Spearmen #23 and #24

Dwarf spearmen. Done. I've already whined a lot about this unit, incorporating models I don't like much (the range of spearmen being rather limited, I used all the dwarves I could find on eBay). Let's say I'm happy to conclude with these two guys.

The first one is a model sculpted by Colin Dixon (I believe). Strange proportions, but in the end, rather nice to paint. The second one is a Citadel imperial dwarf initialy armed with a hammer (lost in a previous conversion), and now holding a spear from a set of dwarf weapons (Hasslefree Miniatures).

Crossbowmen #23 and #24

Quarellers. done. One Citadel imperial dwarf and one Marauder Miniature to complete my two regiments of crossbowmen.

Redwin: a comic book with Dwarfs

To be honest, I was a little bit sceptical about this title. I've found most of the fantasy production very disappointing in recent years. Drawing can be good, but more than often, the stories are awfully predictable.

In the end, the scenario of Redwin is quite convincing, and the illustrations (by Pierre-Denis Goux) are really really cool... including tens of dwarves ;) All the details can be found here.

If you buy it, you can find very inspiring sketches at the end of the comic book. A few samples (all found here):

Ulrog, Redwin's father

Redwin (left) and Rom (right)

Rorgre, the King's surgeon (left) and the alchimist (right)

From left to right: Half-Ogre, Redwin and the Master of the Games

Forge-Keeper

From left to right, top to bottom: Redwin's sword, Redwin, Enime, Rom and a Forge recruiter

From left to right: King, Talion Lord, Temple Lord and Shield Lord

Redwin's forge (left) and Ulrog's one (right)

The last one is my favorite: one day, I'll try to make some dwarf buildings for a battlefield... One day!

Skaven on hold

Hmm... it seems that I have some difficulties to put aside my dwarf army. So, to reduce (a little) my pile of unpainted lead, I've decided to rework my previously completed regiments and paint additional models to get multiples of 12.

Let's start with this old Assassin Miniatures model (you can read his story on the blog of his creator, who, 20 years later, sculpted these amazing Renaissance dwarfs). Not my favorite, but I'm running out of spearmen.



And now, this dwarf warrior/crossbowman (haven't decided yet where to put him). Really nice sculpt (as often with the Perrys), I probably should have spent more time on the beard. Anyway.

Troll slayers completed

I've realised that I had forgotten to post my unit of 12 troll slayers.

Omission corrected!

One last hammerer for the Black Boar Company

Hammerers. Done.

Now that I count by 12, I've picked up a last model, not my favorite one, but I had already removed the slotta bar... SoMarauder dwarf with Marauder shield:


The "Black Boar Company" is now complete.

Rat test #2

Another stormvermin, another sculpt by Jes Goodwin.


 The base is ugly, I really have to find something nice (and simple!) for my skaven.

Next  post, back to dwarfs.

Building a Skaven retinue

Skaven then... Even if I'm building a 24-point warband for Dragon Rampant, I still try to stick to the spirit of the Warhammer Armies lists: slaves and clanrat warriors for a start, then we'll see!

So:

• 1 point: 12 slaves, count as Serfs
• 3 points: 12 clanrat warriors, count as Foot Yeomen

Then:

• 6 points: 3 Rat Ogres, count as Greater warbeasts 
• 4 points: 3 Jezzail teams, count as Handgonnes 
• 4 points: 12 Clanrat Stormvermins, count as Foot Serjeants
• 2 points: 6 Eshin Gutter runners, count as Bidowers

And I have still 4 points to spend... I'm considering a rat pack of 6 models, but I have no equivalence in mind for them. I'm also considering 3 warpfire-thrower teams, count as Handgonnes again. Last solution would be a new batch of slaves and clanrat warriors, but this would mean 24 additional models to paint... Not sure it's a good idea... unless I consider that Giant rats equal Serfs. So, for the the moment, let us conclude with:

• 1 point: 9 Giant rats and 3 Moulder beastmasters, count as Serfs,
• 3 points: 12 Clanrat warriors, count as Foot Yeomen.

And now my first attempt to paint a Stormvermin. Considering the limited equipment, he may eventually join the clanrat warriors.


(wooden shield sculpted by Kev Adams for Hasslefree Miniatures)