From FrederickC: Lord of the Rings Good, Bad, and Ugly [Caprica][Arda][Solaris][Vulcan] (100 points)

Better buckle up folks, Frederick's stepping on the gas pedal...

Having completed my first Quadrant Challenge at the Death Star, we are now going to head in the spinward direction at a High-G burn with four stops along the way. So strap in to your acceleration couches and come along for the ride. We won't beat Han Solo's record for the Kessel Run, but it will be close.

Last winter my painting focus was on whittling down my large collections of unpainted Dwarves, Goblins, Orcs, Rangers, and Uruk-hai from the Games Workshop Lord of the Rings range of miniatures, with a few character figures thrown in for good measure. That still left more than a few unpainted, and I thought some would lend themselves nicely to a few of the Quadrant XII Challenges. These are all 28mm metal miniatures released as blisters, or part of boxed sets. Alas, many of them are now out of production.

The first stop is Caprica (#2 on the map) with the themes of 'Ambush' and 'Doomed', featuring Lurtz and Boromir. Lurtz was the leader of the group of Uruk-hai scouts sent by Saruman to 'find the Halfings!' They successfully ambushed the Fellowship at Amon Hen, capturing Merry and Pippin, but also killing poor 'doomed' Boromir as well. Boromir, favorite son of Denethor, Steward of Gondor, had fallen under the power of the One Ring and tried to take it from Frodo. He redeemed himself at the end, bravely defending Merry and Pippin and killing many Uruk-hai, until Lurtz turned him into a 'human pin cushion', pierced by many arrows.

 

The next planet is Arda  (#3 on the map) with the themes of 'Fantasy' and 'Tolkienesque'. And what could be more Tolkienesque than Aragon himself, one of the long lived Dunedain, descendant of Isildur, and heir to the throne of Gondor. The miniature shows him as he appeared at the Battle of Helm's Deep, leading the counter-charge to plug the breach in the Deeping Wall.

 

Our third way station on the journey is Solaris (#4 on the map) with the theme of 'Deception'. Saruman and Grima Wormtongue were certainly engaged in the practice. Grima, the lackey of Saruman, filled King Théoden of Rohan with bad advice in the guise of wise council, all designed to undermine Rohan's ability to resist Saruman's war plans. In Saruman's case, there was also some 'self-deception' going on in his attempts to acquire the One Ring. Saruman was not deceived by Sauron; he deceived himself. He was delusional. Saruman never really chose to side with Sauron; he used his palantír to look into Mordor and was caught by Sauron. Saruman then feigned obedience to Sauron, but he continued to hope that he would find the Ring and use it to make himself master of Middle-Earth.

 

 

Our last stop on the Outer Ring is Vulcan (#5 on the map) with the theme of 'Pointy Ears'. In the world of Middle-earth, that would be the race of Elves as represented by Legolas Greenleaf, son of Thranduil, King of the Woodland Realm of Northern Mirkwood. Elves might also be logical, but their emotions run high with regards to their ancient quarrel with the Dwarves. Legolas set out from Rivendell as one of the nine members of the Fellowship. He and Gimli later accompanied Aragorn and the Grey Company on the Paths of the Dead. A handy fellow with a bow, to be sure.

 

 

The points being claimed are as follows

6 x 28mm foot figures @ 5 points each = 30 points

4 x Challenge Quadrant locations (Caprica, Arda, Solaris, Vulcan) @ 20 points each = 80 points

 

Next stop - the Middle Ring, a dive into a Warp Maelstrom, or a ride on Lady Sarah's Star Yacht? Only time will tell.

These are some well painted LotR figures Frederick, I especially like the Aragorn. And four challenge locations covered in no time.  As per my email yesterday, normally it would be best to have one post per Challenge location. In this case given that you presented them all at once and that they fit thematically, I figured lets's do a CostCo 4 pack.  Next year don't forget to take advantage of the two week free posting days (these are described in Curt's instructions) so as to not save everything up for your first regular day.