From TamsinP: Robert E. Howard Will Be In His Bunk; Sarah's Balloon (300 points)

Extracts from the journal of TamsinP, Time Traveler, Society Girl and Adventuress


19th February, 1933, Texas?


Having restored the Snowlord's memory (not to mention saving the Challenge), I bid him "Adieu!" and head back down the mountain. With this task complete, I have no fixed plans for exploring Challenge Island, so I get out my device, hit "Random" and step through the rift.

Hmmm, a shiny sword, a painted shield, arm rings, hide boots and a fur dress *sniff* that hasn't been properly tanned - I'll need a good long scented bath to get rid of that stink - and I suppose I should be grateful that ti at least partially covers *one* of my breasts. 

The land I am in is hot, dry and dusty. Walking towards me is a tall, well built young man - I figure in his later twenties, with quite a round face, wearing a Panama hat. 

"Good day to you, ma'am" he greets me politely in a soft, deep Texas drawl. "This must be one of my dreams. I hope I remember it when I wake so that I can write it down. Are you here on your own?"

"I appear to be at the moment, but I'm pretty sure that some others will be along very soon. Ahhh! I think I hear them coming now."

With a loud, raucous shouting a horde of barbarian warriors appear over the crest of a low ridge to our North and join us.

"My word, what delightful friends you have. So muscular, so masculine, so barely dressed, so...will you please excuse me? I feel I must return to my bunk immediately."

I question my new friends and discover that I am the long lost warrior princess of their tribe, for whom they have been searching.

"Well, you've found me. Now bugger off back to our tribal lands and let me continue on my adventures alone!"

After some remonstrations they obey and depart - when a Princess tells you to naff off, you naff off if you know what's good for you. I look South and see a hot air balloon drifting on the wind.

"Ahoy the balloon!" I holler "Is that you Lady Sarah?"

"It is, it is! Is that you Tamsin?" comes the illustrious aviator's reply.

"Yes! It's so good to see you - could I possibly get a lift to Fran's Fjord?"

"Certainly! I'll drop the rope ladder for you."

I climb the rope ladder and haul myself into the Gondola. "I could really use a long bath right now. Do you still have my luggage from my first trip? I can't really go around wearing this fur "dress" forever."

Lady S wrinkles her nose, catching the scent of the poorly tanned fur. "Of course. The boiler has been on so there should be plenty of hot water. Your luggage is in the closet over there."

I thank Lady S, and head to the bathroom, collecting my luggage on the way. Inside the bathroom I remove the fur and discreetly jettison it through one of the portholes, before settling into the bath for a long, scented soak.



I'm not sure why, but a few months ago I had this mad idea to build a barbarian warband for Dragon Rampant. I remembered seeing someone at shows selling some nice looking "very 80s Conaneque figures" so I did a quick search on the interwebs to remind myself who they were - it was Battlezone Miniatures.  I knew they'd be at the SELWG show in October, so I made sure I had enough cash to buy one of each figure in the range. However, when I got home and worked out the force lists I realised that I didn't have quite enough figures, so I had to place an order for the extras I needed. They were very helpful and I soon had all the figures I would need. I then had a slightly daft idea for an extra unit to join them and ordered some more figures - I'm keeping that unit under wraps for now!

This entry is just the foot figures - I've got 22 mounted barbarians to paint as well, which should be along before the Challenge is over.


Bellicose Foot

Archers

Javelinmen

The archers can be used on their own as Scouts, or mixed with the javelinmen to form a Light Missile unit. The javelinmen can be mixed in with the swordsmen and axemen to from a Light Foot unit.


Shaman and Acolytes

These can be used as Spellcasters or Clerics.


Champions

Standards

Musicians

All the shields have had Norse runes painted on them:

With so much exposed flesh, I ended up spending a lot of time painting skintones. I also tried a new (for me) way of painting the steel of the sword, dagger and axe blades which I think has worked OK for a first attempt - I think it could do with a bit more contrast, but the "blue" effect is quite nice.

The only problem with these figures is that the metal they use is rather brittle, as I discovered when trying to bend one to a slightly more upright stance - one broken ankle that had to be pinned and greenstuffed. Oh and the big standard - yup, that snapped and needed pinning and greenstuffing (as did the two similar mounted standards).

The Druid and acolytes (and I suspect the "princess") were sculpted by Martin Baker; the rest of the barbarians were sculpted by Mark Copplestone.

For Scoring:

51 x 28mm foot @ 5 = 255 points
Frequent Flyer Bonus = 10 points (this is my third trip!)

Total: 265 points
plus whatever the minion decides the three hand-painted standards and 22 shields are worth.

From DaveD - Blimey Tamsin - there is a points bombe for a Wednesday mornings - lovely work as well - instant army alright - ok for your mad painted shields and banners and the overall bonkers ness i will make this a nice round 300 points!