From MartijnN: Some fantasy figures and some really little guys [Fantasy Section] (90 points)

Today, I will you spare you most of my ramblings. If only because the paint on some of these figures is hardly dry yet. I always think that I have plenty of time, especially whenever I have been making reasonable progress earlier in the week, but somehow finishing even 6mm figures always seems to take much more time that I allow for.

Anyway, first up are some 28 mm "heroic scale" 3D printed fantasy figures. I think five of them are Iain Lovecraft figures, while the lady elf fighter is from Arbiter. Arbiter used to make only supportless figures, which I find much easier to print, and tend to be more durable because they usually have less protruding parts that can snap off. 

These are an old crone, a ruffian, a herald, a gypsy girl, an eerie bishop and the elf fighter. I should probably have saved one of the female figures for Sarah's Cart, but there you go.

They are all lovely figures that painted up nicely. I used mostly Citadel contrast paints or Army Painter speedpaints 1.0 on these. They are the old Speedpaint range, which tend to suffer from reactivation when painted over or washed, but in the end they worked fine.

These figures will do nicely for the Fantasy Section of the Library,  I think.

Up next are some 6mm Baccus figures for my slowly growing Prussian army for the Seven Weeks' War and the Franco-Prussian War. They are meant to represent the 1st and 2nd Light Cavalry Brigades of the Cavalry Corps of First Army at Königgrätz in 1866. 1st Guard dragoons and 1st Guard lancers, and 2nd Guard dragoons and 3rd hussars. They are accompanied by two artillery batteries. The guns were painted before the Challenge, so no score for those.

As they will likely figure in 1870 games too, for this week's book recommendation I have chosen a favourite book on the FPW: A Day of Battle. Mars-la-Tour 16 August 1870 by David Ascoli.

The book is about of the running battle between advance elements of the Prussian army and the French Army of the Rhine, as it slowly made its way West to fall back towards Verdun. It is classic example of  a smaller force using initiative, creativity and sheer determination to hold a much larger force that is fighting bravely, but operating hesitantly and indecisively. In the end, this may well have been the battle that ultimately decided the war and the fate of the Third Empire. It is a great tale, and Ascoli tells it brilliantly. The book is, unfortunately, let down somewhat by the rather crude and simple maps, but the narrative and the analysis are excellent. There is a lot of background too, and Ascoli also covers the battle of Gravelotte in some detail. If you are going to read one book on the war, make it this one.

Then, the map:

That's it for his week.

6x 28mm foot @ 5 = 30 points

36x 6mm horse @ 1 = 36

8x 6mm foot @ 0.5 = 4

Fantasy Section bonus = 20

Grand Total: 84 points

TeemuL: The fantasy miniatures are great, characterful and colourful! 6mm look very small, but I can still see some details on them, good work. People often think, that small minis are quick and fast to paint, and in a way they are, but in the other way they aren't. And as fellow minion you have added your map without extra notification, well done. But your maths is a bit off, I guess you missed your 6mm infantry. Grand total is 90 points, here you are.