From KristoferD: Mercenary Reiters (48 points)

Hello everyone! I've been an avid lurker of the AHPC blog for over a decade, and the time has finally come to sign up and contribute something of my own. Due to other commitments in my life I've kept my target relatively light. Ideally this means I can finish the Challenge in March and still feel good about the progress. Some friends and I are going to the By Fire and Sword tournament in Krakow on March 21, which just sounds too good to be true when you look at the challenge end date, right? I already have a Polish and a Cossack force for By Fire and Sword, but since we're going abroad for this occasion I figured it was time to paint up a Swedish force to go with my accent. I bought a skirmish starter set and spent the weeks leading up to the challenge cleaning, assembling and priming the lot. By Fire and Sword is produced by Wargamer in Poland and their range has a lot variety. The quality is overall good, but I will admit to having had to sculpt a few heads and hands to compensate for miscasts (none in these pictures) and some of the older parts of the range is showing its age. Nevertheless, they paint up nicely as we shall (hopefully) see.

This first batch of my challenge consists of twelve (12) mercenary reiters. The Swedish army of the 1600's was highly dependant on mercenaries (not to mention a significant amount of French subsidies to pay for them). I've tried to keep the colours rather simple. The era is known for a quite lax view on uniforms, as in use what you can get your hands on. I imagine the further into a campaign a unit got, the less uniform it would have looked. I used Wargamer's own art, actual contemporary art and Helion books as inspiration. The paints are a mix of Vallejo Game and Model Colour. I'd specifically like to mention cavalry brown which is my absolute favourite paint for painting brown horses. I've been told I'm a bit of an odd wargamer who actually enjoys painting cavalry. Seeing as By Fire and Sword is pretty much an 'equestrian sport' it makes me wonder why it took me so long to get in to it? I also begs the question why my first army was the infantry oriented Cossacks? It must be that wargamer butterfly syndrome I assume.

The unit leader is wearing a sash which I dutifully painted light blue, even though the Swedish army more likely used straw tied to their hats as a field sign during this era.

I hope you've enjoyed the Reiters. I'll end with a tally of the points as requested by the organisers, and hope to be back soon again with more.

12 x 15mm mounted @ 4 points = 48 points

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First, welcome to the Challenge, Kristofer! I'm delighted to have you aboard with us this year.

I've played By Fire and Sword a few years ago and quite enjoyed it (I think Byron let me win...). I'm happy that the rules are thriving and that a tournament is on the books for spring.

As you say, for this period, the cavalry arm was the queen of the battlefield (especially in the later period) and your unit of mercenary reiters definitely look the business. I like the varied horse colours and irregular uniforms in this unit, very fitting for this kind of formation. I also admire your basing and groundwork. Very neat and tidy.

48 points it is! A great opening volley for your climb up the points ladder to your target. Well done, Kristofer! 

- Curt