From TeemuL: Milly at Millsy's Millpond (45 points)

"Hey! What's... Who... Ammm..."

"Yes, she's my twin sister."

"Ah. Ok. Evil twin?"

"Let's go boys, the sea is probably just behind those sand dunes. The sky looks red, it must be dusk."

Ok, I'm finally getting the idea of Challenge Island. Paint something small for each location and get lots of points. A bit late, but better late than never.

 

If you have a sharp memory, you might remember this miniature. I posted a similar couple of hours ago, but I used her on the balloon trip. I happened to have two of these, I didn't remember owning even a one, so I can't really provide a story for her. Well, I got her in one of the cheap piles of minis that I acquire every now and then. I chose to paint the first one as Oldhammer with green square base and then this second one on modern round base for Age of Sigmar. No idea what warscroll I use for her, but I can figure out that later.

I have been noticing, that some historical players use this kind of die holders on the bases of some of the figures. I think it is a good idea for Age of Sigmar, heroes this size usually have about 5 wounds, so this is a perfect way to count the (remaining) wounds and the roll doesn't accidentally change side or forget itself on the other side of the battlefield. This is a first I tried, I will use these in the future as well, but I'd like to hide the holder a bit better. The die and the holder are from Warbases, by the way, so is the round mdf base, thank you very much.

Points then. 5 for the figure, 30 for the location and 10 more for being before 1990 (she is from 1987), so total of 45 points. I'm now heading for the Sander's Sanddunes for one more post. Let's see if I can get over the magical 750 point barrier (and get someone other than Tamsin to minion my post).




Sorry mate - you get me again! That's a lovely figure. As for the dice holder on the base, that's also useful for heroes, leaders and big beasties in Dragon Rampant (and many other games I am sure).

As for leveraging points from a single figure, I am just waiting for someone to present a single 2mm figure from the 1970s, with a back story of where, when and what for it was purchased...

TamsinP

From SanderS: "Starquest at Millsy's Millpond" (80 Points)

Hoi,

Pre 2000 miniatures says the man with the plan... Yeah I had to take a look into the pile for that. Do you seriously expect me to remember in what year figures are actually made? Well I will from now on!

So in the end I opted for some of my Space Crusade figures, I bought a box from Ebay and the figures are in terrible state so need repainting. Finished for now are two Chaos Space Marines and 8 Necron warriors.

I didn't want the Necrons to have that sleek polished chrome dome Terminator look, but instead settled for a more 90's over the top Sci-Fi look.

It seemed to me that while the Heretic on the right obviously worships Khorne, the figure to the left is less clear in his deity of choice. I painted him as a disciple of Tzeentch, but in hindsight he could have been meant to worship Nurgle as well.  

There's a lot more of these figures to go. I have already replaced the awful boards with home made new ones and since I now own a 3D printer I will print new walls and doors for it. Oh and paint the gazillion million Orks and Gretchin...

This bunch is worth a nice round 80 points but that leaves me with what to do with the rest of the locations on the island...

At the start of the Challenge I stated I had figures for each location and I still do, at the same time I am also pretty sure I am not going to have time to visit them all. So what to do? I already stepped back and took as new goal to reach Sander's Sand Dunes as it had always been my plan to finish there. A symbolic ending right? But now even that seems unattainable as the end nears. So I have decided that even if the Challenge truly ends I will go on and visit all the other locations and publish those on my own blog. Perhaps Curt will allow me to post the link to said posts up here as well? Anyway I will get to go all around the island.

***
Space Crusade! There is a classic. Fine work here Sander, I really like your take on the Necrons, and it's always nice to see "variety" for the worshippers of Chaos out there :) 

Great work - however many more spots you manage to visit on "Challenge Island", we look forward to sharing the tour experience with you. 

GregB

From AndrewE - Millsy's Millpond - Adventures into the back of the cupboard (40 pts)

For the Milsy's Millpond entry (pre-2000 model) I dove into the back of the cupboard looking for the box of random miniatures I knew I had accumulated over the years.  After a bit of digging I found a couple of models perfect for the challenge!  They are both from the 80's (~86 from the stamps).  Next stop - the internet to confirm their age and what they are.  After a bit of digging I found them!

First up - The inquisitor from Talisman Dungeon

 Next was Gandalf from the original Lord of the Rings Collection

Overall, these models where quite a pleasant change to paint up.  A lot smaller (true 28mm) than the current GW miniature range, but with decent quality (if you ignore the slightly long fingers).  They both have the old school pose (hold something in your left hand, point with your right, everything in a single plane).

The inquisitor turned out quite nicely in his red cloak - ready to do some angry reading of The Law.

Gandalf and his grey cloak also turned out nicely.  Big flowing cloaks are really nice to do the shading on as they have lovely folds to help accentuate the light.

Overall - a nice little diversion from the regular WW2 models I find myself usually painting up.
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By Paul:
Some classic figs indeed and both much the better for a little bit of love

I really love the bold colours and pose of the Inquisitor - classic Cultist look.  The world needs more robed and hooded cultists in these dark days. Perhaps his Dark Gods will soon appear to swallow our souls...

From BrettM: A Knights Tale (35 Points)

 Taking Sarah's Balloon to Millsy's Millpond

 I have always been fascinated by miniatures. The dioramas people create and of course the figures. I finally picked up my first paint brush and miniature in 1993-94 I think? Might have been 95. Not having any idea what I was doing and none of my friends interested I just started slathering on random paints I found at the hobby town USA where it all started. Now they don't even sell Minis last time I went in there. 

 Over the years I stopped painting and lost all my stuff. To this day I have no idea what happened to the tackle box I had everything in. This however was the one Mini I remember the most from those days. I fell in love with the shield. However it was a love hate relationship. I painstakingly tried to paint the interwoven parts on the shield. I remember messing up and repainting that damn shield at least 50 times.

So when I found this guy on eBay I bought him immediately.So I could enjoy some nostalgia while painting him up. The shield this time took me no time at all. I am also baffled at how it took me so long to paint the thing years back. It does represent at least to me my intro into the hobby and all the memories and fun I have had since.

I am not sure when this mini was produced.  Point wise we have Millsy's Millpond for +30 points and the Figure for +5 points.

***
Great work Brett - I think all of us have memories of initial figures that took us down the path of this wonderful hobby. How cool that you were able to find this fellow on eBay - certainly I wish I could find more of the plastic "Imperial Army" figures that got me started in the early 1990s. In fact, I might go rummage through my pile just to see if I can find one...

35 points for you!

GregB

From StuartL - Challenge Island Safari Journal - 3rd March (47 Points)

Long time, no see intrepid C.I.S.T.ers. Today the Challenge Island Safari Tour is on the move again, this time to the area known as Millsy's Millpond. Unlike some of the more rambunctious areas of the island, the millpond is a sedate place and very popular with our more venerable visitors.

As a case in point, a fellow tourist is already at the millpond. This ancient veteran of the Imperium dates back to the halcyon days of 1989, when men were men and xenos died to a quick jet of burning promethium.

"Nowadays, kids are twice as big and have no respect for first company veterans," grumbles the terminator, "All these Primary Marines and their bigly scales, they wouldn't have lasted 10 seconds in Space Hulk or Rogue Trader."

For the more detail oriented among you, this terminator's iconography and heraldry mark him out as a member of the Angels of Redemption, a 2nd Founding chapter of the Dark Angels. Also note the hazard stripes on his power fist, a requisite of the island's health and safety policy.

This doughty warrior was originally recruited through the ancient rites of eBay, back when individuals used it and it wasn't just a market tool for companies selling everything through the 'Buy It Now' option. Along with several others of his generation, our lone terminator here has remained in storage for a long time until called forth by the drumbeat of war (or the painting challenge in this case).

"Everything is digitally sculpted these days, no rough edges or wobbly lines," he sniffs disparagingly. "Where's the character, hmm? Disgraceful what they call grimdark, ruddy kids."

And it appears that this old geezer has settled down for a bit of a nap, so let's be on our way quietly and try not to wake him up.

----------

As I mentioned above, this model was bought a long time ago through eBay. I had plans to build up an all terminator army for 40K, but got distracted with one thing or another for 15 or so years. Sadly to say, that's probably not the longest that I have had something sitting around unpainted for. I chose this colour scheme as it was one that I had used around the time the model was purchased and figured I'd like to try it out again. I also tried to hand paint the chapter logo on the shoulder pad. It has reminded me of the two golden rules of painting split colour schemes like this.
Rule 1 for painting a split colour scheme is: Paint the lighter half first, you can tidy up any overlap with the darker colour.
Rule 2 for painting a split colour scheme is: Don't. (It's a right chew on if the model has no easily definable lines on it).

Anyway, that should net me 5 points for the mini, 30 for the location and a 10 point bonus as it is pre-1990. I don't think "I got it on eBay" is enough to count for a back story, so I'll settle for 45 points, which is generous enough for a single mini.

MilesR: Love the paint scheme - reminds me the late actor Frank Gorshin from an original Star Trek episode.  I score 40 fgures as 40mm so 7 points there rather than 5

from RayR - Millsy's Millpond - Old Figures (55 points)

Salute Wargames Show at Kensington & Chelsea Town Hall was where these and another 100+ Norman figures were purchased. Salute was my first ever wargames show back in 1991 when I was only 23 years old!! I was unlike some of you, quite a late starter, its all Posties fault really. We both bought houses next door to each other in 1990.

I invited Postie round for a Sensible Soccer marathon (its a very old computer game) Myself and an older version of the Rejects used to get together for a  computer games which turned into Risk, axis and Allies and Shogun. The next step we were all invited round Posties for a Wargame and the rest is history!

So Salute 91 was my first show, the main thing I can remember are the crowds of smelly backpack twats hogging what little room there was to shuffle down the aisles. I remember hiding my Salute bag at the train station because I didn't want to be associated with the stinky brigade just down the platform!

Anyway, Normans Saxons and Vikings were my first foray into 25mm, 100+ figures were bought from Wargames Foundry, individually, none of this blister pack crap!!! So i bought exactly what I wanted and didn't have stacks of figures left that I didn't actually want or need???

A few months later I bought a huge painted Norman army at a bring & buy, so some of my figures never got painted................until now of course.

"Paint one or more miniatures from prior to 2000, any genre, any scale. Bonus 10 points if the mini(s) are pre-1990 or bonus 20 points if pre-1980. Extra 10 points if you can provide a backstory on how and where you acquired the mini(s) e.g. I originally bought these to play original D&D back when I was a kid."

3 Normans should be 15 points plus the 30 for the bonus round plus any Millsy bonus points

 for their age?

Sensible Soccer was great, also played NHL 94 on the mega drive which was genius. Love these guys and cool backstory although blaming Postie is a bit weak. He just unleashed your inner geek. Now you would be walking upto the stinkies and starting a conversation of the joy of Donnybrook. Speaking of which....

From IannickM : Ultramarines at Millsy's Millpond (60 points)

When I first saw the different locations on the map, Millsy's Millpond was high on my list. I'm a nostalgia junkie, and so the idea of painting some old school figure seemed like an obvious stop for me! My first idea was to paint up some classic Oldhammer chaos champions or Ral Partha, but like it happens so often in this challenge my path got diverted. I've been furiously painting some Epic lately and I didn't want to divert my momentum. Luckily, Games Workshop has been at it for a long time and so was Epic, before its untimely demise.

The first wargame *battle* I played was the original Space Marine. Me and my brother got the boxset I believe for Christmas. We already had Warhammer but other than a few skirmishes (we were poor and building armies took forever when you could afford two blisters a month!) never played a big game. This bothered my father and he went to the game store and asked the guys for something "we could play straight out of the box". What we got was Space Marine, a massive box with LOTS of figures and terrain.

The game was great value, and to this day the figures hold up very well. So why not paint some for Millsy's pond? And I know the man is a big fan of Epic, so I'm sure he approves.

As I mentioned in my last post I've been working on an Emperor's Children force to face John's Blood Angels, but I've also been collecting a second force to paint a loyalist side to my traitors. The goal is to have two playable forces, as I'd like to surprise my brother with a classic game when he comes back from Japan, where he's been living for the last few years.

And so here's my first stab at the Emperor's finest, and my brother's favourite, the good ol' Ultramarines.

We start with a classic, with 4 Rhino armoured transport.

These are the original plastic tanks from the 1989 boxset. And when I say original, I mean original, i.e. the plastic tanks I got when I was 10! One of them was already painted an horrible yellow and since stripping these plastics is a real pain I just undercoated over the original paint job. The details were a bit softer but now its not noticeable.

Then 5 Contemptor Dreadnoughts, once again the classic plastic sculpts from way back. To be honest I'm not sure when these guys were released. Early 90s I would assume. They aged gracefully, and were an absolute joy to paint, with crisp details.

And here's the tiny gang together. These are more of a test run if you will, as I intend to go back to my traitors in anticipation of my upcoming game. But I'm happy I found my blue recipe and my colour scheme for the upcoming project.

 So...

• 4 Epic Rhinos : 8 pts
• 5 Epic Dreadnoughts : 5 pts
• Millsy's pond : 30 pts
• Bonus point for figures pre-1990 (1989, thats cutting it close!) : 10pts

Total : 53 points

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By Paul

The Blessed God Emperor of Terra approves both your game choice and your army selection. Your faith is strong and with these excellent warriors of humanity you can purge Xenos and Heretic alike!

Ahem. Sorry about that. I 'kinda' like Epic too. I still have my original Dark Angels force from 1992. It now takes up an entire moving carton actually.

I also love the background story behind it - I'm awarding bonus points for Gamer dad awesomeness. Please pass them on with a big thumbs up!  60 points 

From ArthurS: Millsy's Millpond here we come! (55 points)

Hoi,

Here's Arthur's second entry for this Challenge. He's decided to travel land-inward towards Millsy's Millpond, for this locale he needs to enter a figure that's pre-1990. In order to complete this quest he has painted up a Battletech Catapult that he was given by a friend of ours (thanks Jan-Willem) and which he has painted in the scheme of his "The Power Wolfs".
It's from an old FASA set dating from 1988 on the box:

He also painted up an Enforcer (to the left on the picture) out of the latest Introductory Boxed Game finishing the mechs he had in cue.

The entire force:

We use these to play Alpha strike (a more fast and young kid suited) version of Battletech occasionally and he really likes that.

Arthur also painted up the second Matchbox car we kitted up with stuff from the Gaslands parts-sprue. He has painted it the same way as the car he has entered for Sander's Sanddunes.

That leaves me with a little explanation regarding the Challenge Island map and the points.

In  RED you can follow my progress across the Island, while I have plans and figures for all locations, I do not think I will be able to actually visit each location, which bums me out mightily. In PURPLE you'll be able to follow Arthur who's only going to travel the Path of History. The GREEN arrow denotes our joined effort to gain Snow Lord's Peak's treasure...

Now if I count it right the points this lot leaves Arthur with, should amount to the following:
- 15 for the 20mm vehicle
- 10 for the 2 mechs who are basically 28mm is height
- 30 for the Challenge Island Millsy's Millpond bonus
Totals to 55 points right?

Cheers Arthur and Sander


Very nice work Arthur, especially on the car - great colour scheme!

TamsinP