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.

OWAC VII - Here be Dragons (Leader's month)

 

One of the toughest policies and direst duties of King Caradryel was the abandonment of the Old World colonies. A tragedy for many nobles that still had family ties with those elves that refused to leave the continent. 

Those who flew to the new populated forests of Athel Loren were somewhat safe. But the people of the coast were damned to perish against the hordes of barbarians, orcs and creatures of chaos awoken after the age of elves and dwarves.

It was not an easy task to enforce the recall of elven troops in the diplomatic table. Among the unrested nobles in Ulthuan, there was a risk of disobeyance and unilaterally send aid to the continent, or worse, open rebellion. One of those, Bel-Tebal of Nagarythe, a caring father for the princes of Tor Nimtala in the Tielan coast. It was vital to retain the few nobles that were still loyal to the crown in the ravaged lands of Nagarythe.

Caladryel was pragmatic and an intelligent leader. It was not possible to make an exception with the stubborn veteran Bel-Tebal. Nor undoing his command. But in the audience with the enraged former prince, he choose wisely the words.

"You, as all the people of Ulthuan, has been commanded not to sent your valuable soldiers to the continent. Yet, I cannot forbid the aid of a father to her daughter and his son-in-law. You can march yourself with your mount, take your best blade and fight for them. Your retinue can accompany you, but they will not be allowed to land in the continent..."

A mount. Not a steed.
Bel-Tebal reached the caverns of his tower and pleaded for the aid of his old friend Ymmrrarior. The ancient female great dragon hear that the offspring of his friend was in danger, so she must stay awake from the dragon dream a little bit longer.

The hordes of chaos creatures did not know that they've indirectly provoked the wrath of an ancient foe. Fire and nightmare made manifest. No ratmen could pass her scale armour. No enemy enough powerful to stand the wrath of the old prince and his terrible ally.

A small change of plans for this month. I needed some supplies for finishing a unit I had in the workbench for the wildcard. However, the printed old styled shields couldn't get in time, and I switched to the big guy instead.

I could have completed some of the other planned pieces, and I am unsure if I could finish the wildcard unit in time. Yet the dragon was a safe bet for this month, believe it or not.

I was also wanting to paint some creature. In the meantime I have been toying with some miniatures based on paleontological reconstructions. I despertely needed to put my hands on the dragon!

At first it was going to be based on some blue lizards that will also be in the same chromatic range of much of my army. The belly and wings in a sandy white or slightly ice yellow. But I was starting to paint my other commander, the elf mage, and I felt in love with the pink-grey I made. It was the perfect colour for the belly and wings of the dragon.

I love to put some small patterns in the horns, head and maybe tail or some key areas of the body of my creatures. I went for a slightly light turquoise strips and then the eye firey-motif.

The funiest or oddest reference was the prince armour. I love the colour combinations of the old Saint Seiya armours of the eighties. Unusual choices today, as we barely see more than two colours in fantasy/sci-fi, both western or manga armour designs.

The cloak and clothes have similar patterns like the other, japanese-styled clothes of my army.

Finally, the mandatory elf mage. I am basing each of my mages in a discipline of the Old World winds of magic. I chose a different approach to the lore of life. Instead of the usual greens, the japanese flowers allowed my to mix the pinky-gray tones with the flower pattern over the cloak.

That makes for

1x High elf prince and a great dragon - 760 points

1x High elf mage - 59

And now for the "easy part"? What would be the wildcard month? Stay tuned for the next update

 

Until then,

Adrian's out.

OWAC VII - Fear the Emerald Sword (4th Rank n File month)

The lethality of every elf warrior is legendary, but there are even deadlier and fearsome warriors among their ranks.

OWAC VII - Now you see me, now you're dead (3rd Rank & File Month)

 

Surprising an elf army is nigh impossible. Their territories are patrolled by some of the skilled and silent agents.

The elf seekers or the ranks of the nagarythean Shadow Warriors are the reason almost no enemy can escape the elf inteligence. They search for enemy patrols or columns, locate stashes, or inform of enemy repositioning. But most importantly, they're deadly sharpshooters and warriors eager to strike behind enemy lines.

During the crisis of the fall of Tor Nimtala, regiments of seekers moved behind the lines of the besieging orcs and ratment hordes and killed hundreds of vital reinforcements, supplies. But more importantly for the cohesion of the chaotic hordes, they destroyed or robbed the loot gained from the burnt villages, expanding an aura of mistrust between the attackers.

 They also coordinated with the few defenders of the villages. Creating chokepoints or false routes to overcome the defenders, the ratmen fall under the sudden strike of arrows coming from units of seekers supported by strategically placed bolt throwers.

March suddenly become the trap month, and I still cannot comprehend why. I intended to paint a unit of shadow warriors/seekers, restoring the old plastic elf archers, and then moving to the bolt thrower and some extras that I want to finally include (I have a spare elf warrior militia that I said I'd love to finish converting and panting).

Everything planned failed and I got enough time to paint the bare minimum. Well, not exactly, a unit of seekers plus the bolt thrower and crew.

For the unit, I opted for more muted and greenish or shadow colours that they may use as camouflage. The colours of the clothes are not as bright as other line units. 

I ended including some patterns in the least muted/more contrasting colour as with other clothes of the army, and in the cloaks, as if they were made from some fine cloth. Also, I glazed the cloaks so the pattern dissapear in the shadows, to boost the effect of the embroided fine clothes rather than a printed pattern like in the other fabrics.

 

 

The bolt thrower is supposedly made from some fine reddish wood, so I used the same technique as in the fabric of the cloaks. First, I made the pattern. then, I glazed the wood with a mix of AK laser magenta and hull red.

That's a total of

10x High elf shadow warriors - 110 points

1x High elf repeater bolt thrower - 50 points

Another month, 13 more miniatures finished. Next month I want to paint the swordmasters and the extras that does not fit with the baggage train.

Until then,

Adrian's out.

OWAC VII - No Step Back (2nd Rank n File month)

 

Stoic and resolute, none can surpass easily an elf spear phalanx, making the backbone of the elven hosts.

OWAC VII - Sharpshooters! (1st Rank n File month)

 

The high elves are proud of their archery skills since their rise as an empire. 

The Old World Army Challenge's 7th edition has just begun! - high elves edition

 

 

 

It's that time of the year again. 

Deadcember meets Blood Bowl - My V NAF World Cup team

 

This year I decided to play my very first Blood Bowl competition, so I needed a grand entrance. Meet La Maisontaal Manhunters, the shambling undead team I painted for the tournament.

The Shambling Undead is one of my favourite teams, not my first one I have to say. But from the oldhammer teams, this one attracted me a lot.

After the "special" VI edition of the Old World Army Challenge with lots of oldhammer blood bowl teams, I couldn't resist. I got a team of the old Gary Morley's gems and prepared it as my own world cup team.

However, the only problem I see with the old team is the lack of different sculpts, so I decided to convert several players to met the La Maisontaal theme.

The mummies go as they come. They're simply perfect in the original sculpts. It is the first time I made a complete nmm with a fantasy squad or regiment, so I mixed different kinds of metal to give them a proper varied look.

The wight blitzers have they're own custom sculpt but I chaged a bit one of them to reflect the mighty Mikeal Jacksen, the wight hero from the old lichemaster series.

It also help to differentiate from the tackle and the mighty blow (obviously the good Mikeal).

 For the ghouls I sculpted some iron knuckles and reposed a little bit the hands. With the different ghoulish skin colours and the modifications they have now a slightly varied looks and also help to reflect the two blocks and the strip ball abilities from the rooster.

The fodder got also some love, as any other member from the team. Some poor villagers from Frugelhofen made the bulk of the linemen, so I sculpted a beard on one of the zombies and give him the proper greasy and rotten look. Does he also count for a movember entry?

The other one is the linemen with extended clothes to look as one of the poor La Maisontaal monks, who was transferred in the winter market from the local Blood Bowl team to ours after the unlucky encounter with the forces of Heinrich Kemmler.

Lastly, I do not have a spare Gary's zombie to convert for a new linemen, and I do not want either to resculpt one of the repeated zombie linemen. So I decided to paint a skeleton and also give my roster a little and nasty trick.

Enters the fouling zombie and a cheerleader to make for a Fan Factor token.

That's it, the entire Blood Bowl team. 

Next entry before the VII OWAC starts, the world cup recap and the achievements.

Until then, Adrian's out.