From RobertH: Frostgrave - The Werefox Culled (13 points)

"Long ago, the great city of Felstad sat at the centre of a magic empire Its towering spires, labyrinthine catacombs, and immense libraries were the wonder of the age and potions, scrolls, and mystical items of all descriptions poured forth from its workshops. Then, one cataclysmic night, a mistake was made. In some lofty tower or dark chamber, a foolish wizard unleashed a magic too powerful to control. A storm rose up - an epic blizzard that swallowed the city whole, burying it deep and leaving the area as nothing more than a vast, frozen wasteland.

After a thousand years, the fell winter has passed. The snows have receded, and Felstad has been uncovered. Its buildings lie in ruins, overrun by undead creatures and magic constructs, the legacy of the empire's experiments.It is an evil, dangerous place. To the few hardy souls who inhabit the nearby villages, the city has acquired a new name:

The werefoxes dwelling in the remaining forests and magically frozen outskirts, like the other weres that inhabit the frozen city, are not true lycanthropes. Instead of shape shifters, they are instead human-fox hybrids, the result, or unintended consequence, of a long forgotten Beastcrafter meddling in things they may not have understood. Unlike werewolves, which hunt alone but live in packs, werefoxes are solitary creatures. They generally roam alone, though may be found bound to valuable magical treasures as guardians.

While generally hostile to humans, a sufficiently talented witch or warlock could attract one to one's warband.

As with all other weres, werefox heads are a valuable commodity in the villages and adventuring camps, and beheading is an all to common fate for any were caught in the city:

The werefox is a paint conversion of NorthStar's werewolf miniature, part of their Forgotten Pacts Nickstarter expansion to the very popular Frostgrave rules. I got the bug at last year's ConQuestSac, a combination of a Frostgrave demo game, and commanding the forces of a poor misunderstood necromancer and his equally misunderstood army of completely totally not at all evil orcs, goblins, dragons, and other fell creatures.

The paint job was relatively simple, but everybody asks. I used Reaper's red hair triad for the fox body. The white was Reaper's linen white and Vallejo's Offwhite, with Gamecolor's Pale Gray wash. Though they look alike in the photos (I used my cell phone, and am still disappointed in the quality), the werefox claws are actually Apple Cart bamboo, ivory and antique white with the same pale gray wash. Black was craft paint, with a charcoal gray highlight on the fur. I always give my animal miniatures humanesque eyes (white iris, black pupils), because I like how it looks.

The magical treasure was a piece from a miniature zen garden I repurposed into a fountain. North Star minis have a little bit of flash, but are otherwise a joy to paint. This one was no different.

The inspiration for the paint scheme:

Well, it looks like I won't be culled this year!The werefox is technically a 28mm figure, but stands as high as my Airfix 54mm Army men, so I'll take a stab at it being 10 points, with another 3 or so for the head. Not a points bomb by any means, but 2.5% of my goal of 200 points.

And, while normally part of Thursday's crew, the never ending fun of atmospheric river induced power outages (seven, by last count) delayed posting, so guest moderator Curt will offer comments about the close shave.

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Yes Robert, you deftly evaded the Big Bad Curt this year.  Welcome back to the Challenge!

I'm embarrassed to say that I don't know a thing about Frostgrave, but I do like this werefox. He has a almost Pulp heroic monster quality about him. Your 'inspiration' was bang-on, I say (and rather cuddly).  I particularly like your use of black for his legs and paws as it really helps to define his impressive claws. The severed head base is a nasty but good touch.

13 Points for you Mr. H - well done and I look forward to seeing some more in the future!

  Curt