From: EdwardG - 15mm DBA Medieval Russians (+Germans) and Pit of the Pendulum Entry (74 points)

 Happy New Year all! 

Thank you for the kind comments, hope everyone has had a great new years celebration. 

I have sadly not had as much painting time over the past couple of days. But I have managed to get some more figures done. 

I have now filled out the final elements for my 15mm DBA Medieval Russian Army. I managed to get it done within my own 2020 deadline (just!)

Firstly the 3 elements of Russian spearmen. There are two types of spearmen listed in the DBA army list. The Polk and the Smerdy. The Polk are described as town militia, and I have added a flag to each of their elements to distinguish them. I looked up the miniatures I used for the spearmen and I found that they were Mirliton miniatures from Italy. The Russian mounted I posted earlier are from the same manufacturer. The flags are from LBMS, I found my sheet of transfers while looking for some other miniatures. I had forgotten how fiddly the LBMS flag transfers are. I am not sure I will be doing too many more!

Next up are the German mercenary Knights. These are an option within the army list. The figures are from Legio Heroica. I really like this manufacturer and I have many more of their figures in my collection. After the experience with the LBMS flags, I decided to have a go at hand painting the heraldry. I must admit, I have not based these on any exact family, and I think I have also managed to mash the heraldic forms somewhat, but I am quite happy with the outcome, especially my eagle (although it certainly skips leg day at the gym and only works on the guns!) 

  Finally for this post, I have my entry for the Pit of the Pendulum entry. I have to admit, I have been scratching my head as to what I had in the lead pile that could fit this entry, and then I found some miniatures at the bottom of a Tupperware box. They are Camillan Roman anti-Elephant Incendiary Pigs! These are miniatures that my, now wife, purchased for me for a birthday several years ago. This was before we got married, and I think it was one of the many reasons that I realised she was the one for me. I have to admit, I am not sure of the origin of the pigs, but I thought they are perfect for this Chamber. As with a lot things, the actual historical accuracy of these miniatures can and is endlessly debated. But the DBM/DBMM lists for the Camillan Romans allows up to 3 elements to be fielded and if it good enough for Phil and Richard it is good enough for me, so here they are :)

The Chamber asks for something that is torturous or terrifying. These little piggies are both! They are being tortured themselves, and are terrifying to the elephants of the opponents (not to mention thinking about the person who thought of using flaming pigs against elephants in the first place?!)!

 Will must admit, that I had painted one of the pigs a few years ago, so I can only claim 7 of the piggies and the two handler miniatured (Legio Heroica javelinmen). As the pigs are about 15mm from snout to tail, I would say that they count as 15mm foot figures. 

So my total tally for this entry is:

12 x Russian Spearmen (15mm) = 24 points

3 x Mercenary German Knights (15mm) = 12 points

7 x Pigs + 2x Handlers (15mm) = 18 points

Chamber of Challenge bonus = 20 points

Total = 74 points

Hope everyone has a smooth start to 2021, and that real life doesn't arrive with too much of a crash for us all on Monday! 

Take care

Ed :)

From EdwardG: First Post! - Medieval Russians and Hall of Traps Entry (118 points)

 Hi All, 

Merry (belated) Christmas and Happy New Year!

This is my first challenge! And first post! I have been following the Challenge for a long time and it is great to finally be able to join. :D I am located in Hamburg, Germany. We have a small but dedicated group of historical wargamers up here. Hope to possibly meet some of you in person one day if you visit the Tactica Wargames Show that is 'normally' held around February time. 

For my first entry I have pulled out some old 15mm figures that have sat around undercoated for at least the past fifteen years (minimum). These are the majority of the elements I need to complete my DBA (v3) Early Russian Army. I can no longer remember where I got the figures from, but I painted up the General's element at the time and the others have sat on the lead pile waiting for their turn. I had made a small self goal back at the start of 2020, to get them painted before the end of the year. And true to form, I have managed to put it off until nearly the deadline! I still have three elements of spear, and a German mercenary Knight element to complete, but I thought to put up what I have so far.

I paint with a mix of Vallejo and Citadel paints. Often I make liberal use of washes and inks for shading. 

I have to apologise. I am trialling my photography set up, so the pictures are not great and I cannot get many elements in the frame as I would wish. I hope to improve over the course of the challenge.  

First up is the upper class nobles, as mounted Knights. Four elements, are in the army, making it a third of the 12 element total strength. With them are the two elements of Tartar light horse. These elements plus the generals element are the total mounted for the army.   

Then there is the PBI. the foot sloggers who make up the other half of the army. There are a number of options in the army list. Therefore I have painted elements to cover all. It comes to 1 x 3Bw, 1 x 3Ax, 2 x 2Ps.

 Finally, I have my first entry for the Chambers of Challenge (and I hope it will be accepted!). My entry for the Hall of Traps is the Horde element for the Early Russian Army. This is an element representing the serfs of the nobles who have also been called out for the campaign. DBAv3 classes these peasants as Hordes (which is a nice term for filler that should really stay at the back and out of trouble.) I argue that as these peasants are trapped in the bonds of serfdom for their entire lives', along with their families and decedents, they qualify as an entry for the Hall of Traps (please). 

    

I make my tally for this post to be:

16 x 15mm Mounted = 64 points

17 x 15mm Foot = 34 points

+ 20 points for the Hall of Traps entry

Total = 118 points

I hope you all have a relaxing remainder of the holidays! I need to get more figures prepared for possible dry priming weather tomorrow! 

Tschüss!! 

Ed :) 

From AlanD - Medieval Russians (52 points)

My second main project for the challenge is painting 13th century Russians. I spent ages in November assembling figures made from bits and pieces of Fireforge Russians, Scandinavians and Foot Sergeants, and these are the first results.

I just love the look of medieval Russians, with the mix of eastern and western influences and lots of colour.

These are based so that I can use them in skirmish games like Burn and Loot, but also so I can sabot base them for bigger games like Deus Vult and Impetus.

All shields, as always, are hand painted. I have extreme and uncharitable views about shield decals. I even saw some decals the other day that were for entirely blank shields. I mean, what is the point??

Anyways, expect to see more Russians as the challenge continues!

Holiday Minion Millsy Reporting!
Seeing as it is Lady Sarah's birthday (which really *should* be a Canadian National Holiday IMHO) I thought I would step in and give Curt a few extra minutes for foot massage, tea making and general slavish adoration.

And what a first entry I get to review! Absolutely gorgeous colours, great character and some very atmospheric basing to finish off.

Having just assembled a metric ton of Fireforge plastics in November myself I can attest to how much fun it can be mixing and matching their kits. You've done a great job of just that here mate and coupled with the poses you've chosen you have created a really attractive and dynamic unit.

I particularly like the decoration you've added to the tunic edges and the shields are superb.

These ten stalwarts will earn you a solid 52 points including two for the tunics and shields. More please!

Cheers,
Millsy

From AlanD - Medieval Russian Cavalry (110 Points)

Something a bit different this week. Because I don't have enough projects, I am starting on a medieval Russian army, and these ten horsemen are the first contigent. The figures are all from Gripping Beast, although I have given a couple kite shields from the box of plastic Russian infantry from Fireforge. I strongly dislike the moulded-on designs of the Fireforce shields, but it was either use them or give nearly all the figures round shieds, and I am aiming to make an army for the early 13th century, when round shields were less likely to be found. The shields without moulded-on detail are all hand painted.

I'm looking forward to painting this army. I have always loved the look of medieval Russians, reflecting the influences of north, south, east and west on their armour, weapons and clothing. A very colourful and interesting army. And it will be massive. Mwahhahahhh!

__________________________

Stonking work Dux! This looks to be an amazing project and very, very colourful. 

I like that you're continuing with your snowy base motif. It must have something to do with the insufferable heat waves you've been experiencing down there that makes you want to model the cursed stuff. Of course I can't help but mention that I greatly admire your signature hand-painted shields (and besides, I hear from reliable sources that you get quite grumpy if people don't). Also, I really like the varied details of bronze and steel you've done with their armour. It all helps to give them a very exotic, Slavic flavour.

Well done Alan! That's another 110 points you can take to the Challenge bank.