From TeemuL: All the rest Circles [The Contemplatives] [The Fixed Stars of Faith, Hope and Love] (100 points)

Here I am again with my dictionary, it might be complicated when English is not the first language, but on the other hand it opens the door of possible misunderstandings - accidental or not. :) The Contemplatives - probably a word I have never heard or at least used - means "the reasonable thinking person" in the Challenge description.

I'll quote Wikipedia page of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington:

"In late 1814, the Prime Minister wanted him to take command in Canada with the assignment of winning the War of 1812 against the United States. Wellesley replied that he would go to America, but he believed that he was needed more in Europe. He stated:

I think you have no right, from the state of war, to demand any concession of territory from America... You have not been able to carry it into the enemy's territory, notwithstanding your military success, and now undoubted military superiority, and have not even cleared your own territory on the point of attack. You cannot on any principle of equality in negotiation claim a cession of territory except in exchange for other advantages which you have in your power... Then if this reasoning be true, why stipulate for the uti possidetis? You can get no territory: indeed, the state of your military operations, however creditable, does not entitle you to demand any."

Sounds like a reasonable thinker to me, some might agree even without that quote. For my slow growing Peninsular War project I needed some commanders and Perry Miniatures have a set with couple of persons involved there, one being Duke of Wellington. I guess I'm not able to use him in the "real historical games", since the mini is from Waterloo era and most likely very different to what Wellington was like in Peninsular War, but at least it gives me a possibility to practice. He is on a round base with two Victrix plastic minis.

He is accompanied by Earl of Uxbridge, Henry William Paget, from the same Perry set. Unfortunately I have mounted him on Picton's horse, which has a tiger pelt... More historical errors from me. :) Picton didn't participate in Peninsular campaign, but was part of Waterloo. I guess I'll paint him a bit later and use as a nameless commander. I don't know about the story of tiger pelt or the umbrella, but I guess I'll find some information later on, when I research more. Uxbridge is on oval base with one Victrix officer.

After all these historical errors I can't declare myself as a contemplative, but I claim the bonus points from Duke Wellington. And yes, the Victrix minis on these command stands are painted to match my existing units for British. But no flags yet.

That was fifth Circle in Paradise and enough to complete the Theme Challenge, but since I happened to have this Pawnee set from Black Sheep Miniatures by Warbases, I painted them and move to the next Circle, "The Fixed Stars of Faith, Hope and Love." I'm not sure if Pawnees really had any hope, but that was all they had and they did fight for that. I believe my claim is valid.

I painted them with old "Tanned Flesh" paint from Coat d'Arms which I found quite nice. The leather parts are Flames of War Khaki 988 and then all over Reikland Flesh Shade. Mohawks are black Contrast paints. I guess I'm used to using mixed supply of paints? :)

These 5 Native Americans will meet the previously painted 7th Cavalry in several skirmish games - I hope, may be Sarah the Shootist will appear with other gunslingers, too. I think I need some pioneers, gold diggers and wagons. And those tumbleweed balls going here and there with the wind!

And the points then. All minis are 28mm, 2 mounted and 8 on foot, that is a total of 60 points. Two locations for additional 40 points and we have another 100 points. I wish I had this productive days and weeks in December, January and February...

 

 

Sylvain: I hear your pain when it comes to express yourself in a second (or third) language. But even if it's "imperfect", the act of communicating is always beautiful and worthy. Your (last?) entries are very colorful, literally and figuratively. And congratulations on completing so many levels in both the abyss and paradise! 

TomL, Faith, Hope & Love and Big Stompy Robots, 58 Points

For my penultimate post of the challenge, I present another Pulp Figures miniature from the Femme Fatales set:

I am heading toward the Eighth Sphere to visit one who understands the Fixed Stars of Faith, Hope and Love - the Grail Knight.  

This dedicated follower faithfully guards the shrine that embodies the love and hope of his faith through death and beyond. And no, you can't take the cup outside for a selfie.

This is also a Pulp Figures set with a Knight Templar, resin shrine and metal cup.  I attempted to create a marbled effect with gold underneath a black crackle compound but it is so subtle it’s almost invisible in a photo. Ah well.

Rounding out this post I have another set of Battletech mechs for a friend:

This is the “legendary warriors” set.  The first three are huge mechs in game terms as well as physically (they are 45-50mm).  These were also painted in a dark purple & black scheme so I lightened the background and used my new phone for the pictures as opposed to my 15yr old camera. The bases are painted with Secrete Weapons Concrete.

Total points: 58
1 15mm vehicles * 8 = 8
6 28mm figures * 5 = 30
Faith, Hope and Love = 20

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Hi Tom

Ooh, I have always loved the Pulp Figures Femme Fatlaes set and you have done this tough gun moll right! I do like her green suit and jaunty white tie, I think she'll be the toughest dame on your game table :)

Faith, Hope, and Love is another super figure, very useful for lots of different settings ... fantasy, gothic/horror, pulp...

And Big Stompy Robots are always great fun, especially when purple!

58 points will be added to your scoreboard (by my minion of the spreadsheet, Curt)

- Sarah

From AdamW: Love is all around us (Faith, hope and Love) (30 points)

 My hat trick of Sphere entries this week is for the Fixed Stars of Faith, Hope and Love.

This 15mm scene is made up of figures I had bought a while ago from Donnington miniatures at Ancient and Modern Army supplies. So, again, it is another mini-project ticked off.

The scene fits the sphere in a few ways, but I see the loyal servant having 'Faith' his master will return safely from battle, The Knight having 'hope' that he will overcome the odds and win, and his faithful Irish Wolfhound 'loves' his master and awaits his return.

Points - As the hound is a part of the story I felt he must contribute a point, then we have the falcon with his hood on, so I thought I could combine the two to make one figure?

2 x15mm foot@2pts = 4pts

1 x 15mm mounted@4pts = 4pts

The Fixed stars bonus = 20pts

Total 28pts 30 points

Out with a bang, I say! Your final Friday circle is once again a gem, Adam. A lovely scene, well painted, and a nice explanatory story. I really hope to see more of these little vignettes next Challenge! Thanks for entertaining us with them, much appreciated.  I'll make it 30 points again.

Martijn