From EthanM: Handgunners Galore - Part One of Too Many (50 points)

Hello All!

This post brings about the beginning of my Warhammer Fantasy Battles army. Moving from painting Republican Romans and Sertorian Spanish to the late Renaissance-inspired regiments of the Empire of Man is definitely a bit of a change. The Empire of Warhammer's Old World is a fantastical imagining of the Holy Roman Empire of medieval and renaissance Europe, with large contingents of professional soldiers (state troops) often dressed in puffed sleeves and quartered livery, and sworn to fight at the behest of their Elector-Count. Each of the Elector-Counts answers to the Emperor, elected from among their number. However, the Old World mixes in the fractured nature of the loosely-bound principalities with powerful battle mages, massive steam-punk tanks and various pieces of artillery, as well as good-aligned monsters such as griffons. 

Here we have an image of the first ten handgunners to be included in this army. Handgunners are, quite simply, state troops trained in the use of crude black powder weapons (a technology shared by humanity's stalwart ally, the Dwarfs). The fellows are painted in the livery of Averland, an Imperial province in the southern region of the Empire. Averland is ruled by Marius Leitdorf, the Mad Count - at least until the End Times. Averland's sigil is that of a yellow sun on a black field. 

These handgunners will be fielded in regiments of 30 - at present, I have plans for three 30-man regiments of these fine fellows.

Here we have a close-up of the regiment's sergeant, a grizzled veteran, and the regimental piper. 

And finally, a shot of the full regiment in its movement tray. Only 20 more until this unit is finished! Hopefully, they will be completed at a somewhat faster rate.

__________________________________________________________________

"What the hell is this?"

 
"This is the bill that will convert the Averland state hospital for the insane into the William J. Le Petomane memorial handgunner regiment for the insane."

"Gentlemen, this bill will be a giant step forward in the expansion of the army of the insane Marius Leitdorf. Fifty points to Averland!"

From EthanM - Spanish Scutarii and the Final Post

Hello again all. It's been a little while but the Spanish are here as promised. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like the Celtiberians will be joining the crew in time for the end of the challenge, but with any lucky they'll be incorporated in the more casual weeks to come. This seems less and less likely, though, as just today I was given a squad of 28mm Great War mounted Australian Light Cavalry. These, along with their dismounted comrades, will probably command most of my attention going forward. I was very excited about these figures as I've been looking for them for more than a year now and my dad (EricM) managed to wrangle them up at Cold Wars.

On to the figures at hand. I appreciated the Old Glory Ancients Spanish figures because their simplicity allowed lots of customization. On the other hand, deciding what colour combinations and how exactly to paint the shields absorbed lots of time. To represent their Romanization under Sertorius, Old Glory Republican Roman command was incorporated in. Each unit is of 18 figures. First up, the classic red unit.

Next, the purple/burgundy unit (and my personal favorite).

The green unit, featuring an armoured centurion and musician.

And finally the blue unit.

Here, we have a class photo of the Spanish troops.

Overall, 60 Scutarii and 12 Romans, 72 infantry total.

I've got to say, though I didn't quite reach my target points goal, I certainly had a fabulous time painting up these figures and seeing what you all were up to as well. I'm really glad to have been a part of the Challenge. A major round of applause to Curt and the Minion crew for all their efforts. Thank you all very much.

Until next time!

_________________________

Great work Ethan! That is an impressive amount of ancient Spaniards. I can't tell with the high contrast, but are they on a snow-style basing? I have to agree with you, the burgundy and bronze unit is very fine indeed. I don't remember if you mentioned, but will these be used for 'Hail Caesar'? Whatever the system, you have a considerable force now.

I'm delighted you had a good time with the Challenge and hope you can join us again in a future edition.

From Ethan M - Sertorius and Swedes - (134 points)

Hello again everyone. This week brings about the last of the Sertorian Romans, as well as the conclusion of a totally different project. First, we have three mounted generals.

First up, we have a mounted Roman general.

Next, one of the local Spanish nobility in the Roman style but a much more colourful blue.

And finally, a surly-looking and balding Roman dignitary; in fact, this is none other than Marcus Perpenna Vento, the man who would ultimately betray Quintus Sertorius to his death.

Switching gears, last fall I participated in a project among some of the local Hoosier gamers for the Great Northern War. As such, I painted an army of 15mm Swedes for the campaign. To add to the points tally this week I decided to throw together a pair of cavalry brigades to add to the forces destined to repulse the Russian savages and treacherous Saxons from the Baltic.

A close up of a German dragoon brigade fighting beneath the banner of Charles XII.

As well as a shot of the South Scanian Cavalry Brigade. Classified as Horse, consider them unarmoured Cuirassiers.

Last, a shot of the standard bearer from the South Scanian brigade from behind. I do like their heraldry.

Currently, I'm working on the finishing touches of the Spanish Scutarri and preparing for some Celtiberians to join Sertorius' forces. There may be additional Swedes joining the roster in the future. These two brigades bring my GNW army to 6 brigades of foot, 2 of horse, and 3 of dragoons.

A total of 27 cavalry this week, 24 in 15mm and 3 in 25mm. Hopefully next week will be a bit more productive. Until next time!

The commanders of your Sertorius Legion look really fine in officer finery. I quite like your Spanish officer in blue.

The Northern war Germanic cavalry look very striking too. I'd imagine that your infantry will be able to advance comfortably against the Russians with these fellows guarding the flanks! I'd really like to see them arrayed with your infantry as well. The banners are very fine too! 

Ethan M - The Assembly of Legio IX (210 points)

Hello again everyone. This week brings about the end of painting for my Sertorian Romans, and am now able to finally begin work on the Spanish troops. To begin, I've added to Quintus Sertorius' retinue: his trusty steed.

Here, the noble Spanish warhorse is pictured next to his rider.

Additionally, the fifth and final cohort for Legio IX has been completed. This final cohort was also from the much lamented Wargames Factory box.

And a shot from an angle. Misery does love company, I suppose, and I'm glad to some extent I'm not the -only- one out there who has found them somewhat lacking. Still, I did appreciate the variety grab bag that could be assembled with their adaptability.

With the final cohort finished, I have Legio IX pictured in its entirety.

I can't really describe how glad I am to be finished with the Roman side of things. To express that, I decided to paint some Spanish cavalry to add to the big red blob. First up, a unit of six Spanish heavy cavalry.

I believe that these figures are also Old Glory, and from the Punic Wars line. Carthage made extensive use of a huge grab-bag of troops, something Sertorius himself emulated, and the Spanish didn't experience too much change prior to Imperial administration. I like these figures, as the sculpt still offers a very Romanized look to everything. I particularly enjoyed painting the large, rounded shields that give off something of a mounted hoplite vibe.

More shots of the heavy cav.

With those out of the way, I painted a similarly-sized unit of light cavalry.

These too are Old Glory figs, described as small-shield Spanish light cavalry.

I wanted something of an irregular feel to these, but wanted to avoid bland, earthy colours like those occupying most of my basing. They are a little brighter than I'd like, though when out of the light my poor photography work creates I think they look much grungier and more to my liking.

A wide-angle shot of Sertorius' army so far.

And a shot that leaves everything less blotted out by the light. Again, apologies for the photography work.

That'll be it for this week. Additions to Legio IX include 16 infantry, 12 cavalry, and Sertorius' steed. With any luck, next week will see the introduction of the first of the Scutarii. Until next time!

I am still impressed with the look you brought out of the wargames factory romans, Ethan. They really do look impressive and the graffiti on the shields just adds to the elan! They are hard pressed t match the old glory cavalry though. I really like the Spanish heavy cavalry. The darker uniforms provide an excellent punch to the force. The light cavalry is also well done, the variety of tunics does make them seem adhoc, but the armor ties them in well to each other and the rest of the force.

Very well done, Ethan!

I considered Setorius's mount to be a completed cav trooper, but the extra points are for the excellent use of the wargames factory Romans, I really like those shields! ;)

Even More Sertorian Romans - Ethan M(175 points)

Hello all. This week's offering includes two additional cohorts of Sertorian Romans, leaving just one more to finish before Legio IX shall be fully assembled and prepared to challenge Rome. In regards to questions from the previous post, the First Cohort and its wingman were comprised of figures from Old Glory's Caesarian Gallic Campaign. Today's figures are actually plastic, and from Wargames Factory.

A shot of the first cohort completed this week. (3/5)

While I do appreciate the ability to customize the Wargames Factory figures and their poses, as well as a conglomeration of gladii and pila, the details on the plastics can be very shallow. I ended up following the recommendation that I go four to a base, which will somewhat restrict their usefulness in smaller skirmish games. Overall, though, I'm content with the result. The deserter Romans fighting for the rebels rarely defected en masse, and so often were in either poor supply or organized together in rather hodge-podge units of irregular armament. To this end, the blend of Old Glory and Wargames Factory figures works for me.

A shot of the second cohort. (4/5)

And here is a shot of the two of them together.

And that's all for this week. A total of 32 figures, 16 Romans per cohort. With any luck, next week will see the last of the Romans finished, and a good start made into some of the native Lusitanian and Spanish troops.

Until next time!

Very fine work, Ethan! Doubly so for the wargames factory kit, I've the zombies and Colonial British and can attest that the detail is very soft on the earlier plastic sets. The zombies are okay, but the other earlier kits are best used as filler. Still these look magnificent ranked up in blocks and you did a fine job of making them look brilliant. I really like the extra litle details like the script on the shields, very fine stuff!

From EthanM: Quintus Sertorius and Legio IX (205 Points)

For my first submission for the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge I'd like to offer a few Republican Romans. Here we have Roman general and proconsul Quintus Sertorius, who revolted after the collapse of the power of the Populares and the ascension of Sulla and sought to establish an independent Roman republic in Lusitania and Hispania.

The native population was very fond of Sertorius, but he had no shortage of volunteers in the form of Marian loyalists who deserted en masse to his side. Legio IX was one such instance. Here we have the First Cohort as well as an additional cohort of Sertorian Romans.

Sertorius' relationship with his legions was not quite as warm as that he had with his people. He was often viewed as strict and taciturn. However, he was also recognized as possessing the capability to raise, train, and equip some of the finest fighting men in the Republic.

All in all a fun beginning to the rebels' side of the Sertorian War. I expect three additional cohorts will; (with luck) be joining their defector brothers in fighting the tyrant Sulla, as well as his somewhat less venerated student Pompey Magnus.

By my count that should be 41 Sertorian Romans: 24 in the First Cohort, 16 in the second, and the proconsul himself. At five points a figure in 25mm I believe that would tally at 205 points?

Very excited to put the first few marks towards my goal.

______________________________________

Lovely work Ethan and welcome aboard. 

I enjoyed the nice little bit of history you offered, it helps place the figures into context and it takes me back to my beloved Classical History classes that I took in university. 

I've always liked the look of Republican Roman troops, with their curved shields, chain armour and long-plumed helmets - your painting really do the figures justice. Speaking of which, what are the make of these castings? Old Glory? 

These are two wonderful looking units, with a suitably taciturn proconsul to keep them in order. 205 points will place you in the top 10, for now. :) Well done, Ethan!