From GeoffreyT: Champions of Chaos (Challenge XII Star)(60 points)

Finally we reach the Challenge XII star, where I must paint Champions of chaos, and add 'tasteful' photographs of their escapades. 

This has been a challenge in more than one way, my brushes are wrecked and it becomes incrementally harder to make a point on one, or find a half decent corner of brush to use, let alone think of a tasteful story.

I tend to wreck my brushes, so use cheap Taklon ones and replace them regularly.  This is the dirty dozen I am currently working with.  The liner brush is the only one usable anymore.  Stuck with doing terrain only until I venture out for some more.

I also do other nefarious things like use unthinned paint on a dry palette, I probably would do better if I practiced correct technique, but hey its a hobby, so I do it how I like it.

Oops, perhaps this photo just crossed the line on 'tasteful'

Here is the group of miniatures that the mangled brushes produced.  This range of figures is my all time favourite.  I should have done these first when my brushes and motivation was good.  But then that would not be a challenge then would it.  All from Citadel miniatures "Realm of Chaos" range circa 1987.

Back in the day, I loved the chaos warband rules released for realms of Chaos.  They came with the books 'Slaves to Darkness' and 'Lost and the Damned'.  At the time they were quite unique, with greatly unbalanced forces derived from random rolls for Chaos Champion and warband generation, and equally random advancements.  There was a mini campaign system where you could progress until you became a demon prince, a chaos spawn, be dead or even undead, with death or the chaos spawn option most likely.   You also had the option of using your randomly generated warbands as a unit in a full scale army.  It was really innovative stuff and brimming with depth.  

First we have two Champions of Khorne (the god of blood and gore), in their traditional black, red and bronze.   They had pointy ears, I was going to use them for planet Vulcan until I found a different option.  All these chaos minis are based in the old style, so I can add them to the 100 odd I already have collected this range over the last 35 years.

Next is a bug-like Champion of Slaanesh (the god of pleasure and pain).  Back in 1987 these guys were painted in pastel pink and blue combos.   This bug-man is a bit brighter than the old school style.

Next is a Champion of Nurgle (the god of disease and decay), in rotted browns and green.  I find this combo hard as I like bright colours, and it is hard to get a good contrast between areas in murky colours.  Nevertheless I was most happy with how this one came out of the bunch.

Finally a Champion of Tzeentch (the god of change) on a flying disc.  I have based him like cavalry as I have a bunch of these I run as a unit when the need for WFB arises.  I don't like see-thru flying stands, so I use a rock pile or dead tree sculpt to lift it up from the base.

Tzeentch is usually done in big colour contrasts.  I like contrasting colour areas as it makes delineation between areas possible without black-lining or deep shading.

This one has a bit of sci-fi action on this back.  The realm of Chaos characters had a bit of crossover between fantasy and scifi.  The fully sci-fi 'chaos marine' ones from '87 are great too, but rare as hens teeth.

Now for the escapades.

***

Once upon a time, there was a powerful wizard, Simon the wise.

Simon delved deeply into magic, and used an ancient artefact to commune with great powers.  Unfortunately the powers were too great, and Simon was turned evil, and transformed into Simon the many-coloured.

War was coming, and the great daemon Sore Ron commanded Simon to his side.

Ron: "Build me an army worthy of the Snowlord"

Simon worked like a demon (sic) and turned goodly creatures into evil

"Have at you longshanks"

"What !!?, longshanks ???, I have no legs you idiots.."

                                        KAZAAAAM !!!!

He turned unpainted into painted...

                                           PA-CHOW *

The wise and goodly peoples held council.  The Grey Wizard informed the council of the corruption of Simon the Wise.

Half Elf: "Our list of allies grows thin"

Man: "You have my sword"

Dwarf: "...and my axe"

The gibbering horde grew, and none could withstand them.

The goodly people retreated to Realms Keep for a final last stand.

"so it begins"

All seemed lost, until dawn on the third month, when a bright light appeared on the horizon, and a new power appeared, turning the tide of the battle.

"Hello Darlings..."

                                                                    FIN

***

4 Champions on foot = 20 points

1 mounted champion = 10 points

Bonus for Challenge XII Star = 30 points?

A Squirrel for 'Realms of Chaos'

Veni Vedi Blogi

Geoff.

*hard core painting nerd reference

I have judged your entry... and found it worthy. Congratulations on achieving your Challenge! You've done a great job on these doomed warriors, each a different style. I enjoyed your story, which was a nice retrospective, and hope there is a sequel! Your labours have calmed the Snowlord's savage heart until next winter.

Barks

PS Your brushes look like mine... I was worried I was going to have to surrender my nerd card, but I got the reference. Phew!