OWAC IX - Blood Bath at Orc's Drift - The Linden Way militia

Linden Way is a small frontier settlement and trading post that has grown around a garrison posted to watch the crossroads. However, the garrison moved South to defend Ortar from the goblin hordes. The small militia formed when the orc horde was spotted moving towards Meledir.

While the menace seems overwhelming, they shall not fallback, as they must buy time to organize the defences of Meledir. The fate of their families is at their hands.

OWAC IX - Blood Bath at Orc's Drift - January Vile Rune orcs

Rank & File month #1

Grashak Kra supports the minions of the Severed Hand tribe massacring the dwarf garrison in the mines of Ashak Rise outpost.

The Kwae Karr orcs were not alone in their revenge. After King F’yar blow against the Grand League killing their king, other tribes started shifting their opinion of their previous overlord. Given that he could strike at the heart of their enemies, it may redeem him in the eyes of the other chieftains. This may be the opportunity for the wished revenge against the pale faced races.

The Vile Rune orcs stormed first in the outskirts of Fendal Forest. The Kacha Pass guarded by a small garrison of elves won’t be an easy target. But that didn’t stop the savagery of the orcs.

Fangor Gripe has another objective in mind as well. It is not only necessary to move swift to met with the other orcs tribes at Orc’s Drift. The Kacha Pass garrison has a half orc spy. It may have interesting information about the movements and commanders of the pale-skinned armies. He also know that Fangor Gripe was absent the day of reckoning at the last Goblin Wars. None shall know this secret if he want to keep his position and maybe don’t end with a dagger in the bowels.

This month I played safe just to see if I’m kicking again. After a year of not painting at the pace needed for a challenge, I needed to have a little practice or give a measure to my limits.
I painted the rest of the Vile Rune Orcs I need for the scenario and also want for my army. I’m pleased with the results except for a lack of evil faces in the shields that I totally forgot to paint during the month, so maybe I come back to any of the shields to have a little fun later on the challenge. I am undecided, because all the shields of these orcs are textured.
Lovely miniatures the C15 and Fantasy Tribes orcs, they’re my favourites.

I also added Grashak Kra, the hobhound handler of the Severed Hand Orcs, unfortunately without the hobhounds for now. As well as Silas Meel the half orc spy jailed by the elves at Kacha Pass.

Lastly, I can add another troll to my unit of oldhammer orcs, and none other than the now tiny Rock Giant, Guthrum Mane.
He has some alcohol problems and I reflected that in the colours of his face.

In terms of points.
10 Vile Rune orcs, including a level 5 chieftain Fangor Gripe: 128 points
Guthrum Mane (here as a single troll): 65 points
Gives a total of 193 points, 13 miniatures.


That’s for now, next month we will continue with the Linde Way militia probably.
Until then,
Adrian’s out

OWAC IX - Blood Bath at Orc's Drift - Intro post

 

Long time, no see. 

After a long pause for a year, I'm back on track with the objective of completing yet another batch of old metal miniatures.

OWAC VII Wrap up post

 

 

The first campaign against the ravaging hordes that attacked Tor Nimtala was a success, with the enemies in disarray and vastly surpassed by the elf combat prowess. However, it was a case of winning a battle but losing the war.

Many of the villages surrounding the last port in Tilea were attacked and their people fled to the city or to the forests. Eventually, the elves convinced to seek shelter in Athel Loren grew and the fertile land were progressively abandoned in favor of the younger races that took the land.

With the population diminishing and the constant menace of the orcs and ratmen, the elves loyal to Ulthuan eventually returned to the isle, but not without a fierce fight, as there were two sieges over the port of Tor Nimtala. It is written that the city didn't fell to the enemy; instead, the fire of Ymmrrarior was the ending chapter of its forgotten history as well as the doom for the skaven warlords that tried to pierce its walls.

 

This year it was a fun little project restoring lots of old plastic models and converting one of my favourite dragons of the entire Citadel line.

My main goal with the painting this year was to replicate an unusual style I started to develop some time ago. I was trying not to paint the usual plain blueish or white main colour that we usually see for high elves, as I'm not too keen on that style. 

I sought inspiration in japanese armours, bits of old fantasy art and also the old comics of Elric of Melnibone, with their colorful armours and clothes. But as you can see, it was mostly japanese art.

Also, the japanese inspiration was bit special, because I opted for the depictions of traditional theatre actors, not only traditional samurai or military clothes. 

The traditional japanese actors and their painting and overly decorated even for the usual samurai standards.

That's why I tried to decorate every cloth with a pattern, motif or particular fabric like the capes for the archers/shadow warriors/scouts. 

Finally, I appreciate all your comments and that you also enjoyed my take on the high elf army. Your armies were also inspiring even in the lowest moments of the challenge! 

 

The final recap is:

1800 points as per 4th edition army book

63 elves painted

3 houses

and more importantly, 4 bonsai trees

 ...

So, what's the plan for the next year. 

Simply put, I don't know. 

I am finishing some of the units for the second batch of dwarves to complete my previous challenge army. Another plan is to get the cavalry, the unfinished chariot and militia unit from this year and some bits for a second batch of high elves.

Or... a 40k 2nd edition army project that maybe if I'm lucky I could finally finish this year. But I am more confident for the other two projects at the moment.

Ah, I can't say goodbye withouth the mandatory Ansell pose. Long live his legend.

See you in the next Old World Army Challenge!

Adrian's out.

OWAC VII - A not so peaceful village (Wildcard's month)

 

The villages surrounding Tor Nimtala where completely decimated after the wars against the orcs and the skaven.

Few towns and settlements have been left intact after the war of the beard and the constant raids of orcs and other creatures. But none of the later threats were so massive as a full scale war against two full host of orc and ratmen raiders. 

The settlements along the Tarano river were fortified as chokepoints to keep the enemy hordes undivided and far from the city of Tor Nimtala.

After the war, the elves were victorious but the fertile lands of the northern Tile were left in favour of the younger races like the men.

 

 

The original plan got completely smashed. To pieces, almost completely, hehe.
Fortunately I could finnish part of the scenery. 

I initially wanted to paint a unit of custom militiamen or warrior kin made out of old middle earth elves and Chaz Elliot RP elves, the chariot, as well as some terrain pieces (including of the bridges over the Tarano river from my backstory).

IRL I had to prepare some fieldwork as well as several issues and a late arrival of the printed shields for the militiamen that item by item from the list, everything failed.

The worst part was the chariot, that was planned from the starting of the challenge but will not be finished for this edition.

I finished working some of the cardboard pieces and small bonsais.

 

The small bonsaid are designed and printed by Last Sword Miniatures and the treetops made out of old blister sponges, so technically it's at least 50% oldhammer.

The cardboard houses follow my other modular designs but for this set I glued everything together and are solid pieces. The windows are cut so I can fit small LED torchs if I want to make some experimental pictures.

That's the end of my challenge. I failed the chariot and couldn't paint a bridge that I got years ago. Next month, the recap.

Until then,

Adrian's out.