Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Fantasy Adventures => Topic started by: Silent Invader on June 05, 2018, 08:54:15 PM
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Project rebirth 28/12/20 so some of what follows will be out of date. Now using Dragon Rampant, with forces for Uruk-Hai (now Isengard rather than Mordor), Dwarves, Rangers, Gondorians.
P 2 - Uruk-hai Scouts and Gondorians (wip)
P 3 - Dwarf bear wrangler (wip)
P 4 - Oleg-hai (wip)
P 4 - painted Uruk-hai and Dwarf Units
P 5 - first game of Dragon Rampant and more Dwarf units
P 6 - map
P 7 - 36 more dwarfs & markers finished; first look at dragon
P 8 - Gondorian statue
P 9 - Uruk-hai Command Unit finished
P 9 - Gondorian statue WIP
P 9 - Juvenile War Bears finished
P 9 - 2 units of Rangers finished
Original first post is below the line
This is a Middle Earth project ostensibly set around and about Osgiliath, sometime within the 546 solar years between the final desolation of the city by the first Uruk Hai (from Mordor) and then the later battle against them that was part of LotR.
I’ve collected a lead pile, which comprises the two forces
EVIL: Uruk Hai scouts plus a group of orcs on wargs
GOOD: Gondorian infantry plus a group of Rangers
For the Gondorian infantry I’m using Perry Crusades and here’s a size comparison with a UH scout.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/2031-050618202714.jpeg)
I’m presently assembling two forces of 6 each (4 swords, 2 bows) to test both the painting and the rules.
The WIP building in the background is the first piece of terrain, which has its own thread here:
https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=109571.75 (https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=109571.75)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/2031-050618202900.jpeg)
More soon.
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Looking forward to it :)
Have fun painting the shields of the Gondorians :D
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Can’t wait to see it all come together in the next week or so. ;) lol
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Looking forward to seeing this in all its glory. Wow you should have a thread showing how you made the ruins ;)
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excellent stuff...
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Looking forward to seeing your monastery finished, then your figures playing on this terrain!
I'm sure you'll offer us more eye candies! Cheers!
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Very much looking forward to seeing hos all this pans out. Fantastic scenery, great choice of miniatures, and one of the best world settings that can be used to play with them in.
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Nice!
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Wow - am touched by so much interest :D
Thanks all.
Have almost finished assembling a Gondorian longbowman from a Perry Crusades metal knight with two-handed axe and Perry WOTR plastic forearms and bow/arrows. Images soon. :)
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The terrain looks great so far. Also thanks for showing the Perry comparison with the GW Uruk. I have always heard the Perry stuff matches pretty well. Looking forward to seeing this progress.
-A
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Looking forward to seeing this progress. Your threads are always worth keeping up with.
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Thanks folks :D your interest is greatly appreciated
I’ve now assembled the first two of the Gondorian archer conversions. Both were wielding two-handed axes. Round shields, shortened swords, quivers and of course longbows from the WotR plastics.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/2031-070618194730-33677458.jpeg)
And versus a LOTR Uruk Hai archer (to whom I’ve a added short, hooked sword).
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/2031-070618194730-33690200.jpeg)
BTW, I’ve decided not to use crossbows.
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Lovely work, really enjoying this. :-*
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They work well 8)
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This is really cool! Makes me want to watch the movie again. Great inspiration. Many thanks!
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Thank you all.
I’ve now assembled 6 each of the Gondorian Infantry and Uruk Hai Scouts, 4 swords and 2 bows for each. I’m going to paint these 12 before assembling more, though the next try outs will likely be spears.
:)
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Have been busy with the main (still WIP) terrain piece* so minis have been neglected, but I have just received what will become an Osgiliath-esque statue:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/2031-180618114800.jpeg)
It’s a metal chess piece by Eaglemoss from a collectible magazine series. It portrays Aragorn but I'm going to change it a bit to remove undercuts and make it less recognisable. As it’s so tall I expect it’ll be based on a stand that has a corner of two levels of overlapping arches behind it.
*main piece (which will be multi-genre) is here:
https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=109571.0 (https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=109571.0)
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Nice work! Great conversion for the bowmen! I was going to use the Footsore Norman archers, but I may have to “borrow” your idea.
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Great stuff all round! 8)
Forgive my ignorance, but what minis were used as the basis for your archers? I get a 4th ed Brettonian vibe off of them, but they look somewhat slighter than that... :?
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Thanks folks :)
The Perry Crusades are pretty small 28s. I can’t say for sure but I suspect they’d be closer to Ebob than Footsore.
I don’t know the 4th Ed Brettonians (I don’t have a GW hobby history) but I did just buy a Citadel Sir Giles 1985 who looks stylistically similar to make into a mounted alternate to the leader mini. Haven’t received him yet but it’ll be interesting to see how he compares in the flesh.
The archers are all from spares of the Perry Crusades infantry, using bow arms from the WotR infantry frame (from which Bill arms will be used to make the Uruk Hai spear troops). The short sleeved mailshirts really do reduce the amount of resculpting required.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/2031-180618162134-33837351.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/2031-180618162134-33840303.jpeg)
Btw, cutting away the axe (for example) leaves a small smooth section that should be mail. Rather than sculpting it back, I just dig the point of the scalpel into the metal and twist slightly. Repeated, it gives an ok impression for areas that on the finished mini are almost out of sight.
:)
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Another building piece has arrived - a warning beacon (brazier) to sit on a plinth atop a wrecked building. The brazier is a 3D print by Oshiro Models.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/2031-190618133045.jpeg)
Edit : that’s not the building it’ll go on - just an example
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The beacons are lit! Gondor calls for aid! :D
That's a nice piece actually.
For some reason, I have in my mind a passage where Gandalf and Pippin are stopping over at one of the signal posts in the mountains, on their way to Minas Tirith; I don't know where I got this notion though.
But it's one of the locations I'm considering making; with Saruman's Orcs trying to sneak up on it, to prevent its fire to be lit. Plenty of scope for Gondorian guards, a Rohirim patrol, Uruk-Hai and/or other goblinoids (and even a troll or two), but also a wandering Elven party or even Pûkelmen!
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Yes, definitely lots of gaming possibilities. I doubt that I’ll do many factions myself but I’m sure others will have minis to contribute :)
I’ve now finished the big multi-genre piece that is in Workbench, though to ensure continuity and give an idea of what the other pieces will work around, here are a few images:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/2031-190618152508-338771803.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/2031-190618143804-338521363.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/2031-190618152508-33878160.jpeg)
Rather than here, if desired I’d prefer to discuss the big piece on the other thread, which is here:
https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=109571.0 (https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=109571.0)
The other thread has a lot more images of the bigger piece ;) :)
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Excellent thread. Nice conversions but loving the ruins!
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Simple but effective conversions Steve,I'll be following with interest,I need a new thread as the Monastery one is complete now ;) :)
Cheers
Keith
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Thanks chaps :)
Some poorly sketched sketches of the extra terrain items that I have in mind:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/2031-190618184056.jpeg)
And I might eventually get around to another building with a vaulted ground floor ceiling:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/2031-190618184116.jpeg)
That’s all for later though as I’m now onto converting a few more minis.
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Really cool idea for a project, I like how you're focusing in on one small part of Middle Earth.
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Thanks Charlie :)
It’s certainly easier to contemplate a project with a couple of factions rather than all of them!! :D
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I’ve completed the conversion of 8 more minis, which takes the total each side to 10.
Added for each side are an archer and 3 pole weapons. And yes, I acknowledge that giving Uruk Hai ‘scouts’ (or ‘marauders’ as I prefer to think of them) pole weapons will - for some - be just plain wrong. I’ve added a few in case the UH run into Riders of Rohan, as without pole weapons it’d be Fangorn Forest* all over again. The actual bodies are doubles of Scouts with sword/shields. Btw the Perry minis used for Gondor have had their spears replaced with plastic lances from Conquest Games.
*Unless I remembered that wrong.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/34/2031-300618144257-340612440.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/34/2031-300618144257-340552292.jpeg)
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Missed the earlier updates for this and I like the look of the extra terrain items 8)
will - for some - be just plain wrong.
Who might that be then ;D
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Fantastic stuff!!! :-* :-* :-*
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Love these conversions! My long term plans definitely involve the Perry Miniatures as well.
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Love the use of the Perry figs for Gondor. So right... :)
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Thanks folks - they’re old Perry sculpts but really nice to work with. That said, I just noticed that I failed to add a shield strap to archer converted from a swordsman.
Love the use of the Perry figs for Gondor. So right... :)
Well your thinking (and that of a couple of others) on the issue definitely persuaded me. ;) :)
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I am particularly intrigued by the castle ruins. going to the "other thread" to investigate further.
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Some 2 ½ years after my last post it’s time for this thread to be reborn.
With Captain Blood having fairly recently introduced me to The Pikeman’s Lament, I am a late convert to the Mersey stable of rules.
My enthusiasm is rekindled and I have started reworking my most favourite projects, including this one for Middle Earth, which will use Dragon Rampant. There isn’t anything substantive to show at the moment, as I have focussed on list building including bringing dwarves into the mix.
This is almost an entirely metal mini project and I now have about:
65 orcs (GW LotR)
90 dwarves (Hasslefree, Conqueror, GW LotR)
50 humans (Perry, GW LotR)
Clearly, I will need more orcs but I also have to get some minis onto the table, of which more soon.
NB: There’s been a separate discussion on the possibilities for a dwarf ballista, of which I’ll add a link here for completeness:
https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=128631.0 (https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=128631.0)
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Nice to see this going again. You have some great work done already and I am looking forward to seeing it all continue to develop.
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Looking forward to seeing your progress....another very watchable thread :)
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Thanks for the interest chaps. I guess I’ll start painting orcs first.
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Great to see you starting this back up. I definitely agree that the Conqueror dwarves have a better LotR vibe than the Citadel ones.
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Thanks for the interest chaps. I guess I’ll start painting orcs first.
Excellent! If this is going to be like your recent 17th century project, where in for a treat,no pressure then ;)
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The biggest pressure (challenge) has been in tracking down the minis :D
I’d accumulated 50* or so Orcs but in switching to Dragons Rampant the unit sizes increased, which necessitated buying more (mostly Uruk-hai but also Goblins) and organising them into interesting units. I could have kept smaller units but Orcs should really be a swarm.
The project is generic Middle Earth rather than following the detailed specifics of the LotR story, so I’m inclined not to be too hung up about the simplistic differentiation between:
Uruk Hai from Isengard (The White Hand of Saruman - straight weapons)
Uruk Hai from Mordor (The Red Eye of Sauron - curved weapons)
My favourite of the GW minis are the Isengard scouts and they do make up the bulk of the orc force. However, my heavies are a mix of Isengard and Mordor and at some point I have to decide if I want to convert it’s Isengard element for a more homogenous (and more expensive :o) look.
*now at 116 :o
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Small update as I’m prepping my first two forces for Dragons Rampant, which for the dwarves includes a unit of 3 War Bears.
Ignore the painting, that is old work to be touched up.
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/50/2031-240121134225-501061806.jpeg)
Two of the bears are from Foundry; the third is a mounted bear from EBay from which I removed the sculpted dwarf as it was massive. I replaced the rider with a new bear wrangler by converting a Hasslefree mini.
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/50/2031-240121134227-501082210.jpeg)
My dwarf collection comprises GW LotR, HF and Conqueror, all of which go together rather well.
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/50/2031-240121134226-501071238.jpeg)
PS: Obviously the omission of a beard is deliberate ;)
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Different 8)
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Different 8)
To what?
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To the normal animal handlers you see on foot.
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To the normal animal handlers you see on foot.
Oh. :)
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Nicely done. I prefer your version.
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Nicely done. I prefer your version.
:D That’s good to know, thanks - the original rider was bigger than some of my human minis :o
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Final addition for today, an Oleg-hai converted from a Heresy ogre.
I think of an Oleg-hai as a giant, troll-like Uruk-hai.
NB: Some of the photos were taken before I added the stitching to the skull cap.
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/50/2031-240121162421.jpeg)
I’m not convinced that Orcs would have nipples or belly buttons, so I’ve altered them to become piercings.
The dwarf is for size comparison and is either a HF or a GW LotR. The only changes I’ve made to the GW dwarves is to fill in the voids in the axe blades, which I think a bit impractical. As far as other work for this first phase is concerned, the GW Uruk-hai Scouts are used as is (some of my favourite minis). I’m using the GW Moria Mine Goblin Archers as a scouting force, so I’ve modded them to remove or otherwise lighten any heavy armour such as the shin and forearm guards; a couple were helmeted so they’ve had their heads replaced with bareheaded plastics.
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Final addition for today, an Oleg-hai converted from a Heresy ogre.
I think of an Oleg-hai as a giant, troll-like Uruk-hai.
NB: Some of the photos were taken before I added the stitching to the skull cap.
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/50/2031-240121162421.jpeg)
I’m not convinced that Orcs would have nipples or belly buttons, so I’ve altered them to become piercings.
The dwarf is for size comparison and is either a HF or a GW LotR. The only changes I’ve made to the GW dwarves is to fill in the voids in the axe blades, which I think a bit impractical. As far as other work for this first phase is concerned, the GW Uruk-hai Scouts are used as is (some of my favourite minis). I’m using the GW Moria Mine Goblin Archers as a scouting force, so I’ve modded them to remove or otherwise lighten any heavy armour such as the shin and forearm guards; a couple were helmeted so they’ve had their heads replaced with bareheaded plastics.
If I remember correctly, aren't Oleg-hai half-trolls according to some things with them?
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Nice little conversion :)
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That’s a great hat :)
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Thanks all :)
If I remember correctly, aren't Oleg-hai half-trolls according to some things with them?
Yeah, that’s pretty much how I understand ‘the lore’. Though I like to think of them as Uber-Uruk-hai. My project isn’t actually ‘pure’ LotR so I’m including the occasional dalliance with other stuff I find interesting. :D
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The first painted units are now done (so freshly done that there’s the odd stray piece of flock in the photos :))
These provide two 12 point forces for Dragons Rampant
FORCES OF EVIL
First up, 12 Light Infantry Uruk-hai. No painted white hands as (1) not all the UH in the movies had them and (2) I expect to also use these outside of LOTR games. These are metal figures assembled as they come.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/50/2031-260221144618.jpeg)
Next are 6 Scouts with bows. Somewhat non-canonical in that I have theorised that if man-size UH can be bred, then so can sneaky, dwarf-size ones. They’re converted from Goblin Archers, with the over-the-top armour removed and helmeted heads replaced with bare plastic heads (the bare-headed metal heads are way much nicer than the plastic equivalent but one uses what one must). Other than the couple of bobble-eyed plastic head swaps, these are all metal.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/50/2031-260221144547-50554620.jpeg)
The third UH unit is technically my interpretation of an Oleg-hai (Troll) but I like to think of him as a bulked up Uruk-hai (if they can be bred small then they can be bred tall ;)). This is in resin and is by Heresy though I added the skull cap, piercings and extra teeth.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/50/2031-260221144546-50553141.jpeg)
A height comparison of my different types of Uruk-hai:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/50/2031-260221144546-50552612.jpeg)
FORCES OF GOOD
A unit of 12 Offensive Heavy Infantry Dwarves. These are all metals by either GW (LOTR) or Hasslefree. Most are as is though I did fill in the holes in the GW axes, as I prefer the look of a solid, heftier blade. The shield markings represent the sun-drenched sky above the mountains.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/50/2031-260221144546-505511159.jpeg)
And finally for today, a unit of War Bears with a female Dwarf rider/handler. Non-canonical inasmuch as my lady Dwarf is beardless :D. She’s a conversion of a kneeling figure by Hasslefree. The two rider-less bears are by Foundry, the ridden bear is I think by Miriliton with its original rider hacked off.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/50/2031-260221144546-50550334.jpeg)
What’s next for this project? I need to make markers to play a game with this little lot, then I’ll probably paint another 12 points of Uruk-hai and 24 points of Rangers.
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Great stuff 8)
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Nice minis,I especially like the Oleg-hai :)
He looks a little top heavy for the base though Steve but I guess you checked that beforehand :)
Looking forward to what you come up with next :)
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Awesomesauce and the Oleg-Hai is thongtastic ;D
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Great looking force so far. Looking forward to seeing the rest of it completed and in action.
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Looking good!
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You're flying with this! The Heresy troll conversion works way better than I'd have thought. The leather cap makes a big difference. The dwarves look pretty fearsome too. Great project.
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Thongtastic lol
Thanks folks. It’s coming together at long last. Only 263 more minis to paint :o
Nice minis,I especially like the Oleg-hai :)
He looks a little top heavy for the base though Steve but I guess you checked that beforehand :)
Looking forward to what you come up with next :)
Weight-wise the OH is fine (he’s resin). I’m actually more concerned about the bears as they’re metal and topple quite easily. I did contemplate bigger bases but couldn’t accept not being able to position the dwarves up close. o_o
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Im certain they'll all look great in game Steve,thongtastic even! ;) :)
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Oooh, nice.
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Im certain they'll all look great in game Steve,thongtastic even! ;) :)
:D lol
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Thank chaps
I think Thongtastic is now my favourite word. 8)
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Well it’s been a while. :o
But progress has been made!
I’ve completed another 8 Dwarves (6 for an Elite foot unit and 2 more handlers for the War Bears) and yesterday my dwarven host took part in a game of Dragon Rampant.
I fielded the following units:
6 minis of Elite Infantry including my leader and a Runemaster
12 minis of Offensive Heavy Infantry
3 Cunning War Bears with handlers
The absence of crossbows was telling…. And doubly unfortunate as I have 24 half-painted but ran out of time to finish them.
The game was hosted by Captain Blood and my dwarves faced off against his Haradim and Mordor Orcs; suffice to say I ended the game with my last 3 minis hiding inside an abandoned building.
Much fun was had; this isn’t a Battle Report but here are a few images of my dwarves and bears in action (and hiding):
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/52/2031-040921061358-52622370.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/52/2031-040921061357-526191310.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/52/2031-040921061358-52623354.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/52/2031-040921090435.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/52/2031-040921061357-526201917.jpeg)
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Looks like a great battle was had. The Hasslefree and GW dwarfs seem to work very well together.
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Thanks
The Hasslefree and GW dwarfs seem to work very well together.
I’d filled in the ‘holes’ in the GW axes so they are less stylised, which I think helps bring them together.
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Another great looking project - how many does that make that you’ve got on the go Steve ?
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Splendid outing :D
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Splendid outing :D
Yes, you can just see our figures in the background. ;) lol
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And the huge hand of a Northern Giant
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Another great looking project - how many does that make that you’ve got on the go Steve ?
:D
Hmmm. Projects…..
Middle Earth
Barons Wars Medievals
English Civil War
German Invasion of England 1875
London Gangs / Gothic Horror 1895
WW2 Sicily 1943
Pirates
Seven Samurai
Old West
Space Dwarves Sci-Fi
I’ve also got the following (all unfinished) that I’m pondering off loading
Wasteland Motorbike Gangs
6th Century Britannia
Star Wars
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Couple of extra photos to add to the unit roll call….
My Command Unit, which in Dragon Rampant terms comprises of Elite Foot with an added Wizardling (a Runesmith able to enhance shields and blades etc). My leader is top centre, one Hekkuth Greataxe, Lord of Khaz A Zan-Drakk (Hall of the Red Dragon); he is pictured between his eldest daughter Larjus and his youngest son Stinkfingha. The Runesmith is Hekketh’s uncle Dulthgan. The bannerman and hornblower are conversions of HF minis. Stinkfinhga is a Reaper mini from 1975.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/52/2031-040921164400-52626265.jpeg)
The War Bears, with added handlers. Danska Crazyrider rides the bear at the back, with two more handlers introduced simply as tokens to be removed when Strength Points are lost. I like that all 3 handlers look a bit crazy.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/52/2031-040921164400-526241060.jpeg)
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What a great collection. You've done a great job bringing a number of ranges together with your painting.
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Thanks Steve - I think I’ve got about 120 dwarves know with only 23 panted….. lots more to do. :D
NB: sometimes, when viewing the thread, odd pictures don’t show, just their frame. Does. By one else get this?
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What's planned next for your army?
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Thanks Steve - I think I’ve got about 120 dwarves know with only 23 panted….. lots more to do. :D
NB: sometimes, when viewing the thread, odd pictures don’t show, just their frame. Does. By one else get this?
Yes. I do. Mainly on my iPad for some reason. Fine on my iPhone and desktop. The miracle of IT ::)
Marvellous dwarf host you are building Steve :)
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Thanks chaps.
As to what’s next, I’m presently painting 12 more heavy infantry and 24 heavy crossbows.
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Nice work Steve,inspirational!
You know the funny swings and roundabouts; I’ve got a pile of Hasslefree Dwarves that Paul (excellent chap he is) gave me,that I believe originally came from you :)
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Nice work Steve,inspirational!
You know the funny swings and roundabouts; I’ve got a pile of Hasslefree Dwarves that Paul (excellent chap he is) gave me,that I believe originally came from you :)
😂
Yeah about 6-7 years ago I started a HF ‘woodland’ dwarf project and did a bunch of conversions that I eventually lost interest in and sold on. My problem then wasn’t the dwarves - they’re lovely - but a lack of direction sans rules.
The enjoyable Rampant rules provide unit structures at a size that encourage me to take the unit to completion - I’m very much a unit painter, not at all a single mini painter. Hurrah for Rampant!!!
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I’ll have to have a look(at Rampant),as I have a backlog… lol
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We had a fun game of it last week. Though similar to Lion Rampant, played in the right spirit it really does have the fantasy atmosphere.
Though Captain Bloods Haradim and Orcs crushed my Dwarves. :'(
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While I’m working my way through painting another 36 dwarves, I’ve completed my Campaign Map
The island of Middelland:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/52/2031-270921111716.jpeg)
With a bit of fluff:
My Middle Earth games aren’t set in the land described by Tolkien. Rather, they occur on an adjacent island - one that Tolkien didn’t get round to describing in his stories ;) - where many of Tolkien’s races are co-located.
The east of the island is controlled by Gondor, whose people fish the sea, raise livestock, and grow cereals. Nortown is the base of food production, with its produce being transported to the deep water port at Londor for shipping to Gondorian settlements elsewhere. Fartower - a bleak and lonely posting for any soldier - guards the fields and roads. The plains of The Great Grazing - an area rich with luxuriant grasslands - is less well guarded, and the drovers and shepherds who herd the animals that are fattened there, fear the malevolence of Uruk Hai and the rumour of dragons.
Though within their domain, the Gondorians avoid the Fated Forest, as it is populated by cut-throats and bandits, while pirates are reputed to operate from its eastern shore. Further south, The Wild is literally that, largely inaccessible to humans, it is the domain of woodland spirits.
The west of Middelland is untamed, with stories of dragons in the mountains and kraken in the sea. There is an Uruk Hai settlement - as if such a civilised word can be used to describe such a dark place - in the mountains at Uruk Mal Votar (Which translates from the Black Speech as ‘Orc Mountain Home’). The Uruk Hai descend from the mountains, raiding the grazing lands for livestock and the farming lands for human meat and slaves.
The orcs fear the dwarves who have made Khaz A Zan-Drakk (the Dwarvish of ‘the Hall of the Red Dragon’) their home. Though not particularly deep underground, the dwarven hold - the karak - is fronted by a fortified gatehouse. What was once just a simple cave is now a Great Hall in which much beer is drunk and great stories are told. The cave had been the nest of the Red Dragon, famously killed by Hekkuth Greataxe, the fearsome Lord of the clan.
The Red Dragon was killed for many reasons, for the cave that could provide comfort and security, for the rich treasure that was the dragon’s nest, for the veins rich with ore that it gave access to, but mostly for revenge. The Red Dragon had preyed on the clan as it moved deeper into the mountains, escaping pursuit by the Uruk Hai. The Dragon had caught the clan in the open, burning and feasting on many until Hekkuth had entered the cave alone to put an end to its reign of terror. With his reputation as a dragon killer, the Uruk Hai now fear Hekkuth and all that follow him. Like all dwarves, the clan holds fast to its grudges. And if they had not been escaping the Uruk onslaught, they would not have been in the open, and the clan would not have been easy prey for the Red Dragon. The dwarven losses to the Red Dragon were the fault of the Uruk, and so Uruks will pay forever.
The dwarves of Khaz A Zan-Drakk do not live under the sky - do not live topside - but their shield markings do represent the sun-drenched sky above the mountains. It is their statement that they do not fear being above the earth, as they have defeated the great evil - the Red Dragon - and are now feared by the Uruk Hai, both of whom had caught them in the open.
Within the Shorewide Forest are isolated settlements of Rangers - men and women of the Dúnedain - who though seeking a simple life, see it as their solemn duty to keep the evils of Middelland in check.
The Wash of the Dead is a malevolent place. An army of humans is reputed to have come ashore there, but while crossing its miles of sand it was caught by the fast tide, their armour and weapons pinning them beneath the waves so that they all drowned. Their spirits are reputed to roam the sands, especially when the sea mist crawls ashore.
Likewise Skeleton Bay, from where few ships have returned, but whose surviving crews tell tales of walking dead.
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Excellent backstory ;D
Will look forward to adventuring there :)
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Excellent backstory ;D
Will look forward to adventuring there :)
Will look forward to having you :D
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Really nice idea to take the components of the Tolkien settings and create your own gaming campaign.
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Thanks - I don’t know the books well enough so thought I’d diverge :D
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Thanks - I don’t know the books well enough so thought I’d diverge :D
Way too much singing, much better to go your own way! ;) lol
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Way too much singing, much better to go your own way! ;) lol
lol It’s true lol
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Thanks - I don’t know the books well enough so thought I’d diverge :D
I'm about halfway through my (I think) fourth re-read of the trilogy and I'll say this for your setting, it's sure as hell less mopey about things than Tolkein's is. Man, those books are downers, ranging from merely melancholy to "just kill me already" depressing. Wonderfully evocative, but what it evokes is bleak as can be past the first few chapters.
It's almost like serving in the Great War might have influenced his writing or something. :?
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Really nice idea to take the components of the Tolkien settings and create your own gaming campaign.
This.
Makes for an interesting campaign without the need to represent the whole of Middle -Earth 8)
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Nice work, I used to love creating maps of unexplored regions of Middle Earth for campaigns. I had a colony set up in the lands just east of the sea of Rhun. I must admit I did initially think you were using joke names on your map, when I focused on the first four letters of Fartower ::)
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Thanks all
Fartower isn’t a joke name, just a happy coincidence as the Gondorians regard it as a particularly crappy posting. ;)
Btw map-making was made easy by just choosing a chunk of the UK. In case anyone didn’t notice it….
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/52/2031-011021083531.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/52/2031-270921111716.jpeg)
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Needs hexes :D
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Needs hexes :D
Did Tolkien use hexes…. I think not! :D
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Have finished 36 more dwarves and 12 battered markers (the markers are for both DR and LR).
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/52/2031-061021111102-528851287.jpeg)
The core of my Dwarf army is Hasslefree but they have limited crossbow poses so I’m mixing in some Conqueror albeit with their bows modified to be closer in appearance to HF.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/52/2031-061021111102-528941945.jpeg)
The HF crossbowmen work out at £2.50 each, the Conqueror at £1.25, and as expected there is a difference in sculpting and casting quality (eg chainmail) albeit it’s not noticeable en masse.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/52/2031-061021111103-528951404.jpeg)
All that said, I have started to supplement the HF crossbows with conversions, of which I have many more to do.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/52/2031-061021111103-528962361.jpeg)
The first of the two crossbow units (the eagle-eyed will notice only 11 minis rather than the requisite 12; I shall be adding in another on the next batch I paint):
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/52/2031-061021111103-528972381.jpeg)
The second crossbow unit:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/52/2031-061021112108-528981648.jpeg)
A unit of heavy infantry (14 pictured; the 2 extra will temporarily make up the crossbow shortfall):
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/52/2031-061021112108-52899236.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/52/2031-061021112108-52900399.jpeg)
The Dwarf army as it presently stands, comprising 59 minis. It will grow as I have another 70 or so still to paint.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/52/2031-061021112108-52901684.jpeg)
And finally, these being the Dwarves of ‘The Hall of the Red Dragon’, I obviously need a dragon. Yet to be painted but I have a Reaper Jabberwock that I think looks the part. Much cutting and pinning was required to stop it sagging (Bones plastic, grrrr!).
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/52/2031-061021112108-52902708.jpeg)
The next minis to be finished will be either Rangers or, more likely, Uruk Hai.
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Nice additions to your collection - the conversions work very well.
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Wonderful collection. :-*
Can't wait to see the next 70 painted lol
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Lovely figures but hold on! You have a go at us for having a few giants and you’ve gone and got a bloody jabberwock lol
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Looking good!
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Lovely figures but hold on! You have a go at us for having a few giants and you’ve gone and got a bloody jabberwock lol
lol
Right time to buy those Wyverns.... Dragon race!!!!;) lol
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lol
Right time to buy those Wyverns.... Dragon race!!!!;) lol
Do it! lol
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Really nice work and a lovely collection of figures.
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A splendid array of dwarfishness. Although as I recall, they die rather easily on the battlefield… ;)
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Thanks folks!
lovely figures but hold on! You have a go at us for having a few giants and you’ve gone and got a bloody jabberwock
Jabberwock …. Dragon…. Look the same to me. ;D lol
A splendid array of dwarfishness. Although as I recall, they die rather easily on the battlefield… ;)
Well, they were fighting unexpectedly powerful Forces of Evil… it was a learning experience for them. ;) :D
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(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/53/2031-151021230843.jpeg)
I’ve now completed a Gondorian statue and a handful of markers to indicate Strength Points for Reduced Model Units.
By-the-by, I’m no longer using this thread to log my project, instead using a blog.
If desired, more info on the statue and markers can be found here:
https://2silentinvader.blogspot.com/2021/10/middle-earth-terrain-2.html?m=1 (https://2silentinvader.blogspot.com/2021/10/middle-earth-terrain-2.html?m=1)
And here:
https://2silentinvader.blogspot.com/2021/10/rules-rampant-markers-2.html?m=1 (https://2silentinvader.blogspot.com/2021/10/rules-rampant-markers-2.html?m=1)
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Looks great Steve - impressive scenery 8)
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Like! :D ;) lol
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Thanks chaps.
I’ll still be posting stuff here but not in such great detail ;)
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That's an impressive piece of scenery.
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Thanks - it’s one of my favourites :)
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Looks great :)
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I like it
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Cool. I like the rampant markers. I used to use dice but this is a much nicer way to represent things and keep the look of the game. Statue is great as well.
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Thanks folks for the interest. :D
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My fantasy roll continues with more Uruk-hai completed, this time the Command Unit of 12 comprising a mix of light infantry swords and bows.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/53/2031-141221122151-536831134.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/53/2031-141221122151-536861840.jpeg)
For Dragon Rampant, this gives me 4 completed units of Uruk Hai
12 x Light Infantry (command with swords & bows)
12 x Light Infantry (swords)
6 x Scouts (bows)
1 x Troll (Oleg-hai)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/53/2031-141221122151-536871231.jpeg)
Though I say finished, I do want to add another couple of Oleg-Hai to make it a 3 figure Reduced Model Unit.
NB: I know some aren’t keen on the non-canon skin colours etc but I do like the way that Jackson presented them.
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Huzzah :D
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Awesomesauce Stevie Babes!
Great work, looking forward to having at them with my four Dwarves. Should be a fair fight Right? lol
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Great work!
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Thanks folks :)
Great work, looking forward to having at them with my four Dwarves. Should be a fair fight Right? lol
Lol. Absolutely, 4 vs 31…. They’d be happy with that.
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Nice looking warband
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Yes, it's really looking good.
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Thanks folks. :)
A slight digression, I have another Eaglemoss chess piece on the way to make a second Gondor-esque statue:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/53/2031-151221093321.jpeg)
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Finished 3 more War Bears for my Dwarf army, this time juveniles who will boost the Unit model count to 6 minis.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/53/2031-241221181052.jpeg)
Next up will probably be 12 Rangers, who are already ½ done
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Splendid additions to the collection :)
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Great additions - apologies if you’ve already answered it elsewhere, but where are the bears from?
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Cheers chaps :)
where are the bears from?
The two largest are from Foundry, the one with the rider is a conversion of I think a Mirlton, and the three juveniles are actually 15mm bears by Northstar.
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Great thread, just came across it today, so have gone back and read everything! Your blog is very enjoyable too! :)
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Thanks - much appreciated :)
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They look great but the one on the right is having too much of a boogie lol
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lol
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My focus has been elsewhere for a couple of months but I have now finished two units of Rangers.
There’s a fair amount of conversion in there, with the figures being GW LotR, Hasslefree and the big chap originally I think a Saxon by I know not whom.
The chap with the boulder is the Ranger Captain; IIRC, in time there will be 5 units of 6 minis (probably more than are in the books lol).
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/54/2031-150322165221-546071990.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/54/2031-150322165222-546081354.jpeg)
The converted big fella:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/54/2031-150322172156.jpeg)
For those interested in such things, this puts me 66 minis finished so far this year, versus 123 for the whole of 2021. :)
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Loving it mate!
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They look real nice. The ranger in a green cloak must be my favourite fantasy archetype.
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Nicely done :)
The boulder on the base is a good idea for recognition. He should be stood on it though for that truly heroic pose :D
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They are looking good, a nice subdued green and brown palette.
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You’re being very productive Steve.
That’s quite an assortment of rangers. Nicely curated 8)
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Very nicely done. The effort was worth it in the end. Looking forward to going ranging with them. :)
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Thanks all - much appreciated.
To my surprise it wasn’t too difficult a force to assemble as there are quite a few minis to choose from (I have another 18 to come!) though all the greens and browns were quite testing to paint as there’s only so many contrasts that can be achieved.
The ranger in a green cloak must be my favourite fantasy archetype.
It’s a toss up for me between colourful dwarves and dour rangers :D
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The boulder on the base is a good idea for recognition. He should be stood on it though for that truly heroic pose :D
Nooooooo! Lol
No foot on X!!!
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Very nicely done. The effort was worth it in the end. Looking forward to going ranging with them. :)
Thank you. I’m not sure which casts you kindly (thank you!) donated to the cause but the whole collection certainly works well together.
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Those rangers are absolutely superb - the 'look' is just perfect.