Just a dwarf…

 … playing a flute.  And why not?

Marauder Miniatures originally (before any recent re-releases).

I think my eyesight is getting too poor to do painted eyes that stand up to close scrutiny!

Untold Goose Tale - a tale of Robin Hood

“Ah, ‘tis you. Come in!  It’s a raw night out there, so shut the door and come join me.  We’ve a fire in the grate, a flagon of the goodwife’s best ale, and one of the landlord’s famous meat pies fresh from the oven (just don’t ask where the meat’s from, we don’t want a visit from the King’s Foresters).  I was just about to tell all another tale of the famous Robin Hood, and his outlaw band.  A tale of foul play over fowl…

It was a winter’s night much like this one, and Little John and Will Scarlet (in disguise of course) were taking an ale or two in a house at the foot of the castle rock in old Nottingham. Christmas was on the way and the Yule logs had been cut, and thoughts were turning, as they do at this time of year, to feasting and merriment.

Now it happened that one of the Sheriff’s men was also in that night, and well into his cups already. Telling all who would listen how his master had heard that farmer Oswald had the finest geese in the county, and how the Sheriff was partial to goose and had declared that he would have those geese on his table come what may.  Now that farm rightly belonged to Sir William, as fair a landlord as you’d find in those parts, but the Sheriff claimed it should be his, and had caused poor Sir William much grief over it.

“Well”, say Little John to Will, “this does sound a most fine chance to tweak the Sheriff’s nose!” And so, bearing a fresh flagon of ale over to the Sheriff’s man, they set about finding out all they can, before returning to Sherwood and Robin, to lay their plans…”

This Untold Tale was originally intended as a pre Christmas game, but we weren’t quite ready in time.  The Sheriff’s men had to try and drive the geese off their table edge, while the outlaws had to get them into the woods.  This could be done by chasing the geese or physical picking them up (although the geese would fight back).  The geese would also move randomly every turn, and we added some goose specific random event cards (such as ‘feather up nose’, ‘slip on goose poo’ and ‘very angry goose’).  The Not So Little Miniature (NSLM) took the outlaws, and I was the Sheriff’s men.

Some of the geese headed straight for the pond, as if they knew something was up!

Both leaders initially hung back as their fellows tried to round up the awkward fowl.

While a herd of sheep held up a frustrated Guy of Gisborne.

First goose to the outlaws, driven off into Sherwood.

A fair old skirmish develops in the middle centre over a group of geese

Tuck distracts one of the Sheriff’s men, “can I talk to you about our saviour, Jesus Christ?”

One of the soldiers about to get his goose

Until the traitorous bird runs to Little John.  A frustrated Sheriff decides to take matters into his own hands.

Having lost his goose, the soldier decides an outlaw head is the next best thing.  It doesn’t end well for him…

Gisborne has more success, cutting down a (not so) Merry Man.

But meanwhile, Friar Tuck saves another goose from the Sheriff’s table.

Gisborne corners Robin himself, and a frantic duel ensues.  Although on paper the better swordsman, luck is on the hero’s side and he manages to defeat the overconfident knight!

Is that another goose in the hands of the outlaws?

With most of his men defeated or captured, his Christmas feast now looking gooseless, and losing to a smelly outlaw, the Sheriff plays the only card he can!

A resounding victory for Robin Hood and the Merry Men!

All in all, we had a great time.  Rosa enjoyed it, and really got into character, as well as getting involved in ideas on how to tweak and refine the game.  For example, rather than rolling the same result in a fight resulting in a draw, she decided that the drawn dice should be rolled off again until we get a result -  which feels much more like a back and forth duel and far more appropriate. 

It look as if the next game will involve some sort of trade for the captured Gisborne.  Watch this space for another tale…

Rogue Trader Imperial Army

I’m going to be catching up on a few posts from before Christmas here and there, and this is one of them.

Going back to that conversation I had with Matt about whether I had any old Imperial Guard models (just a few, it turns out), I dug out my old first edition collection for review.

I had some I’d picked more recently that had been painted in one scheme but not based, loads in an old scheme I painted in the late 1980s, and some never touched. What else could I do but spend some time updating them, getting them consistent, and basing them!

 The first challenge was finding a match for the OOP GW Codex Grey - got there in the end, but you may notice the odd slightly lighter or darker mini here and there. I went for speed and simplicity over quality, but I’m pleased with how they look as a group.  Where faces or other parts were OK, I left as is, to get some variety in skin tone.  

Sneakfeet

Thanks to another Wargames Illustrated/ Wargames Atlantic freebie, I ended up with one of the ‘not Ratling’ Sneakfeet, and couldn’t resist assembling and painting them.

As usual with Wargames Atlantic there are loads of fun options and they go together pretty well.  Also really easy to paint, with nice definition and not too much fussy detail.  Reminded me of Copplestone’s sculpts in that regard.

Armament wise there are enough sniper rifles and SMGs for everyone to be armed the same, or to mix and match.  There are also a couple of really characterful options like a frying pan with eggs cooking, a thermos flask, and a head smoking a massive pipe.

I would make a couple of really minor points - definitely test out the fit: you may need to try a few left arms before finding the right one for a particular weapon; I’d have quite like to have the option for a sling weapon on the right shoulder, to pair up with the pointing arm; and there is a fantastic overstuffed backpack on the frame, but it won’t work with any of the slung weapon options, which seems a shame, as it would make for a nice marching model.  But these are really minor quibbles.

For anyone interested, here are a few comparisons.  They’re fairly chunky. Definitely bigger than my old GW Ratlings; comparable to an old style Squat.  Sizewize they’re also a good fit with Wargames Atlantic’s Einherjar, which raises some intriguing conversion possibilities.

Werewolves!

 Wargames Illustrated frequently put Wargames Atlantic sprues on their covers at the moment.  It may be a marketing ploy, but it works on me - it’s a great way to try out minis I might not otherwise pick up.

And that’s my excuse for why I now have four werewolves.

These assembled easily and were really quick to paint up, especially with judicious use of some contrast paints.  Loads of options on the sprue, although some parts fit better than others, so try them out dry first.  Detail could be a bit better - fangs and eyes aren’t very clear, even though arguably key features to get that monstrous look -  but they’ll look just fine on the tabletop.

Not sure why they sell them in a box of 20 though - not sure who will have a need for that many.  Perhaps folk will split boxes.

Colours inspired by the not so little miniature, who thought they should match the ones in her sticker book!

Even more Space Dwarfs - bring out the BFGs

 Just a few more old GW Squats to keep my brushes warm.  A couple of these were more touching up and improving old paint jobs than completely new. It shows in places but I don’t mind.  It’s nice to be reminded how I’ve improved.

Two of these are from the old Squat Heavy weapons range: Gunner Keif on the left and Gunner Karl on the right.

This chap is from the old metal range that came with sprues of plastic arms and weapons.  Except his arms and flamer are from the Wargames Atlantic EinherJar sprue Instead.

Building up to be a small but very nice collection.  I’m sure I have a few more around, but can’t find them at the moment.

Tyranid Paint Guide

I’ve already posted about painting Tyranids, so I’m posting this mainly to have a clear record for myself of the method and paints used.  If it’s useful to Someone else, that’s an added bonus.

Step1: undercoat/basecoat of Khemri Dust from a can.

Step 2:  wash with GW Reikland Flesh Shade.

Step 3:  drybrush with Vallejo Iraqi Sand

Step 4 & 5:  apply contrast paint.  Blood Angels Red for exposed muscle, joints and ‘tubes’; Black Templar for the carapace and talons/hooves.

Step 6 & 7: two layers of GW Athonian Camoshade on the Fleshborer.  Finally teeth pick out in off white/ivory, and yellow for the eyes.  I also added a little Carroburg Crimson shade around the jaw where the softer tissue would be.

The usual basing technique (but using ‘winter’ static grass, to suggest the Tyranid presence is corrupting the biosphere), and he’s ready to terrorise the enemy with his pals.

I also did a few Genestealers (from 2nd edition Space Hulk).  Same technique, except the heads and hands had a liberal wash of Carroburg Crimson shade to get that classic pinky purple look.