have time, I hope to be able to photograph the finished Thureophoroi tomorrow.
Friday, 25 September 2009
Supernumeraries
Here are a couple of supernumeraries from my Greek army, ably painted by Nick Speller. The first is a porter from BTD, which is one of my favourite miniatures (perhaps even my overall favourite). I wish they did some more because it would be great to have a baggage train of similar minis.
The flautists help my Spartans to keep time as they sweep to the attack, and IIRC they are by Eureka miniatures.
The flautists help my Spartans to keep time as they sweep to the attack, and IIRC they are by Eureka miniatures.
Thursday, 24 September 2009
King Agesilaus
Wikipedia describes of Agesilaus II, (Greek Ἀγησίλαος) (444 BC – 360 BC) as a king of Sparta, of the Eurypontid dynasty, who ruled from approximately 400 BC to 360 BC. During most of this time he was, in Plutarch's words, "as good as thought commander and king of all Greece," and was for the whole of it greatly identified with his country's deeds and fortunes. Agesilaus conducted an interesting campaign in Persia, which presaged Alexander's later conquest, and was concurrent with Epaminondas of Thebes.
Today's Spartan, like yesterday's Alcibiades, was also excellently painted by Dave Woodward. The advisor is a Black Tree Spartan, very ably painted by Nick Speller.
Today's Spartan, like yesterday's Alcibiades, was also excellently painted by Dave Woodward. The advisor is a Black Tree Spartan, very ably painted by Nick Speller.
Wednesday, 23 September 2009
Alcibiades
Alcibiades was a key player in the Pelopponesian war, being successively an Athenian General, military advisor to the Spartans, then the Persians and after that Athens, again. The idea for the disastrous invasion of Syracuse, was his; but he didn't execute it. Perhaps it might have worked under his leadership?
I believe the Alcibiades mini was painted by Dave Woodward of EVM (and it is a really lovely paint job!). I painted a standard bearer to join him.
I believe the Alcibiades mini was painted by Dave Woodward of EVM (and it is a really lovely paint job!). I painted a standard bearer to join him.
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