Meanwhile in Isengard 4 - Or, Some Vendel Barbarian Archers

I think this is my final post of the year in terms of things what I got painted. These rude and scruffy archers are another step towards finishing the batch of Vendel fantasy figures that I ordered early this fall.  I started with 12 spearmen in October, with the plan of using them as proxy figures for Saruman’s barbarous allies from the hills of Dunland.

 

With 12 bowmen, the Dunlendings now have some missile capability.   The sculptor give them very primitive looking short bows, so I wouldn’t rate them overly highly as missile troops, but in Dragon Rampant terms I would allow them to work as scouts in groups of 6, with the skirmish and evade capability.

I am sure that there are a lot of fleas under those furs and skins.

I have been thinking lately of whether, at least in Dragon Rampant terms, barbarians and wild tribesmen types should be 6 or 12 figure units.  Six figure units are more brittle, and they increase the chance of failing an activation turn early and messing up a turn, since there are more units to activate.   It would seem to make sense that troops like these would prefer to fight in small bands, hunting or raiding, whereas larger 12 figure units would need some sort of formal training as a battle line - thus showing the advantages and disadvantages of trained vs irregular units.  The trained bands are used to moving and fighting as a mass, have more endurance to casualties,  and require fewer activation rolls for the army as a whole, but can be outmaneuvered and damaged by small irregular units if they get to strike first.   I need to give this some more thought.

Here Saruman urges his new hires to get to the archery range and practice their shooting before going up against Helm’s Deep.

Finally, among the figures just finished at year’s end, is this figure from Bombshell Miniatures, described in their catalogue as  “Thorga the Half Orc” and shown here in two crap photos.  Perhaps Saruman can use her as his close protection detail?  She will also make a useful and unusual command figure for the armies of Isengard.

 

I think I’ll save the other figures nearing completion for my 2017 totals.  I wish you and yours all the very best in the new year.   Thank you for all the views and support that you’ve expressed here for my lovely bride.  She has read your comments and has been quite moved by them.

Blessings,  MP

These figures bring my 2016 totals to:

28mm:  Foot Figures: 128; Mounted Figures: 10; Buildings: 3; Terrain Features: 2

20mm:  Buildings: 1

6mm:  Mounted figures:  36;  Buildings:  2

Meanwhile, in the Elven Woodland Realms - 2

As 2016 winds to a close, and things get back to a new normal with Madame Padre back home, I have been able to revisit and finish some longstanding projects.  These five figures were primed and started back in June, and then life got in the way.    These minis were sculpted by Shane Hoyle originally produced by Wargames Foundry as part of their Realms of Faerie line.  I bought them direct from WF in blister packs, with kind assistance from the lovely Diane Ansell.  The figures are now sold individually on Foundry’s Warmonger Miniatures site.

These young ladies are a little more dressed than the last batch that I featured here, but still not terribly well armoured.  The one on the right has a crazy ex-girlfriend face - guaranteed to put fear into any marauding orc caught in the LadyForest.

Yes, the lady on the right is holding a golden bow.  I blame William Blake.  I don’t see these figures being in the main battle line but rather functioning in a SOF role, perhaps as scouts in Dragon Rampant terms, flitting through the trees, ambushing, skirmishing, evading and generally making life miserable for troops foolish enough to invade their woods.

 I quite like this mysterious character.  She’s one of several Shane Hoyle sculpts from this line carrying severed bits of men.   As for the head she’s carrying, I figure his mansplaining days are done.

As minis go, these are definitely on the pricey side, at 4 pounds each,  but they pay back with interest when it comes to painting them.  Some minis I just want to slap the paint on and be done with them, but these I want to sa four and get as right as I possibly can.  

Again, her with the bow of burning gold.

And here’s the entire collection thus far.  I am slowly assembling a female-themed war band of elves and allies, like the female tree spirit in centre left which is a Bombshell Miniature.   I have a few more packs of these ladies to finish, and have found some other suitable figures, including a lovely female centaur archer from Heresy Miniatures.    If you know of any other minis that would fit well into this little army, I’d love to hear about them.

Blessings to your brushes!

MP+

These figures bring my 2016 totals to:

28mm:  Foot Figures: 115; Mounted Figures: 10; Buildings: 3; Terrain Features: 2

20mm:  Buildings: 1

6mm:  Mounted figures:  36;  Buildings:  2

The Elf Queen Summons the Forest Spirit - Some Figures For Dragon Rampant

Just had time to get some quick snaps of these figures before Madame Padre and I head to cottage country in the Muskokas for a spot of leave.    These fantasy figures will be part of my wood elf host that will augment some of the scantily clad nymphs shown here recently.

I wanted an elven mage, a top-level magic user in Dragon Rampant terms,  with an appropriate retinue on the base to show that she means business.   My friend James kindly gave me the casting of the lady with her arm   I raised.   I have no idea who made this sculpt, but  I felt that she deserved some special treatment, and I started looking out for some figures to accompany her on a single over-sized base.   I also gave her a tree, because she’s an elf princess, and they like to have trees in their close protection detail.

“Go and rouse your tree-sisters, the orcs are coming!”   The other figure is a Forest Spirit from Bombshell Miniatures.  I liked this figure because it complements the matriarchal theme of my elven host, which draws mostly on Wargames Foundry figures, though I will be offsetting it with some male LOTR GW figures.  The Forest Spirit is a lovely figure, rather unimaginatively painted, I fear.  It’s a pity her face isn’t well lit in these photos, as it is full of character.  She will also count as a single-base model in Dragon Rampant terms, though I am not sure what troop type she should be.  Thoughts?

The little nymph is one of the extras included in a Wargames Foundry blister.  She has purple butterfly wings, which you can’t really see well.  Good thing, as they clash with her gown.   The lovely little boar is a Bombshell mini, from their Sidekicks line of figures.   Wow betide any orc that gets too close to his lady.

The little ram is another Bombshell mini.  He was fun to paint as well.  Pricey figures, but Bombshell makes some great accent figures.

I am hopeful that these figures will see action when James and I get together for another DR game in early October.  

Many thanks for looking and blessings to your brushes!

These figures bring my 2016 totals to:

28mm:  Foot Figures: 61; Mounted Figures: 8; Buildings: 2; Terrain Features: 4

20mm:  Buildings: 1

6mm:  Mounted figures:  36;  Buildings:  2