tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25361823777699711862024-03-13T12:43:06.764+00:00Carrot and StickA blog in which I chronicle my attempts to reduce the mass numbers of unpainted models in my possession, as well as wax lyrical about random whatnots...Beithirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131471951249896733noreply@blogger.comBlogger206125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2536182377769971186.post-58970527322380067652015-04-30T15:30:00.000+01:002015-04-30T15:30:00.817+01:00A Slight Change of Plan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I had sort of a plan at the start of the year for what I was going to try and get painted, but it looks like the plan is changing, as the Wyrley Retinue have now decided on our demo game for next year. Unfortunately for me, it doesn't involve Wood Elves, Skaven or LotR figures! </div>
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I'll give more details soon, but in the meantime, I'll leave you with a couple of clues...</div>
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<br />Beithirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131471951249896733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2536182377769971186.post-68069197295729143672015-04-25T10:00:00.000+01:002015-04-30T13:00:17.866+01:00The Northmen Are Coming!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Again rather belatedly, our first bunch of SAGA games were fought on Easter Sunday. We managed to get three games in in a relatively short session surprisingly, given our unfamiliarity with the rules. It really is a quick and easy game to pick up if we can manage it!</div>
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Paul was late arriving (an affront we're used to, but rarely forgive!) so myself and Gary took the first game. I'd forgotten I'd taken my camera with me, so there are no shots of the first game, which is unfortunately as it was my best result! In was largely decided between our respective Warlords and Hirdmen, while the Warriors flitted around the periphery. I got the jump on Gary's Hirdmen, who died to my Hirdmen, only for Gary to then pounce on my weakened Hirdmen with his Warlord and a Warrior unit and finish them off. Our Warlords then duelled it out, and ended up slaying each other simultaneously to end the game in a draw.</div>
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By the time we'd finished, Paul had finally showed up so Gary sat out to play umpire while myself and Paul battled it out. We decided to up the game size to six points. I'd also remembered the camera by this point, so here are some photos! </div>
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I initially took an aggressive approach by driving everything down the centre of the table towards Paul's battle line, as he'd spread his units thinly to cover almost the whole of the treeline. </div>
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My Hirdmen (3 points worth!) led the charge, quickly wiping out Paul's Levy slingers and creating a big hole in the centre of his line. </div>
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Unfortunately, that's where I came unstuck. Having successfully divided Paul's force in two, I dawdled over what to do next - did I go left to gang up on his lone Warrior unit, did I go right to tackle the core of his warband? In the end, I did neither and it cost me...<br />
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Paul advanced with his left-hand Warrior unit and forced his Hirdmen around behind the wood on the right, and effectively caught my warband in a pincer movement. My Hirdmen and a Warrior unit combined to eventually wipe out Paul's Warriors on the left but I lost most of my own Warriors in exchange. On the right, Paul's Hirdmen shattered one of my Warrior units but were badly damaged in return. </div>
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My Warlord and remaining Warriors attempted to cut down the last of Paul's Hirdmen, but failed dismally and took even more casualties. With my turn up, all Paul needed to do was charge his lone Hirdmen in against my fatigued Warlord and his dice didn't let him down - the Hirdman died, but so did my Warlord and I had lost the game!</div>
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Next, it was my turn to sit out and watch Gary and Paul play. With a sparsely covered field to fight over, this fight was a classic battleline encounter. </div>
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Gary presented a solid wall of shields in the face of Paul's advance, while his slingers rained missiles down on the enemy. </div>
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Paul quickly advanced his warriors across the board to force some response from Gary, who advanced his own Warriors to meet them. In the end it was Paul who came off worse, as the combination of swords and slings wiped out one of Paul's units in short order.<br />
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The real action (which, of course, I didn't take any photos of...) was happening on the opposite flank though, as Paul repeated his "trick" from our game, with his Hirdmen charging recklessly across the board to isolate Gary's Warlord (who was positioned far out on the end of Gary's battleline), racking up multiple fatigue counters in their efforts to break through and get to Gary's warlord before he could respond. In the end, it paid off - Paul's battered Hirdmen eventually got to the Warlord and killed him. </div>
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So despite turning up late and getting deserved abuse for it, Paul paid us back by winning both his games. I'm not sure his tactics will work quite so well in a campaign though - despite achieving the victory conditions in both games, his warband came off much worse than either mine or Gary's in terms of casualties. He might win the battles, but he won't have many figures left to claim the prize at this rate! </div>
<br />Beithirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131471951249896733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2536182377769971186.post-38595741788699875522015-04-24T10:00:00.000+01:002015-04-30T13:00:00.124+01:00The Hirdmen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Rather belatedly, here's the final group (for now) of Vikings for my SAGA Warband. These represent two points worth of Hearthguard - four with the usual sword/axe and shield, and four with Dane axes. Unfortunately, the Viking faction doesn't get any special rules for Dane axes (you have to play as Anglo-Danes for that...) but the figures are too cool not to include. </div>
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As previously stated, the intention with the Hirdmen was to distinguish them from the basic Warriors with their shield designs. These all feature rather more complex freehand designs than the Warriors, mostly utilising raven and serpent designs. I think my favourite though is the blue and white knotwork shield - it looks impressive (I think) but was actually one of the simpler shields to paint!</div>
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This fearsome fellow is deputising as my warlord until I paint a couple of proper character figures up. Given his performances in our first set of SAGA games, that will be sooner rather than later!</div>
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Beithirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131471951249896733noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2536182377769971186.post-6353610394510236812015-04-01T13:30:00.000+01:002015-04-01T13:30:00.819+01:00Valhalla Calling...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here we are then, a little later than planned, the third unit of Warriors for my growing SAGA warband. The shields took a little longer with these because I started out painted some more elaborate designs, only to realise that they looked a bit too elaborate to waste on mere Warriors! Instead I've saved them for my Hirdmen, so you'll see them soon enough.</div>
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I'm also happy to announce that our first SAGA game has been arranged and a date has been set! Despite the fact that today is 1st April, this is no April Fools! Easter Sunday will see our warbands take to the field of battle for the first time, and if we're lucky (and remember the rules) we might squeeze a couple of games in...</div>
<br />Beithirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131471951249896733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2536182377769971186.post-32323056489343556712015-03-21T10:00:00.000+00:002015-03-21T10:00:01.847+00:00More Vikings!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here are the second set of SAGA Viking Warriors. These were painted at the same time as the first unit, but had to wait until last week after WMMS to receive their shields. Again, they're all freehand and so they're all very simple geometric designs. I'm saving the attempts at more sophisticated designs for the Hearthguard, which are currently sitting on the painting table...</div>
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There are a few more warriors to show, who are still waiting for their shields. Once they're done, it's the turn of the Hirdmen and Warlord. Stay tuned!</div>
<br />Beithirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131471951249896733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2536182377769971186.post-41123959958887163962015-03-20T17:00:00.000+00:002015-03-20T17:00:03.858+00:00Fury of the Northmen!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here they are then - the first of my painted Vikings! In truth, these have actually been painted for about a fortnight now, but I've only just gotten round to taking pictures of them. Still, better late than never! </div>
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I'm pretty happy with how they've turned out, although they may be a little *too* grubby after the Agrax Earthshade wash so I may need to go back and add highlights. I've kept the shield designs pretty simple, both to reflect the fact that these are "basic" warriors and also to dumb them down to my painting level! I'm particularly proud of the guy with the raven shield though...</div>
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<br />Beithirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131471951249896733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2536182377769971186.post-35862754723730795022015-03-19T21:00:00.000+00:002015-03-19T21:00:01.248+00:00New Toys!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's another slow month so far and the blogging has fallen behind a bit lately, but I am slowly making progress on a few fronts! The start of our Saga campaign is (hopefully) looming so it's all about Vikings at the moment. As mentioned in the previous post, I spent some money at the recent WMMS show. Possibly for the first time ever, I was extremely focused with my acquisitions as they were all made for a single project - Vikings!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First up, SAGA dice for my Viking warband</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-unT6nvdbQl0/VQsvZxqx_uI/AAAAAAAACco/AgWhkBs0qvw/s1600/IMG_3069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-unT6nvdbQl0/VQsvZxqx_uI/AAAAAAAACco/AgWhkBs0qvw/s1600/IMG_3069.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No Viking warband would be complete without livestock to steal!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cNt1NHg7IP0/VQsvZ-zArcI/AAAAAAAACcc/HaBxC_22tR0/s1600/IMG_3071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cNt1NHg7IP0/VQsvZ-zArcI/AAAAAAAACcc/HaBxC_22tR0/s1600/IMG_3071.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of Magister Militum, there are six sheep, <br />two goats, an ox, a mule, four ducks and four chickens! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_CWMnu0H83o/VQswBb_7aDI/AAAAAAAACc4/9rtfDbzxAOQ/s1600/IMG_3072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_CWMnu0H83o/VQswBb_7aDI/AAAAAAAACc4/9rtfDbzxAOQ/s1600/IMG_3072.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I also picked up a couple of Saxon Houses from Timeline Miniatures</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3G9KcLmCTcg/VQswHPEvMxI/AAAAAAAACdM/IfTpY89ywIM/s1600/IMG_3074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3G9KcLmCTcg/VQswHPEvMxI/AAAAAAAACdM/IfTpY89ywIM/s1600/IMG_3074.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As well as a Great Hall!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ASvrFhMEGPA/VQswIIjYkXI/AAAAAAAACdY/xMIShhzoG5M/s1600/IMG_3087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ASvrFhMEGPA/VQswIIjYkXI/AAAAAAAACdY/xMIShhzoG5M/s1600/IMG_3087.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Which were all remarkably quick and easy to assemble!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-47UEOKgX-dA/VQswOWzFFcI/AAAAAAAACdg/ka8qgbdU_zg/s1600/IMG_3090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-47UEOKgX-dA/VQswOWzFFcI/AAAAAAAACdg/ka8qgbdU_zg/s1600/IMG_3090.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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All in all, these should all make some pretty good additions to the Viking games (if we ever get started!)<br /><br />Beithirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131471951249896733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2536182377769971186.post-22990107600843652992015-03-11T17:00:00.000+00:002015-03-11T17:00:03.855+00:00Malta at WMMS!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As I mentioned, Sunday was the West Midlands Military Show. We took our Malta game along to display, with the improvements we've made since Wargamer in December. The show was a good day overall, it seemed like there was a healthy turnout and there were plenty of traders and games around. To top it off, we also won the Best Terrain award for our game! </div>
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Here's a few shots of the game in its latest guise.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qqVnxbCBn20/VQBNYnAgUNI/AAAAAAAACaI/DktUTcPyv3g/s1600/IMG_3044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qqVnxbCBn20/VQBNYnAgUNI/AAAAAAAACaI/DktUTcPyv3g/s1600/IMG_3044.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The board with troops deployed</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KURrc2DGS64/VQBNYcOC3UI/AAAAAAAACaE/MrEjZfPe4yk/s1600/IMG_3047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KURrc2DGS64/VQBNYcOC3UI/AAAAAAAACaE/MrEjZfPe4yk/s1600/IMG_3047.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ottoman advance begins</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the other end!</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uWLMug8bMDg/VQBNxpxA5FI/AAAAAAAACaU/d4Nv6j8MI3Q/s1600/IMG_3049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uWLMug8bMDg/VQBNxpxA5FI/AAAAAAAACaU/d4Nv6j8MI3Q/s1600/IMG_3049.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The street fight begins in earnest</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hoYoJ94uSD4/VQBN4ZdfBvI/AAAAAAAACag/xWs9Ax2xs1A/s1600/IMG_3051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hoYoJ94uSD4/VQBN4ZdfBvI/AAAAAAAACag/xWs9Ax2xs1A/s1600/IMG_3051.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Turkish galley impatiently waits outside the harbour</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1IRO0c2O12Y/VQBOQqgmFzI/AAAAAAAACas/5JLjrC5-_nw/s1600/IMG_3052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1IRO0c2O12Y/VQBOQqgmFzI/AAAAAAAACas/5JLjrC5-_nw/s1600/IMG_3052.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another shot of the board as the Turks assault the boom towers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-72LO1Geeg7A/VQBOWL4IPKI/AAAAAAAACa8/HebR6kIpywg/s1600/IMG_3056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-72LO1Geeg7A/VQBOWL4IPKI/AAAAAAAACa8/HebR6kIpywg/s1600/IMG_3056.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The North Africans take the boom tower!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Valette looks on from the battlements</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7c5tBiug2bk/VQBOy7C_XwI/AAAAAAAACbE/aq65YihSJI4/s1600/IMG_3058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7c5tBiug2bk/VQBOy7C_XwI/AAAAAAAACbE/aq65YihSJI4/s1600/IMG_3058.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the hall on the way to lunch!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The galley finally enters the harbour</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The siege tower at the halfway point...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Manowar, complete with sails!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Best Terrain award!</td></tr>
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<br />I also got a few shots of the Best Demo Game, an ECW offering from Leamington using the To Defy A King rules. It was a nice looking game overall, but for me personally it was missing that special something that grabbed me.<br /><br />
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Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of the other games on offer, but there were several others that looked very nice. Overall, a good day was had by all and much money was spent! More on that later...</div>
<br />Beithirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131471951249896733noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2536182377769971186.post-7430064282260443802015-03-07T22:24:00.000+00:002015-03-07T22:24:58.553+00:00WMMS 2015Just a quick one to say that if you've in the Midlands area, pop down to the West Midlands Military Show tomorrow where we'll be demonstrating our new-and-improved "Mayhem in the Med! Malta c.1565" game all day. We've been busy tinkering since the last outing at Wargamer in December, so the game looks a little different (and hopefully better) now.<br />
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If you do manage to make the show, be sure to stop by to say 'Hi!' as we do our best to look like we know what we're doing!Beithirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131471951249896733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2536182377769971186.post-41762599497837556082015-02-25T17:00:00.000+00:002015-02-25T17:00:00.629+00:00A Few Additions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In between painting stages on the Vikings, I've managed to paint up the few Mordheim models I planned to add to my Witch Hunters warband - a couple of Flagellants and another Warhound. </div>
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All relatively simple and straightforward, and nice and quick to paint too. Hopefully the difference in the paint scheme between the two Flagellants is enough to overcome the fact that they're the same model, while still in keeping with the suitably drab and grubby scheme of the rest of the warband (as Flagellants are the lowest of the low, they have a very limited palette, even more so than the rest of the band). You can see the rest of the warband in the selection of posts <b><a href="http://beithir.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Mordheim">here</a></b></div>
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The only thing left to do with these three is to give them names, so I'm open to suggestions! </div>
<br />Beithirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131471951249896733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2536182377769971186.post-70021770820967453712015-02-22T17:00:00.000+00:002015-02-22T17:00:02.792+00:00Vikings Ahoy!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A few more WiPs then to show what else I've been working on, besides Wood Elves. I've finally started painting my Vikings! </div>
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It was a little bit delayed due to me struggling over how to base them. I didn't want to do the usual PVA and sand finish, as I didn't think that would give me the texture I was after. At first, I started off using some fine surface filler that I had lying around, and it took me forever to do a couple of figures before I realised I'd have a much easier job (and better results) using the Basetex that I usually use on my Napoleonic figures. Half an hour later and I was done. Much better. Now to painting.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SCaKMqyuud8/VOneF3MXFxI/AAAAAAAACXw/OdUqbtppl1I/s1600/IMG_3022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SCaKMqyuud8/VOneF3MXFxI/AAAAAAAACXw/OdUqbtppl1I/s1600/IMG_3022.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Given that I'd used a box of Gripping Beast Viking Hirdmen to make my warband, it meant that the majority of the figures were mainly wearing mail. That would have been pretty unusual for a real Viking warband, as mail was expensive and valuable, and only the best warriors could have afforded to wear it. Normally, a Viking warband would have relatively few models in armour, with most of the warband being made up of lightly armoured bondi, but I like the Hirdmen models better and it gives the warband a real "elite" look - all that armour is worth a small fortune, so they must be kickass warriors! </div>
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Anyway, with that in mind, out came the Army Painter Plate Metal spray primer and a couple of quick spray sessions plus drying time later, I had 36 silver Vikings.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b_tDfKvFM1Y/VOneCTzk4EI/AAAAAAAACXo/xkvzCXOeo0E/s1600/IMG_3027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b_tDfKvFM1Y/VOneCTzk4EI/AAAAAAAACXo/xkvzCXOeo0E/s1600/IMG_3027.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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That undercoat was quickly followed by an all-over wash of Nuln Oil to add shading to the metal areas.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mkWSvTC_7RM/VOnd_b3GJPI/AAAAAAAACXg/FZTQuflSYx0/s1600/IMG_3028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mkWSvTC_7RM/VOnd_b3GJPI/AAAAAAAACXg/FZTQuflSYx0/s1600/IMG_3028.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The bases were then basecoated with Graveyard Earth/Steel Legion Drab and drybrushed with Ushabti Bone. They will eventually get a wash of Agrax Earthshade, but as I'll be washing various parts of the model itself, I'll do all the wash together. As you can see in the picture above, I've now started painting the little flesh there is on these figures - just the hands and faces, nice and easy. </div>
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From there it should be a relatively simple process of painting the few bits of fabric in various shades, then picking out various details like belts, buckles, pouches, hair and weapons. I've got a few days off work now, so I'm hoping that I can get the Vikings mostly finished by the end of the week. We'll see how I get on...</div>
<br />Beithirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131471951249896733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2536182377769971186.post-32934613474767449212015-02-22T14:30:00.000+00:002015-02-22T14:30:01.647+00:00One Step At A Time...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">February has been a slow month so far, in terms of hobby progress and blogging. I've been getting bits and pieces done here and there but in very tiny increments, so the blog updates haven't been as fast and furious as in January! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've now reached a stage though where I can show some pictures and call it progress! First up, a few Wood Elves. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xKzqnpY1TLI/VOneGmRRs0I/AAAAAAAACX4/vcDnGXDyAQg/s1600/IMG_3017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xKzqnpY1TLI/VOneGmRRs0I/AAAAAAAACX4/vcDnGXDyAQg/s1600/IMG_3017.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Treeman has had the customary Agrax Earthshade wash over a Rakarth Flesh basecoat (leaving just the sword/spear blade white). The base has also had the usual treatment of Dawnstone with a Nuln Oil wash. </div>
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Next up, the steeds of the Wild Riders. These have had the same treatment on the bases, and the steeds themselves have had an all-over wash of Drakenhof Nightshade. These will be layered up to almost pure white, hopefully leaving enough of the blue wash showing through to give them a slightly creepy magicky-ethereal look. We'll see if it works...</div>
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<br />Beithirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131471951249896733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2536182377769971186.post-67021670342834269862015-02-10T16:00:00.000+00:002015-02-10T16:00:04.395+00:00A Stroll In The Woods!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's the first of those battle reports I promised. A couple of weeks ago, myself and Paul got together to get in our first game of the year - a 2000pt End Times battle between my "Host of the Eternity King" (an all-elf combo list, although I only used Wood Elves...) and Paul's "Undead Legions" (combining Tomb Kings and Vampire Counts under the infernal leadership of Nagash...)</div>
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<b><u>The Armies</u></b></div>
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My army list was essentially just a 2000pt Wood Elf list, simply enhanced with the End Times rules.</div>
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Spellweaver - Lv.4, Talisman of Preservation and Dispel Scroll, Lore of Light</div>
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Glade Captain BSB with Armour of Destiny</div>
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10 Glade Guard with Trueflight Arrows and Musician</div>
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10 Glade Guard with Trueflight Arrows and Musician</div>
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20 Glade Guard with Trueflight Arrows, Musician, Standard Bearer and Banner of Eternal Flame</div>
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29 Eternal Guard with shields and Full Command</div>
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7 Wild Riders with Standard Bearer</div>
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7 Wild Riders with Standard Bearer</div>
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Great Eagle</div>
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Great Eagle</div>
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Paul's army looked something like this:</div>
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Master Necromancer - Lv.4, Lore of the Vampires</div>
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Vampire - Lv.2, Lore of Undeath</div>
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Liche Priest - Lv.1, Lore of Nehekhara</div>
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Tomb Prince - Great Weapon</div>
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Tomb Herald - Battle Standard Bearer</div>
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28 Skeleton Warriors with Standard Bearer</div>
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24 Crypt Ghouls</div>
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22 Grave Guard with Standard Bearer</div>
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Necrolith Colossus</div>
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10 Skeleton Archers</div>
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10 Skeleton Archers</div>
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Corpse Cart</div>
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Casket of Souls</div>
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<b><u>Deployment</u></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L9Silugv8qA/VNkgwKhb2CI/AAAAAAAACVM/H4ZRWPFutFM/s1600/Deployment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L9Silugv8qA/VNkgwKhb2CI/AAAAAAAACVM/H4ZRWPFutFM/s1600/Deployment.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Paul deployed in a block in the corner of the board, with his infantry closely packed around the Corpse Cart. I deployed more centrally, with Wild Riders on the flanks and the Eternal Guard in a position to take on any of Paul's infantry blocks. Paul won the first turn roll off and chose to go first.</div>
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<b><u>Undead T1</u></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VxYoomke_KE/VNkgwfeVM3I/AAAAAAAACVQ/g1TUNCLxBPQ/s1600/Undead%2BLegions%2BT1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VxYoomke_KE/VNkgwfeVM3I/AAAAAAAACVQ/g1TUNCLxBPQ/s1600/Undead%2BLegions%2BT1.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Paul began by advancing with everything except the Casket, with the Colossus, Grave Guard and Skeletons marching towards my flank and the Ghouls wheeling slightly to move against my centre. The Skeleton Archers moved just far enough to get into range. </div>
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The magic phase gave the first sign of things to come, as Paul rolled a total of 19 Power Dice while I had 11 Dispel Dice with which to oppose him. In the end, the only noteworthy spell was Gaze of Nagash, which managed to kill four of the Wild Riders on my right flank. Shooting from the Archers killed one of the Wild Riders on my left, and Paul's turn was quickly over.</div>
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<b><u>Wood Elves T1</u></b></div>
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My own turn began with plenty of movement. The Wild Riders on the right attempted a charge against the Colossus but failed by an inch. Meanwhile both Eagles swooped across the battlefield to make nuisances of themselves, while the left Wild Riders moved around the flank of the wood to threaten the Skeleton Archers. </div>
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Magic gave me a mighty ten Power Dice to play with, while allowing Paul eight Dispel Dice. Repeated castings of Shem's Burning Gaze killed nine of the right-hand Archer unit while Banishment killed seven of the Ghouls, before finally I cast the Net of Amyntok on the unit of Skeleton Warriors. My shooting killed off another five Ghouls and the last of the right-most Archer unit. </div>
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<b><u>Undead T2</u></b></div>
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Paul's second turn began with two charges - the Colossus made a 15" charge against the three remaining Wild Riders on the right (rolling 11 on 2d6...), and the Grave Guard attempted a charge against the Eagle, who fled 8" and out of range. Paul then rolled for his Tomb Scorpion, which misfired and entered from the right-hand board edge (which was still mightily inconvenient). The Ghouls, who'd been shot to pieces, decided to back away 2" and the remaining Archers wheeled backwards to shoot at the Wild Riders.</div>
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The Magic phase yielded up 20 Power Dice for Paul, and 11 Dispel Dice for me. The Grave Calls raised a unit of 16 Archers, which Paul helpfully placed on the flank of my archers. The Breath of Darkness raised three Ghouls back to unlife, while Soul Stealer took a wound off the Eagle. The Dead Riders brought out my Dispel Scroll, and then a second attempt failed. Paul then attempted to cast spells with the Master Necromancer, who was sat in the Skeleton Warriors. The subsequent Strength tests resulted in four failed attempts, which killed a grand total of 13 Skeletons before Paul successfully passed a test and had chance to cast Invocation of Nehek, which to add to Paul's misery was quickly dispelled. </div>
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Moving swiftly on, Paul's shooting killed three of my right-hand Glade Guard (who passed their Panic test) before failing to do any damage to the left-hand Wild Riders. In combat, the three Wild Riders managed to take a wound off the Colossus before being wiped out in return. </div>
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<b><u>Wood Elves T2</u></b></div>
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My turn began with the remaining Wild Riders charging into the Skeleton Archers and the fleeing Eagle rallying. Elsewhere, the right-most Glade Guard unit swift reformed to face the incoming Tomb Scorpion. </div>
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Magic gave me 11 Power Dice to work with against Paul's seven Dispel Dice. My first casting of Shem's Burning Gaze failed, which left Banishment to do the hard work of killing first five Ghouls and then another eight (leaving two alive), before failing on the third attempt. The Net of Amyntok failed, quickly followed by Pha's Protection also failing. </div>
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Shooting saw the right-most Glade Guard take a wound off the Scorpion while the big Glade Guard unit took a wound off the Corpse Cart. The left-hand Glade Guard unit attempted to finish off the Ghouls, but failed to cause any wounds. Meanwhile, the Wild Riders ploughed through the Skeleton Archers and overran to the edge of the board.</div>
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<u><b>Undead T3</b></u><br />
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Turn three saw the Tomb Scorpion charge just-rallied Eagle, while the other Undead units converged on the Eternal Guard (which I appear to have forgotten on the map above...). Magic gave Paul 23 Power Dice versus my 13 Dispel Dice. To begin things, the Casket of Souls killed two of the elves in the right-hand Glade Guard unit, while the Breath of Darkness raised three more Ghouls to boost the unit to five. The Grave Calls then failed, followed by the Dead Riders, the Harbinger and Gaze of Nagash failing. Paul finally managed to cast Curse of Years on the big Glade Guard unit, killing one. Invocation was dispelled, before a second attempt failed. In a final throw of the dice, the Incantation of Protection also failed. What could have been a devastating magic phase had failed miserably, much to my amusement!</div>
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Shooting saw five more Glade Guard fall, this time from the left-most unit. In combat the Scorpion easily killed the Eagle, and then reformed to face the Glade Guard. </div>
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<u><b>Wood Elves T3</b></u></div>
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My turn saw the remaining Eagle charge the flank of the much-depleted Ghouls, while the Wild Riders raced around behind the Undead infantry units. The Eternal Guard meanwhile moved up to force the issue with the Undead infantry. Magic saw me gain 10 Power dice against seven Dispel dice. The Net of Amyntok was cast on the Grave Guard, before my attempt to dispel Curse of Years failed dismally. As a result, nine more of the big Glade Guard unit fell. </div>
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What little shooting I had left killed three Skeleton Warriors, while another wound was taken off the Tomb Scorpion. In combat, the Eagle killed one Ghoul, suffered nothing in return and three more Ghouls crumbled, leaving a single Ghoul left alive. </div>
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<b><u>Undead T4</u></b></div>
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Time was not on Paul's side at this point, as his units were dying a lot quicker than mine, and also quicker than he could raise reinforcements. In an attempt to force the issue, the Tomb Scorpion charged the right-hand Glade Guard unit while the Grave Guard took the plunge and charged the Eternal Guard. </div>
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Magic saw Paul roll his lowest number of Power dice so far - 15 versus my 11 Dispel dice. The Casket was dispelled first, before the Incantation of Protection was also dispelled to attempt to prevent the Undead gaining the effects of Always Strikes First. Invocation then got through my defence and raised ten Skeletons and seven more Ghouls. The Casket used its Light of Death again, killing the Eagle at last. Curse of Years killed another seven of the big Glade Guard unit (now looking much smaller...), while Paul's shooting killed off the last of the left-hand Glade Guard unit. </div>
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Combat saw the Glade Guard kill the Scorpion before it could strike, while the Eternal Guard killed eight Grave Guard and suffered seven wounds in return, winning the combat by one. </div>
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<b><u>Wood Elves T4</u></b></div>
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The Wild Riders charged the newly-boosted Ghouls, with not a lot of movement elsewhere. Magic saw 12 Power dice play nine Dispel dice. Two castings of Banishment saw the unit of Skeleton Archers destroyed, while everything else was dispelled.</div>
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Combat saw the Wild Riders destroy the Ghouls and overrun into the rear of the Skeletons. The Eternal Guard killed another eight Grave Guard, losing six in return and winning the combat by four. </div>
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Desperate times call for desperate measures, and Paul threw everything he could into combat. The Colossus charged the Wild Riders while the Corpse Cart charged the Eternal Guard. Magic saw Paul gain another 16 Power dice to work with, against just nine Dispel dice for me. The Casket was dispelled before Paul dubiously cast the Incantation of the Desert Wind in order to gain the benefits from the Corpse Cart. Invocation then raised seven Grave Guard, before the Banner of the Undying Legion raised another seven. </div>
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Combat saw the Wild Riders destroy the Colossus easily, as well as seven Skeletons (with another ten crumbling). The Eternal Guard kill four more Grave Guard and inflict a wound on the Corpse Cart. The Grave Guard kill nine Eternal Guard in return, although the Eternal Guard manage to hold. </div>
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No movement this turn, so we jumped straight to magic. 17 Power dice against 11 Dispel dice, but the only spell I could cast was Speed of Light on the Eternal Guard and Wild Riders (which made very little difference). In the end I was left with nine Power dice unused!</div>
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Combat saw the Wild Riders easily wipe out the rest of the Skeletons, along with the Master Necromancer and Liche Priest, suffering a single loss in return. The Eternal Guard were suffering now, as they lost another six wounds in exchange for just a single Grave Guard and another wound on the Corpse Cart. They were left with a single Eternal Guard and the BSB alive.</div>
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With nothing to move, Paul went straight to magic and rolled up 22 Power dice, against which I had only ten Dispel dice to defend with. The Grave Calls raised another unit of 16 Skeleton Archers, before a second, third and fourth attempts were dispelled. Unfortunately, the fifth attempt got through and raised 16 more Archers. The Harbinger failed, followed by a sixth attempt at the Grave Calls, and the Abyssal Swarm. Despite raising a ridiculous 32 Archers, they only managed to kill a single Glade Guard.</div>
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Combat saw the inevitable deaths of the last Eternal Guard and the BSB, but I had the Wild Riders ready to move in and clean up...</div>
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Naturally, the Wild Riders charged into the Grave Guard in an attempt to finish them once and for all. Magic gave me enough dice to Banish the Corpse Cart into oblivion. The Wild Riders easily ploughed through the remaining Grave Guard, and the accompanying Vampire, Tomb Herald and Tomb Prince, but suffered the punishment inflicted by the Tomb Prince's Curse, which wiped them out in return!<br />
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In the end, the Undead had only the Casket of Souls remaining of their original army, while I had my Spellweaver and two half-strength Glade Guard units left. Paul had scored 1640VPs against my 2115VPs, ultimately resulting in a very bloody Wood Elf victory!Beithirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131471951249896733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2536182377769971186.post-61060406739089475392015-02-05T18:00:00.000+00:002015-02-05T18:00:01.759+00:00A Quick UpdateWell, it's been a slow start to the month of February and a couple of weeks since the last post, but I am slowly making progress on several of this year's projects. Skaven have been assembled, Blood Bowl elves have been kit-bashed, and there's been some painting done on Wood Elves and Mordheim figures. There have even been a few games played! <div>
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I've written in the past about my "dislike" of WiP photos - I like reading about other people's progress, but my own progress (given how long it takes me to *make* any progress) never seems noteworthy enough to make a post about. I tend to post pictures of completed models, or none at all, which makes me feel better but does result in irregular and infrequent blog posting. Over the course of this year, I'm going to try and get better at regular posting, and even post WiP photos. Being as part of my plan of action is to work on multiple projects at the same time, I'm hoping that I'll be able to "stagger" any WiP posts I make so that there aren't just a series of pictures of the same models in different stages, followed by another series of pictures. Instead, I'm hoping to show the progress I've made on, for example, my Wood Elves and then follow that up with pictures of, say, my Vikings. That way, I'll be able to reflect the variety from my painting table on the blog as well. </div>
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On that note, I'll be posting some of those WiPs over the next few days, as well as a couple of battle reports that are in the pipeline as well. Until then, adieu!</div>
Beithirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131471951249896733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2536182377769971186.post-11425438106460943912015-01-23T10:00:00.000+00:002015-01-23T10:00:02.238+00:00Your Doom Approaches, Man-Things! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Just to vary things up a little, and to avoid painting more Clanrats, I've decided to make my first foray into Clan Pestilens territory and paint up some Plague Monks. These will add another hard-hitting unit of troops to the army, and provide even more numbers! There will eventually be a Plague Priest (and possibly even a Plague Furnace) to accompany these critters at some point, but I will need to construct a slightly elaborate base for the Plague Priest as he won't rank up without some sort of elevation. </div>
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These are all now based up and ready for painting to begin. Given that they are mostly swathed in robes, I might diverge from my usual method and undercoat them with a suitable sickly green colour, rather than the browns I've used on all the other models in the army. I've also taken advantage of the fact that the Plague Monks are free-standing rather than slotta-based, and used some regiment bases in the unit, rather than have them all as individual models. </div>
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I've begun getting together a few more bits of kit that will finally enable me to start using the airbrush that I got last year. I think the Plague Monks might make for some excellent test models...</div>
<br />Beithirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131471951249896733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2536182377769971186.post-83985318925654280792015-01-22T17:30:00.000+00:002015-01-22T17:30:00.840+00:00Awakening of the Wood<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here are the first of the Wood Elf models I plan to get painted this year - my second Treeman and the first unit of Wild Riders (I have a second unit unbuilt). The Treeman is a slight conversion based loosely on one that was shown in White Dwarf Weekly back when the Wood Elf book was released - basically, the staff of the Treeman Ancient has been combined with Durthu's sword to make a huge Treeman-sized spear. I've played around with the various joints to come up with a different post, although I don't think this one has worked out quite as good as the first Treeman.</div>
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The Wild Riders are a pretty fiddly bunch of figures to put together, and don't sit on their stag steeds in a regular fashion, which makes fitting the riders on top a bit of a nightmare. I think once they're painted, I'm simply going to fix the riders to the stags permanently, rather than go through the rigmarole of trying to balance them on top for the duration of a game. It will make them a bit more difficult to store and transport, but it will save headaches when they actually get used...</div>
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<br />Beithirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131471951249896733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2536182377769971186.post-14404435153819480822015-01-15T17:30:00.000+00:002015-01-22T11:34:24.314+00:00The Horned Rat Ascendant!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The End Times continue apace as the Warhammer world awaits the return of Grey Seer Thanquol, with the fourth installment of the saga released this weekend. Preceding the release of the book was a brand new plastic Verminlord kit, which I pre-ordered and got delivered earlier this week.</div>
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So, in line with my aim to get the Verminlord painted as part of my Skaven contingent for this year, I began putting the kit together on Tuesday night. </div>
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As I've mentioned previously, the kit can be used to build one of five variants of Verminlord - the Warpseer (Seers), Deceiver (Eshin), Corrupter (Pestilens), Warbringer and Skreech Verminking, a new special character whose story will unfold in the upcoming End Times book. Clans Moulder and Skryre didn't get a Verminlord variant because they have new toys of their very own coming!</div>
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The main body is the same for each variant so I settled with putting that together on Tuesday night, while I mulled over which head and weapon variants to use. Given that games are often few and far between for me, the question was largely one of aesthetics - which one looked the best. I knew I wanted a doom glaive, as the archetypal weapon of choice for Verminlords everywhere. </div>
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Ultimately, I ended up following the Warbringer build exactly. I really liked the Warpseer arm holding the Scry-orb as seen on the box picture (and it's a pretty tasty item as well!) but wasn't keen on the Warpseer head, and the Scry-orb with the Warbringer head didn't seem right. So in came the punch dagger and my Verminlord is complete! </div>
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Just for reference, here's a comparison shot with the Treeman - as you can see, the Verminlord towers over him!</div>
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And just to top things off, I found this in with the Verminlord box - a cool little Horned Rat pin badge! </div>
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<br />Beithirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131471951249896733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2536182377769971186.post-54119907513520709802015-01-14T19:38:00.000+00:002015-01-14T19:38:49.393+00:00Tor Gaming - Relics Mystery Box Competition!One of the aims on my list of projects for the year is my starter set for Tor Gaming's <i>Relics</i>;<i> </i>well, this could be your chance to get your own starter set, plus much more! Tor Gaming are currently running a massive £150 Mystery Box Giveaway, containing all you could possibly need for a faction of your choice plus a copy of the <i>Relics</i> rulebook. <a href="https://gleam.io/BOZWJ/mystery-box-q1-2015">Go take a look!</a><div>
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I've been meaning to talk about Relics for a while to be honest, as I picked up a starter set and rulebook way back in March of last year. I started painting the figures and we played one proper game before life intervened, but it's certainly one we intend to come back to. </div>
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The game itself is a small-scale skirmish level game, currently with four factions to choose from, and with starter sets available containing fairly balanced forces for each, allowing you to play straight out of the box. Although the game is not designed with 'army lists' in mind, the authors have gone to the effort of including points values for those who are inclined to play "equal lists" games. </div>
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The figures themselves are great sculpts, with a variety of influences to suit all sorts of tastes - from "stitchpunk" Britanans to the evil pixies of the Vaettir. The starter sets contain between five and nine figures, but the ranges for each faction allow you to expand from the starters, or forgo the starter sets altogether to pick a different selection of models to play with, if you so wished. Of course, if you win the Giveaway, you'll have all the figures you need! </div>
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Beithirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131471951249896733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2536182377769971186.post-89904605582076187932015-01-12T10:00:00.000+00:002015-01-12T10:00:04.880+00:00A Taste of Things to ComeI've talked about 2014 already elsewhere, but it was a bit of a damp squib when it came to painting figures. I've had a think about what sort of things I want to aim for in 2015, and decided to concentrate on completing small chunks rather than whole collections. This should serve two purposes - firstly, it will give me a sense of progress as I (hopefully) tick items off the list and secondly, it will (hopefully) prevent me getting too bogged down in painting the same things all year. I say hopefully because, as anyone who's been reading the blog for a while will know, I'm not the greatest at sticking to any sort of plan...<br />
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So, here's the list of aims for 2015:<br />
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<li>Bloodbowl Wood Elves - I have most of the figures converted already. I need to build a couple more Linemen and then the team is complete and ready to be painted. 15/16 figures</li>
<li>Vikings - As already stated, there's the promise of a campaign in the not-too-distant future so this will be amongst the first projects of 2015. Using SAGA rules, this could be anywhere between 20-50 figures...</li>
<li>Relics - We've only played one game so far, but with only 9 figures in the starting warband, this should be an easy project to complete. </li>
<li>Pirates - I have all the figures I need, a mix of actual pirate figures and conversions, so all they need is paint. 20 figures</li>
<li>Mordheim - I have Sisters of Sigmar, Beastmen and Dwarf Treasure Hunter warbands, plus a few additional figures for my existing Witch Hunter warband 30-ish figures</li>
<li>LotR - I'm halfway to completing both my Dwarves and Moria Goblin forces, so getting those done is the aim. I have 47 Dwarves, and about the same number of Moria figures to paint. A sizeable target, but it would be a big achievement. c.100 figures</li>
<li>Skaven - The End Times has renewed my interest in Warhammer, and the Skaven are about to get their own instalment (which I've pre-ordered). Painting up at least a couple of new toys would be a good addition. A Hell Pit Abomination, one of the new Verminlords (also pre-ordered) and a big unit of Plague Monks are the targets. 42 figures</li>
<li>Wood Elves - Continuing with the End Times theme, there are several toys that should have been added to my Wood Elves last year that I didn't manage. I'm aiming to complete the last 10 Eternal Guard plus a Highborn, my second Treeman, the Wildwood Rangers I meant to paint last year, a unit of stag-riding Wild Riders and my Dragon. 50-ish figures</li>
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It sounds like a lot, and it is - roughly around 300 figures - but I'm hoping that by breaking it into manageable chunks and varying projects, I can keep my focus and motivation up. If I can come back in 12 months and cross at least half these items off the list I'll be happy. </div>
Beithirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131471951249896733noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2536182377769971186.post-5788105308093562182015-01-11T20:00:00.000+00:002015-01-11T20:00:02.970+00:00Braaaaaiiiiinsssss!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Another Christmas present I received was a copy of <i>Zombicide</i> by <a href="http://zombicide.com/en/">Guillotine Games</a> and <a href="http://www.coolminiornot.com/">CoolMiniOrNot</a>. The game has been around for a couple of years now, but it had largely escaped my notice until about six months ago. It's at the top end of the price scale for a board game, but with all the content you get in the box it's certainly value for money. I was still surprised to receive a copy though!<br />
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There has been plenty written about the game (and it's several expansions) so I won't go into too many details other than to say that it's proven to be a fantastic, fast-pace and intense game, and already a firm favourite. It's even got my other half hooked!<br />
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We played several games over the festive period, with two, three and four players at various times, and each game has proved be fun and exciting (and often, pretty tricky!)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The survivors all begin together, with only the most basic supplies and equipment available</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zombies spawn in buildings whenever a door is unlocked - this can lead to quite a mob forming!</td></tr>
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<br />Our first game (after the tutorial mission) saw us jump right into the deep end and attempt the "City Blocks" scenario, rated Hard. Our thinking was "how hard can it be, really?" Turns out, pretty damned difficult!<br /><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The culmination of our first mission attempt - two survivors left, trapped in a room with a zombie horde...</td></tr>
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<br />Our second attempt at the same mission saw us last a bit longer, thanks to taking the time to open a couple of smaller buildings first and find some half-decent weapons, but ultimately ended the same way<br /><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This time we managed to claim two objectives before being eaten!</td></tr>
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At this point, we realised we'd bitten off more than we could chew and opted to try something easier! The "Grindhouse" mission looked more manageable so we gave it a try<br /><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doug unleashes his dual Sub-MGs and clears the room in a single burst</td></tr>
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<br />We managed to complete Grindhouse in a single attempt, which I'm not ashamed to admit elicited much high-fiving and celebration! Several more games followed, including a few on New Year's Eve when my dad and brother got involved and had much fun slaughtering plenty of zombies before eventually getting eaten anyway. <div>
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And so Zombicide has been added to the list of board game favourites, and also to the substantially shorter list of games that my other half will play, which is an achievement in itself! </div>
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The one thing that is giving me pause for thought though are the figures; specifically, whether they should be painted or not. I like the "board game feel" that comes with using the figures as they are, coloured plastic. On the other hand, I've seen some great examples of painted Zombicide models that look fantastic (not least at <a href="http://carmensminiaturepainting.blogspot.co.uk/">Carmen's Fun Painty Time</a>, who seems to have painted every sort of miniature out there...)</div>
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To help decide what to do, I'm going to throw the vote open to the world and see what comes of it. To paint or not to paint: that is the question...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Beithirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131471951249896733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2536182377769971186.post-14993042327320231702015-01-11T17:00:00.000+00:002015-01-11T17:00:02.394+00:00New Figure Gallery!I spent some time today taking updating pictures of my completed Wood Elf units, using my new photography setup (much better lighting, tripod etc. for hopefully much improved photos!)<br />
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I've now added a standalone gallery page to the blog (which you can access via the navigational tabs at the top of the page or directly from <a href="http://beithir.blogspot.co.uk/p/blog-page.html">this link</a>) showing my Wood Elf army thus far. Naturally, I've only included those figures that are completely finished, including bases and movement trays, so there are some models that have featured on the blog that aren't in the gallery yet - namely, more Eternal Guard and the Treeman who have yet to receive the necessary snowfall on their bases.<br />
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Of course, as more units are completed they will be added to the gallery in time. I'm also planning on adding separate pages for other armies and collections - most likely, the completed units for my Clan Rictus army will be the next to gain a permanent position on the blog, once I get round to photographing them all.<br />
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<br />Beithirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131471951249896733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2536182377769971186.post-11951040983326064482015-01-07T13:30:00.000+00:002015-01-07T13:30:00.180+00:00Raiding Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As I mentioned before Christmas, there are tentative plans in place to begin a Viking SAGA campaign soon and so we've all begun frantically assembled various northman figures to build our warbands. The plastic Gripping Beast Viking Hirdmen kit has been exceptionally useful in getting a large bunch of warriors together in a short time, and I've still got some left to assemble! But for now, here are the beginnings of my Viking warband...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two character figures, also from Gripping Beast - Jarl Sigvaldi on the left, and Egil Skalagrimsson on the right.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The select few who are fully built, including shields</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the whole bunch together, including some who have yet to receive heads! </td></tr>
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<br />As of now, I have ten Vikings only partially assembled and a whole sprue (ten more Vikings) still in the box. Once those are assembled as well, I'll have a grand total of 46 Vikings to form my SAGA Warband. More than enough to play our little campaign, I should think. <br /><br />Beithirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131471951249896733noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2536182377769971186.post-66603419721504749792015-01-06T13:30:00.000+00:002015-01-06T13:30:02.120+00:00Let There Be Light!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So here we are then, the first blog post of 2015. First off, a Happy New Year to all - I hope the festive season brought much merriment and joy! </div>
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Of course, Christmas also brings presents and I thought I'd start off the year by sharing one of mine. Technically, it wasn't a Christmas present (I got it in the January sales...) but it arrived today and so I've spent the morning tinkering with it. The present in question is a lightbox; more accurately, it is a "Portable Photo Home Studio" that includes a light tent, two 240v GU10C Daylight effect lamps, four different coloured backgrounds (white, black, red, blue) and a mini tripod stand for my camera, all packed up in a handy carry case. As I said, I've only begun playing around with the kit this morning but my first impressions are very good and I can already see big improvements in the few photos I've taken. Given the price (a little over £25) I absolutely cannot grumble! </div>
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Here are a select few of the photos I've taken this morning, just because I feel like sharing...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey Seer Pritislik and his Screaming Bell are possibly too big for my little tent...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Wood Elf BSB, courtesy of Asrai.org's Miniature Exchange and the talented paintbrush of <a href="http://www.asrai.org/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=7856">Baardah</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warlord Queek Greyclaw of Clan Rictus!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Mordheim Witch Hunter warband</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classic Wood Elf Archers!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The newest addition to my Wood Elf army...</td></tr>
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<br />So there you have it. I'm pretty impressed so far. The first couple of pictures shown were taken with just the two lamps provided, after which I brought in my desktop lamp to supplement the lightning, which seemed to improve the overall shot. It's not a great light source (it's not designed for photography after all) so I may look into getting another lamp specifically for the light tent, but it will certainly do for now. The only other thing I'll need to sort out is the creases in the background sheets - a quick iron on a low temperature should smooth out any issues (if you'll excuse the pun!)<div>
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Beithirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131471951249896733noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2536182377769971186.post-33568449750733530992014-12-24T20:22:00.000+00:002014-12-24T20:22:13.679+00:00The Blog That Time Forgot...OK, so I know I promised a few more posts to hurriedly fill out the blog before December and 2014 ends, but turns out (as is so often the case) I rather over-estimated my productivity in that department. I optimistically thought I might have time to write up a couple of posts that have been waiting for some time, but I work in retail and Christmas is always a nightmare - to say it's been manic is a massive understatement! (As an aside - Christmas is the <b>*same day every year*</b>, and yet there are always those people who don't seem to realise until Christmas Eve...)<br />
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<i>Anyway...</i><br />
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Instead of rushing through the posts I'd planned to make, they'll show up as the first few posts of 2015 (which will give me time to actually write them!)<br />
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It's been a funny old year for me, and one that has seen life take quite a few twists and turns, especially in the last six months - some bad but mostly very positive, which is nice. 2014 started out well and only got better over the first few months - I got a new airbrush and compressor in February, I started ploughing through my unpainted Wood Elf figures in March/April with the Tale of Duelling Gamers hobby project, I got a new (and long-awaited) Wood Elf army book in May and I got plenty of shiny new Wood Elf models to go with it.<br />
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June was when things started to go downhill on the hobby front - the World Cup was a real spectacle, but distracted me from painting up the then-new Wildwood Rangers figures I'd bought. A bit of a disaster with spray undercoat meant the Wildwood Rangers have not been seen on the blog or the painting table since, and it was then that real life stuck its oar in to halt my painting progress (and participation in the Tale of Duelling Gamers). July went by in a bit of a blur until August arrived and we went on holiday for just under three weeks. During said holiday, my girlfriend and I got engaged, and wedding plans started immediately (although I have been a mostly innocent bystander in that regard - I just nod when needed and open the wallet when asked...). I got a promotion at work in September, and work has pretty much taken over for the past three months as the so-called "golden quarter" leading up to Christmas kicked in. What spare time I've had for the hobby has been spent on the biggest of my intended projects for the year - building our 'Malta' gaming boards.<br />
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So overall, a pretty good year to be honest, even though the blog has suffered somewhat. Things will quiet down again in January though, and I've got plenty of hobby projects to be getting on with. The primary aim for next year is to play regular games - we keep coming up with ideas, and buying figures, and building terrain, and then we always end up playing less and less games each year. I think in the whole of 2014 I've played a grand total of maybe four games, and two of those were demo games at shows (WMMS in March and Wargamer at the end of November). In fact, prior to Wargamer I haven't played a game since April!<br />
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Of course, if we're aiming to play more games it's always nice to play with painted figures, so the two should work hand in hand - the more games I play the more incentive I'll have to paint, and the more I paint the more games I can play (well, in theory at least!) On that note, there's already been talk of a SAGA campaign in the New Year which has got us all frantically building Viking warbands.<br />
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The single most motivating factor recently though, for me at least, has been the release of The End Times from GW. Warhammer Fantasy has always been my favourite game, as much for the background as for the game itself (possibly more so, in fact) and the End Times books are the single biggest fluff "supplement" for the Warhammer World since...well, I don't know. I won't spoil anything for those who haven't read any of the books so far, but the series is a huge advancement of the Warhammer timeline and a massive step for Games Workshop itself - never before has the Warhammer World experienced such dramatic change. There are people who have declared themselves "GW Fanboys for Life" in admiration of everything, claiming the End Times is the single best thing GW have ever produced, and there are people who have rage-quit over GW "destroying the hobby". I'm in neither of those camps, although I daresay I'm closer to the fanboys than the rage-quitters - I don't always like what GW write, make or do but I still stick around, collect the figures and have an interest in their game worlds and background. Anyway, I digress...<br />
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It's too early for me to declare a final verdict on the End Times as a whole (I'm only two parts through - the third book, Khaine, is waiting in Santa's sack for me to open tomorrow morning...) but what I can say is that it most definitely is <i>dramatic</i>. There is <i><u><b>a lot</b></u></i> going on. Truth be told, the overriding emotion I have from reading the first two books is shock. There is a lot that hasn't truly sunk in yet, simply because of how shocking everything is. Major characters are dead, nations have been destroyed, the whole world is aflame and chaos is everywhere (quite literally, in some cases). There have been points where I've simply had to put the books down and stop reading to absorb what I've just read. Despite the fact that a world that has stayed largely stationary for at least the 15 years I've been playing Warhammer is suddenly being turned on its head and torn apart in the most violent fashion, it has got me really exciting about Warhammer again - I don't think I've felt this excited about GW's new releases since the <i>last</i> Wood Elf book was released back in 2005. Even though I am scared and worried that GW *are* destroying a world/background I love, I'm also really excited to see how it all ends (and what's left of the Warhammer world when it does).<br />
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So far, I've only spared cash for the three books that have been released so far - Nagash was incredible, but I don't play Undead; the Glottkin didn't really interest me (Nurgle's always been my least favourite Chaos god) but I had to get the book to continue the story; Khaine *does* interest me but didn't have any figure releases to accompany it - but the next book could see some significant expenditure. It's been rumoured for a long time that the fourth End Times book would feature the nefarious schemes of the Skaven and today it's been confirmed, with early sightings of next week's White Dwarf proclaiming new Skaven releases - including a plastic Verminlord that rivals Nagash himself for size!<br />
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Supposedly, this new kit makes five different variants of Verminlord - a real treat for Skaven players. Naturally, I need one. Let's just hope Santa brings me this week's winning lottery ticket. And on that note...</div>
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See you in 2015!</div>
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<br />Beithirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131471951249896733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2536182377769971186.post-51597181762324059482014-12-15T14:00:00.000+00:002014-12-15T14:00:04.554+00:00"Mayhem in the Med" - The AftermathSo, the game itself was a success, with plenty of people taking an interest and stopping to tell us how impressed they were with the boards, the figures and the game as a whole (head over to <a href="http://talesfromghq.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/wargamer-2014.html">Tales From GHQ</a> for a brief review of the show, and some favourable comments on our game!) Naturally, we've already come up with a list of things we want to change and improve ready for our next outing, but that's why we always use Wargamer as our first test run, so that we can address any issues in time for 2015!<br />
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So what else went on at Wargamer? Well, best game was ultimately won by this excellent Plains War game, which got our vote for best game as well. Unfortunately, I don't know who was putting this game on, but congratulations to whoever it was!<br />
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And finally, of course there were some purchases to be made. I happened across a couple of Citadel Fortress towers, unassembled and going cheap, and as I only currently have a single tower that we're using for the Malta game I figured I'd buy three more so that I now have the complete Fortress set. </div>
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Special mention also needs to go to Andy Lyon of Ainsty Castings. We were positioned quite close to the Ainsty stand, and he came over to the game a few times to have a chat and a gander. Of course, it helped that we were using several of his ships in the game (and also that we bought a few more of them at the show) but he very kindly provided a few bits and bobs that were missing from our game - namely, ships wheels and deck cannons for the ships, which weren't available when we first bought our ships from him, free of charge. A very kind gesture and so Andy, in the unlikely event that you're reading this - thanks very much!</div>
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So, that's Wargamer over for another year, but it won't be the last outing for Malta. In the meantime, there are other things to update you on and with Christmas fast approaching, there's not much time left in 2014 to post about it! </div>
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<br />Beithirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131471951249896733noreply@blogger.com0