From LeeH - Frost Witch and Ice Worm at the Snow Lords Peak (70 Points)

The air crackles with magical energy and distant flashes of lightning foreshadow the wrath of an imminent storm as it approaches the Snow Lords Peak. Arcane words can barely be heard above the building winds. The Thunder booms and rumbles across the landscape and for a moment it sounds as if there is an unseen avalanche about to sweep the mountainside. The moment passes and more flashes can be seen, closer now. A figure approaches, skimming above the fresh snow and radiating an ethereal glow. The woman appears to be whispering but her words build and echo across the landscape until they drown out the next rumble of Thunder. Then the earth bursts open sending rocks and snow cascading down the slope. A monstrous Ice Worm rears up from the ground and gives out an ear-shattering shriek. The beast has answered its summons and is ready to serve its bitter mistress. 

The Snow Lord issued me a challenge to find and paint a figure that was bigger than my normal fare. I put on my climbing gear and started up the Lead Mountain. By the time I reached the snowline I was worried I wouldn't find anything, having climbed across a scree slope of unpainted 6mm figures on the way up. And then I saw her! I found a figure in my lead mountain that I have absolutely no recognition of buying! It must have been another "ooo-shiney!" moment at some past show but I genuinely don't remember. 

The Frost Witch figure is from Crocodile Games and is laughably described as Heroic 28mm which means next to nothing really. The witch is 40mm foot to eye and 44mm overall, without taking into account the cape which brings the height of the whole model to well over 50mm tall. Just for good measure, I mounted it on a 'rock' outcrop that stands a further 50mm tall, so overall this figure is pretty big compared to my normal work. But I had this nagging feeling I could do better... I tightened my crampons and proceeded higher up the Lead Mountain...

Towards the top of the mountain, I found a weird mixture not only of lead but plastic figures from over 30 years of gaming. And then I saw the perfect accompaniment to my witch, a giant Purple Worm. This is an old plastic figure that was originally bought pre-painted but had seen better days. It's an old Wizards of the Coast DnD figure that I used in RPG's probably 10 or fifteen years ago.  It was looking a bit worse for wear having been bashed around in various boxes over the years so I decided it was worth giving it a brand new coat of paint. The Snow Lord wanted bigger than 6mm, well this beastie comes in at a cool 120mm tall. A bit bigger than my normal fare!

To paint this I made a few repairs filled in some mould lines with liquid plastic and then gave the whole thing a thorough new base coat of grey before starting the new paint job. Instead of repainting it as a Purple Worm I have changed the colour scheme so it is now a huge Ice Worm.

Right, points...huh? No clue. The witch is 40mm so I guess 7 points for her but I have no idea what arcane mathemagical calculations need to be made to score the Worm. At 120mm it's not exactly standard-sized! I'll leave that decision in the hands of the Snow Lord. Whatever it is, combined with the usual points for the challenge location, will give my tally one final boost before everything comes to an end. I'm happy with whatever points I get as this has already been my most productive Challenge to date and I'm just happy to have taken part.

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Holy smokes! These are some pretty cool (and BIG) figures Lee. Your brushwork on both are just magnificent, especially the eyes on the Frost Witch and the subtle metallic scales on the Worm. Beautiful work mate. I also tip my hat to your basing and photography - they both set the stage and feature your work wonderfully. Well done Lee!

I think the Frost Witch, including her base, is worth an easy 10 points and we'll peg the Purple Worm as a 28mm vehicle. With a few extras added in for your story and the risks of mountaineering up your lead mountain this gives you a total of 70 points. 

For your prize I award you Tamsin's wonderful Aviator (Flashheart?) Santa. Why, you ask? Well Lee has a history of weird Santas so I thought it appropriate to get him another to add to his collection. :)

Terrific work Lee and thanks for taking the Snow Lord's Peak Challenge!

-Curt

From PeterD 28mm Flemish House (10 points)

It's last week of the Challenge and time to clear all the various half finished projects on the work bench.  This is a 28mm house from Sarissa precision.  This was actually the first thing that I started on Boxing Day, but I got sidetracked by other projects.  I was also frustrated by first attempt at it.  I finally got around to doing the finishing touch ups and while not fully satisfied, it's close enough for Government work.

Architecturally this says the Low Countries but I want t use it for my SYW project in Western Germany.  Google pictures searches show similar styles in the Rheinland and it would be bang on the money along the German North Sea coast.  It would also serve nicely in WW2 campaigns in 1949 and 1944-5.

The house is 6.5" tall, 4' deep and 3.5" wide for a total of 91 cubic inches or 42% of a 6" cube.  (If memory serves 91 cubic inches was also the max capacity of a supercharged formula one engine in classic days.)  Let's call it 8 points.

By Paul: Very satisfying to clear older projects from the bench, this will be useful for a range of contexts. I'm rounding it up to half a terrain cube for 10 points.

from JohnS - A Bad Scrabble Hand H,J,M & P (75 points)

As we scrabble towards the end of the Challenge I present 4 different letters for my ABC Challenge.
First up is H is for Hammerers. I recently played my first game of Warhammer Fantasy Battle 8th edition. While I have enjoyed many games of 6th and 7th, I had never played 8th. (Don't mention AoS, you will make too many old gits like me upset.) A friend really wanted to play so I put together a little 4000 point Dwarf force. The larger units encouraged by 8th were a bit of a strain to assemble, especially the elite units. Plus we only ever table painted figures. Imagine my horror finding I only had 25 Hammerers.

Fortunately I possess a well supplied unpainted auxiliary force (that's fancy speak for a stonkin' great leadpile) that I was able to draw reinforcements from for training. And painting. I must say that I was quite surprised to find these, they were hiding under a couple of thousand plastic Warriors.

They were painted to match the existing unit and I am happy that I got pretty close as I purchased the balance of the unit pre-painted. I actually like copying good paint jobs, I find it very satisfying when old and new figures will mix seamlessly.

After the Dwarves it is time to return to Spain with J is for Jefe. I decided that it was time that my varied irregular Spanish units received an officer cadre. Well two chaps with fancy uniforms who liked to be called "Jefe" anyway.

I am always interested to read that officers in most Napoleonic armies had the ability to liberally interpret the uniform codes. It was a case of off to the tailor and muttering something along the lines of "Make me something that reflects my nobility and courage. With lots of gold braid. And shiny buttons." 

After all, if one is to be impotent, one must look impotent. Besides, shiny gold stuff makes sure you stand out on the field of battle. We all want that, right?

Next up is M for Militia. You couldn't find a more diverse lot of uniforms and equipment than among this lot of barrel scrapings, sorry, I mean fine militia recruits.

Ready to do their bit to throw out the filthy foreigners (well they are now that they have been impressed into service after being dragged from under beds and down from attics) you couldn't find a finer body of men. Unless you opened your eyes and looked for some of course.

They even have a drummer to keep the beat while they march in time. Like a herd of cats.

Lastly, where would we be in the great war against the French devils without the support of the church? P is for Padre has a local member of the clergy blessing the troops and getting ready to pitch in himself.

I believe the saying goes "Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition" Although I don't remember priests carrying muskets whenever I have wandered close to a church.

This Padre seems more of an Old Testament kind of preacher, ready to do a bit of smiting.

That concludes this weeks entry. I will try and get one or two more in tomorrow or Thursday but if not, this 75 points will put me over the line to achieve my points goal for the first time ever in the AHPC. I am well chuffed.

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By Paul:

What a wonderfully diverse entry John! From stout angry chaps with big smashy hammers, to shmancy 'Orficer types, militia that even the press gangs left behind (and thats saying something!), and the Priest with the unenviable task of ministering to that motley flock (the musket is to butt stroke the unrepentant at mass you know). I've really enjoyed watching your A to Z of entries this year.

Congratulations on making your challenge target for the first time matey. That special feeling in the cockles of your heart (maybe below the cockles, maybe in the sub-cockle area) will warm your hobby heart until the next AHPC Season. Your shout for the beers then!

From DaveD - Snow Lord's Peak - It so needs a communications tower (90 points)

Ok Big Blue wanted to see something a little less historical and a bit more sci-fi. Well I have a new project in the form of a dystopian world set in the future - well in all honesty this could be just a few weeks away on planet earth at this rate. So I thought what better  place to put a comms tower than the peak  - well there is one... but..

It is an MDF kit that uses a "Pringles" tube as its centre made by Products for Wargamers. I picked up a whole bundle of stuff at Crisis over two years ago - so its time to progress them.

D-M-J "Connecting your worlds" if its doesn't fry you with RF
Perhaps a tin foil hat is in order

The top part is an upturned yoghurt put with part of car aerial added in. There is a red LED - "spacecraft warning light "wired to the top of the aerial , the battery and switch stuff is all contained within it. The whole piece is removable

The figure is a Necromunda one I did last year

so here is the stash of stuff to build !

Size - 8 inches diameter , 15 inches high to base of the aerial. = 753 cubic inches so 60 points 

Snow Lord's Peak = 30 

Total 90 pts

And that is me for this challenge. The day job is now manic due to CV19. Maybe we will end up with the “self isolation” challenge on the spring.

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This is just brilliant Dave and what a great centerpiece for a game! Hopefully that explosion in the background isn't the other communication tower down the line... The dark green and yellow is very striking and the LED hazard light is an excellent touch.  I also really like how these kits incorporate household bits and bobs - it's recycling at its best.

As to your treasure, well, I think the cat was let out of the bag early in the Challenge but it's no less impressive. Here is James' wonderful WWII vignette of a American command group somewhere in Normandy.

Well done Dave and thanks for taking the Snow Lord's Peak Challenge and the Challenge itself! I hope your week isn't too hectic at work and you have some time to check in with us as we grind to a close.

-Curt

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 Curt: Dutch Red Lancers for 'Hawkin's Hill' (155 Points)

Sarah's Balloon sets me down upon picturesque 'Hawkin's Hill'. Here, our pal Phil asks us to finish something that we've had sitting around for three years or more.

Looking through my out-of-control lead stores, I'm ashamed to say sourcing figures for this task was nooo problem at all, in fact it was more about prioritizing what I should do. Actually, as it turns out, it was no contest at all, as I've had something needing to be done for a very, very long time. So, I present here a regiment of Napoleonic cavalry, but not just any unit, but the 2nd Regiment of Guard Lancers, the 'Dutch Red Lancers' whose uniform is perhaps one of the most beautiful from that sartorially splendid period.

This post is special to me for a few reasons. 

First it's Napoleonic themed, which is wonderful in of itself as Napoleonics were my first 'wargaming crush' and I haven't done a proper regiment for ages. To me, the period is the most beautiful example of Paper, Scissors, Rock. In it, none of the martial arms had complete dominance, making for some very exciting military history, and the uniforms were the perfect blend of ostentatious beauty and brutal function. 

But, for me, the most important aspect of these particular figures is their background.

I received these models 10 years ago as a thank you gift from my very good friend Greg for standing up as a groomsman at his wedding. Yes, this year Linda and Greg will celebrate their 10th anniversary (congratulations you two!) and so I thought it high time to get these figures properly attended to before another decade slips by.

Sarah and I met up with Greg and Linda for a few days during their honeymoon in Paris. During our visit Greg and I spent a wonderful day at the Musee d'Armee at Les Invalides, where I think he became bitten by the Franco-Prussian War bug (such beautifully curated displays, wow). The museum also had a gorgeous example of a Dutch Lancer uniform which, in turn, prompted this gift of miniatures.

While I typically enjoy working on Napoleonic figures I absolutely dread painting cavalry, especially from units as ornate at the Dutch Lancers. True to form, these were complete swine to work on, with all their varied colours and intricate uniform detail. They almost gave me fits. I started them in the first week of the Challenge and barely managed to get them completed for our final run-in. And I still have another dozen of them waiting in the wings! (Earmarked for your 20th anniversary, Greg!) Well, all this being said, I'm pleased with how they turned out and they will be a wonderful addition to my French cavalry contingent. 

As an aside, during the past few days while I've been working on these, I've been listening to Bernard Cornwell's 'Waterloo, The History of Four Days, Three Battles and Three Armies'. I have to say I'm surprised at how crap it was for the most part as I really enjoy his fiction. Sadly, I found it very derivative of other, better written histories, and on the whole it read as an unabashed Wellington love-fest. It was actually pretty hard to take at times. It certainly doesn't hold a candle next to other recent monographs such as the brilliantly written 'Waterloo' by Mark Clayton (which I highly recommend to anyone interested in a balanced perspective of that campaign).

Anyway, forgive my self-indulgent book review. Here are the Dutch Red Lancers, all done and ready to skewer the enemies of the Emperor. 

Greg, thank you very much for these wonderful figures! The unit will be a wonderful memento of your wedding and of the great time we had in Paris!  

-Curt

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Oh WOW, dude, these are truly breathtaking, just fantastic! It has indeed been ten years, and time has sure flown by. Paris is such an amazing city, and the Musee d'Armee was an incredible thing, and super cool to be able to visit it together with you. 

(And of course, I should note here that my wife of 10 years, Linda, is an incredible woman...I have no idea how she tolerates me, but I certainly consider myself blessed). 

I was moved as soon as I saw the post title, as I immediately recalled these figures, and to see them painted is just so great.  Your brush skills on them are top-shelf, just inspiring stuff, and the unit looks incredible.  I can certainly relate to how long a unit like this can take to finish - particularly cavalry.  But the results are beyond splendid. Seeing them makes me immediately want to crack out the 28mm Napoleonics for a game! 

Naturally this also makes me think of my wedding and of our time visiting in Paris...so just awesome, an excellent aspect to the hobby. Any time I see 28mm Napoleonic figures, I think of you and Sarah. It's a reminder of the ties we share beneath the hobby...many people might assume, with all of the painting late at night, that this hobby is about being by yourself, when in fact the opposite is true...each figure in my collection is inspired in some way not only by my (many and varied) interests, but the friends who will eventually join the game when the project is ready - in days, weeks, months or years.  Those friendships are with me when I sit late at night at the painting table, and I'm sure it is the same for other participants in the Challenge.

Well done my friend - I've added some extra points for the Challenge location, and just generally awesome paint job on one of the coolest-uniformed units of the Napoleonic era. Stunning stuff, thanks for sharing this (and thanks to the other Minions for leaving it for me to post).  I can't wait to see them live on the gaming table.

GregB

From EvanH - They Might Be Giants (50 points)

Greetings, Challengers and Challenge Fans!

Well, the best-laid plans and all that... doesn't look like I'll make my target this year, what with real life having the poor taste to intrude upon valuable painting time. 

Here's a couple of placeholder figures, a Stone Giant and Hill Giant, a couple of old faves who've been with us since the halcyon days of the 1st Edition AD&D Monster Manual. 

Let's look at Ol' Stoney first. 

Stone Giants are curiously gaunt in appearance, and as hard as the peaks they call home. He's a Reaper Bones figure and stands 70mm from head to toe. I rather like this one; he's got a wealth of personal equipment ranging from assorted pouches and satchels to a hammer and some pitons for serious mountaineering.

Here's a pic for scale;

Hey Kids! It's our old friend from Challenge IX, Grumpy Viking Santa!

I've given him a greenstone club because I wanted to avoid making the whole thing too grey in tone, what with the basing and the metal and all.

The anatomy of the figure was fun to pick out and highlight, with the musculature really calling out for some extra definition. Basecoat for the skintones was a mix of Vallejo Game Colour Sombre Grey and Beasty Brown, highlighted up with additional Cold Grey. A wash of Army Painter Strong Tone was added to finish it off.

The base is a Warbases 60mm MDF Round, strewn with marble chips. Gaps were filled with Vallejo White Pumice Paste, and the whole thing was undercoated black before being lightened up with successive greys.

I do like this figure. I know I've said it before, but Reaper Bones are a great way to get big impressive monsters on the gaming table for a very reasonable price (and no, I'm not on the payroll!).

Next up is his chunkier mate, a Reaper Bones Hill Giant; about the same height, but clearly does more lifting. And eating. And boozing.

Definitely has an unwashed look about him.

All his metalwork has been given a rusty look, since I figure that Hill Giants don't really look after their kit that well.

This fellow was based with Milliput built up around his moulded base, given the old GWSWGG treatment and a few tufts.

Doesn't that just scream 'halitosis'?

Points-wise, I'll ask the minion of the day to consider 15 points each, since really, there's no 'might be' about it - They're Definitely Giants!

Only a few more days to get some more points on the board; will I make it?

Stay tuned...

Ev
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By Paul: 
Classic figs Ev, you've done em proud.  I particularly like the base work you've done on them.
Given their size, I'm going to score them as 40mm Vehicles for a total of 50 points.
Now get back to painting - you've got a few days left!