From Jeff B: Level 1 - Chamber 4 - The Aquifer (25 points)

Seaman McNulty gripped the wheel with white knuckled hands as he changed coarse as commanded. He could see the approaching enemy ships altering course as well. Below him on decks was a hive of activity with Midshipmen ordering crew and gunners to clear decks and prepare to engage the swiftly closing enemy ships.

I rarely mix colors as I find it tedious, difficult to master, and wasteful as I usually don't get to finish up what I mix. However in this case since I knew it was a one off figure I experimented and added an off white color to the tan to make 2 highlight shades for the base color and a light cream to the grey to make 2 highlight shades for his grey trousers.

I believe that this is a dated Old Glory Casting from one of the large resin sailing ship kits, it's quite heavy indeed. The helmsman is a simple and fairly clean casting, nothing extravagant, and is a good basic casting that will do the job well. The legs are a bit thick, but at his station on his ship he looks the business and is a perfectly good wargame model.

I painted this ship about 8 years ago for a Yorktown game we assisted a good friend and clubmate of mine Bill Moreno of Good Ground Miniatures was running for one of our HMGS-South's two Florida cons. The sails are by The Flag Dude and the excellent rigging was done by another long time (41 + years) friend and clubmate Jorge Sanchez Galarraga. If it wasn't for Jorge and his friends letting the little kid play with them in the 70's I may not still be so involved and enamored with our awesome hobby today. Thanks gents!

The Aquifer Chamber = 20 pts, (1) 28mm fig = 5 pts: Total: 25 Pts

Oh! Thank goodness! I thought for a minute that I might have to come up with a suitable score for the ship!

Nice job on the helmsman - as you say, it is a good, basic wargames figure.

Tamsin

From PhilH: Wildlife at the Larder and Hatchery (60 Points)

A couple more Chambers to hit up before I hit the sack tonight. First up, the Larder had me stumped for a while, and I nearly begged a boon from the Witches to skip it. But then I was struck by inspiration for my main project of the Challenge, North American woodland tribes of the Iroquois Confederacy. As well as horticulture, the male warriors hunted extensively for food and goods and maintained extensive hunting grounds in modern New York State and beyond.

So I ordered a few bits from the Warbases animals range. Pity they don't sell turkeys, but the deer work well enough for woodland hunts.

I painted these as White-tail or Virginia deer.

And of course, there is a link the the wargames we play too: loss of hunting grounds was a cause of Native American frustrations that erupted into conflict with European settlers. The British government had a policy of preventing settlement West of the Appalachian mountains to preserve tribal lands after the French-Indian war, but couldn't practically constrain the colonies from westward expansion. This loss of traditional hunting grounds to settlement and encroachment came to a head with involvement in the American Revolutionary war. While there were losers on all sides from the frontier warfare, the Iroquois were devastated by death, destruction and disease, their ancient confederacy broken, extensive loss of lands and forced westwards to destitution.

Moving on to the Hatchery, more North American wildlife in the form of the ubiquitous Canada Goose. Seriously, these things are everywhere.

These were a delightful diversion to paint, I had a blast and am majorly pleased with how they came out. I just noticed I should to drop some gloss varnish on their little goosey eyes.

I was playing the daft Unitled Goose Game on the PS4 at the time, where you play an obnoxious (British) Goose harassing a quaint village.

Not sure how to score these, but there's two Chamber bonuses, plus 10 or so for the critters? So two little bits of table dressing and two more Chambers down, and into Level 2.

Those deer look simply splendid, and as for the geese, well, you've done a cracking job on those too.

I've scored the deer as 28mm foot and the geese similarly but for each pair, so that makes 60 points all told.

Tamsin

 

From Jeff B: Level #1 - Sorceress Sarah please teleport me (25 points)

Oh Sorceress Sarah, I ask you to use your powers to please teleport me from the Golem's Haunt to the Aquifer as the grey scale scares me and I've not cleaned and primed my Larder vignette as of yet.

As a sacrifice for this request I offer up this entry, a stalwart colonial woman adventurer. A walking stick with internal blade in one hand and possibly a Derringer hidden in her pocket in the other.

Primed black, as I usually do, I've used my comfortable military shades pallet to make her fit into a column of other colonial adventurers trekking across the jungle, savannah, desert, or veldt...

This is a 28mm figure from the Copplestone Castings High Adventure Range. The Copplestone figs are a joy to paint. I was going for a suntanned skin tone, however I think it came out a bit too orange in the pictures, way more so than in person. I may have to add some more highlights to lighten up the overall tone a little.

Here's the link to the page: https://www.copplestonecastings.co.uk/prod.php?prod=191

                                     Sorceress teleportation request: 20 pts

I do agree that Copplestone figures are a joy to paint; such great sculpts. I can just see that archaeologist bossing around her diggers before retiring to her tent for a refreshing G&T.

You forgot about the 5 points for the figure, so that makes 25 points added to your tally.

Tamsin

From PhilH: Bringing Death at the Chamber of Darkness (62 Points)

Again, the Level 1 Chambers of Challenge were kind to my Challenge planning, as I had just the thing for the Chamber of Darkness. Alas, I bottled doing anything in true greyscale, rather had a set of Star Wars Legion Death Troopers that I was itching to sling some paint on. These were out of stock for literally a year after I bought into Legion. FFG's abiltiy to keep product in stock was woefully lacking, especially in the UK. But I managed to snag a box at a random game store in the US. Maybe the new curator of Legion will sort out the logistics of being able to sell product to Star Wars fanboys.

Death Troopers made their debut in 2016's Rogue One, as bodyguards for Death Star architect Director Orson Krennic. Basically they're the super-elite special forces to the regular Imperial Stormtroopers, instantly becoming fan-favourites and being crammed into every piece of Star Wars media since. But the do look pretty badass, so that's fair enough.

I used Sorastro's painting guide for these, he uses a blue-black tone which, while not strictly right, adds visual interest. I didn't take the highlights as far though. I couldn't resist adding some OSL to the glowy chin-lights.

They're strong in Legion: tough, adaptable and hard-hitting, but are a big points sink. Which of course makes them the biggest magnet for opponent's laser blasts, so the inevitably don't achieve much. Ho hum. Maybe I need another box. These were finished way back, but stuck in limbo while I hunted fora new varnish: my beloved Testor's Dullcote being discontinued (and my latest can not being a patch on the usual finish). Thanks to Nick for the recommend of Army Painter Matte, which did the trick here.

Six models nigh on 40mm tall, plus the Chamber bonus, for 62 Points. Onwards!

Those Death Troopers look great, Phil. The blue-black works nicely. I enjoy watching Sorastro's videos, despite the fact that the models he paints aren't ones that I am ever likely to.

62 points are headed your way.

Tamsin

For ScottM: The Altar of the SnowLord

Altar of the SnowLord (brought to you by the kids of Kinsmen Park South)

 

Okay Scott, I've been looking through your submissions this year and I see a distinct lack of samurai in the mix.  So, to rectify the situation, let's see say, um, six examples of that crazy-making intricate knot and plate armour that we all loooove to paint. Once we see a half-dozen done-up you can claim your prize.

Scott's Prize: Mounted Georgia Ranger by JonathanO

BruceR, Chamber of Challenges, The Altar of the Snowlord, 45 pts

"Weel, we enter the Altar of the Snowlard sporting our very best wear."

 

My challenge was to paint jock kilts and here they be.  Close up they are lines and blobs, but 2-3 feet away I feel they look the part.  I've tried to paint them as Seaforth battalion highlanders and hopefully will not give offense to any true kilt counters.  I hope from a distance they pass.  The Scot on the right is a liaison come from another unit/clan to ensure the boys are going the right direction.  Actually, I painted him first, didn't like the scheme so I moved on to another.  Like others here in the challenge I accumulate mountains of lead and I don't repaint, I simply move on to the next in line.  

So here is my offering to the Mighty Snowlard in hopes me jocks meet with his approval. 

The figures are from Pulp Miniatures once again and a simple joy to paint.  They are full of character and of a hefty size for painting, which I frankly love.  This is the Highland Special Weapons bag from the British Empire section.  Fun to break up the color of greens and browns even if not worn in the field.   "So damn you sir, we were attached while on parade with na time to change.  Which way to the enemy."

The lads sport a light machine gun, anti tank rifle, a drum fed Thompson and two revolvers.  What more can a unit ask for in support.  

5 28mm x 5 = 25 pts

Chamber = 20 pts

Total 45 pts

Cheers and thanks for looking.

Stay safe.

BruceR

 

From DaveS - A Mixed Bag - (41pts)

 Yet more wild west exodus models this time, from a mix of factions.

First of all, we have Papa Trinity.  One of the shapeshifting "Ceruleans", he has taken the form of a priest.

This was one of those models that had been sat, intimidating me since I started painting my Watchers again.  Actually, once I put brush to model, it flowed, and I really enjoyed turning him out.

Continuing the theme of shapeshifters, we have the other Cerulean Vixen, caught mid-shift.

Finally, we have the Cerulean Nightmare, a beast touched by the Hex (This is A BAD THING) and trapped constantly changing forms.

So that should be 2x40mm models, and 1x54mm

After reinforcing the Watchers, it was only fair to give their natural enemies, the Order of the Allshard some love.  This came in the form of Makara, their legendary leader.  As you will see from the size comparison shot (with a model not yet finished) she is HUGE

I don't know what to score her as, but I've called her a 54mm model, although I wonder whether cavalry would be more appropriate.

One of the consequences of the way that the WWX models are packaged, is that sometimes, you want a model that is only available in a posse for another faction.  This was the case with Papa Trinity.  He comes in the "Only God Forgives" posse, which includes, as it's boss, the local Cat House Proprietor.  She interacts with the "Soiled Dove" keyword on models.  So, nothing would do but to pick up all of the "Soiled Doves" which meant buying another 5 posse boxes.  Yes, I have a problem.

So here is the first Soiled Dove, Missy Capelle.  Her sister Rabecca is the model in the scale shot above.

So, that should be 3x40mm and 2x54mm models, for 41pts (or more depending on whether a minion wants to change the score for Makara)

From JamesM: 15mm Cromwells (again!) - 24 Points

Hi folks,

I should be pretty well known, after this many challenges, for sticking with a theme like a dog with a bone... In this case, yet more Russian Uniform green 15mm vehicles. 

Another troop of Cromwells for my 1st Polish Armoured Division project! This is the 2nd of four combat platoons. Don't worry, I'll post a picture at the end of the challenge to prove I'm not just taking different pictures of the same models over and over. 

These are Plastic PSC 15mm Cromwells, painted and decalled up to be a troop from C Squadron, 10 Pulk Strzelcow Konnych (10th Polish Mounted Rifles). This was the Armoured Recce regiment of the Polish division. Painted as part of my Flames of War Normandy project. 

As usual, decals have been applied for relevant the unit and aerials added. Commander model to be added at a later date, and twin aerials help identify the command vehicle. Two more such troops to go for the full squadron, and I hope to get at least one more done before challenge ends - baby permitting!

These three tanks come in at 8 points each, giving 24 for the unit. 

From SidneyR: The Guild of Metal Founders, Laarden 1688, for the "Gallery of the Ancestors" (68 points)

 

"Old halberds, if well cleaned, never rust.  For our past is our future, and our future is our past".

Captain Conelis van Blom, Captain of the Guild of Metal Founders,

Laarden, 1688

In my last post, the painted Banshee transported me back to "The Gallery of the Ancestors", which I had skipped over in February.  In that Chamber, we find a small company of militia from the "Guild of Metal Founders", one of the oldest guilds in my (very self-indulgent) fictional Flemish Free-City of Laarden, in 1688.

The Company of Metal Founders uses older weapons from the City arsenal, many of them old enough to have been wielded by the Company's grandfathers in their struggles with the Spanish and French in the early seventeenth century (...an, as yet, unpublished campaign in the annals of the Laarden civic archives, dear Challengers).  So we have guildsmen armed with halberds (always a popular choice), arquebuses, partizans, pikes, and armoured with steel breastplates.  

The antique weapons jostle for attention alongside late seventeenth century fashions, such as an officer's elaborate periwig, French-style coats and the huge embroidered standard of the Guild.  

Completed by the Laarden School of Seamstresses (....and yes, that's another future vignette, one day!), the Guild's standard depicts the Angel Gabriel and a terrifying Demon, both claiming patrimony over the founding of one of the great cannons of the Free City of Laarden.  

What the cryptic meaning of the standard precisely means is unknown, except perhaps to the Guild Elders - and the Elders are as tight lipped about that hidden meaning as they are about their near-alchemical methods of iron and steel founding. 

The clothing worn by the guild militia is not uniformed.  Perhaps, dear Challengers, this is a respectful glance back to the days of the early seventeenth century before military uniforms were common.  A degree of unity is created by some fancy red feathers in the hats of the company which - no doubt - have been paid for by the Guild's funds at the start of the campaign.  

I had a lot of fun painting the guildsmen, but also experienced a couple of disasters as well.  The figures are a mixture of Dixon Miniatures and Wargames Foundry, with some conversion work to get a couple of pikemen to wield halberds instead.  I added bunches of lace and feathers onto  the figures with greenstuff to create some form of uniformity among the figures.  I also tried to bring the figures together by panting them all with a base of either dark red (Vallejo Red) or dark brown (Vallejo Flat Brown), and then varying the colours of the Company's stockings, cuffs and hats to match the main colour.

The standard was half painted before the Challenge, during last summer, but for some reason I'd only done half (one side).  So I finished the standard, trying to match the painting on the new second half to the completed first half.  I found this much tricker than expected, mainly because I could not remember the shade of red on the plump demon which I had used last year!

The disaster happened when I varnished these figures.  My usually trusty varnishing methods went wrong, leaving a thin 'dusting' on the figures.  No doubt some of you might have had this depressing experience over the years.  It was, I admit, pretty soul-destroying, but I was cheered up very considerably by fellow Challenger, Mark Backhouse, who encouraged me to re-varnish in gloss, and then to start varnishing again.  Which was a great tip - thanks, Mark!

The second time of matt varnishing seems to have done the trick.  No doubt the influence of the Angel Gabriel balanced up the impact of the mischievous Demon from the Guild's standard at the second time of asking!

I finished off the base with some tufts, which i dusted with a 'paint & PVA' mix for some rigidity and toughness.  Ideally, I'd like to do more figures from the Guilds of Laarden in the future - but they'll need to wait for another Challenge as I'm running out of time in this one!

So, on to the points - I painted 9 figures in 28mm, and half a standard, with some conversion work on the figures.  So the main question is.... how many points for half the standard?  Is a couple of points OK? And a point for the greenstuff-ing?  That would be 48 points, with 20 for the "Gallery of the Ancestors", totalling 68 points (if that's OK).

If it's not acceptable, communication to the Guild of Metal Founders can be established through your usual Angelic or Demonic representative.... 

And, because this is Laarden 1688, here's the hugely self-indulgent Collectible Character Card for the Guild of Metal Founders in the "Enemies and Allies of Laarden, 1688" Collection for Challenge XI.

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