From Barks: Multiple Circles of Hell (Violence, Fraud, Treachery) (135 points)

I've had the lurgi and have had a bit of travelling, but have managed to knock off a few circles of Hell.

First, Violence. But I have not portrayed the souls sent there- rather, the vicious beasts that torment them:

Here the repellent harpies make their nests,

Who drove the Trojans from the Strophades

With dire announcements of the coming woe.

They have broad wings, a human neck and face,

Clawed feet and swollen, feathered bellies; they caw

Their lamentations in the eerie trees.

Inferno, Canto XIII

The harpies sit in the wood of the suicides; these are boardgame pieces from Descent. They've got horrendous mold lines I couldn't be bothered removing. They're less noticeable at arm's length.

Harpies

Next, we visit Fraud with Sharkey and Worm- spoilers ahead!

Worm and Sharkey

"Whoever strikes me shall be accursed. And if my blood stains the Shire, it shall wither and never again be healed."

The hobbits recoiled. But Frodo said, "Do not believe him. He has lost all power, save his voice that can still daunt and deceive you, if you let it."

I love the Scouring of the Shire! It had been orchestrated by Saruman in the guise of Sharkey. He is revealed to no longer be a powerful wizard by Frodo; hence Fraud.

Loving the Jon Hodgson background books

The GW paintjob for this figure has a brown cloak, but:

...they overtook an old man leaning on a staff, and he was clothed in rags of grey or dirty white, and at his heels went another beggar, slouching and whining.

Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!

I had thought of using Worm for Treachery, because, well, he's Worm, but I really wanted to slap paint on these kitbashed Delaques, the most deceitful gang:

Neo lookalike contest

Can't see a thing but we look so good.

The nineties called my cell: they said we looked awesome.

Dual-wielding. He could only get cooler if I painted his mirrorshades.

I used Northstar Scavengers for the bodies, and carved the big pockets off their coats to give them more Matrix-esque vibes. I either found heads with glasses and carved off the hair, or made glasses from greenstuff. I was experimenting with pale flesh tones- I think these are a bit violet. I wanted a lightly distressed leather look to the coats, but it just looks grey and the belts lack contrast. I could revisit the bases as well.

How did I move between these locations? More Descent figures: five (ten?) fire imps. I drybrushed the flames from white through yellows, oranges, and reds. The Imps are Speedpaint Dusk Red.

Fire Imps

So, everyone today is 28mm:

5x Imps +25

4x Harpies +20

4x Delaque +20

2x LotR +10

Violence +20

Fraud +20

Treachery +20

Total 135 points

Squirrels +1 (Descent baddies)

From Millsy:

So much cool stuff in one post!

If I had to pick a favourite it would be the Neo-esqe Delaque gangers, who have a special place in my heart being my first ever team too. Your choices for kitbashing are great and really have the right vibe.

The Fire Imps are also really well executed with the flame effect absolutely spot on. I struggle with that technique but you've clearly got it nailed. I'm guessing the imps were painted after the drybrushing?

Awesome work Barks and 135 more points for your tally!

PS. Hope you are on the mend mate.

Cheers,
Millsy

From JohnS: "When The Dwarf In Front of You Is Killed (Again)..." (140 points)

The Krautian Flesched Legion are the re-animated Krautian Landwehr that were part of Ferach force that invaded the Witchlands. Those battles didn't go so well and left behind piles of prime zombie making material for the Dark Czar to use.

Slaughterloo Undead units are 28 figures strong, mainly to allow the Kommisar to re-slay a couple when needed, to encourage the others to perform as required.

The unit is lead by a vampyre who uses his mesmeric powers to control the undead dwarves.

The unit Kommisar makes sure the zombie Krautians understand the importance of their role in the great effort to repel the invaders from the Witchlands. Stirring speeches and instructions such as "When the dwarf in front of you is killed (again), pick up his musket and attack". Of course, they're zombies so retention of instruction is not their strong suit. 

The Vampyre and Kommisar

Points:

28 x 25mm figures @ 5 = 140 points

Skullz for the Skull Duel (which I will now enter) @ 2 per Legionnaire + 1 for Kommisar = 53

Skull total so far is 63

From Millsy:

My first thought was that I should spell check this post. Then I looked at how many "made up words" it contained and gave up in favour of the delightful chaos of Slaughterloo spelling.

Two cracking additions to your Slaughterloo collection mate. I especially like the Kommisar who's face is enough to inspire loyalty and fear in equal amounts no matter the situation.

140 more points for your tally and a hefty skullz count too.

Cheers,
Millsy

Side Duels Update for February 3, 2025

Another update on where everyone stands in the non-Skull related duels.

First up an updated pie chart of activity.

SD1 (Moose and ) Squirrel Duel

GeoffT has responded to his challengers and widened his lead.  He now sits comfortably, meeting the two power squirrel target with as many squirrels as his two closest competitors.   We still await our first moose....

SD1 (Moose and ) Squirrel
GeoffT	10
Curt	6
KerryT	4
MikeW	2
Barks	1
MartijnN	1
PeteF	0
RobH	0

SD2 30K Heresies

Yawn, no movement in the last two weeks.  Curt continues to hold a slim, if unexpected lead over Greg.  Should we check that Greg is doing ok, he must be in 30K withdrawal after a two week period with no posts.  Publius Quinctillus Gregus where are our Legions?

SD2 30K Heresies
Curt	130
GregB	120
PeterA	84
DavidB	0
SanderS	0

SD3 Skulls


Scoring is pure head count (pun intended). This one will be adjudicated by Barks.

I will leave skull tallies to our resident Post-Mortem Phrenologist.

SD4 Mech Madness


Sander has made his rompy-stompy move and sits atop the leader board.

SD4 Mech Madness
SanderS	55
TomL	25
Curt	15
DaniHG	2
DavidB	0

SD5 WW2 Duel

We've had minimal movement here, in that someone has actually made an entry.  But six weeks in and we have a solitary Dutch Armoured Car as the combined effort from three gamers.

SD5 WW2 Duel
MattW	30
DavidB	0
Millsy	0

SD6 Napoleonics

Oh thank goodness, there's something to report on this Duel!  Lee has built up a considerable lead but is rightfully worried about that sandbagging scoundrel Ray.  Plus there are heavy hitters who have yet to turn their brushes in the direction of the Corsican Ogre's wars.

SD6 Napoleonics
LeeH	473
RayR	247
MattW	200
EdwardG	0
KerryT	0
PeteF	0

SD7 Can Opener


Kerry is leading the fight for the larder shelves, having opened twice as many tins as anyone else.

SD7 Can Opener
KerryT	285
Curt	130
Barks	28
MattW	0
NickY	0
RobH	0

SD8 Retreat from Moscow

This is essentially a repeat of the top two positions from the Napoleonic Side Duel.  Lee's cossacks seem to have Ray's Grande Armee surrounded, but we can't count that wily badger out yet. 

SD8 Retreat from Moscow
LeeH	473
RayR	247

SD9 Colonial Wars

No movement since last week, a measly 5 points between the two.  There's been some fine stuff from the Sudan posted, but not by either Rob or Dave.

SD9 Colonial Wars
RobH	5
DaveD	0

From RichardM: Sudan first British infantry and another cavalry regiment (192 points)

This week’s efforts have been exclusively British.  I enjoyed painting the Hussars so much last week that I pushed the 21st Lancers up the painting queue and past the various native troops that had been prepared and awaiting their turn on the painting table.

So we start with the 21st Lancers.  Nothing too much to say about them other than they painted quite easily.  I did experiment with putting some lance pennons on - but making, cutting out the swallow tail and gluing them on would have been a punishment the Spanish Inquisition would have been proud of.  So I stayed with the small red tassle (or something) that was cast at the top of the lance.   

Then we move to the first of my British Infantry - two battalions worth.  

Before we progress I am reminded of my first post here where I noted I was mixing up the units that appeared in theatre and was not building for a specific year or campaign.  In keeping with this relaxed approach,  I know the British stopped taking their colours into the field a few years before the Sudan campaigns started - in 1881 during the Boer War.  However, colours are colours and they make these units stand out - especially the khaki on the desert bases.  After all, I am going to be playing a game - not making a documentary :)

So first we have the 1st Battalion of the York and Lancaster Regiment.  They are dressed in khaki and will be the way a few more units are painted.  A bit of googling showed me that the Regiment was formed in 1881 from an amalgamation of the 65th and 84th Regiments of Foot.  As I could easily get my hands on Napoleonic Wars colours,  I picked those of the 65th which were the most pleasant to my eye of the two.

Then we have the first of what I plan to be two battalions of red coated infantry.  These ones are the 1st  Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment.  This regiment was formed from the 38th and 80th Regiments of Foot (as well as various Militia units) and I've used the colours of the 80th Regiment here as I could get my them easily.  While the British Army had largely switched from sending the red coated troops into battle, the rush to get units into the Sudan meant they arrived in various uniforms.  It is reported that this battalion wore red coats at Battle of Kirbekan on 10 February 1885.

Finally, a few shots “setting the scene” with work done over the past few weeks.  Going to need more ‘bad guys’ and resting camels when the square gets four sides.

I will need to do some of the Beja Warriors for my next post to keep the balance up - maybe some native cavalry / camelry and perhaps something a little special (if I can find them)

Points

24 * 10mm cavalry -  72 points

120 * 10mm infantry - 120 points

Total 192 points

From Millsy:

Another addition to your growing colonial collection is always welcome Richard! One of the joys of the Challenge for me is completing whole armies / projects in short order and it's clear you are on the same road with your 10mm efforts.

They look so impressive en masse but then you look closer and they look amazing on a per model basis too. You clearly have the understanding of what looks good at this scale and the talent to make that happen.

Another 192 points brings you just shy of 2/3 of your inital target. Nice work mate!

Cheers,
Millsy

From GeoffT: More Indian WW2 figures (40 points)

Hello Challengers,

I have not posted much of late, but for a good reason, last week I was away at Cancon, Australia’s largest game convention, participating in The Lard Zone.

Uncharacteristically, I came back with only a few extra miniatures, the small haul did include these miniatures from Eureka, that I am adding to my Chain of Command India force for Malaya, as we start the Jitra campaign next week.  

Eight 28mm miniatures = 40 points, and enough figures for a squirrel.

Kind Regards

Geoff.

From Millsy:

I'm really enjoying seeing this collection grow Geoff. Your skins tones on the Indians always hit the right note for me.

It's great to see an often neglected arm of the Commonwealth forces getting some love as they were both numerous and valuable to the Allied war effort.

Nice work mate. 40 mores points it is!

Cheers,
Millsy

From StephenS: It's historical... (25 points)

G'day,

Last week I signed off by saying next up in my queue was something historical in nature. Well, it was a busy week and I didn't get to hit the brushes as often as I would have liked. Also, to be fair, what I did finish painting is historical, in 'a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away' sort of way...

I present the 'Tx-225 GAVw Occupier Combat Assault Tank' (rolls right off the tongue) from Atomic Mass Games for their Star Wars: Legion game. It serves the Empire, and may have appeared in one of the newer movies. It is a 32 mm plastic miniature, that to be honest, is not the prettiest looking tank I have ever painted. 

But a tank it is, and it is painted, so better looking than an unpainted tank on the shelf. Alas, it is missing the head that should be poking out of the drivers hatch. An especially unfortunate disappearance as it occurred after I had helpfully glued the hatch open. It may turn up again, probably amid many mutters of 'if it wasn't screwed on...'

All up, that should be a tidy 20 25 points for the tally.

No predictions about what will be up next this time.

Cheers,

Steve

From Millsy:

This thing is an absolute beast!

I've been tempted to add one of these to my collection a few times and been put off by the size and cost. I'm seriously rethinking that now having seen yours mate. You've absolutely nailed the right level of drybrush / highlight and the driver looks really nicely done too.

20 points seems measly for something this big so I'm adding a 5 point bonus.

Cheers,
Millsy

From Kerry T: Hold, hold, hold - Scottish foot (100 points)

Morning, afternoon & evening all

I've often made comments in the past about what I call my wandering ill-disciplined brush. Today's entry is an example This leaves me to wonder how the mind works, or perhaps more specifically how the mind of a wargamer works (or doesn't). 

I raise the subject really because I find myself now  having completed  a unit of Scottish spearmen from the "Wars of the Bruce" range from the  Antediluvian Miniatures range. What's so special about that? Err, well the project actually started with a plan to do the Wars of the Roses (1455 to 1487). So how come I find myself offering an entry from the Scottish Wars of Independence (1296 to 1328 & 1332 to 1357).

It all started a few years ago when "Never Mind the Billhooks" was gaining in popularity, when seeing other gamers' efforts, I felt the attraction and bought a load of Perry plastic and metal figures for the period. Now there is an overlay between the WOTR and the Hundred Years War  (1337- 1543) and my mind suggested that with a switching  I could do both, perhaps using many of the same figures.

How did I get here though? - well I think its a combination of factors really

1 The joy of painting and staying productive by flitting between periods - what I mean by my ill-disciplined brush

2 The inevitable cry of " Oh look shiny". Thus the siren call of miniature figure ranges as you browse the net. This time it was the Antediluvian Miniatures range,  Claymore Castings, Perry Miniatures Agincourt range, Footsore Miniatures Baron's war range and lastly the Medbury Miniatures STL range. Oh yes and flags the twin calling of Flags Of War and GMB flags, I've always been a sucker for flags. In the main though I blame the figures, hence in the past seeing Artizan Landsknechts and Artizan Moors along with the Arab irregular cavalry in the WW1 range have led to a weakening of the will and thus new projects

3 A degree of megalomania... I started off intending to paint some English and French, then thought oh I could add some Scottish, Welsh and Irish.....

4 Media -In the past films like Lawrence of Arabia, The Last Samurai, and Kingdom of Heaven have led to the start of new projects. Then there are books or more recently audiobooks, essentially historical fiction (I listen while I paint) - Griff Hosker, Harry Sidebottom, David Gillman, SJ Turney & Christian Cameron whose words have filled my imagination with visual images of tabletop figures and before I know it my wallet's been opened and my brush is off on another wander!

I suppose a medieval purist will be having kittens now, figures from the Baron's war through to early/mid 100 years war are likely to come together to form my intended armies.

I could go on I know but this is by way of explanation of how I find myself here, with these....

Antediluvian Miniatures Wars of the Bruce range spearmen and knights

Based in 5s on 120 x 60 mm Warbases 2mm bases

I just love the action in these figures and was astonished by how good the  painted examples on the Antediluvian site look and so I was hooked. 

Spearmen on this base with a figure from the command pack at the back

They need something behind them I think though, more depth

Aonghus Og Mac Dohmnaill of Islay"s banner

Wasn't sure how many figures to add per base, 6 might have been better

Flags of War banner - a Scottish Saltire

The nearest base shows the knights rather than spearmen

My troops always run away

Used army painter on these, they're a bit shiny though

Well there we are, I'm not sure where I'm going with this project, all over the place as usual. When collecting I didn't really plan the units but I think in the long run I'll try and mix different figures into each unit using a mix of Claymore, Antediluvian, Footsore, Perry and Medbury. The Front Rank I have I think will have to be kept separate. There's an inspirational thread on the Lead Adventure Forum by Gareth Lane or Lord Raglan https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=135278.0 that I've followed

I'm not sure what I'll do for rules yet and a measure of my flutterbyness is that I've bought flags for 100YW French, English and Scottish along with flags for Bannockburn (1314) and Otterburn (1388). I'll just have to see where the butterfly takes me! I think WOTR is going to have to wait

So in summary

20 x 28mm Foot figures @5 points = 100 points

1 Squirrel

9 x 5 - 45 Can opener points

With many thanks

Valleyboy

From Millsy,

I was hoping to see these after you mentioned them on our regular paint and chat sessions!

They are absolutely smashing and the large bases to the front make them both safer for opponent's minis but also add a real sense of theatre. The fact enemies will be pushed back away from the pikemen reflects the way the weapon works and I love it.

The basing itself is great too and has a really compliments the colours of the padded jacks and surcoats. Lovely work mate and another well deserved 100 points.

Cheers,
Millsy