Euron Grejoy and a Braavosi bravo

Just a quick post to drop pictures of a couple figures I have semi-finished (i.e. basing time has not come around yet: I usually wait until I have a significant number of figures needing bases done before pulling out all the gear). These two both need varnishing as well, but in order to keep the posts rocking, I thought I would throw them up here.

Here is a figure I have converted to be Euron 'Crow's Eye' Grejoy. I know, I know, the patch is over the wrong eye, but we make due with what we have.

The body and upper legs are from the Perry WotRs figures, as well as the arms. The boots are from a Perry plastic dismounted Napoleonic dragoon. The cloak is from the Fireforge Teutonic infantry set, and, lastly, the head is from a Warlord plastic Imperial Roman sprue. I though he turned out with quite a nice swashbuckling look. I might sculpt a base for him that looks like wooden planks of a ship's deck.

The figure below was posted in the last post unpainted. It is meant to be a swaggering Braavosi bravo, a brash young swordsman who prowls the canals searching for a fight.

The main body is Perry WotR. The slashed sleeves are from a Warlord Pike and Shotte command sprue I had lying around. The head is from a Foundry dark age warrior of some sort. The frilly collar is sculpted by me.


I hope you enjoy the pictures!

Song of Ice and Fire WIPs

Here is a glimpse of some stuff for my aSoIaF project that is currently on my painting table.

First, we have another command stand for one of my fictional houses, whom I will fully introduce once the figure is based and the banner complete.

Obviously it still has a little work to be done on it, and I am hoping I will have the time to do so by the end of the week. School started up last week so my time has had more demands placed on it now than in summer.

Details on figure compositions will be given once it is finished as well.

Here, too, are a couple assembled and primed figures:

This one I intend to paint as Ser Barristan the Bold

And this is a Braavosi bravo, looking for a street brawl.

Painting will come soon enough!
Thanks for looking!

Lord Edmynd Crownbeck of Crownbeck (and better Aegon the Conqueror pics)

I have completed another command style stand for my A Song of Ice and Fire gaming experiences. Here we have the crafty and conninving Lord Edmynd of House Crownbeck. Their words (not featured on their banner) are "A Trickle Becomes a Torrent."

The figures are all Perry plastic WotR figures, with a few modifications. The head of Lord Edmynd is from a Warlord Games ECW plastic figure of which I had a sample sprue. The horse is a Perry metal. The missive and seal the herald is handing him is scratchbuilt from paper and greenstuff.


Also, here are a couple better shots of my Aegon the Conqueror figure that I was able to snap today.

I hope you enjoy!

Aegon the Conqueror

Here is the painted version of the figure I posted in the last post. I am not sure the photo is good enough; it was taken quickly and in not so good lighting. I will get a better one soon if I get the chance, but I wanted to share.

Thanks for looking! Enjoy!

Aegon the Conqueror, WIP

I just wanted to post up some quick pictures of a figure that is still unpainted but largely finished assembling.

This is meant to be Aegon I the Conqueror, who forged the Seven Kingdoms (okay, six) into one on the back of his dragon, Balerion the Black Dread.

The figure is from Fireforge's plastic Teutonic infantry set. I had to sculpt the scaled mail and turn the sword into the famous Valyrian steel blade Blackfyre, The head is from a Foundry Roman. I contemplated adding his crown, but decided against it. I will keep you posted on progress.

I may also decide to base him at the foot of a large black dragon that I already have. Decisions, decisions.

Enjoy!

Ser Julien Grimlowe, Lord of Goldmoor

Here is the first completed command stand for my planned A Song of Ice and Fire gaming experiences (mentioned in my previous post) using my now fairly decent sized (c. 650 figures) War of the Roses collection. The characters are representing fictional minor houses who reside in the border region between the Westerlands and the Riverlands.

This is Julien Grimlowe, the young, arrogant and adventurous 'Black Lion' of Goldmoor. House Grimlowe's blazon is a barry-bendy of 8, or and gules, a lion rampant sable. Their words are 'By Tooth and Claw.'

The figures are all Perry plastics, except for the horse, which is a Perry metal (I wanted a more static pose that the plastics, unfortunately do not provide without serious modification), and Ser Julien's head, which is cut from a Foundry slinger from their now defunct line of Franks.

His faithful squire makes sure that the brash Ser Julien does not careen into battle without his helm, as the lord regards him with disdain. I like how this one turned out. I am working on incorporating more motion into my multi-figure bases and attempting to tell a story through their posing. It sort of began with this figure (posted in a previous post), my Edward IV command stand.

Here too are a couple shots of a portion of my War of the Roses figures in action, fighting at the battle of Tewksbury. The wife and I were play-testing a scenario I am working on for Historicon 2015.

The van and main close on each other. Richard is in danger of outflanking if only Somerset could navigate the 'foul laynes and dykes' on his right. Here Hastings and Devon stare at each other from across the field.

Edward's retinue has crushed Wenlock's mainward in the center of the field. Only a single group of levied array troops remains facing the enemy.

I hope you enjoy!

A Song of Ice and Fire character figures

In between paintings of large batches of War of the Roses figures (I have recently finished about 80 more), I like to spend some time refreshing by doing something a little different. I have been a huge fan of George R. R. Martin's ASong of Ice and Fire series since I first came across them about 8 years ago. It has gone on to become quite the pop-culture item in its TV incarnation as Game of Thrones on HBO. In my most recent refresher time I have converted and modeled some character figures from the series. Whether I use them for any gaming, the future will tell. I am planning to do a fictional campaign in a the aSoIaF realm using my WotR collection with newly made command stands and vignettes (more on those in coming posts), creating fictional houses to play out a regional conflict between local lords.

I thought I would use this space to post up a few pictures of characters I have converted and painted up.

"A ruler who hides behind paid executioners soon forgets what death is."

First we have Eddard 'Ned' Stark and his massive Valyrian steel great sword 'Ice.' The body is a Perry plastic from the WotR infantry boxes. The blade for the sword came from some old ridiculous fantasy miniature. The crosspiece is a bit of a sprue , and the pommel comes from a Wargames Factory gladius. The head is a plasticWargames Factory ancient German tribesman, complete with the trademark Wargames Factory 'mushy face,' as I like to call it. I think this is the least pleasing figure of the bunch, due to the bad face sculpt, and the coloring of the sword. I was going for a bluish tint but not sure I like the way it turned out. The Valyrian steel effect I later came up with looks better (see Jon Snow below).

"I think it passing odd that I am loved by one for a kindness I never did, and reviled by so many for my finest act."

Here is Jaime 'The Kingslayer' Lannister, (spoiler alert!) after his run in with the Brave Companions and his heel-to-semi-face turn). The body is once again a Perry plastic, the cloak is from the Fireforge Teutonic sergeants plastic box, the head is chopped from a Foundry Roman head that came stuck on a stake meant as a Germanic/Gallic decoration. The armor is polished looking I think, washed at one point with yellow to give it a golden-white appearance.

"I have won every battle, yet somehow I'm losing the war."

Above is Robb Stark, 'The Young Wolf.' The components are fairly similar to the Jaime figure, body by Perry plastics, cloak by Fireforge, and a Foundry head hacked off.

"There’s no shame in fear, my father told me, what matters is how we face it."

Jon Snow is almost entirely from the Fireforge Teutonic infantry set. There is a little sculpting done at teh back of the right arm to get it in the position I wanted. The wolf's head pommel piece was sculpted by me from Kneadatite 'green stuff'. The figure is decent, and I like how it turned out, though I wish the nose on the Fireforge hooded head was not so broad. It is a little overpowering for the face, and does not quite look as I would want.

Here we have a Targaryen of some sort. The armor is inspired by Rhaegar's at the Battle of the Trident, but I could not quite get the whole Targaryen sigil on the chest, so one dragon head will have to suffice, rather than three. This one is entirely from the Perry platic WotR boxes. The dragon on the chest was altered and fitted by me from a 6th ed. Warhammer dark elf shield decoration.

I hope you enjoy, and say tuned for the some pictures of my command vignettes I intend to use for the campaign.

S.V.B.E.

Lancastrian Commanders

Here we feature the commanders of my recently painted Lancastrian forces for the Battle of Tewkesbury. We have already had one re-fight, using a version of Piquet's Hostile Realms which I have modified slightly for period flavor and tactics, and I am tentatively calling 'Hostile Roses.' There will be a short write-up on the action in the days to come when I find the time.

Here are the ward commanders beginning with the vanward and proceeding down the line.

First we have Edmund Beaufort, 4th Duke of Somerset (and his infamous axe). One of the myths surrounding the Lancastrian collapse on the field is that Somerset, in his rage at John Wenlock over his lack of support for Somerset's (botched) flanking maneuver, caved in the old soldier's skull with his axe--an act which helped precipitate the rout. He was facing Richard, Duke of Gloucester across the field (as Edward IV had his vanward on the left, presumably to match his more skilled younger brother against the slightly more experienced Beaufort, rather than leaving the job to Hastings, who had performed poorly at Barnet in the weeks prior).

'Souvent me souvient!' (Somerset = Perry metal; others = Old Glory 25's) 

In the mainward we have the tough ol' John, Lord Wenlock. Wenlock had once been on the Yorkist side, but that was because he was a devoted follower of the Earl of Warwick. When Warwick betrayed to Margaret of Anjou, he took his seasoned commander with him. For the scenario, I have put Edward of Westminster, Prince of Wales with Wenlock in a sort of 'understudy' role and as an objective for the Yorkist forces. Wenlock was pitted against the ever-doughty (and later doughy) Edward IV.

Not even his turtle-like appearance could save him from  Somerset's fury. (Wenlock = Perry metal; others = Old Glory 25's)

The eighteen-year-old needs a little advice from the Hospitaller John Langstrother. (Edward and Langstrother  = Perry metal; others = Old Glory 25's)

Bringing up the rear is John Courtenay, 15th Earl of Devon. Devon was squared off across the field from Lord Hastings. He was not particularly influential in the battle from reports, since it was largely decided on the other side.

All dressed up, nowhere to go. (Devon = Perry metal; others = Old Glory 25's) 

I hope you enjoy the photos! Good gaming to all.

S. V. B. E.
The Fox

Edward IV Mounted and Perry Plastics

I have recently purchased some boxes of Perry Plastics from their Wars of the Roses range. Now, I admit, I have loathed my previous experiences with plastic figures. But I have come to realize that this was likely due to the fact that my original plans with all of the plastics I have previously purchased was to build an entire force with them. After modelling one unit, fatigue sets in as I become sick of dealing with fiddly-bits and wondering why on earth someone would cast a plastic miniature in 12-15 different pieces. Exasperated with the agonizingly slow progress, I give up.

This time, however, I purchased some plastic sets with a new mindset: to use them to build small groups of unique figures, for, say, things like command stands and individual characters. This approach is already paying off. It also helps that the Perry plastics are the first ones that hold sufficient detail for them to not look blobular (Wargames Factory, anyone?) to me. The Perrys have crafted plastic miniatures that look little different than metals when placed side-by-side, and that is a significant achievement.

I have put together a command stand with Edward IV a-horse. This was entirely surplus to force requirements, as I already have a command stand with Edward a-foot in my Yorkist army. The process was a great pleasure--an entirely new experience for me when dealing with plastics--and I think the results turned out well. All of the figures are built from some combination of the three Wars of the Roses sets released by Perry miniatures.

In other news on the Wars of the Roses front, my Lancastrian force has come to 'completion,' reaching the original point that I hoped to get it to when I began the WOTR project a little less than a year ago. This makes me quite happy, and, of course, there will be pictures in days to come. The collection of Wars of the Roses figures now stands at around 400 figures painted. I will continue to work on it (and still am: some levy units are on the painting desk as I write), but am glad to have reached a checkpoint, and able to tick something off of my 'Miniature to-do list.'

Si vales, bene est,
The Fox

Battle report: The Harrying of the Northern Tribes

History, as is often said, is written by the victors.

From Dunstone's Chronicle containing the Annals of the Realm of Angaland: 

In the spring of the eleventh year of his reign and the thirtieth of his birth, Eddard, Fourth of His Name, King of All the Angalish, did make an expedition against the tribes of the north, necessitated by an ever-increasing number of raids and border encroachments perpetrated by the seemingly restless tribesmen.  With him did go his energetic brother, Rickon, Duke of Glockster, and his faithful constable Willem, Lord Aystings, along with a full contingent of fighting men made up of their household forces. These forces did number somewhere near 6500 men afoot, armed with bow and bill, and including contingents of pikes and handguns from the Lowland realms; therewith rode some 250 mounted men-at-arms for use as scouts, and a contingent of eight newly crafted black powder artillery pieces. 

The King did travel north with malintent, for he was greatly angered at the tribesmen's continued audacity against his citizens, and as the King was ever the loyal protector of his people, he set out to do rightful harm unto the tribesmen in recompense for their unjust and unprovoked assaults. He sought eagerly to establish a foothold in the northern lands by establishing a base for his harrying of the north at the shallow fords of the River Tine within the lands inhabited by the ruthless savage. The King, ever filled with daring in matters of soldiery, hasitly rushed with his own household and mercenaries to create a bridgehead to secure the crossing for the forces of both the Duke, his brother, and the Lord Aystings. The presence of so many men under arms did come to the attention of the inhabitants of that wooded country, and there was a great alarm amongst the men of the tribes. A hasty defense was mounted, as Errmann, Chief of the band who call themselves the Nordomanni, called for men to repel the southron invaders. To his summons came tribesmen in the thousands, and with promises of a portion of the ransom for the king which Errmann claimed he would capture, the chieftain did lure into his service the mercenary captain Durgorix, called the Veteran, accompanied by his band of tribal cavalry and his paid contingent of foul orcish creatures. So too came the warrior Horgen, known as the Audacious, all in jest; for on the field he was known to be overly bold or not bold at all--a characteristic which often led his men unto their early deaths. All told the savage tribes numbered some 20,000 tribesmen afoot, 1000 a-horse, and nearly 3000 foul-spawned creatures of orcish extraction [These numbers, like most which pertain to the enemies mentioned in Dunstone's Chronicle, have been exaggerated at about double the numbers considered likely by battlefield researchers.- Ed.]. 

Initial overview (Hi, kitty!!)

View from the corner of the table

The northron left, led by Horgen the Audacious

Close up on the barbarians in the village.

The ridge's crest, with Errmann in front of his bodyguard.

The foul denizens on the northron right: Durgorix can be seen behind the tray of goblins at the head of his cavalry, who would not see much action at all. Never trust a mercenary...

These did gather upon a long crest overlooking the river's crossing, near one of the southernmost Nordomanni hamlets. From there they did look down and see the royal host arrayed in the river's bend, where the King himself went afoot, clad in his gilded armor, amidst his loyal soldiery, clasping men by the forearm or clutching them upon the shoulder, whereupon he would call them 'Brother' or 'Friend' to rouse in them their battle-courage. The king, seeing the horde drawn up upon the ridge did know that to fall back beyond the river would surely mean defeat. If, however, he could hold long enough for his leftenants to make the crossing, and then with a mighty surge plant his banner upon the ridge's crest, he was assured that the day would belong to him.

Looking down from the ridge

Looking up to the ridge

When battle was at hand, the King did act swiftly and decisively, as did his wing battles. The Northron savage, however, stood rooted, unable to cope with the swift advances of the Angalishmen. When, at length, the hordes began to stir, it was from Horgen's quarter that the first push came. Seeking to bar the Lord Aystings from the completion of his crossing, Horgen's tribemen surged forward, only to break upon the Constable's forces as waves against Angaland's southern cliffs. Horgen himself was caught up in the rout, and just barely managed to extricate himself from its press to retain command over his men. The Lord Aystings did the King good service on the day, and in time, the newly forged guns would also tinge the northern soil red with northron blood.

The forced crossing of Aystings, and Glockster in the far background. Horgen advances.

Horgen's attack repelled; the advances.

The Duke of Glockster did advance at speed as well; some say he crossed more swiftly than Lord Aystings. His march across the ford was unopposed, as all men know that the orcish brood is a dull one, and is slow to react or understand a changing situation. Seeing his brother's swift advance, the King did rally his men and begin a cautious and measured advance towards the ridge. This advance was countered by the chieftain's forces, as at long last they stirred their courage to sweep down the ridge upon the combined forces of the King and his brother, who was also feeling pressure from the orcish contingent. These foul creatures, though large and apparently fierce, were no match for the young Duke's vigour [This will remain one of the mysteries of the battle. That a group of bloodthirsty orcish Toughskins should be so easily brushed aside borders on the unbelievable. Nevertheless, I think we must take Dunstone's word for it, as it fits with the overall depiction and result of the battle as a crushing victory for King Eddard. -Ed.].

Despite the horde's impetus, the king's men held, though some were troubled by a mob of painted savages who seemed to have worked themselves into a blood frenzy. The Nordomanni push came to naught, and then the King did turn the screw. With a mighty push, he himself led his men into the bloody fray. The courage of the savage is as the flash of a falling star, burning bright and brief, while the courage of the noble man, of which King Eddard was but one, is as the eternal sunne in all its splendour. The northron fled before the flashing armaments of the King, and a mighty roar did go up from the royal host as the King's banner was planted upon the ridge-crest, proclaiming the battle justly won with its words, "God's, and my right!"

The center collides. The Toughskins routed by Glockster's extreme  left.

The northron center crumbles. The King surges forward.

The King takes the ridge, chasing Errmann, who is in the process of running away with his bodyguard.

A great slaughter of the foe was made, and it is said that the day is remembered among the northern tribes as a black stain upon their history. The failure of the Nordomanni to bar the King's way resulted in a great harrying of the northern lands, the thought of which still causes the northron--be they man, woman, or child--to weep bitter tears.

The Major Morale check roll: can't get any lower than that!

[You have just read a narrative account of the most crushing victory I have ever secured on a miniatures table. The rules were Hostile Realms by Piquet. The opponent was the Official Wife, aided (if we can call rolling 1's aid) by our son. The scenario is based on Charles Grant's "Bridgehead Breakout" scenario. The tribesmen would win if they could repel the invaders back beyond the river, while the invaders would win if they could secure the ridge and hold it.

The battle was a walk despite sides which on paper were quite balanced. Between my wife and son, they managed to roll a total of around fifteen 1's. They were good sports about this however, and the weeping of bitter tears was left to their fictional charges. The game got off to a good start for the Angalish, as they won the first initiative by 11 (!!) and chose to act first. The tribesmen are an offensive army, and they were put on the back foot from the get-go. Amazing disparity in our dice rolling saw me rout unralliable 3 units, as well as the full destruction of 4 units. The Angalish lost only a single melee and a single morale chip. There was no need for tactical morale challenges: the tribesmen took care of the running themselves.

The poor wife saw only a single move card, and never got her berserker card, or anything else remotely decent. It also killed her when after going through many of her not so great cards, we tied on the initiative roll and we had to reshuffle the decks! Thankfully I am married to such a pleasant companion, who not only loves miniature gaming, but knows how to take a drubbing with grace. 

The battle ended on a major morale failure just after the Angalish took the ridge. I had just had a run of 8 cards, and when it was the wife's turn to flip, Major Morale was the second she flipped. And characteristically for the day, the roll was a 1. It was a day to remember for me, as the wife usually gives good sport, and beats me with regularity. But as we all know, the wheel of fortune continuously turns, and I know that those who crest its top will soon find themselves upside-down at its bottom.

Great rules, great company, and great fun!]

S. V. B. E. 

-The Fox