Warhammer -1313

 

 

I've had this idea lingering for years, and it has bubbled back to the surface. Oldhammer. No, not like that. This is Warhammer set in the in-universe past. Sort of like the War of the Beard campaign & lists published in WD long ago. 

 

Based on my interests and collection, my setting would be sometime after the War of the Beard, but before Sigmar, and set in my favorite place in the Old World: The Wasteland/Westerland.

I like the idea of setting it in the time just before and after the cataclysm brought about by the strife between the Fimir and Skaven. Arbitrarily I'll set this around the year of the Imperial Calendar...

 

-1313

 

Two major factions would be the afore mentioned Skaven & Fimir. Two secondary, or maybe more like something between primary and secondary (prime-and-a-half-ary?) factions of humans and dwarfs. Dwarfs would be at a bit of a low point in their history, suffering not only from the toll of the War of the Beard, but supposedly the natural (or Slann and then Skaven/Fimir induced un-natural) disasters that came after, and the goblin incursions the followed that. Humans would be from the early migrations into this region, which (according to what I could tell from Warhammer lore) lagged behind the earlier human settlements in the future neighboring lands of Bretonnia and Tilea to the west and south respectively.

Tertiary forces or supporting characters could include goblins, undead, giants.

I've got a lot of this thought out already. The big, undecided portion for me is the humans. I fluctuate between envisioning them as early Celtic or Germanic tribes, and somewhat later Migration Period Germans (Goths, Vandals, or early Saxons). The depictions in Warhammer art & books seems to favor the former, but I feel that's a bit out of place. Maybe just "modern" in-world source biases of "everyone a few hundred years ago was a primitive barbarian" bias?

For the dwarfs, I definitely want a look that's different from my puff & slash mercenaries. There's quite a few options for dwarfs with an early medieval "dark ages" aesthetic, and that's what I'd probably aim for.  These would all be fairly small army projects.

Five Parsecs from Gaming

It appears to have been a while since I've updated. That's due to the lack of painting or gaming since the beginning of July. 2021 has not been kind.

First, a bit of catching up. Early in July I posted my wrap-up for the 2021 Old World Army Challenge. I've never had difficulty finishing a painting challenge until this year. In fact, I skipped everything other than the OWAC. (No "Big April", "Month of Marsh", or "Orctober" for me.) But at least I'm happy with the end result of OWAC 2021!

https://oldworldarmychallenge.blogspot.com/2021/07/zerotwentythrees-post-owac4-eldar.html

Recently (last two weeks or so) I've squeezed out some time at the painting desk again. Thank FSM. I needed it. Painting is my anti-stress, my meditation. And I needed it.

I've been continuing with the sci-fi theme, participating in the "squad challenge" that the OWAC group does as an off-season warm up or something like that. Essentially, it's painting 10 figures with a common theme over 2 months. I'm continuing with sci-fi, painting some more "supporting characters" for a hopeful solo campaign of Five Parsecs From Home. More on that later.

So the painting...

First 3 of the 10 figure challenge. Nulltron, washed up egotistical robot overlord; Slem, time and space displaced fianna Fimir turned galactic fringe bounty hunter; and Jaz, just Jaz.

David Rattenborough, famed Spaven naturalist & mutalogical engineer, with his field assistant, Gleek. Seen here with a vox caster, no doubt presenting the findings of his latest expedition.

99% done painting. Still need inspiration to hit for something entertaining to paint on the scroll.

Not sure if she's summoning them up from below ground or about to get eaten. Pic could be telling either story.

Stalking the crystal fields.

Small terrain piece kitbashed from various bits of trash.

Mostly I work. This year we had an official OK for costumes on the Friday before Halloween, we decorated like we never have before, and our last hour of the work day was "trick or treat."  So this was my casual Friday look. Unfortunately I didn't have any video meetings. "Yes, behold the wraith who designs your retail stores!"

Bog Corpses

Finished ten test subjects. The lighting in the photos doesn't do them justice, unfortunately. I was going to leave the eyes dark, but thought they needed something to contrast with the rest of the dark color scheme. Again, going back to Mr. Saturday's minis, I liked the glowing eyes, so swiped that idea, but I wanted a fiery look to mine. Minis are built from Mantic zombie & ghoul bits.

The inspiration comes from the real world bog bodies (pic By Commander-pirx at de.wikipedia - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11778254). Some of the bodies that have been recovered are suspected of being disposed of intentionally, for a variety of proposed reasons.

At any rate, back to my Fomorians... I will present the background in a better format later, but the gist is to twist the GW Fimir story a bit and not really related (as far as I can tell) to the mythological Fomorians.

The/my Fomorians are ancient, and slow to reproduce. This is due, in part, to the fact that they multiply through ritual sacrifice and primal magics of the elements of earth and water, flesh and blood... More stolen ideas, partially from the background for the goblins in Crucible. Essentially they make a sacrifice, toss it into the bog, and hope that when they come back in a few days the body & spirit have transformed into a new Fomorian. The magic is as unreliable as it is ancient. Failed sacrifices are not a complete loss, however. Many Dirach & Meargh are able to animate (more on that later) these failed sacrifices in times of need, which have been ritually disposed of in the bogs around the Fomirian settlements.

In terms of gaming & rules... without getting into the details, my ideas are sort of undeady, but closer to what are usually classified as ghouls rather than zombies. But not really either of those. Ghouls are going to be my starting point in terms of most gaming rules, though.

St. Patrick's Day KoW

Played in a three round Kings of War tournament at Recess Games. 2500 points this afternoon.

In keeping with the holiday, I fielded my (Irish myth inspired) Fomorians using the ogre army rules. I had to field 2 giants, the bog demon (as a mammoth), and a unit of allied half-orcs (as humans.) I used the recently painted bog trolls as hunters. So still all themed with the army, just not exactly what I would have liked to field.

Lost all three games & came in dead last. (Further thoughts on my consistent crap performance in KoW in a future update...) But I had a good time & got best painted award. A few pics of my games...


Game 1 vs. Abyssals

Game 2 vs. Undead

Game 3 vs. Abyssal Dwarfs

 

Marshing On...

I didn't expect to paint the trolls so quickly, so I didn't really have any further plans for the Month of Marsh. So I'm going to jump ahead to something that has been way down low on my list of priorities but came to mind for several reasons...

Animated bog corpses. I've quickly assembled ten for a quick test paint.

I've seen something similar done before (see Mr. Saturday...) Mine will be a bit different in appearance and background.

They should be quick to paint. They can fit with my Fomorians and (possibly) with my undead. I've also realized that I could use more lightweight rank & file for the Fomorians, without resorting to the Shearl idea from the WFB Fimir. As much as I am looking forward to seeing my half-orcs on the gaming table (I've become fond of those minis!) I would have preferred a couple of small units of bog corpses for KoW this weekend.

So I think it will be bog corpses for the remainder of Marsh. Unless I decide to unleash the paint on... Goremaw!

KoW in a Week

Photo of most of what I plan on fielding for KoW next weekend. Not quite enough Fomorians/Fimir, so I'm using the trolls I just painted, going heavy on the big guys, and (not pictured) a regiment of half orc allies. (Using the KoW ogre list, with human allies for the half-orcs.)


Click photo to enlarge, as usual.

Krakon Games Skeleton Ogres

Krakon Games skeleton ogres. I previously painted the one on the right. I can't seem to get decent photo of these gents to save my life. The two on the left are more recent arrivals from the last KS.

I picked up a duplicate of the one in the middle and plan on converting that one with a different pose/weapon.

For what it's worth, Krakon are becoming another favorite source for unique miniatures. Obviously I like the skeletal ogres, and I've previously posted pics of Morrighu. I really recommend checking out the web site and Facebook page a follow ( https://www.facebook.com/KrakonGames/ ) you'll see some cool minis with a bit of an oldschool flavor.

As much as I've been enjoying my own Fomorian conversions, I'm tempted to put that on hold and pick up some of the Krakon Fomorian raiders, especially since they fit with certain old lead miniatures much better than my own. I had better start saving my pennies...

Goodbye 2017

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I'm currently suffering my way through the holidays at the hands of one of the chaos gods...

POP-KHORNE!

Just before Christmas I got a bit of popcorn kernel stuck between my teeth. After much work, I was able to dislodge it, but it had gotten into my gums and irritated them so much that it became infected and to the point that I've had excruciating pain throughout my gums and skull for the past week.  I'm already on my second round of antibiotics. So my first goal/hope for 2018 is to fight off the god of blood and skulls, and eradicate the presence of his unusually subtle servant from my household, the foul snack food of chaos.

On to more positive things...


DEADCEMBER '17

I'm pretty impressed with my painting output for Deadcember this year. I changed the target half way through, and in both cases over-planned for what I thought I could get done -- so I'm pretty happy with it. Even if I did cheat start the armoured skeletons a few days early. The total looks something like:

• 15 Armoured Skeletons
• 16 Skeleton Spearmen
• 2 Mounted Skeleton Cavalry
• 1 Mounted Wight/Necromancer/Whatever
• 2 Liches
• 1 Undead Owlbear
• 12 Skeleton "Commandos"
• 1 Necromancer on foot
• 1 Small Skeletal Dragon

By my revised goal, I would have liked to get another 12 "commandos" done, but I hadn't planned on painting the dragon -- so I'll call it even. Especially given the pop-Khorne issue above, and its impact on my painting the past week.


THE REST OF 2017

...was a mix, I guess.

I'm disappointed I barely got any gaming in. A few hours with my old friends at their regular Game Day, and the recent KoW tournament. I had hoped for more. In particular, I missed a couple of Oldhammer events this year, and had really wanted to run a participation game at a convention (was aiming for Con on the Cob.)

On the other hand, I did paint (and blog) quite a bit. A few highlights... (Click to enlarge)

Starting on the Jackrabbit Trading Company:

Big April:

More Fomorians/Fimir:

Half-Orcs! (an unexpected side-quest, and one of my favorite projects of 2017)

There were more... disciples, hobbit scouts, goblins, and of course more undead. But that's a lot of pics already.


ON TO 2018!

What am I looking forward to in the new year?

To start with, I'm going to be painting a few more high elves to compliment the commission work I've done before.

After that the current outlook is mostly more of the same:

• Jackrabbit Trading Company
• Fomorians/Fimir
• Giants (Big April '18)
• Undead (mostly rank & file)
• Marienburgers (mostly rank & file)

With a few additions:

• Meat Hating Robot Pirates
• More "Regiments of Renown" style mercenary units
• Goremaw

And, of course, more gaming. There's another local KoW tournament planned. I'll see if I can make it to that. Maybe a convention this year? Oldhammer events? Solo board gaming? Hopefully something!


Thanks for reading, and thank you to everyone who comments. Since I don't game much (or get out of the house/office much at all), gaming blogs, fora, and a couple of FB groups are the closest thing to the social aspect of the hobby that I have.

New Fomorians + XXL

Finished the first round of the new Bones conversions, plus the XXL Fomorian. I took Shadespyre's advice and drilled a hole down the latter's club and slipped a brass rod in, to keep it straight. Capped with some CA glue. Worked perfectly.

I also rebased some more of the painted dire wolves I got a while ago. The only painting I did was a little touch-up drybrushing. I needed a few on single bases to work out for playing KoW. They are to stand in for moor hounds until I find more suitable models.

Still working on a couple of single figures, these should be the next two to be finished...

Fomorian XXL - WIP

The XXL sized Fomorian is just about ready for paint.

I'm having problems with the bendy Bones club. I softened it with hot water, straightened it out and held it under cold water. It stayed straight for a few days, but then went back to being bent. This is consistent with my previous attempted at straightening the Bones material on other figures. I think the material just doesn't work the same way many resins do.

He's shown here next to the four regular sized converted Bones Fomorians for comparison.

Fomorians & KoW

((For what it's worth, I've started adding a gallery of Fomorians and JTC minis to the site -- links are listed above. Still need to organize more!))


I've decided to put a little more work into the Fomorians, and get enough painted for a decent selection for Kings of War, using the ogre list. This also means a larger pool of minis to use for WFB3, should the opportunity present itself as well.

As for the merging of concepts, my thoughts as far as KoW units to use:

Warriors = Reaper conversions & old Citadel Fianna/Nobles
Berserker Braves = Savage Orc Conversions
Hunters = Also Savage Orc Conversions, but with frog spears, nets, etc.
Red Goblin Scouts = Moor Hounds
Giant = Large Beasts, Demons, etc.
+ Characters

A few thoughts on expanding this:

Red Goblins: I've got vague ideas, but just haven't found the best minis for some small, cowardly bowmen (or bow-creatures.)

Mammoth: Most "big things" will fall into the Giant category, but I wouldn't mind a beast carrying more small, cowardly minions to go with the previous entry. Still sorting out ideas for this.

Chariots: I like the idea of having just a few chariots the problem is finding suitable chariot models (probably better to scratch build my own?) but more importantly, I need some suitable beasts pulling them! I like the idea of wolves/supernatural-hounds or maybe some sort of shaggy horse-like beast. But not sure what miniatures to use. If I keep this sub-project small, I don't mind doing some heavy conversions.

I'm currently working on more warriors, and another hero. The former are now primed and ready to paint. The latter is still being converted and still has some modeling & sculpting work before it's ready.

My goal for the next few months -- definitely end of year -- is to have at least the following available for KoW:

2 x Hordes (6) of Warriors (400 pts.)
1 x Horde (6) of Berserkers (230 pts.)
1 x Regiment (3) Hunters (145 pts.)
2 x Regiments (10) of Moor Hounds (310 pts.)
2 x "Giants" (230 pts.)
1 x Warlord (185 pts.)
1 x Warlock (100 pts.)
1 x Caprain (135 pts.)

= 1,735 pts.

If I want to push up to 2,000 pts. my plan is to either use allies for the moment, or (if I can) paint up more Warriors, Berserkers, etc. I've already been  considering the half-orc option as being a good "co-outcast" ally for the Fomorians. I would most likely use one of the human options in the case of allies (probably  KoM.)

My eventual goal will be to have at least 3k available.


The miniatures/modeling options I'm still seeking, then are:

Chariots: Mostly this is a matter of exactly what sort of beast is pulling them. The chariots themselves are easy to convert of scratch build. Crew would be Fomorians -- probably Reaper based. Beasts: Wolves? Not-quite-horses? Something else?

Mammoth: What sort of a large critter, and who to put on it?

Fomorian WIP

While I wait for cavalry bases for the hobbit goat knights, I figured I would start on some more Fomorians/Fimir.

They're roughed out, but still need to sculpt feet, tails, and do a bit of filling/detail work.

Load 'o Bones

My Bones 3 KS figures came in. Plus I picked up a pack of 3 of the Bob Olley orcs in Bones to see if they would fit with the recently nearly completed half orc unit. I thought I would post a few comparison pics. I didn't get a ton, but this isn't pics of everything either.

The best two figures from the "Lords of Undeath" are the two big guys. The halfling is OK, and I'm not sure I will ever use the elf & dwarf (not pictured.) The latter three are skeletal, but have pristine clothing, equipment, and hair -- which seems a bit odd. The two big ones shown here compared to skeletal ogres from Krakon Games, RPE, and the one I picked up (via FB) from a small personal project someone had cast. I think these will all work pretty well together!

Bob Olley orc in Bones material next to a couple of the half orcs. Nice figure, but unfortunately hot certain I like them together. I also realized I should show a scale pic of the half orcs next to my standard reference.

One of the most fun minis from the KS. GOREMAW. Sort of an impulse buy, a ridiculous miniature I just had to have & paint. I think it will be a big nasty summoned by Fomorians & others. Pic next to the Fomorians/Fimir, plus the (formerly) largest critter in their arsenal -- Reaper bog demon.

Reaper is "super sizing" their giants. I've got mixed feelings on this. I felt the fire giant queen I previously painted (second pic) was a great size for a giant, that bucked the trend of "bigger is better." Maybe hypocritical of me to say that given some of the enormous models I've picked up and/or painted the past few years. But in terms of background/setting, etc. I really do like the smaller ones -- and she was really well sculpted (and a nice casting, give that she's also in Bones!)

So here are some of the "super sized" fire giants, next to the old-ish Citadel giant, and the earlier version of the fire giant queen mentioned above. Definitely going to need some work on the bendy issues, but looking forward to seeing these painted up. Someday.

Also in the package is a restock of conversion fodder for my Fomorians. So those are back on teh menu now that I finally have more bodies to work with!

Fomorian Warband

Since I had a couple of requests, here's a photo (as best as I could) of the Fomorian/Fimir warband so far. (Click/tap to enlarge.)

Four characters center front. Behind them and to the right are two groups of four Fianna. To the left are 12 warriors. In the back-right are the moor hounds, and center-rear are the bog demon and giant centipede.

Planned additions include: More hounds (heh heh heh) -- I have about 10 left to touch up and rebase. More conversions of Reaper orcs for additional Fianna, and although they're not ideal, I do think the Citadel savage orcs turned out OK, and I will probably do another batch of those for more common warriors. If I can get my hands on more oldschool Citadel Fimir, I would love to add two both of those tiny units. But I'm not going to count on that happening! I'm lucky to have what I've got already.

Still some other ideas rattling around in my head, but the above photo & plans are the core for this warband.

Real End of Marsh '17, and a Short Distration (or Three)

I was hoping to get one last project done for the Month of Marsh -- converting the big Reaper ogre to a Fomorian hero. But it is now officially April, and I haven't even finished sculpting the head (actually working on two of them at the same time, and will pick the better to use.) This is as far as I got...

While waiting for the various layers of putty on the heads above to cure, I did a bit of painting and...

"Trois" I've got a story in my head about these three. Maybe it will work its way into a campaign, or bit of fluff or something. The hobbit on the left is from Reaper, the two on the right are from Westfalia.

End of Marsh '17

This may be the conclusion of my part in the Month of Marsh Challenge '17. I may still be able to get a little something else done before the end of the month... we'll see.

I also based up that oldschool Ral Partha warrior I used for my rust painting tutorial. Too wide a stance to fit on a smaller base, so he's on a 40x40.