From SidneyR: Hall of Traps (and Snares) (50 points)

"He's coming...Yes, of course it's him.  Why? Well, everything about him is glittering and golden, so that's a good guess.  And, well... he's handsome.  And tall.  Apollo-esque maybe.  No, no... I'm not having second thoughts.  Pass the the poison, quickly.  Don't drop it!  Oh, for the blood of Sint Jacobus.... how on earth did you get recommended to me as an apprentice assassin?  Quick, quick - flutter your fan in front of my hands while you pass the poison over.  QUICK... Oh...OH! Your Majesty....what a surprise to see you here.  We were just taking a stroll in your gardens.  Monsieur Le Notre was kind enough to invite us. But you've quite trapped us here, almost as if you had intended it...."

Louise de Gisoreux, Founder of Le Lapin d'Or, and would-be assassin, 1688

Greetings, dear Challengers, to another year of lunacy, nonsense, frantic painting, grandiose plans and expired paintbrushes.  The annual madness which is the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge has commenced, and here is my first entry, for the "Hall of Traps".

Much as I love the dungeon theme which the Snow Lord has selected for us, I wanted to start the Challenge with another glance back to the late seventeenth century, and in this Chamber - The Hall of Traps - we visit the royal gardens of the Palace of Versailles, in 1688.  

One of the things which comes from reading about the courtly intrigues of Versailles, and the politics of Louis XIV's court, is the sheer sense of unease and danger experienced by its residents.  Who was in favor, who was living on borrowed time (exile to Brittany being a terrible thing in 1688), and who was currently in the King's eye.  A perfect place for traps and snares of all kinds.

So here we have a small cabal of would-be assassins, perhaps Flemish sympathizers or unusual allies for the beleaguered Spanish, plotting to ensnare Louis Le Grand in his own courtly gardens.  

The scene is all set, as Louis' roving eye catches the sumptuous fabric of Louise de Gisoreux's dress.  A tempting target for the infamous Royal Passion, no doubt. Unknown to the French King, however, the brave Louise de Gisoreux is the founder of the secret society of "Le Lapin d'Or", a league of wealthy nobles who despise the King (and wish to replace him with  his easy-going brother, or the Man in the Iron Mask, or... well, almost anyone, really).   

It's a scene which is almost foretold by the avaricious King's love of classical mythology; the statue on the plinth depicts the young Apollo being spurned by the river nymph, Daphne.  Murder is clearly being planned among the slowly-turning, autumn leaves.  

But wait... Who has snared who in this baroque drama?

Behind the plinth, slyly creeping out of sight, the wily French fox has trapped a golden rabbit in its jaws, and is carrying away it's prize.  What treacherous traps and snares does Louis, the Sun King, have in store for our brave heroine and her small cabal of (slightly hapless) co-conspirators...?

And, to carry on the same nonsense as I indulged in last year, I could not resist the temptation to prepare a couple of more of my ludicrous 'character cards' for this vignette - one for each of the competing traps and snares, French or Flemish (depending on whether you like the good guys, or the very bad guy).

And now, to the business-end of the post.  Four 28mm miniatures is 20 points (Louis and Louise are from Wargames Foundry, Louise's accomplice is from Redoubt, while the Turkish servant is from Old Glory's Pirates range).  The two classical characters on the plinth are a little smaller than 28mm and were really only dry-brushed bronze, so I'll claim just 5 points for the pair ('Apollo' being a lovely Wargames Foundry cherub, and 'Daphne' being a diminutive and politically incorrect Daemonette from Games Workshop, 90s vintage).  

I did come conversion work on Louise de Gisoreux - some extra lace and a silken bow on the back of her dress, - but not enough to add any points for.  The bottles and goblets littering the base of the plinth were from Scotia Grendell.  The plinth was scratch-built, but the base is from Warbases, as is the fox and rabbit (say another 5 points?).  

So, all in all, for the figures and extras total 30 points, and then 20 points for the 'Hall of Traps' itself.  Does that sound right?